There are all too many news stories of motor vehicles mounting curbs and striking pedestrians with tragic results. Two incidents like this occurred in Manhattan just this past Friday afternoon. But one of these incidents has an unusual element: according to witnesses, rather than an apparently random occurrence,the driver of the vehicle and his passenger were following the pedestrians just … Read the rest
Month: March 2009
Unwanted Prolongation of Life Held Not Actionable Without Separate Injury
The plaintiff alleged, in Cronin v. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, — N.Y.S.2d —-, 2009 WL 711761 (March 17, 2009), that the defendant wrongfully prolonged the decedent’s life by resuscitating him on two occasions against the express instructions of the decedent and his family as contained in two Do-Not-Resuscitate orders issued by the hospital and executed by members of the decedent’s … Read the rest
Tragic Day Care Toddler Death Highlights Childrens Food-Related Choking Hazards
In 2000, 160 children age 14 and younger died from obstruction – 41 percent caused by food items and 59 percent by nonfood items. In part due to concerns about children choking, New York State regulation (18 NYCRR 418-1.5) requires handbags, backpacks or briefcases belonging to adults; plastic bags; and toys and objects small enough for children to swallow must … Read the rest
Fallout from Salmonella in Tainted Peanuts Continues Unabated as President Obama Announces Creation of Food Safety Working Group
Recall after recall has resulted from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expansion of the Peanut Corporation of America’s (PCA) Salmonella related recall to include all peanut ingredient products produced in PCA’s Plainview, Texas facility since January 1, 2007. Just last week, the FDA announced recalls of 18 peanut-containing products because the products have the potential to be contaminated … Read the rest
FDA Launches SAFEKIDS Initiative to Assess Safety of Anesthetics And Sedatives In Young Children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on March 13, 2009, agreements with five partners to study the effects of anesthetics and sedatives on the neurocognitive development of infants and young children. Exposure to some anesthetics and sedatives is associated with memory and learning deficits and other neurodegenerative changes in the central nervous system, according to research using juvenile animal … Read the rest
Don’t Be So Sure That Dietary Supplements Are Safe; The F.D.A. Isn’t
In the first 10 months of 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) received 948 reports of health problems associated with dietary supplements, but not necessarily directly caused by them, according to a report from the federal Government Accountability Office (G.A.O.). Those included 9 deaths, 64 life-threatening illnesses and 234 hospitalizations. The F.D.A. recently estimated that there are more … Read the rest
Study Finds Cell Phones Distract Preadolescent Children While Crossing Streets
Cell phones are known to distract motor vehicle drivers to the point that their safety is jeopardized and an accident may occur. But what about whether cell phones might also distract child pedestrians? A study of effect of cell phone use on pediatric pedestrian injury risk suggests that cell phones distract pre-adolescent children while crossing streets. While distracted, children … Read the rest
Protect Your Children from Exposure to Lead Resulting From Home Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities
Home renovation, repair, and painting activities cause elevated blood lead levels in children no doubt about it. A 1997 analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) indicated that home renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) activities were important sources of lead exposure among children with blood lead levels (BLLs) >20 g/dL in New York state. The Centers … Read the rest
