Chinese Drywall Signs & Symptoms
Frequent replacement of air conditioning systems or refrigerator components (such as air coils) may be a sign that your home is contaminated. DANGER: If you have experienced loss of “freon” or refrigerant from your a/c system, it may have leaked into your home from sulfur eaten pinholes in your equipment.

• a strong smell of sulfur / “rotten egg-like” odor
• frequent failure of electronics and appliances
• frequent failure of electrical and piping systems, such as air conditioning units (coils)
• Although not proven to be directly linked to defectice drywall, common health symptoms that were reported include:
  • nose bleeds
  • respiratory problems
  • headaches
  • sinus problems

Download our Free 5 Step Guide and investigate your home for Chinese drywall.
www.FreeChineseDrywallReport.com

Other Resources:
CPSC: Chinese Drywall Information Center
HUD: US Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Chinese Drywall Blog
Chinese Drywall Facebook

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The remarkable growth of America’s trucking industry has put more big rigs and truck drivers on the road than ever before. These days, large trucks account for about 1,300 accidents a year in Virginia, and kill over 100 people in the state and about 5,000 people every year nationwide. Motorists need to educate themselves about the dangers of truck accidents, and it can help to know ahead of time what to be aware of if you are unfortunate enough to collide with an 18-wheeler.

What You Need to Know About Truck Accidents

1. Trucking companies have their own lawyers and investigation teams. That’s right, if you’re involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, you may find the scene of the accident crawling with representatives from the trucking company. They aren’t there to help you, they’re there because they know there is a good possibility they’ll face legal action and they want to gather as many facts as possible as quickly as possible. Protect your own interests if you’re involved in a truck accident and speak to your own lawyer as soon as possible.

2. There are a lot more insurance companies involved in truck accidents. Consider your own driving insurance – you probably just have one insurer, and one policy. Not the case for large trucks. In an accident, there may be multiple insurance companies involved, which can greatly complicate you getting what you deserve for your injuries. Your attorney can help ensure your rights are protected when dealing with the trucking company’s insurance company, the owner’s insurance company, the driver’s insurance company, and possibly others.

3. Large trucks handle differently than passenger vehicles. This statement may seem obvious, but many motorists drive as though the big rig next to them has the same braking and handling capability as their minivan. When sharing the road with large trucks, remember that they have bigger blind spots, they need more time to break – and most importantly, they can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – a great reason to give them a wide berth. Accidents with vehicles of this size mean that attorneys and investigators need to have an appreciation for truck dynamics in order to fully understand your accident case.

4. Tractor trailers have different rules and regulations than passenger vehicles. If you’re involved in an accident with a large truck and you believe you need representation for your case, then you’ll want an attorney who knows these types of accidents. There are a myriad of laws governing the ownership, maintenance, and operation of these enormous vehicles, and its important that your attorney ensure all applicable laws were being followed at the time of the accident.

 You can see from the list above that it is your best interest to find an experienced attorney if you or someone you love is involved in a truck accident. There is no reason that you should face the aftermath of a truck accident alone. Please contact The Serpe Firm, and we can help you face the powerful trucking company lawyers so you can get the compensation you deserve.

Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C.
580 East Main Street, Suite 310
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: 757-233-0009
Fax: 757-233-0455

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What are the symptoms of lead exposure?

Lead poisoning can affect many parts of the body, but the most pronounced effects are on the central nervous system and kidneys. Lead enters the body through the inhalation or ingestion of lead dust or particles, and from there it travels into the bloodstream and organs. Eventually it is deposited in the bones and teeth, where it can remain for decades.

WebMD lists the following symptoms for high levels of lead in adults and children:

• Stomachaches, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting
• Persistent, unexplained fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle weakness
• Higher rates of tooth decay

WebMD also lists the following symptoms, however it can be difficult to determine if these symptoms are caused by lead exposure as they are common to other types of illness:

• Behavioral symptoms in children: Irritability or aggressiveness, hyperactivity, being easily distracted, impulsiveness, learning problems, lack of interest in play, loss of appetite.
• Behavioral symptoms in adults: Irritability, unexplained changes in mood or personality, changes in sleep patterns, inability to concentrate, memory loss.
• Neurological symptoms: Poor coordination, weakness in hands and feet, headaches, seizures, paralysis, coma.

Help! I think I’ve been exposed to lead!

We’re all afraid about lead exposure – after all, it’s all over the news. Most of us know about the lead in homes built before 1978, the dangers of lead that used to be in gasoline, and of course we’ve also been stunned by the numerous toy recalls by Mattel, one of the largest toy manufacturers. You may be worried that you or one of your family members have been exposed to lead – particularly if you have a child in your home who may have been playing with lead-tainted toys.

Childhood lead poisoning is still a problem in the United States. The CPSC estimates that 1.7 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 have levels of lead in their blood that are of concern. Children should be screened routinely for lead poisoning as part of a well-baby visit before the age of 2. When you visit the pediatrician for your child’s well-visit exam, the pediatrician will probably make you fill out a form asking questions which can be used to gauge your child’s potential for lead contamination. Questions ask about the age of your home and any ongoing renovation work (that might stir up lead dust in an older home), hobbies that you or another caretaker may have which involves the use of lead (i.e. stained glass work), and more. You may also request that your child be tested, regardless of the results of the questionnaire.

Infants and children are usually tested by a quick finger-stick to collect blood, while a blood draw from a vein is necessary for adults. This will test for lead levels in the blood only, not other internal organs or bones. Additional tests that can be performed include x-rays to look for the presence of lead in your organs and bones, and kidney and urine tests to evaluate renal function.

Considering a home test for lead? Don’t. The most common home test kits, LeadCheck Swabs, have been shown to be inaccurate 64% of the time (you can read our article about these swabs here). The only reliable kind of lead testing is done at certified laboratories (for consumer goods) or through in-home testing by certified lead test companies. You can search for a lead-test company or lead-risk assessor in your area here. The Community Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC) provides a great “Lead Test Decision Guide” on their website.

What is the treatment for lead exposure?

If you or somebody you love has been exposed to lead, the first step in a treatment program is to remove the source of contamination. The next step is to ensure that the person suffering from lead poisoning is eating a nutritious diet, as a well-fed body will absorb less lead than a nutritionally deficient body. If levels of lead in the body are very high, chelation therapy may be tried – but it is very important that the source of lead be removed from the patient’s environment first. Unfortunately, it does not appear possible to reverse the effects of lead exposure by using chelation therapy. This is all the more reason to prevent exposure to lead in the first place – a job we expect our government agencies and manufacturers to take seriously.

Are there any long-term health effects from lead exposure?

The Serpe Firm has reviewed key medical literature to determine if the damage from lead poisoning is permanent, and sadly it appears that it is. Please see the article on our website titled

How can I keep track of lead recalls?

Finally, consider keeping track of recalls involving products containing excessive amounts of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) “is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.” Their website contains information about recalled products, and is the most comprehensive source of recall information. You can also search the CPSC website by type of hazard – go to their website here and search by “lead”. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains a list of all products recalled for lead contamination. You can look for toys, cosmetics, office products, and more that have tested positive for excessive levels of lead.

If you or somebody you love has been affected by lead exposure, please contact the law office of Richard Serpe, PC immediately. Richard Serpe has the experience you need for your lead poisoning case, and will help make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

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According to research released almost 1 out of every 25 restaurant related food poisoning outbreaks between 1998 and 2008 can be traced back to contaminated salsa or guacamole.

Magdalena Kendall, an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) researcher stated, “Salsa and guacamole often contain diced raw produce including hot peppers, tomatoes and cilantro, each of which has been implicated in past outbreaks.”

• Non-compliant storages times and temperatures were reported in 30% of the salsa-guacamole-associated (SGA) outbreaks.
• Food workers were the source of contamination 20% of the time, which my have contributed to outbreaks.

Other Resources:
Food Poisoning Injury Cases
CDC: Food-Related Diseases

Hotel Food Poisoning Settlement
Vernon Hills Chili’s Grill & Bar Settlement

The Virginia lawyers at our firm are available to speak with you for an immediate review of food poisoning cases. Food poisoning is all too frequent in Virginia, and often results in a serious injury which requires extensive medical care and heavy medical bills.

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Since 2006 Avandia users have reported numerous side effects, some of which caused severe medical problems:

• Headaches and back pain
• Anemia
• Swelling or water weight gain (edema)
• Bone fractures in upper arms, hands, and feet
• Vision problems, including partial blindness
• Upper respiratory infections, similar to colds
• Heart disease, heart attack
• Increased risk of stroke
• Liver failure
• Death

Have you or a loved one been physically injured by the type 2 diabetes drug Avandia? If so, contact our Avandia lawsuit lawyers to learn more on how you can be compensated for your suffering.

Toll Free: 877.644.9365
www.Avandia-Lawsuit-Lawyer.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/avandialawsuit

Time Magazine: Is Avandia the Next Vioxx?

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Brought to you by the American Association for Justice. The publication reveals the tricks of their trade, and what you can do about it! “This report describes some of the most egregious ways the insurance industry attempts to make money at the expense of consumers.”

This is an interesting publication we have in our firm website’s car accident library

Have you been involved in a Virginia car accident?
Contact our Office to setup a free case review by phone or appointment. 
Toll Free: 877-544-5323 or Local: 757-233-0009

www.serpefirm.com

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Only about 645 Virginia companies currently participate in the voluntary program in which they receive notification of worker traffic offense convictions. The Richmond Times-Dispatch explains:

The universe is about to expand for the voluntary program, which later this year will begin reporting a wider range of traffic offenses to companies that request almost instant notification of problems their drivers encounter on and off the job.

The idea is to give employers…better and more timely information about the people who drive their vehicles for a living.

“Whether you’re transporting people or freight, you should be held to a higher standard,” [DMV Commissioner] Holcomb said.

The  DMV wants to expand the program to include about 20,000 companies that employer CDL drivers along with about 24,000 companies that employ van and small commercial vehicle drivers.  Under the program, tentative called Drive Alert, employers would get the option of receiving a broad range of driving record information by e-mail.

Nearly 70,000 Virginians hold CDL licenses. Virginia school drivers are already subjects to mandatory employer notification of a wide range of traffic offenses, including reckless driving.

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WVEC.com explains:

The study looked at the 2008 teen crash rates in Va. Beach and Chesapeake, based on Virginia DMV statistics. It found more crashes in Virginia Beach, where high school classes began at 7:20 a.m., than in Chesapeake, where classes started at 8:40 a.m.

The research apparently suggests that later school start times would allow teens to get more sleep and therefore be more alert behind the wheel and in the classroom. EVMS researchers also looked to another study that apparently revealed that delaying high school star times by one hour reduced teen car crashes by 16 percent.

A spokesperson for Virginia Beach school system said that it does not currently have a later starting time for the high school day under consideration, but that it wishes to review the specifics of the research findings.

WAVY aired this report on the study:

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Police arrested Mrs. Lugar on November 18, 2009, after she allegedly crashing into a parked car and left the scene in northern Virginia near where the couple lives.  Fortunately there were no injuries. Authorities later dropped all charges arising from the car accident other than driving under the influence.

In addition to the suspended sentence, the judge ordered Mrs. Lugar, 77, to pay a mandatory minimum $250 fine and imposed certain driving restrictions for next 12 months.  She will also attend a local alcohol education program. In Virginia, a first offense could have also resulted in a one-year license revocation.

Mrs. Lugar evidently registered a 0.11 blood alcohol content (BAC) after the accident which exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 in Virginia.

Under Virginia law, a BAC from 0.15 to 0.20 carries a mandatory, minimum five-day jail term in addition to all other penalties.

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Reportedly, the young boy ran astray from his family in the early evening hours – some time prior to 6 p.m.  After authorities were contacted to assist in locating the lost boy, it was the Firefighting Department that eventually made the unfortunate and heart-wrenching discovery.  The young boy was found in the water by the South Norfolk Firefighters and pronounced dead later at the hospital.  Efforts to resuscitate the boy sadly proved to be ineffective.

According to a detective working with an ongoing police investigation, at the present time it seems that the incident was “an unfortunate accident” – (said) Detective Gus Mojica, as reported by the Virginian Pilot.

The article goes on to explain that a former director of the city department which oversees recreation activities, said to his knowledge this is the first drowning to take place at Lakeside Park in around a half century.

According to this source provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (click here for water-related statistics and safety information), males were 3.4 times more likely to die from an unintentional drowning during the year of 2006.

The following reference for the aforementioned statistic can also cited to the following source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2009) [cited 2009 Nov 24]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars”)

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