Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 of about 137,000 pieces of children’s jewelry sold at Justice and Limited Too due to high levels of cadmium, a toxic metal. The two stores sell clothing and accessories aimed at pre-teen girls, according to a news report on KMOV.

The recall covers 19 different necklaces, bracelets, and earrings sold in Justice and Limited Too stores, as well as on Justice’s Web site, www.shopjustice.com. The jewelry sports shapes such as hearts, butterflies, and peace signs. Some pieces include the words “Best Friends Forever.” The jewelry was sold between November 2008 and February 2010.

The jewelry was imported from China and distributed by Tween Brands, a New Albany, Ohio-based company. Consumers may return the jewelry to the store for a full refund. Questions may be directed to Tween Brands’ consumer hotline at 800-934-4497. So far, no injuries have been reported as a result of the high cadmium levels in the jewelry.

Cadmium is a naturally-occurring metal that is toxic to the human body, which can neither use it nor dispose of it. Children who ingest cadmium through sucking on, biting, or swallowing cadmium-containing toys or jewelry may exhibit flu-like symptoms. Excessive cadmium exposure results in weakening of the bones and irreversible kidney damage, as the kidneys become less able to remove acids from the blood.

As the CPSC notes, parents should not have to worry whether their children’s toys or jewelry are safe. A child or adult who experiences cadmium poisoning may have certain legal rights, including the right to sue a negligent or careless manufacturer of a cadmium-containing product. The experienced Missouri product liability attorneys at Page Law will protect your legal rights in court and fight for the compensation you or your loved one deserves. Call 314-322-8515 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

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A recent article in the Springfield News-Leader reported that a teenage suspect wanted in connection with a fatal car crash in Missouri was recently apprehended by police. The Southern Missouri Fugitive Task Force found the seventeen-year-old woman in a home in southwestern Greene County. She surrendered herself to the police without incident.

Police allege that the woman was one of the drivers in a May 31 car crash that left a 21-year-old male passenger in her vehicle dead and a second passenger severely injured. The driver of the car with which the woman collided suffered minor injuries. At the time of the Missouri vehicle accident, the woman's blood alcohol level was allegedly .191 percent - more than twice the legal limit. She is facing criminal charges including involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault.

Just two weeks before the accident, the woman had pleaded guilty to another drunk driving accident in June 2009, receiving a two-year suspended sentence.

Drunk drivers who cause auto accidents in Missouri, especially accidents that result in injury or death, face criminal penalties for their actions. These drivers may also be held liable in civil court by their victims. Compensation in a car accident resulting in injury may include payment by the drunk or negligent driver for a victim's medical bills, lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, and more.

If you've been injured by a drunk driver, the legal team at Page Law can help. Our experienced Missouri car accident attorneys will examine your case carefully and fight to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Please don't hesitate to call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

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GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to settle 200 cases in which injured plaintiffs allege that Paxil, an anti-depressant drug, caused birth defects, a Yahoo Finance article said.

Eight months ago, a jury in Philadelphia awarded $2.5 million in a case involving Paxil that went to trial. In that case, the jury found that GlaxoSmithKline failed to warn doctors and pregnant women about the risks associated with Paxil. The plaintiff was born with heart defects after his mother used Paxil during pregnancy. The plaintiff’s attorney asked jurors what caused them to rule against GlaxoSmithKline, and they felt that GSK had failed to study the drug’s effect on pregnant humans, although the animal testing showed potential problems.

Since then, GlaxoSmithKline decided to settle almost 200 cases for confidential amounts. Approximately 100 other cases have already been settled. The next round of cases is scheduled for a fall trial.

Continue reading "Case against Paxil for Causing Birth Defects Moves towards Settlement" »

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A furniture store employee in O’Fallon was killed in the store’s warehouse when a love seat fell on top of him, crushing him, according to an article on StlToday.com. The employee had gone to retrieve furniture for a customer and failed to return. His manager went to the warehouse to look for him and found him pinned between furniture and a stock picker, which is a machine that lifts and lowers heavy objects. The employee had been using the stock picker to retrieve a love seat.

The manager lowered the employee to the ground, called 911 and began administering CPR. However, the man died later at the hospital. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident. OSHA had no complaints or violations against the O’Fallon store in its records, which date back to 1972. According to OSHA, over 5,000 people in the United States were killed in workplace accidents in 2008. 148 workers were killed in Missouri workplace accidents alone in 2008.

Continue reading "O'Fallon Furniture Store Employee Killed in Tragic Accident" »

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Tragically, a Missouri sprint car racer was killed in an accident in Warsaw, Missouri. According to a www.ktul.com report, the racer was electrocuted in his shop while he was preparing his trailer for racing.

An average of 400 Americans die of electrical shock injuries each year caused by consumer products alone. What should you do if someone needs help due to an electrical shock injury? According to the Mayo Clinic, you should immediately call 911 if an individual has been shocked and is experiencing heart problems, respiratory failure, burns, seizures, numbness and tingling, burns, or muscle pains and contractions.

While waiting for the medical personnel to arrive, first check to see if the person is still in contact with the source of electricity before touching him or her. If possible, turn off the source of electricity. If high voltage lines are the source of the injury, stay at least 20 feet away until the power is turned off. Then check for signs of consciousness. If the person is not conscious and not breathing, begin CPR. In addition, you should try to keep the torso elevated higher than the head, and elevate the legs. You should not move a person with electrical shock injuries unless the person is in immediate danger.

Have you or someone you know been injured by electrical shock as the result of someone else’s negligence or as the result of a defective product? If so, you should consult an experienced Missouri injury attorney. At Page Law, our attorneys are knowledgeable about all aspects of personal injury law and will strive to obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation at 314-322-8515.

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Three boating deaths were reported in Missouri over the holiday weekend, and two were due to alcohol consumption.

According to KMOX.com, a man was boating with some of his friends on the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend. The friends decided to climb on the Hurricane Bridge and jump into the water, a 60 foot fall. The man who jumped first did not survive, and his body was recovered by divers.

Another tragic Missouri boating accident occurred when an elderly woman, who was riding on a pontoon boat on the Osage River, was killed when her boat was struck by a man who had been consuming alcohol. The individual was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Across the state, 39 people were arrested for boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol over the Independence Day holiday.

Continue reading "Boating and Alcohol a Deadly Combination over Holiday Weekend" »

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An 11 year old Missouri girl was injured in a tragic fireworks accident over the Independence Day weekend.

According to kansascity.com, the girl was injured by “Black Eyed Peas”, the small explosive poppers typically thrown down or placed on the road so that cars can run over them. The girl unwrapped a package and placed them into a bowl in preparation for a July 4th neighborhood party. As she was moving them, an explosion occurred and she was critically injured.

She was transported by helicopter to Children’s Mercy Hospital. In 2009, Children's Mercy hospital reported seeing 52 patients in their emergency room with fireworks-related injuries. In 2008, 28 children were seen with fireworks-related injuries.

On average, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 fireworks injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms each year. Injuries to children under age 15 account for 40 percent of the injuries. Firecrackers and sparklers have the most reported injuries among all types of fireworks. Approximately half the injuries to children under 5 years old are caused by sparklers. Most of the fireworks injuries are burns, and about two-thirds of the victims of fireworks injuries are males.

Continue reading "Young Girl Injured in Fireworks Accident over Holiday Weekend" »

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With the Fourth of July just around the corner, several Missouri residents have already begun celebrating with fireworks and other devices. While a patriotic spirit is to be encouraged, far too many citizens overlook safety when utilizing these potentially dangerous objects. A new study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that fireworks-related incidents were responsible for two deaths in 2009 and approximately 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries. According to the CPSC, throughout the 30 days near last year’s holiday, about 6,000 injuries involving fireworks were reported in which half of the injuries related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.

Consumers below the age of 20 are the most prone to fireworks injuries; however, the risk of serious injury or even death still exists for anyone within close proximity of fireworks or other pyrotechnics. Some common fireworks injuries and hazards include burns, lacerations, loss of limbs, residential fires and wrongful death.

Parental supervision is essential when legal fireworks are being used. Never allow young children to set-off or play with fireworks or other gadgets. It is also important to never throw or point fireworks at another individual. To learn more about how you can help prevent serious injuries related to fireworks this Fourth of July holiday, please refer to the CPSC’s website for consumer fireworks safety tips.

The Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law want consumers to understand the importance of safety during the Independence Day holiday. Take every necessary precaution to keep your loved ones safe.

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The number of deaths caused by railroad accidents has held steady in Missouri since 2008, after peaking in that year. According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, 20 people died in Missouri train accidents in 2008 and again in 2009, up from 12 deaths in 2007. Four people were involved in fatal train accidents in the first quarter of 2010.

The number of train-car accidents also decreased in 2009. In that year, Missouri saw 39 train-car collisions, down from 46 in 2008. Eight of the train-car accidents in 2009 were fatal, while ten of the 2008 train-car accidents were fatal. Both 2008 and 2009 saw 17 injuries in train-car accidents, which was less than the 26 injuries recorded in 2007.

People entering the railroad right-of-way on foot without permission saw the most dramatic increases in deaths and injuries over the past three years. The number of trespasser deaths jumped from five in 2007 to nine in 2008 and to 12 in 2009. Meanwhile, the number of railroad trespasser injuries in Missouri dipped slightly from nine in 2007 down to five in 2008, but rebounded to nine injuries in 2009. Since the beginning of 2010, one trespasser has been injured on a Missouri railroad and two have been killed.

Trains pose a significant threat to both pedestrians and motorists. The considerable size and weight of a train leaves an unprotected person and their vehicle at risk for serious injury, damage, and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Missouri train accident, please don't hesitate to contact the experienced legal team at Page Law. Our personal injury attorneys in St. Louis will help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

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ATV accidents in Missouri are on the rise, particularly in the summer months. A ksmu.org story mentions that local health care workers have reported seeing an increasing number of ATV accident victims in recent months and years.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a number of recommendations to keep ATV riders safe this summer:

• Take a course. The Commission recommends that ATV drivers take a formal safety course. Course attendance has been shown to reduce the chance of accidents.


• Wear a helmet and proper attire. Missouri law requires those under 18 to wear a helmet at all times on an ATV. Wear a helmet that is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation or the Snell Memorial Foundation. Avoid sandals and shorts. Instead, wear boots, pants, long-sleeved shirts and gloves to protect against cuts or other injuries to the skin.


• Avoid paved roads. Missouri has laws that restrict the use of ATVs on public roads, but many accidents still occur on paved public roads. ATVs are difficult to control on paved roads and collisions with other vehicles can be dangerous.


• Don’t let children ride. Children should not be permitted to ride on or drive an adult ATV. Children are involved in a third of all ATV deaths and E.R. visits.


• No passengers. Don’t drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as a passenger. The majority of ATVs were designed to carry only one passenger. Additional passengers make the ATV more difficult to control.

Stay safe this summer. If you have been injured in a St. Louis ATV accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, or because of a defective ATV, contact the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation.

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed new food safety legislation last year and the Senate is expected to pass a different version this summer, a CNC News article reports.

There are 76 million cases of foodborne illness each year, killing 5,000 and sending 300,000 to the hospital. Almost 60 percent of U.S. food manufacturers have gone over five years without a federal inspection.

The FDA is responsible for oversight of 80 percent of the U.S.’s food supply. According to the Institute of Medicine, the FDA should better apportion its resources. The Institute of Medicine recommended that national food safety standards be adopted. The Institute also suggested that the FDA focus on the foods that have the highest danger of carrying foodborne illnesses.

The Senate bill gives the federal government the authority to order food recalls. It also gives the FDA expanded access to food manufacturers’ records, expands food facility inspections, gives the FDA the authority to set new standards for product safety, and imposes stricter standards for imported food. Currently, only a small fraction of imported food is inspected.

Although America’s food supply has gradually become safer over the last few decades, foodborne illnesses are constantly developing and changing. Foodborne illness in Missouri can result in a wide range of problems, from vomiting and fever to death. If you have contracted a foodborne illness due to a contaminated food product, you may have a potential claim for compensation. The St. Louis foodborne illness attorneys at Page Law can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact Page Law today for a free consultation by calling 314-322-8515.

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ABC news affiliate KMBC reported recently that police are still searching for a teenage driver who hit a pedestrian and then fled the scene. The pedestrian was struck in a parking lot at 6900 West 135th Street in Overland Park, Kansas. The accident occurred on Saturday, June 12. Luckily, the pedestrian's injuries were minor.

The pedestrian described the driver as a teenage male, possibly 16 or 17 years of age, driving a light blue Ford Mustang Coupe with chrome wheels. The car is described as a fairly recent model, from the 2005 to 2007 model years. A passenger in the car met the same general description as the driver.

Police encourage anyone with information about the hit-and-run accident to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Hit-and-run auto accidents occur throughout the United States, putting the lives of innocent pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other vehicle occupants in danger. Parking lots can be an especially dangerous place for pedestrians. The lack of traffic signals and other tools to guide driver behavior often makes drivers believe parking lots may be driven through freely, with little attention to other cars and people in the area. Although pedestrians are not hit as frequently by a vehicle as vehicles hit one another, the consequences to an unprotected pedestrian can be even more devastating: in 2006, 76 pedestrians died after being struck by cars in Missouri alone.

Continue reading "Overland Park Pedestrian Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident" »

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