Monthly Archives: April 2012

Mesothelioma Just One Disease That Can Result From Asbestos Exposure

As we mentioned on Monday, mesothelioma is just one disease that can result from asbestos exposure. When a person breathes in asbestos fibers, they can stay in that person’s lungs for a long time. Prolonged exposure and additional accumulation can also lead to: Asbestosis — This is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. A smoker with asbestosis also risks developing lung cancer. Asbestos warts — These are benign callus-like growths that result from sharp fibers being lodged in the skin and overgrown. Pleural plaques or diffuse pleural thickening — While this usually does not cause any symptoms, the tissue around the lungs and diaphragm thickens and hardens. Pneumothorax — Also known as a collapsed lung, this is an abnormal collection of air or gas in the pleural space that separates the lung from the chest wall. The condition is considered a medical emergency as it can interfere with…
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‘Happy’ Verdict for McDonald’s as Judge Tosses Class Action

Last July, McDonald’s announced it would not only reduce the amount of French fries included in the Happy Meals that are geared towards children, but also added apple slices as a healthier option. While that initiative began in September, the Associated Press reported on April 5, 2012, that a San Francisco judge dismissed a class action lawsuit that sought to stop the fast-food franchise from using toys to market the Happy Meals to kids. According to the Los Angeles Times, Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer did not give a reason in his decision for dismissing the suit. Interestingly, the Times noted that research group NPD had “data suggesting that children’s menus with toys attached were experiencing a sharp plunge in popularity, though they continue to be the best-selling options for customers under age 13.” The group found pizza “is far and away the most popular fast-food for children,” with fries…
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Understanding the Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure is often the cause of many cases of mesothelioma, and the first week of April was National Asbestos Awareness Week. While the dangers of asbestos exposure have been understood for many years now, the number of countries that have banned asbestos is still less than the number of countries that have not. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that there are additional risk factors involved in asbestos exposure than can impact the effect on someone’s health, such as: Exposure concentration — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur after asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities. Improperly attempting to remove such materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those homes, the EPA notes. Exposure duration — The cumulative length of all…
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Deal! Groupon to Pay $8.5 Million to Settle Class Action

We wrote about class action lawsuits against the daily deal website Groupon a couple of times last year, and on April 2, 2012, Bloomberg reported that Groupon Inc. has agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the expiration dates on its coupons are illegal. The settlement pertains to 17 lawsuits against Groupon that were combined in a federal court in San Diego. According to the lawsuits, the discount coupons contained expiration dates that were in violation of the Credit Card Accountability and Responsibility Disclosure Act and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act requiring expiration dates of more than five years. According to Bloomberg, the customers who purchased Groupon vouchers before December 1, 2011 will be able to either redeem the vouchers past their expiration date or, if unable to do so, obtain a refund from the $8.5 million fund. The restrictions will vary by state, as…
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