July 22, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
In the past few days, there have been important updates in two of the most publicized recall stories of the year – Toyota cars and Johnson & Johnson products. Toyota has been served a subpoena by a federal grand jury for any documents concerning the recent recall of cars with defective steering relay rods. A subpoena is an order from a court to present evidence, and failure to comply can lead to court action. In March, Toyota was served a separate subpoena for brake problems in its popular Prius model. More information can be found in this CNN Money article. Johnson & Johnson was also subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury. Starting in May, Johnson & Johnson began recalling popular over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol and Motrin. The recall kept expanding up until last month, and all recalls were linked to a problem in the manufacturer's factory. Johnson & Johnson will appear before the grand jury and launch an independent investigation of their factory practice. This CNN Money article has more details. For more information on the recalls, check out my firm's Toyota and Johnson & Johnson pages.
March 01, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Apparently Pittsburgh is planning to start enforcing its sidewalk clearing ordinance again this week. Pittsburghers were lucky in February -- officials decided to suspend the ordinance after the first heavy snowfall. But it's a new month and the grace period granted by officials is now over. So, remember to clear the sidewalks outside your home or you'll receive a citation, followed by a $25 fine if you still don't shovel your walks. And check out my website for more information about who's responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks.
February 09, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
 If you're considering nursing homes for a loved one, you probably know how difficult it is to decide who you can trust to give them the best care possible.
If so, you may be interested in an article I found in USA Today about the persistently low ratings that many long-term care facilities receive every year. In fact, the article says that one in five of our country's 157,000 nursing homes received poor ratings for overall quality from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These ratings are assigned yearly and are based on quality, staffing, health inspections, and an overall score. More than a quarter million people are residents at facilities that have received low quality scores this year, and nearly all of the homes that are repeatedly rated poorly are for-profit corporations. Medicare says that a one-star nursing home isn't necessarily a terrible facility because even the lowest-rated homes must still meet baseline Medicare conditions. If you don't want your loved one put into a one- or two-star facility, however, make sure to tell your hospital discharge planner. It's not even a question that every nursing home resident deserves the best care possible. My law firm's website has a number of resources to help you make sure that happens. We have information on things to consider when choosing a nursing home, frequently asked nursing home questions, and rights of nursing home residents. Please take advantage of these free resources – it can make a big difference in the lives of those you love.
October 23, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Most of us have heard about the statistics and research that show just how dangerous using a cell phone behind the wheel can be. Now local researchers and residents are joining the conversation. Carnegie Mellon University psychology professor Marcel Just has done brain imaging research showing that listening to a cell phone conversation reduces the amount of brain activity dedicated to driving by 30 percent. And texting, he says, is a "double whammy" because it occupies a driver's fingers and eyes as well as their brains. So why do people continue to use cell phones for talking and texting while they drive? According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, many Pittsburghers say they know the dangers but just can't help themselves. One law student said she won't text while she's driving but she will talk on her cell phone. A man who recently became a father said that he used to text behind the wheel on a regular basis but has limited it to red lights since the birth of his child. Another man said that the convenience of texting often makes him disregard the risks. If you'd like to read more about what they have to say, check out the PG article here. Our state's legislators have been struggling with how to craft Pennsylvania's cell phone and driving laws – whether to ban some texting, ban all texting, or leave the decision entirely up to drivers. The House rejected a bill last spring that would have banned texting while driving and made it a primary offense, meaning an officer could pull a motorist over just for using a cell phone. Then in April, the House approved a version of the bill that would prohibit "junior drivers" from using "interactive wireless communications devices" while driving. The Senate, however, approved a bill that makes texting while driving a secondary offense for all drivers. Until a decision has been made by lawmakers, it's our responsibility to make sure we're as safe as possible when we're on the road, avoiding all dangerous behaviors. I encourage everyone to think before they pick up a cell phone while driving – you could be endangering your life and the lives of your fellow motorists. You can check out my law firm's website for more information on using a cell phone while driving, including statistics, state-by-state cell phone laws, and news.
October 23, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Yesterday, Pittsburgh police issued an important reminder to drivers – don't speed in school zones and don't pass stopped school buses. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, officers spread across different neighborhoods and targeted drivers who violated these laws. They issued several citations, including on Crane Avenue near Brashear High School and on West Liberty Avenue in Beechview. In addition to being a big safety risk, illegally passing a school bus will cost you $344.50 in fines, give you five points, and earn you an automatic 60-day license suspension. Exceeding the speed limit in a school zone by 11 mph or more will get you a $500 fine plus court costs. The fines may seem hefty to some people, but as Officer Mike McNamara said in the article,
"It's a school zone. There are kids involved. That's why they make it so hefty." Please obey all traffic laws, especially those that are meant to keep our children safe.
June 15, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
It was great watching the City of Champions parade from our downtown Pittsburgh offices here on Grant Street. I'm excited that the Stanley Cup is in Pittsburgh and I can't wait for another great Penguins hockey season next year!
June 11, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Medical Costs Responsible for Majority of Bankruptcies The New York Times recently published an article about a topic that is extremely important – the high and sometimes devastating cost of medical care. The article cites a recent study that found that almost two out of every three bankruptcies stem from medical bills. What's more, this data was collected before the economic crisis, so the numbers are probably much higher now. What may come as an even bigger surprise is that this doesn't just apply to people without insurance. The study found that among families who were bankrupted by medical costs, those with private insurance reported average medical bills of $17,749, compared to $26,971 for those without insurance. And then there are those people who lost their insurance during the course of their treatment – they incurred an average of $22,568 in costs. The study found that hospital costs accounted for 48% of expenses, prescription drugs for 18.6%, doctor's bills for 15.1%, and insurance premiums for 4.1%. The conditions that resulted in the highest out-of-pocket expenses were: 1. Neurologic - $34,167 2. Diabetes - $26,971 3. Injuries - $25,096 4. Stroke - $23,380 5. Mental illness - $23,178 6. Heart disease - $21,955 As my law firm has seen time and time again with our clients, not only do people have to deal with the physical and emotional repercussions of being injured or sick, but they also have to worry about their financial well-being. Navigating the medical and insurance systems can be extremely difficult when you're 100% healthy, let alone when you need to focus on your health. Helping our clients secure the money that is so crucial to their recovery and peace of mind is something that we take very seriously.
May 15, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Chicago has become the first city in the U.S. to ban the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups that contain the chemical BPA. For more on that decision, you can read this USA Today article. Representatives from the chemicals industry say that products containing BPA aren't a health risk, but some scientists and environmental advocates disagree, claiming that BPA can mimic hormones and lead to reproductive problems in children. Here's some more info on BPA from my law firm's website.
March 12, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
 Potholes can appear in Pittsburgh streets in the blink of an eye - one day the road is smooth and the next it's a minefield waiting to flatten your tires. If you read the post on my recent experience with a nasty pothole, then you know I'm well aware of their hazards.
That's why I was interested to learn that city officials have announced that they will introduce a new system for patching potholes that they say will make repair efforts more effective. The mayor said that 50 public works employees and 17 members of the city's "redd-up" crew will be performing the repairs. While we wait to see how effective this new system is, here are some tips from AAA on avoiding damage and accidents caused by potholes: • Be aware that water may make a deep pothole look like a puddle. • Look out for potholes by leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. • Provide as much cushion as possible by maintaining full air pressure in tires. • Check the surrounding traffic before swerving to avoid a pothole. • If a pothole can't be avoided, slow down. High speeds increase the chance of damage to tires, wheels, shocks, struts and springs. • Hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control if you're driving on a street filled with potholes. • Never brake in a pothole because braking causes the car's weight to shift to the front of the wheel, likely increasing the damage. To report a pothole, you can call 311, visit pittsburghpothole.com, or call 412-255-CITY (2489). Officials said that the goal is to respond to reports within three days, but that it may take up to a week if they receive as many repots as they're anticipating. In addition, if you've been in an accident involving a pothole, you can check out this post for liability information.
November 24, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
This past Friday, Sally Wiggin interviewed me on WTAE in a segment called "Making Exercise After 40 Better!" Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, was there as well. Dr. Wright specializes in sports medicine for people older than 40, and she is the director of P.R.I.M.A: the Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes. In the past year, I have suffered several exercise-related injuries, the most serious of which happened when I fell while running. My wife encouraged me to get evaluated at the UPMC Performance Center as part of the P.R.I.M.A program. Working with the trainers there and rehabbing from my injuries has given me an even greater appreciation for what my clients must go through. It is scary not knowing how seriously you are hurt, how long it will take you to recover, and how complete your recovery will be. The segment provided some really good safety tips and information for people who want to remain active no matter their age. You can check out the full segment here.
September 18, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Tens of thousands of people in the Pittsburgh area still don't have power following the strong winds that blew through our region last weekend. In times like these, when power outages last for days, food and medication storage becomes a primary concern. The Allegheny County Health Department offers the following guidelines and tips for food and medication safety when a power outage strikes: - Raw fruit and vegetables are safe to eat. If they are cooked, however, they should be thrown away after six hours.
- The maximum safe temperatures are 40 degrees for refrigerators and 0 degrees for freezers. Anything above these temperatures can promote bacteria growth.
- Never taste food to determine whether or not it is safe. Even if looks and smells fine, more than two hours at room temperature can make food dangerous to eat.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to maximize cool temperatures. Refrigerators generally maintain their temperatures for four hours with closed doors and freezers can stay cold for 48 hours.
- Use ice and frozen gel packs to keep things cool.
- Medications often require the same conditions as some foods. For instance, insulin can't be stored in temperatures below 36 degrees or above 86 degrees. Do not use it if it is crystallized, frosting, plumping, or if there are changes to clarity or color.
Please keep these tips in mind as you sort through the contents of your refrigerators. Hopefully everyone's power is up and running again soon!
August 28, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Because of high gas prices, I've noticed more people are biking to their jobs. While I don't cycle to work, I do enjoy it as a leisure and fitness activity. As some of you may already know, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has announced that our city is the first in Pennsylvania to hire a full-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. The efforts of the coordinator will not only make biking and walking safer and more accessible, but will also make Pittsburgh a greener city. As more and more people leave their cars in driveways and garages because of high fuel costs, it is an especially critical time to ensure that residents are safe as they use alternative forms of transportation. City council members want the biking initiative to have a variety of components, including better enforcement of cycling and traffic laws, the improvement of cycling routes, and the installation of bike racks on more city buses. Apparently, officials will apply for bike-friendly status in 2010, which is awarded by the League of American Bicyclists to communities that provide safe accommodations for cyclists and encourage bicycle use. No city in PA has earned this status yet. Higher safety standards, better biking conditions, and more incentives to ride – these changes will allow residents to better enjoy cycling our beautiful city. In the meantime, you can check out my firm's bike safety tips to learn how to keep yourself safe the next time you go for a ride.
August 10, 2007
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
What a storm! Our law offices in Altoona, Ebensburg, Erie, Johnstown and Pittsburgh felt the forceful effects that hit western Pennsylvania. I know many employees, not to mention myself, have flooded basements and property damage waiting for them back at home. Yesterday, the storm cut off phone and Internet service at our Ebensburg office once in the morning and later in the afternoon. Just down the street from us here in Pittsburgh, the Uptown neighborhood experienced winds strong enough to tear entire pieces off of buildings. I know it wasn’t as devastating as the floods of September 14, 2004, but it was still challenging weather. It looks like the storm has settled now. Stay safe during the cleanup. Here’s wishing you and yours a dry weekend!
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