Asbestos Found in Claire’s Cosmetics Products Raises Product Liability Concerns

Asbestos contamination was found in products sold by the children’s retailers Claire’s and Justice, per a U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raising concerns of product liability. Claire’s, which filed for bankruptcy in March 2018, issued a recall of nine talc-based products in December 2017, after lab tests conducted by the Scientific Analytical Institute found that 17 products acquired from stores across the country contained asbestos (a naturally-occurring fiber which, when inhaled, has been proven to cause lung or mesothelioma cancer). Symptoms of asbestos exposure may not start for 10 to 40 years after exposure, but include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, persistent dry cough, chest pain, and others.

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West Virginia Car Accident Statistics

As car accident lawyers, we are fully aware of the car wreck epidemic in our state. West Virginia, the Mountain State, has a reputation for dangerous driving conditions and dangerous drivers. As a matter of fact, the state is home to one of the highest rates of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities in the country. The state has a rugged terrain and many rural roads, but there is also a high rate of drug abuse. Compounding the problem further, the opioid epidemic has also impacted West Virginia, and drugged driving is a major problem. Another major problem is negligent driving, such as texting while operating a vehcile. These problems are even more dangerous in a state like West Virginia, with unpredictable weather and many winding, rural roadways.

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Increase in Drugged Driving Fatalities in West Virginia

West Virginia has a growing heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic and, with it, a surge of drugged driving arrests. Per data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), West Virginia alone has some of the nation’s deadliest drugged drivers. Statistics show there are 2.33 fatal drug-related car wrecks per 100,000 residents in West Virginia.

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West Virginia Outpaces National Average for Fatal Car Crashes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), West Virginia has more car crash fatalities than the national average, at 14.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 11.6 out of 100,000 people. Part of the reason is the state’s mountainous terrain and winding rural roads, not to mention severe winter weather conditions at higher elevations. Rural roads can be just as dangerous as urban streets, because they tend to be narrower and do not get prioritized for maintenance. In fact, in 2017, 62% of all fatal car crashes in West Virginia occurred on a rural road.

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Imerys Talc America Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Amidst an increasing number of talc-based claims filed against the company, Imerys Talc America Inc. and two of its subsidiaries, Imerys Talc Vermont and Imerys Talc Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. Imerys supplies talc to Johnson & Johnson, Inc., and both companies are facing thousands of lawsuits alleging that the talc used in products were contaminated with asbestos, causing ovarian cancer and mesothelioma in users.

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West Virginia Bans Cell Phone Use While Driving

Imagine a driver receives a text, the road ahead of them looks clear, so they grab their phone, read the message, and send a quick reply. It takes only a few seconds for them to do this, but when they return their attention to the road, they see that the person in front of them has decelerated to avoid some debris. Having had their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their focus off driving, the distracted driver has no time to react to the unexpected road hazard and slams into the car in front of them.

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What are the Safest Cities in West Virginia?

According to the authorities, West Virginia crime rates have been inching up the last few years. SafeWise is an organization that keeps track of crime statistics in each state, and presents them in a “best” or “worst” sorting. The group recently released its 20 Safest Cities in West Virginia listing, which you can view in full by clicking here.

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How You Can Stay Safe On the Wintry Roads of West Virginia

The winter conditions in West Virginia means there is snow and ice on the roads just about wherever you go. Are you prepared for it? Staying safe and out of a weather-related car accident depends heavily on knowledge and preparation. Check out these must-know winter driving safety tips before you next drive out into the cold.

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Quick Cold Weather Safety Tips for Everyone in West Virginia

The weather forecast for West Virginia is looking frightfully cold. If you have lived here for a while, then you know the state is no stranger to cold winters. However, some places in the state are seeing below-freezing cold snaps that bring up legitimate concerns. To help everyone stay safe this winter, the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is asking everyone to remember a quick list of safety tips.

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