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Tallahassee Personal Injury Lawyer
Contact Tallahassee accident attorneys Smith & Vanture, LLP immediately if you or a family member has experienced death or been a victim of another's negligence.

• A True Food Safety Agency May Be On the Horizon
  

  If Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn) has it her way, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might soon be split into separate food safety and drug/device safety responsibilities. DeLauro intends to introduce legislation proposing to do just that by late September.
  
  DeLauro, chairwoman of the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee, made the suggestion at a Sept. 17 hearing focused on the salmonella outbreak investigation. DeLauro said she plans to introduce the Food Safety Modernization Act the week of Sept. 22, which will seek to establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services that would have responsibility for all food safety issues currently administered by the FDA.

  "To be sure, our ultimate goal must remain an independent, single food agency, but I believe that in order to begin fixing our broken system, we must act now, and this is the best way forward," she said in her opening statement at the food safety hearing.

  
  A news release from DeLauro's office said other components of the legislation will address traceability, process controls, inspections and insuring the safety of imported foods.

  The FDA has been at the center of a number of recent controversies over its handling of food safety issues, including tracking tainted foods and the failure to act more quickly in response to foodborne outbreaks, to name a few.

  Representative DeMauro is not alone in her opinion that the system is broken. The question remains whether the establishment of a single food safety agency is enough. With questions still lingering from the tomato/pepper outbreak, the debate surrounding the proposed legislation is certain to be intense.

  Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith
• Recalled Pet Food Could Sicken Humans as Well
  

  Mars Petcare has recalled pet food products manufactured at its Everson, Pa., facility because of a potential salmonella contamination. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

  The Brands affected by the recall include: Country Acres, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Sam's Club, Ol' Roy, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition, Red Flannel, Retriever
  Special Kitty and Wegman's.

  In addition to being dangerous for pets, the pet food could sicken people who handle the food. The FDA has warned that cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, could cause symptoms in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems The FDA has urged people with symptoms of salmonella exposure, who have come into contact with the pet products, to contact a health care provider.

  Symptoms of exposure to salmonella include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. On rare occasions, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

  If you or a loved one has symptoms of salmonella exposure from the recalled pet food, feel free to contact the law firm of Smith & Vanture, LLP at (800) 443-4529 or www.smithvanture.com for more information.

  Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith
• Jury Finds Sheriff's Deputy Not Liable for Accident
  

  A Leon County jury returned a verdict on Wednesday, finding that a Leon County sheriff's deputy was not negligent in a crash with a bicyclist two years ago that left the 22-year-old man fatally injured. Timothy Conn died July 3, 2006, after his bike collided with Deputy Charles McClure's patrol car on State Road 20.

  Expert witnesses called by each party differed in their opinions on how the accident happened. The three-day trial consisted of testimony from witnesses, Conn's family and friends, law-enforcement officers and accident-reconstruction experts.

  The jury deliberated for more than an hour before returning the verdict.

  Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith
• FDA warns of Tainted Chinese Baby Formula
  

  It has just been reported that Chinese baby formula, that is actually illegal in the US, may have made its way into this country. Avoid Chinese-made baby formula, FDA says   This article has just been posted on Google news and should be read by everyone.  The problem of tainted food is a real and one that we all must be diligent in watching.  The article states:
  We have some concerns that there may be some supplies of infant formula that may have gotten into the country illegally and may be in specialty markets that serve the Chinese community," Janice Oliver, deputy director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in an interview.
  
  
  Unfortunately, the problem of tainted food is an ongoing issue that will only worsen over time. As businesses try and improve their bottom line they are more likely to cut corners in an effort to raise profits. Sadly, that can result in significant injuries to an unsuspecting public. And while the FDA may make admirable efforts to limit these problems it is clear that there is a constant stream of people who will put stuff on the market to make a profit regardless of the consequences. While this is a small minority it can have devastating  consequences on the victims.
  If you believe that you have been adversely effected by tainted food you need to call my partner, Brian Smith, who focuses much of his practice on these problems. Tell him Charlie sent you.
  And in the meantime be careful about the food you buy and where you buy it

  Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Charles Vanture
• Credit Crunch prompts insurance fraud concern?
  

  I just saw an article from the International Travel Insurance Journal where they state that the company Absolute Fraud Management is warning insurance companies that the credit crunch is causing an increase in fraudulent claims. Credit crunch prompts fraud concern

  While this article addresses concerns over insurance travel fraud you can see that your local 'good neighbor' with his 'good hands' is already using this excuse as yet another reason why a claim should be denied or at least questioned.

  The article stated: "A recent study that showed a 13-per-cent rise in suspicious motor claims in the past three months has served as a warning to travel insurers to be on the lookout for more fraudulent cla