New York City Personal Injury Lawyer

Speculative Investing vs. Non-Speculative Investing

Adam Gana — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:19 GMT

In determining whether or not you may have a claim for your investment loss, you should think about whether or not your lost investment was speculative or non-speculative. Speculative investments are those investments that carry significant risk after a thorough analysis. It is possible that the purchaser will lose the principal amount in a speculative investment. Financial speculation can involve buying, holding, selling, and short-selling of stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, collectibles, real estate, derivatives, or any valuable financial instrument to profit from fluctuations in its price, regardless of its underlying value. Investment strategies that are speculative carry a high risk of loss of any unrealized profit loss as well as the principal investment itself.

Certain investment strategies can demonstrate an investor as being non-speculative. These include hedging strategies that minimizes the risk of a speculative strategy by minimizing the risk of loss. Hedging could involve trading an asset whose price has a mathematically defined relation with a speculative investment, such as a call or a put option. The purchase of a call or a put option on a security gives the buyer the right to purchase the underlying security at a given price in the future. If the price of an underlying security rises, the value of a call on that security will rise at a rate much greater than the underlying value (or if the price falls, the value of a put option will rise). Arbitrage is another type of hedging strategy, involving the simultaneous purchase and sale of identical or equivalent investments across two or more markets in order to benefit from a discrepancy in their price relationship.

A straddle is a similarly non-speculative investment strategy, which involves purchasing both a call option and a put option on a stock that is bought at the same strike price and expires at the same time. This benefits the investor as long as the market moves by a large amount in either a positive or negative direction. These different variations of hedging strategies are considered non-speculative because risk of loss to the investor is minimized by the overall value of the investor’s portfolio at any given time. Another important feature of non-speculative trading is diversification and liquidity. If an investor’s portfolio is diversified, their risk of complete loss of their investment is minimized. Similarly, if an investment is liquid, the risk of loss to that investment can be said to be non-speculative because the investor can still get realize the value of that investment by getting it back. If investments are made in illiquid products, however, those investments remain at a higher risk of loss because the value cannot be realized.

It is very important for an investor to understand speculative vs. non-speculative trading, and to communicate a distinct strategy to their brokerage firm. If an investor is risk-adverse, they should communicate this to their broker. If a broker implements a speculative strategy, their client is a non-speculative investor, and the investor sustains a loss, the investor may be entitled to that loss under securities laws. If an investor is able to articulate a non-speculative trading strategy to their broker, the broker needs to follow that strategy because to fail to do so would be unsuitable under the law. A broker also has a duty to tell the truth about whether their investment strategy is speculative or non-speculative. If an investor has instructed their broker to follow a non-speculative investment strategy, and their broker has followed a speculative strategy, or has lied about what strategy they have used, the non-speculative investor may have a serious claim that they can bring before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) through arbitration procedures.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Adam Gana

BodyBuilding.com Recall Products May Contain Steroids Known to Cause Serious Side Effects and Death

Paul Napoli — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:45:11 GMT

November 5, 2009

Bodybuilding.com, LLC announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide and international recall of all lots and expiration dates of 65 dietary supplement products that were sold through the Company's website, www.BodyBuilding.com, because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes that the Recalled Products contain ingredients that are steroids.

The FDA has advised BodyBuilding.com LLC, of Boise, ID, that it believes the Recalled Products may contain the following ingredients that are currently classified, or the FDA believes should be classified, as steroids: "Superdrol," "Madol," "Tren," "Androstenedione," and/or "Turinabol."

The BodyBuilding.com, LLC press release says, “While the Company has not had an opportunity to independently confirm the FDA's concerns that the Recalled Products in fact contain these ingredients, the Company is undertaking this voluntary recall in an abundance of caution.” The Company denied they had received any reports of adverse events in connection with the Recalled Products.

The BodyBuilding.com Recall Press Release was available on the FDA website, but notice of the recall could not be found on BodyBuilding.com’s home page or elsewhere on the company website.

The FDA warns that acute liver injury is known to be a possible harmful effect of using steroid-containing products. In addition, steroids may cause other serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women and children. These include shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, a higher predilection to misuse other drugs and alcohol, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, and increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

RECALLED PRODUCT LIST

4Ever Fit D-Drol

Advanced Muscle Science Dienedrone

Advanced Muscle Science Liquidrone UTT

Anabolic Xtreme Hyperdrol X2

APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Mastavol

APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Revamp

APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Ultra Mass Stack

APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Ripped Stack

Better Body Sports Finadex

Black China Labs Straight Drol

Black China Labs Straight Phlexed

Body Conditioning Solutions TestraFLEX

Bjorklund Methyldrostanolone

BOSC Enterprises Epi-Tren

BOSC Enterprises Magna Drol

Chaparral Labs Epivol

Chaparral Labs Pheravol-V

Competitive Edge Labs M-Drol

Competitive Edge Labs P-Plex

Competitive Edge Labs X-tren

Diabolic Labs Epio-Plex

Diabolic Labs Finabolic 50

Diabolic Labs Revenge

Ergopharm 6-OXO

Ergopharm 6-OXO Extreme

EST (aka Engineered Sports Technology) MethAnstance

Extreme Labs Susto-Test Depot

Fizogen ON Cycle II Hardcore

G.E.T/ (Genetic Edge Technologies) SUS-500

G.E.T/ (Genetic Edge Technologies) Tren-250

Hardcore Formulations T-Roid

I Force Nutrition 1,4 AD Bold 200

I Force Dymethazine/Reversitol Combo Pack

I Force Reversitol

I Force Nutrition 17a PheraFLEX

I Force Nutrition Dymethazine

I Force Nutrition Methadrol

IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Bromodrol

IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Grow Tabs TR

IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Mass Tabs

IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Oxodrol Pro

IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Ripped Tabs TR

IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Rapid Release

Ripped Tabs

Kilo Sports Massdrol

Kilo Sports Phera-Mass

Kilo Sports Trenadrol

Monster Caps Monster Caps

Myogenix Spawn

Nutra Coastal D-Stianozol

Nutra Coastal H-Drol

Nutra Coastal MDIT

Nutra Coastal S-Drol

Nutra Coastal Trena

Performance Anabolics Methastadrol

Performance Anabolics Tri-Methyl X

Purus Labs E-pol Inslinsified

Purus Labs Nasty Mass

Rage RV2

Rage RV3

Rage RV4

Rage RV5

Redefine Nutrition Finaflex 550-XD

Redefine Nutrition Finaflex Ripped

Transform Supplements Forged Extreme Mass

Transform Supplements Forged Lean Mass

Customers who have any of the Recalled Products in their possession should stop using them immediately and contact their physician if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking one or more of the ingredients listed above. The FDA encourages the reporting of any adverse events related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program online at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.html or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.

If you or someone in your family have used any of these recalled dietary supplement products and suffered adverse reactions as a result, please contact the experienced attorneys here at Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP. You may be entitled for compensation for your injury, medical expenses or a loved one’s death. Our law firm has helped many people who have become victims of recalled medications. The consultation is free; just call 1-888-529-4669.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Crowded Philly Train Already Smoking When it Left Overbrook Station

Paul Napoli — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:03:58 GMT

November 4, 2009

The crowded Philadelphia SEPTA R5 Paoli commuter train billowed smoke and burst into flames around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning soon after leaving Overbrook Station in western Philly.

Passengers report they smelled something burning and saw smoke while the regional rail train stopped at the Overbrook Station. After loading and unloading passengers, the conductor of the four-car train pulled out of the station carrying 500 to 700 passengers on route toward the Amtrak station in Center City. Shortly after leaving the station, passengers of the first car moved to the back of the train to avoid the smoke. When the train finally came to a stop, passengers disembarked to see the first car engulfed in flames and pouring out smoke. The Fire Department responded and had the fire under control 40 minutes later.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) spokesperson Jerri Williams said the fire was electrical in nature, starting either in a heater or traction motor and was in no way related to the current union strike.

More than 5,000 members of SEPTA's largest union went on strike early Tuesday. Transport Workers Union Local 234 walked out of negotiations with SEPTA over wage, pension and health care disputes. The SEPTA R5 Paoli commuter train was still in operation because a different union represents workers of the regional rail service.

Passengers reported no injuries, but were scrambling once again to find transportation in a transit system already crippled by the strike.

If you or a family member has been hurt while using or suffered injury by a mass transit bus or train, call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today at 888-529-4669. There is a possibility of collecting compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and present and future disability. Only an experienced attorney can help you determine if your claim has merit and, if so, how much you could recover. Do not discuss your case without having an experienced legal representative to advise

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Drunk Driver Charged in PA Crash that Killed Two

Paul Napoli — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:05:45 GMT

November 3, 2009

Harrisburg Police have charged Andrew Denezza, 30, with two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, one count each of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, driving under the influence and various other traffic violations in the accident that killed two people and injured a third in early October.

Around 2:35 a.m. on October 3, 2009, Andrew Denezza, executive chef at the RockBass Grill in Wormleysburg, was driving home after work when his Honda Accord crossed the median line on the Market Street Bridge and struck a Capital City Taxi Cab head-on. The taxi cab driver, Michael Amissah, 34, of Harrisburg, was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Two passengers in the taxi cab, Kristin Bowser, 28, of Camp Hill, was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband, Christopher Bowser, 31, of Camp Hill, was hospitalized.

Denezza had a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent and he tested positive for marijuana use. According to investigators, he was also texting at the time of the accident.

Denezza was arraigned and released on his recognizance after turning himself in to Harrisburg Police.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Two Workers Injured as NY School Roof Collapses

Paul Napoli — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:53:22 GMT

November 2, 2009

The roof of a Pelham elementary school collapsed Saturday afternoon, injuring two construction workers.

Colonial School at 315 Highbrook Avenue in Pelham was undergoing a two-story addition when the school’s front wall pitched out and the roof collapsed, said Pelham Police Chief Joseph Benefico. Workers were cutting the first floor when the accident happened.

Emergency personnel transported the two injured workers to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. The Pelham Union Free School District Superintendent, Dennis Lauro, said a construction company employee told him that one of the workers suffered a sprained ankle; the other worker was more seriously injured and was placed in a medically induced coma to manage the pain.

Pelham Union Free School District closed the school Monday as a precaution. In a letter to Colonial Parents today from Superintendent Dennis Lauro and Colonial’s Principal Janet Rothstein, “Our architects and school officials are conferencing with the New York State Education Department, which must give us clearance to re-open school. Based on the inspection on Saturday, the building is deemed safe. We are also planning a second engineering inspection as an extra precaution. In addition, our Board Construction Steering Committee would like to have the demolition work completed and the site cleared before reopening Colonial.” The letter promised a comprehensive memo to be released later today.

Colonial School classes resume on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with each grade assigned to an alternative location in one of the District’s other schools for the next two weeks. The school will reopen once the District gets clearance from the New York State Education Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Colonial School will be the main topic on the Board of Education’s agenda when they meet tonight at 8:00 pm in Cafeteria C of the high school.

Wager Contracting Co. Inc., of New Rochelle, is the contractor for the construction project and declined to answer questions about the workers' conditions.

If you are a construction worker injured on the job site, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. Call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today at 888-529-4669.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

NY Company Recalling Ground Beef Due To E. coli Contamination and Link to Illness

Paul Napoli — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:06:08 GMT

November 1, 2009

Fairbank Farms of Ashville, NY, is voluntarily recalling approximately 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. This is a USDA Class I Recall, meaning this is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The recalled ground beef product was produced September 14 - 16, 2009 and sold in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The recalled products are past their expiration date by 23 to 32 days, meaning they are no longer being sold as fresh product in supermarkets. “We are urging consumers to check their freezers for ground beef products that are listed in the recall. Consumers who identify these products should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund,” said Ron Allen, CEO of Fairbank Farms.

FSIS, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health and agriculture departments, determined during an investigation that there is an association between the fresh ground beef products subject to recall and illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts.

To identify recalled products, consumers should check the package label for product name, package weight and sell-by date. All labels will show an establishment number of EST 492 inside the USDA mark of inspection. Recalled products include:

ACME
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 through 09/28/09)
· Wild Harvest Natural Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Lancaster Brand Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1 lb packages
· Lancaster Brand Ground Beef 90/10, 1 lb packages & 2 lb packages

BJ’s Wholesale Club/Burris
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 through 09/28/09)
· Fresh Ground Beef Patties 85/15, 5 lb packages
· Lean Ground Beef 93/07, 3 lb packages & 5 lb packages
· Meatloaf and Meatball Mix, 2.5 lb packages

Ford Brothers
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Fresh Ground Beef Patty 80/20, 3 lb packages

Giant Food Stores
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Giant Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1 lb packages
· Giant Nature’s Promise Ground Beef, 1 lb packages
· Giant Nature’s Promise Ground Beef Patties
· Giant Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1 lb packages

Price Chopper
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Price Chopper Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1 lb packages & 2.5 lb packages
· Price Chopper Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/4, 1 lb packages
· Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Chuck for Chili 80/20, 1 lb packages

Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc.
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 93/7, 1 lb packages and 2 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 80/20, 1 lb packages, 2 lb packages, 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 75/25, 1 lb packages and 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin Beef Patties 90/10, 1.3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Round Beef Patties 85/15, 1.3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80/20, 1.3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties Family Pack 80/20, 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Round Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages , 2 lb packages , 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Natural Ground Beef 90/10, 1 lb packages
· Shaw’s Natural Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin 90/10, 1 lb packages , 2 lb packages , 3 lb packages
· Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1 lb packages

Trader Joe’s
Brick packs (Sell-by dates 10/06/09 or10/07/09)
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 80/20, 1 lb packages
· Packaged Products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Beef Patty 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 96/4 Extra Lean, 1 lb packages

Other products
· Cases of 10-lb. Fairbank Farms fresh ground beef chubs (for store grind). These products had a sell date of 10/3/09, 10/4/09 or 10/5/09, but will likely not bear those sell-by dates on their package labels. These products were distributed to retail establishments in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia for further processing. Consumers with concerns should contact their point of purchase.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to food borne illness. Anyone with signs or symptoms of food borne illness should consult a physician.

For complete recall information visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_059_2009_Release/index.asp

Consumers with questions about the recall can call Fairbank Farms’ toll-free hotline at 1-877-546-0122. The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is also available, in English and Spanish, and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday.

When a product causes serious injury or death, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling product liability cases. Products liability is the branch of law that deals with the liability of parties involved in the manufacturing of a product for any damages caused by the product. Call Napoli Bern Ripka LLP today at 888-529-4669 to discuss your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Steamroller Crushes NJ Construction Worker

Paul Napoli — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:01:44 GMT

October 31. 2009

New Jersey State Police are investigating a construction accident on Route 287 in Edison, which has left one worker critically injured.

About 3:30 a.m. on Friday, Nehal Master was measuring part of the roadway during a highway lane-paving project on northbound 287 near exit 1-B when a by a heavy equipment road roller ran over his legs.

A road roller (sometimes called a steamroller, roller-compactor or just roller) is an engineering vehicle used to compact soil, gravel, concrete or asphalt in the construction of roads and foundations.

Masters remains in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick following an extensive surgery to address multiple fractures in both legs.

The Department of Transportation’s $40 million project to revamp 5.9 miles of highway, where the accident occurred, is behind schedule but expected to be completed in January.

Many factors must be taken into consideration when determining if a worker’s injury or death was the result of negligence or dangerous working conditions. Construction accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents in the world because people are operating with very heavy machinery, which could easily crush or injure the operators or other workers.

Construction accidents happen every day and people who are involved do not even know they may be able to be compensated for their injury. You may be entitled to compensation such as medical expenses, funeral expenses, the lost prospect of receiving an inheritance, and the loss of financial support (in the case of the death of a spouse whose income supported family members) for the personal injury or wrongful death of a loved one while on the job. At Napoli Bern Ripka LLP, we are experienced in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We know that dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult. Contact us to discuss what you can do to recover for the loss call 888-529-4669 or visit www.NapoliBern.com today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

$9.75M Awarded to NJ Turnpike Wreck Widow but Guardrail Safety Questionable

Paul Napoli — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:58:22 GMT

October 29, 2009

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has not repaired a faulty guardrail, say attorneys for Kristin Sweeney who was awarded a $9.75 million dollar settlement in the death of her husband.

Patrick Sweeney died in an April 2006 accident near Teaneck on the New Jersey Turnpike when driver of the limo he was riding in lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail, which pierced the passenger compartment of the vehicle and killed Sweeney.

Joe Orlando, spokesperson for the Turnpike Authority, contends the guardrail involved in the accident was built safely even though it was not built to the exact specifications of the design. It was constructed flush with the curb because of the terrain, but the design called for the guardrail to be six feet further from the roadway. Bruce Nagel and Andrew O'Connor, the attorneys for Kristin Sweeney, argued that her husband would be alive today if the guardrail was built to specification.

J. Fletcher Creamer, the Hackensack company contracted to build the guardrail, paid $4 million on behalf of themselves and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority who accepted the guardrail even though it was not built according to the design plans. Maitra Associates of Somerset, the engineers hired to oversee the plans paid $2.25 million. DM JM Harris, the firm that was the design engineer, paid $600,000. Air Brook Limousine, which was transporting Patrick Sweeney when the limousine crashed into the guardrail, paid $2.9 million.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority acknowledged no liability and paid no money in the accident settlement. After the accident that killed Sweeney, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority rebuilt the guardrail in the same position as before the accident, still not building to original design specifications. “We believe it was safe before and we believe it is safe now,” he Orlando. “We don’t plan on going out there and changing it.”

If you or loved one has been injured or loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the circumstances of your case and institute a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Visit www.NBRLawFirm.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Another Off-Duty NYPD Officer Strikes Pedestrian, Refuses Breathalyzer

Paul Napoli — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:01:50 GMT

October 30, 2009

For the second time in just over a month, an off-duty New York Police Department Officer has struck and killed a pedestrian and then refused a Breathalyzer test.

NYPD Detective, Kevin C. Spellman, 42, drove his 2009 Chevrolet Impala southbound on Kingsbridge Avenue, striking an unidentified female pedestrian at West 232nd Street in the Bronx about 6:30 a.m., police said. Paramedics transported the victim to Saint Barnabas Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Sources say Spellman smelled of alcohol, but he refused a breathalyzer test. He was taken into custody at the scene, pending charges. Authorities took blood sample later to conduct a blood alcohol test, but they did not release the results at this time.

Police did not release the identity of the female pedestrian, but neighbors say she is an elderly Vietnamese woman.

Spellman has been with the New York City Police Department since 1988.

New York Police Department Officer Andrew Kelly was indicted on charges of vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and speeding for the accident in which he ran down a minister's daughter, Vionique Valnord, 32, on a rainy night in Brooklyn on September 27.

New York City has a higher rate of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents that the rest of the state combined. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 2007 Summary of Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Accidents, of 15,127 police reported accidents involving a pedestrian in the state of New York, 10,586 or 70% were investigated by the New York City Police Department. Of those investigated by the NYPD, people in 10,445 accidents suffered injuries and 136 were fatal.

If you, a family member or someone you know, have been the victim of a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, contact us today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to take to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP are experienced in handling motor vehicle accident cases and can help you negotiate with the insurance carrier or help you to arrange specialized medical care. We can also help you prepare for the possibility of taking your case to court. Call 1-888-529-4669 or visit www.napolibern.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Institute of Medicine Reports that Better Nutrition is needed in Schools

Paul Napoli — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:29:55 GMT

In their report to the government this month, the Institute of Medicine had several pointers to raise the standards of school lunches and breakfasts. Calorie limits and an increase in fresh fruit, veggies and whole grains are all required according to the report. The Institute is part of the National Academies and is charted by congress to advise the government.

Federal standards for free school meals are lacking in several ways. Obesity levels are increasing, yet while a minimum standard of calories is required in school lunches there is no calorie limit set. Virginia Stallings, who chaired the report, wrote, "Today, overweight children outnumber undernourished children, and childhood obesity is often referred to as an epidemic in both the medical and community settings.”

The report states that calorie levels should be no more than 500 to 600 calories for breakfast and no more than 650 to 850 calories for lunch.

Where those calories come from is important for children’s nutritional needs too. Based on the Food Pyramid the governments dietary guidelines, updated in 2005, call for a lot more fruit, vegetables and whole grains than they are currently getting.

Under the proposed standards children should be allowed to turn down certain things but should be required to have a minimum number of these healthy foods on their plates.

Suggested offerings were:

7-10 servings of grains for breakfast and 9-13 for lunch. Oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread were suggested. While it seems our children are getting their grains they are often too refined and there needs to be an increase in the “whole” grain products offered.

1 1/4 to 2 ½ servings of fresh vegetables for lunch. These should include a variety of green and orange veggies and legumes.

At least five servings of fruit for breakfast and 2 ½ to 5 servings for lunch. It is suggested that no more than half of those servings should be in the form of juice.

The report also suggests that servings and calorie levels be adjusted according to the child’s grade.

While the recommendations make sense there is no denying that these improvements in nutrition would come at a great cost. Lunch costs could rise by 4 per cent and breakfast costs could leap up by 20 per cent. Many school meal programs are already struggling to reach the current requirements. The School Nutrition Association are pressuring congress to increase spending on school lunch and breakfast programs. The amount received through government funding often barely covers, and often fails to cover the cost of meals at the moment. Association president Dora Rivers said in a statement that federal dollars "simply do not keep pace with rising costs on everything from food and labor to napkins and spoons.” The Institute of Medicine agrees that reimbursement needs to be increased to cover the costs of providing a better diet to the nation’s children.

The Obama administration will be reviewing the report as it writes up new rules for school meals.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli