Parker McDonald Law

Stop Unwanted Bacterial Guests from Crashing Your Party

ParkerMcDonald — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:17:13 +0000

Experts Say “Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill”

Several entertaining food safety videos are available from FoodSafety.gov.

Food poisoning (foodborne illness) is a serious public health threat in the United States, waylaying an estimated 48 million people each year, or one out of every six Americans. And while most recover on their own from the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains and fever common to food poisoning, roughly 128,000 people are hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So with food the guest of honor at most holiday festivities, it’s the perfect time to discuss food safety. Plus, more than two dozen bacteria and viruses can be transmitted through tainted drinks, snacks and entrees, causing illness within a few hours to sometimes days later. While everyone is a candidate for food poisoning, people with a weakened immune system are more susceptible, including pregnant women, the elderly or those with chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes and HIV.

Of course food illnesses can still occur no matter how careful you are in handling and preparing your holiday feast. But you can cut the odds that unwanted bacterial guests will crash your party by following a few simple precautions:

1) Clean

Wash hands and surfaces often. Illness-causing bacteria can collect on hands, utensils and surface areas. Also wash fruits and vegetables, but not meats. Click here for more detail.

2) Separate

Don’t cross-contaminate foods. Raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs can still spread harmful bacteria to ready-to-eat items if they aren’t kept separate. Learn which foods to separate here.

3) Cook

Poisonous bacteria can multiply quickly between the “danger zone” of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t guess – use a food thermometer. And that goes for reheating leftovers as well. Follow these guidelines.

4) Chill

Illness-causing bacteria can grow in perishable foods in just two hours. Refrigerate foods promptly and properly by taking these steps.

BY THE NUMBERS /

1 in 6 Get Sick	Roughly one in six Americans will suffer from a foodborne illness each year (or 48 million people), more than 100,000 will be hospitalized and 3,000 will die. Most at risk: pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic illnesses.Source: Estimates of Foodborne Illness in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
165º Minimum	The minimum internal temperature for safely serving a turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit at the innermost part of the bird. Use a real meat thermometer (pop-ups often fail), and take the temperature without touching a bone. Reheat leftovers to 165 F as well.Source: The Turkey, Partnership for Food Safety Education
4,500 Calories	The average holiday dinner packs a calorie-laden wallop of 3,000 calories. Add in another 1,500 calories for drinks and snacks before and after the feast, and the average American can top 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Turkey Day!Source: Stuff the Bird, Not Yourself, Calorie Control Council

More Resources, Hotlines and Just In Case …

The Holiday Food Safety Success Kit is a one-stop-shop website with information on purchasing, thawing and cooking a turkey; holiday planners with menus, timelines and shopping lists; and dozens of delicious (and safe) food recipes. You can also get food preparation and safety advice directly from the USDA meat and poultry hotline at (888) 674-6854 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. Or check in with the food safety virtual representative 24-7 at AskKaren.gov. And just in case the worst should happen and you suspect you or your guests have food poisoning, learn more about the symptoms and treatment at the Mayo Clinic.

10 Bests for Your Holidays

Grandma’s gravy, Auntie’s pumpkin pie, even your brother-in-law’s deep-fried turkey – every holiday meal starts with those tried-and-true recipes handed down through the generations. So why not audition a potential new favorite of your own? Here are links to several “Top 10” turkey, trimmings, appetizer and drink recipes. And next year, maybe everyone will be clamoring for your smoked-paprika-rubbed turkey with Madeira and shallot gravy!

Top Ten Turkey Recipes

From citrus-marinated turkey to southwestern-rubbed turkey, these recipes add a fresh take on the otherwise standard holiday main course.

Top Ten Side-Dish Recipes

A potato is just a potato, right? Wrong. These side dishes give a variety of options for the main course sidekick.

Top Ten Appetizer Recipes

Impress your guests and start your meal off right with these appetizer recipes. Earn bonus points for trying the more creative options.

Top Ten Holiday Drink Recipes

Refresh your guests with a holiday beverage like spiced Christmas tea, apple sparkler, white hot chocolate and more!

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Holiday Driving Safety Tips

ParkerMcDonald — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:56:13 +0000

With the holiday season weeks away, distraction levels are high. Most people are consumed with holiday party planning, cooking for their family, buying presents for loved ones, and looking forward to vacation time. While everyone is focused on planning an enjoyable holiday, unexpected vehicle collisions happen too often.

The holidays are some of the most dangerous times on the road. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, last year from November 23 to November 27 there were 26 fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes. In the days surrounding Christmas, there were 23 crash fatalities, while the most dangerous time came around New Year’s from December 30 to January 2 with 32 fatalities recorded.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the roads are packed with more and more traffic. It is important that you do everything in your power to make the roads as safe as possible for you and the drivers around you. Below we have highlighted a list of five things to do in order to lower distractions while driving this holiday season.

Program your GPS before you begin your drive. The last thing a driver needs on a busy road is programming a complicated GPS.
With most people making long trips during the holidays, it is important to get plenty of rest and take breaks to stretch and move around. Long roads trips can be exhausting, and it is important you are always fully aware and alert of your surroundings.
Put down the phone. If you have to check your phone for calls or text messages during the drive, let a passenger do ti. According to NHTSA, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes.
Have kids in the car? With most children out of school for the holidays, excitement can be at an all-time high. It is important to remind your children to stay in their seat during car trips and have everything they will need within arm’s reach.
Take the extra time to enjoy your meal before you hit the road. With long road trips and busy days running errands, many people find it hard to make time for a meal outside of their car. However, when you are eating or drinking in the car you are taking both your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel.

You probably hear it every year, but it is important that people take responsibility for themselves and others when it comes to alcohol consumption. During the week between Christmas and New Year’s, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that 40% of traffic-related deaths are related to drunk drivers. That’s a 12% increase over the rest of the month.

Party hosts and their guests must take the appropriate measures to practice safe driving habits. These measures include, but are not limited to, finding a designated driver, allowing those who over imbibed to spend the night, or calling a taxi. While it is important to never drink and drive, you also must be on the lookout for those drivers who may be under the influence.

These are just a few tips that can help make your holidays more enjoyable and safe for you and your loved ones.

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Two Killed in Drunken Boating Accident

ParkerMcDonald — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:19:00 +0000

Jake and Griffin Prince, two Gwinnett County students and brothers, are presumed dead after a fishing boat driven by Paul Bennett of Cumming, Georgia, collided with the Prince’s family pontoon boat on Lake Lanier. The brothers ages 9 and 13 were thrown from the boat when Bennett’s 21-foot Sea Fox fishing boat smashed into the Prince family vessel.

Investigators believe that this was a head-on crash. The damage to the Prince family boat was on its right side, which would have given them a green light and right of way.

Bennett was arrested and charged with boating under the influence and could possibly face additional charges of homicide by vessel and failure to render aid.

Four families totaling 13 people in all, were on the Prince family boat when the crash occurred. Five people on the pontoon boat were treated at a Georgia hospital and were released, but the Griffen brothers would not be among the survivors.

Jake Price was a standout 4^th grade student who was liked by everyone, while Griffen was to start the 8^th grade this fall, according to Gwinnett County spokesman Jorge Quintana.

“Boating while intoxicated is the same as driving while intoxicated, and is just as illegal,” says DNR Major. Stephen Adams.

Adams claims that while boating is a safe activity, “especially at night, it can be dangerous if you are under the influence, not paying attention or are operating recklessly.”

The attorneys at Parker McDonald want everyone to have a safe boating experience this coming holiday weekend. We hope everyone is careful and alert while operating their boat. However, if you are a victim of a boating accident, then consult with the attorneys at Parker McDonald today. We will fight to get the compensation you are owed.

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Wrong-Way Crash Kills Two

ParkerMcDonald — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:06:33 +0000

Alex Ford was a 20-year old student at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, with aspirations of attending the University of Texas. Sadly, Ford will never be able to attend classes at the Austin university.

Ford was returning home from a friend’s home early Thursday morning when her Honda CR-V was smashed into, head-on, by a driver going the wrong way. The crash killed both Ford and John Layton, the driver of the other vehicle.

Police are unsure why Layton, a husband and father from Mansfield, ended up driving southbound in a northbound lane of Highway 287 before he crashed his car into Ford’s. Layton’s car burst into flames, which firefighters put out, and then discovered both bodies pinned in the wreckage.

Layton was a Grand Prairie elementary school music teacher, who had been out practicing with his band before the accident occurred. His family doesn’t know if he fell asleep at the wheel or what.

A witness called 911 from Highway 287 near state Highway 360 and reported Layton’s silver KIA driving the wrong way. The caller followed him for a couple miles and witnessed the deadly accident occur.

Jordan Ford, Alex’s brother, rushed home from College Station when he heard the news.

“My first reaction was – this is a terrible joke. My second immediate reaction was, ‘I’ve got to get there as soon as I can,’” Jordan said. “What I miss most is the fact that I’ll never get to give her another hug. I didn’t do that enough. I didn’t talk to her enough. I’m going to miss just being able to text her and ask her how her day is going … see how she’s doing. I’m going to miss having a little sister to be proud of no matter what she’s doing.”

Police are awaiting the toxicology reports to see if alcohol was involved in the crash.

This is a tragic story and our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Life can change in an instant and impact a family forever. If you have lost a loved one, then call the wrongful death attorneys at Parker McDonald today.

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Recent Storms May Accrue Hundreds of Millions in Damages

ParkerMcDonald — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:26:00 +0000

Wednesday’s storms had been in the forecast for days. What North Texas residents and even meteorologists didn’t expect was the sudden rain of hail that caught many out in the open and unprotected. The storm began late in the evening – a time when many highways are still congested with commuters. What started out with thunder and mild rain turned into an orchestra of crashing glass and bent metal as ice pelted thousands of cars.

Those fortunate to find shelter under overpasses, parking garages or any overhanging structure could simply, wait out the storm. While others were left to wonder about the damages they were about to incur. There were very few reported injuries and some 6,000 homes and businesses lost power through provider Oncor. Insurance agents and public officials agree that this is the best news coming out of the storms.

The storms that sprouted various tornados earlier this year caused $400 million in estimated damages. According to Mark Hanna of the Insurance Council of Texas, Wednesday’s storms could exceed that amount. Hail storms are considered just as destructive as tornados because they are widespread and can last much longer. In 2001, a storm in Missouri created $1.1 billion in damages.

It will take some time before final estimates can be made, but if you were caught out in the hail, your insurance representative needs to be your first call. Protocols may vary across companies, but by sending in your information, you’ll be put in a claim process – which can take a while. Check-out our Property Damage page for a guide on how-to file an insurance claim.

If you are having a dispute with your insurance company regarding the settlement, then you may be able to pursue the claim in court. Contact the attorneys at Parker McDonald today if you are having a dispute with your insurance company regarding your claim. You pay for this coverage, so don’t let the insurance companies give you less then what you are owed.

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Parker McDonald Weighs In On Johnson & Johnson Vaginal Implants Being Discontinued Among Lawsuits

ParkerMcDonald — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:29:48 +0000

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 8, 2012 – Ethicon Inc., a unit of Johnson & Johnson, plans to stop production of vaginal mesh implants amidst more than a thousand pending lawsuits. J&J said its decision is not related to the lawsuits, but rather “concerns and questions” that have arisen regarding the device’s commercial viability.

The decision follows a letter by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January. It ordered 35 manufacturers of surgical mesh implants to conduct new safety studies after the FDA had received more than 1,500 reports of complications from 2008 to 2010, including instances where the devices had eroded into the vagina or caused bleeding and infection.

A J&J spokesman, Matthew Johnson, explained that the company has requested permission from the FDA to halt selling four of its mesh products within the next four months. It then plans to stop global sales of the product within the next three to nine months.

The company said its decision would omit it from being required to conduct the additional safety studies, although it will continue to notify the FDA of complaints or adverse effects from the devices.

Though most devices can get FDA approval under a special process known as 510(k), which allows the device to be sold if the manufacturer can prove it is substantially similar to products already being sold on the market, the company began selling the Prolift mesh in 2005 and did not formally apply for the FDA 510(k) approval until 2007.

The surgical mesh is implanted in women to repair the tissue holding a woman’s pelvic organs when it becomes weak or stretched and bulges into the vagina, a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The device is also used to help patients with a severe overactive bladder known as stress urinary incontinence.

In 2010, around 75,000 women received the mesh implants for POP related needs and 200,000 for stress urinary incontinence.

Parker McDonald law firm continues to track news about these harmful products and support the victims of faulty products. It is crucial that patients who have received a vaginal mesh implant seek the advice of a physician because they may be at risk. With ongoing litigation against Ethicon Inc., those who have experienced complications may be entitled to compensation. If you or someone you love had or have complications from a vaginal mesh implant, contact us for more information.

Information referred to in this release was provided by Reuters.

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About Parker McDonald
Parker McDonald, P.C. offers comprehensive legal services for clients whose personal, business or property rights have been adversely affected. Built on years of trial experience, Parker McDonald lawyers are dedicated to a tradition of personal service and timely delivery of outstanding results. Parker McDonald has offices in Bedford, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

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Teen Sentenced in Texting-While-Driving Homicide

ParkerMcDonald — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:33:30 +0000

Donald Bowley of Danville, N. H., was driving down a Haverill, Mass., highway on February 20, 2011, when a car driven by 18-year-old Aaron Deveau crossed the center line and smashed into him.

The accident fatally injured Bowley and severely injured his girlfriend, Luz Ramon. Bowley, a grandfather, would later die on March 10, 2011, after being taken off life support.

Haverill Police detective Thomas Howell testified in court that the impact of the two vehicles almost folded Bowley and Luz into the floorboards.

Deveau was convicted of negligent texting and driving – a claim that he would deny at the time of the crash – and vehicular homicide.

In a taped interview with police, Deveau claimed, “I was tired. I was distracted. When I looked away for one quick second, I came too close to her and I was trying to hit my brakes.”

However, Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Logan claimed that Deveau may have erased some of his text messages and lied to police about texting before the crash.

Deveau was sentenced to 2 ½ years on the vehicular homicide charge and two years on the texting and causing bodily injury charge. He will only end up serving one year for both charges but will have his license suspended for 15 years.

“Nobody wins in a case like this,” claims Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. “A grandfather is now dead, a once active woman is shaken with pain and can no longer work. And, a teen is going to jail.”

In a split second, your life can change forever. Texting while driving causes accidents and deaths on a daily basis. If you’ve been injured in a car wreck that was the result of negligent texting and driving, then call the attorneys at Parker McDonald today. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

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Parental Summer Driving Tips for Teens

ParkerMcDonald — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:58:57 +0000

According to Tire Rack Street Survival, summer is the most dangerous time for teen drivers to be out on the highways. The past five years have shown that eight teens were killed in car accidents, on average, every day during the summer months, with the summer of 2012 likely to be no exception.

According to AAA, more than 34 million people will take a road trip over the Memorial Day weekend. So, it’s important that teen drivers remain aware and safety conscious. As a parent, make sure to take time to discuss with your teen driver the importance of being a safe and responsible driver, especially during the summer months and over holiday weekends.

Get them to talk to you

Talk to your kids and see if they are having problems. According to studies done by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, parents who are authoritative and set rules are the ones who have the most influence on their child’s safety. Check out the hospital’s website, Teen Driver Source, for more information on how parents can supervise their teen drivers.

Delay ownership

Teens who must ask for permission to drive or don’t own a car are least likely to have an accident. Research from the Children’s Hospital has shown that the best thing a parent can do is to not let teens have their own car, but share the family vehicle instead. This can reduce accidents as much as 53%.

“Teens need to be educated about how many passengers to have and times they should or shouldn’t be driving”, according to Pam Fisher, leader of the New Jersey Teen Safe Driving Coalition. Fisher is reaching out to parents, coaches, and leaders to help educate teens on the benefits of responsible driving.

Start teaching at an early age

Kids at an early age (toddler and pre-teen) observe how their parents handle situations. Driving is no different. Kids watch how a parent reacts to being cut-off, driving while talking on a cell phone, or whether or not a seat belt is being used.

“It starts when your child is in a car seat,” said Dr. Charles Sophy, referring to when a child starts observing their parents’ driving behavior.

“The best way to teach your kids to drive is to drive like you would want them to,” says Mike Speck, leader of Ford’s Driving Skills for Life.

Chill out

Parents need to realize that their teen driver is going to make mistakes. So, when they do, parents need to be a supportive and help teach the skill they lack. A young driver is not trying to be reckless, but is just inexperienced in handling a 3,000-pound car. So, parents, don’t be the screaming lunatic in the passenger seat.

Make rules

Parents need to set hard rules for their teens, such as:

no tickets
mandatory seat belt usage
limit number of passengers allowed
let them know what routes to take and not take
no driving in bad weather
no alcohol in the car

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, then call the accident attorneys at Parker McDonald today and let us give you your legal options. The attorneys at Parker McDonald wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend.

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Man Falls 100 Feet from Tower in Austin

ParkerMcDonald — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:38:42 +0000

Last Wednesday night, a 31 year old man was performing work-related tasks on a microwave tower when he fell 100 feet. Officials say the man landed on a platform 10 feet from the ground.

When emergency crews responded to the scene the man was reported as unresponsive. Thankfully paramedics noted that he was awake during the transport to University Medical Center in Brackenridge. The man’s injuries have not yet been released.

Austin police are investigating and we will provide updates once they are released.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured while at the workplace, call the personal injury lawyers at Parker McDonald today.

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http://weareaustin.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_1735.shtml

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Motorcycle Awareness Month

ParkerMcDonald — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:00:07 +0000

Amy Keller was riding her motorcycle one afternoon when a driver ran a red light and crashed into her. Keller suffered a broken collarbone, damaged hip, and multiple bruises as a result of the crash. Her friends believe she survived because of her experience in riding and paying attention to other vehicles on the road.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging motorists to be on the lookout for motorcyclists, and May has been deemed Motorcycle Safety and Awareness month.

Accidents like Keller’s stress the importance of drivers being aware of motorcyclists, who are more likely to be hurt or killed in a crash than any other vehicle drivers.

“It is the responsibility of the driver behind the wheel to be aware of motorcyclists, regarding them with the same respect as any other vehicle on the highway,” said The Colony Mayor Joe McCourry.

The DPS recommends that all drivers “Look Twice” and “Share the Roads” with motorcyclists, especially at intersections and when changing lanes. Most of the motorcycle crashes that occur are due to the vehicle driver never seeing the motorcyclist.

The number of motorcyclists killed in Texas has doubled since 2000, from 196 then to 472 last year, which represents 16% of all traffic deaths in 2011.

Keith Goolsbee, representing Bikers for Christ Texas, has some tips to help prevent motorcycle accidents:

Take a second look before going through an intersection
Look over your shoulder before changing lanes
Allow plenty of space between you and a motorcycle rider
Put cell phones away when driving
Don’t drink and drive

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Parker McDonald support Motorcycle Awareness and Safety procedures and urge all drivers and riders to practice this awareness year-round, not just in May.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, then call our offices for a free consultation. Our attorneys have more than 55 years of legal experience and will fight to get what is owed to you.

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