Norfolk Perosnal Injury Lawyer

New Regulations Could Make Getting Veterans’ Disability Benefits Easier

January 28, 2013

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is considering enacting rules that would make it easier for service members who have certain conditions, such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) or Parkinson’s disease, to receive benefits. An article from The Manistee News discussed the new regulation and the effects it could have on veterans and military personnel.

The new rule means that a veteran who can establish that he or she sustained a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty would no longer be responsible for proving the injury was the cause of a secondary illness such as Parkinson’s, depression, dementia, or certain hormone deficiencies. Even those with injuries that fall outside of certain guidelines could still see a significant bump in benefits from the new regulation.

As many as 179,000 veterans who have sustained TBIs during their time in the military since the year 2000 may be affected by the new regulation if it is adopted.

The public has until February 8 to comment on the legislation, at which point, it will either be removed from the agenda or advanced to be heard during a legislative session.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley recognize how complex veterans assistance programs can be and are hopeful the law will be beneficial to getting veterans the care that they need and deserve.

CPSC Issues Voluntary Recall of Bugaboo Baby Strollers

January 21, 2013

Last Tuesday, baby product importer, Bugaboo Americas, of El Segundo, California, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that they would both be working to voluntarily recall roughly 50,000 baby strollers across the United States and Canada due to health and safety risks.

A press release from the agency stated Bugaboo Chameleon and Bugaboo Donkey Model Strollers with a detachable carrycot/seat that were sold at nationwide retailers and online between January 2011 and December 2012, at a cost of between $1,200 and $1,600. The strollers have a Product Liability issue though stemming from a push-button carry handle that can become disengaged. When this happens, it presents a fall and choking hazard to children who may be riding in defective product.

So far, the company has received a total of 58 reports of the handle detaching. Anyone who is in possession of an affected stroller have been instructed to contact the product’s manufacturer for a free replacement handle, but that continuing use of the stroller until the new handle arrives is acceptable.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley acknowledge using a defective product can be and suggest discussing your legal options with a qualified attorney if you, or a loved one, have been harmed by using a product that did not work properly.