If this doesn't make you want to stop eating fast food, I don't know what will! It's time we start holding food suppliers and restaurants accountable for providing quality, fresh, chemical-free foods. I would rather pay a few more dollars to know that I am not eating trimmings off the butcher floor that has then been induced with chemicals.

As many parents do, they take endless amount of photos of their children from their smartphones. But like this article detailed, that activity can be very dangerous if you do not disable your GPS settings. You never know who is watching you and your children, waiting for the right time to do something unspeakable. The scary reality is that this technology privacy loop-hole could be aiding kidnappers and other criminals who could be watching you without you even knowing it.

Bannockburn, IL — LTD Commodities LLC and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have voluntarily recalled fold-out sleeper ottomans for fall hazards the product poses to consumers. The CPSC announced the nationwide product recall on February 2, 2012.

The ottoman recall was issued after discovering that the welding joints on the legs can break, which poses a fall hazard to consumers.

Two instances of minor injuries have been reported to LTD Commodities as a result of the ottoman’s legs breaking

“This recall involves fold-out sleeper ottomans with a brown slipcover. The ottoman unfolds to three cushions on a black, steel frame. Velcro straps secure the cushions to the frame when in the unfolded sleep position. A tag with the manufacturer's registration number ‘VA18265(CN)’ is attached to one of the three cushions,” reported the CPSC.

Consumers are advised to contact LTD Commodities to learn how to receive a full refund.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact LTD Commodities LLC and ABC Distributing toll free at (866) 736-3654, or The Lakeside Collection toll-free at (866) 847-4327 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT.

Consumers can also visit the website of the retailers at: www.ltdcommodities.com, www.abcdistributing.com or www.lakeside.com

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

Ramsey, NJ — Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have voluntarily recalled about 8,430 Konica Minolta Printers for fire hazards the product poses to consumers. The CPSC announced the nationwide product recall on February 2, 2012.

The printer recall was issued after discovering that the printer can short circuit and overheat during use, which poses a fire hazard to consumers.

“This recall involves four desktop models of laser color printers: Magicolor 4750DN, Magicolor 3730DN, Bizhub C35 and Bizhub C35P. Model numbers are located on the plate attached to the side of the printer as well as the bottom of the front door. The printers are dark and light gray in color and have ‘Konica Minolta’ printed on the top of the front door,” reported the CPSC.

Consumers are advised to contact Konica Minolta to schedule a free replacement.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact Konica Minolta toll-free at (800) 825-5664 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

San Francisco, CA — West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma Inc., and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voluntarily recalled about 5,750 overarching floor lamps for shock hazards the product poses to consumers. The CPSC announced the nationwide product recall on February 2, 2012.

The floor lamps were recalled after discovering that a short circuit can occur in the lamp’s wiring, which poses a shock hazard to consumers.

Three reports of shock, one report of a minor burn to a consumer’s finger and two instances of minor property damage have been received by West Elm.

“The Overarching Floor Lamp is 77 inches tall with a 19-inch diameter base and a curving arm that extends the lamp about 5 feet from the base. The arm and base are made of polished nickel. It was sold with a linen shade in the colors natural, white or charcoal. The lamp has a three-way on/off switch,” reported the CPSC.

Consumers are advised to return the floor lamps to West Elm to receive a full store credit.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact West Elm toll-free at (855) 236-1941 between 7 a.m. and midnight ET seven days a week, or visit www.westelm.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

Brentwood, CA — A man was rushed to the hospital after he was pulled from a collapsed trench, which buried him up to his neck at a Brentwood home. The construction accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at a home located at 1594 Dawnview Drive, reported KTVU.com.

According to reports, the 50-year-old Oakland resident was digging a 10-foot-deep trench in the front yard of the home, when it suddenly collapsed and trapped him under dirt from his neck down. Only the victim’s head was exposed from the dirt.

Responding emergency crews worked for almost three hours to free the man, before rushing him via ambulance to a waiting helicopter, who took him to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. He is reportedly in stable condition and was complaining of pain in his legs, pelvis and chest during the rescue efforts.

The identity of the victim is being withheld.

Investigations into the trench collapse are underway. Cal OSHA is expected to launch an investigation into the construction accident as well.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for California construction accident lawyers.

I have to side with the library district for restricting access to online porn in publicly funded libraries. Adult porn viewing should be confined to a private space, like at home, not a public place where children are present. It is just inappropriate for any adult to request to view porn in a public library, and I commend the Washington state library district for blocking this activity.

Chambersburg, PA — Thirty-five people have become sick after consuming raw milk from a Chambersburg dairy, which prompted a suspension of raw milk production, CBS News reports.

Twenty-eight people in Pennsylvania, four in Maryland, two in West Virginia and one in New Jersey all have been infected with campylobacter bacteria after consuming the raw milk from the Family Cow farm.

Health officials have advised consumers to discard raw milk that was bought from the dairy farm on or after January 1.

Raw, or unpasteurized milk can contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious health risks to you and your family, the Food and Drug Administration reported. Raw milk can carry dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, which can cause foodborne illnesses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 800 people in the United States have gotten sick from drinking raw milk or eating cheese made from raw milk since 1998.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

Jackson, MI — A semi-truck and an Amtrak train collided Wednesday morning, February 1, 2012, partially derailing the train. Ten people were injured in the train accident, which occurred just outside of Jackson at the Portage Road crossing, reported the Chicago Tribune.

According to reports, the semi-truck was stuck on the train tracks when the westbound train hit the big rig. The train’s engine was found on its side, with its first two cars derailed from the track. The train consisted of two engines and six rail cars altogether.

Responding emergency crews transported 10 people to area hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Two of the injured victims were Amtrak crew members.

The Amtrak train was reportedly transporting 68 passengers and five crew members, which had departed from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The crossing had warning lights, gates and bells.

Investigations into the train accident are underway.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Michigan train accident lawyers.

New York, NY — A former Harper’s Bazaar intern has file a lawsuit alleging that her internship violated labor laws. The class action-seeking lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, in a New York federal court, Reuters reported.

Xuedan Wang, 28, was hired as an unpaid intern in the magazines’ accessories department from August to December of last year, where she typically worked a 40-hour week with sometimes working as many as 55 hours.

"Unpaid interns are becoming the modern-day equivalent of entry-level employees, except that employers are not paying them for the many hours they work," the lawsuit stated. "Employers' failure to compensate interns for their work, and the prevalence of the practice nationwide, curtails opportunities for employment, fosters class divisions between those who can afford to work for no wage and those who cannot, and indirectly contributes to rising unemployment."

Wang, who also goes by Diana, claims that the interns are a “crucial labor force” at Hearst, the magazine’s publisher, Reuters revealed.

The lawsuit, which names Hearst Corporation, is seeking minimum-wage pay and overtime pay in damages.

The Fair Labor Standard Act allows companies to employ unpaid interns only if they do not displace regular employees, and as long as “the employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; an on occasion its operations may be actually be impeded.”

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for New York employment lawyers.

York, PA — Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T gas furnaces for manufactured homes have been recalled for fire hazards the furnaces pose to consumers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Unitary Products Group, a division of York International Corp., announced the recall, which includes the U.S. and Canada, on February 3, 2012.

The furnaces were recalled after discovering that they can overheat and cause the heat exchanger to crack and create openings that expose the flames. Nearby combustible objects like drywall can be exposed to the flames, posing a fire and smoke hazard to consumers.

“The recall involves Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces. The furnaces are silver with white access panels. ‘Coleman,’ ‘Coleman Evcon’ and ‘Red T’ brand names are located on the middle of the front access panel. The model number is written on a faceplate, found by removing both front access panels. The faceplate is found mounted on the left inside surface behind the lower panel,” reported the CPSC.

The models involved in the recall include: DGAM075BDD, DGAM075BDE, DGAM075BDF, DGAT070BDD, DGAT070BDE, DGAT070BDF, DGAT075BDD, DGAT075BDE, DGAT075BDF, DLAS075BDD, DLAS075BDE and DLAS075BDF.

Consumers are advised to contact UPG to schedule a free inspection and repair.

For more information concerning the recall, consumers can contact UPG toll-free at (888) 665-4640 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit their website at www.dgatprogram.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

Palo Alto, CA — Hewlett-Packard Co. and the U.S. Consumer Product Saftey Commission (CPSC) have voluntarily recalled HP fax 1040 and 1050 machines in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The CPSC announced the recall on February 2, 2012 for fire and burn hazards the product poses to consumers.

The fax machines were recalled after discovering they can overheat due to an internal electrical component failure, which poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

“This recall involves HP Fax 1040 and 1050 models. The HP logo and the model number are printed on the front of the fax machine. The fax machines are dark gray and measure about 11 inches high x 14 1/2 inches wide,” reported the CPSC.

Consumers are advised to contact HP for a rebate on the purchase of an authorized replacement HP fax machine, or a partial rebate of certain HP ink jet printers.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact HP toll-free at (888) 654-9296 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit http://www.hp.com/go/faxrecall/US-en.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

Sacul, TX — Two workers were critically injured in an apparent electrical explosion at a East Texas power plant on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The industrial accident occurred around 8 a.m. at a biomass power plant in Sacul, the Associated Press reported.

The two victims were reportedly working on a 444-volt electrical panel when it arched and created some sort of electrical explosion, leaving the men with serious injuries, reported KTRE.com.

On-site safety crews administered emergency treatment until ambulance arrived at the scene to transport the victims to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, where both men remain in critical condition. The victims are expected to be transferred to the burn unit at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

The identities of the victims are being withheld at this time, but Fagen Construction reportedly employed them at the time.

The industrial accident remains under investigation. It is unknown if the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be investigating.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Texas workplace accident lawyers.

El Cajon, CA — A 41-year-old pilot is dead after he was hit in the head by a propeller of a small plane on Monday, January 30, 2012. The fatal accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at Gillespie Field, reported Fox5SanDiego.com.

According to reports, the pilot and a passenger were taxiing a single-engine Piper Cherokee plane to the runway when the engine stalled. The pilot got out of the plane and tried to start the engine through a method called “hand propping,” in which the engine is manually restarted by turning the propeller. In doing this, the pilot was struck in the head by the propeller.

Pilot Daniel Wisenewski told Fox 5 that “hand propping is a very dangerous method and sometimes is used to start engine or clear carbonator.”

Responding emergency crews rushed the man by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA and the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the fatal aviation accident.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for California wrongful death lawyers.

Nassau, Bahamas — A 26-year-old South Carolina man is dead after a fall on a Carnival Cruise Line ship while it was docked in the Bahamas, reported CBS Miami.

The victim “fell from one of the upper levels of the ship’s atrium on the lobby level,” while he was apparently trying to jump from one floor to another on Friday night, January 27, 2012 while the Carnival Fantasy was docked in Nassau, stated the Miami-based Carnival Corp.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld at this time.

The statement released by Carnival said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and extend our heartfelt condolences to the guest’s family and loved ones.”

The Carnival Fantasy departed on a five-day Bahamas cruise from Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday and returned on Monday.

Due to investigations, the ship’s stop at Freeport on Saturday was canceled.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for wrongful death lawyers.

New York, NY — Busy Day? Didn’t get a chance to eat, so you grab something on the run as you jump onto the subway? Well if one local lawmaker has his way, it’s going to cost you.

CBS New York reported that State Senator Bill Perkins plans to propose a $250 fine to anyone who eats on the subway.

Perkins claims that the proposal arose from complaints from riders about rodents in the subway system.

“Those rats feed off of what we eat or discard in the system. You feed them, you breed them,” he told CBS 2. “Not only are they on the tracks, they’re on the seats. Sometimes they even come off out of the subway.”

While some subway riders don’t believe the ban would work, others say that they wouldn’t mind it because eating a meal on the subway is rude and obnoxious.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for New York lawyers.

Thief River Falls, MN — Arctic Cat Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled Arctic Cat Snowmobiles for posing a crash hazard to consumers. The CPSC announced the nationwide product recall on January 31, 2012.

The recall was enacted after discovering that the lower steering tie-rod attachment can loosen and cause steering control loss, which poses a crash hazard to consumers.

The following 2012 snowmobile models involved in this recall include:

• Model F: F800 LXR, F1100 LXR, F800 Sno Pro, F1100 Turbos, F1100 Sno Pro/Limited/50th
• Model XF: XF800 LXR, XF1100 LXR, XF800 Sno Pro High Country, XF1100 Turbos, XF100 Limited/50th
• Model M: M800, M1100, M800 Sno Pro, M1100 Sno Pro/Limited/50th, M800 HCR, M1100 Turbos

Consumers are advised to contact their local Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair.

Arctic Cat is contacting all known consumers directly by mail.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact Arctic Cat at (800) 279-6851 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit www.arctic-cat.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

Morgan Hill, CA — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., has voluntarily recalled 2012 bicycles with Advanced Group carbon forks for fall hazards the product poses to consumers. The CPSC announced the nationwide product recall on January 31, 2012.

The recall was issued after discovering that the brake component housed within the bicycle’s carbon fork can disengage from the fork, which will allow the brake assembly to come into contact with the wheel spokes while rotating. This poses a fall hazard to consumers.

“This recall involves the 2012 Tricross Sport and 2012 Tricross Comp model bicycles. The bicycles are various colors and have the brand name ‘Specialized’ on the lower front frame tube. The model name ‘Tricross Sport’ or ‘Tricross Comp’ is on the top tube,” reported the CPSC.

Consumers are advised to return the recalled bicycles to an authorized Specialized retailer for a repair, or replacement carbon fork.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact Specialized toll-free at (877) 808-8154 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit www.specialized.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.

There is a huge loop-hole when it comes to employment laws and pregnancy. It is completely unfair for a pregnant woman to loose her job, because of her pregnancy and the complications that come with it. New regulations in each state need to be drafted to include employment protection for pregnant women, just like Massachusetts is trying to do.

Middleboro, MA — The Christmas Tree Shops and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled Hurricane Style Lights for fire hazards the defective product poses to consumers. The CPSC announced the nationwide product recall on February 1, 2012.

The Hurricane Style Lights were recalled after discovering an electrical short circuit can occur in the light’s internal wiring, which can create smoke and pose a fire hazard.

“The recalled Hurricane Style Light is a circular lamp with a white metal basket and moveable handle for hanging or carrying at the top. It has a colored glass insert in blue, pink, or green and uses a mini light bulb. The model number ‘DML0593’ and SKU/UPC number ‘000015806710’ are printed on the price tag attached to the product,” reported the CPSC.

Consumers are advised to return the lights to any Christmas Tree Shops location for a full refund.

For more information concerning the product recall, consumers can contact Christmas Tree Shops toll-free at (888) 287-3232 anytime, or visit www.christmastreeshops.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.