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Franklin Gray & White Obtains Settlement for Girl Seriously Injured In Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Accident
Lawsuit Filed Against Truck Company
Truck Accident Resource Links Added
Truck Accident on I-65 Shuts Down Lane
Intoxicated Driver Causes Tragedy for Illinois Family
A family of three was killed in an Illinois collision caused by an intoxicated driver.
Truck and Auto Accident Statistics Added to Web Library
New Website Gives Ratings to Medical Centers
Website, Healthgrades.com provides users with ratings for medical centers based upon the number of patients who develop complications after treatment.
Lawsuit Filed in Illinois Truck Accident Death
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed regarding an Illinois truck accident after a young woman was killed when the driver of a semi carrying a Reality TV show's equipment, allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.
Recent Study Finds Only Half Of U.S. Pediatricians Would Admit Medical Error
A recent study revealed that of those surveyed, only half of U.S. pediatricians would admit committing a medical error in the treatment of one of the children under their care.
"Tip-Pooling" Class Action Filed in Las Vegas
Former workers of a Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas filed suit in Nevada over being forced into a tip-pool.
State of Indiana Files Suit Against Countrywide Financial Corp. For Deceptive and Misleading Lending Practices
Indiana joins 6 other states in taking action against Countrywide for their lending practices.
NTSB Urges Trucking Companies, Goverment, to Take Action Over Driver Fatigue
In recent hearing, National Transportation Safety Board expresses concern over truck operator exhaustion and fatigue and suggests actions to be taken.
New York Times Article Highlights Emergency Room Confusion
NYT article addresses recent study finding E.R. patients often left confused over their E.R. treatment, diagnosis, and future care.
Study Indentifies Factors in Truck Accidents
A recent study published in the International Journal for Vehicle Safety identifies three factors leading to loss of control and accidents involving heavy trucks.
North American Commercial Vehicle Investigation Effort Finds Hundreds of Vehicles in Violation in 72 Hour Period
A recent investigation effort by commercial vehicle investigators in Georgia found over 100 trucks in violation of safety regulations requiring the vehicles to be grounded.
Countrywide Lawsuits Filed Throughout Country
Several state attorney generals have filed civil lawsuits against Countrywide Financial for their lending practices.
Congressmen Call For Countrywide Probe
Franklin Gray and White Attorneys Involved In $16 Million Dollar Settlement For Annuities Purchasers
Settlement reached in class action litigation.
Louisville Courier-Journal Article Focuses On the Victims of Comair Flight 5191
Lexington Kentucky Jury Awards $1.2 Million in Medical Malpractice Case
After a week long trial, Larry Franklin won a $1.2 million jury verdict for his client in a medical malpractice trial in Lexington Kentucky. The Fayette County jury came back late Tuesday evening with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff.
Speed Control On Big Rigs Would Save Lives
Federal Officials Are Reviewing Whether To Require Speed Controls Semi tractor-Trailers To Reduce AccidentsFSp
University Study Shows 3.7 Million Medication Errors A Year Possible In United States
An Auburn University pharmacy study projected the odds of getting a prescription with a serious, health-threatening error at about 1 in 1,000.
Covington Kentucky Man Killed After His Tractor-Trailer Crashes And Catches Fire
A Covington Kentucky man was killed after the tractor-trailer he was driving crashed and caught fire on Interstate 75 in Whitley County, Kentucky.
Tractor Trailer Involved in Fatal Collison
A semi tractor trailer was involved in a fatal rear-end collision on Interstate 64 in Kentucky.
Punitive Damage Claims Allowed in Trial of Comair Flight 5191
Judge allows punitive claims to go forward in trial of In re: Air Crash At Lexington, Kentucky (Comair Flight 5191)
Anti-lock Brakes Reduce Heavy Truck Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is studying the effectiveness of anti-lock braking systems on heavy trucks. It is believed that ABS significantly reduces semi tractor-trailer accidents.
Truck drivers banned from using drug Chantix
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a ban on the anti-smoking drug Chantix due to conerns over its possible affect on driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
Safety TIps When Driving Near Trucks
Driving near semi-trucks on Kentucky roadways can be dangerous. Following a few simple precautions can greatly reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Walgreens to Pay $35 Million For Using More Expensive Forms of Drugs in Medicaid Prescriptions
From Bloomberg.com, in what may become a class action,Walgreens is to pay $35 million in a settlement with 42 states and the U.S. government for a scheme where the large U.S. based drug store used the most expensive form of medication to fill Medicaid-paid prescriptions.
Franklin Gray & White files MDL petition for Shoulder Pain Pump lawsuits
Franklin Gray & White has filed the first petition with the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate all federal shoulder pain pump lawsuits to one court for consolidated litigation.
Starbucks Ordered to Pay Baristas 100 Million Dollars in Lost Tips
An item in the Louisville Courier Journal, in a California suit, Starbucks was ordered to pay $100,000,000.00 to baristas for lost tips. The suit stemmed from managerial employees taking tips from a shared tip pool meant for nonmanagerial employees. The law firm of Franklin Gray and White represents clients in class actions and complex litigation. If you believe your employer has been engaging in illegal tip pooling practices please contact our firm for a free consultation.
Trucking Company Violated Safety Regulations
This article from the Louisville Courier Journal, discusses a recent review by the Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Agency finding several safety violations committed by a trucking company that was involved in a recent fatal accident. Trucking companies and their drivers need to comply with Federal and State safety regulations because if they fail to do so, catastrophic and often fatal injuries may occur. The law firm of Franklin Gray and White handles cases involving injuries received as the result of Truck and Auto Accidents. If you or a loved one has experienced such an injury, please contact our firm.
Road Safety: Drivers and Cyclists
From Whas 11.com, a story underscoring the caution drivers must exercise on the roads, especially with the increasing number of cyclists now sharing the streets with motorists.
Studies Linking Shoulder Pain Pumps to PAGCL
Recent studies have linked pain pumps often used in arthroscopic surgies to a serious condition called Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chrondolysis (PAGCL). Franklin Gray and White represents clients who have experienced injuries from the use of shoulder pain pumps.

Franklin Gray & White Obtains Settlement for Girl Seriously Injured In Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Accident

Franklin Gray & White Obtains Settlement for Girl Seriously Injured in Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Accident:

On June 21, 2007, Kaitlyn Lasitter, then 13, was riding the Superman Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom with friends, when a cable broke seriously injuring her and severing her feet. Kaitlyn's right foot was reattached by surgeons at Vanderbilt University, but the surgeons were unable to reattach her left foot, requiring Kaitlyn to be fitted with a prosthesis. She has since had to undergo numerous complicated and painful surgeries.

Kaitlyn's parents hired Larry Franklin, of the law firm Franklin Gray & White to file suit against Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom on behalf of Kaitlyn. After approximately 1 1/2 years of litigation, numerous depositions, hearings, and complicated discovery issues, Mr. Franklin was able to obtain a settlement for Kaitlyn from the amusement park. For more information and media coverage, please see the bottom of this page.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents injured people. For a sample of our previous successes, see here. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck and auto accident, been a victim of medical malpractice or nursing home abuse and neglect, or suffered another type of injury, the law firm of Franklin Gray & White is here for you. Please contact the attorneys of Franklin Gray & White, or email Matthew L. White (mwhite@franklingrayandwhite.com) to schedule a free consultation.

For media coverage, please see:

Louisville Courier-Journal

WHAS11

32 WLKY

WAVE 3

FOX 41

Associated Press

More information to follow at FranklinGrayAndWhite.com

Lawsuit Filed Against Truck Company

From the Chicago Tribune:

A Protivin (PRO-tuh-vuhn) woman is suing a trucking company involved in a deadly crash that killed her two children in December 2006.

Nicole Sanders filed the lawsuit against Lee Steyer Trucking of Soldiers Grove, Wis., and driver William Creager, of Westby, Wis., in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Sanders' children, 3-year-old Raven Williams and 2-year-old Wesley Williams, died in the crash on U.S. Highway 63 near New Hampton.

Authorities say Sanders' vehicle lost control on the icy highway and collided with a van. Both vehicles came to rest in the road before being struck by the semitrailer driven by the Wisconsin driver.

[Continue Story]

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents the victim of truck and auto accidents. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a truck, semi, and/or commercial vehicle, protect your rights. Contact the experienced legal team at Franklin Gray & White for your free consultation.

For further information on truck and auto accidents please see here, or see our online library.

Truck Accident Resource Links Added

Truck accident resource links added. To access the links, see here.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents the victim of truck and auto accidents. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a truck, semi, and/or commercial vehicle, protect your rights. Contact the experienced legal team at Franklin Gray & White for your free consultation.

For further information on truck and auto accidents please see here, or see our online library.

Truck Accident on I-65 Shuts Down Lane

From the Courier-Journal:

"A two-vehicle accident has blocked the right lane on Interstate 65 northbound just before Grade Lane, according to a Trimarc Incident Report.

There were reports of injuries, a MetroSafe Communications supervisor said.

The supervisor also said the vehicles involved were a Ford Thunderbird and a dump truck."

For the story, click here.

Another accident involving a truck or commercial vehicle on the I-65 corridor. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a truck or commercial vehicle, protect your rights. Contact the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

Intoxicated Driver Causes Tragedy for Illinois Family

From the Chicago Tribune: A heartbreaking article once again demonstrating the dangers of intoxicated drivers on the road. A mother and her two young children were killed last week when a drunk driver collided with their vehicle.

Further adding to the tragedy was that the intoxicated driver had been convicted for DUI twice previously.

There are many dangers drivers must face on our roads and highways everyday, but the dangers created by intoxicated drivers often end in tragic collisions, as what happened here. The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents the victims and their families of truck and auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or auto accident, or have suffered injuries as the result of an intoxicated driver, the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White are available to get you the help you deserve. Please contact us for a free consultation.

Truck and Auto Accident Statistics Added to Web Library

Statistics from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety ("KOHS") regarding truck/commercial vehicle and automobile accidents have been added to the Franklin Gray & White Web Library.

To access the statistics, click here.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents victims of trucking and auto accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a trucking or auto accident, please call the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

New Website Gives Ratings to Medical Centers

From the Chicago Tribune:

Healthgrades, which provides health care quality measurement, has a new website which provides users with ratings for medical centers based upon the number of patients who develop complications after receiving treatment.

According to the article,

"Medical centers get one, three or five stars based on how many patients develop complications and die after receiving treatment. One star represents a poor performance. Three stars stands for "as expected." Five stars goes to the very best performers. The rankings are based on three years of data from Medicare and are adjusted to account for how sick the hospital's patients are. To compile the ratings, HealthGrade analyzes tens of millions of Medicare claims. Some experts don't believe these "claims data" are adequate to make determinations about the quality of care; instead, they suggest, such conclusions should be based on information drawn from medical records."

Everybody deserves quality care from their treating physicians as well as their respective medical facilities. Unfortunately, many do not receive this care. The law firm of Franklin Gray & White has extensive experience in medical malpractice litigation. If you or a loved one believe that you have been the victim of medical malpractice, please contact on of the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

Lawsuit Filed in Illinois Truck Accident Death

From the Chicago Tribune: A wrongful death lawsuit was filed regarding an Illinois truck accident after a young woman was killed when the driver of a semi carrying a Reality TV show's equipment, allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.

The article states:

A wrongful-death lawsuit has been filed by the parents of a Chicago woman killed on Interstate Highway 57 when a driver of a reality show on the VH1 cable network apparently fell asleep, crossed the median and slammed into the vehicle in which she was riding.

Kevetta Davis, 19, died Sept. 26 after being struck by a truck driven by Dennis Hernandez, who was hauling sound equipment for "Rock of Love With Bret Michaels." The crash near West Frankfort about 20 northeast of Carbondale, also killed Yasmin Jackson, 19, Davis' friend and a fellow student at Southern Illinois University. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, names Viacom, VH-1 Music First, 51 Minds Entertainment LLC and Hernandez as defendants.

As we have stated before, truck and semi accidents comprise a large portion of the catastrophic accidents that happen daily on Kentucky's roads and highways. Both operators and their respective trucking companies need to practice the utmost care and caution in preventing these too often tragic accidents. To learn more about Truck and Auto Accidents, please click here.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents victims of trucking and auto accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a trucking or auto accident, please call the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

Recent Study Finds Only Half Of U.S. Pediatricians Would Admit Medical Error

From U.S. News & World Report: A recent study revealed that of those surveyed, only half of U.S. pediatricians would admit committing a medical error in the treatment of one of the children under their care. It seems that there is often concern with having to admit these errors to the parents of such children, who are often (and justifiably) protective of their children.

This news of this survey comes only weeks after a separate story found "that medication errors, including accidental overdoses and adverse reactions, affect about one in every 15 hospitalized children."

For more information on this survey, see here.

Obviously, this is unsettling news. The law firm of Franklin Gray & White is experienced in medical malpractice litigation. If you are a parent and believe that your child may have been the victim of a medical error or other medical malpractice, please contact one of the attorneys for a free consultation.

"Tip-Pooling" Class Action Filed in Las Vegas

From the San-Diego Union Tribune, a group of former employees have filed a lawsuit against the Hofbrauhaus over a process called "tip-pooling".

The lawsuit claims that the employees including former busboys, bartenders, and servers were forced to put their tips in a shared pool that included managers and other employees that do not normally receive tips.

Many similar lawsuits have been filed throughout the country, including this one.

Employees need to be aware that their rights may be violated when employees who are generally not tipped are sharing in a tip pool with tipped employees. If you are an employee who believes your employer may be engaging in such a practice or has questions about this practice, please contact the law firm of Franklin Gray and White for a free consultation.

State of Indiana Files Suit Against Countrywide Financial Corp. For Deceptive and Misleading Lending Practices

From Reuters.com, Indiana is now the sixth state to file suit against over allegedly deceptive and misleading sales practices.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White is investigating these practices and further deceptive and/or misleading practices by lending companies, including Countrywide. If you believe you have been the victim of deceptive and misleading practices by a lending company, please contact attorney Matt White of Franklin Gray and White for a free consultation.

NTSB Urges Trucking Companies, Goverment, to Take Action Over Driver Fatigue

From the Associated Press, the National Transportation Safety Board ("NTSB") has recommended that both trucking companies and the Federal Government should take measures to address safety concerns over driver fatigue and exhaustion.

The hearing came about in response to a tragic accident in Wisconsin three years ago in which 5 people where killed when school bus carrying school band members crashed in an overturned tractor-tractor whose driver fell asleep at the wheel.

The NTSB called for trucking companues to take measures to ensure that it drivers get enough rest. Furthermore, it called for the government to step up its enforcement of safety regulations such as requiring trucking companies to keep detailed records and ensuring their drivers get enough rest.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White is concerned with trucking industry safety and represents clients who have been injured in truck and auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck and auto accident, please contact the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

New York Times Article Highlights Emergency Room Confusion

This article from the New York Times highlights the confusion often experienced by patients who have made emergency room visits. The article is concerned with a recent study that followed a group of E.R. patients and measured their understanding of 1.) their diagnosis 2.) their E.R. treatment 3.) their home care instructions and 4.) the warning signs signaling a need to return to the hospital.

The results of the study are unfortunate. Of the surveyed patients, 78% did not understand at least one of those areas and about half did not understand two or more areas.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents victims of medical malpractice. If you or a loved one believe that you have not been given adequate instructions following an emergency room visit, or have any other questions regarding medical malpractice, please contact the attorneys of Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

Study Indentifies Factors in Truck Accidents

In the preceding link to the article from Science Daily, it is noted that a recent study has been completed identifying factors contributing to truck and semi accidents.

The study, published in the International Journal for Vehicle Safety notes that three "critical manoeuvers" lead to the loss of control preceding a tractor-trailer, truck, or semi accident. Those manoeuvers being (1) bend-negotiation (2) avoidance manoeuvers, and (3) road-edge recovery.

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White represents victims of trucking and auto accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a trucking or auto accident, please call the attorneys at Franklin Gray & White for a free consultation.

To learn more about Truck and Auto Accidents, please click here.

North American Commercial Vehicle Investigation Effort Finds Hundreds of Vehicles in Violation in 72 Hour Period

A recent 72 hour dragnet in Georgia, part of a larger North American effort by commercial vehicle investigators found over one hundred commercial vehicles to be in violation of safety regulations to the extent requiring the vehicles to be grounded.

122 drivers were found to be in violation of the number of hours drivers are allowed to be on the road to fatigue and overall safety concerns. The effort also found numerous violations of brake safety and maintenance regulations.

The law firm of Franklin Gray and White represents clients who have been injured in accidents involving tractor-trailers and semis or other trucking related accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck and/or auto accident, please contact the attorneys at Franklin Gray and White for a free consultation.

Countrywide Lawsuits Filed Throughout Country

In fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis. Investigations have led several state attorney generals (including California, Illinois, and Florida) to file civil suits against the mortgage lender Countrywide Financial for its practices. Amongst the allegations in a recent lawsuit filed by the West Virginia attorney general, is that Countrywide issued mortgages that were "unaffordable and unconscionable."

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White is investigating such practices by lending companies, including Countrywide. If you believe you have been the victim of deceptive and misleading practices by a lending company, please contact attorney Matt White of Franklin Gray and White for a free consultation.

Congressmen Call For Countrywide Probe

In this article from Forbes.com, two Congressmen are seeking a probe into mortgages provided by Countrywide to fellow Congressmen.

Countrywide has come under increasing scrutiny lately as several states have filed lawsuits alleging the lending company has engaged in deceptive and misleading lending practices and issued mortgages that were "unaffordable and unconscionable."

The law firm of Franklin Gray & White is investigating such practices by lending companies, including Countrywide. If you believe you have been the victim of deceptive and misleading practices by a lending company, please contact attorney Matt White of Franklin Gray and White for a free consultation.

Franklin Gray and White Attorneys Involved In $16 Million Dollar Settlement For Annuities Purchasers

Franklin Gray and White Attoneys Mark Gray and Matt White, along with Louisville attorney William McMurry obtained a settlement of over $16 million in a class action lawsuit on behalf of seniors who purchased annuities from American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company.

For more information, please see the article published in the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Louisville Courier-Journal Article Focuses On the Victims of Comair Flight 5191

From the weekend edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal, this article discusses the victims of Comair Flight 5191, and their families.

For more information, please click here for the full article.

Lexington Kentucky Jury Awards $1.2 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

After a week long trial, Larry Franklin won a $1.2 million jury verdict for his client in a medical malpractice trial in Lexington Kentucky. The Fayette County jury came back late Tuesday evening with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff finding the defendant-physician negligent in his care and treatment. MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON

Speed Control On Big Rigs Would Save Lives

Federal transportation officials are weighing a proposal to require devices on commercial trucks that would limit their top speeds to 68 mph. The idea is supported by many large trucking companies and opposed by many smaller, independent carriers.

About 5,000 people die each year in accidents involving commercial trucks.

The Department of Transportation is accepting public comments on the proposal until March 27. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will have the final say. NHTSA studied the idea in 1991 and said it wasn't needed.

Excessive speed is major cause of big truck accidents each year. Many people are injured or killed as a result of speeding trucks. The lawyers are Franklin Gray & White have represented many families whose loved ones were either killed or seriously injured as a result of a speeding truck gone out of control. For more information please contact us at mwhite@franklingrayandwhite.com

University Study Shows 3.7 Million Medication Errors A Year Possible In United States

An Auburn University pharmacy study projected the odds of getting a prescription with a serious, health-threatening error at about 1 in 1,000. That equates to roughly 3.7 million such errors each year in the United States. Corporate policies rewarding fast work and staffing cuts to increase company profits are major contributors to medication errors. Although most pharmacies have, or at least should have, mulitple safeguards in place to catch an error, too often the safe gurads break down or are not caught until it is too late. Common factors that contribute to an increase in medication errors are:

-Too many presciptions and too few pharmacists
-Pharmacies emphasizing speed
-Too much reliance on technitions
-Pharmacies paying bonuses based on presciption volume filled
-Decrease in face-to-face counseling at phramacies

Franklin Gray & White has represented many families that are victims of medication error caused by negligence or corporate greed. Urge your state representatives and pharmacy boards to help reduce medication errors.

Covington Kentucky Man Killed After His Tractor-Trailer Crashes And Catches Fire

A Covington Kentucky man was killed after the semi-truck he was driving crashed and caught fire on I-75. North bound lanes of I-75 closed due to the accident. Police arinvestigating the cause of the crash.

Tractor Trailer Involved in Fatal Collison

A tractor trailer was involved in a fatal rear-end collision on I-64 in Kentucky. According to Police, the truck rear-ended a stopped vehicle after cresting a hill in dense fog. The truck was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision.

Punitive Damage Claims Allowed in Trial of Comair Flight 5191

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Karl Forrester has denied Comair's attempts to exclude punitive damages from the trial. Judge Forrester has set the trial of these cases to commence on August 4, 2008. Frankling Gray & White represents the estate of one of the victims of this horrific plane crash.

Anti-lock Brakes Reduce Heavy Truck Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Plans and Policy is currently evaluating crash data to statistically evaluate the effectiveness of antilock brake systems (ABS) and rear impact guards for heavy trucks. The NHTSA believes that such an evaluation is necessary to further reduce the chances of semi tractor-trailer crashes that often produce serious personal injuries or even death.

States will send data to NHTSA on every crash they investigate that involves a tractor-trailer, a bobtail tractor, or a medium or heavy single-unit truck. It is believed the data will comprise 10,000 tractor-trailer crashes and 5,000 single-unit trucks. A report will be issued once the data has been analyzed.

Anti-lock braking systems are designed to help maintain directional stability and control during braking, and reduce stopping distances on some road surfaces. ABS could reduce crashes involving jackknife, loss-of-control, run-off-road, lane departure, or skidding, or where trucks with conventional brakes were unable to stop in time to avoid hitting something frontally.

ABS Are Required On Certain Heavy Trucks

Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) are required on air-brake equipped truck-tractors manufactured on or after March 1, 1997 and on semi-trailers and single-unit trucks equipped with air brakes and manufactured on or after March 1, 1998(1). ABS is required on hydraulically braked single-unit trucks over 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight if they are manufactured on or after March 1, 1999(2).

Types of crashed that could be positively affected by ABS include: Jackknifing, run-off-road accidents, sideswipes and, rear-end-collisions.
For more information go to http://www.nhtsa.gov/

Truck drivers banned from using drug Chantix

The U.S. Food and Drug administration recently issued a public health advisory on Chantix concerning the drug's potential side effects, including violent behavior and suicidal thoughts. Now, operators of semi trucks / tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicle operators are prohibited from using the drug. The FAA previously banned pilots from using the same drug over safety concerns.

The FMCSA, a division of the Department of Transportation, stated "The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) regulations for the medical qualification of interstate truck and bus drivers prohibit the use of prescribed substances or drugs that adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle."

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves medications for use, and has recently issued a public health advisory on Chantix (Varenicline). FMCSA's rules defer to the physicians and health care professionals to determine driver medical fitness for duty, which includes when a medication has actual and potential side effects that could impact safe driving."

"While we do not name any medications, such as Chantix, in FMCSA regulations, it appears that medical examiners should not certify a driver taking Chantix because the medication may adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle."

Each year in Kentucky , there are hundreds of accidents involving tractor trailers/ semi-trucks due to driver error. Too often, these result in catastrophic injury or death. The FMCSA works to see that truck drivers operate in a safe manner.

Safety TIps When Driving Near Trucks

Being aware of safety concerns and considerations while operating on public roadways can drastically decrease your chances of getting into an accident. When big trucks such as tractor-trailers are involved, accidents often turn deadly. Below are a few considerations to keep in mind when operating on Kentucky’s roadways.

Safety Tips for Motorists

   -Be aware that trucks create wind gusts. Keep both hands on the wheel when you pass a truck or when a truck passes you.

   -Leave plenty of room between you and a truck when coming to a stop on a hill. Trucks may roll back as the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.

   -Don't speed up when a truck is passing you. Instead, stay to the right and slow down slightly. Let the truck pass you. This will give the truck driver plenty of room to pass safely and get you out of the truck's blind spot faster.

   -If a truck driver is signaling to change lanes, give him or her space. An average truck changing lanes at highway speeds needs an eight second gap or 700 feet - the length of 2 1/2 football fields.

Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

   -Double-check your mirrors before turning right. Motorists may not know that you need to swing wide to the left to make a right turn and they may not realize that you are turning.

   -Signal early and often when maneuvering through and around intersections. In heavy traffic, motorists who drive alongside the truck may not see your turn signal. Signaling early gives motorists the information they need to decide whether or not to pull alongside you.

   -Don't tailgate. It makes motorists uneasy to have 80,000 pounds of truck on their rear bumper.

   -Leave extra space between your truck and cars around you whenever possible. Many motorists don't know how long it takes a truck to stop or how much room you need to pass safely.

-Use proper parking areas when pulling off the road. Trucks are four times more likely to be rear-ended than cars. It is especially important to use designated parking areas when possible. If you can't do this, pull completely off the road and set out flares, safety triangles or other devices to alert other drivers.

Slow down. Be aware. Be safe.

Walgreens to Pay $35 Million For Using More Expensive Forms of Drugs in Medicaid Prescriptions

Franklin Gray & White files MDL petition for Shoulder Pain Pump lawsuits

Shoulder pain pump lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States concerning individuals who have developed a condition known as post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis of PAGCL. Franklin Gray & White has filed a petition with the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to consolidate all cases before one judge for pre-trial proceedings. This special federal procedure is common in complex product liability cases where multiple lawsuits have been filed concerning one or more common questions of fact. For more information on Shoulder Pain Pump (PAGCL) Litigation please contact Matthew White.

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Franklin Gray and White
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505 W. Ormsby Avenue
Louisville, KY 40203

Toll Free: (800) 637-6033
Phone: (502) 637-6000
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