The Illinois Personal Injury Weblog of Schaeffer & Lamere P.C.

Gift Cards: Don't Get Ripped Off

From Bankrate.com: "The lowdown on gift cards," by Lucy Lazarony--

Before you give that hard-to-shop-for someone a gift card, be sure to take a close look at the fees that come with it.

There's nothing remotely festive about monthly maintenance charges and other fees your gift card recipient may be tagged with. And the hefty shipping, handling and service fees charged to the gift-card giver can take a big chunk out of any budget. As appealing and convenient as gift cards may be, you'd better take a good look at the boring old fine print that comes with it.

And while several states have passed new gift card laws aimed at bolstering consumer protections, being a smart and savvy card shopper is still the best protection of all.

Follow the link to see the "10 important questions every gift card giver and recipient should ask." And to find out what steps have been taken in Illinois to protect consumers, see "Illinois Passes Law to Protect Consumers."

The Internet's Still an Infant

From the Associated Press via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "At age 35, the Internet is still growing," by Anick Jesdanun--

Thirty-five years after computer scientists at UCLA linked two bulky computers using a 15-foot gray cable, testing a new way for exchanging data over networks, what would ultimately become the Internet remains a work in progress.

University researchers are experimenting with ways to increase its capacity and speed. Programmers are trying to imbue Web pages with intelligence. And work is under way to re-engineer the network to reduce spam and security troubles.

All the while threats loom: Critics warn that commercial, legal and political pressures could hinder the types of innovations that made the Internet what it is today.

The 7th Amendment Receives Preliminary Approval

From Yahoo Finance: "Federal Judge Grants Preliminary Court Approval of New Fen-Phen Trust Solution"--

Attorneys who represent Fen-Phen victims today announced that Federal Judge Harvey Bartle III has granted preliminary approval to the 7th Amendment, a modification of the National Settlement between Wyeth and victims of Fen- Phen. A detailed explanation of the 7th Amendment will now be sent immediately to all Fen-Phen victims eligible to enter the new Claims Facility, who will have the chance to review, object or opt out of the amendment before it is granted final approval and enacted.

For more information about whether YOU should opt out of the 7th Amendment, please call Schaeffer & Lamere toll free at (888) 783-9679, or e-mail us, but only if:

(a) You are not currently represented by a lawyer; and,

(b) You have already received a check for $6,000 (which indicates that you are properly registered in the trust for a matrix-level claim).

If this describes you, you might be entitled to a significant sum in addition to what you have already received from the trust.

Judge Cahill Was Much-Loved

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Hundreds turn out for Judge Cahill's funeral," by Aisha Sultan--

Hundreds of mourners - from state Supreme Court justices to former PTA moms - filled St. Francis Xavier (College) Catholic Church on Friday to pay their respects to one of the city's pioneering African-American judges.

Former U.S. District Court Judge Clyde Sylvester Cahill Jr. was remembered as a man devoted to his family, his community and to civil rights. He died Aug. 18 after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 81.

"Don't Call It a Settlement," Says Lawyer for Archdiocese

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Diocese settles 18 abuse suits," by Tim Townsend--

The St. Louis Archdiocese has agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle 18 civil cases of sexual abuse, according to lawyers representing the accusers.

Edward Goldenhersh, an archdiocesan lawyer, said Wednesday that using the word "settle" is "wordsmithing."

"They've brought claims and I can beat them in court, and they know that," he said.

Missouri AG Sues Branson-Area Travel Companies

From the Kansas City Star, via the Associated Press: "Missouri attorney general accuses nine travel companies for fraud"--

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon has accused nine companies that do business in the Branson area of travel-related fraud and is seeking $200,000 in restitution.

In lawsuits filed against the companies, Nixon accused them of deceiving Missouri consumers by offering expensive travel club memberships that were supposed to save buyers money, but didn't; using high-pressure sales tactics to sell memberships, then not allowing consumers to cancel their order; and charging upfront fees to sell a customer's timeshares, but not selling them. . . .

The companies named in the lawsuits are FunTyme Vacations, Branson; Worldwide Dream Vacations, Branson; Leisure Access, Branson; World of Vacations, Branson; Vacation Services of America, Hollister; National Vacation Sales, Sylmar, Calif.; Tickets for Less, Branson; Your Best Friend in Branson, Branson; and Student Express, of Colorado.

Be on the Lookout for "Daredevil Bikers"

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Daredevil bikers run wild on highways"--

Motorists may have spotted them on St. Louis-area highways - daredevil motorcycle riders risking life and limb by doing wheelies and other stunts at 80 miles an hour.

Often, there's a trailing vehicle filming the bikers to make home movies for sale, usually for $25, over the Internet.

Motorists on Highway 364 in St. Charles County noticed a pack of such bikers Saturday evening. And the Missouri Highway Patrol wants to know whether daredevil bikers are responsible for an accident on that highway that injured eight people from St. Charles and O'Fallon, Mo.

A Short Summary of the Asbestos Tragedy

From Paul Brodeur: "The Asbestos Tragedy"--

Asbestos, which comes from a Greek word meaning inextinguishable or unquenchable, is a broad term embracing a number of fibrous silicate minerals that are found in practically every country in the world. Although known to mankind as early as the Stone Age, when it was used in pottery, asbestos was considered a novelty until the late 1870s, when it began to be mined on a commerical basis. It soon achieved enormous industrial importance because of its unique and astonishing physical properties.

Brodeur's article is well worth reading. For books about asbestos by Paul Brodeur, see here.

Back to School Means More Teen Drinking

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Back-to-school often fuels teen drinking," by Adam Jadhav--

This week, many young people have headed back to school. They'll be reuniting with old friends and catching up on summer goings-on. They'll go to football games and Labor Day barbecues. Some will augment their fun with booze.

A 2002 Missouri Department of Mental Health survey found that 55 percent of 12,000 middle and high school students reported having used alcohol. And 29 percent said they'd drank in the 30 days prior to taking the survey.

Is Best Buy Cheating Its Customers?

From the Ohio News Network: "Attorney General Sues Best Buy"--

The state of Ohio is taking a major electronics retailer to court, seeking millions of dollars in fines.

The Attorney General's office filed a seven-count civil lawsuit against Best Buy stores Thursday.

The state says Best Buy mislead customers by repackaging used goods and then selling them as new.

The charges also include failure to honor rebates, refunds, exchanges and extended service programs and failing to respond to complaints in a timely manner.