Lawsuit Claims Employees Exposed to Radiation

Employees of Exxon Mobile have filed a lawsuit against their employe.  The lawsuit alleges the employers were exposed radioactive material in used oil drilling pipes.  The plaintiffs allege Exxon knew of the risk of radiation since the 1930s, but recklessly put profits ahead of safety.  The plaintiffs are asking for $17 million in damages.

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Administrative Assistant Files Lawsuit for Unpaid Overtime Pay

An administrative assistant has filed a lawsuit against her employer for unpaid overtime pay.  The administrative assistant claims her employer, Blackstone Group LP, required her to work 45-50 hours per week and owes her almost 2 years worth of overtime pay.

Her employer claims she was an “exempt” employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) because she was in a management position.  The plaintiff claims she was misclassified her as management and is due overtime pay.

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If you have worked more than 40 hours in one week for you employer and you have not received overtime pay (time and a half), you may be entitled to money damages. 

Workers File Lawsuit After Plant Explosion

Workers at a Kleen Energy power plant filed a lawsuit against contractor after an explosion occurred during the gas line purge.  The explosion occurred on February 7, 2010. 

According to the Hartford Courant, th workers conducting the gas line purge were poorly trained and used gas fueled torches at the time of the blast.  The plaintiffs suffered severe head injuries when they were thrown against the wall.

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Oil Rig Workers File Lawsuit in Mississippi

Indian oil rig workers recruited to work on oil rigs in Mississippi post-Katrina, have filed multiple lawsuits alleging civil rights violations against Signal International, according to the New York Times, 

The lawsuit alleges the oil rig workers were subjected to a discriminatory labor environment and forced to work in harsh working conditions in exchange for visas and green cards.

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OVERTIME PAY LAWSUIT SETTLED FOR $42 MILLION WITH STAPLES

The Boston Globe is reporting  Staples Inc. has settled a class action lawsuit which alleged Staples failed to pay assistant store managers overtime pay.  The class representative alleged class members worked more than 50 hours per week and performed duties that did not include management duties.  The putative class members alleged they are entitled to overtime pay from Staples. 

The $42 million settlement includes more than 5500 current and former Staples employees. 

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$20 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR WORKERS COMP FRAUD

The LA Times is reporting a temporary agency has settled a workers compensation fraud lawsuit filed by the California Insurance Commission for $20 million.  The Insurance Commission alleged the temporary agency, Staffing Services Inc., misrepresented the number of its employees and their job duties in order to pay less in insurance premiums.  The regulators filed the lawsuit in November 2008 and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office prosecuted the case. 

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$100 Million Awarded to Refinery Workers

BP was ordered to pay over $100 million in damages to workers that were exposed to toxic substances in its refinery in Texas City, Texas.  The 10 plaintiffs in the lawsuit contended BP failed to maintain equipment and provide adequate safety controls.  As a result, more than 100 workers sought treatment to local hospitals on April 19, 2007.  BP said it would appeal the verdict and it was shocked and outraged by the outcome of the lawsuit. 

If you been hurt at work as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals, then you may be entitled to money damages.  Contact one of our attorneys today for a free legal consultation.

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MTD Recalls Log Splitters Due to Amputation Hazard

MTD Products Inc., has issued a recall for log splitters due to an amputation hazard.  The US CPSC has announced a voluntary recall for the products listed below.  According to the CPSC, consumers should immediately stop using the log splitters.  The recall includes approximately 26,000 log splitters distributed in the US.

The CPSC reports no injuries to date, but warns that the control handle of the log splitter could fail to automatically return to the neutral position as it should, and could fail to stop the splitting wedge from moving forward, posing a risk of amputation to consumers’ fingers and hands.

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The following brand names and models (the model # is located near the engine on the frame) are included in the recall:

Brand Name	Model Number	Sold In:
MTD Gold	24BF510B004	Hardware Stores
MTD Gold	24BF510E204	Hardware Stores
MTD Gold	24BF570L004	Hardware Stores
MTD Gold	24BF570F204	Hardware Stores
Troy-Bilt	24BF572B766	Hardware Stores
Troy-Bilt	24AD597D766	Hardware Stores
Troy-Bilt	24BF572B711	Lowe’s
Troy-Bilt	24AD597D711	Lowe’s
Yard Machines	24BF552B729	Home Depot
Yard Machines	24BF550B029	Home Depot & Walmart
Cub Cadet	24BF572B756	Home Depot
Cub Cadet	24BF572B710	Independent Dealers
Cub Cadet	24AD598A010	Independent Dealers
Troy-Bilt	24BF572B766	Independent Dealers
Troy-Bilt	24AD597D766	Independent Dealers
MTD	24BF550M006	Walmart & Menards
Craftsman	247.77640	Sears
Craftsman	247.77641	Sears

If you or a loved one have been injured by a log splitter, whether hurt at work or otherwise, contact one of our product liability attorneys for a free legal consultation.