In the past two months three major manufacturers have issued recalls involving lithium-ion battery packs in their computers due to overheating and danger of combustion. What makes lithium-ion batteries volatile and why are they so often used in power electronics? On January 2, 2017, following reports of battery packs overheating and melting, Toshiba expanded its recall of laptop…
Determining who might be responsible for an injury that occurred in a child’s school playground is often difficult. Even if the school or a school employee didn’t directly cause the injury, the school district might be legally responsible, and obtaining just compensation can be challenging. Playground injuries are usually due to either poor maintenance or…
Objectively proving brain injury is the best and quickest way to win or settle a brain injury case. However, objective evidence of brain injury is not always present on MRI or CT scan, and patient symptoms alone such as confusion and memory loss may not be sufficient evidence of injury. A new technology added to…
In another compassionate display by an Oregon court, a judge drastically cut a jury award for a Portland man who lost his leg to a city garbage truck. Damages for emotional distress have been reduced from $10.5 million to $500,000, continuing a pattern of irresponsibility and refusal to adequately compensate victims who are wrongfully injured….
A strong, moisture-laden eastern Pacific Jetstream brought heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest in February, creating landslides throughout Oregon. Landslides Block Highway 36 Near Eugene In just two days from February 16 through 17, heavy rains triggered a landslide in the Coast Range, blocking Highway 36 at milepost 25 two miles west of Triangle Lake,…
At just 17 years old, Myles Bagely was an expert snowboarder taking on the most advanced terrain in the Cascades. In 2006, he purchased a season pass to Mt. Bachelor, for which his father had to sign a liability waiver that stated the resort could not be sued for injury or death, even if it…
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced today that he will quit his job this early this summer before the end of his term. Last year, citing a health concern, AG Kroger announced that he would not run again this year. Kroger said today he now intends to head Reed College instead. Friday, a Marion Court…
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports this winter a higher than usual number of deer and other wildlife on or near roadways as they move further down away from heavy mountain snow and into valley areas in search of food. Animals foraging for food tend to follow the easiest path that will use…
It is no secret that bike culture is huge in Portland. The city has the highest rate of residents who choose to bike to work, with 7.2% of its population opting for the eco-friendly alternative on two wheels. If you live close enough to your job, biking can be a great way to sneak in…
2015 was a disturbing year for traffic casualties, with the number of traffic deaths shooting up more than they ever have in the past 50 years nationwide. Oregon got hit the hardest, seeing a brutal 27% increase in overall traffic deaths since 2014. Of all fifty states, Oregon’s was the largest percent increase, and was…