In the largest settlement of its kind, two dozen entertainment companies have agreed to pay $70 million to settle an age discrimination suit that caps nearly a decade of legal battles.
The defendants in the case include network giants like NBC, ABC, FOX and CBS and several talent agencies.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants refused to hire or represent these writers because of their age and even if they are represented, the agents do not push them aggressively to studios for job openings.
According to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or ADEA, employers are prohibited from discriminating against applicants and employees who are above the age of 40.
It is not clear yet how much each plaintiff is going to receive but a part of it is planned to be used as supplement to pension and to improve medical coverage.
Hopefully, this sends a message not only in Hollywood but to all companies as well that any form of discrimination is against the law.
Drivers use gas pedals if they want to accelerate or maintain their speed while driving. Defective gas pedals or gas pedals that suddenly become stuck may trigger an accident.
This problem caused Toyota Motor Corp. to recall around 2.3 million U.S. vehicles. It will be conducted to address the problem regarding sticking accelerator pedals.
Vehicles that will be affected include 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 RAV4, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Camry, 2008-2010 Sequioia, and 2007-2010 Tundra.
Reports stated that the automaker is conducting the recall because the pedal mechanism of such vehicles is becoming worn out and stuck in some cases.
Toyota also conducted a 4.2 million vehicle recall two months ago to correct a problem concerning pedals that can get stuck because of insecure floor mats.
Auto manufacturing companies should be careful in making gas pedals because the movement of a vehicle depends on it. Recalls and possible injuries may be easily avoided if only these companies would be more cautious in producing quality car parts that will not suddenly get stuck or malfunction when being used.
Wearing of protective gears like helmets gives no assurance that the person wearing it will have full protection during an accident. In the case of MaryScott King, 50, her helmet did nothing to save her after it was stuck between two rocks during a snowboarding accident in Colorado.
According to authorities, King and her boyfriend who was identified as Carlo Nafarrete, 44, from Cypress, were snowboarding in Mineral Creek Basin when the incident occurred.
The woman was crossing the creek when she suddenly fell and her helmet was trapped between two rocks, causing her to be pinned under the water’s surface.
Although the snowboard guide tried to block the water from running over King’s face, she had already stopped breathing and had no pulse when the crews pulled her out of the water, said police. She was announced dead at the accident area.
Coroner officials confirmed that King’s death was caused by drowning.
People should not be careless with their actions just because they believe that wearing protective gears will save them from any kind of harm. They should always be prepared to face unexpected problems caused by accidents because doing so might mean being safe from harm.
Authorities continue with the search for the driver of a dark-colored Ford Expedition who ran away after hitting a 63-year-old disabled woman in San Diego.The Ford Edition can be easily identified by its damaged front bumper.
Judith Tellez, the victims, died recently after sustaining a skull fracture and broken legs and back and was in a coma.
Death from a hit-and-run accident is more devastating as the family would not have closure until they receive justice for the death of their loved ones.
Also to avoid deaths like this, people should accompany the disabled when they are going out on the streets so they can guide them when crossing.
Motorcyclists are more prone to severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident because though they are wearing protective gears, their body remains exposed to dangerous forces.
In fact, another motorcyclist was killed after being involved in a head on collision in San Diego.
The man who was identified by the Medical Examiner’s Office as Virgil Frank Garrett, 49, from El Cajon, was heading east along Alpine Boulevard near Willows Road when the incident occurred.
According to authorities, he veered into oncoming traffic after losing control of the motorcycle on a curve for unknown reasons.
A 23-year-old Honda Accord driver traveling west noticed Garret and veered to the right to try avoiding a collision but was unsuccessful.
Garret died after he was thrown from the motorcycle, even before he could be brought to a hospital.
Motorcyclists should practice defensive driving because they are the ones who are most likely to get hurt when an accident happens. On the other hand, other drivers should also be cautious of other road users to avoid hitting anyone or triggering a collision.
The law covers every individual. It does not exclude rich, influential, and famous people. The accuracy of these statements is clearly evident in the case of a former television and radio news anchor who was arrested on the suspicion of drunken driving.
According to authorities, Allison Ross, 53, was brought into police custody and was booked into Las Colinas prison where she was being held on a $2,500 bail.
She will face misdemeanor driving under the influence charges and was already scheduled for arraignment.
Even rich and famous people may be punished if their actions violated the law, especially if an accident happened due to it. Instead of ignoring the law, they should use the influence and power they have by being good examples to other drivers.
Authorities are still investigating why Alen Nazarian, 37, of Orange County, lost control of his Toyota Camry that resulted in a rollover accident that took his life on Interstate 5.
According to the CHP, Nazarian was driving on the northbound lane of the freeway when he lost control and rolled several times.
He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Every time a Toyota gets involved in a rollover accident, people are often reminded of the Santee intersection car accident that killed a CHP officer and his family.
The cause of that car accident was sudden acceleration due to a rubber mat being stuck on the gas pedal.
For sure, police will be investigating that angle in this case.
If the police confirm that sudden acceleration is the cause, then the family of Nazarian can file a wrongful death claim against Toyota under the product liability law.
Under product liability law, the family does not have to prove negligence on the part of Toyota.
What they need to prove is that there was a safety defect and that defect caused the car accident that resulted in the death of Nazarian.
The burden of proof will fall on the family so they should consult a wrongful death attorney to help them prove that the safety defect exists.
Although no amount of money can replace the life of their loved ones, the damages they may receive is something they deserve and is a symbol that the judiciary system recognizes that they have been wronged under the law.
It is logical for people to stop or slow down whenever they see a train approaching. They should not endanger their lives by crossing the train’s tracks.
However, two men who did the exact opposite ended up with critical injuries when they smack right into an approaching train after crossing the tracks.
According to authorities, the two men collided with a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BSNF) Railway train freight train after they crossed onto the oncoming train’s tracks in Anaheim.
It was reported by witnesses that the vehicle drove around the train’s crossing gates.
The vehicle was destroyed and one of the two men had to be cut out of the wreckage by the firefighters.
Both the car passenger and driver are under a critical condition at a hospital.
Meanwhile, everyone on the train was unharmed.
Train accidents may be easily avoided if only the two men waited patiently until the train has passed before crossing the tracks. On the other hand, railway companies should put additional safety devices that will stop those who are still planning to cross though there is an approaching train.
