Brianna Smith, Author at Legal Reader

Brianna Smith is a freelance writer and editor in Southwest Michigan. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Brianna has a passion for politics, social issues, education, science, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the simple life with her husband, daughter, and son.

Sargento Foods Inc. Expands Voluntary Cheese Recall

February 21, 2017

Food recalls have been a hot topic in the news lately, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon. Recently, Sargento Foods Inc. decided to expand it’s “voluntary recall of cheese due to potential listeria contamination.” Based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, the company has recalled a total of 14 different cheese products so far, including consumer favorites like “sliced Colby, muenster, pepper jack, tomato & basil jack; shredded reduced fat Colby-jack, chef blends four cheese pizzeria, artisan blends double cheddar; ultra thin sliced longhorn Colby; chef blends shredded nacho and taco; off the block fine cut shredded Colby-jack and cheddar-jack.”

Are the Elderly More Vulnerable To Investment Fraud?

February 20, 2017

A recent study commissioned by the AARP Fraud Watch Network found that “older people who are active investors and who prefer unregulated investments may be more susceptible to investment fraud.” The study was carried out by reaching out to “200 known victims of investment fraud” for telephone interviews, as well as conducting “800 interviews with members of the investing public.”

New Study Finds Surprising Solution for Deadly Hospital Infections

February 20, 2017

It may be hard to believe, but hospitals are one of the riskiest places for picking up infections, including deadly ones. Surprising, considering the fact that hospitals are places of healing. Fortunately, steps are being taken to decrease the number of deadly hospital infections, thanks to a recent study published in The Lancet, a British medical journal, that found a solution to the problem. According to the study, doctors “should stop giving hospital patients so many antibiotics.”

Analysis Reveals Racial and Economic Discrimination By Santander Bank

February 18, 2017

Already in hot water for lending practices, outlets of Santander Bank have recently come under fire for racial and economic discrimination, with government data and an analysis by an industry reform group revealing the bank has “denied mortgages to women, minorities and low-income borrowers in the U.S. Northeast more frequently than nearby banks.” The discrimination was discovered when the Committee for Better Banks, “a coalition of bank workers, consumer advocacy groups and unions” researched government data “on home loans in the U.S. Northeast, including nearly 10,000 Santander home-purchase applications.” What they found was “a disturbing pattern of racial and economic discrimination.”

Settlement Reached Over Deadly Harlem Blast

February 17, 2017

For those who don’t know, back in 2014, a deadly blast occurred that took the lives of eight people “and destroyed two buildings.” As a result, a $153 million settlement has finally been reached between Con Edison and the Public Service Commission of New York that will ensure that the utility company will foot “the bill for repairs to its gas distribution system.” According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Con Edison customers will not be responsible for paying for the repairs caused by a deadly blast.

New GOP Bills Attack the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

February 17, 2017

The Republicans are at it again in their plans to overhaul many aspects American life. Their target this time? Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, “which established the CFPB.” On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) introduced companion bills that would effectively “eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB),” a “controversial watchdog” organization that many Republicans have been targeting for some time now. Now since their party is in the White House and in control of the House and Senate, many are seeking to take advantage of the position of power to push their agendas through, including passing the two companion bills.

Restoration Hardware Recalls Tables Over Lead Exposure Concerns

February 16, 2017

Restoration Hardware has issued a recall for thousands of their Railroad Tie and Parsons Railroad Tie metal top dining tables. The recalled tables were sold at “Restoration Hardware outlets and online from March 2012 to Dec. 2016,” and the decision for the recall came after the company received “reports of elevated blood lead levels in

Settlement Reached Between Harassed Female Workers and the Federal Bureau of Prisons

February 16, 2017

A settlement has been reached between the Federal Bureau of Prisons and female workers who claim they were “sexually harassed by prisoners” at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex near Orlando, Florida. Last Friday, an administrative judge signed off on the settlement that could amount to $20 million to compensate the female workers for “emotional distress and physical harm as well as reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses resulting from harassment from male inmates.” So what exactly happened?

New Bills Would End “Surprise Billing” In Georgia

February 14, 2017

Urgent cares and hospitals are busy this time of the year. Between the flu, colds, and rare cases of pneumonia, people across the country tend to catch more infections during the winter months than any other time of the year. Unfortunately, this means an increased number of patients experiencing a situation known as “surprise billing.” This is when “a patient goes to a hospital that is covered by her insurance but ends up receiving a bill for out-of-network services.” Not only is this unfair to patients, but it can have lasting impacts on their finances. Fortunately, legislators in Georgia are preparing new bills designed to put an end to surprise billing. That comes as a relief for many, especially for Dan Harrison, a recent victim of surprise billing.

Do Apology Laws Reduce Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?

February 14, 2017

Apology laws. We’ve all seen them in action on the various doctor shows out there, or maybe you’ve experienced them in person. They’re laws that allow “physicians to express sympathy to patients and families without it being used against them.” One of the reasons why they were implemented in the first place was to reduce the number of medical malpractice suits being filed. However, a new study conducted by a team from Vanderbilt University has revealed that apology laws do not reduce “the number of medical malpractice suits filed, or the amounts paid out.” In fact, the opposite has occurred. Enacted in 32 states across the country, the apology laws, or “I’m sorry” laws have actually “increased the number of suits against non-surgeons.”

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