At the request of many of our clients, we have developed a free DUI app for iPhones. This app has several features that may provide assistance to you while you are out on the town or even if you are pulled over and accused of driving under the influence.

Convenient features provided on the app include:

• Calling a cab for you,
• Providing  general advice regarding what to do if you are pulled over,
• Generating a text message to go to a friend or loved one  advising them that you are about to be arrested and allow them to connect with an attorney to ensure your rights are protected,
• Directly connecting you to a lawyer.

With the preventative option of calling a cab before you think about driving home, and a quick way to alert someone in the event that you’re arrested, anyone who may be caught in this type of situation should have this app.

 The DUI app for the iPhone is available on iTunes and Google Play.

Computer users may find themselves without internet over the summer, if they don’t correct the problem soon.

Hackers ran an online advertising scam taking control of infected computers around the world. The FBI caught on to what was happening and set up a safety net before busting the hackers. The system the FBI put in place is only temporary and will be shut down after July 9^th.

The FBI is encouraging those who think their computer may be affected to visit http://www. Dcwg.org. There they can find information about whether their computer may be infected and what can be done to fix the problem.

Most victims do now know their computers have been hacked. Warning signs that you may be victim include slower web surfing and disabled antivirus software. Your computer may also be vulnerable to other problems.

The FBI became aware of the scam and prepared to bring in down last November.

“We started to realize that we might have a little bit of a problem on our hands because…if we just pulled the plug on their criminal infrastructure and threw everybody in jail, the victims of this were going to be without internet service,” stated Tom Grasso, an FBI supervisory special agent.  Grasso says if the victim attempted to use the internet, they would be told “page not found” and think problem was due to the internet provider.

On the night of the arrests, the FBI borough in Paul Vixie, chairman and founder of Internet Systems Consortium, to install two Internet servers to take the place of the rogue servers the infected computers had to use. The servers were only intended to be in place until March, but a federal judge in New York extended the deadline until July, citing more time.

The FBI arrested six Estonians in connection with the hacking. The hackers were able to gain $14 million in profits from their scheme involving the use advertisements. The total cost of the hacking on the federal government was $87,000.

The FBI states that as many as 568,000 computers were affected worldwide, with 85,000 of the hacked computers being in the U.S.

Bladder slings are comprised of surgical mesh and are designed to alleviate problems associated with Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit

In July 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued a warning to physicians and healthcare providers concerning bladder slings and surgical mesh. The FDA stated that complications surrounding surgical mesh and bladder slings are not uncommon, that bladder slings are not as effective as initially believed, and there are in fact safer surgical alternatives.

The FDA has received over 1,000 claims relating to surgical mesh and bladder slings.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a condition common in females. Essentially, the urethra, bladder, or other organs slip through an opening in the vaginal wall. Bladder slings comprised of surgical mesh are implanted to alleviate the symptoms. Bladder slings, however, can actually further the condition rather than help relieve it.

Other complications surrounding bladder slings include a painful symptom in which the sling tears from the skin it is attached to. Infections, erosion, painful sexual intercourse, bleeding, and scarring have also been reported by patients who have received a bladder sling. Unfortunately, many times women are forced to undergo additional procedures or even surgery to correct the problem.

If you have experienced complications after receiving a bladder sling, contact the a transvaginal mesh lawyer at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today. We will investigate your claim and fight to obtain the compensation you deserve. The Strom Law Firm was founded by Pete Strom in 1996, and handles cases inSouth Carolina, as well as all over theUnited States. Call us a today for a free, confidential consultation. 803.252.4800.

Transvaginal Mesh Lawyers

In July of 2011 the Food and Drug Administration issued a statement to physicians and health care officials regarding transvaginal mesh. The FDA stated that transvaginal mesh complications were not as rare as previously thought. The FDA also recommended a safer alternative than transvaginal mesh for treating Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Complications arising from a transvaginal mesh can include, but are not limited to:

• Severe pain;
• Serious infection;
• Bleeding;
• Painful intercourse;
• Vaginal scarring; and
• Erosion of the device.

If you have experienced any of these complications contact a transvaginal mesh lawyer today. After you initially contact a transvaginal mesh lawyer, they will then use their knowledge and experience to see if you have a case and if so, how much compensation you deserve. Even if you feel you do not have a case, it does not hurt to contact a transvaginal mesh lawyer anyways.

The Strom Law Firm, LLC has an experienced and knowledgeable female transvaginal mesh lawyer. She understands the personal nature of your case and will treat it and you with the utmost respect. Contact us today for a free confidential consultation. 888.490.2847.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a new round of recalls that could affect you.

These recalls include:

-BMW;

-Yokohama Tires;

-GTC Tires;

-Toyota Air Bags;

-Subaru Foresters;

-Hyundai Sonatas;

-Toyota Brake Lights;

-Chrysler Jeeps;

-Chevrolet Expresses, Suburbans, GMC Savanas and Yokuns; and

-Safety 1^st Cabinet Locks

Toyota has issued a recall for driver’s side airbags in approximately 495,000 Tacoma trucks years 2005-2009 manufactured from September 14, 2004 until August 29, 2008. The recall alleges that a defect may cause the driver’s side airbag to not deploy in the event of a crash. This defect is due to the steering wheel vibration, which over time, may damage the spiral cable assembly that powers the driver’s side airbag module. If damage the airbag may come deactivated, and in the event of a crash, could significantly increase injuries.

The recall is expected to begin in April of 2012. Dealers will inspect the vehicle and perform the necessary service free of charge. Any questions can be directed to Toyota at 1-800-782-2783.

If you were in a car accident and the airbag did not deploy correctly, give us a call.  You could be entitled to compensation. 803.252.4800

Developing trends in airbag litigation reveal that airbag defects can come in many forms. Consumers and attorneys looking to evaluate the potential that an airbag defect played a role in their injuries should consider the possibility that the airbag failed to perform as intended.

Common Airbag Failures:

Inadvertent deployments of airbags

Sometimes an airbag will deploy or “fire” when it is not intended. An airbag deploying in the absence of an accident is a classic example of an inadvertent deployment, and can be the basis of a claim when significant injuries occur.

Late deployments of airbags

Airbags are intended to deploy within milliseconds of the airbag computer sensing that a crash of significant magnitude is occurring. However, sometimes due to sensor placement issues, faulty components, or airbag algorithm problems the airbag can deploy after it should. The result is that the occupant does not receive the protection intended until after the forces of the impact have already caused injuries that could have been prevented.

GTC has also issued a tire recall. This recall affects 12,000 defective GTC tires. The recall is due to the blistering on the sidewall, which over time, could cause tread separation while the vehicle is in operation. This tread separation can significantly increase the likelihood that an operator will lose control of the vehicle and wreck causing catastrophic or even fatal injuries. The recall affects tires classified as Advance Extra Grip AR215 light truck radial tires side P235/75R15 (manufactured from September 2008 through December 2009). Like Yokohoma, these tires fail to conform to the requirements set forth by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139 regarding “New Penumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles”.

If you have the tires being recalled, you may take you vehicle to a dealer where the dealer will inspect and replace the tires free of charge. You may contact GTC direct at 1-330-498-5000.

Call the Strom Law Firm if you have any additional questions at 803.252.4800

Yokohoma is issuing a recall for replacement tires size 205/50R16 A680 87V (manufactured between September 1, 2007 and November 28, 2009) and size P215/60R15 AVID H4S 93H (manufactured between December 2, 2007 and September 19, 2009). The recall alleges the tires fail to conform to the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139. This Standard regards the “New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles”. According to the recall notice, the tires do not contain the complete Tire Identification Number (TIN) or partial TIN as required. The TIN is important because consumers need to know this information in the event of recall or safety-related performance notice, so they can properly identify their tires.

The recall is set to begin April 6, 2012. Yokohoma will notify registered owners and provide replacement tires free of charge.  If you have Yokohoma tires that may be affected, you may contact Yokohoma directly at 1-888-801-4162.

Subaru is recalling 275,000 of their Forester vehicles for failing to comply with Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 208 regarding “Occupant Crash Protection”. The vehicles affected were manufactured from November 26, 2007 through March 13, 2012. The recall states that assemblies may not permit proper installation and secure attachment of a child restraint in that seating position. In the even to of a crash, the improper assemblies may greatly increase the risk of injuries.

The recall is expected to launch before April 13, 2012. Dealers will inspect the vehicle and perform necessary services free of charge. Owners may contact Subaru directly at 1-800-782-2783 and reference safety No. WQA-37.

Hyundai is issuing a recall regarding their Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The recall involves 14,728 of these vehicles produced beginning on December 2, 2010 and shipped to dealers through March 7, 2012. The recall alleges these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207 regarding “Occupant Crash Protection”. The failure to conform is a result of certain vehicles equipped with a center rear seat belt incorporating a release mechanism that detaches both the lap and shoulder portion at the lower anchorage point.

Hyundai is currently replacing the center rear seat belts in approximately 1,633 Sonata Hybrid vehicles currently in dealer inventory with center seat belts that are not detachable from the lower anchorage point prior to delivery to customers. Hyundai is in the process of filing an exemption from the recall requiring them to inspect and replace the seat belts in the 13,095 vehicles already delivered to customers. At this time, Hyundai is not obligated to conduct an owner notification and remedy campaign until the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration has resolved the petition. If the petition is denied, the manufacturer will notify customers and start their remedy campaign obligations.

In addition to the airbag recall, Toyota is also issuing a recall for exterior brake lights in 186,000 Camry and Veneza models. The recall states the manufacturing defect can lead to any of the following malfunctions: warning lamps illuminate, a no start condition, the shift lever may not shift from the “park” position, or the vehicle’s brake lights could become inoperative.  The inoperative brake light fails to warn drivers behind the vehicle that the vehicle is stopping or slowly, greatly increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin in April of 2012. Dealers will inspecy the vehicle and perform the necessary service free of charge. For questions, owners may contact Toyota directly at 1-800-331-4331.

Chrysler is announcing a recall on approximately 186,000 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The vehicles affected were manufactured from July 3, 2003 through July 14, 2005. The recall states that the vehicles were equipped with rear lower control arms that become corroded and cause a rear suspension lower control arm fracture. This fracture may result in a loss of vehicle control and may lead to a catastrophic or fatal accident.

The recall is set to begin in April of 2012. Dealers will inspect and repair affected area free of charge. If you have questions about the recall you may contact Chrysler directly at 1-800-853-1403.