PA Law Blogs » Harrisburg, PA

Dangerous Chemicals Used in Harrisburg Natural Gas Drilling Causes Concerns

Admin2 — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:14:34 +0000

An Associated Press news report states that chemicals that are known to cause neurological and other serious adverse health effects are being used to drill natural gas wells in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. State environmental officials are planning on posting this list of compounds online. This list, they say, will be the first comprehensive catalog of all chemicals and compounds used in gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

Officials have put together this list based on information drilling companies are required to provide under federal law. Environmental experts worry that these chemicals, which are used in a process called hydraulic fracturing, also have the potential to poison underground drinking water sources. Industry officials however say that these chemicals do not pose an environmental hazard because they are handled safely.

A number of catastrophic health conditions are caused by such contamination in the environment. Serious diseases can result from contamination and poisoning of drinking water sources. It is extremely important that officials disclose all information about the chemicals used in these drilling activities as well as their potential for adverse effects.

Harrisburg Personal Injury – Surgical Fires are a Serious Problem that Must be Reported

Admin2 — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:57:53 +0000

Medical safety experts are now saying that reporting medical errors such as surgical fires to outside agencies can actually help prevent them. In Pennsylvania, when a fire breaks out and burns a patient during surgery, the law requires that it be reported to the state Patient Safety Authority. Experts say that getting the word out about such mistakes or medical malpractice in Harrisburg, PA creates awareness among patients; keeps the number of injuries down; and lowers the amount of medical malpractice lawsuits. Reporting any type of medical error or negligence goes a long way in improving patient safety.

Surgical fires don’t occur often, but when they do happen, severe injuries typically result. Patients who go in for a simple outpatient procedure have also been burned in some cases. It is tragic that an individual who goes in for a simple procedure ends up with severe burns and is scarred for a lifetime. These surgery errors can be prevented and often occur because of a medical professional’s negligence or due to a defective product. A recent report mentions that according to an estimate by the ECRI Institute, about 650 surgical fires occur nationwide each year. About 20 to 30 of these incidents result in disfigurement or debilitating injuries and a handful result in death.

Remember, before you go into any procedure or take a family member in for surgery, it is very important that you know and understand the process of the procedure. Never be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Always be aware of your rights. Harrisburg personal injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate your malpractice claim if you have been injured in a surgical fire or due to another form of hospital negligence.

Harrisburg Employment Opportunities for Those with Disabilities

Envoca — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:27:21 +0000

Some individuals with disabilities in Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania sustained their debilitating injury while on the job. However, several of these afflicted individuals are highly motivated to find new employment or return to previous jobs despite their disability. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry recently announced that $4.2 million in grants is going towards the development of new plans and initiatives for bettering employment opportunities for those with major disabilities.

As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new employment grant asks that vocational rehabilitation providers apply by June 11. The main goal of the initiative is for innovative and localized programs to be created based on successful and qualifying applicants’ proposals. A few programs that the Department of Labor & Industry hopes to create through additional funding include:

An expansion of employment readiness programs
Industry-integrated employment and training programs
Services for underserved/unserved Office of Vocational Rehabilitation customers who meet specific qualifications

As these programs begin to further develop, it will be interesting to see how opportunities for employment evolve for individuals with disabilities.

When a work accident in Harrisburg occurs, an employee may receive financial assistance through Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits. The type of benefits that an injured employee is entitled to greatly depends on the degree of the injury. For instance, if an injury results in permanent disability, such as paralysis or disfigurement, then a person may be able to obtain compensation for all necessary medical treatment, lost wages, and job re-training. An employee who is unable to work temporarily may be able to receive two-thirds of their average wage up to a determined amount. An employee who has sustained a catastrophic injury may want to consult with a Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorney who will ensure that accurate paperwork is filed appropriately and that the injured worker receives the benefits that he or she deserves to its entirety.

Harrisburg May File Municipal Bankruptcy for Accumulated Debts

Envoca — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:00:30 +0000

Anyone who has ever needed to file bankruptcy to overcome debt is familiar with the intensive commitment required in order for the process to be successful. Imagine what a city must handle when filing for municipality bankruptcy. According to The Wall Street Journal, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania may file for municipal bankruptcy (Chapter 9) to help the city with a $288 million debt. In addition, Harrisburg’s annual budget has been surpassed by the $68 million in payments on the debt this year.

Municipal bankruptcy is available as an option in order to help protect a troubling city from creditors as that city works on developing and negotiating a plan for solutions to debt. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts makes it known that there are several ways for a municipality to reorganize its debts. Some ways include lowering the amount of principal or interest, giving the time when financial payments or repayments are due an extension, or refinancing the debt by getting a new loan.

Filing for Chapter 9 seems to have received support from Harrisburg officials who believe it will provide the most immediate means of reaching a solution. However, the process requires Pennsylvania’s community and economic department approval, and may be pricey and take up quite a lot of time. A few benefits to municipal bankruptcy are that assets of the municipality will not be liquidated, nor will assets be required to be sold. The article mentions that Chapter 9 will allow an automatic stay of all litigation and provides municipalities with an opportunity to refuse union contracts.

The outcome of bankruptcy filing cannot be predicted, but it is certain that staying in debt will only make matters worse for any U.S. city. If Harrisburg does not end up filing for municipality bankruptcy, it may seek financial distress status under state law. Hopefully, discussions among creditors and city council members will result in a prospective plan to help Harrisburg recover and gain momentum once more.

Flood Insurance Coverage May Leave Homeowners Dry

Envoca — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:35:23 +0000

Many residents in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States have been unable to sell their homes since the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) ended in March. A Philly Burbs story discusses one Harrisburg-area family’s difficulty in selling a house that is situated on a flood plain. Their frustration, according to the article, stems from having to pay taxes on the property, but being unable to sell it. Meanwhile, prospective owners showed interest in their property but could not get the necessary flood insurance required in order to do so.

While left in homeowner limbo, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that the NFIP is over $18 billion in debt. In taking 18 days “off” in April, the NFIP created problems with the sale and re-financing of thousands of properties within flood plains throughout the United States. With the Senate voting to extend the flood insurance program within a $7.5 billion spending program, President Obama signed the bill, which also funds defense programs and unemployment benefits.

While FEMA does not call for flood plain homeowners to buy flood insurance, several mortgage companies do. Those who have not spent years becoming highly familiar with the ins and outs of insurance law may find these complex – and at the moment, unstable – matters tough to grasp.

FEMA reports that the typical annual premium for a policy under the NFIP amounts to approximately $500 a year. In cases similar to the family in Harrisburg mentioned above, those wishing to sell their home must act now because the extension only lasts until May 31. Time is of the essence even though government officials will be working to develop a long-lasting solution to the NFIP program debt that has been denying Americans the flood insurance they need to settle their property matters. If homeowners are frustrated now, let us hope that a solution is created by the time the extension reaches its end.