Freedhand Firm

08/31/2016

Job opportunity! Part time secretarial position available. Excellent word processing and communication skills required. Email [email protected] for details.

06/21/2016

Judge upholds school suspension of boy who chewed pastry into gun shape

JUDGE UPHOLDS SCHOOL SUSPENSION OF BOY WHO CHEWED PASTRY INTO GUN SHAPE

Judge Ronald Silkworth of Anne Arundel County Circuit Court said the suspension was appropriate because the incident was disruptive and the boy had a history of “escalating behavioral issues,” the Washington Post reports.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_upholds_school_suspension_of_boy_who_chewed_pastry_into_gun_shape

06/17/2016

Summer Accidents

FALLS – Falls have been consistently on top of the list. Along with trampoline accidents, according to the CDC, more than 200,000 children aged 14 and younger are treated for playground-related injuries each year in hospital emergency departments.

BICYLCLE RELATED INJURIES – The most injured areas are the arms and legs, but the most serious are head injuries and are the leading cause of death in this group. Close to 325,000 children below the age of 19 are treated in emergency rooms every year across the United States for bicycle-related and motor vehicle injuries.

DROWNINGS – Not only in pools, it can also happen in just a few inches of water.

BURNS – It is estimated that fireworks injure about 10,000 people in the US every year-outdoor grills, campfires, and fireworks.

Older children often visit doctors with “flash burns” which are caused by direct contact with fire such as fireworks and campfires while younger children are often treated for “scald burns” caused by contact with heat from hot pans or food or water burns.

05/30/2016

Recounting the Sacrifices of Soldiers

05/08/2016

🌷🌷Happy Mothers Day!!🌷🌷

05/05/2016

TOP 5 LESSONS FROM SMALL BUSINESS LAWSUITS

Lawsuits, for better or worse, are a fact of business life. And just because a business is small doesn't mean it can't or won't get sued. When small businesses get sued, other small business owners take notice and try and learn from the lawsuit, because there are lessons everywhere you look.

Here are five of the biggest small business lawsuits in the news recently, and the lessons other small business owners can take away:

- See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2016/05/top-5-lessons-from-small-business-lawsuits.html .o9FkX5pZ.dpuf

05/01/2016

Boston's free sunscreen program is expanding nationally

http://www.boston.com/news/health/2016/04/30/bostons-free-sunscreen-program-expanding-nationally

The program that brought free sunscreen to Boston last year is back. But this year, 11 other states will get in on the sun protection action. Starting in May, the Melanoma Foundation of New England will issue free sunscreen dispensers to 54 locations across 12 states, for a total of 190 dispensers.…

04/30/2016

Dole Under U.S. Probe After Deadly Listeria Outbreak

http://fortune.com/2016/04/30/dole-listeria-outbreak/

Dole's salad products are the latest sources of Listeria outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada.

04/28/2016

House Committee Votes to Require Women to Register for Draft

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/house-committee-votes-require-women-register-draft-n564166

Women would be required to register for the military draft under a House committee bill.

04/21/2016

Rest in Peace Prince

04/16/2016

Airplane Stowaway Turns Out to be FedEx Worker Who Fell Asleep

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/airplane-stowaway-turns-out-be-fedex-worker-who-fell-asleep-n556821

The ground crew member, who works two jobs, apparently became overcome with exhaustion. Police met the plane as a precaution.

04/12/2016

Burglar takes burgers, not money

THE NATIONS CAPITAL HAS ITS VERY OWN HAMBURGLAR

Robber Takes Burgers Not Money

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/11/us/five-guys-dc-burglary/index.html

The nation's capital has its very own Hamburglar. A Five Guys restaurant in Washington was burglarized in March, but the thief apparently came for a burger.

04/11/2016

State returns 50,000 NYC apartments to rent regulation

http://m.nydailynews.com/new-york/state-returns-50-000-nyc-apartments-rent-regulation-article-1.2595536

State authorities say they have returned 50,000 improperly deregulated apartments in New York City to rent regulation.

04/11/2016

Uber settles lawsuit over driver background checks for $10M

Uber settles driver background-check case for at least $10M

San Francisco and Los Angeles prosecutors sued in 2014, saying Uber's background checks were inferior to what taxi drivers undergo because they did not include fingerprint checks for past convictions. Instead, Uber's process relies on a name search of other criminal databases and motor vehicle department files going back seven years.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d5bcac26827d448b96c9b898d5c62b17/uber-settles-lawsuit-over-driver-background-checks-10m

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Uber will pay at least $10 million to settle California prosecutors' allegations that the ride-hailing company misled passengers over the quality of its driver background checks. District attorneys in…

04/11/2016

Bryan Adams Cancels Mississippi Show Over State's 'Religious Freedom' Law

Www.thefreedhandfirm.com

The singer says he can't "in good conscience" perform in a state where "certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation."

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bryan-adams-cancels-mississippi-show-over-state-s-religious-freedom-n554001

04/10/2016

Mass. court hears appeal of teen who sent boyfriend texts urging su***de - The Portland Press...

ARE TEXTS URGING SU***DE A CHARGEABLE CRIME?

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/04/07/mass-court-hears-appeal-of-teen-who-sent-boyfriend-texts-urging-su***de/

Michelle Carter is accused of urging her boyfriend to get back in his truck when he became frightened that a plan to poison himself with carbon monoxide was working.

03/29/2016

Utah introduces white-collar crime registry

Utah introduces white-collar crime registry

Why was the online database created, and how effective will it be?

03/29/2016

Utah introduces white-collar crime registry

UTAH INTRODUCES WHITE-COLLAR CRIME REGISTRY

www.thefreedhandfirm.com

"Utah has launched an online-offender registry that’s being called the first of its kind in the nation. Unlike other registries, this one targets white-collar criminals.

Utah’s “White Collar Crime Offender Registry” contains mugshots, names, birthdates and aliases for people convicted of crimes like fraud, theft by deception and money laundering. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes says the purpose is to help consumers avoid financial predators."

http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/25/world/utah-introduces-white-collar-crime-registry

Why was the online database created, and how effective will it be?

03/24/2016

BofA Merrill Paying $14 Million Apology To The Millennial Trainees It Treated Like Old School...

B OF A MERRILL PAYING $14 MILLION APOLOGY TO THE MILLENNIAL TRAINEES IT TREATED LIKE OLD SCHOOL TRAINEES
www.thefreedhandfirm.com

"There was a time on Wall Street that you could work a new hire half to death, pay him next to nothing and promise him riches beyond his wildest dream if he lurked in the office at midday and stole clients by answering the phones of colleagues who had stepped out for a liquid lunch.

But that time, it now seems, has long passed…"
http://dealbreaker.com/2016/03/bank-of-america-merrill-lynch-millennial-trainees-settlement/

BriMo and Co. learn the hard way that kids these days will sue for working weekends.

03/23/2016

Jury Clears Coca-Cola of Unfair Competition in Pomegranate Juice Row | Lexology

JURY SIDES WITH COCA COLA IN LAWSUIT WITH POM

On Monday, jurors in the Pom Wonderful v. The Coca-Cola Company trial handed a victory to the defendant, clearing Coca-Cola of wrongdoing in connection with the labeling and marketing of its Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry Flavored 100% Juice Blend drink. Pom Wonderful LLC, etc. v. The Coca-Cola Company, etc., et al
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1b3ef155-527e-48e5-8296-6d83e2ffb4fa

On Monday, jurors in the Pom Wonderful v. The Coca-Cola Company trial handed a victory to the defendant, clearing Coca-Cola of wrongdoing in…

03/23/2016

Florida 12-year-old arrested for pinching classmates' butt

Florida 12-year-old arrested for pinching classmates' butt

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-12-year-old-arrested-for-pinching-classmates-butt/

Middle school girl from Florida was arrested and facing misdemeanor battery charges after pinching a boy's butt in school

03/22/2016

Starbucks Is Being Sued for Underfilling Its Lattes

STARBUCKS IS BEING SUED FOR UNDERFILLING ITS LATTES

www.thefreedhandfirm.com

"The class-action suit, filed in the U.S. district court of Northern California, claims that Starbucks knowingly and systematically serves customers lattes that are 25 percent smaller than the menu claims.

According to the court complaint, "Starbucks Lattes are made from a standardized recipe, which Starbucks instituted in 2009 to save on the cost of milk — one of its most expensive ingredients." The suit argues that the "fill to" lines etched on the pitchers used by baristas to heat milk result in drinks that don't measure up to the tall (12 ounce), grande (16 ounce), and venti (20 ounce) sizes listed on the menu. "By underfilling its lattes, thereby shortchanging its customers, Starbucks has saved countless millions of dollars in the cost of goods sold and was unjustly enriched by taking payment for more product than it delivers," the suit reads."

http://www.eater.com/2016/3/18/11260898/starbucks-lawsuit-underfilled-lattes

The lawsuit says the chain's lattes are 25 percent smaller than the menu claims

03/22/2016

Estate Executor’s Nightmare: The Deceased Was a Hoarder

HOADERS PACKED HOME HELD $12K IN POTATO-CHIP PACKAGES, ESTATE LAWYER RECOUNTS

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/hoarders_packed_home_held_12k_in_potato_chip_packages_estate_lawyer_recount

An attorney was shocked when she went to a wealthy client’s home after the woman’s death.

03/21/2016

Judge: Chipotle's Social Media Policy Violates US Labor Laws

JUDGE SAYS CHIPOLTE SOCIAL MEDIA RULES VIOLATED LABOR LAW, ORDERS REHIRING OF WORKER WHO WAS FIRED FOR 'TWEET'

", nothing is free, only cheap . Crew members make only $8.50hr how much is that steak bowl really?" Kennedy tweeted in response.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/judge-orders-chipotle-rehire-worker-fired-tweets-37688371

An administrative judge found Chipotle's social media policy violated federal labor laws while ruling in favor of a Philadelphia-area employee who was fired after criticizing the company on Twitter last year. The Colorado-based fast-food chain must offer to rehire 38-year-old James Kennedy...

03/21/2016

Legislation passed to put cameras in classrooms

GEORGIA LEGISLATION PASSED TO PUT CAMERAS IN CLASSROOMS
www.thefreedhandfirm.com

ATLANTA (CBS46) -Proposed legislation that involves putting cameras in Georgia classrooms has already passed the state house but not everyone is on board with the idea.

State Representative Valencia Stovall is leading the effort, saying, for now, that the bill focuses on special-needs classrooms. The legislation would not make it mandatory for districts to implement the cameras. Instead, it would be optional.

There have been instances in which cameras inside classrooms have been vital in catching bad behavior at schools, including a recent case in South Carolina where a school resource officer yanked a teen girl from a desk.



Read more: http://www.cbs46.com/story/31351185/legislation-passed-to-put-cameras-in-classrooms

Proposed legislation that involves putting cameras in Georgia classrooms has already passed the state house but not everyone is on board with the idea. State Representative Valencia Stovall is lea...

03/19/2016

Finally, You Can Legally Smoke Cuban Ci**rs and Drink Cuban Booze

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/cuban-cigars-legal

YES.

03/17/2016

Happy St. Patrick's Day from The Freedhand Firm.

03/16/2016

"USING YOUR SMARTPHONE AS A POST-ACCIDENT TOOL"

www.thefreedhandfirm.com

Talk to The Freedhand Firm if you have been injured in a car accident or in any other context. We offer Free Consultation and would be happy to assess your case. 718-833-0500.

"Documenting the Crash Even if you don’t have the latest smartphone with the best camera, you likely do have a camera. That is an invaluable tool after an accident. Take pictures of everything — shattered glass, spilled coffee in the front seat, dents in your vehicle, and debris on the road.

Remember to take pictures of both vehicles in relation to each other.
Do not just photograph the damage to your own car.
Try to the extent possible to capture the cars together.

Exchanging Information Back in the day, you would exchange information with another driver by looking for your insurance info and trying to find a pen and a scrap of paper somewhere amid the debris.
But since you have your phone, you can keep all your pertinent info easily available there, preventing you from having to root around a car that may be in a state of disarray after an accident.

While you and the other driver wait for assistance, you start to exchange in person.

But you have a recording device on your phone - so why not document your conversation? In some states it is illegal to record a person without their knowledge, so do advise the other driver that you would like to have a record for insurance purposes.

Recording your exchange is not only good for record-keeping, it can also ensure that everyone keeps cool and civil after a traumatic situation.

If the scene of the accident is particularly hectic, or people are behaving very strangely, you might consider taking video after your accident.

Again, you may have to warn people you are recording but others may not necessarily oppose this, or they may agree if they too can take video of the scene of the accident."

http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/03/using-your-smartphone-as-a-post-accident-tool.html

03/16/2016

President Barack Obama says he'll announce his Supreme Court nominee in a Rose Garden ceremony...

'OBAMA: 'I'VE MADE MY DECISION ON SUPREME COURT NOMINEE'

www.thefreedhandfirm.com

President Barack Obama said Wednesday he will reveal his Supreme Court nominee to fill the vacancy of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, expecting to choose from a small circle of federal appeals court judges.

"I've made my decision," Obama said in an email to supporters early Wednesday.'

http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-03-16/obama-ive-made-my-decision-on-supreme-court-nominee

03/15/2016

Tommy Thompson won't reveal location of gold, sent back to jail

DEEP SEA TREASURE HUNTER, WON'T REVEAL LOCATION OF GOLD - SENT BACK TO JAIL

www.thefreedhandfirm.com

"Investors in Thompson's search for the gold ship SS Central America have been fighting for their share of the estimated $500 million bounty discovered in 1988. They especially are interested in the 500 coins minted from bars of recovered gold. Those coins have an estimated value of $2.5 million.

Thompson, 63, was on the lam from 2012 until his arrest in Florida in January 2015. He's been in the Delaware County jail since, and in several meetings last year he failed to reveal the location of the coins, or other treasure. The prosecutor said Thompson was "evasive.""

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/03/14/Tommy-Thompson-contempt.html

Treasure hunter Thomas G. "Tommy" Thompson again didn't reveal where the loot is, and a federal judge again sent him back to jail until his memory improves. "As long as you're content to be the master of misdirection and deceit, I'm content to let you sit," U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbl…

03/14/2016

Baltimore woman 'blown off' her own toilet files lawsuit

"BLOWN OFF" BY EXPLOSION FROM SEWER WORK, WOMAN CLAIMS PHYSICAL INJURIES AND PTSD

A Baltimore woman says she was injured both physically and emotionally from an exploding toilet.

The woman is now filing a lawsuit more than a year after the day it happened. Angela Wright says she still suffers psychologically and her home hasn't been repaired.

"I was literally covered in f***s. Are you kidding me who wants that?" Wright said.

http://komonews.com/news/offbeat/baltimore-woman-blown-off-her-own-toilet-files-lawsuit

BALTIMORE WBFF -- A Baltimore woman says she was injured both physically and emotionally from an exploding toilet.She was blown off that toilet that day, says attorney Louis Glick.The woman is now filing a lawsuit more than a year after the day it happened

03/11/2016

California To Permit Medically Assisted Su***de As Of June 9

CALIFORNIA TO PERMIT MEDICALLY ASSISTED SU***DE JUNE 9


As written, the law requires two doctors to agree, before prescribing the drugs, that a patient has six months or less to live. Patients must be able to swallow the medication themselves and must affirm in writing, 48 hours before taking the medication, that they will do so.


http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/03/10/469970753/californias-law-on-medically-assisted-su***de-to-take-effect-june-9?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160310

Starting in June, terminally ill Californians will legally be able to get medicine from doctors to end their own lives. The end of the state's special legislative session Thursday made it official.

03/10/2016

Police: Trucker Used Fishing Line to Flip Plate in Toll Scam

POLICE: TRUCKER USED FISHING LINE TO FLIP PLATE IN TOLL SCAM
Police say a truck driver used fishing line to flip his license plate in a bid to avoid paying tolls into New York City.

A police officer says he saw 41-year-old Javier Marte of Yonkers, New York, drive through a George Washington Bridge electronic toll lane without the toll registering on Wednesday night.

Police stopped his truck and found a fishing line rigged from the cab to a hinge on the front license plate. They say the line could flip the plate out of view going through the toll plaza. They also say the rear license plate was bent up to defeat security cameras.
http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/police-trucker-fishing-line-flip-plate-toll-scam-37546552

Police say a truck driver used fishing line to flip his license plate in a bid to avoid paying tolls into New York City. A police officer says he saw 41-year-old Javier Marte of Yonkers, New York, drive through a George Washington Bridge electronic toll lane without the toll registering on...

03/09/2016

Home Depot settles consumer lawsuit over big 2014 data breach

HOME DEPOT TO PAY NEEARLY $20M OVER 2014 DATA BREACH THAT AFFECTED MORE THAN 40M CUSTOMERS

www.thefreedhandfirm.com

"Home Depot Inc (HD.N) agreed to pay at least $19.5 million to compensate U.S. consumers harmed by a 2014 data breach affecting more than 50 million cardholders.

The home improvement retailer will set up a $13 million fund to reimburse shoppers for out-of-pocket losses, and spend at least $6.5 million to fund 1-1/2 years of cardholder identity protection services."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-home-depot-breach-settlement-idUSKCN0WA24Z

Home Depot Inc (HD.N) agreed to pay at least $19.5 million to compensate U.S. consumers harmed by a 2014 data breach affecting more than 50 million cardholders.

03/08/2016

Women in the Trades, The Freedhand Firm honors you today.