Uninsured/Underinsured  Motorist

Most states require a minimum amount of liability insurance to be carried by motorists, recent estimates suggest that 14 percent of drivers in the United States do not carry auto accident insurance. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, there approximately a 1 in 7 chance that the driver at fault is uninsured.

Even if you carry auto accident insurance, recovering damages from a car accident can be difficult if the person who caused your injury and/or damages does not carry liability insurance, or is underinsured and unable cover the full cost of damages you incurred. In most cases, a driver is uninsured for economic reasons. They don't carry auto accident insurance because they do not have the financial resources to do so.

This being the case, if you pursue legal action against the uninsured motorist, even if your case is successful, you may still be responsible for covering your accident related expenses if the uninsured motorist does not have the financial means to compensate you.

 Many insurance carriers offer uninsured motorist coverage. In some states, this coverage is mandatory. The coverage allows you to collect damages from your insurance company in the event that you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. It is important to contact an experienced accident attorney soon after a car accident as he or she may know about some coverage that you are unaware of.

Sometimes, you may be able to pursue legal action against your own insurance company for damages caused by an uninsured motorist. Contacting an  attorney with experience handling uninsured motorist accident claims may help you receive fair compensation if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. An experienced accident attorney  will know how to read your insurance policy and determine the right course of action to help you receive the recovery you are entitled to.

Being  in a car accident is something you are never quite ready for, it is something that you can prepare for. First, check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for uninsured motorist accidents. If not, ask your insurance carrier for information about purchasing this coverage.

Another way to be prepared for a car accident with an uninsured driver is to know what steps you should take after a car accident.  Be sure to document as much information about the person you had the accident with as possible so that you can contact them later. Also, if they have an expired insurance policy, be sure to write down the insurance carrier’s information so you can contact them to be certain that the person’s insurance is indeed cancelled.

Finally, be sure to choose an attorney with expertise handling your type of claim.  An experienced  attorney may be able to help you recover damages if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

http://www.accidentinfo.com/

Major Pet Food Recall

Heads up, pet owners , a major pet food company has announced a recall.

Natura Pet Products issued a pet food recall after the FDA found salmonella in one of their products.

They are recalling pet food from all of their product lines, including food for dogs, cats and ferrets.

If you have any Natura Pet Food products, throw them out immediately.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

These products were packaged in a single production facility. During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product. In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.

To get a full refund, you need to cut the UPC label, expiration date, and product code from the pet food bag and mail it to the company.

Here is a complete list of products from the FDA recall. The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada.
                                           

• Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
• EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
• California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats  All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
• Healthwise dry dog and cat foods All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

About Natura Pet Products

Natura Pet Products is recognized as a trusted name behind natural and holistic pet foods and treats. Founded more than 20 years ago by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins, Natura is dedicated to providing the best natural nutrition. Natura is committed to making premium pet foods and treats based on nutritional science and high-quality ingredients, combined with trusted manufacturing processes, for complete pet health. Lines include: Innova®, California Natural®, EVO®, HealthWise®, Mother Nature® and Karma®. To learn more about Natura Pet Products visit www.NaturaPet.com.

Scenic Fruit Company Recalls Pomegranate Kernels

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment today announced a nationwide voluntary recall by Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, OR of its Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels in eight-ounce bags. The recall was issued due to the possible contamination of the product with Hepatitis A virus.

No illnesses are currently associated with Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels. The company’s decision to voluntarily recall products is made in response to an ongoing outbreak investigation by the FDA and CDC.

The product was shipped to distribution centers around the country as well as in Colorado February 2013 through May 2013. In Durango the product was provided to Nature’s Oasis and Vitamin Cottage (Natural Grocers).  Product was provided to the following retail locations in Colorado: Albertson’s locations in Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Louisville, Northglenn, Thornton; Nature’s
Pantry in Buena Vista; Nooch Vegan Market in Denver; Peppercorn in Boulder; Sunshine Market in Salida; Alfalfa’s in Boulder; B and F Superfoods in Nederland; Bamboo Market and Market on the Mountain in Steamboat Springs; Clark’s Market in Aspen; Don’s Market in Paonia; Gunnison Vitamin & Health; Lolita’s in Boulder; Mile High Organics in Denver; Mountain Naturals in Woodland Park; Village Market Edwards,
and Vitamin Cottage locations throughout the state.

The following lots are subject to this recall:

C 0129 (A,B, or C) 035 with a best by date of 02/04/2015
C 0388 (A,B, or C) 087 with a best by date of 03/28/2015
C 0490 (A,B, or C) 109 with a best by date of 04/19/2015

Twenty-five cases of hepatitis A infection have been identified in Colorado residents associated with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry mix, which also contained pomegranate kernels from the same original source. The organic pomegranates are imported from Turkey. To date no illnesses have been associated with the Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels. The state health department is asking people to check their freezers. If you have the product, dispose of it. Do not eat it.

The risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating the Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels is unknown. However, if you have eaten Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels during the past 14 days, you can contact your medical provider for a shot to prevent illness.

If you do not have a medical provider, contact your local Health Department.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, the infection can lead to liver failure, particularly in individuals who have a pre-existing liver disease or weakened immune systems. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. It is very important if you have these symptoms that you do not go to work, especially if you work in food service, health care or child care.

Consumers can contact the Scenic Fruit Company at 1-877-927-3434 or email to info@scenicfruit.com from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT. For more information, please visit the CDC website, or call COHelp at 1-877-462-2911 or 303-389-1687. COHelp is available 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Colorado Department of Public Health.
Pagosa Daily Post.