Maine Injury, Accident, & Disability Law Blog : Maine Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Joe Bornstein Law Firm : Portland Bangor Maine

According to the Maine Utility Regulators, Mainers who make an attempt to pay their utility bills will not have them shutoff during the winter. The grace period runs from November 15, 2009 to April 15, 2010.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) states that Mainers who contact their gas or electricity company, or the PUC, to make reasonable payments will be exempt from having their utilities disconnected during the winter months. The PUC’s Consumer Assistance Division will help with affordable payment arrangements and find financial assistance for those in need.

 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

As the number of people suffering from seasonal and H1N1 flu complications increases, more and more people are contemplating getting vaccinated. The good news is that help is available for Mainers.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services have put together a website to educate Mainers on the symptoms and preventative care for both the seasonal and H1N1 flu. The website passes on tips and information on how to prevent from contacting the flu viruses, how to best treat a sick person, and explains who is most at risk. The website also explains what to do if you feel sick.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Between 2006 - 2008, over 12,000 hip replacement patients were implanted with the Zimmer Durom prosthesis cup. The product was designed for use in young, active patients likely to outlive a conventional hip prosthesis. Unfortunately, many of these patients have suffered following surgery.

Intended for patients with noninflammatory degenerative joint disease such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and avascular necrosis (bone death caused by poor blood supply), the Zimmer Durom prosthesis cup is currently under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The cup, also prescribed for conditions needing a longer-lasting fix, such as replacements for previously failed surgery, was voluntarily removed from the marketplace after multiple complaints from patients, surgeons, and doctors.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A new energy law can save renters money this winter.

The new law states that tenants and landlords can negotiate a rent decrease if heat in a place of residence is kept under 68 degrees. The idea is that by lowering the heat landlords can save on the overall cost, ultimately passing on the savings to the tenants.

When negotiating a decrease in rent, a landlord may provide heat lower than 68 degrees only if an agreement is signed by both the tenant and landlord.

The agreement must:

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A new poll by CBS News shows that nearly all Americans think texting while driving should be illegal. According to the poll, 97% of those surveyed feel the dangers and risks of texting while driving and the subsequent results are enough to warrant punishment.

Currently, in Maine, it is not illegal to text while driving. It is, however, illegal to be distracted while driving. The new distracted driver law which went into effect on September 12, 2009 encompasses all potentially distracting actions. While not illegal to talk or text on the phone, eat, drink, apply makeup or other such actions while driving, it is illegal if one causes an accident or is deemed to be driving distracted by a police officer.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link