Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

Truck driver dies in I-26 crash On July 25, the South Carolina Highway Patrol was alerted to a morning accident in which a 55-year-old West Columbia man died. He was driving a tractor-trailer eastbound on Interstate 26 near mile marker 159 near Bowman when his tractor-trailer went off the roadway, stopping near a wooded area.…

Police suspect alcohol a factor in deadly car crash A 65-year-old man and his grandson died from the injuries they suffered in a crash involving two vehicles in South Carolina at approximately 5:45 p.m. on July 27. Six other individuals who were involved were injured. Police believe that the fatal car accident was due to…

Federal laws require climbing safety gear for all lineworkers South Carolina workers may be interested in recently enacted rules pertaining to electrical workers who climb power lines, poles and towers. Heretofore, these workers were exempted from federal laws mandating the use of safety equipment for people who work at height. Thus, ‘free climbing” has been…

“Free climbing” practice to be banned for lineworkers South Carolina residents may be interested to learn about new safety rules for electric utility workers recently announced by OSHA. Beginning in July, electrical lineworkers will no longer be allowed to ‘free climb” — that is, ascend towers without harnesses — on transmission towers. With the new…

Driver in custody following deadly crash A 24-year-old South Carolina man was taken into custody following a suspected DUI crash that killed a 33-year-old bicyclist on July 12. The cyclist was in the 3400 block of U.S. 17 South when the driver struck him from behind. The cyclist died at the scene before he could…

Coalition urges Congress to act on Highway Trust Fund In recent months, the media has reported widely on the dire state of the federal Highway Trust Fund. The fund is expected to run dry by the end of the summer if Congress does not act in ways that ensure its continued viability. The main problem…

General Motors is recalling cars, hesitating to recall trucks Over the past several months, the employees and operations of auto giant General Motors have been thrust squarely into the public eye. After it was revealed that GM employees were aware of a deadly defect installed in many of its models over the span of a…

Punitive Damages exposure for passing stopped bus *AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer…

Graco finally recalls defective infant safety seats Earlier this year, Graco Children’s Products opted to recall 4.2 toddler safety seats due to a buckle-related defect. The harness buckles on affected safety seat models may become stuck. It is not difficult to imagine how a child stuck in a safety seat could be subject to a…

South Carolina’s outdoor workers face heat dangers this summer If you work outdoors, you need no reminder that summer is in full swing. South Carolina’s hot and humid summers can make for some miserable days outside, even for those who work indoors. But the summer weather isn’t just a matter of comfort. High temperatures can…