Figures
80
Attorneys for Pennsylvania-based Sheetz convenience stores and scores of customers sickened during a salmonella outbreak two years ago have settled more than 80 lawsuits in recent weeks and agreed to delay a filing deadline in hopes that dozens of other claims might settle. July 1 marked the two-year anniversary of the outbreak, which was traced to salmonella-tainted Roma tomatoes. Ordinarily, that would also represent the statute of limitations for some suits, but attorneys for Sheetz, its customers and various insurance companies involved agreed to push that back to July 21. “Basically, Sheetz and we want to resolve the claims without having to file lawsuits,” said Bill Marler, the attorney who represents 139 of the more than 400 who were sickened.
26,000
The number of Connecticut license plates stolen within the past three years in part because thieves are after the registration stickers affixed to them. Because the stickers are not easily removed from license plates, thieves often cut off the corner of the plate with the sticker still attached, and then sell them to unscrupulous car dealers or other individuals. Governor M. Jodi Rell recently signed legislation directing that new motor vehicle registration stickers be placed inside the windshield rather than on the rear license plate.
7,000
The number of drivers New Hampshire state troopers say they stopped over the July Fourth holiday weekend in which they wrote more than 6,000 tickets and made 38 drunken driving arrests. They also wrote 3,800 warnings. Among those stopped were three drivers clocked at 117 mph on Interstate 95.
7-12%
The percentage of total workers compensation medical costs attributable to prescription drugs costs, according to Workers Compensation Research Institute. WCRI reported these costs are rising rapidly, up to nearly 20 percent per year. WCRI says public policymakers are considering cost containment measures.
$30,000
The new aggregate premium for a commercial account to qualify for deregulation under Rhode Island’s revised rating law. The new law adjusts several statutory provisions that a commercial risk must satisfy to be deregulated in addition to employing the services of a risk manager. Among other provisions, it cuts the net worth requirement from $50 million to $10 million, reduces the net revenue requirement from $100 million to $5 million, and lowers the aggregate premium level from $150,000 to $30,000.
$16.7 million
The amount First Act Inc. accepted in payment stemming from a lawsuit in which a jury found that Brook Mays Music Co. had falsely disparaged the products of the bargain-priced musical instrument maker. The settlement came after a 2005 verdict in which a Boston jury awarded First Act $20.7 million. The payment ends the lawsuit, which Dallas-based Brook Mays had vowed to appeal. The company sued Brook Mays in 2003 after the retailer sent a flier to band directors and consumers claiming that First Act and other imported instruments were of poor quality and that repair parts might not be available.