Posts by Tara Helms
CO Dangers from Portable Generators
Generators are used to access much-needed relief after a storm when the power has gone out. Portable backup generators generate carbon monoxide (CO), which is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that can kill someone in only a few minutes. Some research has shown that the use of portable generators and subsequent carbon monoxide poisoning…
Read MoreThe Potential Safety Shortcomings of Self-Driving Vehicles on the Road
You may have thought about the prospect of self-driving vehicles populating the roadways and highways of our nation, and how safe that would be. A number of companies are pursuing the top spot in the autonomous vehicle market at this time and you may soon be sharing the road with these vehicles on an ever…
Read MoreRoundup Maker Agrees to Pay Almost $11 Billion to End Thousands of Cancer Claims
Bayer, the manufacturer of Roundup weed killer, has been loaded down with thousands of claims alleging the company’s flagship product causes cancer. When Bayer purchased Monsanto for $63 billion, the pharmaceutical giant inherited those lawsuits. The New York Times reports that the company, in a massive settlement, has agreed to pay nearly $11 billion to…
Read MoreKnow the Dangers before Setting Off Fireworks This Fourth of July
July 4th firework displays are treasured by old and young alike. They’re a colorful way to remember how our nation began. There’s nothing more thrilling than the crescendo of an explosion of fireworks at the end of a jaw-dropping routine. We know that celebrating the country is a time-honored tradition. We also know that this…
Read MoreHolding Speeding Drivers Accountable for the Injuries and Deaths They Cause
Almost everyone exceeds the speed limit now and then. It’s illegal and dangerous, but it’s also fairly common. There’s no excuse, though, for driving 10, 20, 30, or 50 mph over the speed limit. Excessive speeding is much more than a violation of traffic laws. Excessive speeding recklessly endangers the lives of any passengers in…
Read MoreFood Supply Resources for Alabamians During (and After) the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis is a new type of challenge for Americans. People all over the country are worried about their loved ones, and how they’re going to make ends meet. Recently, news reports have started airing that say the country could be facing food shortages soon, since many large-scale agribusinesses are unable to get their…
Read MoreWhat Are the Possible Long-Term Health Consequences of Catching COVID-19?
As more victims recover from the coronavirus, some have found that the health complications experienced at the peak of their infection do not clear up completely once the infection is over. The medical profession is just beginning to understand how COVID-19 is impacting the long-term health of many people. Based on the latest information available,…
Read MoreMartin & Helms Is a Proud Participant in the 2020 Alabama Legal Food Frenzy!
For the last 5 years, the Food Bank of North Alabama has run a friendly competition called the Alabama Legal Food Frenzy. It’s open to law firms of all sizes as well as Alabama legal organizations, and Martin & Helms is excited to join in! The competition runs from May 4th to May 15th, and…
Read MoreNTSB Blames Tesla Autopilot System and Lax Regulations for Fatal Crash
The safety of automated driving systems and autonomous vehicles is still a major concern. While the manufacturers of these cars claim that there are numerous benefits such as controlling a vehicle driven by a drunk or distracted driver, there is a lot more testing that needs to be done and a lot more ingenuity that…
Read MoreUPDATED: COVID-19 Resources in North Alabama
The last year has been a tough one for a lot of Alabamians. The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, but now there is hope on the horizon: Moderna and Pfizer have released their vaccines, and Johnson & Johnson hopes to have theirs out by February or March. At this time, Alabama is in Phase 1b…
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