University Of Southern California Professor Indicted on Sex Crime Charges

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Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation named a former University of Southern California Professor as one of the 10 most wanted fugitives in America. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has now announced that the man, Walter Lee Williams has now been captured in Mexico.

64-year-old Williams was arrested in Playa Del Carmen recently by Mexican authorities.  He has lived extensively abroad, spending most of his years in Polynesia and Southeast Asia.

He faces serious charges upon his return to the United States. He now faces charges related to the sexual exploitation of children, travel with the intent to conduct illegal sexual conduct, and engaging in illicit sexual relationships in foreign places. The Federal Bureau of Investigation says that it has identified as many as 10 victims who were exploited by Williams.   The victims are believed to be between the age of 10 and 17. Many of these victims are believed to have lived in foreign countries at the time that they were allegedly molested or abused by Williams.

The Federal Bureau Investigation says that Williams had very easy and convenient access to children, especially vulnerable children who are highly at risk for abuse.

Many of the sex crime charges against Williams are related to the collection of sexually explicit material involving children. For instance, he is accused of going to the Philippines in January 2011, and committing sexually explicit conduct with young boys, after which he took photos of these incidents with the boys. These photographs were then brought back to Los Angeles County. He fled Los Angeles soon after he was questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Williams has had a long, impressive career at the University Of California, and is a former Fulbright award winner and an author. That accomplished career looks set to be destroyed by these allegations.

Troubling Increase in Dog Bite Claim Values

While the numbers of dog bite claims that have been filed over the years have remained more or less constant with slight fluctuations, the value of these claims has increased substantially. 

According to the Insurance Information Institute, over the past decade, the value of dog bite claims has skyrocketed, accounting for $489.7 million in value in 2012 alone.  According to the data, which was released to time with National Dog Bite Prevention Week in May, over the past 10 years, the number of dog bite insurance claims has gone from 16,695 in 2011 from 16,459 in 2001.  That is hardly a statistically significant difference.  However, the picture is markedly different when you consider the value of the claims. 

In 2012, the value of dog bite claims accounted for approximately $489.7 million, accounting for more than one third of all homeowner’s liability insurance claims that were paid out in 2012.  In contrast, in 2003 the value of dog bite claims was approximately $324.2 million.  This is in spite of the fact that in 2003, there were actually a few hundred more dog bite claims than in 2012. 

The average claim payout increased from $19,162 in 2003 to a $29,752 in 2012.  That is an increase of 55%.

The Insurance Information Institute advises dog owners to be responsible with their dogs to avoid claims. Don’t assume that small dogs don't bite, and may not be involved in a vicious incident, resulting in a claim against you.  Even dogs that are normally docile can bite when they are disturbed, when they feel threatened or when they feel hungry.  Many owners of dog unfortunately get pets without bothering to understand responsible ownership practices.  This often has devastating consequences.

Steroid Injections Could Increase the Risk of Spinal Fracture.

According to a new study that was published recently in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, a common steroid injection that is used in the treatment of back pain can actually increase the risk of spinal fractures.

The study, which was published recently specially focused on one type of treatment for back pain.  This treatment involves the use of lumbar epidural steroid injections, and the researches focused on the effect of this therapy on bone fragility and the risk of spinal vertebral fractures.  The researchers found that persons who received a higher number of these injections definitely had a higher risk of a vertebral fracture. In fact, according to the researchers, over a period of time, continuous administration of lumbar epidural steroid injections may lead to severe deterioration of bone density, and increase in bone fragility. 

That doesn't mean that these injections have no value at all.  They have been found to be useful in at least some cases, but the researchers advise that doctors should cautiously approach the administration of these injections, especially in those patients who may already be at a much higher risk of fractures due to osteoporosis and other causes.

As a person ages, bone mineral density may deteriorate, placing him at risk of a condition called osteoporosis.  Persons who suffer from this condition may be at a much higher risk of suffering from fractures.  For instance, older women may be at a much higher risk for vertebral fractures.  Persons who have suffered an earlier fracture, smokers and those who are underweight, may also be at a higher risk of fractures.  Although these lumbar epidural steroid injections may, under the right kind of circumstances and in the right patient, provide relief for symptoms of back pain, excessive use or use that is inappropriate could actually increase the risk of a spinal fracture.