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.

Surprising New Findings about Brain Cells after Injury

The role of neurons in the repair of damaged brain tissue after an injury has been the subject of extensive research in this field.  California brain injury lawyers have always known that certain types of brain cells have the ability to exacerbate the injury.  However, a new study finds that these brain cells actually play a much more complex role in brain injury than earlier thought.  The study finds that certain kinds of brain cells are actually needed to help stop bleeding and help rejuvenate the cells.

These particular brain cells are known as astrocytes, and are believed to rush to the site of the injury after one has occurred.  However, their role is now believed to be much more beneficial than previously thought. 

The new study that was published in the journal Nature recently, especially focused on the replacement of damaged or lost brain neurons after an injury, to restore the function of the brain.  Once brain cells have been damaged, they cannot multiply.  Therefore, the focus of many studies has been to trigger the production of brain stem cells, in order to produce new neurons to replace the damaged cells.   

This process has been difficult because the brain stem cells also produce astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.  These cells together are known as glial cells.  Although these cells are beneficial, the increased number of astrocytes after a brain injury has been considered to have a negative effect on patients’ chances of healing after a brain injury.

However, the researchers found that astrocytes that are produced in one particular niche of the brain, called the sub ventricular zone, are different from those that are produced in other regions of the brain, in that these astrocytes rush to the injured area to stop bleeding, reduce scarring and allow recovery.

Older Workers Continue to Face Age Discrimination

The number of older workers in the workforce has increased since the economic downturn, as many older workers postpone their plans for retirement.  However, many of these workers also face increasing bias from colleagues and employers, and this discrimination can range all the way from lower pay and promotion opportunities, to insults, and jeers on the job.

A new study recently found that approximately two thirds of workers between the age of 45 and 74 admitted to having either seen or experienced age bias in the workplace.  The study, which was conducted by the AARP, found that a majority of senior workers believe that age discrimination is not only alive, but also thriving in the workplace.  Out of these, two thirds of seniors who admitted that they saw or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, as many as 92% said that it is very or somewhat common.

According to the study, the earliest point at which a worker can begin to experience age-related bias is when he enters his 50s.  However, many respondents in the survey also believed that age bias can be seen much earlier.  As many as 20% of the respondents said that they had experienced or seen workplace age-based discrimination when a worker reaches his 30s or 40s.  The majority of opinions however was that age bias creeps in when a person enters his 50s.

The types of discrimination vary.  About one in five said that that they had not been hired for a job that they were qualified for based on their age, while 12% were passed up for a promotion because they were too old.  About 9% of the people were fired because of their age.

Entertainer Andy Travis Sues Texas Agencies for Releasing DUI Arrest Footage

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Country music star and entertainer Randy Travis is upset with Texas agencies who recently ordered footage from his arrest for DUI last summer, released to the public.  The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Attorney General are now being sued by the entertainer.

The Office of the Attorney General recently ruled that some evidence about the DUI arrest of the entertainer must be retained, and the rest of information can be released to the public.  The information is being released under a public information act request.  Some important information like medical records and motor vehicle records will be retained.

Travis has filed a lawsuit against the TexasDepartment of Public Safety and the Office of the Attorney General, seeking $100,000 in damages.  The lawsuit is also seeking to protect all evidence about his DUI arrest from being released under the request.

The footage is related to the entertainer’s DUI arrest on August 7 just outside Dallas.  Travis was found naked after an accident involving his Pontiac Trans Am.  He was arrested, convicted, was fined $2,000 and received a 180-day suspended jail sentence.  He was also sentenced to two years probation.  He completed 100 hours of community service, and was also ordered to spend 30 days at an alcohol treatment facility, and get an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle he drives while he's on probation.

At the time, his defense attorneys asked that the evidence of the arrest, including the video and transcripts not be released to the public.  The judge ruled that the video evidence should not be released, but the Attorney General later issued a ruling saying that some evidence could be released under the public information request.

Los Angeles Leads in Number of Dog Bites Involving Postal Employees

Mail carriers in the city of Los Angeles have more reason to be nervous about dog bites, than any other city in the United States.  The City of Angels leads the list of the most inhospitable cities across the country compiled by the U.S. Postal Service. 

According to the list, last year alone, approximately 69 postal employees were victims of dog bite attacks in Los Angeles.  The data clearly places the city of Los Angeles at the top of the list as far as dog bites involving letter carriers are concerned.  Across this country, there were 5,839 dog bites involving postal employees last year. 

The acting postmaster of Los Angeles is warning that if a letter carrier sees a particular dog as a threat, the owner of the property will be asked to collect mail from the post office until it is deemed safe to deliver to the house.  The postmaster is also asking residents to make sure that their dogs are locked up at the times that mail is due to be delivered to the home.

Los Angeles dog bite lawyers recommend that you inform your local post office about the time you would like the mail to be delivered, and take measures to restrain your pets appropriately so that the letter carrier can deliver the mail safely.

Letter carriers are the number one victims of dog bites across the country.  Nationwide, more than 2.5 million children every year are injured in dog bites.  In fact, children are some of the biggest victims of dog bites.  The U.S. Postal Service as well as veterinarians and insurers are collaborating in an effort to celebrate May19 to 25 as National Dog Bite Prevention Week