As stated in the safety notice, a defect in an internal component in the power supply can overheat, posing a potential fire hazard to consumers. When flames are generated from the computer overheating, nearby household items are at risk catch fire, posing fire and smoke hazards to consumers using these desktop computers.

The number of defective Lenovo ThinkCentre Desktop Computers in the United States is more than 50,000, with incidents reported by users of the desktop computers. Consumers reported incidents resulting in fire damage to personal items along with desktop computers producing smokes.

The recall issued by Lenovo includes two models of desktop computers; the M70z and M90z, both of which are all-in-one desktop computers with flat-panel monitors and are black colored. The malfunctioning power supplies are also inside the computer housing. The product name “ThinkCentre” is on the lower left hand corner of the unit’s front. The recalled desktop model numbers, product serial numbers, and manufacturing dates are located on the underside of the computer. The units impacted by the recall were manufactured in Mexico between May 2011 and January 2012. Consumers are urged to check computers and halt use if in possession of an impacted desktop unit.

“The Lenovo desktop computers were sold to consumers nationwide,” said Ross Cellino. “If anyone has one of these computers they should discontinue use immediately.”

About Cellino and Barnes

Cellino & Barnes is a New York personal injury law firm, with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Manhattan, Garden City and Melville (Long Island) New York. Cellino & Barnes focuses strictly on personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, product liability and more.

For more information about Cellino & Barnes visit our website at http://www.CellinoandBarnes.com/ or contact us 1-800-621-2020.
Daryl Ciambella
Cellino & Barnes
18006212020

You Could Win $2,000

In case you haven’t heard, Cellino & Barnes is having a jingle contest! You could win $2,000!

What do you need to do?

Simply create an original and unique version of our Cellino & Barnes jingle, upload it to your YouTube account and then submit that link via the Cellino & Barnes Contest Page. It’s that easy!

We will be accepting entries through March 7, 2012, at which time, the top 5 jingles will be selected by Cellino & Barnes.

From there, it’s up to you New York. You vote for your favorite. If your jingle is voted the winner, you will win $2,000.  Plus, your jingle will be posted to the official Cellino & Barnes website and appear in other Cellino & Barnes advertising.

You can create and enter as many versions of the Cellino & Barnes jingle as you like and you can use any musical style you choose. Just have fun with it.

For official rules and additional information, visit our Jingle Contest Page.

One of the most important safety precautions is to slow down. Winter driving conditions can be very deceptive.  Ice beneath the snow, black ice on the roadway or ruts caused by other drivers all present a driving challenge that can dramatically affect the braking distance of a vehicle.  Make sure you adjust both your speed and your distance between your car and the vehicle in front according the winter conditions.

Give yourself some extra time. We see numerous car accidents happen due to unsafe speed in snowy conditions, which could easily have been avoided.

Not all accidents can be avoided, however, so make sure you are prepared by having an emergency survival kit.

Survival Kit

Do you have a winter survival kit for your vehicle? Most people have cell phones, but here are some items that might come in handy:

• Ice Scraper and Brush: It goes without saying that these are necessary for winter in New York.
• Blanket, hat, gloves and an extra pair of socks. If you are ever stuck in the snow, or find yourself in a vehicle that won’t start, having these items available can make a big difference.
• Shovel: Having a small shovel in your truck can help if you need to remove snow and/or ice around your wheels.
• Flashlight: Make sure you have a standard-sized flashlight on hand with fresh batteries in case you are stranded in the evening. (Matches are also a good idea).
• Food and Water:  It is a good idea to keep a couple of protein bars in the glove box along with grabbing a bottle of water when you leave the house.
• Glow Sticks, Flares or Reflector Vest: If you don’t have a reflector vest, purchase some glow sticks or flares. Glow sticks are very cheap and can be purchased at any dollar store. These can help people see you at night if you need to shovel your vehicle out of a snow bank.
• Miscellaneous: A few others things you can keep in your vehicle can include a tow rope, kitty litter (to aid with traction) and a can of deicer. (Avoid using hot water on glass or locks. It will refreeze and could create a bigger problem.)

Did you know?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death of American teenagers with the number one cause of these deaths being the use of wireless devices.

Did you know?

Using a cell phone while driving, whether hands free or hand held is very dangerous. According to a Virginia Tech study, texting can delay a driver’s reaction time as much as having a BAC at the legal limit – 0.08%.

Have you heard Heather’s story?

Heather Lerch, a responsible 19-year-old college student, was late returning home from work. Her worried parents set out to look for her when they drove upon an accident scene. To their horror, they saw their daughter’s vehicle. She had been in a car accident.

Heather was texting while driving and slammed into a guard rail going 60 mph. She died instantly.

What was her final text?

Hey, you and I need to hang sometime
alright cool
(Learn more at www.heathersstory.com)

Other life changing texts

While doing research for this post, we ran across a 2010 AT&T video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs&feature=player_embedded.

Although we all know the dangers of texting while driving, it is still shocking to see, over and over again, how a simple text message can be life changing. Texts like LOL, Where u at, and Yeah are small, yet they ended the lives of 3 of the 4 people highlighted in this video. The other gentleman suffered a serious brain injury and has never fully recovered. The text that changed his life? Where r.

How could something so simple take a life?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, texting and driving involves all three types of distracted driving, which are visual, manual and cognitive.

Any distraction can lead to an accident, but texting is extremely dangerous. That text can wait.

Fall is the time of year you need to be on the lookout. More specifically, deer mating season, which runs from late October through Thanksgiving (which is peak).

Here are some deer-safety driving tips:

• Only see one deer?  More may follow.  Keep an eye out for the whole family.  Deer move in packs.  If a deer crosses the street, the rest of the family is likely nearby.  As soon as you see a deer, slow down and be alert.
• Be aware at dusk and dawn. Deer come out to eat at dusk and dawn. Pay extra attention during that time of day.
• Are those warning signs really important? Yes! They are there for a reason. If you see a yellow diamond shaped sign with a deer in the middle, take extra caution, as this is a high traffic area for deer.
• Don’t be afraid to beep your horn. According to some experts, one long blast of your horn may scare deer out of the road.
• Always wear your seat belt. You cannot always prevent a collision with a deer, but you can help to reduce injuries.  Always wear your seatbelt.

If you have an unfortunate car accident with a deer, it’s important to move your vehicle to the side of the road, turn on your hazards and call for emergency service. Also, we strongly recommend you stay away from the deer. In the event it is still alive, it may be confused and injured.  You don’t want to be on the receiving end of its panic.

During the 2011 deer season, be alert and take extra caution when traveling on the road, particularly in high traffic areas.  Not all deer-car accidents are avoidable, but knowing what to do may prevent some.

For a second year in a row, Cellino & Barnes has been ranked as top tier (Tier 1) for law firms practicing plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. They now have the distinction of being listed in both the 2010 and 2011-2012 editions of Best Law Firms.

U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers released the 2011 Best Law Firms rankings released November 1, 2011. The rankings, which incorporated over 3.9 million evaluations of over 41,200 leading lawyers across the country, are posted online at www.usnews.com/bestlawfirms.

Because of the rigorous and transparent methodology used by Best Lawyers, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.

Six Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers® in Personal Injury Litigation

Cellino & Barnes is also proud to announce that 6 of its attorneys are listed in the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America.

Attorney Richard P. Amico, now joins Stephen E. Barnes, Richard J. Barnes, John C. Murrett, Jr., Brian A. Goldstein, and Robert J. Schreck in what is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.

“Cellno & Barnes is proud to receive this honor for a second year in a row, states attorney Ross Cellino. “We are appreciative of the feedback we have received from our clients and the legal community.”

The Midnight Ramblers - Winners Jingle Contest

Congratulations to The Midnight Ramblers out of Rochester, New York for winning our first ever jingle contest. They received the most “thumbs up” on YouTube and will receive $1,000 and their jingle will appear in a Cellino & Barnes commercial.

The Midnight Ramblers is a group of male singers who attend college at the University of Rochester. Their upbeat and fun rendition of the Cellino & Barnes Jingle put them at the top.

We would like to thank everyone who submitted a jingle, especially our finalists. Everyone did an outstanding job. Special thumbs up to Dennis Reed, Jr. and Nick Anderson, who rounded out the top 3.

Dennis Reed, Jr.

Dennis Reed, Jr., of Buffalo, New York, gained popularity as the contest progressed and was putting a lot of pressure on the group from Rochester.  With his friendly and upbeat demeanor, it is easy to see why fans liked his video.

Nick Anderson was one of the first entries into our jingle contest. Nick, a Wellsville High School student, and his cast of characters did an outstanding job with the production of their video. They put together a unique and catchy jingle.

Nick Anderson

Another Jingle Contest?  Yes!

Due to the response we received to our first jingle contest, Cellino & Barnes has decided to do another one. There will be a bigger contest coming in November.  More details to follow.

Again, congratulations to The Midnight Ramblers, and everyone else, who submitted a jingle in our first ever jingle contest.

Following law school graduation, Christian declined an offer from one of the nation’s top corporate law firms and  instead decided to pursue his life-long dream  to work as a trial attorney on behalf of injured individuals.

Inspired by his own personal injury accident, Christian experienced the consequences of a life changing injury and understands first-hand how important it is to have an advocate willing to fight for you.

“We are honored that Christian has been named as a “Rising Star”,” stated Ross Cellino.  “We are proud of his exemplary work as a personal injury attorney and his level of dedication and commitment to his clients.”

How Does One Become a “Rising Star”

Per SuperLawyers: Lawyers are asked to nominate the best attorneys who are 40 or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. They are instructed to nominate lawyers they have personally observed in action — whether as opposing counsel or co-counsel, or through other firsthand courtroom observation.

More About SuperLawyers

Super Lawyers is comprised of outstanding lawyers recognized by their peers for professional achievements. Each lawyer must undergo a statewide nomination process, review of resumes and peer evaluation by practice area.  Only 5% of lawyers in Upstate New York are named to the list.

In addition to the general survey, the attorney-led research team reviews the credentials of potential candidates and assigns points based on a set of defined evaluation criteria. The research staff also confirms that nominees are properly licensed, in good standing with the state licensing agency, and, when possible, that they have no history of disciplinary action that would warrant removal from the list.

At the Cellino & Barnes personal injury law firm, we’re here to help educate and keep you and your children safe on the road.

Don’t Speed

Teen drivers are much more likely than older drivers to speed and underestimate dangerous situations. As a new driver, teens don’t necessarily observe hazardous situations and therefore, often have a slower reaction time.  In 2008, 37% of 15 to 20 year old male drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA).

Some teens believe “it won’t happen to me”. One way to drive home the importance of obeying the speed limit is to make them aware of the financial effects of speeding (speeding tickets and higher insurance rates) and to hold them accountable for those costs. Also, talk to your teen about how little they gain by speeding. Saving two minutes on their commute to school is not worth risking their life.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at any level can impair judgment for all ages, but particularly for young and inexperienced drivers. Studies have shown that teens are more likely to speed and much less likely to buckle up if they have been drinking.

According to an NHTSA study, in 2008, 31% of the teens (15 to 20) who were killed in crashes, had a BAC of .01 or higher; 25 percent had a BAC of .08 or higher. Remind your teen that underage drinking is not okay and driving after drinking any amount of alcohol is dangerous. It is dangerous to get into a vehicle with anyone who has been drinking, regardless of age.

Don’t Drive at Night

As a new driver, teens should avoid driving at night. In 2008, half of the teen deaths from car accidents happened between 3 pm and midnight according to the CDC. Drowsiness greatly increases your chances of crashing, and many studies have shown that teens do not get enough sleep. Poor visibility at night, for an inexperienced driver, can increase the chances of an accident. Set a driving curfew for your teen. Until they become a more experienced driver, this may help to avoid these risks.

Avoid Distractions

Teens should keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes and attention on the road at all times. Cell phones are considered life lines to most teens, but while driving, teens need to avoid distraction.

Remind your teen to keep their radio volume to a level where they can still hear their surroundings and limit the number of passengers allowed in the car. NYS has laws that state only one non-family passenger is allowed in the vehicle.

The leading distractions that resulted in vehicle crashes according to a NHTSA study include:

• Cell phone use
• Passenger distractions
• Reaching for objects inside the vehicle
• Looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle
• Engaging in distracting behaviors such as eating, drinking, reading, or applying make-up

As a parent, the best way to keep your teen driver safe is to talk with them about safe driving and to lead by example. Remember to follow these safe driving rules: don’t speed, don’t drink and drive, don’t drive when you are tired and avoid distractions.

Have you or a loved been injured in an accident? Contact a Cellino & Barnes car accident lawyer today for your free consultation.

What is Water Walking?

An individual climbs into the large, see-through plastic ball; it is inflated with a blower through the zipper opening; and the zipper is closed, making the ball air-tight. The ball, with the person locked inside, then rolls around on a number of surfaces, including water and grass.

What are the Dangers?

• This product has no emergency exit and can only be opened by a person outside of the ball. If the person inside the ball needs help, they are at the mercy of the operator.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as heart, lung, or breathing issues, it may worsen by use of this product. Because the ball is airtight, the air supply can be depleted and carbon dioxide accumulates inside the ball. This can happen in as little as a few minutes.
  
• Because the water walking balls have no padding, impact injuries can occur if the balls collide with each other, or fall out of the pool onto concrete or other hard surfaces.
• When used in open water, there is a high risk of drowning if there is a leak or a puncture.

CPSC has informed state amusement ride officials of the risks associated with this product and encourages state officials not to permit this ride in their state. Several states have banned or refused to provide permits for rides that use this product.

CPSC does not know of any safe way to use this product.