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Sheila T. Kerwin News Archive

Newsroom image for the post First Things First: What Are PFAS? – Part 1 of 10

Posted February 27, 2024 with Tags

First Things First: What Are PFAS? – Part 1 of 10

This is the first in a series of articles published by the Product Liability and Complex Torts group at Nilan Johnson Lewis, P.A., for product manufacturers as they prepare to respond to PFAS regulatory demands and mitigate their risk of …

Newsroom image for the post OSHA Issues First Federal COVID-19 Standard for Healthcare Employees and Updates Guidelines Protecting Spread of COVID-19

Posted June 15, 2021 with Tags ,

OSHA Issues First Federal COVID-19 Standard for Healthcare Employees and Updates Guidelines Protecting Spread of COVID-19

On June 10, 2021, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) to ensure uniform protection for employees within the healthcare industry from exposure to COVID-19. The ETS is effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days, and with provisions involving physical barriers, ventilation, and training within 30 days.

Newsroom image for the post Recent IoT Class Actions Highlight Need for Manufacturers & Vendors of Connected Products to Be Aware of Liability Risks

Posted January 28, 2020

Recent IoT Class Actions Highlight Need for Manufacturers & Vendors of Connected Products to Be Aware of Liability Risks

The Internet of Things (IoT) products have become a way of life. There are huge benefits of “smart” products, which interact through the internet to gather and exchange data to provide additional functions, security, and easy use for consumers. These “smart” products are present in our everyday lives, including such standard products as refrigerators, watches, fire alarms, door locks, security systems, and fitness trackers. These are only a few examples of the many IoT products on the market today. However, in spite of the significant benefits provided by connected products, the new technology raises thorny legal issues and is leading to litigation.

Posted June 27, 2019

What Employers Should Note about OSHA’s Phase 4

OSHA’s Standard Improvements Project Rule (Phase IV) was published in the May 14 Federal Register and is intended to remove or revise “outdated, duplicative, unnecessary and inconsistent requirements” in the agency’s safety and health standards.  This is the fourth review of this ongoing effort.  The goal is to “reduce regulatory burden while maintaining or enhancing worker safety and health and improving privacy protections."

Posted February 13, 2018

If Your Car is the Driver, Who is Liable?

On January 22, a lawsuit was filed in in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in which the plaintiff accused General Motors of negligence stemming from an accident where a vehicle deploying self-driving technology collided with …

Posted October 26, 2017

Trump Speeds Up Commercial Drone Integration

At least five drone programs will be selected to test out an innovative public-private integration because of a memorandum signed by President Trump this week to speed up the use of drones for commercial purposes.

Newsroom image for the post FAA Renews Commitment to Advancing Commercial Drone “Flight-Over-People” Rule

Posted January 17, 2017

FAA Renews Commitment to Advancing Commercial Drone “Flight-Over-People” Rule

In its statement, FAA administrator Michael Huerta indicated that the agency is attempting to balance industry needs with safety and privacy concerns related to drone flights over people. However, the FAA promises to continue to move forward on this effort, recognizing its importance to many industries.

Newsroom image for the post FAA Releases Finalized Operational Rules for Small Commercial Drones

Posted June 21, 2016

FAA Releases Finalized Operational Rules for Small Commercial Drones

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalized the much-anticipated rules for commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The rules were initially proposed in February 2015 and will now take effect in late August 2016. At that time, companies – ranging from real estate companies wanting to take aerial photography of properties to organizations wishing to inspect inventory or utilities – will no longer need to apply for an FAA Section 333 exemption for routine commercial drone use as long as their operations comply with the new rules.

Newsroom image for the post Safety Rules for Small Drones Prepare for Lift-off

Posted April 7, 2016

Safety Rules for Small Drones Prepare for Lift-off

As businesses anxiously await final rules from the FAA governing commercial drone use, the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems’ Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) released an important report on April 6, 2016, that laid out specific safety recommendations related to the FAA’s proposed rules for small drones under 55 pounds.

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