A new law banning texting while driving took effect this weekend in Louisiana. This means that a police officer can pull you over if they see you texting.

This new law makes texting while driving a primary offense.

The first violation is punishable by a fine of up to $175. Repeat offenders can be fined $500, and the amount doubles if the driver is involved in a crash.

Additionally, the law makes it illegal for minors to talk on their phone as well.

You can find out more from WDSU and WWL:

http://www.wdsu.com/r/24625253/detail.html

http://www.wwl.com/pages/7919535.php?contentType=4&contentId=6653055

In today’s Miami Herald, an article by Associated Press writer Tony Winton tells of the US Governments use of new technology to study Hurricane’s.

According to the article, the research is meant to figure out “Why do some storm systems rapidly intensify into destructive cyclones, while most remain weak?”

This will be an important step in helping areas susceptible to Hurricanes better prepare.

“Ninety percent of the time, we simply don’t catch the rapid intensification,” said Bill Read, director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. “You miss the fact that it goes up 40 or 50 miles-per-hour in a 24-hour time frame.”

The Irpino Law Firm is very excited Judge Carl J. Barbier of New Orleans will be handling the federal lawsuits filed over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.  This is an important step to helping rebuild the lives and communities devastated by this disaster.

The five-page opinion said, “Without discounting the spill’s effects on other states, if there is a geographic and psychological ‘center of gravity’ in this docket, then the Eastern District of Louisiana is closest to it.”

The Irpino Law Firm is actively working on behalf of the victims of the oil spill.  Please contact Anthony Irpino at 504.525.1500 with any questions.

Here is a link to the New York Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/us/11liability.html

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting story on the effects of Chinese Drywall on home values.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“In other states, judges and juries alike seem to agree that the homeowners who buy houses with tainted drywall are entitled to recompense for their troubles. Consumers in Florida, Louisiana and North Carolina have sought damages from homebuilders and suppliers for tainted drywall that they say corroded appliances, emitted noxious fumes and drove down the prices of their homes.”

Here is a link to the news story:

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/07/12/elegant-home-price-slashedtainted-chinese-drywall-included/

Met Life recently released some tips for drivers to help them be aware and avoid distractions while on the road to prevent an auto accident. “Safe driving is about focus,” said Bill Moore, president of MetLife Auto & Home®. “Many accidents could be avoided if the basic principles of defensive driving and driver attentiveness were observed.”

Here is a link to some smart tips while driving:

http://www.napsnet.com/articles/63343.html

For the past few years we’ve occupied a potion of the 22nd floor at Canal Place in the Central Business District of New Orleans. While we’ve loved our time downtown and being across the street from the French Quarter (a lot of fun we’ve had) we’re looking forward to moving into the Lower Garden District, Uptown into a great old house currently undergoing an addition and renovation to meet our needs.

We’ll keep you posted with our exact move date and new address.

Stay tuned!

The Irpino Law Firm, representing victims of Chinese drywall is pleased to announce the state Attorney General’s Office has filed suit against international and domestic manufacturers, distributors, importers of toxic Chinese drywall as well as several builders.

Here is a link to the news story:

http://www.wwltv.com/home/State-files-Chinese-drywall-suit-81340362.html