Under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (AWDA), disabled workers were given the right to sue over discrimination in the workplace. The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing the case of a woman with a repetitive stress injury sustained in the workplace. A decision on this case is expected by July. If the Supreme Court finds in favor of the plaintiff, it could set a precedent for repetitive motion injuries to be covered under the AWDA.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ford Motor Co. plan to work together to build fuel-efficient vehicles. A spokesman for Ford said, “The technology to be developed and tested under this agreement has a potential to significantly improve the fuel economy of light-duty trucks and sport utility vehicles, which could reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers money.” The EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab developed the technology in collaboration with Ford. The advanced powertrain features a high-efficiency engine and a hydraulic hybrid propulsion system. The hydraulic hybrid system uses hydraulic pumps and hybrid accumulators to store energy in the place of electric motors and batteries.
The U.S. House Small Business Committee, chaired by Rep. Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., has passed H.R. 3230, which provides financial assistance to small businesses that were directly affected by the terrorist acts on Sept. 11. Eligible businesses will have expanded access to the Small Business Administration's low-interest loan and management counseling program. A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Bridgestone/Firestone agreed to a settlement of $41.5 million with states that claimed the tire company was involved in unfair trade practices. Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed to pay $5 million to a consumer education program and $500,000 to each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. The company also agreed to pay reimbursement fees to customers of up to $10 million. Firestone agreed to review previous claims that were not reimbursed due to the tire model or because the claim was above the $100-per-tire limit set by Firestone.
Federal regulators have found Firestone tires have caused 271 deaths and approximately 700 injuries. Since the beginning of the investigation a total of 10 million tires have been replaced, mostly on Ford Explorers.
A group of state attorneys general formed a task force in September 2000 to determine whether or not Firestone and Ford Motor Co. deliberately deceived the public.
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AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol. L, January 2002
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Copyright © 2002 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.