Five Things You Need to Know: 11/5, Monday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) Accused FL Yoga Studio Shooter Has History with Female Harassment, Misogynistic YouTube Posts

Scott Paul Beierle, accused of a yoga studio shooting in Tallahassee in which two women were killed and five people were injured, has also been accused of female harassment, and posting misogynistic videos on YouTube, per police, writes Nicole Chavez and Eliott C. McLaughlin of CNN. “…In one instance, he was accused of slapping, grabbing and shaking a 19-year-old woman's backside at a Tallahassee apartment complex's swimming pool, but the case was not prosecuted,” per the article. Beierle shot himself at the crime scene before police got to the yoga studio. The link between the shooter and the studio hadn’t been found as of press time. A vigil was held Sunday evening to honor FSU student Maura Binkley, 21, and FSU Faculty member/doctor Nancy Van Vessem, 61.

2) ‘Robotaxis’ Are Closer than We Think

“…In a few weeks, Waymo will launch America’s first commercial robotaxi service,” writes Ashley Nunes of WIRED. Ford and GM are working on similar projects as well. With countless safety guidelines that might slow down the process, “…Trump administration officials announced plans to ‘reconsider the necessity and appropriateness,’ of some of these standards, the most notable of which requires that drivers always be human,” per the article. “…When a robotaxi malfunctions, a human steps in to help. Rather than sitting inside the car, however, these teleoperators will be stationed in a command center located miles away. Think of it as air traffic control for cars.” But what job classification should these teleoperators have, and “…Should teleoperators be considered transportation workers?” We will have to watch for legislative action on the topic…

3) CA Lawsuit: EMT Alleges Heather Locklear Injured Her

Actress Heather Locklear could be in some hot water after first responders came to her house for a possible overdose this summer, writes Joelle Goldstein of People. She was also arrested at the time of her possible overdose for being violent. EMT Jennifer Hayn-Hiton has filed a lawsuit, accusing Locklear of kicking her and hurting her, which kept her out of work, per court documents and the media outlet. “…Hayn-Hiton, a single mom of three, also alleges that Locklear wished her young children would die by contracting AIDS.”

4) New Opioid Approved by FDA

“Despite the ongoing opioid crisis plaguing the nation, the US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new opioid medication five to 10 times more powerful than fentanyl,” writes Debra Goldschmidt of CNN. AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Dsuvia is designed for instances including post-surgery and emergency room cases, per the company. The FDA has outlined restrictions including a 72-hour use limit, and other similar opioid requirements for labeling, etc. “…The statement noted the benefit the drug could have for soldiers injured on the battlefield. It notes that the Department of Defense was involved in its development and that it was a priority for the Pentagon because it ‘fills an unmet need,’” writes Goldschmidt. A similar drug is already available via IV. 

5) Authorities: Japan Car Plant Worker Died Because of Overwork

Authorities have ruled Tadaaki Igari, who collapsed and died on the job last year at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, suffered from overwork, according to The Japan Times. He “…had logged over 100 hours of overtime the previous month, according to the consultation center for Fukushima nuclear workers,” per the article. “…Igari was the employee of an auto repair company in Iwaki, around 60 kilometers south of the Fukushima No. 1 plant, and was in charge of the maintenance of vehicles used at the plant. The cause of his death was lethal arrhythmia.” His family could receive work comp benefits, as the cause of death has been determined to be overwork. “…In 2012, the death from a heart attack of a man from Shizuoka Prefecture while on duty at the post-crisis Fukushima plant was also determined to be related to overwork,” according to the media outlet.

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