Archive for 2005

Wal-Mart Ordered to Pay Millions to California Employees

An Alameda County jury awarded $172 million to thousands of current and former Wal-Mart employees who were allegedly denied lunch breaks by the giant retailer.

Widow Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Failed Diagnosis

A woman in Pittsfield, Massachusetts recently filed a lawsuit against her late husband's doctor who she accuses of failing to discover the cancer that ultimately lead to her husband's death.

Jury Awards $1.8 Million to Stroke Victim

A jury in Merrimack County, New Hampshire awarded $1.8 million to a man who underwent a stroke in 2001 after receiving heart bypass surgery at an area hospital.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Tennessee Nursing Home

The daughter of a man who died at a nursing home in Memphis, Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the facility citing negligence, malpractice and wrongful death.

Family of motorcyclist killed by falling portable toilet sues sanitation company

A wrongful death suit has been filed against a South Dakota sanitation company by the family of a Texas motorcyclist killed when a portable toilet fell off a truck and knocked him into oncoming traffic.

Woman Injured After Abortion Awarded $500,000

A woman who claimed that a botched abortion performed at a clinic in Jackson, Mississippi forced her to undergo a hysterectomy was awarded $500,000 by a Hinds County judge this past week.

$10 Million Dollar Settlement Reached Prior to Malpractice Trial

Attorneys reached a $10 million dollar out-of-court settlement in the case of a woman who underwent the amputation of her arms and legs after a doctor failed to diagnose her with strep throat.

City Faces Lawsuit Over Child's Sledding Injuries

A family is suing their native city of Omaha, Nebraska after one of their daughters suffered serious injuries from a sledding accident at a local park.

Wrongful Termination Suit Filed Against State of New Hampshire

A man recently filed a lawsuit against the State of New Hampshire claiming that he was wrongfully terminated as a Hampton Beach lifeguard for refusing to remove his personal website containing beach safety tips.

Families sue city, police over two deaths in California drunk driving crash

Wrongful death claims have been filed against a Central California city and its police department over the death of two farm workers killed in a car crash with a legally drunk off-duty police officer.

California water district to pay $3 million to family of deputy killed in crash

A Central California water district last week agreed to pay $3 million to settle a wrongful death suit filed by the family of a sheriff's deputy killed in an on-duty crash with a district vehicle.

State of Washington settles with family of woman killed in crash with ex-con

The state of Washington last week settled a wrongful death suit filed by the family of a woman killed in a car crash with an ex-convict the family claims was not properly monitored by the state.

Senate Provision Seeks to Protect Vaccine Producers

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Bill Frist is attempting to insert a provision - which would shield flu vaccine manufacturers from liability claims - into a major defense bill in order to get it passed before congress adjourns for 2005.

Drug Addict Receives 23 Years for Robbery and Rape

A drug addict who robbed and attempted to rape a 74-year-old woman received a 23 year prison sentence.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Shopping Mall

A man from Denver, Colorado recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a local mall claiming that his daughter's death would have been prevented if security guards had used automatic defibrillators after she collapsed.

DuPont Pays $16 Million Over Teflon Allegations

The maker of Teflon, E.I. DuPont Nemours & Co., has agreed to pay more than $10 million in fines and $6 million in environmental protection projects over reports about the toxicity of the product.

Hospital Found Liable Following Death of Heart Transplant Patient

A Cook County jury has awarded $2.7 million to the family of a man who died after receiving a diseased heart during transplant surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois.

Construction Company Fined for Improper Asbestos Disposal

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has fined Bogatay Construction $3,000 for the improper disposal of asbestos.

Ohio father sues town, officer over son's death in police chase

An Ohio man whose son was killed when his car was struck by a police car involved in a high-speed chase is suing the town of Bazetta, its police department, and a police officer.

Judge Declares Mistrial in Federal Vioxx Case

Houston, Texas -- The judge presiding over the nation's first federal Vioxx court case declared a mistrial on Monday.

Jury Finds Negligence Following Mysterious Death of 3-Year-Old

A St. Louis jury has awarded 1.5 million dollars to the parents of a young boy who died of an unknown ailment at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in 2002.

Did Merck Conceal Vioxx Study Heart Attacks?

Trenton, New Jersey -- An editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine claims that Merck & Co. hid damaging data in a report published about a clinical study on Vioxx.

FDA Intensifies Warning For Pregnant Women on Paxil

In light of recent studies, the Food and Drug Administration announced that the popular antidepressant will now carry a stronger warning for women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant while on the drug.

Legislation Limiting Medical Malpractice Compensation Vetoed by Wisconsin Governor

Governor Jim Doyle has vetoed legislation that would have limited the amount of non-economic damages awarded to plaintiffs in medical malpractice lawsuits filed in Wisconsin.

California doctor paralyzed in car crash to receive near $9 million settlement

A California doctor paralyzed in a 2002 car crash he claims was caused by a poorly timed traffic signal has been awarded the first part of what is expected to be an $8.85 million settlement.

Jury Awards 7.1 Million in Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit

A St. Clair County jury has awarded 7.1 million dollars to the family of a young boy who developed cerebral palsy shortly after being discharged from Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois.

Judge Denies Northwest Airlines and MAC Request to Dismiss Noise Lawsuit

A judge has denied a request by the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Northwest Airlines to dismiss a noise lawsuit filed by three cities.

8-Year Old Killed by Drug Dealer

A drug dealer from Brooklyn has been convicted of manslaughter after killing an 8-year-old boy during a shootout.

Common Interest Group Calls on Congress to Amend Asbestos Legislation

A coalition group known as the Common Interest Group has launched a campaign to get Congress to amend S.852 asbestos legislation.

On-the-Job Exposure to Pesticide may Increase Cancer Risk

Daily job-related exposure to the pesticide diazinon may increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer and possibly other cancers, according to new findings from the US government-sponsored Agricultural Health Study.

Medical Expert Says that Vioxx Was a Factor in Man's Death

A pathologist for the prosecution in the case of Richard "Dicky" Irvin has testified that Vioxx use triggered the man's heart attack.

Family of Oklahoma truck driver files lawsuit over fatal accident in California

A lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the state has been filed by the family of an Oklahoma truck driver who was killed last year at the scene of an accident near Lodi, California.

Husband Claims Hospital, Doctors Delayed Diagnosing Wife's Cancer

A Valparaiso man whose wife passed away from ovarian cancer in 2002 has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Porter Hospital in Indiana, as well as four doctors who managed his wife's care.

Verdict Overturned in Slip-And-Fall Case

A Michigan state appeals court recently overturned a $25,000 verdict made in favor of a woman who was injured after she slipped and fell on ice outside of a public library.

Man Jailed for 27 Months on Drug and Gun Charges

A Clifton, Maine man charged with multiple counts of drug and firearm possession will spend 27 months in prison.

Family Of Boy Killed In Police Chase File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Lawyers for the family of a boy killed when he was struck by a driver fleeing police pursuit have notified the city of Orange, N.J. of their intent to file a wrongful death suit.

City, police officer sued by victim's husband over fatal South Carolina crash

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the city of Charleston and a Charleston police officer by the husband of a woman killed when the officer's patrol car hit the couple's pickup truck.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Wisconsin Treatment Center

The mother of a girl who died after falling from the third story of a treatment facility has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility's owners.

Parents File Wrongful Death Suit Over Daughter's Death at Community Pool

The parents of an 8-year-old girl who drowned at a community pool in Westchase, Florida have filed a wrongful death suit against the local community association.

First Federal Vioxx Trial Underway

The jury was selected and opening arguments were heard, as the first federal Vioxx lawsuit against Merck & Co. got underway Tuesday.

Suit filed, another planned in crash of van operated by Florida church charity

The family of a man who died after being injured in the crash of a van operated by Catholic Charities of Boca Raton plans to file the second lawsuit over the crash.

California Hospital Faces Lawsuit Over Transplant Program

Earlier this month, three individuals brought a lawsuit against a hospital they claim improperly operated a liver transplant program. Patients were subjected to lengthy waiting periods, which resulted in suffering and death, the lawsuit states.

Woman Convicted of Fatal Hit-And-Run Faces Wrongful Death Suit

In Benson County, Oregon, the family of a fatal hit-and-run victim recently filed a multimillion-dollar wrongful death suit against the driver of the vehicle.

Man Sentenced for the Death of Two Firefighters

A handyman, who was growing a pot farm in his basement, was convicted in the death of two firefighters.

Judge Orders Continental to Pay Manhattan Lawyer $3,110

A judge has ordered Continental Airlines to pay a Manhattan attorney $3,110 after he and his 13-year-old daughter were bumped from a flight.

Truck Driver Wins $109,000 In Wrongful Suspension Case

A jury in Portland, Oregon awarded $109,000 to a trucker whose employer suspended him for being overweight.

Woman Sues Cruise Liner Company Following Injury

A woman from Westbrook, Connecticut filed a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines after she broke her tailbone during an activity aboard one of the company's cruise ships.

Mother Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit on Behalf of Slain Son

The mother of a man who was allegedly subject to a fatal beating outside of a bar has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the individuals accused of the murder and the bar's owner.

Connecticut Family Awarded $36.5 Million in Birth Injury Case

The parents of a child who suffered severe brain damage at birth were recently awarded $36.5 million by a jury that held that the child's injuries were the result of medical negligence.

Family of Texas man killed on motorcycle sues Missouri trucking firm, driver

A Missouri trucking firm and its driver are being sued by the family of a Texas man killed when a tractor-trailer struck his motorcycle near Pharr, TX., November 12.

Husband of Maine professor who died in crash sues cable company, snowplow contractor

The husband of a University of Maine professor who died after her car was struck by a cable company van is suing the owner and the driver of the van and a snowplow contractor.

Ambulette Company Sued Over Death of Prominent Surgeon

The family of a New York breast cancer surgeon who was run over and killed by an ambulette is suing the driver and the ambulette company for wrongful death.

Taser Faces Another Product Liability Suit

The company that makes tasers is being sued for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages after a county deputy suffered a severe injury during a certification training exercise required by the manufacturer.

Nevada Mental Health Facility Sued For Medical Negligence

A schizophrenic man who has been charged in a shooting incident is suing the mental health facility he claims denied him his medication two days prior to the shooting.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Kansas Doctor

A doctor who allegedly prescribed painkillers in a negligent manner was recently served with a wrongful death lawsuit after one of his patients died of an overdose.

Family Wins $60 Million in Medical Malpractice Case Involving Hospital

In Hialeah, Florida a federal judge issued a $60.9 million verdict in favor of the parents of a boy who incurred severe brain damage while being delivered at a Navy hospital.

Judge Dismisses Kentucky Woman's Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Citing insufficient evidence, a Daviess County judge dismissed the case of a woman who claimed that the medical professionals she saw while pregnant failed to properly treat her for chicken pox, allegedly causing the premature birth of her baby.

New Jersey Man Awarded $5 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

A man who passed out while at work and subsequently suffered a stroke recently was awarded $5.4 million by a Middlesex county jury that held that the stroke could have been prevented with proper medical care.

West Virginia University Reaches Settlement Agreement in Asbestos Lawsuit

A settlement agreement has been reached between West Virginia University and employees concerning a class action asbestos lawsuit filed in 2000.

Utah Supreme Court Ruling Scores a Victory for Cancer Survivors

The Utah Supreme Court clarified its position on medical malpractice lawsuits last Tuesday, correcting the misconception that cancer survivors in remission cannot sue their physicians for failure to diagnose.

FDA Adds Elevated Estrogen Warning to Birth Control Patch Labels

The Food and Drug Administration has added a warning to the labels of the Ortho Evra birth control patch, notifying users of increased estrogen exposure compared to regular birth control pills.

Florida woman receives $55,000 from city over dump truck crash

A Florida woman will receive a $55,000 settlement from the city of Largo for injuries received when a city dump truck ran into her car three years ago.

Jury Awards $1.9 million to Sheet Metal Worker Suffering from Peritoneal Mesothelioma

A San Francisco jury has awarded Genaro Garcia, a 71-year-old retired sheet metal worker, more than $1.9 million as a result of his on-the-job exposure to asbestos.

Man Faces 10 Years in Prison and Millions in Fines for Drug Crimes

A man from Iowa who received federal charges on five counts faces a 10-year prison sentence and millions of dollars in fines.

Mechanics Sue Metropolitan Airports Commission

Claiming their constitutional rights to picket had been violated, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 33 has filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC).

Drug Dealer Sentenced to 107 Years in Prison

A major drug dealer from Washington was sentenced to 107 years behind bars for his role in distributing methamphetamine.

Doctors Agree to Settlement in Heart Surgery Fraud Case

Three surgeons have agreed to pay more than three million dollars between them as part of a large settlement awarded to Redding Medical Center patients who claim the doctors performed unnecessary heart surgeries.

Nurse's Aide Convicted for Stealing Patient's Medication

A nurse's aide from Keyser, West Virginia was convicted of stealing a patient's medication by removing a pain patch from the patient's arm and sucking out the medication.

Celebrex and Vioxx May Increase Risk of Death After Heart Attack

A Danish study indicated that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex and Vioxx, after a heart attack increases the risk of death.

Congress Prepared to Exempt Missouri From Wright Amendment

Missouri is expected to soon become the eighth state to be made exempt from the Wright Amendment.

Man Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison on Drug Charges

A man was sentenced to 10 months in prison with an additional four years on parole for possessing drugs with the intent to distribute.

Ford issues recalls for three safety issues; 455,000 vehicles affected

Ford Motor Company has issued three recall orders in the past two days, affecting a total of 455,000 sport utility vehicles, pickups, vans, and sedans with potential safety problems.

Senate Prepares to Debate Asbestos Bill

The United States Senate will soon begin debating the creation of a $140 billion trust fund to compensate victims of asbestos exposure.

Drug-Related Murder Leads to Life Sentence

Alleged drug dealer who pleaded guilty to brutally murdering a man over a drug debt was sentenced to life in prison.

Wisconsin couple files lawsuit over death of son in charter bus crash

A Wisconsin couple filed a wrongful death lawsuit last week against parties involved in the Oct. 16 nighttime highway crash between a charter bus carrying a high school band and a tractor-trailer.