Archive for July 22, 2005

Asbestos-Related Deaths On The Rise in U.S.

A rapidly increasing number of people are dying from diseases related to asbestos exposure, according to federal health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bush Nominates Roberts for Supreme Court

Bush's First Supreme Court Nominee Faces Questioning on Host of Contentious Issues

Sex Offender Registry Available on Web

New Justice Department Web Site Provides State-By-State Sex Offender Registries

Parents sue over boy's death at rail crossing

The parents of a boy killed by a commuter train have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a rail company, the state and local government.

Court Orders Sale of Unabomber's Writings

Federal Appeals Court Orders Sale of Unabomber's Writings to Compensate Victims

Fayette woman pleads guilty in Fen-Phen settlement investigation

Fayette, Mississippi resident Zandra Gray pled guilty to wire fraud on Friday in the federal Fen-Phen settlement investigation. Gray will be sentenced on Sept. 23 and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Florida Man Sues for Police Dog Mauling

A local man recently filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Palmetto after a police dog mauled his face while he hid in a swamp.

Convicted Spy Pollard Loses Appeal

Federal Appeals Court Rejects Convicted Spy Jonathan Pollard's Effort to Reduce Life Sentence

Ephedra and guarana supplements may be harmful to obese people

A study published in the June 2005 issue of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics stated that weight loss supplements containing ephedra and guarana may be harmful to obese people who suffer from clogged arteries, glucose intolerance, or high blood pressure.

Judge Asked to Determine Who Leaked Info

Prosecutor Wants Accountability for Leaked Documents in Cleveland Investigation; Hearing Set

U.S. Officials Defend Safety of Childhood Vaccines

U.S. health officials defended the safety of childhood vaccinations in a response to vocal critics, who believe there may be a link between certain mercury-containing vaccines and autism.

Ephedra settlement -- Nutritional company pays to settle claims of false advertising

Nutraquest, makers of an ephedra based weight loss product, will pay nearly one million dollars to settle claims of false advertising.

Mother Charged With Fatally Beating Sons With Dumbbell

Police Say Mom Thought Sons Would Be Better Off in Heaven

Canadian Health Agency Warns Against use of some Ayuvedic Medicinal Products

The department is removing the medicinal products from the market and will also work to stop future importation.

Seabirds Responsible for High Levels of Toxins found in the Arctic

Scientists recently discovered that dangerous toxins such as mercury, DDT, and other now-banned pesticides are being deposited into the Arctic in the form of bird droppings.

Unborn Babies Exposed to Pollutants in the Womb, Study Finds

While still in the womb, U.S. babies absorb a number of toxic chemicals, including mercury, gasoline products, and pesticides, according to a new report.

Recent Study Finds Link Between Pesticides and Low Fertility in Males

According to a study published in the journal Science, pesticides and other man-made chemicals may decrease male fertility for at least four generations.

More Product Safety Issues for Guidant

Medical device maker Guidant Corp., already under pressure because of defective heart defibrillators, recently announced a new product safety alert affecting more than 28,000 of the company's pacemakers.

Groundwater Contaminated by Wyoming Landfills

Recent evidence indicates that many landfills in Wyoming are leaking into the state's groundwater, leading to contamination.

Putting Puppies to Work in Toxic Mold Detection

A powerful new tool has been developed to detect toxic mold in homes, and this tool is powered almost entirely by Puppy Chow.

Dioxins pose public health risk in China, Environmental Protection Administration blamed

China's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) is being blamed after dioxins turned up in ducks and duck eggs in Changhua County.

More legal battles ahead for Guidant

The recent recall of more than 50,000 heart defibrillators by Guidant Corp. opens the medical device maker up to more product liability lawsuits. The Indianapolis-based company is already in the midst of extensive litigation.

Toxic Mold Case Recovers $925,000 Settlement

Michigan's Wayne County Circuit Court has awarded a $925,000 settlement to the plaintiff in atoxic mold exposure case, marking the largest toxic mold settlement in Michigan history.

Settlement Reached in Defective Tires Case

A settlement was reached in a Citrus County, Florida, woman's lawsuit against Bridgestone/Firestone Co. over defective tires the woman claims were responsible for an accident that took the life of her husband and injured their two sons.

Volkswagens, Fords, Toyotas Recalled

On July, 7, 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that Volkswagen, Ford, and Toyota would be recalling vehicles with defects that pose a hazard to consumers.

Some residents of Tittabawassee River Flood Plain in Michigan have heightened dioxin levels, small study reveals

The Michigan Department Community of Health released a report indicating that study participants from the Tittabawassee River Flood Plain have dioxin levels that are higher than average for people with no known direct exposure to dioxins.

Former Canadian Soldiers and Civilians Launch Agent Orange Class-Action Suit

A group of people who say they were exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals tested at a Canadian Forces Base in New Brunswick have launched a class-action lawsuit against Ottawa.

Homeowners Face Possible Presence of Toxic Chemicals

NORCO, CALIFORNIA -- Residents are attempting to wait patiently to find out whether their properties have been contaminated with toxic chemicals that may have leaked from a nearby testing facility.

Documents Reveal Dangers of Propulsid

Recently acquired documents from both Johnson & Johnson and the US government are showing that Propulsid, the once-popular heartburn drug, may have caused severe heart problems in some patients

Asbestos Litigation To Be Limited By New Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new bill may change the way that asbestos cases are settled in court. A trust fund, financed by insurers and manufactures, would pay predictable settlements to victims of asbestos exposure.

Lipitor May Pose Threat to Severely Ill Diabetics

A recent study has found that contrary to previous research, the cholesterol-lowering statin drug Lipitor does not help severely ill diabetes patients. In fact, the research found that patients on Lipitor were twice as likely to die of stroke.

Standards Now Higher For Texas Asbestos Cases

Texas lawmakers have established new rules for asbestos-related lawsuits in an effort to reduce frivolous lawsuits and eliminate harsh deadlines for legitimate cases.

Jury awards $2.45 million to victims of securities fraud

A Greenville, Mississippi business man is sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $2.45 million in damages for a scam that bilked 19 investors.

SEC proceeds with civil case against HealthSouth founder

Following an acquittal by a federal jury on all criminal counts of accounting fraud, the Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil suit against HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy.

Construction Accident Victim Identified

A worker killed during a construction accident Tuesday has been identified as Rudolfo Dionisio Perez-Deleon, 18, of Brookesville.

Securities fraud settlement could yield up to $45 million

Bernard Ebbers, the former CEO of WorldCom, has reached a settlement in the civil claims against him, agreeing to forfeit most of his assets, which could total up to $45 million.

$468 million Dynegy Settlement wins approval

A judge has approved the $468 million settlement between Dynegy and members of the class action shareholder suit against the energy company.

15-year-old Killed in Construction Accident

A 15-year-old boy died after the structure he was working on collapsed this afternoon.

Construction Worker Injured in Front-end Loader Accident

A construction worker was injured when a small front-end loader fell on him while he worked in a foundation trench this morning.

Former body shop employee wins whistleblower lawsuit

A Michigan jury has awarded $80,000 to an employee who filed a whistleblower suit against an auto body shop.

Milton Construction Worker Injured in Accident

Timothy Thamert, 31, was injured Monday when the boom of a crane fell onto his head at a construction site.

Whistleblower awarded almost $82,000 in settlement with university

An $82,000 settlement has been reached between Winston-Salem State University and a former employee who filed a qui tam lawsuit after she was fired from the institution.

Construction Worker Killed by Power Line

A construction worker died Friday morning when the boom he was operating touched a power line.

Judge rules Iraq qui tam lawsuit can proceed

A judge has ruled that two whistleblowers who say taxpayers were cheated out of tens of millions of dollars on Iraqi reconstruction projects can move forward with their lawsuit.

Investigation Finds Immigrants and Workers on Scaffolding at Greatest Risk

An analysis of more than 2,500 OSHA construction site inspection records in New York from 2003 found that violations of OSHA's scaffolding or fall protection requirements made up one-third of all OSHA construction violations in the state.

Tampa Worker Killed in Wood Chipper Accident

A Tampa construction worker was killed after being pulled into a wood chipper Wednesday, witnesses say.

Whistleblower case ends with $40,000 settlement

A Pennsylvania township has reached a $40,000 settlement with a former employee who says she was wrongfully terminated after alleging corruption and fraud had taken place.

Florida whistleblower files suit against former employer

A former employee has filed suit against a Florida aircraft supply company, saying he was fired after providing investigators with information leading to charges against its president for grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

Judge rules whistleblower laws were violated

The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority has been found liable for damages after firing a contractor who raised concerns about safety to authorities.

Investigation into Death of Masonry Worker Continues

The death of a masonry company worker killed at a supermarket construction site this week in Waynesboro is being investigated.

Construction Worker Killed after Fall Down Elevator Shaft

A construction worker died after a fall down an elevator shaft while renovating an apartment building Tuesday.

Qui tam lawsuit filed against Massachusetts, attorney general

The former Putnam Investments employee who blew the whistle on rapid trading at the mutual-fund firm has filed suit against the state of Massachusetts and its attorney general to collect the award he believes he is owed.

Jury Awards $5.4 Million to Man Injured in Construction Accident

A jury awarded $5.4 million to brain-damaged man for injuries he suffered while working at the Air Liquide Process and Construction Inc. plant in Geismar.

DUI driver sentenced to 16 years in prison

A Chicago man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for driving under the influence and causing an accident that killed two men.

Lamplight Farms Inc. Recalls Tiki Torches Due to Burn Injury

In reaction to a report in which a consumer received second and third degree burns, Lamplight Farms Inc. has recalled all Tiki Cone Metal Torches.

Rose Art Soap Making Kit Causes Child Burn Injuries

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the imposition of a $300,000 penalty against Rose Art Industries for failing to inform the government of defects in children's soap making kits that lead to several burn injuries.

Bombardier Cleared of Learjet Crash Suit

Bombardier Learjet was cleared from a $200 million dollar lawsuit filed by pro golfer, Payne Stewart's family.

Maximum sentence for football player in DUI manslaughter case

An ex-NFL player has been charged to 15 years in prison for driving under the influence and killing a man on a bicycle.

Paralyzed man found guilty of DUI manslaughter

A Nassau County jury found a paralyzed defendant guilty on all counts connected to a drunk driving accident that killed a teen.

Families Sue Sikorsky in Italy Crash

The family members of two United States Navy seamen have filed a lawsuit against United Technologies Corporation, its subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft and conglomerate General Electric Company.

Restraining order sought to preserve crash evidence

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Families of two people killed in a June 24 car-truck collision are seeking a restraining order this week to prevent destruction of evidence before it can be gathered from the damaged truck.

State settles wrongful death lawsuit in highway patrol crash with DUI suspect

BLOOMFIELD, Missouri -- The State of Missouri has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit over a fatal collision between a highway patrol cruiser and a car driven by an allegedly intoxicated woman.

Illinois bars are defendants in wrongful death suit

DeKALB, Illinois -- The family of a 17-year-old girl killed in a car crash is suing two bars in which the man who hit her had been drinking the night of the incident.

Pilots Indicted for Falsifying Medical Records

Grand juries in the state of California have indicted 40 pilots for fraud finding that they falsified medical records to hide such disabilities as schizophrenia and heart problems.

Crash survivor files lawsuits against American Airlines

A negligence lawsuit has been filed in the state district court on behalf of Wendy Bonham from Salt Lake City.

Siblings Sue Dead Sister, City Over Death of Mother

OLYMPIA, Washington -- Three siblings are suing the city and the estate of their late sister over a traffic accident that killed their mother and the sister.

Florida Woman Receives Settlement from Bridgestone/Firestone, Local Businesses

A Florida woman whose husband was killed in the July 2001 crash of a van modified for use by a handicapped driver has reached a settlement with Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., and several businesses in her town.

Air Ambulance Crashes Reach Record Levels

The number of air ambulance crashes has reached record levels. Since the year 2000 there have been 84 air ambulance crashes resulting in 60 deaths. This represents more than 10% of the total U.S. air ambulance fleet.

L.A. Must Pay Despite Notorious Mistrial

Family members of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G will receive money for legal fees after city police withheld documents and caused a mistrial in the family's wrongful death lawsuit against police.

Fatal SUV rollover award stalled as panel questions tests used in evidence

A New York appellate panel this week order a $5.2 million dollar wrongful death award held in abeyance until the New York Supreme Court rules on the admissibility of test evidence.

Debate Over Link Between Autism and Thimerosal Continues

Although many health organizations have attempted to discredit claims that childhood exposure to thimerosal is linked to autism, those on the opposing side seem to be gaining supporters.

Animal Injured on Airline Conveyor Belt

'Mr. Baby,' a Cornish rex cat, suffered a scratched nose, broken nails and "emotional trauma" when an Atlanta baggage handler accidentally placed him on a baggage conveyor belt instead of carrying him to the main terminal.

Father of victim files wrongful death suit in DUI crash

The father of a Texas woman killed in an alleged alcohol-related fatal car crash filed a wrongful death suit this week against the man charged with causing the crash.

Woman Sues Funtown-Splashtown USA, Inc. Over Head Injury

Mary Jo Libby filed a lawsuit in Penobscot County Superior Court against Funtown-Splashtown USA Inc. after a tragic ride on a water slide left her with permanent brain damage.

Kentucky Boy, 7, Charged With Murder

Kentucky Boy, 7, Charged With Murder; Will Likely Receive Treatment Away From Juvenile Jail