Archive for December, 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.