Archive for February, 2006

Multiple Defendants Named in Taser Death Lawsuit

The mother of a man who died after receiving nine Taser shocks has filed a lawsuit against the county, city, and 12 individual police officers.

Supreme Court: Woman Who Slipped on Mail Can Sue

In a 7-1 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined that a Pennsylvania woman who slipped on mail left at her front porch can sue the U.S. Postal Service for negligence.

Brain Damaged Woman Receives $8 Million Verdict

A jury in Bridgeton, N.J. awarded $8 million to a woman who suffered severe brain damage after taking a large dose of a painkiller approved by her doctor.

California Will Require HMOs to Provide Language Interpreters

As the population in California continues to become more diverse, HMOs are recognizing the need for language interpreters.

Doctor Who Defrauded Medicare Program to Pay $2.6 Million

A $2.6 million settlement has been reached with a cardiologist to resolve a federal lawsuit originally filed by a whistleblower.

HealthSouth Reaches $445 Million Preliminary Settlement to Resolve Lawsuits

HealthSouth has reached a tentative $445 million settlement to resolve federal lawsuits resulting from a major fraud scandal that almost left the company bankrupt.

Family Considers Lawsuit Blaming Seat Belt for Daughter's Death in Vermont Crash

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -- The family of a Vermont teenager killed in a high-speed crash last year is considering a wrongful death lawsuit that would blame her death on a defective seat belt.

U.S. Government to Pay Pennsylvania Woman $4.2 Million

A woman from Erie, Pa. recently won a $4.2 million settlement against the U.S. government after pneumonia treatment she received at a public health center allegedly lead to brain damage and the amputation of her legs.

Court Rules Child's Best Interest Should Prevail in Some Custody Cases

A Denver child custody case could have broad implications for similar guardianship disputes.

UK Study Suggests Cash Fears Produce Lower Divorce Rates

Fear of financial repercussions might be incentive for men to stay in relationships that they might otherwise abandon.

Jury Delivers Different Decisions in Two Fen-Phen Cases

On Friday, pharmaceutical company Wyeth announced that a Philadelphia jury ruled in its favor in a fen-phen product liability case. The same jury awarded modest damages to a plaintiff in another case.

$20 Million in Punitive Damages Awarded Against Insurance Company

A Pittsburgh jury awarded $20 million in punitive damages on Tuesday against an insurance company that denied a claim for damaged coal mining equipment.

Guidant Investigation Discovers Further Violations

Indianapolis-based Guidant Corp., which has recalled more than 200,000 pacemakers and nearly 90,000 defibrillators over the past year for a variety of defects, continues to come under fire for regulation violations.

Quadriplegic Teen Sues Juvenile Detention Center Over Injury

Artie Allen, 18, became a quadriplegic after attempting a back flip off of a picnic table at the Garza County Regional Juvenile Center in Post. He is suing the center for $25 million in damages.

Nursing Home Barred from Accepting New Patients Following Sexual Abuse Allegations

A nursing home in Port Charlotte, Fla. was recently barred from accepting new residents after an investigation conducted by state officials revealed multiple unreported allegations of sexual abuse.

Woman Injured by Fiery Bug Bomb Explosion Suing Landlord

Galveston woman, Myra Miles-Brown is suing her former landlord, Marion Tompkins for $5 million in damages after being injured in an explosion caused by 18 bug bombs.

Man Sentenced After Injuring His Children in DWI Crash

A man from Verbank, N. Y. was sentenced after injuring his two children in a DWI accident.

Victim's Family Blames Driver, Company in California Wrongful Death Suit Against Greyhound

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The family of a woman who died in a bus crash in Central California last November has filed an amendment to their wrongful death suit blaming both the driver and Greyhound.

Court Overturns 20-Year Drug Sentence.

A 20-year drug sentence was overturned by the Arkansas Court of Appeals on Wednesday when the court concluded the arresting officer went too far in discovering crack-cocaine during a weapons search.

Companies Agree to Multimillion Dollar Ephedra Settlement

Two years after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Nutraquest and dozens of other companies have agreed on a multimillion dollar settlement of injury claims related to the use of ephedra.

Nursing Home Lawsuit Ends in $160 Million Award

A jury in San Antonio, Texas recently awarded $160 million to the estate of an 81-year-old man who was savagely attacked by his mentally ill roommate at a nursing home.

Plane Crash Knocks Out Power to 54 Lake County Homes

Fifty-four residents lost power on Saturday when a single-engine jet crashed into a Lake County field in Fruitland Park, Fla.

Man Convicted of 9 DWI Offenses Sentenced to 8 1/2 Years

A New York man convicted of nine drunk driving offenses has been sentenced to 8½ years in prison.

Nebraska Supreme Court To Hear Psychiatric Malpractice Case

The Nebraska Supreme Court will determine whether the psychiatrist of a Ralston man who murdered his girlfriend was negligent for failing to warn the girlfriend of the man's violent intentions.

Jury Awards $7.5 Million to Family of Boy Who Died During Surgery

The family of a 12-year-old boy who died while undergoing wrist surgery was recently awarded $7.5 million by a jury in Lake County, Ill.

Pennsylvania Doctor Faces Lawsuit Over Death of Baby

A lawsuit recently filed in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. accuses a local doctor of using excessive force during a forcep delivery, which caused the death of a baby boy.

Bogus Illinois Adoption Results in Two Felony Theft Counts

A Caseyville, Ill., woman has been accused of pocketing more than $4,000 in an adoption scam involving two placement agencies and another woman who was led to believe she would be the baby's adoptive parent.

States Scramble to Cover Cuts in Federal Child-Support Enforcement

The federal child-support enforcement program, once hailed as a success story for government social services, took a hard hit from budget changes that become effective in October 2007.

Senate Fails to Approve Asbestos Trust Fund

The U.S. Senate fell two votes short of approving a $140 billion trust fund that would have provided compensation to victims of asbestos-related diseases.

Federal Vioxx Retrial in Jury's Hands

New Orleans, La. -- Jurors began deliberations Friday in the retrial of the nation's first federal Vioxx court case, which previously resulted in a hung jury.

Anisonia Reaches Settlement in Wrongful Death Suit

A $300,000 settlement has been reached between the city of Anisonia, Conn. and the family of James Law, who was accidentally killed while in police custody.

Asthmatic's Death Linked to Praxair Explosion

The explosion and fire at the St. Louis Praxair bottled gas depot last summer has been tied to the death of an asthmatic woman who lived nearby the plant.

Gynecologist Faces $2.5 Million Malpractice Verdict

A jury in Cooperstown, New York ordered obstetrician Khalid Parwez to pay $2.5 million to a former patient this Wednesday, finding Parwez acted negligently during a routine gynecological procedure.

Three Banks, Law Firm Agree to $180 Million Settlement for Boston Chicken Bankruptcy

A New York law firm and three investment banks will each pay a portion of a $180 million settlement to resolve securities fraud claims against them arising from the bankruptcy of Boston Chicken.

Doctor to Represent Himself in Screwdriver Lawsuit

Opening statements were heard this week in the case of a Hawaii surgeon being sued for inserting the broken shaft of a screwdriver in a patient's spine during back surgery.

Rhode Island Jury Awards $2.5 Million in Infant Death Lawsuit

In one of Rhode Island's largest medical malpractice verdicts since the 90's, a jury has ordered Women & Infants Hospital in Providence to pay $2.5 million to a Pawtucket couple whose infant died just minutes after birth.

Military Wife Awarded $2 Million After Faulty Diagnosis

The wife of a naval officer treated at Jacksonville Naval Hospital was awarded $2 million earlier this month after a federal judge ruled that her ovaries and uterus were unnecessarily removed by doctors.

Company in United Arab Emirates to Oversee Six U.S. Ports

Dubai Ports World, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, will be taking operational control of six U.S. ports.

Dog Owners Sue Over Death Caused by Dental Treats

A New York couple has filed a lawsuit claiming that Greenies dog treats can become lodged in an animal's esophagus or intestines and cause death.

Residents Receive $295 Million Settlement for Groundwater Contamination

Pacific Gas and Electric agreed to pay $295 million to settle groundwater contamination claims with more than 1,000 residents in several Mojave Desert towns.

How Much Is Too Much for Cancer Treatment?

Avastin may soon receive FDA approval for the treatment of breast and lung cancer. However, Genentech, the manufacturer of Avastin, plans to charge approximately $100,000 for a year of treatment.

Mother Sues Property Owner Over Son's Death

The mother of an 8-year-old boy who was crushed by a cement slab has filed a lawsuit against the owner of a Lake Erie property.

Fen-Phen Trial Rescheduled for June

A recent Anderson County fen-phen case that ended in a mistrial on February 2 has now been reset for June.

Woman Sues Housing Authority Over Toxic Mold

A New York woman, claiming she suffered permanent health problems after moving into her apartment in 2000, has filed a suit against the housing authority. The apartment tested positive for toxic mold last February.

Fen-Phen Case Settled for Undisclosed Amount

A fen-phen lawsuit involving a Southeast Texas woman settled in a Jefferson County court for a confidential, undisclosed amount.

Firefighter Sues Transit Union for Injuries Received During New York Strike

A New York City firefighter is suing a transport workers union for creating conditions he claims caused him to suffer severe injuries when he was hit by a charter bus while bicycling to work.

Relatives File $12 Million Suit in Maryland Traffic Deaths of Grandmother, Grandchildren

A $12 million lawsuit was filed last week by relatives of a Maryland grandmother and two of her grandchildren who were killed when their car was struck by a shuttle van.

Teacher Receives Prison Sentence for DUI Death

A teacher in Madison, Wis. received a one-year prison sentence after killing a woman in a drunk driving accident.

Doctor and Nurse Sued in Death of Adolescent

A lawsuit filed in Manatee County, Florida accuses a doctor and a nurse of failing to identify a heart condition in a 16-year-old boy who died of cardiac arrest while exercising on a treadmill.

Settlement Reached in Father's Lawsuit over Crash Death of Iowa Teen

A lawsuit by an Iowa man whose teenaged son died in a 2003 car crash has been settled out of court. Two other teens were injured in the crash and have filed suits.

Railroad to Pay Baltimore $2 Million to Settle Lawsuit over Derailment, Fire

Railroad operator CSX Transportation has agreed to pay the city of Baltimore $2 million to settle a federal lawsuit over a 2001 derailment and fire that disrupted downtown traffic and business for several days.

Two Killed in Roseville Plane Crash

Two people were killed on Sunday morning when their plane crashed into a home in Roseville, Calif.

Surgeon on Trial for Negligence, Wrongful Death

Earlier this week, the trial began of a Massachusetts doctor accused of causing the premature death of a patient by failing to utilize appropriate standards of care in performing thoracic surgery.

Suit Against Former Chairman of Cendant Ends in Mistrial Again

A securities fraud trial against a former executive of Cendant Corp. ended in a mistrial for the second time.

AIG Settles Fraud Charges for $1.6 Billion

American International Group has agreed to a $1.6 billion settlement to resolve charges of fraudulent accounting practices.

Assistant District Attorney of SF Accepted Drugs from Defendants

The assistant district attorney of San Francisco pleaded guilty to accepting drugs from defendants on the cases he was prosecuting.

Families File Lawsuit After DWI Deaths

Families of DWI victims in Baltimore, Md. are filing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the driver and his employer for the death of a woman and two children.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against City Police

The family of a man who died after being accidentally shot by a Metro police officer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.

Shooting Victim's Family Sues City

The family of a man who was killed during a confrontation with police in Washington, D.C. has filed a $50 million civil lawsuit against the city.

Wal-Mart Product Liability Suit Headed to Jury

A lawsuit, which asserts that children's bicycles with inadequate warnings resulted in hundreds of injuries, is expected to come to a close this week.

Illinois Man Alleges Street Racing in Suit over Death of Wife and Son

An Illinois man has filed a wrongful death suit in which he claims his wife and son were killed last October as a result of two men racing on a public street.

Asbestos Victims Demand Congress Reveal Trust Fund Resources

The Committee to Protect Mesothelioma Victims (CPMV) is demanding that Congress reveal the names of the companies required to pay into a proposed national asbestos trust fund.

Three Killed in Mid-air Collision Over San Diego County

Three people were killed Wednesday when two planes collided in mid-air over El Cajon, California, in San Diego County.

Safety of ADHD Drug to Be Studied By FDA Panel

After finding a link between Adderall and increased heart attack risk, an FDA advisory committee will be taking a closer look at the safety and efficacy of such medications when given to children with ADHD.

No-Fault Divorce Proposed in New York

A new no-fault divorce proposal in New York makes it possible for a spouse to get a quick, inexpensive divorce without having to prove serious misconduct by the other partner.

Medical Malpractice Victim Awarded $8 Million

A Waupun, Wis. resident was awarded more than $8 million this week in the largest medical malpractice verdict handed down in Wisconsin since the State Supreme Court overruled the noneconomic damages cap last summer.

Visiting Police Dog Bites Indiana Student at School

During a routine demonstration at Hazelwood Middle School in New Albany, Ind., a sixth-grade girl was bit in the face while petting a police dog.

Father of Boy Killed in Kentucky Tractor-Trailer Crash Sues Driver, Owner

The father of a 10-year-old boy who died in a five-vehicle crash on a Kentucky highway last April is suing the driver and owner of a tractor-trailer he blames for his son's death.

Independent Panel Determines Teflon Chemical a Likely Carcinogen

A chemical used in the production of Teflon and other nonstick products is likely cancer causing, according to a study by an independent scientific panel advising the Environmental Protection Agency.

Six Killed in Myrtle Beach Plane Crash

Six people were killed on Friday when their twin-engine plane crashed near the Myrtle Beach airport.

Botched Surgery Victim Receives $1.56 Million

A man who became legally blind after undergoing elective back surgery was recently awarded $1.56 million by a jury in Randolph County, W. Va. The jury also awarded $300,000 to the man's wife.

Fox News Employees File Suit over Alleged Toxic Mold and Pesticide Exposure

Two Fox News employees have filed suit, alleging that toxic molds and pesticides present in a Fox building caused them to become sick.

Florida Doctor Convicted in Oxycontin-Related Death Cases

Accused of prescribing large quantities of Oxycontin and causing the deaths of five patients in the last three years, Dr. Thomas G. Merrill of Apalachiola, Fla. was found guilty on nearly all counts against him.

$2 Million Awarded to Man Injured by Defective Golf Club

A Denver man who was struck in the head by a golf club that came apart while his son was in mid-swing, has been awarded $2 million for his injuries.

Tour Manager of Great White Accepts Plea Bargain

Dan Biechele, the former tour manager of Great White, has plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in a plea bargain deal, which limits his jail time to a maximum of 10 years.