| Issues |
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| Business Lobby Running Anti-Lawsuit Ads in Theaters |
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has begun running anti-lawsuit movie trailers in select theaters around the country, the National Law Journal reports. The Chamber’s ongoing multimillion-dollar campaign against what it considers abusive litigation has previously run advertisements on television, radio and on the Internet. A spokesman for the American Association for Justice called the ads a “desperate attempt to discredit the foundation of the U.S. legal system.” Sheri Qualters, Law.com 05/04/2009
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Law.com
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| Laws/Cases |
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| Jury: Apartment Company Negligent for Toxic Mold |
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An Arizona jury has ordered an upscale apartment complex and its parent company to pay $3.3 million to a former resident who was sickened by toxic mold. Robin Minium suffered permanent injuries that prevent her from performing basic day-to-day activities such as holding a job or balancing her checkbook, according to an attorney for the woman. An attorney for the defendant Pillar Communities LLC said they will likely appeal the verdict. Michael Kiefer, Arizona Republic 05/02/2009
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Arizona Republic
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| Jury Awards Damages in Second-Hand Asbestos Case |
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The family of a woman who developed mesothelioma from second-hand asbestos exposure should receive more than $2 million in damages, an Illinois jury determined last week. According to the lawsuit, the former Union Asbestos & Rubber Company, Owens Corning, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and others conspired to hide the dangers of asbestos from workers who came into contact with the substance. Juanita Rodarmel was exposed to asbestos while washing her husband’s clothes when he worked for Union Asbestos & Rubber, attorneys for the family argued. Staff, Pantagraph 05/01/2009
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Pantagraph
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| Brain Damaged Woman Wins Malpractice Suit |
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A Tennessee jury has ordered a Chattanooga-area doctor to pay $6.12 million to a woman who suffered severe brain damages after undergoing a procedure intended to diagnose bowel problems. Jurors found that Dr. Michael Goodman was 51 percent at fault for failing to recognize symptoms of an intestinal tear caused by the procedure. An attorney for Goodman said they expect to appeal the jury’s verdict. Monica Mercer, Chattanooga Times Free Press 04/30/2009
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Chattanooga Times Free Press
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| Judge Upholds Retaliation Verdict Against City |
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A Massachusetts judge has upheld a $4.5 million verdict in favor of a former Cambridge city employee who claimed she was retaliated against for lodging a discrimination complaint. In a strongly worded decision, Judge Bonnie H. MacLeod-Mancuso blasted City Manager Robert Healy for mounting a “deliberate, systematic campaign to punish the plaintiff.” The award includes $3.5 million in punitive damages, a rarity in Massachusetts, the Boston Globe notes. David Abel, Boston Globe 04/28/2009
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Boston Globe
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| Judge Denies KBR Motion for Appeal |
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A federal judge has denied a motion by defense contractor KBR seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit involving the electrocution of a soldier serving in Iraq. KBR had sought to have the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals review a previous motion for dismissal in the case. The family Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth claims that KBR was negligent in the maintenance of electrical wiring that caused Maseth’s death. Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 05/01/2009
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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| Ex-Hospital Worker Files Age Bias Lawsuit |
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A former University of Pittsburgh Medical Center employee has filed a lawsuit against the hospital alleging age discrimination. According to the suit, supervisors failed to intervene after Mary Addicott complained that another worker had harassed her about her age. The harassment ultimately forced Addicott to resign her position as a respiratory therapist, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for lost wages, benefits and other damages. AP, Philadelphia Inquirer 05/04/2009
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Philadelphia Inquirer
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| Products |
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| FDA Orders Recall of Weight-Loss Product |
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The Food and Drug Administration has warned people using Hydroxycut to stop taking the popular weight-loss product because of risk of severe liver damage. The recall is the latest incident casting doubt on the FDA’s ability to sufficiently police the sprawling dietary supplement industry. The recall covers 14 Hydroxycut products sold at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and other national chains. Natasha Singer, The New York Times 05/01/2009
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The New York Times
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