The American Association for Justice has released a new primer separating the myths about the need for tort reform from the facts. Among the myths dispelled are “the number of lawsuits filed is skyrocketing.” In reality, AAJ cites statistics from the United States Department of Justice revealing a massive decrease in tort lawsuits. The statistics show that […]
Legal News
Consumer Wins Major Legal Battle Against Prosthetic Hip Manufacturer
In recent years medical device manufacturers have increasingly been using what is known in the industry as “federal preemption” defenses to defeat personal injury lawsuits soon after they are filed. In many of these cases dismissal comes so fast the manufacturer is not even required to produce a single document addressing whether the medical device […]
Jury awards $2M to injured factory worker
On December 6, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, an eight member jury returned a verdict of $2,003,002.58 in favor of Rita Thakore, a 54 year old woman from Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Ms. Thakore was represented by Michael L. Teich and Joshua L. Weisberg of Rapoport […]
FAA Hits American Airlines With Biggest Civil Penalty Fine In History
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week that it has decided to fine American Airlines a whopping $24.2 Million for the airline’s alleged failure to inspect and repair elements in the wiring systems and rudder components of its fleet of McDonnell-Douglas MD-80 and Boeing 757 jets. The record-setting fine relates to FAA inspections of American’s fleet, conducted in 2008 […]
NTSB Issues Recommendations To U.S. Coast Guard In Effort To Crack Down On Distractions Caused By Wireless Devices
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued two recommendations yesterday to the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the use of wireless devices during the operation of Coast Guard watercraft. The recommendations decry a need for regulations governing such use amongst both the Coast Guard and the maritime industry in an effort to prevent the consequences of […]
Unintentional Injuries: The Economic Effect Is Felt By More Than Just The Person Injured
According to estimates made by the National Safety Council (NSC), fatal and non-fatal unintended injuries have a surprisingly large economic impact on a national scale, an impact that the NSC says underscores the importance prevention work. The most recent estimate, based on data from 2008, sets forth the approximated cost incurred by society for these deaths […]
University of Illinois At Chicago’s Institute For Patient Safety Granted $3 Million To Evaluate Patient-Safety Policies And Procedures At Chicagoland Hospitals
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute for Patient Safety Excellent has received $3 million of a $23.2 million dollar federal grant given to local governments and aimed at improving safety standards and procedures at medical facilities in an effort to prevent malpractice. Illinois is one of 16 states awarded a portion of the grant, […]
U.S. Senator Schumer Asks Food and Drug Administration To Publicly Distribute Data Showing A Possible Link Between Sunscreen Chemicals And Cancer
A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed a possible link between a chemical found in most popular sunscreens and the acceleration of the development of skin cancer, and United States Senator Charles Schumer wants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release that information to the public. Retinyl palmitate is a […]
New NTSB Alert Seeks To Inform Parents Of The Perils Of Opting To Fly With Children Unsecured On Their Lap
In the U.S., parents flying with children under the age of two can avoid having to purchase tickets for those children by agreeing to hold them in their laps during the flight. However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently issued a Safety Alert urging parents to consider the many safety concerns related to children flying […]
U.S Department Of Transportation’s FMCSA Launches National Pre-Employment Screening Program Granting Employers Access To Drivers’ Inspections And Crash Records
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today the launch of its Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), a uniform investigatory system that will allow commercial motor carriers access to the crash and inspection records of all candidates seeking employment as commercial vehicle drivers. The PSP is part of the FMCSA’s Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 […]