A total of 5,071 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2008, down from a total of 5,657 fatal work injuries reported for 2007. While the 2008 results are preliminary, this figure represents the smallest annual preliminary total since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program was first conducted in 1992. Final results for 2008 will be released in April 2010.

News outlets have been reporting new cases of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, and warning of more to come. While we are waiting on vaccinations to become available, the FDA has warned against some potential scams from folks marketing bogus products to protect you from or cure you of H1N1.

Our firm has recently settled three significant FLSA cases on a class wide (collective action) basis, providing employees of those companies with back wages that they were wrongfully denied as a result of labor abuses. While each company's labor violations differed slightly, each involved a common theme we continue to see in these labor abuse cases. That common theme is where employers intentionally misclassify employees as managers and independent contractors in order to escape paying overtime pay.

MONTGOMERY, ALA. (August 18, 2009) - Beasley Allen law firm and dozens of other attorneys from across the country are banding together to help people with disabilities, as well as those recovering from injuries including strokes, broken bones, surgery and even combat injuries. The Wii is becoming popular as a therapeutic tool. The game console's unique, motion-sensitive controller requires body movements similar to traditional therapy exercises, but engages the user in such a way that they actually enjoy the experience and can work longer.

A recent report in the Memphis Business Journal predicts Regions Financial Corp. will hold onto its Morgan Keegan investment arm, despite a number of lawsuits filed in the past year as a result of alleged investment fraud, and more pending. Lawsuits content that risky funds brokered by Regions Morgan Keegan tied to the subprime lending market were represented to investors as low-risk. As a result, the suits allege, individuals and organizations invested in the funds suffered significant financial losses, almost overnight, when the mortgage market collapsed.

Beasley Allen shareholder C. Gibson Vance has been selected to serve as President-Elect of the American Association for Justice. The election was announced at the organization's annual convention, held recently in San Francisco, Calif. AAJ is dedicated to preserving the civil justice system and making sure that powerful special interests are held accountable when they engage in misconduct or negligence.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) knowingly schemed to divert an investigation into the cause of a massive coal ash spill at its Kingston, Tenn., site in an effort to protect itself from lawsuits and restore its tattered public image, according to report released by the utility's internal watchdog.

Beasley Allen driver Grant Enfinger snagged a career-best second-place finish in the ARCA RE/MAX series "Click it or Ticket. Buckle Up! Kentucky 150" on Saturday, July 18. Grant led 38 laps in the series, narrowly missing his first ARCA victory by half a second when Penske driver Parker Klingerman passed him in turn 4 of the 100th lap at Kentucky Speedway.

Last week, we told you about a lawsuit filed by Minnesota's attorney general against the nation's largest arbitration company. The suit, filed July 14, 2009, in Hennepin County District Court by Attorney General Lori Swanson against the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) of Minnesota, alleged "consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising." On July 19, Swanson announced that the NAF had agreed it would no longer arbitrate any cases between consumers and businesses.

On July 14, 2009, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit against the National Arbitration Forum of Minnesota, the nation's largest arbitration company for consumer credit disputes, alleging "consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising." The lawsuit was filed in Hennepin County District Court.