Legal Headlines

Community

Alabama has what's known as the Guest Passenger Statute, which says that if you are a passenger in a car, you can't sue the driver for simple negligence. Simple negligence means that the driver was not exercising the standards of care required of a person driving a car.




Community

The New York Times recently published a few articles regarding studies on distracted driving, specifically using cell phones for talking or texting while driving.




Personal Injury

MINNEAPOLIS - A two-year-old law intended to improve safety for meatpacking workers has failed and conditions in many plants have actually gotten worse, according to a survey by the Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota. In 2007, the Minnesota Legislature passed a Packinghouse Workers Bill of Rights, becoming only the second state - after Nebraska - to implement legislation targeting one of the most dangerous industries. Among other things, the bill provides meatpacking workers the right to adequate equipment to safely perform their jobs and information about occupational hazards known to exist in the workplace.




Community

Attorneys rarely get a hand. Public opinion polls often have lawyers down there near the bottom with us journalists on the credibility scale. "Most people don't care for attorneys unless they need one," said Jere Beasley. One of Alabama's most prominent trial lawyers, Beasley makes no apologies for sponsoring a continuing education expo for attorneys from all over the state. The majority are trial lawyers, the rest specializing in other areas.




Pharmaceutical

If a pharmacist makes a mistake on a prescription, giving you the wrong medicine or an incorrect dosage, he or she may be held liable for any injuries. You probably could have guessed that. But, does the pharmacy itself bear any responsibility for the error of an employee?




Personal Injury

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Local employers Kraft Foods and Supervalu are pushing Congress to allow an increase in the weight of trucks, claiming such a change could save money, cut fuel use and reduce emissions. A bill pending before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee would increase the allowable weight of trucks from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. But it would require a sixth axle be added to trucks carrying that much weight. The bill is backed by the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, made up largely of companies that ship products by truck, and the American Trucking Association. Opposing the bill are some independent truck owners and highway safety groups.




Pharmaceutical

You may be familiar with hearing the term "Black Box Warning" without being clear on what it is. Quite simply it is a warning of possible severe side affects of prescription drugs. You can find this warning on the package insert of the medication. These should never be ignored.




Pharmaceutical

Dr. Diane Harper, lead researcher in the development of two human papilloma virus vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, said the controversial drugs will do little to reduce cervical cancer rates and, even though they're being recommended for girls as young as nine, there have been no efficacy trials in children under the age of 15.




Community

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to immediately stop providing "My Baby Soother" pacifiers to their children. The pacifiers were distributed by T & L Trading Corp., of Brooklyn, N.Y. The pacifiers failed to meet federal safety standards because the nipples can separate from the base easily, posing a choking hazard to infants and toddlers.




Community

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa., are expanding Blair's voluntary recall of women's full length chenille robes to include additional chenille robes and three other chenille products all manufactured by A-One Textile & Towel. CPSC and Blair also are re-announcing the earlier recall of women's robes.