Officials from Walton County, Fla., have hired Beasley Allen attorneys to represent the county in its efforts to recover revenues lost as a result of the BP Oil Spill disaster. New 13 reporter Jason Hackett said Beasley Allen was chosen from among three firms that submitted proposals to represent the County. Beasley Allen attorney David Byrne spoke to the County Commission meeting, presenting the firm's outstanding record in environmental litigation. Commissioner Sara Comander said the firm's record of success in environmental law was key in the decision, as the County is concerned about long-term environmental impacts that may result from the oil spill, which affected the entire Gulf Coast region.

In his role as President of the American Association for Justice, Beasley Allen Shareholder Gibson Vance keeps an eye on legislation before Congress. In this video, he expresses his concern about H.R. 5, which is currently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would place a cap on damages even in wrongful death cases at $250,000. This means companies that place dangerous, defective or otherwise harmful drugs, devices or products in the stream of commerce would not be held to a reasonable standard of liability. Sadly, for many corporations, it is primarily the fear of taking a hit in their bottom line – their profit – that spurs them to do the right thing. This legislation would free them from that burden, and put everyday people in danger. Please call your Congressional representative and ask them to vote “NO” on H.R. 5.

At the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill disaster, Jere Beasley appeared on Alabama Public Television's Capitol Journal program to discuss lawsuits filed in relation to the crisis. People throughout the Gulf Coast region, and even farther inland, were negatively impacted when the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform exploded on April 20, 2010, and sank into the Gulf of Mexico two days later. When the rig sank, the well began gushing oil into the Gulf about a mile below the ocean surface. The oil spill and toxic dispersants applied in the days and months afterward had a negative impact on industries including fishing, tourism, real estate and even revenue development for affected communities. Additionally, individuals suffered physical and mental traumas. Mr. Beasley tells the program's hosts that troubles for the people affected are still far from over, as the long-term environmental impacts of the spill remain to be seen.

April 20 marks the one-year anniversary of the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion on the rig, owned by Transocean and operated by BP, killed 11 workers. The well head, located a mile beneath the water's surface, gushed crude oil into the ocean for 84 days before it could be permanently capped. The resulting devastation to the coastline, wildlife and sea life impacted industries ranging from commercial fishing to tourism and amounted to one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. The long-term effects of the oil spill remain to be seen.

In its Taking Back our Neighborhoods segment, WSFA featured the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Common Ground Montgomery Annex, held April 19, 2011. The Annex was created by renovating an existing 4,300-square-foot building adjacent to the CGM's main facility on Mobile Street in West Montgomery. The Annex will house the Urban SEED Xchange, a program that will provide entrepreneurial training for youngsters in grades 7-12, and space for the House 2 House program, which helps families achieve the dream of home ownership. The renovation project lasted 30 days and Beasley Allen donated $60,000 and many hours of sweat equity to help bring it to fruition. WSFA was a media partner for the project.

Beasley Allen Law Firm filed a second lawsuit on behalf of a family whose loved one died after receiving tainted IV fluids. In this clip, WSFA-TV12 anchor Bob Howell shares the news with viewers, and provides an update about the cases, which caused at least 9 deaths and 10 serious injuries in Alabama hospitals. A Birmingham-based pharmaceutical company, Meds I.V. LLC, is named as the primary defendant in the lawsuit.

Beasley Allen racecar driver Grant Enfinger was featured in WSFA-TV12 Sports coverage of events leading up to the big NASCAR race weekend at Talladega. Grant drives in the ARCA racing series, and will hit the track in front of big crowds at the popular race weekend in the No. 36 BeasleyAllen.com Dodge car. Grant will be racing in the Three Amigos 250.

Recent statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor indicate construction workers suffer the highest number of fatal injuries of any other industry in the private sector. Employers are required by law to provide a workplace free of known dangers. They are required to meet protective workplace safety and health standards. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and an unsafe workplace can lead to serious injuries and even deaths. Workers have a right to a safe workplace.

In its Taking Back Our Neighborhoods segment, WSFA-TV12 provided an update on Beasley Allen's ongoing service project with Common Ground Montgomery. The firm provided funding and volunteers to renovate a 4,300-square-foot building, which will be used as a Youth Entrepreneurship Center. The renovation is being conducted in a four- to five-week blitz that began in March and expected to be completed by the end of April. WSFA is a media partner for the project.

While parents try their best to protect their children and keep them safe, sometimes their best efforts are hampered by defective products. A faulty design or improperly manufactured product can pose serious danger to babies and young children. Product recalls happen with alarming frequency, involving everything from strollers to cribs and pacifiers. This week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued recalls on a bedside baby sleeper, and a Pampers brand pacifier. There also is ongoing debate about the safety of bumper pads used in cribs.