Legal

The Legal section covers court rulings, statutory changes, liability trends, and key developments in Alabama and federal law that shape personal-injury claims. We explain how case law and regulation affect claims strategy, statutes of limitations, damages, and the rights of injured people pursuing justice.

A New Home Warranty May Not Be All That You Think It Is

Youare buying a brand new home. Youare excited – you should be. Atclosing, the builder hands you a warranty on your new home. It may have been mentioned back whenyou first spoke with your…

By Pete Mackey

/ 18 Jun 2008

Should I Hire a Home Inspector Before I Buy?

Whenyou made a offer on your new home, your realtor no doubt pointed out that you could make your offersubject to a home inspection. Thatway, if you found something that you did not like, you had…

By Pete Mackey

/ 18 Jun 2008

Tort Reform Will Save You Money???

The next time a group supporting tort reform tells you that your vote will result in lower insurance rates for the professional being sued that they are looking to protect, ask a question. Of the…

By Pete Mackey

/ 23 Apr 2008

What To Do About Homeowners Insurance

Thousands of people in South Alabama are caught in a real bind – their present homeowner’s insurance carrier has cancelled their policy and they can not find replacement coverage. What is a home…

By Pete Mackey

/ 22 Apr 2008

Lawsuit Bans Furniture Dealer From Doing Business in Florida

A lawsuit filed by Florida’s Attorney General, against a Jacksonville furniture company, will prohibit the business from operating in Florida.The lawsuit, filed against Leather Depot, alleges the company is in violation of a prior business litigation settlement and is involved in deceptive business

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 8 Mar 2008

Magna Bank Finishes Presenting Evidence in Legal Malpractice Lawsuit

Magna Bank has finished highliting evidence in a legal malpractice lawsuit against Thompson Coburn after four weeks of testimony.The trial, which was on a three-day hiatus so presiding Judge Daniel J. Stack could attend a judicial conference in Chicago, resumed March 6. And in an odd twist Magna’s l

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 7 Mar 2008

Yahoo Faces Shareholder Lawsuit

A shareholder lawsuit has been filed against, Internet giant, Yahoo, for refusing a $44.6 billion buyout offer by Microsoft. The Detroit Police and Fire retirement system andWayne County Employee’s Retirement System, of Michigan, which owns approximately 13,600 shares of Yahoo, filed a lawsuit in Mi

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 5 Mar 2008

Six Charged With Filing False Storm Claims

Following a federal grand jury indictment earlier this week, six Orlando-area residents have been arrested by federal officials and charged with filing false storm claims with the federal government in 2005.Each of the six individuals arrested, are being charged in separate indictments, and accused

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 4 Mar 2008

John Ritter's Widow to Speaks at Wrongful Death Trial

John Ritter’s widow sat before jurors, on Monday, at her late husband’s wrongful death trial and gave testimony about the events that led up to the actor’s death in 2003.The family is suing a radiologist who performed a body scan on him two years prior and the cardiologist who treated him on the day

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 3 Mar 2008

Lawrence Place Nursing Home Ordered to Close

The owners of Lawrence Place Assisted Living have been ordered to close and seek relocation of its residents by midnight, Monday, after allegations of nursing home abuse.A Franklin County Judge ordered the facility to close following an emergency investigation by officials from the Alabama Departmen

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 2 Mar 2008

Man Awarded $24 Million in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

A Streator man was awarded nearly $24 million in a medical malpractice case for brain damage he suffered while in the hospital to have a kidney stone removed, according to court records regarding the case.In 2001, the man, who is now 34, was in St. Mary’s Hospital to have a kidney stone removed. Whi

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 1 Mar 2008

Crane Operator Injured in Worksite Accident

An Omaha crane operator suffered on the job injuries, in a construction accident, when the 140,000 pound crane he was on slipped down an embankment and into the Papio Creek trapping him inside the cab.The worker was trapped for almost an hour. Firefighters were able to release him from the cab with

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 29 Feb 2008