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.

Avandia increases heart risks, FDA says

The Washington Post reports that popular diabetes drug Avandia has been shown to increase heart risks, according to an FDA study and a report published in a medical journal.The study confirms that 60,000 to 100,000 reported heart attacks from Avandia users may be linked to the drug, which has been o

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 25 May 2007

Fatal car accident kills two people

Dothan, Alabama’s News 4 reports a deadly car accident that tragically killed two 78-year-olds on Thursday night on State Route 30 in Bay County, Florida. The accident happened when a 17-year-old crossed the median and hit the couple head-on. It is presumed that the two victims died instantly, and t

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 15 May 2007

Hispanic group promotes workplace safety

The Birmingham News reported last week that a team of Hispanic business owners and contractors has come together to create the Association of Hispanic Contractors to help improve workplace safety in the area. The group of 55 seeks to lower workplace injuries.”Our focus is on education and safety,” s

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 10 May 2007

Allianz Life Insurance Annuity Class Action Lawsuit Update

Allegations against Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America assert that the company conspired with a network of insurance sales agents to induce people 65 or older to purchase deferred annuities by means of misleading statements contained in the uniform sales materials. More specifically, th

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 3 May 2007

Fatal hit-and-run accident

Saturday afternoon was a dangerous time to be on the road in north Mobile County, according to a report from the Mobile Press-Register detailing a series of car accidents presumably caused by one man.The Theodore man who is believed to be responsible for one death and three other motor vehicle accid

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 30 Apr 2007

Contaminated pet food scare continues

Last week newspapers across the country reported on another pet food scare over the possible presence of melamine, a dangerous chemical that may be linked to the recent pet deaths and pet food recalls, in farm feed. These defective products have raised serious concerns among many consumers.Articles

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 30 Apr 2007

Judge approves $64 million Paxil settlement

The world’s second largest drug manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, will pay nearly $64 million to settle claims from parents of minor patients who were taking antidepressant drug Paxil.The plaintiffs claim that the company provided misleading information about giving Paxil to minors, not adequately warn

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 28 Apr 2007

Railroad safety becomes big issue in Alabama

CSX and retired NASCAR driver Bobby Allison are combining efforts to publicize railroad-crossing safety among the general public at the Talladega Superspeedway, said a report from The Associated Press.Train collisions have recently been responsible for a number of deaths in Alabama, so CSX has creat

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 25 Apr 2007

North Carolina man dies of injuries

The Fayette Observer reported that a man crushed by a backhoe at a gravel pit died from his worksite injuries. As he was operating the backhoe on the job at his family’s gravel pit, it slid off an embankment and flipped onto him. He was sadly crushed, and died about one week later. Many workplace in

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Apr 2007

Two fatal crashes leave four dead

Tragedy struck early Saturday morning in Mobile County, according to a report from the Press-Register, when two motor vehicle accidents resulted in four deaths. A collision between two vehicles on Theodore-Dawes Road killed three people, who were reportedly not wearing seatbelts. The accident result

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 22 Apr 2007

Another side to the train safety debate

In an article last week in The Decatur Daily, residents in Falkville protested over the CSX recommendation of closing a railroad crossing after deadly accidents have occurred there. CSX blieves that the safety of motorists and its own employees is at stake. Cain, a former locomotive engineer, said s

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 17 Apr 2007

Train crossing safety up for debate

An interesting article from The Decatur Daily addresses the need for crossing gates at railroad crossing, and the lack of action from the roilroad companies. The columnist points to the recent death of a man in Limestone County, who died after being hit by a train while operating farming equipment.

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 16 Apr 2007