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.

Protecting immigrant labor from injuries growing concern

An Associated Press story last week addresses the growing problem of workplace injuries among immigrant workers who may speak little or no English. With more immigrant labor entering the construction and landscaping business, proper safety training is becoming an issue. A number of companies are fai

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 7 Feb 2007

Lamictal may cause birth defects

An announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2006, warned that Lamictal (lamotrigine), a drug used to treat seizures and depression, may cause birth defects. Specifically, if a patient is pregnant and taking Lamictal during her first trimester, birth defects such as cleft

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 6 Feb 2007

Missouri school bus accident shakes up students

A school bus accident in Dexter, Missouri, has parents concerned about the safety of their children. A report from Heartland News 12 in Missouri details the accident, which resulted in minor injuries to students. Thursday morning the driver apparently hit a slippery spot on the road, slid through an

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 5 Feb 2007

Drugs that may cause sexual dysfunction

Many consumers do not realize that there are more than 131 drugs on the market with sexual dysfunction side effects among users. Learn more about these defective drugs on worstpills.org.Often sexual dysfunction that results from one drug is treated with another, such as Viagra, Cailis and Lavitra. I

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 1 Feb 2007

Are you insured for your Super Bowl party?

The Tampa Bay Business Journal just put out an interesting article about an insurance industry survey that says many Americans are underinsured for hosting large parties at their homes.With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday, and so many Americans planning to host parties, the possibilities for gu

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 31 Jan 2007

Fatal weekend traffic accident

The Daily Sentinel reported today that a Fort Payne man died in a one-car accident on Alabama Highway 35 on Sunday.State troopers say that the man, who was driving a 1999 Jeep, hit a guard rail and crashed on his way home from work late Sunday night. They also reported that he was wearing a seatbelt

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 30 Jan 2007

New studies say Paxil increases birth defect risks

According to new studies on the antidepressant drug Paxil (paroxetine), the drug may increase birth defect risks for pregnant women. As the FDA continues to gather information about Paxil and pregnancy risks, they advise health care professionals to keep their patients aware of the potential risks.

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 29 Jan 2007

Circuit Judge leaves scene of accident

An article in The Press-Register reported yesterday that Judge DuBose left the scene of an accident after being involved in a two-car accident with no injuries and minimal damage to the vehicles involved. Apparently Judge DuBose was en route to court Wednesday when the accident occurred. No one was

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 26 Jan 2007

Hung jury in California Vioxx lawsuits

Last week mistrial was declared in California in two men’s Vioxx lawsuits against drug maker Merck & Co., reports ABC Action News in Tampa. The jury, which heard the two Vioxx cases tried together, became deadlocked on the third question in the verdict form. The jury did answer “yes” to the first tw

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 25 Jan 2007

OSHA requires employers to post injuries

Each year on Feb. 1, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to post the total number of work-related injuries and illnesses their employees experienced during the previous year. Employers are required to post OSHA Form 300A from Feb. 1 through April 30, 2007

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 24 Jan 2007

Auto accidents leading cause of death for teens

The Insurance Information Institute reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teens ages 15 to 20. An article posted on TheTimes.com details the alarming statistics about teen traffic deaths. The national numbers for 2005 include 3,467 fatalities for drivers ages 15 t

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 22 Jan 2007

HRT side effects and risks

Many doctors recommend their female patients take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a variety of reasons, including protecting the heart and helping curb mood swings during menopause. However, patients should be aware of the HRT risks and side effects. Many women have reported serious side effec

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 19 Jan 2007