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.

FDA Official Recommends Antibiotic Withdrawal

The 2004 approval of the antibiotic Ketek, is a “mistake,” according to FDA safety official Dr. David Graham. Graham suggested immediate withdrawal of the controversial antibiotic, citing its toxicity and lack of adequate safety research. Over five million prescriptions have been written for Ketek,

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Jul 2006

Medical Device Manufacturer Settles Kickback Charges

An unidentified whistleblower filed suit in Federal District Court against medical device manufacturer Medtronic. The suit claims the company’s spinal-plant division gave doctors kickbacks to encourage the use of its products. The company settled the first of two similar lawsuits for $40M.

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Jul 2006

Widespread Medication Errors Affect Millions

The Institute of Medicine performed a research study that found approximately 1.5 million people are harmed from errors in prescribing, dispensing, and taking of medication. The report stated that errors could be prevented with improved prescription technology, disclosure of drug information, and pa

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Jul 2006

Privacy Suit Against AT&T Still Stands

A lawsuit over AT&T’s cooperation with a government surveillance program will still proceed after federal judge Vaughn Walker rejected the Bush administration’s motion to dismiss. In a separate motion, AT&T argued that their government relationship exempted them from prosecution. Judge Walker also r

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Jul 2006

Alabama crewman dies in fall from rig

Eighteen-year-old Benjamin Sutherland of Concord died Friday when he fell from the rigging of the Vineyard Haven schooner Alabama to the deck. Mr. Sunderland was in his first year as crew on the 90-foot passenger vessel. The Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Office in Providence is investigating the accid

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Jul 2006

Growing Concern Over Abusive Debt Collection Tactics

Debt collection agencies often buy debt from established companies for only pennies on the dollar. There is growing concern among government regulators that these agencies are using aggressive and sometimes abusive tactics to collect debt even if they could not determine that the debt is valid. One

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 11 Jul 2006

Katrina Victims Demand Coverage From Insurers

A MS couple sued Nationwide Mutual for denying an uninvestigated claim involving damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. In this and thousands of other MS cases, Nationwide has blamed the damage on water and asserts the company has “fully complied with its obligations.” The non-jury trial may pioneer fu

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 11 Jul 2006

Treatment of Allstate Claimants in Question

Trial lawyers allege that Allstate Insurance bullies policyholders with unreasonable ultimatums. The issue centers on a policy-handling scheme in which victims are given low-ball settlements or are forced to face costly, lengthy litigation. Allstate denies all charges but may face a $800M class acti

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 11 Jul 2006

Study Finds Tylenol May Elevate Liver Enzyme Levels

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen, otherwise known as Tylenol, can elevate liver enzyme levels. This increase suggests the presence of disease according to the study. The lead author said an overdose of aceta

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 5 Jul 2006

Peter Burns, Attorney at Law

Peter F. (Pete) Burns graduated from Centre College of Kentucky in 1971 where he was captain of the wrestling team and two-time conference champion. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law Cum Laude in 1975. While at Cumberland, Mr. Burns served as the Executive Editor of Cumberland Law Review an

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 13 Feb 2005

Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C.

The success of our firm is attributed in great part to both the peerless level of counsel we provide and the many referrals we receive from other lawyers. We strive to maintain our reputation as committed attorneys who manage cases in a competent, timely, and professional manner, always with an eye

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 13 Feb 2005

Disclaimer

The information found on this website should not be construed as legal advice and is not a substitute for professional legal consultation. You should not base your legal decisions solely on the information found in this site and you are encouraged to seek the counsel of an attorney regarding your sp

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 13 Feb 2005