Pennsylvania jury finds ER medical malpractice

A jury in Scranton, PA, has awarded $1.2 million to the widow of a man who died as a result of emergency room medical malpractice. The jury found recently that Tyler Memorial Hospital and two doctors were negligent in the death of Michael Scarpa, 55, a retired railroad worker who died in 1999 two days after he was sent home from the emergency room. Scarpa had complained of chest pains and had

Dollar Store recalls toy dart gun sets due to asphyxiation hazard

Among the latest product recalls announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are the following products:Dollar Stores Inc., toy dart gun sets (asphyxiation hazard - 1.8 million)Walmart Stores Inc., General Electric-branded 12-cup digital coffee makers burn hazards - 900,000)MOA Entertainment Co. LLC, Sandy the Squirrel Plush Toys (choking hazard – 1200) Rashti & Rashti,

Georgia court strikes medical malpractice award cap

Georgia has become the latest state to see its highest court strike down a limit on medical malpractice damage awards. The state's Supreme Court recently found a cap on such verdicts unconstitutional, saying it violated the separation of court and legislature and that it takes away a jury's fundamental role in determining damages. Thirty states have placed caps on medical malpractice awards for

New Jersey court upholds big asbestos verdict

An appeals court in New Jersey has upheld a $30.3 million verdict for the family of an employee who died as a result of asbestos exposure. Mark Buttitta worked part-time at an auto parts warehouse in Englewood where brakes and clutches containing asbestos were stored. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001 and died a year later at the age of 50. General Motors, which operated the warehouse,

People Are Still Dying from Fentanyl Pain Patch Overdoses

Sadly, people are still overdosing and dying from Fentanyl Pain Patches. Our office is currently Investgating 2 death cases. One out of California and one out of Australia. Consumers do not realize just how strong this drug is and that it should only be used in certain limited circumstances such as extremely severe chronic pain and for relief from the ravages of end stage cancer.

American Electric Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Fixtures recalled due to shock hazard

Among the latest product recalls announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are the following products: LELE & Company Inc., Children's hooded sweatshirt sets with drawstrings (strangulation hazard - 2,700)American Electric Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Fixtures (shock hazard – 900) Chandigarh Fashion Inc., Children's Bangles (high levels of lead - 1,200)Ten West Apparel, Boys’

Georgia court strikes down medical malpractice cap

The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled that a 2005 state law limiting the amount of money awarded in medical malpractice practice cases violates victims' right to trial by jury. The ruling struck down the law, which had been championed by state Republicans, that capped jury awards at $350,000 for pain and suffering. The state's highest court held that the cap improperly removed a jury's fundamental

Telebrands Corp., Therma Scarf scarves recalled due to fire and burn hazards

Among the latest product recalls announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are the following products: Regaliti Inc., Girl’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings (strangulation hazard - 3,600)Telebrands Corp., Therma Scarf scarves (fire and burn hazard - 98,500) Brand Evolution, Locks All Over Boys’ Hoodies and Rock Mask Boy’s Hoodies (strangulation hazard – 2800) Gerber

Road markers can cause auto accidents

Reflective pavement markers are intended to make highways safer. But officials in Nebraska and some other states are finding just the opposite is true. The markers provide better visibility in wet weather, but they can also come loose over time and create hazards. Such was the case in October 2007 when a loose marker flew through the windshield of electrician Tom Wolfe's work van. The Nebraska

Tumi, Mobile Power Packs recalled due to fire hazard

Among the latest product recalls announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are the following products: Graco Children's Products Inc., Graco Harmony High Chairs (fall hazard 1.2 million)Haselson International Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings (strangulation hazard - 23,000) Tumi, Mobile Power Packs (fire hazard - 5,000) Dimplex North America, Remote Control Kits

Jury finds for woman with botched breast implants

The surgeon told his patient she would "look beautiful" after a breast implant. But what resulted left Maria Alaimo scarred both physically and psychologically. Her doctor had said, according to news reports, that he at first planned to perform a Level II breast lift procedure on the 40-year-old mother of two, but he shifted to a different procedure while Alaimo was on the operating table,