This week’s legal resources you might have missed: Jan. 16 – 20

Posted on January 20, 2012 by smith-coonrod

At Smith Coonrod Mohlman, LLC. we enjoy keeping up with the latest legal news and sharing it with you. We firmly believe that is important to keep up with industry happenings because it is just one more way that we can help you. An unfortunate vaccination error results in the loss of four limbs for a Miami teenager, “idiot”insult in an email sent to 400 people sparks a lawsuit, and while the wrongful death lawsuits from the 2010 West Virginia mine explosion have finally been settled, it’s far from over for Alpha.These were some of the topics gracing legal headlines this week. As always, we thank you for reading. Have a good one!

1. Miami teenager loses limbs due to vaccination error. The teen, who lost all four limbs as a result of the expired vaccine, has recently been awarded $12.6 million in the lawsuit. However, an appeal is likely.

2. Take a deep breath before you fire off that heated work email. A housing inspector has filed a civil against a real estate agent and her company after the real estate agent called him a “total” idiot in an email sent to more than 400 people.

3. It’s far from over for Alpha Natural Resources. The 2010 West Virginia mine explosion claimed the lives of 29 men. Nearly two years later, the wrongful death lawsuits filed by the families have been settled. But after acquiring Massey Energy for $7.1 billion, it also acquired a civil lawsuit filed by Massey Shareholders.

Thank you for reading. Have a great Friday!

This week’s legal resources you might have missed: Jan. 9 – 13

Posted on January 13, 2012 by smith-coonrod

At Smith Coonrod Mohlman, LLC. we enjoy keeping up with the latest legal news and sharing it with you. We firmly believe that is important to keep up with industry happenings because it is just one more way that we can help you. A bungee jumping disaster of crocodile-infested waters, a 5-year-old girl who might be healthy today with an earlier diagnosis, current Kansas legislature issues and the anti-clotting drug Pradaxa. These were some of the topics gracing legal headlines this week. As always, we thank you for reading. Have a good one!

1. Snapped bungee sends a 22-year-old girl plunging into crocodile-infested waters. The Australian tourist was bungee-jumping in Zimbabwe when disaster struck. She amazingly managed to swim to safety with a broken collarbone and her legs tied together. MSNBC has secured video footage of the jump.

2. Minnesota Court Appeals examines the possibility of a late diagnosis. Five-year-old Jocelyn has been battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer muscular cancer for most of her life. The issue being looked at by the court is whether or not she would be healthy today if she had been diagnosed earlier. What’s different in Minnesota? The legality of medical malpractice suits are linked to the patient’s chances of survival.

3. The Kansas Legislature is now in session. The Kansas City star has compiled a list of some of the key issues up for discussion. The session began on Monday.

4. Issues have been reported with anti-clotting drug Pradaxa. The blood clot prevention drug has been associated with a slightly higher risk of heart attack, said a recent study in a major medical journal. The relative increase in risk ranges from 27 to 33 percent.

This week’s legal resources you might have missed: Nov. 28 – Dec. 2

Posted on December 2, 2011 by smith-coonrod

At Smith Coonrod Mohlman, LLC. we enjoy keeping up with the latest legal news and sharing it with you. We firmly believe that is important to keep up with industry happenings because it is just one more way that we can help you. Potentially harmful toys, the Maryland Dream Act, diagnostic errors leading to malpractice suits, dangerous (and common) driving habits and Arsenic apple juice- that’s the lineup for this week’s blog. Once again, thanks for reading. We welcome your opinions and discussion!

1. Consumer group analysis has identified certain toys that could be potentially harmful to children. Be weary when completing your holiday shopping- the toys identified haven’t been pulled off the shelves just yet. Potential dangers include high levels of toxins, strangulation & choking hazards, and damaged hearing.

2. This 62-year-old barber from Thailand was outraged when he learned about the Dream Act. After earning a law degree in his native Thailand, this man waited eight years to obtain a visa before legally moving to the United States and starting over the right way. He is not happy to hear that illegal immigrants may now get in-state college tuition rates. Do you think this is fair? Most legal immigrants don’t.

3. Diagnostic errors account for 40% of medical malpractice claims. Furthermore, careless lapses in communication are accounting for a growing portion of these diagnostic errors. Test results are too important to wait for the doctor to call you. These are preventable.

4. A new poll reveals dangerous driving habits that are quite common. We all know that it’s extremely unsafe to text and drive, and it’s not ideal to talk on the phone and drive. How many of you had ever had a quick meal in the car? Applied makeup? These behind-the-wheel behaviors are common and distract many drivers.

5. A few months ago Dr. Oz claimed some apple juices contain levels of Arsenic that exceed federal drinking-water standards. He was right. A recent Consumer Reports study backs the doctor’s claim. Make sure you’re safe.

Posted on November 18, 2011 by smith-coonrod

At Smith Coonrod Mohlman, LLC. we enjoy keeping up with the latest legal news and sharing it with you. We firmly believe that is important to keep up with industry happenings because it is just one more way that we can help you. A Penn State civil suit is in the works (finally), NY taxpayers foot a $135 million bill for medical blunders, Catholic Charities in Illinois drop their adoption lawsuit against the state, and if you have an iPod nano, beware of overheating (there’s a recall). That’s the lineup for this week’s blog. Once again, thanks for reading. We welcome your opinions and discussion!

1. Not surprising, Penn State hit with more civil suits. In what may be the one of the highest profile sexual abuse cases, four top administrators at Penn State face charges for an alleged coverup of the horrific actions of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The number of victims is expected to grow in the coming weeks.

2. Malpractice lawsuits against NY public hospitals result in a $135 million payout. Malpractice payouts have increased 5% from 2010. These medical mishaps were catastrophic for the victims, and NY taxpayers aren’t pleased to be footing a bill that was born out of carelessness.

3. Catholic Charities in Illinois have opted to drop their lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit concerning whether or not several Catholic Charities have the right to deny adoption and foster care placement to same-sex parents while still receiving funding from the state has come to an end for now. It’s still unclear how this dismissal will affect the pending legislation, however.

4. The Cupertino-based giant, Apple, has issued a recall on its iPod Nano. Although Apple says this is a very small number, people who purchased an iPod Nano between September 2005 and December 2006 should watch out for overheating (an internal battery issue).

Thanks for reading. We appreciate any and all discussion! Have a great weekend.

This week’s legal resources you might have missed: Sept. 26 – 30

Posted on September 30, 2011 by admin

At Smith Coonrod Mohlman, LLC. we enjoy keeping up with the latest legal news and sharing it with you. We firmly believe that is important to keep up with industry happenings because it is just one more way that we can help you. This week’s stories touch on legal news on both local and national levels. Deadly cantaloupe, wrongful birth lawsuits, the Dead Red law in Kansas, and BP execs (we’re not finished with them yet) were some of the topics gracing legal headlines this week. We welcome your opinions and discussion!

1. Cantaloupe death toll continues to rise. On Monday the death toll from a contaminated crop of cantaloup was at eight people. As of Thursday, the CDC has reported at least 16 deaths from the listeria traced to Colorado fruits and expects it will continue to rise. Until this is resolved, do not eat cantaloupe if you do not know where it came from.

2. Wrongful birth malpractice lawsuit results in a $4.5 million settlement. A Florida recently awarded $4.5 million to the parents of a baby born with no arms and only one leg. The couple alleged that it was medical negligence that prevented from them learning of the debilitation early enough to terminate the pregnancy.

3. The color red generally means stop, unless you’re on a bike in Kansas. The Dead Red law in Kansas allows bicycles and motorcycles to continue through a red light if the light does not turn green in a “reasonable” amount of time. This wording is vague- what is reasonable? Will cyclists and bikers obey a “reasonable” amount of time?

4. Lawsuits filed against top English BP executives have been dismissed in favor of an English forum. Waves of litigation spilled in (no pun intended here) after the Deepwater Horizon incident in April 2010. However, these suits primarily involving English execs at an English corporation will not go forward in US courts. An English forum will be more appropriate for litigation.

This week’s legal resources you might have missed: Sept. 12 – 16

Posted on September 16, 2011 by admin

At Smith Coonrod Mohlman, LLC. we enjoy keeping up with the latest legal news and sharing it with you. We firmly believe that is important to keep up with industry happenings because it is just one more way that we can help you. This week’s stories touch on legal news on both local and national levels. Human trafficking laws that fall flat in Kansas, courtroom dogs, pharmaceutical law: read on, share your thoughts and opinions. We welcome the discussion!

This week’s legal news stories:

1. Kansas falls short in combatting human trafficking. Kansas laws aimed at combatting human trafficking fall short comparable to the laws in Missouri, says a national anti-trafficking organization. What’s the deal?

2. More bullying cases have parents turning to courts. The number of bullying-related lawsuits is on the rise nationwide. The number of lawsuits are increasing for a number of reasons, one being awareness. People are aware about the seriousness of these situations in a way they didn’t used to be, and feel the need to report it.

3. US courtroom dog spark legal debate. Dogs have played a comforting role in the courtroom for more than 20 years, mostly for children. However, their presence is being protested of late. A New York lawyer recently appealed his client’s conviction on the grounds that the courtroom dog affected the opposing testimony.

4. A legal doctrine that worries pharma defense lawyers. A new legal doctrine allows prosecutors to go after executives, holding them accountable for violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Here’s the catch- the executives can still be prosecuted even if they weren’t aware of violations.

That’s what we have for you this week, be sure to check back next Friday!

This week’s Medical Malpractice Law resources you might have missed: June 20 – 24

Posted on June 24, 2011 by admin

The legal system provides an avenue for victims and their families to obtain compensation as a result of medical negligence, and to prevent such incidents from happening again. Medical error can be difficult to prove and requires arduous work on behalf of the attorneys, for these cases require the injured person to prove that their treatment was not proper or reasonable. The law also requires that this proof be given in the form of expert testimony. So yes, these cases are difficult; however, they are not impossible with a strong set of facts.

Medical malpractice cases are costly in terms of both time and money; even the simplest case may cost more than $30,000 in addition to several hundred hours on behalf of the attorneys. This all necessary though, because injuries obtained through medical negligence can be scarring. Such injuries may not only effect the victim, but the victim’s family and closest friends as well. This is why if you feel that you, or someone you know, has been a victim of medical malpractice you must contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. The evidence collection that is required in proving these types of cases is extensive and can take quite a while to gather. Considering this, it is of the utmost importance and urgency that an attorney is contacted as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of medical malpractice or medical negligence, please do not hesitate to contact the law offices of Smith Coonrod & Mohlman for a free consultation.

Here are some important resources you may have missed:

1. San Rafael Man Sues Navato Hospital, claiming sponge left in gut. Fifty-year-old Ronald Alvos underwent a surgical procedure at Navato Community Hospital in California eight years ago. However, a recent abdominal imaging scan revealed a surgical sponge that was allegedly been in his abdomen since his procedure at Navato Hospital. Unfortunately for the hospital, this is not the only occurrence of such an incident.

http://bit.ly/lIiiJV

2. New York Judges Aim to Curb Medical Malpractice Litigation Costs. Part of the Obama administration’s health care bill includes money for grants to states to launch projects aiming to curbing the high costs associated with medical malpractice litigation. The idea is to get judges involved in the cases early to limit both cost and time; a judge will hold a settlement conference with the attorneys, without the clients present. However, some believe that this may lead to clients settling for compensation that is less than fair.

http://on.wsj.com/jC5BX7

3. Choosing the Right Doctor is One of Your Most Important Decisions. A neurosurgeon in Oregon is has been accused of routinely performing unnecessary spinal fusion procedures on his patients. Additionally, this doctor has faced eight medical malpractices lawsuits in the nine years he has been practicing. This is just one unfortunate example of how extremely important choosing the right doctor for you and your family is.

http://bit.ly/l5OhMw

Check back next week for more important legal news and resources!

The week’s essential Personal Injury Law resources that you may have missed. (May. 23 – May. 27)

Posted on May 27, 2011 by admin

Attorneys at the Law Office of Smith/Coonrod can help if you have been injured through the fault of another. This is the primary area of practice for our law firm and our attorneys handle many cases that are considered “personal injury”. These kinds of cases include car accidents, slip and fall, professional malpractice, wrongful death and others. If you or a family member has been seriously injured or killed as the result of the negligence of others you may be entitled to compensation. Whenever you believe you have a claim against someone in an accident, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible in order to protect your rights. In general, you have a limited amount of time from the date of the accident to file a complaint against the other party(ies) involved. You should always seek advice at the earliest stage possible. If you do not, it may seriously jeopardize your case: your attorney needs to act quickly and preserve the evidence: memories fade, witnesses disappear, and vital records and reports are lost without quick action. Please contact the Law Offices of Smith/Coonrod for a free consultation. We generally handle these type of cases on a contingency basis so you do not pay us unless we obtain a recovery for you.

Personal injury is the primary area of practice for our law firm.

Here are some important resources you may have missed:

1. Salad Suspected in Illinois Salmonella Outbreak.

Fifteen people have now been confirmed infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella, according to a news release Monday from the Kane County Health Department. The onset of the first illness was April 5 and onset of the last illness was April 30. Three of the case patients became so ill they were hospitalized.

http://bit.ly/l5UVDb

2. A Georgia insurance company that paid a wrongful death claim on behalf of a former Utah State University fraternity has settled the lawsuit it brought against four of the fraternity’s members.

Attorneys for RSUI contend the defendants planned and participated in a “capture event,” in which new pledges would be kidnapped by members of a sister sorority and later rescued by fellow pledges. During the event, Michael Starks drank nearly two-thirds of a bottle of vodka. He died hours later.

Here is the week’s essential Legal Industry news that you might have missed. (September 20– September 24)

Posted on September 24, 2010 by admin

Smith/Coonrod works hard to make sure you are up to date and informed on Legal Industry News. Your opportunity to read two industry articles on our Smith/Coonrod WordPress blog for this week are right here.

This week, we focused on medical malpractice cases, and how to prepare yourself for recovering damages. The first step? Contact Smith Coonrod. http://smithcoonrod.com

Here are some important resources you may have missed:

1. The what, when and how the understanding of Medical Malpractice lawyers http://tinyurl.com/3439lrr [INDUSTRY]

2. Obesity & Medical Malpractice http://tinyurl.com/34nf9hn [INDUSTRY]

3. Medical Errors Costs in Billions http://tinyurl.com/27nkzny [INDUSTRY]

Also, some statistics to keep in mind:

Using medical claim data, one group identified costs of medical errors in the United States of $19.5 billion during the year 2008 [FACT]

Medical malpractice cases are costly in terms of time and money. Some may cost more than $30,000 and require hundreds of hours of attorney time. [FACT]

Failure to diagnose, as it is known in the medical and legal communities, is a form of medical malpractice [FACT]

Check back each Friday for the top legal news of the week.