Miscellaneous

• Allstate Insurance Company Driven by Greed

  Ric Davis | June 30, 2007 3:56 PM | 2 CommentsGreenville, SC

  Allstate Insurance Co.'s phenomenal growth in profits is directly tied to its drastic reduction in claims payments: The insurer offers paltry sums for legitimate claims, counting on its customers' unwillingness to slog through drawn-out litigation. That's no dark secret or allegation. It's a company policy called "Claims Core Process Redesign," devised by powerhouse corporate consultants...

• Judge Sets Reduced Award in Vioxx Case

  Harold Christian | June 12, 2007 2:14 PM | 2 CommentsGreenville, SC

  Last year a jury awarded a Plaintiff 51 million dollars in damages against Merck because it's Vioxx painkiller was blamed for the heart attack of a former FBI agent. As reported in the New York Times, Judge E. Fallon, who is a federal district judge in the District Court of New Orleans and is responsible for overseeing all Vioxx litigation in federal courts, had previously granted a new trial...

• Frivolous Lawsuits?

  Ric Davis | April 21, 2008 6:17 PM | 1 CommentGreenville, SC

  The “McDonald’s coffee” case. We have all heard it: a woman spills McDonald's coffee, sues and gets $3 million. Here are the facts of this widely misreported case: Stella Liebeck, 79 years old, was...

• FDA Warns About Fentanyl Again

  Jenny Albano | December 22, 2007 5:45 PM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  The FDA warned, for the second time in two years, that improper use of the fentanyl patch, a painkiller, is still claiming lives. Some of the deaths were due to doctors prescribing the patch to the wrong patients. The drug is supposed to be used for chronic pain for patients who are used to narcotics, but some doctors were prescribing the drug to patients with headaches or for post-surgery...

• Elimination of Contingent Fees: A Threat to Democracy

  Ric Davis | July 26, 2007 11:37 AM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  Contingent fees continue to stir great controversy especially in class action cases, mass torts, and medical malpractice lawsuits. The controversy most recently gained national attention when President Bush banned contingency fees in cases filed by the U.S Government. Federal judges have called contingent fees "grotesque" and plaintiffs claim they will be denied access to the courts without...

• Confidence Restored in Jury System

  Josh Christian | July 25, 2007 12:32 PM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  This week in South Carolina the jury system established by our founding fathers once again has proven its self to be a successful tool for justice. In two separate cases, juries in Marion County and Spartanburg County, have restored confidence in the jury system by delivering justice to injured plaintiffs. In Marion County a injured plaintiff sought damages for injuries which they received in...

• Tort Reform Funded by Big Tobacco

  Ric Davis | July 20, 2007 4:47 PM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  About a decade ago, the folks at the Center for Media and Democracy decided to delve into front groups that parade as citizen initiatives. Their Source Watch is one great resource. Just look at "tort reform" Their documents show the early reach of Tobacco Giant Philip Morris in the creation of the Institute for Legal Reform, today the premier organization that has helped further the so-called...

• Access to Civil Justice Will Motivate Voters

  Ric Davis | July 15, 2007 5:40 PM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  A national poll of 2008 voters by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. reveals voters have anxiety concerning corporate misconduct. There is large support among voters for a strong civil justice system to ensure corporate accountability and fairness. A memo summarizing the poll's findings concludes: Americans are deeply worried about their nation's future, and concern about corporate...

• Defective Defibrillators(2)

  Josh Christian | July 12, 2007 5:46 PM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  Guidant defibrillators have been the causeof many innocent victims serious health problems and even death. A recent article discusses the new development in these product liability lawsuits. As is pointed out in this article the manufacturers of the defibrillators were more interested in profits than in those who were trusting them with their lives. The Guidant story is a sorry example of a...

• Protection From Identity Theft

  Ric Davis | June 29, 2007 9:39 AM | 0 CommentsGreenville, SC

  Since identity theft is of concern, it's important to remember that there are steps you can take to minimize the risk and help protect your privacy and identity. Shred documents containing your personal information before discarding them. Secure your personal information at home and at work. Before disclosing any personal information, make sure you know why it is required and how it will be...