All Topics

• Engine and Parts manufacturers pay $53M in Products case

  Tedford Taylor | September 17, 2007 5:01 PM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  A Volusia, Florida jury awarded two men, a flight instructor and former student pilot, $53M against two manufacturers. The jury determined the manufacturers were liable for the airplane crash which caused serious injury to both men. The plaintiffs argued, and the jury agreed, that the manufacturer of the carberator, and the engine maker of the Cessna 150, knew about defects which caused the...

• Insurers Cheat Customers, Report Record Profits

  Tedford Taylor | September 13, 2007 3:09 PM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, insurers reported their highest ever profit, $73 billion, up 49 percent from the previous year. With 60 million customers paying more than $50 billiion in premiums per year, homeowners are often surprised to find out that insurers won't pay the full cost of rebuilding their damaged or destroyed home. The insurance companies routinely refuse to pay market...

• Wal-Mart Confirms, Dog Treats Contain "Small Amounts of Melamine"

  Courtney Mills | August 22, 2007 2:56 PM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  A Wal-Mart spokeswoman confirmed today that the two Chinese brands of dog treats pulled from shelves last month contain trace amounts of melamine, a chemical found in fertilizer.Wal-Mart had quietly removed from shelves on July 26, 2007, Chicken Jerky of Shanghai Bestro Trading, and Chicken Jerky Strips of Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co., after customers had complained that their pets were...

• Mattel Recalls Spotlight Inattention to Defective Products

  Courtney Mills | August 15, 2007 1:57 PM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  Mattel's late notice of a recall to consumers of some 9 million toys in the U.S. indicates how lax oversight on goods entering into this country has become. The recall of these toys is just the latest in a series of problems experienced with Chinese-made goods in the United States: some because of lead paint contamination on toy trains, others because of DEG contamination in toothpaste, and...

• New Laws About Leaving Children Unattended in Cars

  Jenny Albano | July 31, 2007 2:23 PM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  As of now twelve states have laws that specifically prohibit parents or guardians from leaving children alone in cars. Some of the states make it a traffic violation that includes a ticket or fine and other states make the offense a misdemeanor with a possible prison sentence. All states have laws that allow authorities to charge parents with child neglect and endangerment if a child dies...

• Steam Pipe Explosion in New York City

  Jenny Albano | July 19, 2007 9:54 AM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  On Wednesday, a steam pipe burst in Midtown Manhattan, killing one person and wounding around 25 others. During rush hour the pipe burst sending steam and dirt high into the sky. Many New Yorkers thought the explosion was a terrorist attack, but that theory was quickly ruled out.The explosion left a large crater in the ground, and a red truck lay on the bottom. Many people were struck by...

• Texas Lawmakers consider immunity for Oil Companies

  Tedford Taylor | May 04, 2007 11:01 AM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  Texas lawmakers are considering a bill which would shield oil companies from legal claims alleging a fuel additive designed to improve air quality is defective, it has polluted the drinking water in Texas and across the country, and major players in the industry knew it. MTBE is the additive which has been found in drinking water supplies and could cost billiions to clean up. The government...

• Autauga County physician awarded $1M in Cemetery Dispute

  Tedford Taylor | May 01, 2007 11:18 AM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  An Autauga County jury awarded Dr. Gene Parker more than $1 million against a cemetery for fraud and breach of contract. Parker bought an "estate plot" from the cemetery's former owners which included landscaping, concrete walkways and a large family marker. The current owners redrew the plots, reducing their size so as no not to include space for the aformentioned amenities. Additionally, they...

• Supreme Court to look at $30 million verdict against UA

  Tedford Taylor | May 01, 2007 10:40 AM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  Attorneys for former University of Alabama recruiting coordinator Ronnie Contrell will ask the Alabama Supreme Court to uphold a $30 million Tuscaloosa County jury verdict which was set aside. Cottrell filed a defamation suit against the NCAA and several other parties, including Tom Culpepper, in December of 2002. Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Steve Wilson dismissed the NCAA as defendants,...

• Sen. Lott settles lawsuit against State Farm

  Tedford Taylor | May 01, 2007 10:19 AM | 0 CommentsHuntsville, AL

  Mississippi Senator, and former majority leader, Trent Lott settled his lawsuit against State Farm for their refusal to cover Hurricane Katrina damage to his beach home. Lott, whose case was scheduled to be tried in September, has acknowledged in recent months that he was weighing settlement, but has never ruled out the possibility of trial. State Farm agreed in Jaunuary to pay $80 million to...