In response to a series of foreign manufacturer recalls, including Toyota vehicles, drywall and children’ toys, federal lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow U.S. consumers to effectively sue foreign product manufacturers in U.S. courts pursuant to the Foreign Manufacturer Legal Accountability Act of 2010. The proposed bill was approved by the House’s Subcommittee on [...]
Jul
28
2010
28
2010
May
13
2010
13
2010
Pfizer Liabilities Continue to Grow
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP today announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of shareholders of Pfizer Inc. Pfizer is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of prescription medicines for humans and animals [...]
Apr
20
2010
20
2010
Cell Phone Carriers Not Required to Issue Headsets With Cell Phones
In a major victory for cellular phone manufacturers and service providers, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed the lower court’s dismissal of Farina v. Nokia, a consumer class action lawsuit that accused cell phone companies of conspiring to hide evidence that radio frequency emissions from cell phones pose biological hazards. The class action alleged that [...]
Apr
6
2010
6
2010
Government May Regulate Black Boxes in Vehicles, Calculate Cause of Car Crashes
In light of recent automobile recalls, drivers are increasingly concerned with vehicle safety. Toyota’s defective accelerator that suddenly and randomly caused vehicles to accelerate, led to Toyota recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles and issuing an apology. Toyota now faces a myriad of lawsuits. In an effort to safeguard the public from future defective automobiles, [...]
Feb
9
2010
9
2010
Another State Bans Driver Cell Phone Use
Virginia passed a law banning drivers from using handheld cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. Holding a cell phone while operating a vehicle is a $20 primary offense. Second offense is $50. By 2011, the fine will increase to $200. Virginia is one of only approximately 20 states that [...]
Jan
20
2010
20
2010
Proposed Florida Bill Bans Indoor Tanning For Youth Under 16 Years
In follow-up to Monday’s blog post regarding tanning bed risks and inadequate warnings, comes today’s timely story regarding legislative efforts to protect the unknowing from serious health risks.
“Florida’s Palm Beach Post (1/20, Cerabino) reports, “A national health group called Aim at Melanoma is backing a statewide legislative effort to institute what would be a tough [...]
Jan
9
2010
9
2010
NFL Goes To Supreme Court on Antitrust Allegations
Next week the US Supreme Court will be hearing oral argument in American Needle v. NFL, a case that will have permanent affect on NFL football as a business – which will directly affect fans, players and the game overall.
The issue before the Court is does the NFL constitute just one entity, or 32 independent [...]
Dec
31
2009
31
2009
Cell Phone Distraction: Government Launches Awareness Campaign
Following The New York Times series on driver distraction and Obama’s October 1st Executive Order forbidding federal employees from texting while driving federal vehicles, the federal government has launched a website exclusively dedicated to raising drivers’ awareness of the serious dangers of distracted driving: distraction.gov.
Compelling research reveals that drivers using a cell phone reduces the [...]
Dec
14
2009
14
2009
Employees’ Right to Privacy Extends to Texts & Emails in Workplace
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide shortly whether to hear the employer’s appeal of the matter, Quon v. Arch Wireless, wherein a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that employees have a constitutional right to privacy in their text messages, even those containing sexually explicit content sent to co-workers. The case concerned two police officers [...]
Dec
7
2009
7
2009
First Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Cell Phone Manufacturer and Carrier
A daughter is suing Sprint Nextel and Samsung in Oklahoma District Court on behalf of her mother’s estate, for failing to adequately warn consumers that driving while talking on a cell phone can cause fatal collisions.
Fatal Collision
On September 3, 2008, then 61 year-old, Linda Doyle, was fatally hit by 20 year-old Christopher Hill. Mr. Hill [...]
Ms. Filutowski has a track record of recovering over $3.0 million dollars for her clients through negotiations, arbitrations, mediations and trial.
