Texas Supreme Court Ends Bad Faith Claims for Workers

Texas Workers Compensation claimants took a big hit Friday when the Texas Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision in Texas Mutual Insurance Co. v. Timothy J. Ruttiger.   The Court held that Workers Comp claimants cannot seek damages for bad faith denials of claims outside the administrative Workers Comp regulatory…

Happy Stop The Texts Day!

Distracted driving is a real scourge in our society.  Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, has declared today #StopTheTextsDay asking Twitter for ideas on how best to fight this menace and convince people to put down the phone and drive.   Celebrities like Kasey Khane have even released public service announcements with…

Emotional Distress without Physical Damages – Supreme Court to Review

Emotional Distress without Physical Damages – Supreme Court to Review

With a hat-tip to the blog, “How Appealing,” the ABA Journal is reporting that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has asked the Washington Supreme Court whether its product liability laws will allow a recovery emotional distress damages without evidence of any other injury. The case is based upon “glob…

Honda Worldwide Recall of Sedans, Minivans, SUVs

Honda Worldwide Recall of Sedans, Minivans, SUVs

By Deepa Seetharaman and Bernie Woodall of Reuters. Honda Motor Co Ltd plans to recall nearly 2 1/2 million vehicles: small SUVs, cars and minivans worldwide. This includes the popular Accord sedan. Problems relate to software issues that could damage the automatic transmission. The recall includes 1.5 million vehicles in…

Voluntary Recall Of Slimming Capsules

Voluntary Recall Of Slimming Capsules

from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website**: Intercharm Inc. Issues A Nationwide Voluntary Recall Of Slim Forte Slimming Capsules Lot 20100604 And Lot 20100928, Slim Forte Slimming Coffee Lot 20100903, And Meizitang Botanical Slimming Softgel Exp. 12.23.2011 Weight Loss Capsules Found To Contain Sibutramine Contact: Intercharm Inc. 323-876-7441 FOR…

What’s Fair Is Fair: Rise in FDCPA Cases Offers Opportunities for Lawyers

What’s Fair Is Fair: Rise in FDCPA Cases Offers Opportunities for Lawyers

From The Texas Lawyer, July 18, 2011 With the economic downturn, the number of consumer credit-related suits filed in U.S. District Courts in Texas has steadily increased over the past five years. In 2005, 81 such cases were filed in Texas, according to PACER, the federal courts’ online filing system….

FDA Reports Cancer Risk from Osteoporosis Drugs

FDA Reports Cancer Risk from Osteoporosis Drugs

An FDA Safety Alert issued today warns that taking oral osteoporosis drugs (“bisphosphonates”) may cause an increased risk of esophageal cancer.  This category of drugs includes Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Atelvia, Didronel, and Skelid. Esophageal cancer and other esophageal problems have been reported in connection with use of the drugs, and…