Our Blog

Toyota is Investigating Corolla Power Steering Problems

Toyota is investigating reports of power steering failures in its prized Toyota Corolla.

Automobile Recalls

Automobile manufacturers are legally responsible for injuries caused by defects in the design and manufacturing of their cars. Two of the most reputable automobile manufacturers, Toyota and Honda, are recalling millions of automobiles.

$300M Verdict against Philip Morris

On November 19 a Florida jury awarded the plaintiff $300 million dollars in the case of Naugle v. Phillip Morris USA. The plaintiff had become wheelchair bound as a result of emphysema after a history of cigarette-smoking.

That figure included some $244 million in punitive damages against the cigarette maker.

This is the largest verdict in a so-called 'Engle' case to date. Engle v. RJ Reynolds was a US Supreme Court case that rejected the attempt to use a massive class-action to fight cigarette manufacturers. As a result, many plaintiffs are fighting the  battle on their own.

People suffer injuries every day from their use of consumer products, not just obivously dangerous ones like cigarettes. If you or a loved one has been injured through your use of some product, contact an attorney at Williamson and Lavecchia to protect your rights.

Doctors Agree that Lawsuits Are Effective Deterrents Against the Sale of Dangerous Drugs

The editors of the influential New England Journal of Medicine have filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court brief) in the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that lawsuits against drug companies are necessary for patient safety.  At issue is whether a victim of a dangerous drug, like Vioxx, can sue the manufacturer of the medication.  Drug companies are arguing that they should not be sued if the medication was approved by the FDA. 

According to these doctors, lawsuits are a "vital deterrent" and protect patients from drug companies that may otherwise not disclose all the risks of the medications to the FDA.  In fact, they argue that the FDA is in "no position" to guarantee patient safety.  As noted in the brief, plaintiffs in lawsuits against drug companies conduct extensive discovery that the FDA relies upon to ensure drug safety. 

The doctors point about legal discovery is on the mark.  In our experience, we often learn through subpoenas and depositions that the facts were not fully disclosed to the patient.  We have found incident reports in hospital files that prove that the victims injuries were preventable.  While the primary purpose of pursuing a medical malpractice or products liability action is to compensate the victim these cases also protect the public by exposing deterring wrongdoing.