Consumer Law

In the News

By Andy Hoffman

Lead story in today?s New York Times about primary care doctor shortages.  Neither medical malpractice  insurance nor lawsuits are even mentioned as reasons for doctor shortages - and none of the typical complaining specialties (OB-GYN?s, surgeons) are mentioned either - except to say that specialties aren?t having shortages!

In the wake of the Wall Street meltdown, U.S. Supremes to hear arguments about whether state AG?s can investigate national banks that discriminate.

Florida Senate considers bill that ?seeks to ban vaccines containing mercury? despite a bad ruling. 

South Florida Sun-Sentinel warns that delays in enforcing CPSIA standards mean parents should remain on guard against existing hazards.

And several good stories from last week that we should tell you about:

Major environmental victory as Shell Oil settles air pollution lawsuit?agreeing to reduce emissions from air pollutants by 80 percent within three years.

Utah Supreme Court says a state law that reduces workers? comp. for people over 65 (who qualify for Social Security) amounts to unconstitutional age discrimination.

Another bad ruling from the U.S. Supremes upholding mandatory arbitration for union members in ageism disputes.

Another Starbucks employee wage dispute may be granted class-action status?this time in Florida. 

Last Thursday, U.S. Senate said no to capping whistleblower awards for citizens who bring False Claims Act lawsuits to recoup taxpayer money lost to fraud. 

Documents filed in lawsuit reveal, ?Global Climate Coalition, a group representing industries with profits tied to fossil fuels, led an aggressive lobbying and public relations campaign against the idea that emissions of heat-trapping gases could lead to global warming,? despite receiving contrary evidence from its own experts.

Oklahoma county settles with man whose jailers refused to dispense prescribed medications and kept him in a ?restraint chair,? ultimately requiring his legs to be amputated.

Pennsylvania hospital found liable after failing to follow treatment standards for a cyst removal that put a woman in a coma.

Story about dirty VA hospital equipment, which exposed 11,000 vets to infectious diseases, gets worse and worse as frustration mounts over the alleged ?lack of information? being provided by the VA.

And finally, here we go again.  As with Katrina and Rita, insurance companies are making life even more unbearable for Hurricane Ike survivors in South Texas.

Full post as published by ThePopTort on April 27, 2009 (boomark / email).