Texas Trial Lawyers Association

Announcements

2013 TTLA Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Seminar, April 25-26

Join WILLIAMS KHERKHER, CLARK, LOVE & HUTSON, G.P. and FIBICH, HAMPTON, LEEBRON, BRIGGS & JOSEPHSON, L.L.P. in Houston on April 25-26, 2013 for a ground-breaking new seminar. For the first time ever, these three law firms will join forces with TTLA to present a seminar dedicated solely to the fast-paced, ever-changing world of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation. This uniquely-structured seminar will feature updates on the hottest torts, panel discussions by leading mass tort attorneys, and speeches by TTLA legends Michael Gallagher, Tommy Fibich, John Eddie Williams and Ernest Cannon. The program is full of resources and networking opportunities for everyone, so join us for the newest TTLA seminar devoted to the trials and challenges of the mass tort lawyer. Click on the headline to learn more.  

Road Rules Houston - A CRASH Course (Car Wrecks CLE), March 28, 2013

TTLA's exceptional Car Wrecks program comes back to Houston! With our stellar line-up of speakers and relevant, real-world topics, this program is a must for anyone trying auto accident cases. Topics for this program include UM/UIM, subrogation & liens, trucking, opening, and using technology in your practice. From Voir Dire to closing arguments, this 8-hour seminar offers tips, information and strategies to help you WIN YOUR CASES. Get the tools you need to compete in the courtroom! Price for the program is $300, and includes the happy hour. Click on the headline to register now, or contact Rhonda High with questions. Call (512) 476-3852 for more information.  

Laws/Cases

Jury Awards $8M-plus in Hip Implant Suit

A jury Friday awarded $8.3 million to a former prison guard who accused Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Orthopaedics subsidiary of knowingly marketing a faulty hip implant that was later recalled. Jurors found that the ASR XL implant was defectively designed and caused metal poisoning and other health problems suffered by Loren Kransky after he underwent surgery in 2007. However, the panel rejected the 65-year-old’s claim that DePuy failed to adequately warn of the risks associated with the implant, and it didn’t find the company acted with malice, prohibiting Kransky from collecting any punitive damages.
Associated Press, The Washington Post 03/11/2013   

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Sacramento Jury Slams Assisted Living Firm

Already suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Joan Boice arrived at Emeritus at Emerald Hills in Auburn in September 2008. By the time she left in December, she had developed bedsores. She died three months after moving out, with the sores listed as a significant condition leading to her death. Friday, a Sacramento Superior Court jury came back with a $23 million punitive damage award against Emeritus, which the jury three days earlier had already found guilty of malice, oppression and fraud in the death of Joan Boice.
Andy Furillo, The Sacramento Bee 03/11/2013   

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Lawsuit Filed After Man Awoken & 'Tortured' During Eye Surgery

Hector Alonso is filing a lawsuit against a Mississippi hospital after alleging he was put through “torture” during his cataract surgery. The 69-year-old said the surgery resulted in the complete loss of vision in one of his eyes. Alonso filed the medical malpractice suit against Doctor Shehab A Ebrhim and the Tulane University Medical Center on Jan. 7. In it he claims he awoke during his surgery to see the doctor operating on his eye, at which point he asked them to stop the surgery. Instead, Alonso said the medical personnel in the operating room put a piece of tap over his mouth and continued the surgery with unsuccessful results.
Fox News Latino, Yahoo News 02/26/2013   

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Police Chief Settles Wrongful Termination Suit

The city of Pelican Bay, Texas, has settled a lawsuit with its former police chief who accused the city of wrongful termination. In his suit, the plaintiff claimed he was fired after refusing to arrest a city councilwoman at the request of the mayor for "laughable reasons." As part of the settlement, the plaintiff's employment report will show an honorable discharge to help him find another job.
Elizabeth Campbell, Ft. Worth Star Telegram 03/10/2013   

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Maryland Police Officer Files Race Lawsuit

A female police officer in Howard County, near Baltimore, has filed suit against the department, alleging racial discrimination. In her suit, the plaintiff, who is African-American, says her supervisor wrote "false, misleading and exaggerated statements on her employee evaluations" because of her race. The lawsuit is seeking $400,000 in damages.
Luke Lavoie, Baltimore Sun 03/06/2013   

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Labor/Employment

KC Chiefs Win Age Discrimination Lawsuit

A Kansas City jury has ruled in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs in an age discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee. The employee claimed he was fired to make room for a younger replacement, but the team successfully argued that the termination came because the plaintiff wrongly gave an employee a raise.
Wire Report, San Francisco Chronicle 03/07/2013   

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Malpractice

Utah Jury Awards $1.4M in Malpractice Lawsuit

A Utah jury awarded $1.4 million to a local family in a medical malpractice lawsuit over the death of a 59-year-old woman. The doctor named in the suit allegedly damaged the woman's throat during hernia surgery, causing an esophageal leak, allowing fluid to build up in her thorax. She died about two months after the surgery.
Michael McFall, The Salt Lake Tribune  03/10/2013  

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Wrongful Death

Chicago Considering Wrongful Death Settlement

The city of Chicago is set to consider a proposed $4.5 million settlement in a lawsuit over a fatal police shooting in March 2012. The suit accused an off-duty police officer of opening fire at a crowd of people, killing the victim, who was an innocent bystander in an alleged altercation.
Staff Report, Chicago Tribune 03/10/2013   

Read Article: Chicago Tribune