Issues |
Investigation: Danger in the Psych Ward |
Inspection data uncovered by The Dallas Morning News shows that serious safety problems have plagued dozens of mental-health hospitals owned by one giant chain: Universal Health Services Inc. Inspectors found safety breaches at 13 of the company's 26 such facilities in Texas, the hospital company's largest market. Universal Health is the nation's biggest for-profit provider of mental-health services, including treatment for depression and addiction, and also owns some full-service hospitals. Miles Moffeit, The Dallas Morning News 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: The Dallas Morning News |
Laws/Cases |
Dallas Jury: $502M Verdict for Five Hip Implant Victims |
A federal jury in Dallas found that DePuy Orthopaedics and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, were liable, negligent and responsible for the plaintiffs' chronic and painful physical problems. The jury ordered the former manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip implants to pay $502M to five Texans who claim they suffered severe injuries from the defective devices they had implanted. MARK CURRIDEN, The Texas LawBook, The Dallas Morning News 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: The Dallas Morning News |
EnPro, Garlock Reach $480M Settlement on Asbestos Claims |
EnPro Industries Inc said it has agreed to a $480 million settlement to resolve current and future personal injury claims related to its asbestos-lined gaskets used in pipes, valves and other industrial applications. The settlement was between EnPro, its now bankrupt unit Garlock Sealing Technologies, Garlock's direct parent Coltec Industries Inc and court-appointed representative for current and future asbestos claimants. Reuters, Reuters 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: Reuters |
Dog Bite Leads to $695K Jury Verdict |
A Parker County jury issued a $695,000 verdict which included $125,000 punitive damages and the determination that the dog was either vicious or dangerous, and its owners should have known that was the case. At the trial, Jennifer Duggin alleged she had suffered vascular damage, chronic pain and swelling as a result of the dog bite. The jury learned that the bite left a scar on her leg in the shape of the dog's mouth. Miriam Rozen, Texas Lawyer 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: Texas Lawyer |
Judge: Bland's Family Can See Rangers Report in Wrongful Death Suit |
Sandra Bland's family may review the Texas Rangers report it has sought in its wrongful death lawsuit against Waller County and the trooper who arrested Bland, a judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled that the FBI must permit Bland's family and anyone else connected to the case to see the report in a private review, but does not have to share the report with the public. The document does not fall under law enforcement privilege, the judge said. Emma Hinchliffe , Houston Chronicle 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: Houston Chronicle |
NM Residents Treated by Texas Docs Can't Sue in NM |
NM lawmakers passed, and Gov. Susana Martinez signed, a bill that could keep New Mexicans who are treated by Texas doctors from suing them for malpractice in patient-friendlier NM courts. The issue arose because of a lawsuit that is pending in the NM Supreme Court. It has caused a stir in the medical community and prompted warnings that health care providers in TX would stop taking NM patients. The negotiated agreement that emerged from the recent legislative session allows for TX doctors, hospitals or other health care providers to have their NM patients sign statements accepting the jurisdiction of Texas courts in the event they wanted to sue. Deborah Baker, Albuquerque Journal 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: Albuquerque Journal |
Wrongful Death |
Family of Mass. Philanthropist Killed in Plane Crash Files Suit |
The family of a philanthropist and co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer has filed a lawsuit over the man's death in a 2014 plane crash. The man was killed when the plane ran off the runway and exploded into flames at Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts on May 31, 2014. The lawsuit was filed in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston against the airplane manufacturer and other parties. The suit contends that the eight defendants "caused the (crash) by their negligence and ... by manufacturing and/or designing a defective product." The National Transportation Safety Board listed the cause of the crash as "several errors by the flight crew and problems with the design of the aircraft, specifically the gust lock." Travis Andersen, Boston Globe 03/18/2016 |
Read Article: Boston Globe |
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