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Volunteer to End Distracted Driving |
| The American Association for Justice and the non-profit group End Distracted Driving (EndDD) have teamed up to engage plaintiff’s lawyers in helping to spread the message about the dangers of distracted driving, and to get attorneys involved in the movement to end this dangerous practice. As April has been designated National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, TTLA is encouraging our membership to get involved and become advocates for safer driving in our Texas communities. Please see the message below, and click on the links to find out how you can volunteer to help end distracted driving in Texas. Click on the headline to learn more. |
Products |
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Government Urged to Take Tougher Stance on Fruity Malt Liquor |
| The Federal Trade Commission is looking at a wave of complaints about the popular fruit-flavored malt liquor Four Loko. Under review: the amount of alcohol in the brightly colored, supersized cans and how they are marketed. The FTC charges that the drink’s creator, Chicago-based Phusion Projects, has implied in ads that its 23.5-ounce can is equal to one or two regular 12-ounce beers. The agency says the can, which contains up to 12 percent alcohol, is really more like four to five beers and shouldn’t be consumed in one sitting. Associated Press, The Washington Post 03/02/2012 | Read Article: The Washington Post |
E-Cigarettes Draw Fire From Legislatures |
| A growing number of states are taking aim at electronic cigarettes in the absence of federal regulations, intensifying a public-health debate over the fast-growing alternative to traditional cigarettes. Lawmakers in more than half a dozen states from Arizona to New York have introduced legislation this year that would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Bills in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Utah would extend smoking bans in public areas to include e-cigarettes, and politicians in other states have proposed special taxes and halting Internet sales. MIKE ESTERL , Wall Street Journal - $$ Subscription Required 03/02/2012 | Read Article: Wall Street Journal - $$ Subscription Required($) |
Laws/Cases |
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Navajo Nation Files Suit Against Urban Outfitters |
| The Navajo Indian Nation has filed a lawsuit against clothing retailer Urban Outfitters over alleged trademark infringement and violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Acts. The lawsuit was filed over the company's use of the tribe's name on their merchandise, including women's underwear, which the tribe said is "derogatory and scandalous." The tribe owns at least 10 trademarks that cover clothing, footwear and other products. They're demanding the retailer discontinue the products. Stephanie Rabiner, Reuters 03/01/2012 | Read Article: Reuters |
Kochs File Kan. Lawsuit Over Think Tank’s Ownership |
| Billionaire brothers and political donors Charles and David Koch are pursuing a lawsuit in their native Kansas over the ownership of a libertarian-leaning think tank based in Washington, and the organization’s CEO described it as a “hostile takeover” attempt. The Koch brothers, known nationally for supporting conservative causes and candidates, also are longtime shareholders in the Cato Institute, a research organization that promotes free-market, small-government policies. Their lawsuit seeks a court ruling that would leave the institute with only one other shareholder, its president and chief executive officer, Ed Crane, who also is a defendant. Associated Press, The Washington Post 03/02/2012 | Read Article: The Washington Post |
Sacramento Jury Awards $167M to Former Mercy Hospital employee |
| A jury in Sacramento federal court on Wednesday awarded more than $167 million to a former surgical physician's assistant at Mercy General Hospital on her claims of workplace harassment and retaliation that led to her wrongful termination. The panel assessed Mercy and its parent, Catholic Healthcare West, $125 million in punitive damages as punishment for their "unlawful conduct," and $42.7 million as compensation for lost wages, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, damage to reputation, and humiliation. Denny Walsh, The Sacramento Bee 03/02/2012 | Read Article: The Sacramento Bee |
Wrongful Death |
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Death of Special Needs Student Prompts Lawsuit |
| An Atlanta father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against administrators of the Fulton County schools over the death of his son, an 18-year-old special needs student. The lawsuit claims one of the boy's teachers forced him to wear a fabricated neck brace to "force his neck in a position to look at her." The brace restricted his airway, the suit says, forcing him into the hospital multiple times and eventually leading to his death. The lawsuit is seeking $10.5 million in damages. David Ibata , Atlanta Journal-Constitution 03/01/2012 | Read Article: Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
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