| Live Webinar (9/27/18): The New Federal Tax Law: Implications are Surprisingly Bad for Plaintiffs |
Robert W. Wood will discuss the new federal tax law and its implications for plaintiffs and their lawyers. For many types of cases, the lack of tax deductions for legal fees may be catastrophic. Plaintiffs in many types of litigation will feel the full force of paying taxes on their gross recoveries, with no deduction for their legal fees and costs. Topics discussed will include: changes in how taxes on attorney fees are determined, and the elimination of the 'below-the-line deduction' for legal fees; the numerous types of cases impacted by the changes, including insurance bad faith, employment, whistle blower, sexual harassment, intentional emotional distress, and punitive damages; and, the implications of the tax laws on settlement negotiations. Click on the headline to register.
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Texas Tribune Daily Brief
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| The Brief for August 10 |
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In today's Brief: Federal officials are again using ankle monitors to keep track of released immigrants, the government still doesn't have a plan for reuniting kids with deported parents, and there's not a whole lot we know about reports that a migrant child died after leaving an ICE facility.
Cassi Pollock , Texas Tribune 08/10/2018   
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Texas Tribune
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| Study: Blue Light From Phone Screens Accelerates Blindness |
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Research by the University of Toledo in the US has revealed that prolonged exposure to blue light triggers poisonous molecules to be generated in the eye's light-sensitive cells that can cause macular degeneration ' an incurable condition that affects the middle part of vision. Blue light, which has a shorter wavelength and more energy compared with other colours, can gradually cause damage to the eyes.
Staff, The Guardian (US) 08/10/2018
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The Guardian (US)
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| Despite TX Law, Firefighters Denied Workers Comp for Cancer Treatment |
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Union leaders and state legislators say cities have ignored Texas' presumptive cancer statute for first responders, and face few consequences for denying claims. The result, they say, is that firefighters often see their personal savings evaporate even as they compromise on their care. 'The sky-high denial rate of cancer is the first problem,' said Marty Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association. 'Firefighters with denied claims often have fewer treatment options and face the risk of financial ruin because of lost income.' All seven HFD members with cancer who have filed workers comp claims since 2016 have been denied, according to the union.
Zach Despart, Houston Chronicle 08/10/2018
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Houston Chronicle
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| North Carolina Hog Farm Pays $474M to Nearby Residents |
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Nearly $474 million has been awarded to six North Carolina residents near a hog farm run. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina by the residents, alleged that animals at Murphy-Brown LLC, a unit of U.S. pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc, were mismanaged, leading to odor and the possibility of disease. A court filing on Friday resulted in $3 million to $5 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages to each of the six plaintiffs.
Staff Report, Reuters 08/03/2018
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Reuters
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| Chipotle Faces Second Lawsuit After 703 Sickened in Ohio |
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Chipotle is facing a second lawsuit over an illness outbreak connected to one of its Ohio stores. The location in Powell has been shut down after facing complaints from customers. According to reports, 703 people have fallen ill after eating at the chain restaurant location. The Delaware County General Health District has tested the sick customers for E. coli, salmonella, norovirus, and shigella, but the cause of the illness remains unknown.
Alexandra Deabler, Fox News 08/08/2018
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Fox News
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| Hurricane Harvey Victims' Insurance Payments Slashed |
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A lawsuit filed against the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association claims the agency is cheating Texans who suffered catastrophic losses during Hurricane Harvey. As part of their lawsuit, the attorneys took a deposition of a claims supervisor contracted by TWIA. That supervisor testified in 80 percent of Harvey claims initially deemed a total loss, a building consultant later wrote an estimate for a much lower payment.
Jeremy Rogalski, KHOU-TV 08/10/2018
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KHOU-TV
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| Four Injured in Texas Apartment Fire Join Lawsuit Against Complex Owners |
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Four people who were injured in an apartment fire in San Marcos, Texas, have joined a lawsuit filed by the father of a man who died in the blaze. The fire took place at Iconic Village apartment complex on July 20 and resulted in injuries to six people and the deaths of five. The wrongful death lawsuit targets the owners of the apartment complex and alleges that they did not have fire sprinklers or a fire suppression system in place.
Staff Report, KXAN Austin News 08/09/2018
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KXAN Austin News
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