| | | | | Announcements | | | Share on FB: Judicial Politics Leave Some Plaintiffs in Limbo, YNN Austin Capital Tonight | | Excerpted from: Judicial politics leave some plaintiffs in limbo, YNN Austin Capital Tonight: "A personal tragedy has turned into a very public legal fight for one Texas family. It's a story that may shed some light on weaknesses within the state's judicial system. Imagine not being able to remember where you were sitting at a restaurant after a simple trip to the restroom. That’s the life Michelle Gaines leads today. A traumatic brain injury suffered in a devastating car wreck in 2006 robbed her of a healthy mind. Then, a jury in her community awarded her $8 million, before a court of appeals overturned it. Now, the Texas Supreme Court is refusing to hear the case." | Laws/Cases | | | Hotel Failed to Exterminate Bed Bugs, Suit Says | | Two women have filed a lawsuit against Marriott International Inc., claiming they and their children received "numerous bed bug bites" during their respective stays at the now-closed Lisle Marriott Conference Center in Chicago last August. The suit accuses the hotel of failing to maintain clean rooms and failing to inspect and exterminate bug infestations. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages. Bridget Doyle, Chicago Tribune 08/21/2012 | Read Article: Chicago Tribune | Products | | | GM Recalls 250,000 SUVs | | General Motors Co. has issued a recall of approximately 250,000 SUVs due to a potential fire hazards that can be caused by an electric short. The recall covers 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy SUVs, as well as certain 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender SUVs. The company said the short circuits can lead to overheating and melting of certain components in the vehicles' doors. Staff Report, Chicago Tribune 08/20/2012 | Read Article: Chicago Tribune | Healthcare | | | 12 Austin-Area Hospitals Face Medicare Payment Cuts | | Twelve Austin-area hospitals, in a list dominated by the Seton Healthcare Family, will receive smaller Medicare payments starting Oct. 1 because they readmitted some patients too soon. A spokeswoman for Seton said that it is anticipating losses totaling $575,000 in the upcoming fiscal year for all seven hospitals that the government examined. Losses to St. David's HealthCare facilities and Scott & White Hospital-Temple are expected to be lower than that, based on American-Statesman calculations. Mary Ann Roser, Austin American Statesman 08/21/2012 | Read Article: Austin American Statesman | EEOC | | | Suit: Dunkin' Donuts Favors White Franchise Owners | | Two former Dunkin' Donuts franchise owners have filed a lawsuit against the donut giant, claiming the company steers minority franchise owners to open stores in poorer neighborhoods. The suit says the company "awards more lucrative locations to white franchise owners," and lies to minority owners about location availability. One of the plaintiffs says Dunkin' Brands misled them to believing their Maryland store would be profitable, despite knowing other stores in the area struggle. Dan Adams, Boston Globe 08/20/2012 | Read Article: Boston Globe | Wrongful Death | | | Suit Filed over Boy's Fatal Fall From School Bus | | A Baltimore mother has filed an $80 million lawsuit against the Baltimore school system after her special-needs child suffered fatal injuries when he jumped out the back of a school bus. The lawsuit claims school officials and the contractor hired to drive the bus failed to protect the 6-year-old, who had a history of impulsive behavior, including previous attempts to jump from the bus. Among other failed safety measures, the suit alleges the boy was supposed to be wearing a safety vest while on this bus, but was not on the day of the incident. Erica L. Green, Baltimore Sun 08/21/2012 | Read Article: Baltimore Sun | Club, Driver Blamed in Fatal DWI Wreck Lawsuit | | A Galveston, Texas, nightclub and a Conroe man have been named in a lawsuit over a DWI accident that killed a Sugar Land man who was riding in a horse-drawn carriage with his wife. The suit claims The Lounge Nightlife Complex over served the defendant on the night of the incident, and the defendant drove his vehicle despite being "highly intoxicated" upon leaving the club. The suit is seeking $200,000 in damages. Robert Stanton, Houston Chronicle 08/21/2012 | Read Article: Houston Chronicle | | | | | | Published by TRIALSMITH, Litigation Tools for Trial Lawyers 5113 Southwest Parkway, Suite 285, Austin, TX 78735 You received this email because you are subscribed to this service from your trial lawyers association. • Unsubscribe • Search National Litigation Bank • 800-443-1757 | |