Law Blog

In early March, the first Actos trial went to court in Los Angeles. The plaintiffs, John and Nancy Cooper, filed a lawsuit in 2012 against Takeda Pharmaceuticals (the makers of Actos), alleging that Jack’s severe bladder cancer resulted from taking the diabetes drug Actos for more than two years. The Coopers’ lawyers contend that Takeda had knowledge of Actos’ link to bladder cancer as early as 2004 but failed to inform the FDA and the public until seven years later. Mr. Cooper, who took Actos for two years, currently has severe bladder cancer. Closing arguments started yesterday.

It’s estimated there are nearly 500,000 accidents every year involving a commercial truck weighing at least 10,000 pounds or more. Collisions with such large and heavy vehicles typically lead to far more serious injuries than car accidents do. In fact, one out of every eight truck accidents leads to a fatality.

Here are 7 more alarming fatal truck accident statistics that you should be aware of:

Distracted driving has led to an increase in car crashes ever since our mobile phones have gotten “smarter.” Drivers who use handheld devices are four times more likely to get seriously injured in a car crash, and text messaging has been estimated to increase the chances of a car crash by 23 percent.

Construction sites can be dangerous places to work, to visit, and even to walk by. Anyone who works in construction or has been on a site knows that are a number of hazards everywhere you look – from heavy machinery, dangerous power tools and falling debris to scaffolds, ladders and exposed electrical wires. With so much activity happening at a construction site on any given day, the dangers can be difficult to control. The presence of third-party subcontractors on a site can make operations even more hazardous.

1. What exactly is a personal injury case?

A personal injury claim is a case in which you were hurt because of something that somebody else did or was responsible for (e.g., a car accident). This usually occurs when someone is negligent. A personal injury lawyer will be able to tell you whether your case is a personal injury case.

2. What does “negligence” mean?