Category: Torts

Dennis Quaid and Wife Sue Baxter Healthcare for Overdose of Newborn Twins

Actor Dennis Quaid and his wife have sued the makers of heparin for the overdosing of their newborn twins after they were given massive doses of the blood thinner at an Indianapolis hospital.  Strangely, they have not sued the hospital which clearly erred in selecting the dosage. However, the hospital is not likely to escape litigation since Baxter Healthcare may bring it in as a co-defendant. Continue reading “Dennis Quaid and Wife Sue Baxter Healthcare for Overdose of Newborn Twins”

Supreme Court Hears Important Product Liability Case

The Bush Administration has switched the government’s position on an important product liability question in a case that could have profound effects for all Americans.  At issue in Riegel v. Medtronic Inc., No. 06-179, is whether citizens are preempted or barred from suing a company for a product that was approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration. Continue reading “Supreme Court Hears Important Product Liability Case”

Michael Savage Sues Muslim Group and Attacks Islam

Talk show host Michael Savage has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Council on American-Islamic Relations in an action that threatens journalistis and bloggers and advocacy groups that use material from broadcast and radio programs. The filing seems calculated more to allow Savage to defame an organization than to seek real legal relief. Continue reading “Michael Savage Sues Muslim Group and Attacks Islam”

Studies on Teen Brains Leads Some States to Reconsider Laws Charging Them as Adults

States have been increasingly charging teens as adults in response to public pressure for tougher laws.  Now, however, science appears to question the basis for such laws — showing that the teenage brain is still forming in substantial ways. Continue reading “Studies on Teen Brains Leads Some States to Reconsider Laws Charging Them as Adults”

Talk Show Host Michael Savage Sues Muslim Advocacy Group CAIR for Copyright Infringement

Talk show host Michael Savage has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Council on American-Islamic Relations in an action that threatens journalistis and bloggers and advocacy groups that use material from broadcast and radio programs.   Continue reading “Talk Show Host Michael Savage Sues Muslim Advocacy Group CAIR for Copyright Infringement”

National Enquirer Sued for Defamation Over Kennedy “Love-Child” Story

A Massachusetts woman, Caroline Bilodeau-Allen, and her son, Christopher Allen, are suing the National Enquirer for defamation after the tabloid reported in 2006 that Christopher is really the son of Mass. Sen. Ted Kennedy. The Enquirer is standing by its sources in what could be a new test of the so-called New York Times v. Sullivan standard.  Continue reading “National Enquirer Sued for Defamation Over Kennedy “Love-Child” Story”

New York Judge Removed from Bench After Jailing Entire Courtroom Over Cellphone Interruption

Niagara Falls City Court Judge Robert Restaino has been taken off the bench after a perfectly bizarre incident involving a cellphone and a short judicial temper. Restaino was upset that someone violated the no cellphone rule and ordered that all 46 people in the courtroom be searched and jailed. Continue reading “New York Judge Removed from Bench After Jailing Entire Courtroom Over Cellphone Interruption”

California Development Sued for Denying Public Use of Beach: A New Coastal Takings Case?

A case is brewing in California that could revisit controversies over constitutional taking of private property and the common law concerning public easements. Douglas Rigg, a 43-year-old architect, is challenging the property owners of a development called Seadrift near Stinson beach that bans the public from use of their beach. Continue reading “California Development Sued for Denying Public Use of Beach: A New Coastal Takings Case?”