Today’s Atlanta Journal Constitution front-page article provides a shocking revelation from the Department of Transportation.A twenty-nine year employee charged with inspecting state bridges faked his reports since last fall.Falsified inspection reports could suggest that faulty bridges are safe. A bridge collapse could lead to serious personal injuries or even death…
Former Mitsubishi President, Katsuhiko Kawasoe, was sentenced in Japan last week for professional negligence for his role in covering up defects in Mitsubishi trucks in cars over a three-year period from 1997 to 2000.Apparently, the auto manufacturer hid defects in its clutch system on several models of trucks and cars.The…
As the Georgia General Assembly is currently in session, another topic that we’ll try to stay on top of for you is the funding of the state’s seven mental health hospitals.The Georgia Department of Human Resources runs these facilities statewide.The seven hospitals are Northwest Georgia Regional in Rome, Georgia Regional…
January 14, 2008 The Georgia General Assembly begins its 2008 session today.Constitutionally, the legislature is charged with approving a budget for the state.One critical item on this year’s agenda must be saving cash-strapped Grady Memorial Hospital, which is in critical condition. Grady Memorial Hospital (“Grady”), in the heart of downtown…
Varying reports have now appeared about a MARTA escalator incident on New Year’s Eve.At first the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, “a bunch rowdy college football fans lost their footing” when one of the Five Points MARTA station escalator’s malfunctioned.Eleven people were injured in the accident. According to riders, the escalator…
Last week the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported the case of Teri Ramsey, a former St. Joseph’s Hospital nurse turned whistleblower whose False Claims Act lawsuit against St. Joseph’s cost the hospital $26 million with a net reward to her of $4.9 million.This is the highest paid health care fraud in…
December 26, 2007 The family of Milena Del Valle, a passenger killed in the Big Dig Tunnel in Boston, Massachusetts, settled for 6 million dollars yesterday from one of the defendants in a wrongful death suit filed against 17 defendants. While riding as a passenger with her husband in the…
Last week, a divided Georgia Supreme Court in Nathans v. Diamond, S07A0738 tightened the rules relating to expert testimony in medical malpractice cases. In 2003, Dr. Andrew Diamond of Northside Ear, Nose and Throat (Northside ENT) performed surgery on plaintiff Nathans to correct his sleep apnea.During the surgery, Nathan suffered…
December 3, 2007 Last week the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s front-page article examined the complex legal issues that arise when two family members are involved in a single car collision.Sisters Yvonne Woods and Janice Carroll were traveling cross-country in Janice’s SUV.While driving her sister’s vehicle, Yvonne fell asleep.The SUV left the…
November 26, 2007 Last week, the Wall Street Journal’s (subscription required) front-page story explained insurance subrogation through its personal effect on Wal-mart employee, Deborah Shank.Fifty-two year old Shank worked as a night clerk at Wal-mart for years in order to care for her three sons during the day.Seven years ago…