All Topics

• Trial lawyers, Physicians and Hospitals

  John Rice | March 13, 2007 11:57 AM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  The annual battle between trial lawyers on one side and physicians, hospitals and insurance companies on the other is now under way. Lawyers say it's about medical malpractice. Health-care professionals say it's tort reform. (A tort is a wrong inflicted on someone). Doctors claim greedy trial lawyers and their clients are flooding the courts with frivolous litigation, sending insurance premiums...

• Party hosts escape liability for drunk-driving injuries

  John Rice | March 09, 2007 9:50 AM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  A man who was uninsured when he drove while drunk caused the accident that resulted in the plaintiff's injuries. Further, he had no personal assets which could be used to satisfy the judgment against him. Instead, the plaintiff had to resort to suing the hosts of the party where he had consumed alcohol prior to getting into his car. The hosts had homeowner insurance which could cover their...

• Judiciary Committee Postpones Medical Malpractice Debate

  John Rice | March 08, 2007 12:54 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  On a day that began with reports of a compromise on medical malpractice legislation, the Senate sponsor of SB2001, Mark Norris, R-Collierville, was granted leave to defer consideration of the bill for another week. Early this morning, the Nashville Post.com reported that compromise legislation was in the works. Sources involved in the negotiations confirmed that an agreement had been reached on...

• Medical Malpractice Deal Within Reach on Capitol Hill

  John Rice | March 07, 2007 12:47 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  Significant changes in Tennessee laws regarding medical malpractice lawsuits may be imminent. An agreement has been reached in principle by leaders of the state's legal and medical communities that proponents believe would lower the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed in Tennessee and still protect the interests and rights of all parties.What is not in the agreement is a cap on the...

• Tobacco jury verdict rejected

  John Rice | February 28, 2007 2:33 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  On a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a $79.5 million jury award against Philip Morris USA, saying that a jury may punish a defendant only for the harm done to the person who is suing. The company had argued that the jury was encouraged to punish it for health problems suffered by every one who smoked its cigarettes.

• Medical professional liablity limits up for vote

  John Rice | February 27, 2007 2:26 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  The Senate Judiciary Committee has set a hearing on Tuesday afternoon for legislation by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Memphis, and Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, that limits medical professional liability or requires pre-certification of medical malpractice cases. Norris' bill, SB 2001, is similar to last year's legislation. . It sets caps on damages for loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society, loss of...

• Medical professional liablity limits up for vote(2)

  John Rice | February 27, 2007 2:26 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  The Senate Judiciary Committee has set a hearing on Tuesday afternoon for legislation by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Memphis, and Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, that limits medical professional liability or requires pre-certification of medical malpractice cases. Norris' bill, SB 2001, is similar to last year's legislation. . It sets caps on damages for loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society, loss of...

• Injured on the Job - What to do to Protect your rights in Tennessee

  John Rice | February 22, 2007 12:14 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  1. If physically capable make sure notice/notice in writing is given to your employer. If you are a sub-contractor notice to the general contractor.2. Make sure that you are given a panel of 3 doctors to choose from.3. Make sure all required notices are published by the employer or general contractor to the Tennessee Department of Labor.4. Make sure you acquire your temporary total benefits or...

• Peanut Butter Recall

  John Rice | February 21, 2007 11:40 AM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  ConAgra estimates the recent Peter Pan Peanut Butter recall will cost the company $50-$60million (including the Great Value recall).Company spokesman Chris Kircher says the company still doesn't know how much peanut butter is involved in the recall, but Kircher said peanut butter typically generates about 150 (m) million dollars in sales each year.ConAgra chief executive Gary Rodkin told...

• Wrongful Death Case

  John Rice | February 02, 2007 1:09 PM | 0 CommentsChattanooga, TN

  John Rice, personal injury attorney in Chattanooga, Tennessee wants you to be aware of some of the pitfalls in court.The Estate of Billy Wayne Jones, deceased v. Andrew Stewart, et alThis is a wrongful death case. On appeal, Ms. Theresa Diane Jones (Ms. Jones) and Ms. Johnnie Mae Hall (Ms. Hall) contend that two erroneous admissions of evidence unfairly influenced the jury's award of damages for...