Category Archives: Accidents

Russell Jones & Walker Wins Claim Against London’s Oldest Gay Pub

Russell Jones & Walker has won a claim (Case number: 609803.1) of adopting ‘an anti-gay policy’ against the new owners of London’s oldest gay pub on behalf of Mr Charles Lisboa, 41, who joined the Coleherne Arms as Assistant Manager shortly before it re-opened as the Pembroke Arms in December 2008.

The pub, regarded as London’s first ‘gay pub’, had attracted an exclusively gay clientele until its acquisition by Realpubs in 2008. The new owners stated that they intended to refurbish the pub and re-package it as a gastro-pub, to attract patrons from a wider section of the community.

However, soon after the pub re-opened as the Pembroke Arms, Malcolm Heap, Director at Realpubs, expressed concern to staff that the clientele had not really changed. The Tribunal accepted that Mr Heap, along with Jimmy Sydney, the pub’s General Manager, took various steps to ‘de-gay’ the pub, including putting a sign up outside proclaiming, ‘This is not a gay pub’.

Mr Heap also stressed in an email to one of Realpub’s investors that he was attempting to ban the pub’s ‘over the top’ customers.

Mr Lisboa was uncomfortable with the stance taken by Realpubs’ management regarding their attitude to him and the pub’s gay customers. On one occasion, Mr Lisboa was asked by Mr Heap to reprimand a gay couple for their behaviour, referring to them as ‘queens’. Mr Heap then went on to say that Mr Lisboa was ‘another kind of gay’. On a separate occasion, Mr Heap stated that one of Mr Lisboa’s colleague’s ‘walked too camp’.

Only four weeks after joining the Pembroke Arms Mr Lisboa tendered his resignation due to sex discrimination.

The London Central Employment Tribunal has upheld Mr Lisboa’s claim that he was the victim of discrimination at work and awarded him compensation. However, his claim of constructive dismissal was deemed unsuccessful.

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Shoosmiths Has Launched A New Brand For Its Consumer Legal Services

Shoosmiths launches new brand, Access Legal, to bring together more than 100 legal services for consumers.

Partner and head of consumer services at Shoosmiths, Judith Dorkins, said: “Consumers lack easy and reassuring access to legal services and advice. The consumer legal market is fragmented and without a leading legal brand, leaving it open to new entrants as a result of the Legal Services Act. We recognised an opportunity in that we were ideally placed to put our stake in the ground as the professional law firm that wants to attain a share of this ‘new’ market.

Shoosmiths Has Launched A New Brand For Its Consumer Legal Services

“We already had the expertise, track record and infrastructure in place, but what we hadn’t fully refined was our customer care and the integration of our core conveyancing; wills, family and wealth; and personal injury services into a complete product range.”

The new Access Legal website also brings all of the Shoosmiths’ services, whether it is helping people buy a house or advising on a £multi-million corporate deal, under the Shoosmiths’ name.

“Marketing to consumers and to commercial clients requires different approaches, and we felt the time was right to wrap up our distinct consumer services in a standalone brand that’s accessible and friendly, yet highly professional, and which has over 150 years’ history and experience to back it up.”

Access Legal from Shoosmiths is for people who take responsibility for their lives, and who recognise the value of specialist professional advice.

The new logo for the brand has been created by Shoosmiths’ in-house design team and the typeface reflects both the modern and traditional elements of the new services, whilst retaining the Shoosmiths blue.

Dorkins said: “Our research amongst consumers identified that they wanted the reassurance of a law firm but with modern service delivery which fitted around their busy lives, so our helpline will be operational seven days a week. Research also revealed that very few law firms were providing added value to clients in terms of staying in touch and providing relevant and timely information.”

Access Legal is a fundamental move away from the old fashioned lawyers’ view of the client as a ‘transaction’ and a move to recognise that people have legal needs throughout their life – Shoosmiths’ aim is to earn and retain that loyalty. Ultimately, Shoosmiths wants to provide consumers with the solutions to their complete lifetime legal needs.

Shoosmiths’ commercial and consumer operations complement each other because some of the firm’s larger commercial clients offer their employees discounted legal services as part of a benefits package.

Crucial to the brand’s success will be the new website which was developed by Shoosmiths’ in-house IT and creative teams.

Dorkins said: “Internally, people see the sense in doing this because we’re making our service offering clearer with separate websites and brands for our different stakeholders, whether they are commercial organisations, consumers, or our own employees.”

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New Jersey Resident Affected by the January 2010 Toyota Recall for Defects in Gas Pedals Files Suit

Class Action Status Requested To Benefit All Residents of New Jersey Who Own or Lease Toyota Vehicles Subject to the January Recall.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, together with Douglas & London, P.C. and the Becnel Law Firm, LLC, announces that it filed suit on behalf of a New Jersey woman who purchased a Toyota vehicle subject to the recall issued in January 2010 for defects in the vehicles’ gas pedals. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, seeks class action status intended to benefit all residents of New Jersey who purchased or leased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005-2010 subject to the recall for defective gas pedals.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has been contacted by hundreds of Toyota owners with questions about their legal rights in relation to the January 2010 recall. If you or someone you know owns or leases one of the Toyota vehicles involved in this recall, please contact our office by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling Parker Waichman Alonso LLP at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

In August 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Toyota launched an investigation relating to the unintended acceleration of some of its vehicles. On September 29, 2009, the NHTSA announced that Toyota was recalling floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles, which allegedly caused the accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicles. On January 21, 2010, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles produced in the years 2005 through 2010 due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. To date, Toyota has recalled a total of 5.3 million vehicles due to defects in accelerator pedals, which can unexpectedly become stuck in place and send the vehicle into rapid, uncontrollable and unsafe acceleration.

According to the class action lawsuit filed by Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, Douglas & London, P.C., and the Becnel Law Firm, LLC, in 2008 Margaret Gonzalez purchased a Toyota Avalon LTD from Brunswick Toyota in Brunswick, New Jersey, which was subject to recall in January 2010. The complaint alleges that because of Toyota’s negligence, Ms. Gonzalez and members of the purported Class lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress.

The complaint charges Toyota with negligence, breach of express and implied warranty, unjust enrichment and violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. The class action lawsuit seeks to recover compensatory, equitable, and actual and punitive damages for the Class, as well as injunctive relief and attorneys fees.

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Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Files Suit Against Toyota Motor Corp. USA, Inc.

Class Action Status Requested To Benefit All Residents of New York State Who Own or Lease Toyota Vehicles Subject to the January Recall

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, together with the Becnel Law Firm, LLC and Douglas & London, P.C., announces that it filed suit on behalf of a New York man who leased a Toyota vehicle subject to the recall issued in January 2010 for defects in the vehicles’ gas pedals. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeks class action status intended to benefit all residents of the State of New York who purchased or leased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 that is subject to the January 2010 recall for defective gas pedals.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has been contacted by hundreds of Toyota owners with questions about their legal rights in relation to the January 2010 recall. If you or someone you know owns or leases one of the Toyota vehicles involved in this recall, please contact our office by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling Parker Waichman Alonso LLP at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

On January 21, 2010, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles produced in the years 2005 through 2010 due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. To date, Toyota has recalled a total of 5.3 million vehicles due to defects in accelerator pedals, which can unexpectedly become stuck in place and send the vehicle into rapid, uncontrollable and unsafe acceleration.

According to the class action lawsuit filed by Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, the Becnel Law Firm, LLC and Douglas & London, P.C., Peter Phaneuf leased a Toyota Camry LE in 2009, which was subject to recall by Toyota in January 2010. The complaint alleges that because of Toyota’s negligence, Mr. Phaneuf and members of the purported Class lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress.

The complaint charges Toyota with negligence, breach of express and implied warranty, unjust enrichment, and violations of the New York State General Business Law. The class action lawsuit seeks to recover compensatory, equitable, and actual and punitive damages for the Class, as well as injunctive relief and attorneys fees.

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, drugs and medical devices. For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

About Becnel Law Firm LLC
Becnel Law Firm, LLC has been in existence for over 30 years and is one of the largest personal injury firms in the New Orleans area. The Becnel Law Firm LLC is a full service law firm representing clients both locally and nationally.

About Douglas & London, P.C.
Douglas & London, P.C. is a national personal injury law firm based in New York City. Over the past decade, Douglas & London, P.C. has built a formidable reputation by taking on precedent-setting mass torts and complex cases involving products liability, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers.

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Black Farmers Reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On this day that we remember the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, we recall a letter Dr. King sent to newly-elected president, John F. Kennedy. This letter was published in “The Nation” on February 4, 1961. In this letter Dr. King outlines the many areas that President Kennedy’s administration could affect positive change. Among areas cited specifically by Dr. King are the practices of the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and the Department of Justice:

Black Farmers Reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Department of Agriculture—which doubtless considers civil-rights issues as remote from its purview—could fruitfully reappraise its present operations with a view to taking certain steps that require no new legislative powers. The department could be of tremendous assistance to Negro farmers who are now denied credit simply because of their desire to exercise their citizenship rights. To wipe out this kind of discrimination would be to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of Negroes on the land. A department zealous to implement democratic ideals might become a source of security and help to struggling farmers rather than a symbol of hostility and discrimination on the federal level.

A Justice Department that is imbued with a will to create justice has vast potential. The employment of powerful court orders, enforced by sizable numbers of federal marshals, would restrain lawless elements now operating with inexcusable license. It should be remembered that in early American history it was the federal marshal who restored law in frontier communities when local authority broke down.

It is now 2010, some 49 years after Dr. King’s letter. Unfortunately, many of the same issues remain for black farmers. Discriminated black farmers still await compensation from the government. In May 2009, the President proposed $1.15 billion for the 2010 budget – In a statement, President Obama said the proposed settlement funds would “close this chapter” in the USDA’s history of discrimination. He went on to say:

My hope is that the farmers and their families who were denied access to USDA loans and programs will be made whole and will have the chance to rebuild their lives and their businesses…

Sadly, that promise remains unfulfilled. Congress has thus far failed to fund the requested $1.15 billion to compensate discriminated black farmers. “May this be the year that this portion of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream gets fulfilled” says John Boyd, founder and President of the National Black Farmers Association.

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James Scott Farrin Attorney Reaches Out To New Lawyers

Sean Cole, a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, spoke at a seminar sponsored by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) titled “Trying Your First Case.” The event was held at NCAJ headquarters in Raleigh on Sept. 18.

James Scott Farrin Attorney Reaches Out To New Lawyers

The seminar covered topics ranging f r o m preparing for the trial to continued vigilance after the trial is over. Cole focused his talk on jury selection and the presentation and handling of witnesses and evidence.

“There is absolutely no substitute for trial experience,” he said. “But to get ready for that, you have to hear f r o m people who already have it.”

The seminar was designed around a member-identified need for more education on practical trial skills. While the majority of the approximately 20 participants were new to the field of law, several were seasoned attorneys who just didn’t have a lot of trial experience.

Despite a full caseload at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Cole says he will always make time to help the NCAJ pursue its Continuing Legal Education (CLE) functions.

“When I just started as an attorney, I’d go to a lot of CLE programs, especially those given by the NCAJ,” said Cole, a 12-year legal veteran. “I was impressed by how many great attorneys were taking the time to teach and share their experiences just to help others become better lawyers. I knew it would be important to give back one day.”

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin encourages its attorneys to become involved with NCAJ, and the firm as a whole is a member of the group’s Leader’s Forum – the highest level of firm financial contribution recognized by the NCAJ. Most of the firm’s attorneys are NCAJ members, several of whom hold leadership positions.

Cole is extremely active in the NCAJ. He recently received an Order of Service Award f r o m the organization for his contributions to advancing its mission of protecting people’s rights. Other James Scott Farrin attorneys who received Order of Service Awards included: James S. Farrin, Michael Jordan, J. Stewart Clontz and Rick Fleming. Cole currently serves as a member of the Education Committee and is the Listserve Security Officer for the Auto Torts Executive Committee. In addition, he was Editor in Chief of the NCAJ’s newly released North Carolina Manual of Complaints– 3rd Ed. Over the years, he has presented at more than a dozen NCAJ Continuing Legal Education programs.

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Law Offices of James Scott Farrin Attorney Earns Board Certification

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is proud to announce that Attorney Barry Jennings has recently passed the exam to become a Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law.

Board Certified Specialists are lawyers certified by the North Carolina State Bar as having demonstrated special knowledge, skill and proficiency in a specific area of law. The certification process for workers’ compensation law requires at least five years of substantial involvement practicing workers’ compensation law, completing at least 36 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits in workers’ compensation and related legal fields, a satisfactory review by at least five legal peers, and passing a comprehensive written examination.

Prior to joining the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2006, Jennings worked as a defense attorney defending employers against the claims of injured workers. This experience has given him a keen appreciation for workers’ compensation law from both sides of the table.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Jennings currently represents workers who have suffered serious injuries as a result of a work accident. He is a member of The Order of Barristers, the Workplace Injury Litigation Group and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

Four of the six Board Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation law practicing in the city of Durham work for the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. In addition, James Scott Farrin Attorney Rick Fleming is a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law.

“We are committed to providing top notch legal talent for our clients,” says Founder and President James S. Farrin. “We believe that our experienced, capable attorneys, including our Board Certified Specialists, can make a difference in our client’s cases.”

ABOUT THE FIRM
Founded: 1997 by James S. Farrin, Duke University School of Law, J.D. (1990) in Durham

Number of employees: Approximately 130, including 24 attorneys. Approximately 20 staff members are fluently bilingual, speaking English and Spanish.

Offices: 13 statewide, including Durham , Raleigh , Charlotte , Fayetteville , Greensboro , Greenville , Goldsboro , Henderson , New Bern , Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount , Sanford , Wilson

Major practice areas: Personal Injury, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights, Social Security, Workers’ Compensation

Website: http://www.farrin.com

Presently leading one of the largest civil rights cases in United States history: In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, Case No. 08-mc-0511 (PLF) (D.D.C.), which deals with the United States Department of Agriculture’s discrimination against African-American farmers.

The firm’s many philanthropic pursuits include Duke Children’s Hospital, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The firm has a matching-gift program wherein it matches an employee’s philanthropic contributions.

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Leading Libel And Defamation Law Firm, Russell Jones & Walker, Has Won A Libel Victory Against Publishers Random House

Leading libel and defamation law firm, Russell Jones & Walker, has won a libel victory (Case number: 606990.1) against publishers Random House on behalf of internationally renowned wine connoisseur Michael Broadbent, who was from 1966 until 1992 the head of Christie’s wine department.

The libel action centred on the book The Billionaire’s Vinegar, the subject of which was the provenance of a number of bottles of wine said to have been owned by Thomas Jefferson. The book made allegations which suggested that Mr Broadbent had behaved in an unprofessional manner in the way in which he had auctioned some of these bottles and that his relationship and dealings with Hardy Rodenstock, who discovered the original collection, was suspected of being improper.

In a statement read out in open court, Random House apologised unreservedly for making the allegations and accepted that they were untrue. It has given an undertaking not to repeat the allegations and paid Mr Broadbent undisclosed damages.

Commenting on the settlement Sarah Webb, head of Russell Jones & Walker’s Defamation department who acted for Mr Broadbent said:

“The Billionaire’s Vinegar made highly damaging claims about my client that seriously compromised both his professional and personal reputation. We are delighted that Random House has today accepted that these allegations are totally without foundation and avoided the need to proceed to a full trial. My client is relieved that the good name he has built up over many years as one of the country’s leading wine experts has been fully restored.”

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New San Diego DUI Lawyer Website

San Diego DUI Attorney Cole Casey, California State Delegate to the prestigious National College of DUI Defense, announces the launch of the new San Diego DUI website, San Diego Lawyer DUI, which complements the law firm’s original web site, DUI San Diego.

New San Diego DUI Lawyer Website

The new San Diego DUI Lawyer website provides access to many valuable Drunk Driving Defense resources, such as San Diego DMV license suspension hearing information for DUI defendants, San Diego DUI Court and DMV case results, boating DUI, vehicular manslaughter, Pilot DUI, and other DUI facts.

The DUI Law Firm’s new website also provides victory strategies for other criminal defense lawyers taking cases to DUI Jury Trials in San Diego. In addition, www.duisandiego.com provides valuable information describing the entire DUI court process in California, and also states facts regarding San Diego DUI enhancements and case aggravators.

Attorney Casey devotes his entire law practice solely to defending DUI cases in California, no other criminal defense cases are accepted. In addition, Lawyer Casey has been invited to speak and deliver seminars across the country to other lawyers on the subject of DUI defense. Visit either website, sandiegolawyerdui.com, or www.duisandiego.com for everything you need to know to effectively manage a DUI arrest in San Diego.

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Texas and Houston Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyers Help Fight Carnage Of DUI Deaths

This Labor Day weekend, millions of Americans will celebrate having an extra day of leisure. Sadly, many will celebrate too much. They will drink – too much – and then drive. And they’ll kill up to 300 other Americans, or as many as died on the three-day July 4 weekend. For families of such victims, the only solace may be pressing for damages via a drunk driving lawyer or car accident attorney.

America’s ongoing DUI carnage is why law enforcement officials nationwide, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, are gearing up for increased vigilance on roads and highways for the long Labor Day weekend. They know it’s inevitable that many will be killed by drunk drivers in that time, but hope that through checkpoints and other vigilance they can limit the loss.

How significant is America’s loss to drunk driving? In financial terms, it’s untold billions of dollars. But strictly in terms of human loss — and not counting the millions who suffer injury in drunk driving car accidents — the nation suffered 11,000 DUI car accident fatalities in 2008 alone.

Though annual drunk driving death totals have declined in recent years, 11,000 deaths is still a staggering tragedy. To place it in a broader historical perspective, since 1982 more than half a million Americans have died due to drunk drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Those half a million DUI deaths since 1982 dwarf — by 150,000 — the number of Americans killed in every war since World War II. And all such deaths could have been prevented if people did not drink and drive.

After the fact of a drunk driving death or injury, victims or their families at least have a legal recourse. They can engage skilled, knowledgeable and experienced Texas drunk driving car accident lawyers or auto accident attorneys from Jim S. Adler & Associates, a Texas law firm with zero tolerance for drunk drivers and complete support for drunk driving accident victims.

Whether your drunk driving accident was in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin or anywhere else in Texas, a Texas drunk driving accident lawyer from Jim S. Adler & Associates stands ready to fight for justice and for your own financial compensation, led by Jim “the Texas Hammer” Adler, a personal injury attorney who’s fought for victims’ rights for more than three decades.

About Jim Adler & Associates
Jim S. Adler & Associates is a Texas personal injury law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Channelview. Adler personal injury lawyers and attorneys have fought for Texans’ legal rights since 1973.

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Accident Advice Helpline (AAH), The UK’s Largest Claims Management Company, Has Announced The Re-Launch Of ‘Resolusion’, The Fast Track Personal Injury Service

The move follows the acquisition of Resolusion from Elision Group – the specialist technology company who developed the system – to set an industry standard for faster and more cost-effective claims settlement in line with the Ministry of Justice claims process reforms.

accidentadvicehelpline

The Resolusion system has already demonstrated significant cost savings to both insurers and litigant solicitors following extensive pilot testing over the last 2 years with leading personal injury law firms and insurers, and will change the landscape of personal injury claims by significantly reducing 3rd party costs and settlement times.

Commenting on the launch, Darren Werth – Managing Director of Accident Advice Helpline said, “The re-launch of the Resolusion platform will help proposed MOJ reforms in streamlining the claims process and provide cost savings to both insurers and personal injury law firms. We are planning to run some of our own claims through the system during the next few months and prove that the claimant still receives access to justice, still using lawyers where appropriate and still ensuring adequate compensation and medical assessment at a lesser cost and time.”

An innovative part of the Resolusion service will be the initial medical assessment process, originally designed by Health & Case Management Limited (HCML) and Professor Mansel Aylward, and already used for medical assessments for the DWP Pathways to Work programme. The screening process immediately reduces the need for expensive Medical Reports and associated referral fees, and allows for the early use of rehabilitation where appropriate.

Darren Werth added, “The MOJ claims process reforms are here and we believe the Resolusion platform and service is crucial to the insurers if they are to meet these proposals, we have approached a number of insurers whose claims we capture on a daily basis and with them we hope to be able to lead the change in how personal injury claims are settled”.

About Accident Advice Helpline
Accident Advice Helpline was established in 2000 following the removal of legal aid to accident victims with personal injury cases. The company was founded to provide access to justice for accident victims and, since its creation, has helped thousands of people claim compensation against the responsible parties.

Working on a no win, no fee basis, the injury compensation specialist is the UK’s leading company of its kind and prides itself on quick and effective claims processing with high quality service and an admirable success rate. The level of customer satisfaction which Accident Advice Helpline is known for is characterised by television star Esther Rantzen’s continued support for the company, which she has steadily provided since 2003.

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Russell Jones And Walker Reports Positive News For Majority Of Claimants Who Have Suffered Because Of Sofas Containing The Irritant Dimethyl Fumarate

Richard Langton of Russell Jones and Walker, the solicitor who is leading the sofa rash group litigation against the retailers who sold sofas containing the irritant Dimethyl Fumarate said:

“The positive news is that the majority of claimants will be able to expect compensation within the next few months. All parties concerned will be meeting before 1st June 2009 to establish an assessment process for calculating the amount of compensation that individual claimants will receive and this represents the final stages in establishing liability.”

However, it has transpired that in an unprecedented move, Zurich, the insurers for Land of Leather, may not in fact be looking to pay out compensation for these skin injury claims for undisclosed reasons (Case Number 604759.2). Zurich now have 21 days to confirm their position after which time RJW will be able to update as to whether claimants should be able to expect the rash compensation payments. Russell Jones and Walker is concerned that it has taken Zurich over a year to reveal this decision and that hundreds of people may not receive the claims they are entitled to.

Richard Langton commented, “Should this be the case, we will be doing whatever we can to secure compensation for those people who purchased affected sofas from Land of Leather, and will continue to try and confirm compensation for all the deserving victims of the sofa rash claims, related illness and injuries”.

 

About Russell Jones & Walker
Russell Jones & Walker is a leading national firm of solicitors dedicated to upholding the legal rights of individuals. From the firms foundation in the 1920s the focus has and continues to be, people and those who represent them.

The firm has grown from its trade union roots into a respected national organisation with nine offices across England and Wales, and an associated office in Scotland.

The reputation of Russell Jones & Walker is built on the range of expertise offered by its partners and staff and on the scope of their practical experience.

RJW Solicitors represents clients across a range of areas from personal injury work to commercial and criminal litigation; from employment to defamation and reputation management; and from clinical negligence to family law.

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The Accident Advice Helpline Has Announced They Are To Focus Their Marketing Campaign Around Accidents At Work In An Effort To Support The Health And Safety Executive

Following recent government publicity of the work carried out by the HSE, Accident Advice Helpline has allocated additional advertising budget to help get the message out to the public that if they are injured at work through no fault of their own then their employer is liable for damages and that the AAH is there to help. Included in the advertising are television spots where Accident Advice Helpline clients – such as Steve Hubber, who claimed £3,677 after receiving serious leg injuries at work – talk about their compensation claim experience with the company.

The Health and Safety Statistics Report 2007/08 released by the HSE revealed that 6 million working days were lost because of workplace injury and Accident Advice Helpline is joining them in their drive for improved health and safety in the workplace.

David Carter, the spokesperson for Accident Advice Helpline, said: “We are in constant contact with innocent victims who have suffered painful injuries, so we fully support and recognise the value the HSE brings by helping to reduce the number of preventable accidents from happening.

“By implementing their suggestions and providing specialist training for undertaking injury inducing tasks such as lifting or operating dangerous machinery they are making workplaces across Britain much safer. Even a simple look around the office to ensure there are no potential hazards could prevent a serious injury.”

People who are considering claiming work accident compensation can visit the Accident Advice Helpline website for more information, to read case studies and to use the 30-second ‘How much is your claim worth?’ calculator. AAH also provides 24 hour phone assistance offering free legal advice.

About Accident Advice Helpline
Accident Advice Helpline was established in 2000 following the removal of legal aid to accident victims with personal injury cases. The company was founded to provide access to justice for accident victims and, since its creation, has helped thousands of people claim compensation against the responsible parties.

Working on a no win no fee basis, the injury compensation specialist is the UK’s leading company of its kind and prides itself on quick and effective claims processing with high quality service and an admirable success rate. The level of customer satisfaction Accident Advice Helpline is known for is characterised by television star Esther Rantzen’s continued support for the company, which she has steadily provided since 2003.

Accident Advice Helpline Direct Ltd 
Registered in England & Wales: No: 5107417
Registered Office: Quadrant House (Floor 6), 17 Thomas More Street, Thomas More Square, London E1W 1YW

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Injury Compensation Advice Company Accident Advice Helpline Has Launched Its New Website Detailing How Prospective Claimants Could Win Compensation For Their Personal Injuries

The new website intends to make clear the intention of Accident Advice Helpline to assist people with genuine claims discover what compensation they may be entitled to and includes information on the compensation claim process, how to claim online, a FAQ section and company news.

Accident Advice Helpline’s updated site also includes case studies, a 30 second “how much is your claim worth?” calculator and information about different types of injury compensation claims that can be made.

Prospective claimants are invited to visit the new website to read about what is available to them, but Accident Advice Helpline also encourages victims of personal injuries to phone them on a 24 hour free helpline offering legal advice.

From its new website, Accident Advice Helpline offers a no-win no-fee service to clients who have experienced a personal injury through no fault of their own. From traffic accidents to work accidents, Accident Advice Helpline can help victims of personal injury gain compensation. The injury compensation expert specialises in hassle free online and offline service, with no forms to fill.

For those who have suffered accidents at work, road incidents or other accidents, Accident Advice Helpline can provide round the clock assistance and advice – all free of charge on its legal advice helpline.

About Accident Advice Helpline
Accident Advice Helpline was established in 2000 following the removal of legal aid to accident victims with personal injury cases. The company was founded to provide access to justice for accident victims and, since its creation, has helped thousands of people claim compensation against the responsible parties.

The injury compensation specialist is the UK’s leading company of its kind and prides itself on quick and effective claims processing with high quality service and an admirable success rate. The level of customer satisfaction Accident Advice Helpline is known for is characterised by television star Esther Rantzen’s continued support for the company, which she has steadily provided since 2003.

Accident Advice Helpline Direct Ltd
Registered in England & Wales: No: 5107417
Registered Office: Quadrant House (Floor 6), 17 Thomas More Street, Thomas More Square, London E1W 1YW

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Jim Adler, An ATV Injury Lawyer Whose Warning Exposes The Hidden Dangers Of ATVs, Especially The Yamaha Rhino

“If you hand people a gun that shoots backwards, don’t act shocked at what happens.”

That’s ATV injury lawyer Jim Adler talking about ATV manufacturers and their deceptive advertising. The advertising says that ATVs are a great way to have fun. But this personal injury attorney is hearing from people all over the United States who have been seriously injured in ATV accidents.

2008 case files at the Adler law firm reveal the grim reality that manufacturers don’t talk about: The ATV can cause life-altering accidents at low speeds with no warning, especially in the Yamaha Rhino.

• A Florida woman began having severe headaches two months after an accident in a Yamaha Rhino. An MRI showed a skull fracture and scar fragments sticking into her brain. The Yamaha Rhino passenger had two brain surgeries.

• An Arizona honor student was taken by life-flight to a hospital with a broken right leg, a fractured neck, broken ribs, a broken collarbone and punctured lungs. He has dropped out of school due to brain damage from bleeding in the brain.

Callers from 18 states this year have been telling Adler similar tales. Some injuries aren’t life threatening: a broken foot or leg. But all needed a doctor’s attention. Many required hospitalization. Some have permanent disabilities. And one died from head injuries.

What makes the ATV, particularly the Yamaha Rhino, so dangerous? Its design flaws and lack of safety equipment. ATVs have a narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity. That makes them “tippy.” The two-seater Yamaha Rhino lacks doors, safety handles and other safety equipment. It is particularly dangerous since it is larger and heavier than most ATVs.

Victims of ATV accidents report rollovers at low speeds – at two to three miles per hour one client said – when they tried to make a turn. Some ATVs have flipped suddenly, landing on arms and legs, crushing them. Videos show ATVs jerking and bouncing over sand dunes and on back trails heading to hunting cabins, deer stands and duck blinds. YouTube is full of daredevil stunts on ATVs in contests and exhibitions. Sales of the recreational sports vehicles are a fast growing-component of the automotive market. That worries Yamaha rhino injury attorney Jim Adler.

“The rates of death and injury to kids in ATVs would knock your socks off and the companies that make ATVs know it,” Adler says.

In 2005, an emergency room doctor with the American Academy of Pediatrics called ATVs the “perfect recipe for tragedy” given their unstable design. “Safe Kids Worldwide, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Consumer Federation of America, have been calling for a ban on kids under 16 in ATVs since 1987 because they know how deadly they are.”

An ATV crash is “…12 times as likely to kill a child as an accident with a bicycle,” according to Safe Kids. Adler is a member of several Safe Kids coalitions in large U.S. cities. The coalitions work to reduce preventable accidents – the number one killer of children 14 and under.

The deadly design of the early ATVs prompted the Justice Department to file suit against the manufacturers, claiming that they violated the Consumer Product Safety Act. In 1987, major ATV manufacturers and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approved a 10-year Consent Decree, which among several provisions agreed to stop making the deadly three-wheeled ATV. Makers began manufacturing ATVs with four wheels but many three-wheelers remain in use.

The Wall Street Journal slammed the ATV industry in an article in February 2004, pointing out federal statistics showing that in 2002 more than 110,000 ATV riders were injured seriously enough to require emergency department treatment and that one-third of these were under the age of 16. In 2007, this number has increased to over 150,000 with 27% occurring in children.

About the Company:
Jim Adler is a lawyer with 30 years experience in all types of personal injury cases. He is also a TV and radio personality who has served the public for 25 years on TV and radio talk shows, in newspaper interviews and on civic group panels discussing the legal rights of accident victims. His law firm, Jim S. Adler & Associates represents the seriously and catastrophically injured in Texas and other states.

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Quadriplegic Man Awarded $10 Million in Bad Faith Case

In January 2002, Atlantic Mutual had a chance to settle a quadriplegic personal injury case for $1 million but chose to “roll the dice.” The jury awarded a $16 million verdict and the injured party sued for bad faith. Today, a LA jury found that Atlantic committed bad faith.

A Los Angeles jury today awarded a quadriplegic man $10 million in a bad faith case against Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company. The jury found that Atlantic Mutual acted despicably and with malice and oppression in wrongfully refusing to settle his personal injury case in 2002. Lawyers return tomorrow to deliver closing arguments in the second phase of the trial to determine whether plaintiff is entitled to $5 million in attorneys’ fees.

More on www.smithchapman.com

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Field Fisher Waterhouse Has Recovered Compensation For A 33 Year Old Man In South London Who Was Left With Brain Injuries Following A Serious Fall On A Poorly Maintained Road

Law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has recovered compensation from Homes for Haringey Ltd on behalf of Kyle Bullock, a 33 year old from South London, who suffered severe brain damage following a serious fall on a poorly maintained road.

It was the Claimant’s case that Kyle was walking with friends in North London one evening in July 2007, when they called for him to catch them up. Kyle then broke into a gentle jog and tripped in a deep pothole in Lightfoot Road. He stumbled and lost balance, falling heavily and rolling down the steep hill striking his head on the edge of a second pothole. It was subsequently apparent that the road was in a poor state with multiple pot holes present.

Kyle was taken to Whittington Hospital and was later transferred to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. He suffered severe traumatic brain injury; with damage to the frontal lobes and multiple skull fractures requiring surgery and changes to his personality leading to the breakdown of his relationship and inability to work. Kyle has since been through rehabilitation but still requires help and assistance.

Jill Greenfield, partner in the Personal Injury Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse, represented Kyle and brought a claim against Homes for Haringey Ltd, a subsidiary of Haringey Council, which was set up in 2006 to manage Haringey’s council housing and was responsible for the maintenance of the road. While the Defence admitted the road was poorly maintained, they refused to admit that it was the road surface that caused the accident. A trial was due to take place in November 2008.

After negotiations the organisation accepted the majority of responsibility, 72.5%. Kyle has received an initial £75,000 interim payment but expects to receive a substantial award once the claim has been fully quantified.

Amanda Bailey his litigation friend and ex partner said, “Kyle’s accident left him with serious brain damage and changed our lives forever. This money is there to assist Kyle with his financial and rehabilitation needs. Money can never bring back what he has lost but it will allow Kyle to live as good a life as possible, getting access to therapy in Australia and helping him to build his life.”

Jill Greenfield, personal injury partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse said, “My client was simply returning home after a night out with friends when he fell and suffered brain damage. My initial inspection of this road made it clear to me that it was poorly maintained, with deep potholes. It was our case that a pot hole had caused the fall. The road should never have been left in this state and I felt Kyle had a strong case. The compromise represents the fact that Kyle could be seen to be partially at fault and the fact that the Defence was disputing the fact that the poorly maintained road was the cause of the accident. I am pleased that we have been able to recover compensation for Kyle so that he is able to join his family in Australia and begin to rebuild his life.”

About Field Fisher Waterhouse
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a full-service European law firm with offices in Brussels, Hamburg and London. With 119 partners, over 200 other lawyers and nearly 300 support staff, FFW assist a wide range of international clients, advising across a full range of legal issues.

The main areas of practice are corporate and commercial, IP and technology, banking and finance, regulatory and real estate. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP also have particular expertise in competition & EU law, dispute resolution, employment, asbestos claims , personal injury cases and clinical negligence, public sector and tax.

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Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP Has Reported The Recovery Of £405,750 Settlement In Erbs Palsy Case

Law firm, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, has reported the recovery of £405,750 to a nine-year-old girl, who was injured in 1998 whilst under the care of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; the highest reported settlement in an Erb’s Palsy case of its type.

The claimant was injured during birth as her head was delivered but there were difficulties in delivering the shoulders, known as shoulder dystocia. Field Fisher Waterhouse acted for the claimant in the case that the antenatal care was negligently managed, and there was a failure to deliver by caesarean section. There were further negligent acts and omissions in the obstetric management, including inter alia – the application of strong traction to her head.

As a consequence, she suffered a severe traumatic injury to the nerves supplying her right arm, causing paralysis. She underwent four extensive surgeries to attempt to improve function in her arm in the first seven years of her life. Despite this the claimant has been left with a permanent disability and the right limb remains for all practical purposes, functionless.

The claimant’s mother brought the clinical negligence case against the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Samantha Critchley, a solicitor in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse, acted for the claimant.

The hospital accepted that there were elements of the management of the labour, which were not appropriate and admitted negligence in the claimant’s care and invited proposals for settlement. After a lengthy negotiation the amount of settlement was agreed, in principle, between the parties.

At an Infant Settlement Hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on 28 July, the terms of settlement were approved. In addition to the substantial damages recovered by Field Fisher Waterhouse for the claimant, the hospital was also ordered to pay the claimant’s legal costs.

The claimant’s parents said: “We now know that our daughter will have enough money to help her get through the rest of her life. We would encourage any parent to be very patient in a case like this and not to jump at the first offer they are given.”

Samantha Critchley said: “I am delighted to achieve such a significant award on the claimant’s behalf. She is a delightful and brave little girl who will be affected by her disability for the rest of her life. I hope that the compensation will allow her to obtain the necessary support, now and in the future, to ensure she reaches her full potential in life.”

The claimant was represented by Henry Witcomb of 1 Crown Office Row.

About Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP:
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a full-service European law firm with offices in Brussels, Hamburg and London. With 119 partners, over 200 other lawyers and nearly 300 support staff, we assist a wide range of international clients, advising across a full range of legal issues.

The main areas of practice are corporate and commercial, IP and technology, banking and finance, regulatory and real estate. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP also have particular expertise in competition & EU law, dispute resolution, employment, personal injury and clinical negligence, public sector and tax.

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Field Fisher Waterhouse recovers substantial compensation against Barts & the London NHS Trust on behalf of brain-damaged youth

Law firm, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has recovered a substantial sum in compensation on behalf of Matthew Ellerbeck, who sustained serious brain damage after contracting herpes at the age of six.

In 1997, Matthew suffered a prolonged convulsion, and was taken in an ambulance to the A&E department of the Royal London Hospital. Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) should have been suspected, and aciclovir (an antiviral drug) should have been administered immediately. However the drug was not given to Matthew until over 30 hours later.

As a result of this delay, Matthew sustained serious brain damage. He is now 17, and as a result of the brain damage he suffers daily epileptic attacks and severe learning difficulties, as well as serious attention and behavioural problems.

Matthew’s mother, Susan Culling, brought the case against Barts & the London NHS Trust on his behalf in the High Court. Richard Earle, a lawyer in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse, conducted Matthew’s case to settlement.

The hospital accepted the delay in treating the HSE was negligent, but it argued that most of the damage and subsequent consequences to Matthew would have occurred anyway.

The case had gone on for nine years, in which time a number of concessions were made by the hospital, when a settlement was agreed two months before the case was due to go to trial.

Following this long legal battle, Field Fisher Waterhouse recovered substantial damages. This includes provision for periodical (annual) payments to be made for the rest of Matthew’s life to cover his care and accommodation needs.

Susan Culling said: “I was determined to press on and seek justice for Matthew. I am very pleased at the level of compensation which will make a huge difference to Matthew’s life.”

Richard Earle said: “I am absolutely delighted that substantial damages have been recovered on Matthew’s behalf, in what was an extremely complex case on the medical evidence where both Matthew’s lawyers and medical team had worked extremely hard to overcome the Defendant’s arguments on causation. This will improve the quality of Matthew’s life and provide protection for the future.”

Matthew was represented by James Badenoch QC and Dennis Matthews of Counsel.

About Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP:
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a full-service European law firm with offices in Brussels, Hamburg and London. With 119 partners, over 200 other lawyers and nearly 300 support staff, we assist a wide range of international clients, advising across a full range of legal issues.

The main areas of practice are corporate and commercial, IP and technology, banking and finance, regulatory and real estate. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP also have particular expertise in competition & EU law, dispute resolution, employment, personal injury and clinical negligence, public sector and tax.

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An update by Russell Jones & Walker on severe skin reactions caused by leather sofas sold by several leading high street retailers

Following a recent BBC Watchdog expose of severe skin reactions caused by leather sofas sold by several leading high street retailers, Russell Jones & Walker announces update.

Back in February, the BBC’s Watchdog programme exposed a story about leather sofas, sold by a number of leading high street retailers, which had caused severe skin reactions in some people. The Chinese manufactured sofas, the majority of which were purchased from Land of Leather, Argos and Walmsleys, were thought to contain a chemical which was causing extreme allergic reactions in some people, including rashes and blistering that resulted in hospitalisation for some.

Watchdog reported on 12 May 2008 that, in conjunction with Russell Jones & Walker (RJW), it has since discovered that the cause of these ‘sofa burns’ is Di-methyl Fumarate (DMF), a chemical known to cause skin irritation. This fungicide is contained within a sachet which is placed inside the sofas in order to protect against mould during storage, transit and everyday usage. Argos’ independent investigations have also now confirmed these results.

A team of Solicitors led by Richard Langton and Christian Shotton of RJW is currently representing injury claims on behalf of more than 500 people who have suffered due to the affected sofas, and this number is continuing to grow. Around 1000 individuals are now launching a group action in the high court to sue the retailers who sold the sofas for damages.

The majority of the sofas have now been recalled, but a list of known affected sofa batch numbers has been compiled on the RJW Solicitors site in order to enable worried consumers to check whether their sofa might be one of those affected.

In light of the ongoing problem, RJW Solicitors has also advised that anyone who has experienced similar skin problems, even if their sofa’s batch number does not appear in the list, should still contact the retailer where they originally purchased the sofa from.

About Russell Jones & Walker
Russell Jones & Walker is a leading national firm of solicitors dedicated to upholding the legal rights of individuals. From the firms foundation in the 1920s the focus has and continues to be, people and those who represent them.

The firm has grown from its trade union roots into a respected national organisation with nine offices across England and Wales, and an associated office in Scotland.

The reputation of Russell Jones & Walker is built on the range of expertise offered by its partners and staff and on the scope of their practical experience.

RJW Solicitors represents clients across a range of areas from personal injury work to commercial and criminal litigation; from employment to defamation and reputation management; and from clinical negligence to family law.

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