Posts tagged Rants and Raves

• Jury Verdict Against Allstate for Hurricane Katrina Damage

  Staff Writer | April 16, 2007 11:00 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  Today a federal jury in Louisiana awarded a family whose home suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina, a judgment against Allstate Insurance Company for the sum of $2.8 million in damages and penalties. The case involved allegations by Allstate that Hurricane Katrina's winds did not exceed 100 miles per hour and as a result could not possibly have caused structural damage to a home...

• Carnival Safety in Arizona

  Staff Writer | March 31, 2007 2:42 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Defective & Dangerous Products
  

  Have you been to the State Fair? The Renaissance Festival in Casa Grande? Have you ever gone to any makeshift carnivals anywhere throughout the valley? If you have, then chances are great that you saw and rode on some temporary carnival rides. Have you ever wondered about the safety of these rides? Well you are not alone. According to a recent article discussing carnival ride safety in the...

• Should Arizona Ban Drivers from Using Cellphones?

  Staff Writer | March 22, 2007 11:13 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Automobile Accidents
  

  According to an article in today's Arizona Daily Star a citizens group wants to place on the next election ballot an initiative to outlaw cellphone use while driving in order to lower risks of automobile accidents: An initiative drive launched Wednesday would make it illegal for drivers to talk on their phones unless they are using a hand-free headset. Violators would be subject to a $100 fine;...

• Protecting Access to Public Records

  Staff Writer | March 18, 2007 1:14 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Defective & Dangerous Products
  

  An opinion article in today's edition of the Arizona Republic caught my attention when it discussed access to public records. Various public records maintained by local, state and federal governments can affect corporate and individual acountability for the safety of products and services offered to consumers. Our local, state and national governments collect lots of information about many...

• United States Supreme Court Strikes Down Punitive Damage Award Against Phillip Morris

  Staff Writer | February 21, 2007 6:46 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court dealt a blow to consumers and businesses who present punitive damage claims to deter future harmful conduct. In a sharply divided opinion, the Supreme Court held that a Plaintiff cannot seek punitive damages to punish a corporation by suggesting actions against non-parties to a lawsuit should play a role in the size of the punitive damage award. A...

• Civil Justice Remedies for Crime Victims

  Staff Writer | February 11, 2007 6:02 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Property Owner's Liability (Slip & Fall)
  

  We have heard plenty of stories about crime in Arizona. Unfortunately and sadly, crime occurs everyday on our streets, in our offices and in our homes. If you have victimized by criminal conduct, what happens next? Who will provide support and explain what you can expect from our criminal justice system? What resources are available? What remedies are available in the criminal and civil...

• Limiting the Right of Consumers to Sue

  Staff Writer | January 17, 2007 10:00 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  The New York Times published an editorial on January 16, 2007 suggesting that pro-business tort reform initiatives are succeeding throughout the judicial system, the federal government and in state legislatures across the country. The editorial suggests that public relations campaigns are painting the picture that almost all litigation against business is frivolous and that consumers do not...

• New Proposal to Limit Public Access to Vehicle Safety Data Bad for Consumers

  Staff Writer | January 12, 2007 12:15 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Defective & Dangerous Products
  

  Shopping for a new car and want to compare details about past vehicle warranty-related problems before making your final buying decision? Do you want to look at available accident-related safety reports and determine which make and model of vehicle performed safest? Well according to a recent article in the San Fransisco Chronicle, a new proposal from the National Highway Safety Administration...

• Consumer Credit Freeze Proposal Good for Arizona

  Staff Writer | January 09, 2007 12:26 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  On Sunday, January 7, 2007, Linda Valdez, a columnist from the Arizona Republic urged the legislature to pass a bill allowing people to "put a freeze on their credit reports" as a way to minimize risk of identity theft. According to the Republic columnist, a credit freeze means that no one can access your credit information without your express permission. Consequently, no one can get a loan...

• Happy New Year!

  Staff Writer | January 02, 2007 9:14 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  As we have just entered 2007, I wanted to extend a sincere greetings to one and all for a happy and healthy new year! In this new year, I resolve to continue to discuss tort reform and its implications on consumers' ability to recover for real wrong-doing, force accountability, and make products and services safer. I hope to present the facts in a fairly objective way. Last year was not a...