Yesterday I wrote about the recall of 4.7 million vehicles to address the danger of exploding air bags. In the last 24 hours, NHTSA has expanded that recall to nearly 8 million vehicles. The federal government is urging the nearly 8 million people to get the airbags in their cars repaired soo...
Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian Blog
Huge Air Bag Recall
If you drive a Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda, Mazda, BWM, Ford, or GM vehicle please act immediately to have the safety of your driver and passenger side air bags evaluated. NHTSA issued an unusually strong warning yesterday directing owners of 4.7 million vehicles ...
William B. Morris Institute for Justice Honors Hegland and Silverman
The William B. Morris Institute for Justice is a legal organization dedicated to protecting the rights of low-income Arizonans. For a while I shared an office with Mr. Morris, and as a young lawyer I was struck by his dedication and generosity. Last night two of my heroes, both my former law pr...
Arizona Law: Courts rule on Experts, Taxable Costs, Offers of Judgment, Negligence Per Se and Arbitration Sanctions
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been three new decisions from the Arizona Appellate Courts that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Here is a quick summary of what you need to know: 1. In a case involving a fatal car accident, the trial court precluded the Plaintiff...
Oh, C^@%, I just got hit!...or hit someone.
Someone close to me was involved in a minor car crash this week. Dealing with the aftermath -- including the insurance companies -- from a personal, not professional, perspective inspired this reminder of what to do immediately and at the scene of a car crash. Being in a collision is stressful ...
The Facebook Epidemic
A recent article in Wired magazine, “Fear and Liking on Facebook” by Matt Honan, explored what would happen if the author “liked” everything he saw on his Facebook's News Feed, no matter what it was. His findings? The simple actof “liking” something does not have innocent social consequences, and...
The Costs of "Defensive Medicine" Myth Busted!
Often doctors, their malpractice insurance companies and their lobbyists claim health care is being ruined by so called defensive medicine. The story goes that medical costs are being dramatically driven up because doctors' fear of lawsuits causes them to order unnecessary tests and procedures. ...
KSS Thanks Teachers
On Legendary Teacher Day, the folks at KSS recall some of the teachers who made a difference in their lives.
The Risk of Outpatient Surgery Centers--The Joan River's Cautionary Tale.
We all read the sensational news of Joan River's passing. While she may have not been your comic cup of tea, one had to admire her energy, work ethic, and longevity. Her tragic death had its roots in a procedure that occurred in an outpatient surgery center. The plan was for her to undergo an ...
The Do's and Don'ts of Repairing Significant Damage to Your Home
My wife and I recently had extensive repairs done to our home due to some substantial damage. Whether its termites, mold, fire, leaks, weather or some other disaster, damage to your home is likely to come at some point if it hasn't already. Here is a list of do's and don'ts when you find yourself...
Arizona Law: Courts Rule on Insurance Bad Faith, Offers of Judgment and Defamation
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been three new decisions from the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona Appellate Court that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Here is a quick summary of what you need to know: 1. In a very messy insurance case involving gross misconduc...
Chasing Paper
I had a great morning yesterday. I had the opportunity to speak to the incoming first year class at the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law. Twenty years ago this week I sat in the same classroom, anxious, excited, and scared -- just like the 150 students who were looking back at me. T...
Arizona Law: Courts rule on OJ's, liens, insurance coverage, deadlines and inappropriate communication
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been five new decisions from the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona Appellate Court that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Though most will not make you jump out of your seat with excitement, it is still important for lawyers to rema...
NHTSA Launches New Consumer Safety Site
NHTSA, the governmental agency charged with overseeing the safety of motor vehicles, unveiled a new, user friendly website today. www.safercar.gov allows users to quickly and easily search for recall notices on their own vehicles by simply entering the vehicle identification number, VIN. Additi...
Rape Prevention: Educating the Bystander
One in five girls of college age is raped. Most of them are intoxicated at the time. In an effort to prevent this startling fact the University of New Hampshire under a grant from the National Institute of Justice has developed an educational program designed to educate bystanders to recognize p...
Can I Sue the Bums?
How many times have you been lied to, mistreated, cheated or abused and wondered, “can I sue the bums for this?” You only need read the daily paper to know the easy answer. Yes, if you have the $75 filing fee you can sue just about anybody for anything. However, actually finding a lawyer willing...
A Disgusting Campaign -- And the Importance of Merit Selection
Pima County's Justice of the Peace campaign shines a bright light on the problems with judicial elections.
Chrysler Recall -- Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander
The GM ignition switch recall continues to grow. So far in 2014, GM has announced 55 different recalls in North America, affecting a total of almost 29 million vehicles. Its ignition switch problems have spiraled into a crisis that has led to Congressional hearings, firings, and the revelation ...
The Law Explained: Jury Finds Dodgers Responsible in Bryan Stow Beating
Last week a California jury awarded Bryan Stow, a Giant's fan, $18 million for injuries--including brain damage--he suffered when two Dodgers' fans beat him outside of Dodger Stadium following a game. As a part of the verdict, the jury found the Dodgers organization 25% at fault and each attacke...
Beware of the Arbitration Clause
Arbitration is a form of what's called alternate dispute resolution (ADR), or a method to resolve a dispute outside of the courts. In an arbitration, the two parties involved in a dispute will present their cases to an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators, and the arbitrator or panel will then rend...
Stay Safe this Fourth.
Have your mechanic check your car before you head out for your Fourth of July road trip.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Birth Control Coverage
In a 5-4 split decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby that employers of for-profit organizations do not have to provide coverage to female employees for birth control under the Affordable Care Act requirements if it is against the organization's religious beliefs...
Government Data Gives Local Hospital's Complication and Caregiving Statistics.
Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services released the results of a study that showed that one person in eight develops a “hospital acquired complication.” Here is the link to the study. Examples of hospital caused complications are things like adverse drug events, surgical infectio...
Social Media Enters the Courtroom--Technology vs. Privacy
The American Bar Association Ethics Committee has ruled it is ethical for attorneys to scour the internet for social media data connected to jurors sitting on their case. This ruling has potentially broad and far reaching consequences and just reinforces the rule that the wise are most cautious ...
ATVs are Unreasonably Dangerous
Former UA Wildcat Amy Van Dyken-Rouen was transferred to the world renowned spinal cord injury rehabilitation center at Craig Hospital in Colorado this week. The six time Olympic gold medalist severed her spinal cord two weeks ago while riding an ATV in Show Low. A witness said Van Dyken-Rouen, ...