Friday, February 20, 2009

Tainted Peanut Case Prompts Wave of Personal Injury Claims

The case of questionable food safety practices at the nation’s largest peanut processing facility has made headlines in recent weeks. At the current juncture, more than 630 cases of salmonella-related illness have been linked to the Blakely, Georgia plant, and it is suspected that as many as nine deaths may have been caused by the company’s products.

It was recently announced that parent company Peanut Corporation of America has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The news came in the wake of at least a dozen personal injury suits that have already been filed, with dozens more expected in the weeks and months ahead.

Even if Peanut Corp.’s assets are liquidated in bankruptcy, legal experts say that civil litigants can still be compensated for their damages. One option that claimants may pursue is naming other companies who used the tainted peanuts in their products, including Kellogg’s and several other well-known brands.

Although various investigations are still underway in the case, there are early indications that managers at the plant deliberately overlooked signs of contamination and poor conditions at the manufacturing facility. In court, these actions could come into play as proof of malfeasance and negligence.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a company’s negligence or dangerous business practices, you need the advice of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys.
Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Malpractice, Wrongful Death Claims Filed Against Oklahoma Surgeon

In 2006, Oklahoma City neurosurgeon Paul Francel garnered worldwide attention when the risky brain surgery he performed on a Russian teen that had a large cancerous tumor on the brain stem left the patient brain dead. Months later, the patient died after having remained in a coma for some time.

The parents of patient David Kurbanov have filed multiple complaints against Francel, claiming that the standard of care provided by the surgeon did not reflect current medical practice guidelines. Shortly after the surgery, the Kurbanov family began expressing doubts about the medical team that had performed the operation. Although the outcome of the surgery did not go as smoothly as planned, Francel and his staff continued to pursue national and international media coverage in the case.

Since the time of David Kurbanov’s death, half a dozen malpractice and personal injury claims have been filed against Francel in other cases. The state licensure board also has an investigation underway.

Have you or a loved one suffered as a result of medical malpractice? We can help.
Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

West Virginia Plane Crash Spurs Wrongful Death Suits

In a season that has been marred by multiple airplane accidents and crashes, the surviving family members of several victims killed in a commuter plane crash in West Virginia have filed wrongful death lawsuits.

The small plane took off from Chicago on January 29, 2009, with a planned destination of Florida. However, the plane crashed in a forested area near Kenova, West Virginia, killing six passengers, including a father and daughter who are the focus of the first filed wrongful death claims.

Investigations have not yet revealed the cause of the crash, although low fuel and icy weather conditions have both been named as possible suspects. The suit filed by family members also names a number of negligent acts, such as failing to undertake extensive pre-flight inspections and precautions. The surviving family members are asking for at least $50,000 in damages.

Has an accident derailed your family’s health and happiness?
Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Trooper’s Suit Alleges TASER Demonstration Bent Surgical Screw

When Massachusetts state trooper James Foley agreed to participate in a demonstration of a TASER electroshock weapon at a 2006 training seminar, he had no inkling that the less-than-lethal weapon would leave him with debilitating pain. Due to a previous injury, Foley had a significant amount of surgical hardware affixed to his left leg. The moment that workshop personnel applied the tasers to his body, Foley felt pain shoot through his leg.

It was later determined that the force of the shock caused a surgical screw to bend so sharply that Foley’s femur was fractured. Although Foley has since returned to active duty on the force, he works in a diminished capacity, and his injury suit claims a number of personal and professional losses that have negatively impacted his earning power and quality of life.

Have you been harmed by a defective product or as a result of someone else’s error in judgment? If so, we can help you sort through your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours

Parents File Suit against Ohio State University in Student’s Elevator Death

Andrew Polakowski’s first year at college was cut short by a fatal elevator mishap. The 18-year-old freshman from Erie, Pennsylvania was on an elevator that became stuck between two floors of a campus building. When Polakowski tried to escape the elevator, he sustained a massive crush injury which ultimately resulted in his death.

In response to the wrongful death suit that Polakowski’s parents filed in the case, Ohio State University legal officials have claimed that Polakowski contributed to his own demise by packing into an already-crowded elevator. The case continues to proceed toward trial, and Polakowski’s parents are seeking at least $50,000 in damages in the suit.

Have you or a loved one been injured by defective equipment or a malfunctioning device? Let an experienced team of personal injury attorneys help you choose the best course of action.
Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.