Legal Matters
Takata Recall Fallout Continues to Grow
Takata Corp., the Japanese firm responsible for more than 31 million motor vehicle recalls, was back in the news recently as the number of affected vehicles continues to increase. On March 2, 2017, Ford recalled 3,200 vehicles due to a faulty airbag module on the front driver side. This latest recall came only days after…
Read MoreAvoiding Ferry Boat Accidents in Georgia
The summer is fast approaching, and everyone is ready to get out and enjoy the numerous waterways Georgia has to offer. Whether you’re enjoying a Savannah boat cruise or a dolphin tour around Tybee Island, the rivers will be filled with tourists and residents enjoying all that our state has to offer. While fun is…
Read MoreLasting Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries on Mental and Physical Health
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when there is a sudden blow or jolt to the head, which causes trauma and disrupts brain functioning. Motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports and recreational activities, and assaults are common causes of TBIs; falls are the most common, and almost half of all TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths are caused by…
Read MoreWho is Liable in a Georgia School Bus Accident?
Millions of children travel on school buses each day throughout the school year. Children and their caregivers trust that their children will safely arrive to and from school, but thousands of schoolchildren are injured every year in school bus accidents. Determining liability can be complicated in these cases. Liability is assigned based on evidence (photographs,…
Read MoreHLM Partner Jeff Harris Argues in Front of Georgia Court of Appeals
Harris Lowry Manton LLP partner Jeff Harris, along with former governor Roy E. Barnes, recently argued in front of the Georgia Court of Appeals in the case of BellSouth Telecommunications LLC v. Cobb County, Georgia, et al. HLM filed claims on behalf of Cobb and Gwinnett County against BellSouth for violating the Georgia Emergency Telephone…
Read MoreYou’ve Been Summoned: What to Expect from Jury Duty
Historians date the concept of settling disputes using juries to the mid-400s B.C. in Athens, Greece. From then on, it became an accepted idea that citizens had the right to settle their neighbors’ grievances and the jury system spread across the western world. Being a juror is a privilege and a valuable way to serve…
Read MoreUPDATE: Judge Rejects Johnson & Johnson Mistrial Request in Alleged Toxic Talc Case
A St. Louis circuit court judge has denied Johnson & Johnson’s request for a mistrial in a case brought by an ovarian cancer victim who says the company’s talcum powder is toxic. Lawyers for Deborah Giannecchinni are presenting evidence that the company was negligent when it failed to warn consumers their baby powder and Shower-to-Shower…
Read MoreUPDATE: J&J Questions Bias of Cancer Victim’s Expert in Talc Trial
Johnson & Johnson Co.’s lawyer questioned the bias of a plaintiff’s expert at trial on allegations by a cancer victim that the company knew scientific research linked its talcum powder to ovarian cancer. David C. Steinberg, a consultant and founder of the Cosmetic Preservatives Council, testified that most companies track studies and medical literature relevant…
Read MoreHoverboard Update: Product Defects Causing Fires and Injuries Prompt Recall
In 2016, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced recalls of more than 500,000 hoverboards due to fires and explosions. The announcement came after six months of investigation across 20 states into fires caused by hoverboards that destroyed homes and apartments. The most recent fire occurred at a Gwinnett County apartment complex; AJC.com reports that nine families…
Read MoreDefective Seat Belts: Buckle Unlatching
Because of a latch design defect in some seat belts, the latches can unlock with little force, rendering the harness useless in a wreck. In this segment, HLM’s Steve Lowry explains the failure, called unintended unlatching. It is prone to occur in a side impact collision when an occupant’s hand, arm or hip hits the…
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