August 15, 2014

Apple bans chemical that causes nerve damage

After years of controversy surrounding the treatment of its factory workers, Apple decided Thursday to eliminate the use of two toxic chemicals in its manufacturing process.

Lisa Jackson, vice president of environmental initiatives at Apple (AAPL, Tech30), says the computer company will prohibit the use of benzene and n-hexane in the assembly of its electronics. Benzene is a carcinogen associated with leukemia, and workers who are exposed to high concentrations of n-hexane in large doses can develop nerve damage, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control.

Trilogy Trial Consultants assists Pensacola law firm in case where jury returned verdict for $12.6 Million

(Pensacola, FL) - After 6 1/2 hours of deliberations, an Escambia County jury awarded Jerry Michael Hendrix and his wife Verna $12.6 million dollars.  The case arose out of an automobile accident that occurred in Pensacola, FL on February 23, 2011. On that day, Jerry Hendrix was severely injured when an industrial truck owned by Burford's Tree Surgeons, an Alabama based company, turned in front of his vehicle while he was traveling to work. The truck violated Mr. Hendrix's right-of-way and caused a head-on collision. However, the defense attorneys alleged that Mr. Hendrix was not wearing a seatbelt and that his injuries were primarily caused by his own negligence in failing to wear a seatbelt. The jury rejected that argument. The jury found that the Defendant was 85% at fault for Plaintiff's injuries. Dan Reyes, President of Trilogy Trial Consultants and Amy Singer Ph.D. assisted the firm utilizing an innovative method of conducting jury research. The case was tried by attorneys Troy Rafferty, Fred Levin and Aaron Watson of the Levin Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty & Proctor law firm in Pensacola, FL. The Defendants were represented by attorneys Millard Fretland of Pensacola, FL, and Jeff Luther of Mobile, Alabama. Circuit Judge Ed Nickinson presided. 

June 31, 2014

JURY SELECTON AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Comment No. 8 of Rule 1.1 of the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides that counsel “. . . should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology.”  

June 11, 2014

Eight-month trial over alleged phone hacking, corruption and perversion of the course of justice enters final phase.

The jury in the Rebekah Brooks trial has retired to consider its verdicts on a string of offences related to phone hacking, corruption and perversion of the course of justice.

May 28, 2014

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

The widow of a police officer killed while escorting President Barack Obama's motorcade has filed a lawsuit in the death.

Jupiter Police Officer Bruce St. Laurent died during a 2012 visit by Obama to Florida. His wife, Brenda St. Laurent, is suing the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

May 15, 2014

General Motors said on Thursday it has issued five more recalls, covering about 2.7 million vehicles in the United States and as a result is expected to take a charge of up to $200 million.

Still dealing with the fallout from the recall of defective ignition switches linked to at least 13 deaths, the No. 1 U.S. automaker said, the largest of the latest recalls covers more than 2.4 million cars for tail lamp malfunctions.

April 9, 2014

Innovations in Law Firm Technology

The past few years have been momentous for law firms and their use of technology. In the electronic discovery area alone, innovations including predictive coding have found acceptance by the courts. We turned to NLJ affiliate Law Technology News for this review of some of the latest developments in the field.