Miscellaneous

• $100,000 Punitive Damage Award "OK"--Virginia Supreme Court

  Ben Glass | April 25, 2007 5:17 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  Two 20-year employees of General Electric Company ended up in a fight at the plant. One of the employees put his hands on the other's chest and violently slammed him against the concrete wall causing his cap and safety glasses to go flying and a "knot" on his head to develop. The employee who had been knocked down sued, claiming that he had suffered personal injury and was humiliated knowing...

• Virginia Tech Shooting

  Ben Glass | April 16, 2007 12:34 PM | 1 CommentNorthern Virginia, VA

  Our prayers go out to the victims and families of this morning's shooting at Virginia Tech. While none of my children attend Virginia Tech our family has many friends who's children do attend. My kids have friends there.We hope all are safe and that those who are injured do recover.

• Immunity for Space Travel Bill on Governor's Desk

  Ben Glass | March 25, 2007 6:51 AM | 1 CommentNorthern Virginia, VA

  I posted earlier about this inane idea to pass a law to immunize from liability these groups who are developing commercial space flights. Now the bill sits on the Governor's desk and I suppose he is seriously considering one more immunity bill for Virginia. (I'm not against space flight for real people. Great if you can afford it, I imagine. ) What I do think is wrong is for the state to grant...

• Rat Poison in Recalled Pet Food

  Ben Glass | March 23, 2007 2:06 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  There are some reports now coming out that it was rat poisoning in the pet food that is being recalled nationally. According to CBSRat poison has been found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said Friday.The toxin was identified as aminopterin, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker...

• Pet Food Recall Class Action Lawsuits

  Ben Glass | March 23, 2007 10:38 AM | 3 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The first class action lawsuit, with 95 pet owners, has been filed in Wisconsin.The lawsuit, against Menu Foods Inc.,alleges that it produced and distributed pet food that might be dangerous, and possibly deadly, to animals.We have received several calls on these cases and will help coordinate Virginia claims. We will be working with other firms nationally who are handling the Menu Foods pet...

• Aetna's Disability Benefit Termination Thwarted

  Ben Glass | March 17, 2007 1:05 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  In a recent case in federal court the judge ruled that Aetna Life Insurance Company's decision to permanently terminate disability benefits to an employee was wrong and those benefits would be reinstated. Most disability insurance companies will only make payments to you if you are disabled and under the "regular care and attendance" of a physician. Here there was a period of time during which...

• Allstate Told to Pay for Loss of Boat

  Ben Glass | March 15, 2007 1:00 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  In a case from the Supreme Court of Virginia, Allstate Insurance Company has been told to pay the owner of a boat that sunk over $40,000.00. Allstate had denied coverage under the insurance policy that it sold the boat owner. It lost at trial, appealed, and lost again.The boat owner had disconnected a water pump from the boat in order to take the water pump to someone else to repair. He...

• JURY DENIED FOR WOMAN SUING FOR LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

  Ben Glass | March 14, 2007 6:20 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a major fraud on the American employee. Through statute and interpretation by the Supreme Court of the United States insurance companies have been clothed in an almost ironclad protection of their decisions regarding insurance benefits for employees.In this case filed in the federal court in Norfolk, the plaintiff is suing for a...

• American Dental Hygienist Disability Policy Not Covered by ERISA

  Ben Glass | March 13, 2007 11:13 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  When a dental hygienist sued because her disability insurance claim was denied, the insurance company contended that her claim, bought through the American Dental Hygienist Association, was covered by the federal law of ERISA.Why?Because ERISA gives the insurance company a HUGE advantage--(1) it's decision given deference; (2) no jury trial; (3) no real trial at all; (4) no "real damages" except...

• $1 Billion Lawsuit Filed

  Ben Glass | March 13, 2007 11:44 AM | 1 CommentNorthern Virginia, VA

  Today's headlines in national news reports a whopping one BILLION dollar lawsuit filed.Gee...does that sound like too much? Should there be a cap on the recovery of the plaintiff?Is this going to stifle business? Are insurance rates going to go up?Is this a travesty?.... another case of some poor schmuck plaintiff bringing a biz to it's knees?Nah, it's just Biz v. BizViacom v. GoogleYou won't be...