December 30, 2008

Federal Leaders Urge Caution As Mortgage Fraud Grows

Mortgage fraud is turning into a blight on the national economy, and federal authorities are warning homeowners, including those in South Carolina, to tread carefully when buying or selling property.

Mortgage fraud is now estimated as costing Americans $4 billion to $6 billion annually, according to the FBI.

If you or someone you love is a victim of predatory lending or mortgage fraud, you have the right to sue the unscrupulous lender to recover your money and punish them for their wrongdoing. You should speak to the Louthian Law Firm as soon as soon as possible. We offer free, confidential consultations to victims, and we never take any fees unless and until we win the case. For a free, no-obligation case evaluation, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

Mortgage Fraud News Story

December 23, 2008

Jury Awards $1.25 Million To Family For Neglect By Nursing Home

The family of a man who died four years at a Georgia nursing home have been awarded $1.25 million after a DeKalb County jury concluded that nursing home neglect was responsible for the man's death. Tucker Nursing Center allegedly provided inadequate care to the man when he was admitted in 2002 at the age of 67. Nine months later, he had to be hospitalized for a bedsore that infected his left buttock to the bone, said his attorney, and ultimately put him in a death spiral. He died in June 2004.

Elderly people are entitled to basic safety, respect and dignity. If you or someone you love is a victim of elder abuse or nursing home abuse, you have the right to hold the abuser responsible in court. The Louthian Law Firm has represented injured South Carolinians in elder abuse lawsuits and other personal injury suits since 1959. With our firm on the case, you can rest assured that you'll get the extensive experience and personalized attention you deserve. For a free consultation, call our Columbia office today at 1-866-410-5656.


Nursing Home Neglect Verdict

December 16, 2008

Jury Awards $48 Million To Worker Paralyzed In Steel Mill Accident

A jury has awarded $48 million in damages to a worker rendered paraplegic after a fall from a ladder at an Indiana steel mill. Anthony Arciniega fell from a ladder at ISG Burns Harbor -- now ArcelorMittal -- in November 2004. Court documents said the ladder was covered with refractory concrete due to the negligence of a subcontractor.

Building something new can be very satisfying work. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the deadliest civilian jobs in the United States, with the nation’s third-highest rate of fatalities, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Since 1959, the Louthian Law Firm has helped South Carolinians win compensation for construction injuries and other serious injuries. We always offer free, no-obligation case evaluations, and we don’t take a dime in fees until we win your case. To speak with us confidentially about your case, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

Steel Mill Verdict

December 2, 2008

$13 Million Verdict Reached Over Alleged Injury From Acne Drug

A New Jersey jury has awarded nearly $13 million to three acne drug users who developed severe inflammatory bowel disease after taking the medication.

The three plaintiffs are Florida residents who used the drug to treat adolescent acne. All three developed bowel disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

If you or someone you care about was seriously injured by a prescription drug, you should speak with a South Carolina pharmaceutical litigation attorney at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. We have won justice for South Carolinians since 1959, and recovered millions of dollars to help sick and injured people heal and move on. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

Acne Drug Verdict

November 24, 2008

Family wins $20.5M for Son's Childbirth Injuries

A Pennsylvania jury has awarded $20.5 million to a family after alleged mistakes made during childbirth led to serious medical problems for their newborn son.

The family will receive $2 million for health care expenses and related costs while the son, who is developmentally impaired, will receive $18.5 million on his 18th birthday for lost earnings, pain and suffering and medical expenses.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by the carelessness of a medical professional, you should speak with an experienced South Carolina medical malpractice attorney like the ones at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your case; protect your legal right to the courts; stand by your side throughout the legal process; and get you the best possible results. For a free consultation, call the Columbia SC Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656.

Pennsylvania Malpractice Verdict

November 21, 2008

Court Verdict Demonstrates Serious Consequences of Bike-Car Accidents

A recent court verdict in Missouri demonstrates the kind of traumatic injuries that can occur in a bicycle-car collision. A jury returned a $1.8 million verdict in a personal injury case brought by a University of Missouri student. She was seriously injured in 2005 when she was struck by two vehicles at an intersection near campus.

The student has had several surgeries and was forced to have her left leg partially amputated.

The Louthian Law Firm in Columbia, SC believe cyclists have the right to hold negligent drivers responsible for the harm they cause. That's why we've devoted a page on our Web site to this important issue.

If you've been hurt in a bike-car collision, you should contact a South Carolina bike accident injury attorney at the Louthian Law Firm. We have helped South Carolina accident victims win the compensation they deserve since 1959, and we are committed to providing personalized service. For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

Missouri Bicycle Accident Verdict

November 12, 2008

Hot Dogs Recalled due to Possible Listeria Contamination

R.L. Zeigler Co., Inc in Selma, Alabama has issued a recall on approximately 28,610 pounds of hot dog products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis which can be fatal for people with weak immune systems, infants, and the elderly. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, severe headache, nausea, confusion, and convulsions. The products related in the Zeigler recall are as follows:

* “ZEIGLER WIENERS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK, ARTIFICIALLY COLORED”: 12-ounce packages, with each package bearing the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and establishment number “P-9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “VACUUM PACKED PAR-TI PUPS”: 12-ounce packages, with each package bearing the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and establishment number “P-9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “ZEIGLER Original Recipe WIENERS, artificially colored”: 12-ounce packages, with each package bearing the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and establishment number “EST. 9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “Zeigler Jumbo Franks”: 16-ounce packages, with each package bearing the use-by date of “Nov. 21, 2008″ and establishment number “P-9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “Zeigler Hot Dogs”: 12-ounce packages, with each package bearing the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and establishment number “P-9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “SKINLESS WIENERS, 8 WIENERS PER LB”: 10-pound bulk boxes, with each box bearing package code “PK 092208A” and establishment number “EST. 9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “SKINLESS WIENERS, ARTIFICIALLY COLORED, 10 WIENERS PER LB”: 10-pound bulk boxes, each box bearing package code “PK 092208A” and establishment number “EST. 9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “SKINLESS WIENERS, 10 WIENERS PER LB”: 10-pound bulk boxes, each bearing package code “PK 092208A” and establishment number “EST. 9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

* “SKINLESS WIENERS, 12 WIENERS PER LB”: 10-pound bulk boxes, each bearing package code “PK 092208A” and establishment number “EST. 9156S” within the USDA mark of inspection.

The hot dog products were produced on September 22 and sent to food service institutions and retail establishments in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee.

The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 1-888-674-6854.

If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured or killed by someone else's careless attitude toward food safety, you have the right to hold the careless party responsible in court. With almost 50 years of experience, the Louthian Law Firm can help you evaluate your case and file the best possible lawsuit. To preserve your right to a day in court, contact one of our experienced South Carolina foodborne illness attorneys as soon as possible, at 1-866-410-5656, for a free case evaluation.

Full Story - Click here.

November 7, 2008

Family Awarded $13.3M in Pain Patch Wrongful Death

A Florida jury has awarded $13.3 million to the family of a woman who died when her pain patch failed and flooded her system with too much medication. Susan Diane Hodgemire, 34, suffered from violent vomiting and fell into a coma after the contents of the patch came into direct contact of her skin. She later stopped breathing and died. Hodgemire is but one of many victims of defective pain patches distributed by Johnson & Johnson that have been found to leak a deadly amount of the narcotic fentanyla. About 80 percent of the lawsuit settlement will be handled by Johnson & Johnson. The rest of the settlement is to be paid by a physician who was found liable for medical malpractice for his actions after Hodgemire telephoned for help. The Johnson & Johnson pain patches have been involved in dozens of other lawsuits nationwide.

If you or someone you care about was injured by a defective medical product like the pain patches, contact the Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656 for a free evaluation of your case.

Full Story - Click here.

October 31, 2008

Report: More Marine Deaths From Motorcycle Crashes In Past 12 Months Than Iraq Combat

Motorcycle accidents during the past 12 months have killed more Marines than combat duty in Iraq, a new report says.

The alarming death rate has prompted military officials to call a meeting to address the issue. Since last November, 25 U.S. Marines have died in motorcycle crashes, compared to 20 Marines killed during fighting in Iraq. All but one of the motorcycle wrecks involved a so-called "sport bike," which can easily exceed 100 mph.

If you’re dealing with fallout from a motorcycle wreck, you should consider speaking with the experienced South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm. We have represented motorcycle crash victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959, and we know our clients are often at a difficult time in their lives. We can help our clients be fairly compensated for a serious motorcycle crash, including money to pay medical bills, repair costs, missed work and other financial costs the accident caused; compensation for a serious injury or permanent disability; and compensation for your pain and suffering.

For a confidential case evaluation, call us today at 1 866-410-5656.

Full story - Click here.

October 22, 2008

Infant Death Prompts Recall of More than 1.5 Million Cribs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the voluntary recall of about 1.5 million cribs following the death of an 8-month-old child.

Two separate drop side cribs made by Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, New York are involved in the recall notice.

The CPSC said 600,000 drop side cribs were being recalled because the crib’s drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged, causing an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers. An 8-month-old child suffocated when the drop side of his crib detached. CPSC also said there had been one child entrapment and one incident in which the drop side detached due to a disengaged spring peg.

The recall involves all Delta drop side cribs manufactured prior to 2006 that use “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” drop side hardware design. The recalled model numbers and country of origin include: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605. The model number, country of origin and manufacture dates are located on top of the mattress support board. The recalled cribs have Delta’s name and address on the mattress support boards and Delta’s logo on the teether rail.

The cribs, made in China, were sold at major U.S. retailers from January 2000 through January 2007.

The recall notice can be found here.

The second recall involving 985,000 Delta Enterprise Drop Side Cribs is to replace missing safety pegs. Failure to use or install safety pegs can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers.

In addition to the death of an 8-month-old child, there have been two entrapments and nine disengagement incidents in cribs where the safety pegs were missing.

The recall involves all Delta cribs manufactured in Taiwan or Indonesia, with the “Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg” drop side hardware design. These model numbers and country of origin can be located on the mattress support board label: 4320, 4340, 4500, 4520, 4530, 4532, 4540, 4542, 4550, 4551, 4580, 4600, 4620, 4624 (production dates 01/06 thru 11/07), 4640, 4660, 4720, 4735, 4742, 4750 (production dates 01/95 thru 12/00), 4760, 4770, 4780, 4790, 4820, 4840, 4850, 4860, 4880, 4890, 4892, 4900, 4910, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-6, 4930, 4940, 4943, 4944, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4958, 4963, 4968, 4969, 4980.

The recalled cribs have date codes ranging from 1995 through December 2005 and one model (4624) was made in 2007. The model numbers are located on the top of the mattress support board.

The cribs, which were made in Taiwan and Indonesia, were sold at major retailers, including Walmart, Kmart and Target.com from January 1995 through September 2007 for about $100. These cribs have also been found to be sold secondhand. Cribs currently sold at retail are not involved.

The second recall notice is here.

The CPSC and Delta have urged parents and caregivers to immediately stop using cribs that are missing a safety peg on any leg of the crib and contact Delta to receive a free, easy-to-install repair kit. The kit will include safety pegs in a bold color and warning labels to be affixed to the mattress board. Consumers with cribs that have all safety pegs installed may continue to use the cribs; however, CPSC recommends that these consumers contact Delta for the repair kit for future assembly purposes. Call Delta toll-free at (800) 816-5304 or log on www.cribrecallcenter.com to order the free replacement kit.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a defective product, you have the right to ask the manufacturer for money to cover your medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering and any permanent disability or loss. In order to protect that right, you should speak with the experienced product injuries attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. We have more than 40 years of experience helping injured South Carolinians seek justice, and we’re committed to ensuring that you get the best legal representation possible. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

October 16, 2008

Legal Experts Predict Increase In Lawsuits Over Heart Drug Trasylol

The drug Trasylol was used during open-heart surgery to reduce blood loss in thousands of patients. However, the FDA suspended sales of the drug in 2007 over a possible link to kidney failures, heart attacks and strokes.

Because so many heart surgery patients received Trasylol during the 14 years it was on the market, attorneys told legal newspaper Lawyers USA that litigation is likely to develop into a mass tort.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a dangerous pharmaceutical product like Trasylol, you should speak with an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney like the ones at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your case; protect your legal right to the courts; stand by your side throughout the legal process; and get you the best possible results. For a free consultation, call the Columbia SC Defective Drug Lawyers at Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656.

Full story - Click here.

October 9, 2008

Patient Awarded $9.8 Million For Malpractice During Heart Surgery

A Lexington, KY hairdresser who became paraplegic after a routine heart surgery has been awarded $9.89 million in the largest medical malpractice verdict ever in Fayette County.

The plaintiff had valve surgery in April 2006. The surgery took less than an hour and was successful, but medical experts testified that the surgeon misplaced a hose to a machine that pumps blood during the surgery, causing too much blood and oxygen to be pumped to her right hand -- and too little to her brain and thoracic spinal cord.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by the carelessness of a medical professional, you should speak with an experienced South Carolina medical malpractice attorney like the ones at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your case; protect your legal right to the courts; stand by your side throughout the legal process; and get you the best possible results. For a free consultation, call the Columbia SC Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656.

Full story - Click here.