Atlanta, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
I recently finished reading the John Grisham book, "The Appeal". It is an interesting if unfortunately too true look at how politics and big business are preventing injured people from obtaining justice.
In the book a large verdict against a crooked chemical manufacturing company that illegally dumps its toxic waste prompts its CEO to buy a Supreme Court candidate.
Big businesses have spent millions in judicial elections and backed new candidates to victories in Mississippi, West Virginia, and Texas. Fortunately, Georgia did not fall for it in the past Supreme Court election. I recommend people read "The Appeal."
For a real life example of how appeals can overturn huge verdicts, consider that the Texas Court of Appeals just reversed a $17 million verdict in fatal bus crash.
The court held that a $17 million jury award must be reversed because the trial court's failure to instruct the jury to properly apportion damages. Five passengers were killed and many injured when a chartered passenger bus crashed on an interstate highway.
In the book a large verdict against a crooked chemical manufacturing company that illegally dumps its toxic waste prompts its CEO to buy a Supreme Court candidate.
Big businesses have spent millions in judicial elections and backed new candidates to victories in Mississippi, West Virginia, and Texas. Fortunately, Georgia did not fall for it in the past Supreme Court election. I recommend people read "The Appeal."
For a real life example of how appeals can overturn huge verdicts, consider that the Texas Court of Appeals just reversed a $17 million verdict in fatal bus crash.
The court held that a $17 million jury award must be reversed because the trial court's failure to instruct the jury to properly apportion damages. Five passengers were killed and many injured when a chartered passenger bus crashed on an interstate highway.
Labels: appeal, bus wreck, damages, Georgia supreme court, wrongful death
As reported in the AJC, last Wednesday a Texas appeals court overturned a multimillion-dollar verdict against Merck & Co. in a case involving the painkiller Vioxx.
In 2006, a Texas jury awarded the widow of 71-year-old Leonel Garza $32 million for his wrongful death. However that verdict was later reduced to $7.75 million under Texas laws capping injury damages.
Three weeks ago, the Texas Court of Appeals overturned the verdict, ruling that the plaintiff’s family failed to provide evidence that Mr. Garza’s heart disease could not have caused the heart attack that killed him in 2001. Mr. Garza died of a heart attack after taking Vioxx for only a few weeks.
During the trial, lawyers for the pharmaceutical firm argued that Garza's heart attack was the result of chronic heart disease.
Merck pulled the painkiller off the market in 2004, after the company's internal research showed the painkiller doubled risk of heart attacks and strokes. That action triggered many lawsuits against Merck, which has a $4.85 billion settlement pending. If you have a question about a harmful drug, email us at the Law Offices of Michael L. Neff.
In 2006, a Texas jury awarded the widow of 71-year-old Leonel Garza $32 million for his wrongful death. However that verdict was later reduced to $7.75 million under Texas laws capping injury damages.
Three weeks ago, the Texas Court of Appeals overturned the verdict, ruling that the plaintiff’s family failed to provide evidence that Mr. Garza’s heart disease could not have caused the heart attack that killed him in 2001. Mr. Garza died of a heart attack after taking Vioxx for only a few weeks.
During the trial, lawyers for the pharmaceutical firm argued that Garza's heart attack was the result of chronic heart disease.
Merck pulled the painkiller off the market in 2004, after the company's internal research showed the painkiller doubled risk of heart attacks and strokes. That action triggered many lawsuits against Merck, which has a $4.85 billion settlement pending. If you have a question about a harmful drug, email us at the Law Offices of Michael L. Neff.
Labels: appeal, damages, lawsuit, settlement, tort reform, vioxx, wrongful death
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