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Features

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Movers & Shakers

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Who's doing what; who's going where.

Punitive Damages and Discovery of a Defendant's Financial Condition Image

Punitive Damages and Discovery of a Defendant's Financial Condition

Michelle Hart Yeary

Allegations of punitive damages can cast a heavy shadow on any litigation, and defendants in product liabilty cases are no strangers to tremendous punitive awards. That said, it is not difficult to understand why most defendants, at least early on, do not want to think about the potential for ' or size of ' a punitive damages award. Here's why.

Federal Preemption of Failure to Warn Claims Against Generic Drug Companies Image

Federal Preemption of Failure to Warn Claims Against Generic Drug Companies

Alan Klein, Sharon L. Caffrey & Karen Shichman Crawford

Three recent district court decisions ' from Minnesota, California and Florida ' have created a division in the federal courts on whether product liability claims against generic pharmaceutical manufacturers are preempted by federal law. An in-depth discussion.

Features

A Multidistrict Litigation Primer Image

A Multidistrict Litigation Primer

Kimberly H. Clancy

Part One of this article discussed the basics of multidistrict litigation. The conclusion herein describes the Judicial panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).

Practice Tip: Internet Market Promotion of FDA-Regulated Products and Product Liability Image

Practice Tip: Internet Market Promotion of FDA-Regulated Products and Product Liability

Alan Minsk

This article focuses on product liability issues, although companies must also consider FDA and state regulatory laws, False Claims Act, competitor complaints and individual liability issues, before initiating Internet promotional programs.

An Economist Defends Against Punitive Damages Image

An Economist Defends Against Punitive Damages

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

While punitive ' or exemplary ' damages are rarely imposed in product liability matters, they do sometimes occur. One strategy to minimize the risk of a punitive damages award is to present a robust defense against economic-damages claims: Punitive damages are often measured in relation to the economic harm suffered by plaintiffs.

Features

Discovery Requests for Electronic Documents Image

Discovery Requests for Electronic Documents

Stacy Edelstein Hyken

In recent years, the rise in the use of electronic documents, especially e-mail, has unquestionably changed the face of discovery in all types of types of litigation. As a result, the obligations counsel has in responding to discovery requests for electronic documents have been rapidly evolving. This article discusses what you need to know.

Features

Separation Agreements and General Releases Image

Separation Agreements and General Releases

Anne Ciesla Bancroft

In order to get what they pay for, businesses need to ensure that their separation agreements protect the company's interest to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Features

The Revised Americans with Disabilities Act Image

The Revised Americans with Disabilities Act

Beverly W. Garofalo & Sally D. Welch

The ADAAA, which takes effect in January 2009, took aim at two United States Supreme Court decisions rendered during the last decade that were viewed as substantially limiting the scope of covered disabilities under the ADA. This article discusses what it means to you.

Features

The Perfect Storm Image

The Perfect Storm

John W. Moss & Michael Del Negro

Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August in response to a perceived product safety crisis arising from several recent high-profile recalls of imported children's products. This article provides an in-depth discussion.

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MOST POPULAR STORIES

  • The 'Sophisticated Insured' Defense
    A majority of courts consider the <i>contra proferentem</i> doctrine to be a pillar of insurance law. The doctrine requires ambiguous terms in an insurance policy to be construed against the insurer and in favor of coverage for the insured. A prominent rationale behind the doctrine is that insurance policies are usually standard-form contracts drafted entirely by insurers.
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  • Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric Code
    In an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.
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