Drug & Device News
Recent happenings of importance to you and your practice.
Vytorin and the ENHANCE Study
The news that the drug Vytorin' may not be very effective for its advertised purpose has created a crisis for its manufacturers. Critics claim the results of a clinical trial of the medication's efficacy were released months, if not years, after the drug companies knew their product was not what they had originally claimed. Now, government oversight agencies are investigating the possibility that the drug's manufacturers are guilty of insider trading, medical test manipulation and/or false advertising. In addition, shareholders are upset and consumers are suing.
Features
Lack of Informed Consent vs. Battery
A recent decision by the California Court of Appeal explores the relationship between the doctrine of informed consent and the intentional tort of battery. The case, <i>Saxena v. Goffney</i>, which was decided Jan. 24, illustrates the importance to both plaintiff and defense teams of keeping the two theories straight, not only in argument but in formulating the jury instructions. Failure to do so could result in reversal on appeal.
Features
Contingency Fees for 'Medico-Legal Services'
In light of the uncertain legal terrain, New York State practitioners and those in states with unsettled law on the issue should proceed with caution if considering advising a client to enter into a contingency fee agreement with a medico-legal service for, <i>inter alia</i>, locating expert witnesses.
An Exculpatory Clause Is Not a 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card
Until recently, it appeared that exculpatory clauses could exonerate a party from liability under all circumstances. According to case precedent, in a landord/tenant context, it seemed as though a landlord need only cite economic self-interest as the basis for its non-performance under the lease agreement and enforce the exculpatory clause against its tenant, thereby limiting the tenant's remedies to specific performance, injunctive relief, and/or arbitration.
Features
In the Spotlight: Considerations for Payment of a Construction Allowance
Several issues arise when contemplating the payment of a construction allowance to the tenant. In particular, issues such as the manner and timing for payment of the construction allowance, documentation required for the payment, and repayment in the event of a default by the tenant, should all be considered when addressing the issue of the construction allowance in the lease. This article discusses the foregoing issues and addresses various manners in which these issues can be dealt with in the lease.
Features
The Best Way to Resolve Real Estate and Construction Disputes
For parties to real estate transactions and those involved in construction projects, alternative dispute resolution methods, including binding arbitration and non-binding mediation, offer proven and successful alternatives to an often inefficient and expensive court system. As this article illustrates, alternative dispute resolution requires utilizing trained, experienced, and cost-conscious mediators or arbitrators who are much better at resolving real estate disputes than are the inefficient and often ineffective courts.
Features
What's Hot, What's Not
Who's doing what; who's going where.
Features
Where Have All the Technophobes Gone?
Legal Tech is the excellent and information-rich three-day conference that brings lawyers and technology together. Here is an interesting review by a Legal Tech insider.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- Judge Rules Shaquille O'Neal Will Face Securities Lawsuit for Promotion, Sale of NFTsA federal district court in Miami, FL, has ruled that former National Basketball Association star Shaquille O'Neal will have to face a lawsuit over his promotion of unregistered securities in the form of cryptocurrency tokens and that he was a "seller" of these unregistered securities.Read More ›
- Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the RoughThere is no efficient market for the sale of bankruptcy assets. Inefficient markets yield a transactional drag, potentially dampening the ability of debtors and trustees to maximize value for creditors. This article identifies ways in which investors may more easily discover bankruptcy asset sales.Read More ›
- Coverage Issues Stemming from Dry Cleaner Contamination SuitsIn recent years, there has been a growing number of dry cleaners claiming to be "organic," "green," or "eco-friendly." While that may be true with respect to some, many dry cleaners continue to use a cleaning method involving the use of a solvent called perchloroethylene, commonly known as perc. And, there seems to be an increasing number of lawsuits stemming from environmental problems associated with historic dry cleaning operations utilizing this chemical.Read More ›
- Removing Restrictive Covenants In New YorkIn Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?Read More ›
- AI or Not To AI: Observations from Legalweek NY 2023This year at Legalweek, there was little doubt on what the annual takeaway topic would be. As much as I tried to avoid it for fear of beating the proverbial dead horse, it was impossible not to talk about generative AI, ChatGPT, and all that goes with it. Some fascinating discussions were had and many aspects of AI were uncovered.Read More ›