Features
Stewart E. Sterk
The federal Fair Housing Act Amendments prohibit discrimination in the sale or rental of a dwelling because of a handicap. 42 USC Section 3604(f)(1) and (f)(2). The statute also provides that discrimination includes "a refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling." Does the statute require a landlord to offer a handicapped occupant of a rent-regulated apartment the opportunity to rent, at a regulated price, a vacant apartment located on a lower floor? A federal district court has recently suggested that the statute might, indeed, impose such a requirement on the landlord.
ALM Staff
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Law Journal Newsletters
Explanation and analysis of the latest rulings.
ALM Staff
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Law Journal Newsletters
Recent rulings with in-depth analysis.
Features
ALM Staff
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Law Journal Newsletters
Public Citizen ("PC"), a public interest group, has released a new edition of "Worst Pills, Best Pills," a book analyzing at least 500 prescription drugs, and concluding that at least 200 of them may pose health risks. The group has launched a Web site, <i>www.worstpills.org</i>, which provides information about unsafe drugs, drug pricing and access to the entire contents of the just-published book for a subscription fee.
ALM Staff
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Law Journal Newsletters
Highlights of the latest product liability cases from around the country.
Features
John L. Tate
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Demetrius O. Holloway
Faced with rising litigation costs and unpredictable juries, it is understandable that many product liability litigants — on both sides of the courtroom — eventually think about settlement in lieu of trial. In cases involving catastrophic injury, however, staggering medical expense liens often control the feasibility of reaching an acceptable agreement.
Features
Lori Cohen
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Jenifer Keenan
The learned intermediary doctrine is one of the most important doctrines for medical device and pharmaceutical drug defendants in product liability cases because under the doctrine, they are often able to obtain summary judgment on failure to warn claims. (The learned intermediary doctrine has been adopted and recognized in at least 45 states. <i>See Larkin v. Pfizer, Inc.</i>, 153 S.W.3d 758, 767 (Ky. 2005).) The learned intermediary doctrine provides that a manufacturer, designer or distributor of a medical device or pharmaceutical drug does not have a duty to directly warn patients of possible dangers associated with the use of the device or drug. <i>See Presto v. Sandoz Pharm. Corp.</i>, 487 S.E.2d 70 (Ga. Ct. App. 1997). Rather, "'a warning as to possible danger in its use to the prescribing physician is sufficient.'" <i>Id.</i> at 73.
Features
Miko Ando
Say you defend a British corporation that is subject to the laws of England and Wales against a U.S. plaintiff who is suing your client for the negligent design and manufacture of a vehicle that resulted in the death of her child. The plaintiff's claim alleges that your client was aware of the risks associated with the design of the vehicle and knew that safer alternative designs were available. Because of cost concerns, however, your client knowingly and intentionally decided to forego the added safety features and implement the cheaper alternative.
Features
ALM Staff
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Law Journal Newsletters
Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.
Features
David S. Kupetz
In <i>Sherwood Partners, Inc., Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors of International Thinklink Corporation v. Lycos, Inc.</i>, 394 F.3d 1198 (9th Cir. 2005), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, by a divided court, recently held that a state statute authorizing an assignee for the benefit of creditors to void a preferential transfer is preempted by the federal Bankruptcy Code.
