Verdicts
Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.
The Pharmaceutical Applications of Nanotechnology
In last month's issue, the author began a discussion of nanomedical applications for disease diagnosis, therapy, and prevention, and of why the new technologies that make these advances possible are likely to change the practice of medicine. Now, he looks at more ways in which the use of nanomaterials in drugs and medical devices may affect the provision of health care and lead to new medical liability issues.
Case Briefs
Highlights of the latest insurance cases from around the country.
Medical Liens and Ethics
When it comes to claims by medical providers and government agencies seeking reimbursement from patients' personal injury awards, there is often a blurred distinction between liens and subrogation rights. And what about the ethical considerations and violations that are integrally involved in these cases?
Alien vs. Policyholder
Although alien tort claims are still relatively novel, long-standing principles of insurance law, and judicial precedents established based on more familiar fact patterns, should provide helpful guidance to companies facing these claims.
Judges, Juries and Outside Research
What information should be used to decide a case ' only that offered by the opposing sides? If independent legal research is permissible, just how much is too much? These questions, which are being asked in the realms of medical malpractice, criminal and other types of cases, have become more imperative in the last few years.
Pro Bono Networking
In spite of the everlasting drive to bill more hours or service more paying clients, many law firms and bar associations enthusiastically support pro bono activities, with some firms even granting credit for the hours spent on such cases.
The Urge to Merge
In the midst of the current recession-induced pummeling of law firms and in-house legal departments, some positive changes are occurring that are setting the stage for a stronger industry. One is the quantity and quality of law firm mergers that are being consummated.