STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS FT. LAUDERDALE -- A Florida man successfully obtained a $20.8 million verdict in a patent infringement suit against Home Depot Inc., which he alleged stole his idea for a safety feature for radial arm saws to cut lumber. Lead litigation counsel Peter Herman and Alexander Brown of Tripp Scott and patent counsel Gregory Mayback and Scott Smiley of Mayback & Hoffman today announced the verdict. The firms represented Michael Powell, who alleged that Home Depot stole his patented idea for a safety device that fits on the radial arm saws that the company uses to cut dimensional lumber for its customers throughout its stores. The lawsuit said that Home Depot alerted Powell of a safety issue with the saw that was causing injuries. Powell, who had been a 20-year independent contractor with the company, came up with the solution, a "Safe Hands" device, to protect Home … [Read more...]
Kagan Brings ‘New Voice’ to Court
STAFF REPORT WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is clearly showing he wants bipartisanship and a new voice with his second nomination to the Supreme Court. Solicitor General Elena Kagan, whom Mr. Obama announced as his appointee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens, as 112th Justice on the Supreme Court, is the second woman that the president has nominated. She will also be the first new justice who hasnt had judicial experience since 1972 -- when William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell Jr. joined the top Court of the nation. Kagan, as a 50-year-old woman and former dean of Harvard Law School, brings a unique perspective to a post she could hold for some 25 years. She was previously a law professor and dean at University of Chicago Law School and served as associate White House counsel under Bill Clinton. Some critics say her lack of judicial experience will hurt the … [Read more...]
Jury Awards Ex Dolphin $11.5 M
STAFF REPORT MIAMI -- Former Dolphins wide receiver O.J. McDuffie was awarded $11.5 million from a Miami-Dade jury, a result of a malpractice suit against team physician John Uribe. The injury ended McDuffies career in 2002. The suit is one of several related to the handling of McDuffie's injured big toe in 1999. His career lasted nine years. According to the lawsuit, McDuffie claims Uribe told him he could continue to play despite tendon damage shown on MRIs. McDuffie suited up for nine games in 2000, none in 2001 and was released in 2002. He posted 415 receptions for 5,074 yards and 29 career touchdowns. Uribe told the Associated Press the decision was a travesty and he will likely appeal. … [Read more...]
The Florida Law Journal Publishes First Digital Edition
COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA -- Florida Legal News LLC has announced the arrival of The Florida Law Journal, a digital magazine that covers legal trends, cases and issues for professionals in the field of law. The accompanying Web site is www.thefloridalawjournal.com Donna Balancia, publisher and editor-in-chief, spearheads the digital publishing revolution with the release of The Florida Law Journal. She founded The Florida Law Journal in response to the requests of legal professionals who told her they want relevant news and features delivered to their desktops, hand-held devices and tablet computers. The Florida Law Journals advertisers reach 60,000 legal professionals with video and live links to their products. We saw a need for a Florida publication that caters to those in the legal field, said Balancia, a principal of The Florida Law Journals parent company, Florida Legal News LLC. … [Read more...]
Oil Spill Lawsuits Flood Courthouses
By DONNA BALANCIA, The Florida Law Journal May 2, 2010 -- ORLANDO, FLORIDA -- About 40 lawsuits have been filed against BP Plc and Transocean Ltd. as thousands of barrels of crude oil pollute the Gulf of Mexico in what could be considered the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. Roughly 30 class action suits have been filed in courthouses along the Gulf Coast, in states including Texas, Louisiana and Florida, by charter-boat operators, shrimpers, fishermen and property owners. BP is primarily responsible for the damage, mainly because it is the owner of the oil, attorneys say. Also named in the suits are Transocean, Cameron International Corp. and Halliburton Energy Services. Louisiana, which has been on the verge of recovery from Hurricane Katrina, has been hit particularly hard by the oil slick. According to statistics, Louisiana yields about one quarter of United … [Read more...]
