Legal

The law affects every part of daily life. Our legal section offers clear, practical explanations of new laws, court rulings, and local and national legal developments. Whether you’re following a major lawsuit or seeking to understand how a new law impacts you, this section keeps readers informed about what’s happening in Virginia’s courts and legislature.

Power Banks Recalled Because of Fire Hazards

For many people, their cell phone is their lifeline, not only used for its telephone functions, but also for email communication, texting, social media, bill paying, bank account access, web searches, and more. A dead battery isn’t just an inconvenience but can mean have a…

By Eric Washburn

/ 4 Feb 2020

Power Banks Recalled Because of Fire Hazards

Surgical Gown Recall Highlights Need for Close Monitoring of Product Manufacturers

Disease outbreaks like the emerging coronavirus pandemic that erupted out of Wuhan, China, during the first weeks of 2020 affect much more than people’s health. For instance, one of my first thoughts when I read that health care services conglomerate Cardinal Health recalled millions of…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 3 Feb 2020

Surgical Gown Recall Highlights Need for Close Monitoring of Product Manufacturers

FDA Recalls Surgical Stapler after Patient Death

The government is issuing a recall for a surgical stapler after reports that seven patients were seriously injured, and one died. According to news reports, the medical device, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit, is used to simultaneously cut and staple tissue back together…

By Eric Washburn

/ 17 Jan 2020

FDA Recalls Surgical Stapler after Patient Death

Can Ice on the Road Absolve a Speeding or Reckless Driver From Liability for Crash Injuries?

The short answer to the title question is no. A driver who operates negligent or recklessly cannot use wet or slick pavement as an excuse to avoid settling insurance claims for property damage, personal injuries or wrongful deaths. My Virginia Beach-based law firm colleagues and…

By Randy Appleton

/ 14 Jan 2020

Can Ice on the Road Absolve a Speeding or Reckless Driver From Liability for Crash Injuries?

FDA Changes Rules on Faulty Medical Device Reports

Roughly 20 years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created a controversial program for medical device manufacturers to submit alternative summary reports regarding known risks involving their devices. This program allowed device manufacturers to hide reports from the general public; report

By Eric Washburn

/ 13 Jan 2020

FDA Changes Rules on Faulty Medical Device Reports

New Takata Recalls Affects 1.4 Million Airbags

Over the past several years, there have been more than 42 million vehicles recalled that were equipped with 52 million defective Takata airbags, that affected at least a dozen vehicle brands. The defective airbags could explode potentially send shrapnel into the face and body of…

By Eric Washburn

/ 20 Dec 2019

New Takata Recalls Affects 1.4 Million Airbags

Family Behind OxyContin Pocketed Billions While Opioid Epidemic Raged

A spate of news stories in mid-December 2019 filled in many of the remaining gaps in the story of who drove and financially benefited from pushing addiction to the powerful opioid painkiller OxyContin. Details of how members of the Sackler family, owners of the drug…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 19 Dec 2019

Family Behind OxyContin Pocketed Billions While Opioid Epidemic Raged

Safety Tips for Holiday Season Driving

The winter holiday season is a busy time for many people. There are family gatherings, get together with friends, work parties gift shopping, and more. All of this hustle and bustle also means there are a lot more motorists on the roads, which often creates…

By Randy Appleton

/ 9 Dec 2019

Thanksgiving Weekend: One of the Deadliest for Road Travel

Thanksgiving is the official kick-off of the winter holiday season in Virginia and the rest of the country. Families and friends gather near and far to enjoy the day together. In fact, Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year for those driving. It…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 25 Nov 2019

Thanksgiving Weekend: One of the Deadliest for Road Travel

Ten People Hospitalized After Receiving Insulin Instead of Flu Shots

One of the most frequent types of medical malpractice is medical errors. While most people may think of surgical errors or misdiagnosis are the only medical errors that may occur, medication errors are also one of the most common – and dangerous. A recent incident…

By Eric Washburn

/ 22 Nov 2019

Ten People Hospitalized After Receiving Insulin Instead of Flu Shots

Legal

Power Banks Recalled Because of Fire Hazards

Surgical Gown Recall Highlights Need for Close Monitoring of Product Manufacturers

FDA Recalls Surgical Stapler after Patient Death

Can Ice on the Road Absolve a Speeding or Reckless Driver From Liability for Crash Injuries?

FDA Changes Rules on Faulty Medical Device Reports

Top 10 Civil Justice Stories of 2019 – Part II (i.e. Top 5)

New Takata Recalls Affects 1.4 Million Airbags

Family Behind OxyContin Pocketed Billions While Opioid Epidemic Raged

Top 10 Civil Justice Stories of 2019: Part One

Safety Tips for Holiday Season Driving

Thanksgiving Weekend: One of the Deadliest for Road Travel

Ten People Hospitalized After Receiving Insulin Instead of Flu Shots