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.

Google Glass Makes Appearance In The Emergency Room

Though it isn’t yet publicly for sale, Google Glass has managed to nab headlines during its heavily publicized testing phase. Legislatures across the country have passed or are considering passing measures to outlaw drivers from donning the high-tech glasses in an attempt to avoid yet…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 20 Apr 2014

Conflicting Studies Raise Questions About Safety Of Marijuana Legalization

The issue of marijuana legalization has long involved a contentious debate between two opposing groups, with each frequently marshaling research to bolster its position. In only the last few weeks, there have been several conflicting studies that have received attention, further confusing the questi

By The Legal Examiner

/ 25 Feb 2014

State Lawmakers Scramble for Railroad Oil Spill Safety Plans

In the aftermath of several deadly railroad oil train accidents state governments are hiring rail inspectors and oil-spill experts and preparing emergency plans. The railroad accidents have become more frequent as oil shipments by train have grown 400 percent since 2005. Recently the U.S. National…

By Jim Lewis

/ 10 Feb 2014

Three Teens Die in West Virginia Car Accident: How to Stop the Distracted Driving Trend

Not all car accidents can be prevented. But some can. Often some of the most tragic loss of life from car accidents occurs when teens are behind the wheel. This was the case for three West Virginia high school students. 16-year-old Krystan Butcher was driving…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 27 Jan 2014

How Much is an Apology From a Doctor After Medical Malpractice Worth?

If after months of pain and suffering you found out that your doctor had misdiagnosed an illness, would an apology keep you from filing a medical malpractice claim? That is the question a new Pennsylvania (PA) state law which goes into effect next week hopes…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 15 Dec 2013

Eating While Driving Dramatically Increases Chance Of An Accident

While most people have heard about how dangerous it can be to drink and drive, few are aware of the risks posed by eating while driving. Though drivers are not chemically impaired, the distraction involved in eating behind the wheel is enough to dramatically increase…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 6 Dec 2013

Halloween a Deadly Night for Child Pedestrians and DUI Drivers

Spiderman, princesses, ghosts and goblins. Trick-or-treaters will be out in full force as soon as the sun goes down on Halloween. Sadly not all of them will come home. More than twice as many children are killed in pedestrian-car accidents on Halloween between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 30 Oct 2013

Forced Arbitration – The Underhanded, Secretive Way Corporations Try to Avoid the Civil Justice System

If you read the fine print of your credit card agreement or pretty much any agreement with a large corporation, you may be surprised to learn that you signed away a critical legal right – the right to file a claim against the corporation in…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 24 Oct 2013

DOT-111 Rail Tank Car Compared To Ford Pinto

The leader of a railroad safety organization recently testified before the Federal Railroad Administration regarding the necessity of upgrades to a commonly used train tank car. The woman, Karen Darch, told federal regulators that the DOT-111 is the rail equivalent of the Ford Pinto and…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 18 Sep 2013

The Importance of Having Car Insurance and Having More-Than-Minimum Coverage

Most states require, by law, drivers to carry some sort of car insurance that provides protection of the car, and themselves. Obtaining insurance is an important part of being a responsible car owner. The auto insurance you buy should, at minimum, meet state requirements, but…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 5 Sep 2013

Claims Concerning Robotic Surgery On The Rise

A recent article discussing robotic surgery mentioned how the trend towards lawsuits against the maker of the popular da Vinci robotic surgical system has taken off in recent years. Law firms across the country have been filing suits in increasing numbers, each claiming that patients…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 23 Aug 2013

Mother of Two Electrocuted Children Files Wrongful Death Claim

The mother of two children who were electrocuted at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri over the July 4 holiday is suing Union Electric. The lawsuit alleges that the two children, 8 and 13, were swimming near the dock at the vacation home of the…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 14 Aug 2013