Recent Blog Posts in April 2010

It seems tobacco companies can be held accountable when a smoker dies from lung cancer. At least that's what a Florida jury felt when they awarded a lung cancer victim's widow $5 million in damages and $12.5 million in punitive damages.

Amanda Hall filed a lawsuit against R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. after her husband Arthur died from lung cancer in 1995. Hall was a party in a previous class-action lawsuit against the tobacco company, but a Florida Supreme Court ruling allowed the class members to file individual injury lawsuits based on their respective illnesses.

A spokesperson for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. said the company was disappointed with the verdict and planned to appeal the decision.

If you or a loved one has developed an illness or debilitating condition due to a particular product, you may be able to recover compensation in an injury lawsuit. At Lanier Law Group, we are dedicated to helping victims of all types of injuries recover the compensation they deserve. If there is any possible chance you may have suffered an injury due to a defective or dangerous product, we urge you to consult a North Carolina personal injury attorney at our office today! To schedule an appointment to discuss your legal rights and options, contact Lanier Law Group today at 1-888-CONSULT!

The family of a woman hit and killed by a drunk driver as she crossed the street has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and the bar where he worked.

In his lawsuit Matthew Wood, husband of Susan Berry Wood, claims that 25-year-old Jeremy Lane, who worked at Chattanooga Billiard Club, was served alcohol "free of charge" from the time he got off work at 3 a.m. until he staggered out of the bar at 7 a.m. The lawsuit further alleges that when Lane left the bar and got into his car he was clearly and visibly intoxicated. A short time later he fatally struck Wood as she was crossing the street to report to work.

According to police Lane was drunk when he hit Mrs. Wood. He had run a red light, but instead of stopping when the accident occurred, Lane fled the scene and called police claiming his car had been carjacked.

Wood's lawsuit also claims that the Chattanooga Billiard Club should be held liable given that "it was foreseeable and probable that harm or injury would occur to persons such as Susan Wood, given the actions of Chattanooga Billiard Club in providing free alcohol to its employees on its premises." The bar violated a city ordinance that bans bar workers from ever drinking at their place of employment, even if they are off duty. The ordinance also prohibits bars from serving alcohol to anyone between the hours of 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on a weekday. Lane's accident occurred on December 23, a Wednesday.

Mr. Wood is seeking an unspecified amount in punitive damages for the bar's gross negligence and recklessness.

Lane also faces criminal charges for DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

Injured by a Drunk Driver in North Carolina?

Drunk driving is one of the most egregious forms of negligence, and when an individual is so careless as to get behind the wheel and drive drunk, they deserve to be held liable if their negligent actions led to injury or death. If you were injured by a drunk driver, or if your loved one was killed in a drunk driving accident, you can trust a North Carolina auto accident attorney at Lanier Law Group to help you pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. You deserve to be compensated for what you've been through, not only for your medical expenses and lost wages, but also for your pain, suffering, emotional distress, and overall decreased enjoyment of life.

Please feel free to contact Lanier Law Group today if you need help filing a drunk driving accident claim.

After being hit by a city bus while crossing a crosswalk, a blind man has filed a pedestrian accident lawsuit against the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART). In his lawsuit, Roger D. Christenson claims the driver of the bus, Susan Jane Leveke-Meyers, had worked an "unsafe number of hours," failed to follow basic safety protocol, and was not properly trained.

Christenson claims he had the right-of-way as he crossed an intersection in a crosswalk with the "walk signal" showing. As he was crossing he was hit by a DART bus being driven by Leveke-Meyers. He claims DART should be liable for his injuries "given what it knew concerning [Leveke-Meyers'] lack of competence, and given its conduct in encouraging or compelling Susan Jane Leveke-Meyers to work an unsafe number of hours in the bus" prior to the accident. DART spokesman Gunnar Olson acknowledged that Leveke-Meyers had made an error and said he hopes the agency can reach an agreement with Christenson. 

Christenson, who claims he suffered two broken ribs and a head injury in the accident, wants to be compensated for his medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.

At this time a lawsuit has not been filed against Leveke-Meyers, however she was fired by DART shortly after the accident.

Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in North Carolina?

At Lanier Law Group, we offer dedicated legal counsel to people throughout North Carolina who have suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident. Whether you were struck by a bus, car, SUV, truck, or motorcycle, you can trust a North Carolina accident attorney at our office to protect your interests and aggressively advocate your rights to the largest possible settlement. Our goal is to help you secure a settlement that ensures you will have enough compensation to fully cover your medical bills and lost wages, as well as your pain and suffering and emotional distress.

To learn more about your rights and options in regards to filing a pedestrian accident claim, please call 1-888-CONSULT to arrange a consultation at Lanier Law Group today!