Insurance Journal (1/13) reported that in a wrongful death suit, the family of a young girl who was killed in her neighbor's house during a tornado is suing Monarch Homes Inc, the home's builder asserting that "poor construction, not the tornado, is to blame for the girl's death." Two other companies are also listed as defendants. Read article Minneapolis Star Tribune (1/14) reports, "The family of 10-year-old Jaymi Wendt of Rogers is continuing with a wrongful-death suit against two home builders" but has settled with "Considated Concrete and Masonry Inc., a third-party defendant in the case." Read article Begam Lewis & Marks handles wrongful death cases resulting from a variety of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, crush injuries, electrocution and any number of other tragic situations. Call for more information.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (1/14) editorializes, "Here are four compelling reasons why Gov. Sonny Perdue's proposal to create a liability-free haven for drugmakers threatens the welfare of Georgians -- Vioxx, Rezulin, fen-phen and Bextra." One of the mentioned reasons is that "FDA approval doesn't guarantee that a drug will be 100 percent safe." The paper says that both the FDA and the tort system should work to hold companies accountable and make it so that "when the FDA gets it wrong, the tort system offers insurance to harmed consumers that they can seek corrective justice." Read full article There have been efforts in the last few years by tort reformers to make it impossible for injured parties to sue drug makers for injuries if the drug has been approved by the FDA. However, this would leave those injured or killed by defective drugs no recourse to recover. Begam Lewis & Marks helps injured people and their families to recover dama

1/13/09 - An Illinois hospital has agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed on behalf of a boy who suffered brain injury during birth. In the lawsuit, attorneys argued that doctors and staff at Provena Mercy Medical Center failed to respond to distress brought on by the drug Pitocin. The settlement was finalized last week in Cook County. Read article http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/family-gets-65m-in-brain-injury-case.html Begam Lewis & Marks successfully handles birth injury cases. For more information call Begam Lewis & Marks.

1/12/09 (Phoenix) A 14-year-old girl and her 17-year-old boyfriend were shot Monday night in a neighborhood near 67th Avenue and Thomas Road by the girl's ex-boyfriend, police said. At about 8 p.m., the two teens were in a dispute with the ex-boyfriend when he shot the 17-year-old in the leg. The bullet also hit the girl, police said. The victims had no life-threatening injuries and police were still looking for the suspect. Read full article Begam Lewis & Marks handles shooting cases and has recovered monies for seriously injured victims and their families. Homeowners insurance (of the shooter or family members the shooter resides with) may provide coverage for injuries in certain circumstances. Call Begam Lewis & Marks for more information.

Richard Traulsen, managing partner of Begam Lewis & Marks, will be presenting at the American Association of Justice's Litigating Truck Collision Cases Seminar. Mr. Traulsen will speak on "Spoliation of Evidence: Logbooks and Physical Evidence," on the afternoon of Friday, February 20, 2009. The Conference itself is open only to AAJ members and is being held at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, February 20-21, 2009. Mr. Traulsen concentrates his practice in commercial trucking collisions, medical malpractice, dangerous road design, and other catastrophic injury cases. Mr. Traulsen is a former chair of the AAJ Interstate Trucking Litigation Group and a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education programs.

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety and M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) presented Stan Marks, partner at Begam Lewis & Marks, with its Legends Award in appreciation of his outstanding efforts as a founder and Chairman of M.A.D.D. Arizona. Mr. Marks formed M.A.D.D. Arizona approximately 25 years ago with Sharon Sikora as part of a public awareness initiative to raise the legal drinking age to 21 years old in Arizona. For many years Mr. Marks played a key role in lobbying the legislature concerning drunk driving issues. In addition, Mr. Marks and the firm of Begam Lewis & Marks have handled numerous cases involving drunk drivers and the liability of bars for overserving patrons who then cause often catastrophic or fatal accidents.

Last month 22 cases against the manufacturer of a device used to treat urinary incontinence in women were consolidated into a multidistrict action. According to the suits, Mentor Corp. negligently designed the product, known as ObTape, and failed to warn consumers about potential risks. While the first ObTape-related case favored Mentor, plaintiffs attorneys say the decision should have little bearing in the outcome of their cases. Amanda Bronstad, Law.com http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202427218210 Begam Lewis & Marks handles cases involving defective or harmful medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Please contact us for more information.

Both Steven M. Friedman and Stanley J. Marks, partners at Begam Lewis & Marks, have been AV Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability by Martindale-Hubbell for 2008. An "AV" rating is the preeminient rating, the pinnacle of professional excellence, achievable only after admission to the bar for at least 10 years. The "AV" rating indicates the highest level of legal ability and ethics. A Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating attests to a lawyer's legal ability and professional ethics, and reflects the confidential opinions of the Bar and the Judiciary. Both Mr. Friedman and Mr. Marks have been practicing Plaintiff's personal injury law in the Phoenix Metro area for over 40 years. Read full article

Stanley J. Marks and Steven M. Friedman, both partners at Begam Lewis & Marks, were named as Southwest's Super Lawyers of 2008, placing them among the top 5% of all attorneys in Arizona and New Mexico. The Super Lawyers selection process includes peer nominations, a blue ribbon panel review and independent research of candidates. The selection of Mr. Marks and Mr. Friedman is yet another affirmation of their outstanding service as Plaintiff's personal injury attorneys in Arizona and the Phoenix metro area for the past 40 years. This is the second year running that both Mr. Marks and Mr. Friedman were selected to the Super Lawyers list. http://www.superlawyers.com/arizona/lawyer/Stanley-J-Marks/8c25c89f-d537-47d7-8025-01e8f15e7390.html http://www.superlawyers.com/arizona/lawyer/Steven-M-Friedman/d6f76523-d573-4cb4-892f-41386fe40525.html

1/5/09 - Texas has fined a unit of the Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group more than $1 million during the last year over complaints that the healthcare company delayed or denied care to disabled patients. Evercare of Texas was the subject of more than 1,300 complaints last year for its handling of claims filed under a state outsourcing program for elderly and disabled Medicaid patients. An Evercare executive said the company is currently working to address such problems as they arise. Read full article: http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/1122836.html