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Litigation Funding Blog

HP Recalls Lithium Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

July 27, 2010

This may fall into an “in case you missed it” story. I certainly did. Back in May of this year, Hewlett-Packard recalled 54,000 Lithium-ion batteries recalled due to overheating fire hazard.

If it isn’t food products we have to worry about, its other things like the lithium-ion batteries we use in Compaq and Hewlett-Packard notebook computers. This product recall was announced when it was discovered that the batteries could overheat, causing a fire and potentially harm/burn the user.

This is the second product recall affecting these batteries since 2009 when the batteries in question reportedly ruptured after getting too hot. The 2009 recall involved 11 cases of personal injuries and 31 instances of property damage. While the second recall scenario has not had any reported problems, one wonders why the company would continue to use the same product after a major fiasco just last year. Consumers were told to remove recalled batteries, immediately, and receive replacement batteries, free.

While the response was prompt, it may not be adequate; one has to wonder about product liability issues in this instance. Not everyone who has defective batteries will hear about this latest recall ( I didn’t find out about it until two months later); who knows what could happen? The first recall happened because people were burnt and sustained property damage. This second recall may be a repeat of the first.

Anyone badly burnt or otherwise injured by these defective batteries may, ultimately be entitled to pursue litigation against the manufacturer. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to discuss a potential case. Make sure that the attorney specialize in product liability cases. You need to know your rights and you need to decide if you want to file a lawsuit. If you have been seriously hurt, your medical expenses and recovery may be quite expensive.

If you are faced with huge bills, time off work, therapy or other problems related to any type of personal injury, you may also want to find out about litigation funding. If you are approved for pre-settlement funding, it will usually be available within 24-48 hours after you qualify. Applying for a lawsuit cash advance is quick and easy. There are no costs associated with applying for a “lawsuit loan” and no up-front fees or monthly payments.

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Salmonella in Alfalfa Sprouts Sickens 22 in 10 States

July 25, 2010

Unless you grow your own food, you must purchase it at a local store. Lately, it’s becoming difficult to trust the supposedly fresh fruits and veggies on store shelves. That’s what happened in this case – salmonella contaminated alfalfa sprouts made under the Caldwell Fresh Foods, California Exotic, and Nature’s Choice brands, reached the market and caused havoc across the country.

Ten states reports salmonella Newport infections; there were no deaths, but six people were hospitalized. The manufacturer promptly recalled the tainted sprouts sold at Wal-Mart and Trader Joe’s stores as well as those sent to restaurants. Salmonella may cause serious, possibly fatal infections in young and senior populations, as well as in those with weak immune systems. Even healthy people often need medical treatment for these infections. s

The CDC is taking a hard look into how the alfalfa was contaminated. In the meantime, those individuals who had to be hospitalized will likely consult with product liability lawyers. The law requires that consumers be able to rely on the products it uses, and punishes manufacturers who breach this requirement. When those products harm the public, the perpetrators of this harm may be held responsible for damages. Salmonella poisoning can result in serious illness or death, prompting personal injury litigation or wrongful death litigation.

Depending on the financial impact that illness has on a victim or victims in these cases, they may want to check into litigation funding to tide them over until they are offered a settlement or have a jury hand down an award. Pre-settlement funding is advanced before the case is settled to allow the plaintiff to wait for justice and not have to take a cheap offer even though their case is worth considerably more. Once a lawsuit cash advance is approved, lawsuit funding usually arrives within 24-48 hours by check or wire.

Slip and Fall Accident on Movie Set Causes Serious Injury

July 24, 2010

This slip and fall accident happened on the set of a movie and involved a set of fake trolley tracks. The set of the show “Public Enemies” had a 1930s flavor to it and to that end, there were rubber cobblestones and trolley tracks on location. As a man was crossing the street near the filming location, he stepped on the fake rubber cobblestones, causing his feet to sink into the rubber. At the same time, his left foot got caught under the metal trolley tracks. As he fell, he was severely injured.

After the accident, the man called a personal injury lawyer and filed a lawsuit alleging there were no warning signs, barriers or other caution signs to let people know about the fake stones and the tracks. The lawsuit seeks compensation for permanent physical injuries, which were not specified in the court documents.

This unfortunate victim might want to find out if he is eligible for lawsuit funding. If he is, he would be able to handle his immediate medical expenses, therapy and other costs related to his accident, as well as other financial obligations. Getting approved for a lawsuit cash advance would let him wait for a decent settlement or court verdict instead of having to take the first offer that comes along.
A “lawsuit loan” costs nothing to apply for and if eligible, this plaintiff would get his funds within 24-48 hours by check or wire. He doesn’t need to have a job to apply and doesn’t need to have a credit check done either. The pre-settlement funding is advanced to him based on what his expected court settlement may be. It might be worth his while to do some research into legal finance services

Falling Furniture Part Causes Personal Injuries

Just when you thought you may have heard it all; you hear about falling furniture parts.

While it might sound amusing – a piece of furniture falling off an entertainment center – the consequences may not be a whole lot of fun. In this case, American Signature Inc., and the Product Safety Commission got together and recalled several entertainment centers billed as being a touch on the exotic side. They were sold in a variety of colors including dark brown, natural, black and white, and had fixed or adjustable shelves. And therein lies the problem – the shelves.

The shelves had a tendency to fall away from the main section of the center itself when it was moved. While some consumers figured it was not such a big deal, a shelf falling when it was moved, those who were hit on the head and suffered serious head injuries were not amused. The manufacturer got at least four reports of the shelf above the TV area coming down. Two of the reports involved injuries to entertainment center owners; an adult needing stitches to his face due to a mouth injury; and a child who hurt her finger. There was also property damage reported as well.

These pieces of furniture were made in China, Thailand and Malaysia and were sold in the US between October 2002 and December 2009 for approximately $1,650 each. Why they waited so long to recall the product is a good question, as is why the instructions in the package for the center didn’t state the center shelf above the TV should be taken down before moving the unit.

Consumers hurt by this falling furniture might want to talk to a defective product attorney and find out how they can go about filing a personal injury lawsuit. The answer will likely depend on the severity of the damages. However, having said that, it is possible there are consumers out there who have no idea the unit has been recalled because they have not had a problem with it – yet. If someone puts something heavy on the center shelf, the consequences of it falling may include traumatic brain injury (TBI).

TBI is nothing to mess with and if someone is diagnosed with that as a result of head trauma, they may require care for the rest of their lives, not be able to work and not be able to live their life the way they used to live it. When talking to an attorney about product liability lawsuits, a plaintiff may also be interested to know about a service they may be eligible for: pre-settlement funding.

Pre-settlement funding is money given in advance of an expected settlement or jury verdict and it lets the victim pay all their bills right away and then wait; wait for justice instead of settling too early for too little. Applying for a lawsuit cash advance is as easy as going online to fill out an application or making a phone call.

If the plaintiff is eligible for a lawsuit loan, then the pre-settlement funding is sent to them within 48 hours by wire or by check. Once that fast cash is in the bank, the plaintiff just has to pay their bills and let their lawyer get justice for them.

Daren Monroe writes for Litigation Funding Corp. To learn more about lawsuit funding and litigation funding, visit Litigationfundingcorp.com.

Asbestos Exposure Claims Woman’s Life: Jury Delivers Justice

July 22, 2010

Justice has been served in California, to the tune of $209 million as the result of the blatant negligence of an asbestos manufacturer. In this case, a woman contracted mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. How did she get the disease? From handling her husband’s work clothing.

The jury wasn’t impressed with the company and branded their behavior as flagrantly atrocious; the jurors found that the company knew that asbestos caused cancer but kept manufacturing asbestos pipes. Finally, in 1985, the company placed warnings on them. The jury made specific findings that the woman’s cancer had been caused by the dust on her husband’s work clothes.

The husband worked for the city’s water and power department for over 30 years; he regularly brought home work clothing laden with asbestos dust. This dust coats the protective lining of the lungs and other internal organs over a period of years until cancer is finally diagnosed decades later. Usually, treatment is not effective or successful.

Hopefully, this verdict sends this message to manufacturers: It is not only workers who are being poisoned by their negligent or deliberate conduct. Mesothelioma is a serious killer, with no cure.
The verdict included $8.8 million in compensatory damages $200 million in punitive damages.

While awaiting case resolution, culminating in this verdict, this unfortunate couple might have taken advantage of lawsuit funding. A timely placed lawsuit cash advance, or series of pre-settlement advances would have permitted them to continue paying necessary bills and expenses, as well as the wife’s medical expenses, while awaiting justice from the jury. Without this vital lawsuit financial assistance, a desperate litigant might settle too soon for too little compensation. Lawsuit finance services let plaintiffs stay in the ballgame.

Lawsuit financing may be applied for online or by phone and if the applicant is eligible, your legal finance capital will arrive by wire or check within 48 hours. There are no credit checks and the victim doesn’t need to have a job to be eligible. This kind of “lawsuit loan” helps ease a litigant’s concerns over money while he/she waits for the case to settle or otherwise resolve.

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TRAX Train Crash Kills Two; Severely Injures Two More

July 14, 2010

No one will really know why a young man decided to try to cross railway tracks while the crossing arm was coming down and signaling an oncoming train. The man was trying to maneuver around the barrier when the car he was driving, which belonged to his father, was hit by a TRAX train. The impact of this auto-train collision killed the young driver and a passenger; two other passengers were critically injured.

The family of one of the injured passengers has filed a personal injury lawsuit naming the driver, his father and his father’s employer (I presume the vehicle was owned by the company for the father’s use). The suit alleges the father let his son drive despite his bad driving record and habit of not paying attention to traffic rules. The young plaintiff was permanently injured in the auto-train collision.

It is likely that the other families of the other victims will consider pursuing lawsuits, as well. This was a horrific crash and they are entitled to seek compensation for their losses.

After all victims retain counsel and pursue lawsuits, they and their families may want to ask questions about the possibility of accessing lawsuit funding. A “litigation loan” could be a smart move for a family wondering how they were going to pay for the care of their injured child for the rest of their lives.

Pre-settlement funding is something that lets the victims deal with their medical expenses, therapy, etc., right away and then take care of other pressing financial business, like the mortgage and car payments.

A lawsuit cash advance will help them wait for a just and equitable verdict in their favor; it they are approved, funding can be completed within 24-48 hours, by check or wire. It is free to apply and funds are only required to be repaid if the case is settled or won. If you lose the case, the money is yours to keep, free of charge.

Onesies Recall over Choking Hazard

These days parents aren’t sure what is and isn’t safe for their children. Product recalls are at an all-time high.

Sometimes even the most basic things made for babies have the potential to harm them, even clothing. Such is the case with the infant onesies and rompers recently recalled by Kiwi Industries due to a choking hazard. It seems the snaps on the garments could separate from the material and cause a child to choke. There had been at least two reports of this happening, and for the moment, there have been no reported injuries.

Daren Monroe writes for Litigation Funding Corp. To learn more about lawsuit funding and litigation funding, visit Litigationfundingcorp.com.

The problem with product recalls is, although they are the responsible thing to do, not everyone that bought that particular product may hear about its recall for safety reasons. It may have been given as a gift to someone in another state or even country. With the world being what it is today, things and people travel to far locations at a moment’s notice.

Along with this particular product recall, also made in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, came the advice to stop using the clothing immediately. The onesies and rompers were on the market in eight colors and prints. Those concerned may find out which colors and patterns are recalled on the company’s website.

The onesies were for babies and sized from 0 to 3 months right up to 12 to 18 months. The rompers were retailed in sizes 0 to 3 months up to 18 to 24 months. Parents will find the name Kiwi Industries on a tag inside the clothing’s collar. These items were sold at children’s specialty stores in the US from March 2010 to May 2010, and those who purchased these items may return them for an exchange of another product. The company also offered to provide postage free return.

Again, while this is the moral and ethical thing to do, product recalls are only as good as the people who actually hear them, are aware of them, and act on them. If one of these items of clothing did harm a baby whose parents were not aware of the recall, the manufacturer may be held liable for any damages filed in a product liability personal injury lawsuit.

In cases like this, if a child has been harmed, the parents may wish to consult with a personal injury attorney to find out where they stand, what their legal rights are, and what they may be able to claim as damages for their child. Largely, that will depend on the nature of the damages, but generally speaking, if a child requires surgery to remove snaps the baby swallowed, or the child went into respiratory arrest because they were choking, the damages may be substantial.

While the family was waiting for justice, they might want to also check into another service that may be available for them – litigation funding. Lawsuit loans are available through a litigation funding company and they are not hard to apply for online or by phone. In fact, the process doesn’t take long and once the plaintiff is approved, their fast cash would arrive within 48 hours by check or by wire. The beauty of a lawsuit cash advance is that it allows the plaintiff to wait for justice and not have to take an early and cheap settlement.

Police Taser 10 year old At Day Care

July 10, 2010

In what is likely one of the most shocking cases people have read about, two Martinsville, Indiana police officers pulled out a Taser and shot a 10 year old boy at a daycare center. According to the report, the officers felt he was out of control and they used the Taser to suppress him. Both officers were put on administrative leave.

The incident began when the Tender Teddies Day Care called the police due to a ruckus the 10 year old boy was causing at the center. When the police arrived, they found the ten year old shouting and incessantly kicking. He evidently appeared to be so out of control that in order to subdue him and keep others and the boy from harm, the police slapped the child and then felt the need to taser him. The police had been to the same daycare facility other times in response to reports about the same child.

It’s not clear what injuries the 10-year-old boy sustained, but suffice it to say his parents will likely be seeking legal counsel to deal with this particular incident. Tasers have the potential to do some serious harm when used on adults; used on children it’s a completely different ballgame and anything may happen.

There is also the matter of slapping the child across the face which may have caused serious harm as well, including the possibility of traumatic brain injury if the blow was hard enough or struck in just the right place to snap his neck back and forth rapidly.

Depending on the boy’s injuries and their anticipated duration, the child might require long-term medical care. If so, the family might want to not only file a lawsuit, but also find out about litigation funding to assist with the medical and care expenses. While lawsuit funding companies cannot provide funding to minors, they can provide medical care funding that is the responsibility of and will be reimbursed to a child’s parents. Their attorney will need all the relevant details of this case in order for him to tell the family their rights to recover compensation if there were any injuries. It might be possible in this instance to reach a personal injury settlement out of court.

If it doesn’t look like the case will settle, then court would be the next step. This is where the lawsuit funding would come in handy. It’s easy to find out if a person qualifies. All they need to do is apply online or call. Applying is free and there are no up-front fees and no monthly payments. If they do qualify for a lawsuit cash advance, they would be able to pay their medical bills immediately, and hopefully get counseling assistance for their son.
Legal finance lets the family wait for a just and equitable resolution to this case. If they lose their case, they don’t have to repay the pre-settlement funding.

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Van-Muni Train Collision Injures Seven

July 9, 2010

Seven people were badly hurt during a San Francisco Muni train crash with a van. The police suspect that alcohol may have been involved and they plan to investigate the van driver further.
Evidently, eyewitnesses reported the van was heading south on the street and got stuck when it tried to execute an illegal left turn right in the oncoming path of the Muni train. The collision injured four in the van and three train passengers. The injured were all taken to local hospitals for treatment with wounds ranging from minor to serious.

During the initial investigation at the scene, police discovered an open alcohol container in the van. They need to check to see if the driver was the person drinking or someone else in the van was at the time of the crash. On the face of things, this case seems to be open and shut, but things aren’t always the way they look.

If the driver was under the influence, he will likely be charged later. In any event, this would mean the passengers in the van and those on the train would be in positions to file personal injury lawsuits, citing the negligence of the van driver.

Any of the injured who choose to file may, depending of the severity of their injuries, want to inquire into whether or not they are eligible for a lawsuit cash advance. It’s easy to find out if they do qualify, because all they need to do is call a litigation funding company or apply online. If they do qualify, their legal finance will usually arrive within 24-48 hours.

The whole point of lawsuit funding is that the victim gets money upfront and quickly to allow them to pay for their expenses as a result of their accident and to pay other important bills. They won’t have to settle for chump change because they are desperate for money.

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Six Year Old Suffers Amusement Park Traumatic Brain Injury

July 7, 2010

The young boy was on an indoor amusement park ride called the “Tea Cup” when he sustained severe and possibly life threatening injuries. It’s not completely clear how this horrific accident happened, but there is some conjecture he got his hair caught in a piece of moving machinery and was yanked back into the metal ride cage.

What is clear is that the boy sustained a head fracture and possible traumatic brain injury. EMS crews reported he had a seizure on the way to the hospital and was placed in a medically induced coma. What is also clear is that when the fire marshal checked the ride after the accident, it was discovered that the rides in the center hadn’t been inspected for over a year and that the center had an expired permit.

The boy’s parents will want to seek legal advice about this case. There is negligence involved and it seriously injured a young boy who may need care for the rest of his life. The personal injury attorney will be able to tell the parents what to expect when they file a lawsuit. In the meantime, the family will be worried not only about their son, but how to pay for his medical care. Money doesn’t grow on trees and even if both parents work, the cost of caring for someone with traumatic brain injury is astronomical.

The family might want to find out about legal finance to fund their case. Litigation funding is fast cash that arrives within 48 hours after the applicant has been approved. It’s easy to apply for and the pre-settlement funding will let them handle their son’s medical bills right away and still be able to pay their other expenses. Having access to a lawsuit cash advance means they can wait for their lawyer to obtain justice for their son and not have to take a lowball offer from an insurance company.

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