Law Firm Articles
National Trial Lawyers
Cross-Examining Defense Experts
Cross-examination in a tractor-trailer case is not unlike your cross-examination in many of the cases you have been trying so far. Cross is like the trial within the trial. Perception often becomes reality. The jury will likely decide how much weight to give the witness by its perception of both the witness’s believability and your ability to handle him. Therefore, in order to thoroughly prepare for the cross-examination of the defense expert witness, you must have clear objectives and goals in mind….
Bus Accidents
People all across the U.S. ride buses every day as their primary form of transportation. As cities across the nation grow, congestion rises on our highways and roadways. As a result, more and more individuals choose to use public transportation each year. With more of the public using buses, the number of injuries and even death increases…..
Boat Accidents
A 71-year-old man loses his life when the 12-foot rowboat in which he was a passenger capsizes. A 33-year-old fisherman dies when his 10-foot open motorboat capsizes. A 48-year-old woman loses her life when the 23-foot sailboat she was in capsizes. A 54-year-old man on a cruise ship falls overboard and is never seen or heard from again.
Fishing trips, diving expeditions, water skiing, a weeklong cruise on a luxury ship - boats are supposed to fun, recreational vehicles for you and your family to enjoy. However, thousands of people are injured or killed in boating accidents each year….
ADHD Drugs (Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta)
The goal of the government’s “War on Drugs” is to discourage and prevent children and youth from experimenting with dangerous and addictive drugs, such as amphetamines and other stimulants. However, today more children are taking stimulant drugs than ever because they are being prescribed by their doctors, and the “pushers” are the drug companies.
Stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall are actively promoted and prescribed as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These drugs are found to have a short-term effectiveness of 60- to 80 percent in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in school-age children. The medications reduce a child’s hyperactivity and improve their inability to focus, work and learn. The ADHD medications may also improve physical coordination, such as handwriting and ability in sports…..
Bringing a Lawsuit Before a District Judge
You may file a suit with a district justice if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $8,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $8,000 limit does not include the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest which may be due on your claim. If you are successful, you are entitled to be reimbursed for court costs.
You may also be brought before a district justice to answer a summary offense charge or a motor vehicle violation. These are called criminal actions. For more information, see two other pamphlets in this series, “Traffic Violations and Summary Offenses,” and “Criminal Law.”....
Constitution Day Thoughts
Since its signing on September 17, 1787, the American people properly have shown great reverence for the Constitution, although often confusing its principles with the Declaration of Independence. While there is a difference, the connection is strong. John Quincy Adams explained, “The work of the American Revolution ...remained unfulfilled until the Constitution was ratified.”
In a nation based on limitless personal liberty and a free economy, two forces that inherently breed conflict, the Constitution has held Americans together, earning the right never be considered with indifference. To be sure, Americans were better prepared to undertake the creation of a new frame of government than is generally realized, for during the entire 180-year colonial period each of the 13 colonies had drawn Constitution after Constitution….
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
The preservation of the civil jury trial, the embodiment of the concept “Justice by the People” is the primary purpose of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Although guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, the civil jury trial has been under constant attack….
Selecting, Preparing and Presenting the Expert Witness
In a products liability case the most important thing you can do to prepare your expert is to retain control of the product so that will allow your expert to analyze and inspect the product. Sometimes you may need to hire investigators to find where the product is as well as hiring photographers, videographers, etc. In a severe injury or complex case not having the product for your expert’s inspection may well be the death knell of your case.
Federal / Employment Discrimination / Sexual Harassment
What Is Sexual Harassment? Sexual harassment in the workplace may occur in many forms, physical, verbal, or nonverbal. Examples of physical sexual harassment include: unwanted touching, holding, grabbing, hugging, fondling, kissing, pinching; “accidental” collisions or brushing up against another person; physical assault; or sexual assault. Examples of verbal sexual harassment include: offensive graphic jokes or language; threats; comments and/or questions about a person’s sexual behavior; conversations filled with sexual innuendo and double entendres; comments about a person’s body; and suggestions of a sexual nature. Finally, examples of nonverbal sexual harassment include: offensive gestures or motions; leering at a person’s body; leaning over someone at a desk; displaying or circulating sexually suggestive cartoons, letters, or pictures; and other sexually oriented behavior. According to the interpretive regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”),....
Subsequent Remedial Measures in Strict Product Liability Actions
One rule of evidence well known to the trial bar is the general inadmissibility of post-accident remedial measures if offered for the purpose of proving antecedent negligence. An issue about which much ink has been spilled is whether and to what extent this negligence rule should be applied in cases of strict product liability.** Federal evidence law, which for some time has favored inadmissibility in products cases, seems to be hardening in that position, with the adoption of a newly revised Federal Rule of Evidence 407. Pennsylvania law is currently unsettled on the point,....
Train Accidents
Millions of people ride trains every day in the United States. However, when trains aren’t maintained, or when reckless drivers try to beat a train across the tracks, a serious accident may occur.
Van Rollovers
Excerpt: “A 15-passenger van is considered one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road, because it is three times more likely to roll over in single vehicle crashes when there are 10 or more occupants inside the van.
