The Poppe Law Firm Blog

Which Holidays Are The Most Dangerous on Kentucky Roads?

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

What Holiday is the worst traffic accident season?

Kentuckians love their holiday celebrations… whether it’s a winter’s frost with feasting and presents, or a summer’s heat with fireworks and hotdogs. But the busy and often dangerous roads add torment to any holiday. Have you ever wondered which holiday season has the highest amount of traffic accidents? Well, the lawyers at the Poppe Law Firm were wondering the same thing, and we’ve got the answers for you!

According to the Kentucky State Police, Thanksgiving is the worst holiday for traffic accidents and fatalities, with over 1,289 car and semi-truck crashes, 393 traffic injuries, and 6 traffic deaths. However, the police measure the Thanksgiving holiday from the Wednesday before to the Sunday after, covering over 96 hours.

Other holidays falling in a smaller time frame have nearly as many car and semi-truck crashes as Thanksgiving, including 962 accidents during the 72-hour Christmas holiday window. Because the varying time periods the police assign to each “holiday,” it is difficult to tell which holiday the worst. However, it looks like the winter holidays have more traffic accidents.

However, as you can see, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day have higher fatality rates and injury rates at least equal to the winter holidays, if not worse. So while the winter holidays may have more car crashes, the summer holidays appear to have more deadly results.

No matter the holiday, enjoy time celebrating with your loved ones, always have a designated driver, and be safe out there!

The Poppe Law Firm represents people all over the state of Kentucky and Indiana involved in serious car, truck, semi, and motorcycle wrecks.

Be sure to download or E-Book, What The Insiders Don't Want You To Know About Semi-Truck Accidents.

USA Today and Courier Journal Write About Our London, KY Unnecessary Cardiac Procedure Cases

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

USA Today picks up Andy Wolfson's article in the CJ about our Kentucky unnecessary cardiac procedure lawsuits. This is the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Patil took refused to even answer the question of whether he was a licensed doctor in his deposition.
http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/1925245

Our London, KY Stent Cases against CHI and St. Joseph's London Are Profiled in Forbes Magazine

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

Forbes Magazine medical writer Larry Husten worte an interesting piece about our London, Kentucky unnecessary cardiac procedure cases.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhusten/2013/02/17/400-patients-sue-kentucky-hospital-and-11-cardiologists-over-unnecessary-procedures/

What Are the Safest and Most Dangerous Driving Days in Kentucky and Indiana?

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

What is the worst day of the week for traffic accidents?

Nobody likes driving in to work on Monday, everyone speeds home on Friday, and on the weekend folks let loose on the road. But have you ever wondered what day of the week is the most dangerous out on the roads? The lawyers at the Poppe Law Firm were wondering the same thing, and we’ve got the answers for you!

A Kentucky State Police report concludes that Fridays are the most accident-prone day on the roads. Of the 150,278 car and truck crashes in Kentucky in 2011, 21,711 of them were on Fridays, roughly 14.5%. Sundays turned out to be the safest days, with 12,276 accidents or about 8.1% of all accidents. Friday also has the highest rate of car-related deaths, totaling 113 out of the 694 car fatalities in 2011, or about 16.3%

Indiana recorded similar numbers, with 32,212 of the state’s 188,130 roadway accidents occurring on Friday, approximately 17.1%. Similarly, Sunday is the safest day on Hoosier roadways, with 18,913 car crashes, or 10%. However, Tuesday turned out to be the deadliest day, with 105 of the 674 fatal Indiana car accidents happening on Tuesdays, about 15.6%.

So, when you’re driving home on a Friday night and excited for the weekend, take it easy and drive safe!

The Poppe Law Firm represents people all over the state of Kentucky and Indiana involved in serious car, truck, semi, and motorcycle wrecks.

Be sure to download or E-Book, What The Insiders Don't Want You To Know About Semi-Truck Accidents.

Kentucky Drivers: Are There More Car and Truck Wrecks in the City or in the Country?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

Is it Safer to Drive in the City or in the Country?

You have heard the clichés about drivers based on where they’re from… city drivers are reckless and too fast, country drivers can’t parallel park, and drivers from any state other your own are just plain awful. But have you ever wondered where more car crashes occur—in an urban or rural area? The lawyers at the Poppe Law Firm wondered the same thing, and we have found the answers for you!

According to the Kentucky State Police, 63% of all reported traffic accidents in the state happen in urban areas, while only 37% are in rural areas. That’s a nearly 2-to-1 ratio of accidents in cities over the country.

In 2010, 58.6% of Kentuckians lived in urban areas or small towns, while 41.1% lived in rural areas. Not only are city-dwellers in more accidents than those living in the country, but even as a ratio of the population cities have more car and semi-truck wrecks than rural areas of the state.

However, before rural drivers think they’re off the hook, the State Police report also notes that 56% of traffic deaths are in rural areas, while only 44% are in urban areas. This makes sense, because high-speed accidents are more likely to result in a traffic death, and it is a lot easier to get up to high speeds on an open country road than a busy city street.

So, whether you’re traveling a country mile or a city block, always remember to buckle up and obey the law!

The Poppe Law Firm represents people all over the state of Kentucky and Indiana involved in serious car,truck, semi, and motorcycle wrecks.

Be sure to download or E-Book, What The Insiders Don't Want You To Know About Semi-Truck Accidents.

Are Young Drivers In Kentucky More Dangerous?

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

Do Young Kentucky Drivers Cause More Kentucky Car and Semi Wrecks?

We hear all the time that young drives are far more likely to be in car, semi-truck, or automobile accidents. Texting while driving, inexperience, and alcohol are always cited as the reasons why. But do the facts really support this conclusion?

Well, the lawyers at The Poppe Law Firm found the answers. According to the Kentucky State Police, in 2011 24% of drivers involved in all accident were between 16 and 24 years old, while in fatal accidents young people were behind the wheel 18% of the time.

Across Kentucky, people age 16-24 only make up about 13% of the state’s population, but they are behind the wheel in 18% of traffic accidents ending in death and in 24% of all traffic accidents. So, when your kids head out the door, make sure they obey the traffic laws, pay attention to the road, and leave their cell phones in their pockets or purses!

Be sure to watch our video on: 6 Things You Must Know If You've Been Involved in a Car or Semi-Truck Wreck.

The Poppe Law Firm represents people all over the state of Kentucky and Indiana involved in serious car, truck, semi, and motorcycle wrecks.

Be sure to download or E-Book, What The Insiders Don't Want You To Know About Semi-Truck Accidents.

Are Men or Women Involved in More Kentucky Car and Semi Truck Wrecks?

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:00:00 EST

Ever wonder if men or women are involved in more accidents and wrecks in Kentucky? Well, the lawyers at The Poppe Law Firm know the answer, at least if you believe statistics! According to data gathered by the Kentucky State Police in 2011, 55% of the drivers involved in car, semi-truck, or motorcycle wrecks in Kentucky were male and 45% were female. In fatal car and tractor trailer wrecks, the number of males drivers jumps up to 72%. The chart below summarizes the statistics.

The Poppe Law Firm represents people all over the state of Kentucky and Indiana involved in serious car, semi, and motorcycle wrecks.

Be sure to download or E-Book, What The Insiders Don't Want You To Know About Semi-Truck Accidents.

Hans Poppe

Kentucky Car and Truck Wreck Statistics for 2012

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 00:00:00 EST

The lawyers at The Poppe Law Firm represent seriously injured clients involved in semi-truck wrecks, car wrecks, and motorcycle wrecks all over the state of Kentucky and, in paticular, Louisville, Kentucky.

Preliminary statistics indicate that 11 people died in five separate crashes on Kentucky roadways during the Christmas holiday period beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, extending through Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.

Crashes occurred in Christian, Clark, Jefferson, Knox and Pike counties. Ten of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and six of the victims were not wearing seat belts. The crashes in Christian, Knox and Pike counties involved the suspected use of alcohol.

One single fatality crash occurred in Pike County. Two double fatality crashes occurred in both Christian and Clark counties.

Five people were killed in a crash that occurred in Knox County. One pedestrian involved fatality occurred in Jefferson County.

Through Dec. 25, 2012, preliminary statistics indicate that 729 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2012. This is 16 more fatalities than reported for the same time period in 2011. There have been 578 motor vehicle fatalities and 317 of those victims were not wearing seat belts. Sixty-four of those crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle. Seventy-six crashes involved a motorcycle and 39 victims were not wearing helmets. Fourteen crashes involved an ATV and 12 victims were not wearing helmets. Fifty-three crashes involved pedestrians and 7 involved a bicycle. One crash involved a scooter. A total of 139 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

More information about Kentucky crashes can be found on the KSP website at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/tip.htm.

Be sure to download our Free E-book on What The Insiders Don't Want You To Know About Semi-Truck Wrecks.

And our Free E-book on Secrets To Buying Car Insurance in Kentucky to ensure you have enough coverage AND the correct types of insurance coverage to protect you and your family!

www.Hypersmash.com

I'm Too Sexy For My.....Job?

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 00:00:00 EST

According to the Iowa Supreme Court, you can actually be too sexy for your job. And, if you are, you can be fired. And it's legal. It all started when Melissa Norton, an Iowa dental assistant started sending and receiving texts with her boss, dentist James Knight. Now, by all accounts Melissa was a good employee for over 10 years and was doing nothing inappropriate; however, Dr. Knight apparently sent Melissa a couple of inappropriate texts....and Mrs. Knight (also an employe of the dental practice) was not too happy about discovering them. Mrs. Knight instructed her husband to fire the sexy assistant. At the end of the workday on January 4, 2010, Dr. Knight called Melissa into his office. He had arranged for a pastor from his church to be present as an observer. Dr. Knight told Melissa he was firing her, reading from a prepared statement. The statement said, in part, that their relationship had become a detriment to Dr. Knight’s family and that for the best interests of both Dr. Knight and his family and Melissa and her family, the two of them should not work together. Dr. Knight handed Nelson an envelope which contained one month’s severance pay. Melissa started crying and said she loved her job.

Melissa promptly hired a well respected employment lawyer and filed suit alleging she was fired because she was a women. Firing a person based on gender is illegal (so is firing a person based on race,national origin, disability, religion, genetic information, or age (if the person is at least 40 years old)). Federal law also prohibits most employers from firing someone because that person is pregnant or has a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth.

But Knight, and his lawyers, argued he didn't fire Melissa because she was a woman, he fired her because she posed a risk to his marriage because she was "irresistibly attractive." In a 7-0 opinion, Justice Edward M. Mansfield wrote for the all-male high court, “The question we must answer is … whether an employee who has not engaged in flirtatious conduct may be lawfully terminated simply because the boss views the employee as an irresistible attraction.” The Court concludes Melissa was not fired because she was female, "It is undisputed, rather, that Nelson was fired because Ms. Knight, unfairly or not, viewed her as a threat to her marriages."

So, try not to be an "irresistibly attractive" employee.

Hans

Are you texting while someone else is driving?

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

A New Jersey woman was sued recently for texting her boyfriend while he was driving. This is believed to be the first case of its kind in the country. The woman, Shannon Colonna, was sued by other drivers who were involved in a car wreck with Colonna's boyfriend. The boyfriend admitted he caused the wreck and pled guilty to distracted driving. The reason for his distraction, he said, was the text message conversation he was having with his girlfriend, Colonna.

The injured drivers were hurt severely in the wreck. The man's leg was amputated above the knee and the woman eventually had one leg amputated. They sued Colonna alleging she knew her boyfriend was driving at the time he caused the wreck.

While this is a new theory in personal injury law, the issue will never be heard by a jury. The Judge in the case dismissed all claims against the woman last week. The Judge's ruling was based, at least in part, on Colonna's testimony she did not know her boyfriend was driving while they were texting.

It is possible many similar cases will pop up across the country. However, it seems unlikely the cases will actually be successful, unless there are changes in state law. In Kentucky, for example, the law banning texting while driving went into effect in July 2010. However, Kentucky law does not make provisions for suing the person with whom the driver is texting.

Usually an actor cannot be responsible for injuries to others unless their actions were intentional or the law imposes a duty on the actor. Unless states specifically enact laws to allow this type of lawsuit, there is little chance of similar cases suceeding.

Faulty Electronic Ciagrette Blows Up in Florida Man's Mouth Severely Injuring Him

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A few days ago, a Pensicola man was injured when an electronic cigarette exploded in his mouth. The man suffered severe burns to his face and lost several teeth and a chunk of his tongue as a result. Early reports indicate a defective battery is to blame for the explosion but the brand of battery or cigarette is not yet known, or at least the information has not yet been released to the public. I can only assume once the information is known the manufacturers will be sued for the injuries their defective product caused.

Not only did the defective cigarette or battery nearly blow a man’s face off, the explosion caught his home on fire. When it exploded pieces shot out from the cigarette and landed around his office, some pieces hot enough to melt carpet. Firefighters immediately came to put out the fire. Investigators are now trying to identify the type of cigarette and battery and are searching for other fires or explosions that might have been caused by electronic cigarettes.

Thomas Kiklas, co-founder of the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association, said the industry knows of no problems with the cigarettes or batteries exploding. The electronic cigarette industry reports that approximately 2.5 Americans used electronic cigarettes last year. Most people use the product to try to stop smoking because they believe the device releases less nicotine than regular cigarettes. Nicotine is released from them in a water vapor, which is released with battery power when the cigarette is puffed.

Most people see electronic cigarettes as a way to kick the habit and some simply use the product as a “healthier” way to smoke. Some say there is no proof that the devices actually help people stop smoking or that they are safe, or safer than regular cigarettes. Also, some tests have revealed chemicals such as antifreeze in the vapor put out by the cigarettes. They are currently unregulated by the FDA but the FDA posted a warning saying they were addictive, contained nicotine and might encourage teenagers to use nicotine products. After this incident, the FDA now might consider the regulation of this product.

Fortunately, the man injured by the defective product is recovering in an Alabama hospital.

Injured Passengers of Cruise Lines Might be Without Compensation

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Lawyers from two U.S.law firms as well as the Italian consumer group, Codacons, are expected to file a class action lawsuit in Miami on behalf of passengers on board the Costa Concordia cruise liner. The lawsuit will likely name Costa Cruises and its parent company, Carnival Cruise Lines. Attorneys for the passengers state they will ask for approximately $160,000 per passenger in damages. Typically, damages include items such as the injured person’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many passengers report bodily injuries and mental anguish as a result of the crash. For example, one passenger and her daughter say they are unable to sleep well and relive the memory of the incident daily.

The liner went down off the coast of Italy last week after hitting a sand bar. After the ship hit the bar and began to sink, there was reportedly utter chaos on board, and it took hours to get passengers off the ship. Reportedly, the ship’s captain left the vessel with most passengers still on board. Some passengers report being forced to jump from the ship and swim to shore, others got into life boats and made it safely ashore. Sadly, other passengers were not as fortunate and at least 16 bodies have been recovered from the ship to date, and approximately 20 people are still missing.

At least 16 people needlessly lost their lives, and many of the 4,500 passengers on board were injured by the cruise line’s negligence. But, due to legal maneuvering by the cruise line, passengers may never be fully compensated for their injuries. Usually, all types of damages would be part of what an injured person is compensated for during a lawsuit. However, in cases where people are injured on cruise ships, passengers’ tickets could be preventing them from being fully compensated for their injuries. Passengers’ tickets are actually contracts with the cruise line and contain much more information than most people realize. These contracts often release cruise lines from being responsible for passenger injuries without the passenger ever realizing it. Most often, the contracts contain provisions that prevent passengers from making claims for pain and suffering after they are injured by a cruise line. Passengers agree to these provisions and waive their rights to be fully compensated when they purchase the ticket from the cruise line.

Also included in the language of many tickets is what is called a forum selection clause. This means the cruise liner states the country and court system any lawsuit or claim for injuries must be filed. Most likely, the tickets held by passengers of the Costa Concordia state claims for injuries must be brought inItaly, not theUnited States. This creates a huge burden on passengers from around the world and is another obstacle to prevent cruise lines from paying for the injuries they cause. Why, then, is the lawsuit being filed inMiami? I am not involved in this case and can only speculate, but I suspect it is in hopes of finding ways around the clauses put into passenger contracts by the cruise line.

Reportedly, Costa Cruises is offering passengers a full refund, travel expenses, reimbursement for any on-board expenses and credit card charges, and full payment for documented medical expenses. However, such an arrangement does not fully compensate passengers for their injuries. Most notably, the cruise line is offering nothing for passengers’ pain and suffering, such as the mental effects of what is described as a chaotic and terrible situation on board. The offer also does not include longer-term care options such as for future medical expenses.

So, even if the attorneys are successful in brining the lawsuit inMiami, there are likely still obstacles to the amount and types of damages passengers can recover. I will be following the lawsuit as it progresses.

West Virginia Over Louisville, Really?

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

In October (Yes, it is over 2 months later but who cares) the Big 12 Conference formally invited West Virginia to join them in the illustrious and historic BCS conference located in the Midwest. The decision to leave the Big East must have been an easy one for the school from Morgantown, knowing that their best sport was American's newest favorite past time, football, and that the largest basketball conference in the nation was on a downward slope for football.

The University of Louisville (herein Louisville) was the frontrunner for the last spot in the Big 12 for months so people have wondered why Louisville will not be playing host to football powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma in 2015. Well it is because of the mastermind Tom Jurich. Many scold him for not taking the invitation immediately, but Jurich made a decision that was in the best interest of his school.

To understand Jurich's decision, you have to look at the bigger picture. The University of Texas wanted a national television network and they wanted a change. This prompted them to attempt a changeover from the Big 12 to the newly formed PAC-12. Had this occurred, it was said that Oklahoma would go with them leaving Big 12 football with.........Texas A&M? Kansas State? That doesn't seem very exciting for a school trying to prove it's worth (Louisville) and certainly does not give an impression that the Big 12 has everything under control. So why would Jurich want to leave a stable conference (at that time) for a seemingly unstable one? Exactly, he wouldn't. The first invitation came when the Big East was intact.

Well, just like any rich kid who was used to getting their way as soon as they wanted the Big 12 got tired of waiting on Jurich and invited the University of West Virginia, the small town, couch burning school from Morgantown. Now what did West Virginia have that Louisville wasn't already better at? Oh right, football! That's it. They didn't have better academics, their overall sports were worse, and, let's face it, Morgantown vs. Louisville? Really? Burns Hargis, the Oklahoma State University President and chairman of the Big 12 board of directors said, "The addition of West Virginia, while expanding the reach of the Big 12, brings an impressive institution with esteemed academics and a proud athletic tradition into the Conference. This is another step in building a strong foundation for the future of the Big 12," It seems Mr. Hargis is trying to make a credible defense for adding West Virginia over Louisville, but it is clear that the reason for the invitation is their consistency in the top 25 (hyperlink) and not because they bring great academics.
The most intriguing time during this situation was when politics became involved. Kentucky’s longtime Republican senator, Mitch McConnell, stepped up to the plate. As an alumnus of UofL, he made phone calls to Big 12 officials to try and convince them to change their minds. Now I am usually not a fan of Mr. McConnell but this was one time I was proud to call him my senator. But then Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia decided to step in and voice his opinion as well. This was all funny and interesting at the same time because it was said that the Big 12 was set to officially invite West Virginia to join, but this was put to a halt because of the political game that was being played for a short time.
Unfortunately, soon after the Senator’s interference those Mountaineers got the call that every Louisville fan dreaded would come. They accepted their bid to the Big 12 almost immediately, which Louisville would have also done had they been offered a bid at this time rather than months prior. Now in a few years West Virginia gets to host the Longhorns and Sooners, while the Cardinals are stuck with exciting new programs that include (but are not limited to!) Southern MethodistUniversity and Central Florida.
To add icing to the cake above all of this is that West Virginia has the audacity to try and sue the Big East, claiming that the conference has not maintained a balance between the football and basketball schools in the conference. It is argued (and I agree) that West Virginia is attempting to sue to get out of having to pay a $10 million exit that the Big East has recently required of it’s members that are leaving while still under contract. With all the recent problems West Virginia has caused the Big East, I say good riddance and from a UofL fan I will tell the Big 12 that I will see you within five years.

Saint Joseph London Stent Case WHAS News Video

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Watch the WHAS 11 Investigation Team News Story about the lawsuit filed by the Poppe Law Firm against Saint Joseph London, Catholic Health Initiative, and Drs. Patil, Chalhoub, and Patil alleging they were involved in recommending, performing and allowing Edward Marshall to undergo numerous unnecessary heart surgeries including stents and a pacemaker.
The lawsuit is similar to claims made against Saint Joseph Towson Maryland and Dr. Mark Medei for the performance of hundreds of unnecessary stents in order to increase revenue for the hospital.

hans

Saint Joseph London Stent Case News Video

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

WHAS 11 Louisville ran a story on the stent and heart cases filed in London, Kentucky against Saint Joseph London, Catholic Health Initiative, and several London, Kentucky doctors. Watch the video and read about it here.

hp

Sentinel Echo Writes About Saint Joseph London Stenting Lawsuit

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Here is a link to the Sentinel Echo article on the unnecessary stenting lawsuit we recently filed in London, Kentucky. The suit alleges various London, Kentucky cardiologists were performing unnecessary stenting procedures, catheterizations, and other heart procedures on patients that did not need them. Saint Joseph and Saint Joseph-London are named as defendants along with Drs. Chatterjee, Chalhoub, and Patil and their medical groups You can read the lawsuit here
hp

Unnecessary Stenting Lawsuit Filed In Kentucky

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Hans Poppe of The Poppe Law Firm and London, Kentucky attorney Gary Hudson have filed suit against a number of medical providers for performing unnecessary stenting, catheterizations and other unnecessary heart procedures. You can see the Complaint here. The suit alleges CATHOLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES, INC., SAINT JOSEPH HEALTH SYSTEM, INC., SAINT JOSEPH-LONDON, PREMIER HEART AND VASCULAR CENTER, CARDIOVASULAR SPECIALISTS OF THE CUMBERLANDS, PLLC, THE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS OF KENTUCKY, P.S.C, MANAGEMENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION OF KENTUCKY, INC., M.S.O. OF KENTUCKY, INC., SATYABRATA CHATTERJEE, M.D., SANDESH PATIL M.D., and ANIS CHALHOUB M.D. were all involved in scheme to profit by perfoming unnecessary stenting and other heart procedures on patients.
Recently, Saint Josephs agreed to pay the federal government $22 million dollars to resolve similar claims arising out of unnecessary stenting procedures at a facility in Towson, Maryland. The money was paid to resovle claims by the federal goverment that the facility engaged in and profited from improper and unnecessary cardiac stenting procedures performed by Dr. Mark Midei, a cardiologist at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, MD. Dr. Midei lost his license to practice medicine.

I'd like to know what you think about doctors performing unnecessary heart surgery on patients that don't need it.

hp

Why We Haven't Been Blogging

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

O.K. it's obvious I haven't been blogging nearly as much recently. But don't quit following us just yet! I've got a good excuse, we've been preparing for three back-to-back trials in August, September and October. We are working hard for our clients, but our blogging suffers as a result. So, if I had time to blog I would have done so about the following issues:

Norton's could have some serious liability for a heat stroke death; and

UofL hospital merger, who is really in charge of this place any way?

be back soon,
hp

Kentucky Bar Votes to Disbar Famous Lawyer Stan Chesley

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Readers of this blog are likely familiar with our posts regarding the Kentucky Fen Phen litigation and the resulting criminal and disciplinary matters surrounding it. Two of the four lead lawyers have been placed in prison and now, famed class action lawyer Stan Chesley is facing disbarment for his role in the litigation and settlement of the Fen Phen class action. You can read the Trial Commisioner's february recommendation Here.

Yesterday, the KBA Board of Governers agreed with the Trial Commissioner and voted to disbar Chesley. Chesley has also ben ordered to pay back millions of dollars to his former clients that the KBA claims Chesley was not entitled to.

You can read the entire article at the Courier Journal website:

A trial has also been set for next year in another matter against Chesley claiming he improperly handled the settlement of another Kentucky class action against the Covington Diocese for childhood sexual abuse claims.

hans

U.S. Government Claims Immunity in Tort Claim

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

An FBI agent wrecked a rare Ferrari, and the goverment is now refusing to pay the insurance company the value of the car. The Ferrari, a 1995 F50, was being stored in Lexington, Kentucky as part of an investigation on stolen vehicles. In May 2009 an FBI agent went for a ride in the car when he lost control and landed against bushes and a tree.

The Ferrari is insured by Motors Insurance Co. who is suing the U.S. Justice Department for $750,000. Motors Insurance claims the vehicle is a total loss. The Justice Department, however, is refusing to pay the claim because the goverment says it is immune to tort claims when certain goods are handled by law enforcement.

The next court date in the case is June 13.