Drought and the Mississippi River
When people in the Southern and Midwestern United States think of the consequences of climate change, people tend to think about extreme events like hurricanes and floods. However, another consequence of climate change that is currently causing headaches is the opposite: drought. Outside of arid Western states, people generally do not place enough concern on […]
Cleaning up an Oil Company’s Mess
Oil and gas is and has been big business in Louisiana for many years. The first oil well in Louisiana was drilled in 1901 near Jennings, Louisiana. Once the first well was drilled, an oil boom hit Louisiana, hundreds of thousands of wells have been drilled since, and the rest is history. The Oil and […]
FDA sues Manufacturers of E-Cigarettes
The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) oversees the regulation of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, medical devices, many food items, cosmetics and tobacco products. This includes e-cigarettes. It is illegal to manufacture, sell or distribute e-cigarettes without first obtaining the FDA’s approval. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice filed complaints in Federal Courts on behalf of […]
Recent FDA Announcements and Updates
Transvaginal Mesh Study Concludes The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) recently released results of a post-market surveillance study on vaginal mesh devices. The devices are manufactured by Coloplast and used to treat pelvic organ prolapse. The devices at issue were discontinued years ago after numerous reports of negative outcomes. But the FDA required the manufacturer, […]
Damages in personal injury lawsuits
In Louisiana, if we hurt someone we must pay for all of their damages. “Damages” is the value of the things that are taken from the victim. There are two broad categories of damages. They are special damages and general damages. Special damages are specific. We can add them up. They include things like lost […]
Price of Pesticides: DC v. Velsicol Chemical
On October 13, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia sued a pesticide manufacturer for polluting D.C. waterways and natural resources. That company, Velsicol Chemical, LLC, was the sole manufacturer of chlordane, one of the most widely used pesticides in the United States until it was banned by the EPA in 1988. The District […]
Preserving evidence after a trucking wreck
A big-rig barrels down I-10. Hard rain falls. And water pools in the tire grooves in the highway. Visibility is low. The driver’s cell phone rings. He fumbles to find his phone and loses control of the truck. The 80,000-pound machine sideswipes a sedan parked on the shoulder. The driver is trained for this type […]
Lawyers in Libraries – Pro Bono Week in Louisiana
Next week has been declared Pro Bono Week in Louisiana by our governor. “Pro Bono” is short for pro bono publico which means “for the public good” in Latin. In a legal context, this usually refers to voluntary, law-related services to people of limited means. The Louisiana State Bar Association will be hosting their annual […]
Recent Recalls of Products and Food
When the FDA or a company realizes that a product may be unsafe to consumers, it may issue a voluntary recall. Recalls, withdrawals and safety alerts may be found on the FDA’s website. Below are some recently recalled products: Recent Food or Beverage Recalls: Brie and Camembert soft cheese manufactured by Old Europe Cheese: The […]
Do you have a right to a healthy environment?
Most people may assume that the right to clean air and water is a given in the United States. We are a first world nation and global leader. However, the amount of environmental contamination and environmental disasters in this country demonstrate that a healthy environment is not guaranteed. Right to a Healthy Environment in State […]