Articles Posted in News and Law for Non-lawyers

I had the great pleasure of teaching a class to over 110 criminal defense lawyers on February 28, 2020. They were all gathered to learn how to defend their clients who have been charged with DWI or DUI. I was there to tell them how it works when I sue their clients for injuring my…

People! Do not let the statute of limitations slip past on your personal injury cases in North Carolina.  I’ve had three calls this week from people who did not have lawyers and who waited until the last second, or past the last second, to call for advice. None of these calls ended on a happy…

The North Carolina Legislature is considering passing a law which was written, largely, by multinational pharmaceutical corporations. The Bill would make NC the worst state in the nation in terms of protecting its citizens from wrongdoers. The legislators who have bought into the corporate lobbyist’s money agenda in Senate Bill 33 would gladly sacrifice the…

If North Carolina House bill 542 passes, and gives amnesty to corporations that kill people, we’ll need to change the “welcome signs” on all of our interstate highways. Some suggestions: The House Select Committee on Tort Reform will be considering amendments to HB 542 at their next meeting on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 11:00…

The North Carolina House is set to discuss a “tort reform” Bill tomorrow H542 (they have not “officially” released it but NC Trial Law Blog has an advanced copy) that would grant immunity from suit to any product “regulated” by a State or Federal Agency. UPDATE: 4:24 pm March 30, 2011: The Bill has finally…

OK folks, hold on to your hats (does anyone wear hats these days?) it is time for a trip down an Orwellian rabbit hole (to mix some metaphors) into political intrigue, lawyers, lobbyists, and a organization posing as “we, the people.” No, it’s not a national political party, its a North Carolina effort to take…

The new GOP majority Senate in the General Assembly of North Carolina has just introduced the “wish list” of Medical Malpractice Tort Reform bills today. Senate Sponsors: Tom Apodaca(R), Tom Brown(R) and Bob Rucho(R). This proposed Senate Bill S33 is a laundry list of of ways to limit the rights of normal citizens in NC.…

Well, we are at less than 306 days10 hours to election time and it is time for my annual Judicial Endorsements post (and a few other races you may not know much about). NC elects all of our Judges, we do not have an appointment system or retention elections. This is a great system in…

I try to keep this Blog fairly apolitical, but during an election season that can be difficult. My feelings about so-called “tort reform” are pretty clear: it is generally a terrible idea that only hurts the truly innocent- people who have been hurt by someone else’s negligence. That said, where do Obama and McCain stand…

As a personal injury lawyer in the state capitol, Raleigh, I hear a lot of “complaining” by physicians about “crazy lawsuits.” I always tell them (many of whom are friends) that malpractice lawsuits in North Carolina are either declining or at worst, holding steady. The main insurer for physicians, NC Medical Mutual, has just announced…