Month: May 2018
Asbestos fibers brought home: What is a company’s duty?
Automotive technicians replacing brake pads and workers in manufacturing plants not only worked with asbestos on the job, but often brought the fibers home on their clothing. Even small amounts of asbestos and short periods of exposure can cause mesothelioma. Strange as it might sound, a parent who worked with or around asbestos or asbestos-containing
Highest court to hear asbestos case involving maritime law
The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a case involving military members and asbestos exposure. The case involves men who developed lung cancer after working on ships and in shipyards for the Navy. At issue is the liability of equipment manufacturers for replacement parts supplied by others when the replacement parts met specifications established
Tennessee’s DUI laws mean serious penalties, even for first-timers
In recent years, Tennessee’s legislature has really “cracked down” on drunk driving offenders. Our state has, comparatively, some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation. Even a first-time conviction will come with mandatory jail time, fines and more. The penalties only increase for additional or enhanced drunk driving charges. A standard, first-time DUI in Tennessee (for
Landmark DUI fee case headed to TN Supreme Court
A landmark DUI fee case our attorneys have spent years litigating is heading to the Tennessee Supreme Court later this month. The case centers around a $250 “incentive” paid to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for each successful DUI prosecution in Tennessee in which a blood or breath test was used. Our attorneys argued
Expect sobriety checkpoints this Memorial Day weekend
With Memorial Day weekend right around the corner, it’s important to be aware of stepped-up DUI enforcement. In particular, the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting several sobriety checkpoints throughout Chattanooga from Friday, May 25th through Monday, May 28th. Whether you are a Chattanooga local or just visiting for the holiday, knowing where you may encounter police can
Researchers say Breathalyzer tests fundamentally flawed
Researchers working in Washington state recently discovered fundamental flaws in the source code of a widely used Breathalyzer machine, Draeger’s “Alcotest” device. Two software engineers conducted the research at the behest of criminal defense attorneys after Washington adopted the Alcotest devices for all its state and local law enforcement agencies. The engineers didn’t examine individual
Experimental vaccine could help mesothelioma patients
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have gotten promising results from a study on the efficacy of stem cell treatments for both current – and future – mesothelioma patients. Researchers tested patient-specific vaccines made from the individual’s own stem cells on various types of cancerous growths. The stem cell treatments were effective against breast
After the diagnosis: Caring for a loved one with advanced cancer
A diagnosis of cancer is difficult to accept. Malignant mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure is especially difficult, as it usually proves to be lethal within a year. But the denial, grief and psychological shock that may follow a diagnosis apply to all forms of cancer, whether caused by asbestos exposure or not. For family members,
Safe at home: 3 things to know for caregivers of older adults
When facing advancing age and illness, most people prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible, rather than go into a care facility. To respond to this need, millions of Americans provide care to aging or ill family members. It’s difficult work, even in the best of circumstances, with medical appointments, daily