This post is a part of our effort to advise our fellow lawyers of statutes that were enacted during the 2010 legislative session. Public Chapter 850 is known at "Katie Beth’s Law." It requires the use of pool alarms in all swimming pools ( a defined term) installed after July…
Day on Torts
“Do Not Vote For My Dad!”
There are lots and lots of reasons to be a good dad, not the least of which is to avoid having your son or daughter actively oppose your effort to be a judge by taking out an ad in the local newspaper.
Trying Medical Malpractice Cases in Nashville
A recent study gives yet another reason of why it is difficult for a plaintiff to win a medical malpractice case in Nashville. MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center has released a study that states that puts health care industry’s annual economic impact in Nashville at $30 billion. That represents an…
Visiting The Scene
I have said for years that it is essential that lawyers trying tort cases must visit the scene of the events to adequately prepare for trial. Now, Winning Trial Advocacy Tips has written a post called "Trial Lawyers at the Scene of the Crime" that does an excellent job of…
Leading Tennessee Tort Cases – Charitable Immunity – Generally
This is one of a series of posts that will excerpt sections from the third edition of my book, Day on Torts: Leading Tennessee Tort Cases. To order the book go here. § 14.1 Generally The Case: Anderson v. Armstrong, 171 S.W.2d 401 (Tenn. 1943). The Basic Facts: “The action is one…
Taking the Warning Thing A Little Too Far
I readily and proudly admit to being a plaintiff’s lawyer. And, I confess, from time to time I have taken what some would argue as "aggressive" positions on the responsibility of certain defendants to warn others of the risk of harm. However, the most aggressive plaintiff’s lawyer on the…
Tennessee Legislative Changes – 2010
Public Chapter 787 has changed the law concerning the amount of exemption you receive for personal property if you file bankruptcy. The old law provided for an exemption of $4000. The new law increases the exemption to $10,000. If you are a plaintiff’s tort lawyer and you think this change…
Tennessee Legislative Update – 2010
The Tennessee General Assembly passed several bills that became law effective July 1, 2010. One of those is Public Chapter 752. The legislation revises a deadline for a special definition of governmental entities in governmental tort liability cases against governmental entities in Shelby County. The legislation was designed to protect The Med…
SVMIC Financial Results – 2009
On June 15, 2010 I reported that SVMIC, the bedpan mutual that insures the vast majority of Tennessee doctors, reduced its rates by 23.1% . I also reported that the company declared a $20,000,000 dividend. The net effect of the dividend means that policyholders with a history of no paid claims will receive…
Suit Against Google Maps Falls Short on Causation Element
Hat tip to Abnormal Use: The Unreasonably Dangerous Products Liability Blog for advising me about this Utah lawsuit. Apparently, a woman followed Google Maps walking directions on her Blackberry, walking across a four-lane highway where she was struck by an approaching vehicle. She sued Google; here is a copy of…