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Research has proven that exposure to asbestos is a cause of lung cancer in humans. Cigarette smoking is another known cause of lung cancer. However, the combination of asbestos exposure and smoking is far more likely to cause lung cancer than either factor by itself. This is known as the […]

According to a story published on WRAL.com, the North Carolina Rate Bureau has requested a 9.6% decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates. If the rate adjustment is approved, North Carolina business could save more than $119 million. The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce is constantly clamoring about the need to […]

In 1953, Owens Corning began distributing asbestos-containing insulation (under the Kaylo brand name). This later resulted in numerous lawsuits filed by individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos from Owens Corning insulation. In October 2000, Owens Corning filed for […]

If you are given the choice, the decision between having a C-section or a vaginal delivery is an entirely a personal one. There are many pieces of information to consider. One of those considerations has just been made a bit clearer by a study described in the New York Times. […]

*Lassiter v. Town of Selma — This is another classic ‘Adams Appeal,’ as touched on briefly in the blog post below. In Adams, the North Carolina Supreme Court held that as long as there is any evidence in the record to support the Commission’s finding of fact, that finding will […]

Medical mistakes are increasing and hospitals and doctors don’t want patients to know about it. I see this everyday in the dozens of phone calls Martin & Jones gets from patients who were injured by a mistake made by a doctor or a nurse. But you don’t have to take […]

The Court of Appeals (‘COA’ for short) didn’t have much to say on workers’ compensation issues last month. All of its workers’ compensation opinions were ‘unpublished,’ which means that they are not controlling legal authority. Here’s a brief round-up of the COA’s July opinions: *Spears v. Tyson Foods, Inc. — […]

A report by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests that deaths from malignant mesothelioma are increasing and will continue to increase over the coming years. The CDC report states that the total number of deaths from malignant mesothelioma increased 8.9% from 1999 to 2005, from 2,482 in […]

On June 17, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a finding that the conditions in Libby, Montana constitute a Public Health Emergency. This is the first time in history that the EPA has issued the Public Health Emergency determination under Superfund law.   The source of contamination is the […]

A settlement has been proposed in the nationwide class action against CBS Broadcasting, Inc. and several major toy retailers. The settlement, if approved by the court, will grant refunds to consumers who purchased the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Fingerprint Examination Kit or the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Forensic Lab Kit. […]