General Motors (GM) recently recalled millions of its cars to fix a faulty ignition switch that caused a number of crashes. The evidence shows that GM had known about the problem for years but had hidden it to avoid having just such a recall, just as a decade ago Firestone hid knowledge that the tires it put on certain vehicles were dangerous. Although the GM and Firestone cases may be particularly outrageous, they … [Read more...]

Since 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency involved with overseeing hospitals and nursing homes, has posted quality ratings on its website, allowing patients to make important decisions about where to seek treatment. In 2011, the CMS also posted information about eight different “hospital acquired conditions” (HACs), injuries to patients likely caused by the care they received. … [Read more...]

It happens every day: A driver runs a stop sign, changes lanes without looking, or fails to brake in time, and causes a collision. In most cases, the negligent driver is insured, and his or her insurance will pay for any injuries or damage caused. But what if the car belongs to the federal, state, or local government? The answer may be very different. Most jurisdictions recognize a legal concept called “sovereign” … [Read more...]

No one wants to be hurt in an accident, but if you are injured, take the time to document your injuries. Doing so will greatly strengthen your claim. If you have been hurt, seek medical attention immediately. This will allow the doctor to see your injuries while they are fresh and to accurately document what happened to you. Create a file where you keep all of the medical records and bills that you receive. If … [Read more...]