Government may have purchased tainted peanuts

The federal government has acknowledged it received 32 truckloads of potentially tainted roasted peanuts and peanut butter from a peanut producer linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak, raising new questions about the government’s ability to keep dangerous substances out of the food supply. Although officials said they are not aware of any illnesses linked to the products, the Department of Agriculture on Thursday suspended its contract with the Peanut Corporation of America. Salmonella-related illnesses associated with the outbreak have killed eight people and sickened nearly 600 more.

Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis are currently reviewing potential claims from those killed or injured as a result of the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America and other entities. If you have a story to share with us and would like a free case evaluation from a lawyer/attorney on injuries or wrongful death associated with salmonella-related injuries from peanut products, please fill out the following form or call us today at (901) 572-4673:

Kellogg Added to Peanut Butter Suit

An attorney for a Vermont family whose child was sickened after eating tainted peanut butter crackers said Thursday that they will add Kellogg Co. to their lawsuit. The addition of Kellogg as a defendant comes as the Peanut Corporation of America’s sole insurance carrier announced it would seek to limit liability in connection with the recent salmonella outbreak. Kellogg manufactured the crackers that allegedly caused the child’s illness, the family’s lawsuit says.

Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis are currently reviewing potential claims from those killed or injured as a result of the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America and other entities. If you have a story to share with us and would like a free case evaluation from a lawyer/attorney on injuries or wrongful death associated with salmonella-related injuries from peanut products, please fill out the following form or call us today at (901) 572-4673:

Peanut Producer Subject of Criminal Probe

Federal officials on Friday said they had launched a criminal investigation into the peanut processor linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak. Investigators said they will seek to determine whether the Peanut Corp. of America violated any criminal laws by allegedly shipping contaminated peanut butter to other food companies. The salmonella outbreak has been linked to more than 500 illnesses and at least eight deaths.

Read more in the Baltimore Sun Times HERE.

Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis are currently reviewing potential claims from those killed or injured as a result of the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America and other entities. If you have a story to share with us and would like a free case evaluation from a lawyer/attorney on injuries or wrongful death associated with salmonella-related injuries from peanut products, please fill out the following form or call us today at (901) 572-4673:

Layoffs Trigger More Employment Lawsuits

Andrew Ross Sorkin of the New York Times has reported that as companies have accelerated layoffs, workers are increasingly turning to the courts with claims that they were improperly terminated. From Lehman Brothers to Dell, companies face allegations of discrimination and other employment-related violations, and attorneys predict employment litigation will continue to grow. According to the New York Times, worker complaints to the government rose more than 15 percent last year.

You can read more HERE.

If you believe you have been injured because of a wrongful termination in Tennessee, please call Tim Edwards or Ed Wallis today at (901) 527-4673, or fill out this form:

Wal-Mart Settles Prescription Death Suit

Wal-Mart has reached a confidential settlement with the family of a Maryland man who died after receiving the wrong prescription from a Wal-Mart pharmacy, an attorney for the family said. George Smith died in 2007 after becoming ill when he took prescriptions intended for someone else. An attorney for the family declined to comment on the deal except to say that the terms of the settlement were favorable.

If you have been injured because of a wrong prescription, please fill out this form:

Legislation Requested Following Peanut Recall

The growing number of food-related recalls in recent years is attracting increased attention on government regulations for food safety. During the Bush administration, calls for stricter oversight of the food industry were largely ignored. Now, many manufacturers, trade associations and consumer advocates hope the Obama administration will support legislation aimed at reforming the system.

You can read more in the New York Times HERE.

Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis are currently reviewing potential claims from those killed or injured as a result of the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America and other entities. If you have a story to share with us and would like a free case evaluation from a lawyer/attorney on injuries or wrongful death associated with salmonella-related injuries from peanut products, please fill out the following form or call us today at (901) 572-4673:

z

Punitive Damages in Peanut Butter Case

A Vermont family whose son was sickened by tainted peanut crackers will seek punitive damages following the release of a report that claims the defendant knowingly sold contaminated products. According to the Food and Drug Administration report, the Peanut Corp. of America had detected salmonella in some of its products on several occasions yet failed to notify customers. An attorney for the family said punitive damages in such cases are reserved only for the most egregious examples of misconduct.

Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis are currently reviewing potential claims from those killed or injured as a result of the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America and other entities. If you have a story to share with us and would like a free case evaluation from a lawyer/attorney on injuries or wrongful death associated with salmonella-related injuries from peanut products, please fill out the following form or call us today at (901) 572-4673:

Employee-Friendly Laws Lie Ahead

The signing of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act may prove to be a fleeting moment of triumph for labor rights advocates as Congress shifts its focus to more contentious labor initiatives. Not surprising, business groups and leadership within the Republican minority have vowed to pose strong opposition to upcoming labor legislation.

President Obama on Friday issued executive orders that union officials say will undo Bush administration policies favoring employers. Among the orders, federal contractors would be required to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change, and they would be prevented from receiving reimbursement for expenses meant to influence worker decisions on joining unions or engaging in collective bargaining.  A day earlier, the new president signed the first bill of his administration, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which allows more leeway for women and others seeking justice over pay discrimination.

If you have been discriminated against in the workplace, contact us today:

Obama to Increase FDA Power in Light of Peanut Butter Recall

Federal health officials had to seek permission from the company blamed for a nationwide salmonella outbreak before they could initiate a recall, the New York Times reports. Under current Food and Drug Administration rules, the agency must consult with companies on the wording of recalls before they can take effect. President Obama and congressional Democrats said they would take action to strengthen the FDA’s regulatory power.

Read more HERE.