The Legal Fringe

Will the Boy Scouts Survive Beyond their Bankruptcy?

With more than 95,000 claims of molestation having been filed in the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy, questions have surfaced whether the Boy Scouts can survive the unprecedented tarnish.  We examine the status of the bankruptcy and the question of survival in today's podcast.

What Covid Means for Trial Lawyers

Last week, multiple state Supreme Court's across the country halted jury trials until further notice.  We examine what this means for trial lawyers, clients embroiled in litigation and how to anticipate problems from the delays ahead.  

Supreme Court Grants Cert for Climate Change Lawsuit

Last week the US Supreme Court granted certiorari in an enormous fossil fuel climate change lawsuit brought by the Mayor and City Counsel of Baltimore.  We detail the issue before the Supreme Court and the potential impact upon the litigation in today's podcast.  

Preemption in the Context of Dangerous Drugs

We set out to outline the issue of preemption, a legal doctrine protecting pharmaceutical companies from lawsuits, in today's podcast.

Practice Areas For Lawyers to Watch and Avoid for 2021

We detail the trends we are seeing in federal filings and anticipate the legal practice areas most lucrative for 2021, and those to avoid, in this one-of-a-kind podcast. 

Arizona First State to OK Non-Lawyer's Ownership Interest in Law Firms

Arizona was the first state to do away with ABA Rules of Ethics 5.4, which prohibits non-lawyers from having an ownership interest in law firms.  We examine this decision and anticipate the good, bad and ugly that may flow from it.  

Wyoming Long Term Care Facilities Seeing Rapid Rise in COVID Cases

We detail the latest data from the Wyoming Department of Health concerning the recent COVID outbreaks in long-term facilities and the news is not good.  

Detailing the Last Five Years for Wyoming Highway Fatalities

Having tragically seen a recent uptick in Wyoming highway fatalities we examined the data to determine if 2020 was on record pace or not in today's podcast. 

First Quarter of 2020 Sees Increase in Drug Related Deaths

We detail the recent CDC data on the drug related deaths for the first quarter of 2020 and further highlight those states that have seen a sharp rise, and those who have seen a drop in today's podcast.  

Details Behind the Johnson & Johnson $100M Talcum Powder Settlement Announcement

We detail last week's announcement by Johnson & Johnson that they would be putting aside $100 million to resolve a group of talcum powder / ovarian cancer cases.  The announcement isn't near the resolution needed to resolve the litigation. 

DOJ Lawsuit Against Stephanie Wolkoff and NDA Agreements in Government

We examine the recent DOJ lawsuit filed against Stephanie Wolkoff, a previous employee of Melania Trump, regarding her tell-all book and the likelihood of her forfeiting any profits in today's podcast.

Sixth Circuit Reverses Negotiation Class Decision in Nationwide Opioid Litigation

This past week, the Sixth Circuit, in vote of 2-1, reversed Judge Polster's certification of a "negotiation" class in the nationwide opioid litigation.  We break down the decision and anticipate what it might mean moving forward in this podcast.  

Bard Strikes $60M Settlement with 48 Attorney Generals for Pelvic Mesh False Advertising Lawsuit

C.R. Bard Inc., a medical manufacturer of pelvic mesh struck a $60M settlement with 48 states, including Washington DC last week, and Wyoming, my home state, wasn't included.  We detail the settlement and seek to understand why Wyoming is placing business before public health.  

Climate Crisis Litigation Gaining Steam

With the West Coast on fire, climate crisis litigation and recent filings have hit a second gear with the Connecticut Attorney General filing a lawsuit against Big Oil on September 14th.  Connecticut marks the 21st state and/or municipality seeking redress against Big Oil for climate change.  We detail the strategies and status of the litigation here.

Cancer Risk Updates Regarding Weight-Loss Drug Belviq

We take a look at recent data collection published by the FDA concerning cancer risk with the now recalled weight-loss drug Belviq and detail same here.  

The Litigation Behind Toxic Burn Pits

Earlier this week the Washington Post published an article about Jon Stewart's, host of "The Daily", effort to seek redress of military men and women for lung injuries due to toxic burn pit exposure during the Iraq war.  We detail the failed litigation behind such efforts in this podcast.

Background on the TikTok Data Privacy Litigation

As the data-privacy litigation heats up against Tiktok, we do a deep dive to understand what the allegations are and why they are so concerning in the In RE Tiktok federal multi-district litigation.  If you or a loved one visits Tiktok, you wont want to miss this podcast.

Can Amazon Be Held Responsible for Defective Products?

One of our "cases to watch" we reported on after the first of the year was a California case concerning a battery explosion that badly injured a woman while working on her laptop.  Given the battery was Chinese manufactured, she went after Amazon, and Amazon, having previously been insulated from such lawsuits, found themselves in comfortable waters.  Here we detail the latest on this lawsuit and what it means for consumers across the country.

Background on the Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy

The Boy Scouts of American (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2020.  Their internal investigation disclosed more than 10,000 credible claims of abuse.  Now the deadline to file for redress is fast approaching.  Listen here for background bankruptcy and deadline dates.

Metformin and NDMA Detection

The widely popular diabetes drug, Metformin, is the latest drug to come under scrutiny by the US FDA for the discovery of NDMA contamination.  NDMA is listed as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization.  Listen to our podcast to learn more about this recent discovery and what it means to you or your loved ones who may be diabetic.

How Coronavirus is Exposing the Inadequacies of Our Food and Food System

The well-known food author Michael Pollan recently wrote a piece in the New York Review of Books entitled "The Sickness in Our Food Supply" where he details the impact Coronavirus is having our food industry and the impact our diet is having on our health as it relates to Covid19.  We detail the fascinating read here.

Judiciary Committee Hearing on Small Business Liability and Covid19

Earlier today the Judiciary Committee held a Congressional Hearing to discuss immunity for businesses opening, or who intend to open, as the country attempts to return to some normalcy.  We detail the 2-hour hearing in this 12-minute podcast.

Coronavirus Impact on Sex Trafficking

At a time when hotels across the country are closed, one might hope that sex trafficking demand has grinded to a halt, but disturbingly the opposite is true.  We detail the grisly statistics on this growing demand and how you can be vigilante in your community.

Small Business Protection From Coronavirus Liability

As small businesses open in certain parts of the country, owners worry about liability exposure should a patron come down with Coronavirus after frequenting their establishment.  We examine this concern and the undertakings necessary to minimize one's exposure.  

Elmiron and Allegations of Maculopathy

Two relatively recent studies have examined a potential connection between Elmiron, a drug most often prescribed for painful bladder syndrome, and the development of maculopathy in the eye.  Listen and learn more with our informative podcast on this developing discussion here.  

Data Behind Encouraging News on the Covid-19 Mortality Rate Front

We examine two recent studies that gather data behind the mortality rates related to Covid19.  What we found was encouraging as the data indicates a far less risk of death than currently being reported.  Learn more and share our podcast here.

The Data Behind Respiratory Disease in Smokers and Vapers Infected with Coronavirus

To date, 12 studies have examined the relationship and impact between smoking, vaping and risk of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in those infected with Coronavirus.  We detail the recent meta analysis on these 12 studies in this podcast here.

Three Areas That Coronavirus Has Exposed as Being Sub-Par

Now six weeks into the Coronavirus calamity, we examine three areas of American life that we believe the Coronavirus has exposed as week, and in need of overhaul.  Try to guess the three and listen and share our podcast here.

Covid-19 Killed More than 12,000 People Last Week, But it Wasn't No. 1

Covid-19 claimed more than 12,000 lives between April 6 and April 12th, however, as enormous a figure as that is, it wasn't the number one killer of Americans for the week.  We detail what is killing more American's than Covid, the reasons why, and the conversations that need to start regarding same.  

Coronavirus Immunity Passports. The Good and the Bad

The idea of developing a database of individuals who have been diagnosed with coronavirus and recovered so they can begin reopening the economy is being widely discussed.  We consider the willingness of people to expose themselves, or not, to the coronavirus in order to return to work in this one-of-a-kind podcast.

Coronavirus Responsible for No School Shootings in March, First Time Since 2002

A gruesome streak of at least one school shooting in March, every year since 2002, finally ended this past month, and the data demonstrates we have Coronavirus to thank.  

Major Nationwide Class Action Filed Against China for Coronavirus

On April 8th, the first of its kind nation-wide class action was filed in the Central District of California seeking class certification on behalf of each and every small business in the nation for damages stemming from the coronavirus.  The defendant is China, and the action seeks $8 trillion in damages.  We detail the novel lawsuit here.

Lawsuit Filed Against Fox News for Downplaying Coronavirus Risk

This podcast details the novel consumer-protection lawsuit that was recently filed against Fox News in Washington State alleging Fox News placed consumers at risk for downplaying the coronavirus.  We detail the allegations, the potential defenses and the parallels with other such actions.

The Science Behind Ovarian Cancer and Exposure to Talcum Powder

We detail the science behind the development of ovarian cancer after exposure to talcum powder that spans over the past 40 years in this podcast.  

The Three Areas of Increased Lawsuit Filings Due to Coronavirus

We detail the three areas that lawsuit filings are anticipated to substantially increase in the weeks ahead due to Coronavirus.  Listen to our podcast to find out if your sector or business may fall into one of these three categories.

Sweden's Economy is Open During the Coronavirus, What Can We Learn?

Sweden has followed very lax social distancing guidelines while keeping restaurants, pubs and shops open.  We examine the data behind Sweden and compare it to Switzerland, a similar sized country, who has issued strict social distancing guidelines, and compare the success of both in hopes that it can provide the US with a guide towards the near future.

The Projected Coronavirus Peaks in all 50 States

We go through the data on the projected peak dates in each of the 50 states with estimated lives lost. Listen for your state so you know what date to look for to see if the projections are accurate.

The Data Behind the FDA's Zantac Recall

On April 1, 2020, the US FDA recalled the popular heart burn medication Zantac, and its generic Ranitidine. Having reported on the concern surrounding Zantac back in November, we continue to provide consumers the latest on the data behind the FDA's decision, as well as the cancers that are believed to be linked to the popular medication.

CDC Data Regarding Underlying Conditions and Impact on Coronavirus Infections

We examined the recent data from the CDC as to how underlying conditions might impact one's course of coronavirus, and which in particular created a higher risk for respiratory problems. Listen and share our podcast here.

Eight Items of Good News Amidst Coronavirus

In our continued commitment to bring our listeners and the public good news on the Coronavirus front, we deliver today eight items of good news that we believe will give you the optimism you need to tackle the day ahead. Please listen and share with those that need a bit of good news.

Starting the Economic Engine Amidst Coronavirus

We examine a whole host of ideas about how to re-start the economy while protecting the most vulnerable, and we share the idea that seems to be most appropriate to accomplish both goals. Listen and share your thoughts in the comments.

Six Fun Ideas Amidst a Coronavirus Weekend

We report on fun way to make the time fly and have fun with your friends, family or loved ones. Dig in, get creative, and make the most of this weekend.

Four Innovative Areas that Will Change Our Lives (For the Better) Due to Coronavirus

Coronavirus has already impacted technology on a number of fronts. How will the Coronavirus change our way of life, in a good way, and what can we expect these changes to have on us once things return to normal?

Coronavirus Fatality Rates vs. SARS, MERS and Ebola

In today's podcast we pull the data behind the fatality rates of Coronavirus, SARS, MERS, Ebola and the seasonal flu.

Six Items of Good News Regarding COVID19

In our continued commitment to bring our listeners good information and news on the Coronavirus front, we bring you today's episode that covers fatality rates, children, working from home and first-line responders. Please share with those that are in need of some good news.

Anticipated Ethical Guidelines for Coronavirus Bed Assignments in the US

Healthcare facilities in major metropolitan areas are writing ethical guidelines in the event hospitals are overwhelmed and there are less beds then patients. What are the US guidelines going to be and how do they compare to Italy's?

Vaping, Coronavirus and the Increased Risk of Pneumonia

With one out of three highschoolers across the country vaping, what sort of increased risk are they placing themselves at upon being exposed to Coronavirus? Listen to our one-of-a-kind podcast here.

Coronavirus Epi on Fatality Rates from Wuhan China

We did a deep dive into the recent epidemiology that came out of Wuhan China on the Coronavirus, including understanding the numbers behind the fatality rates, with certain age groups. We came away optimistic with the resulting data.

Coronavirus Symptoms Simply Stated

We did a deep dive into the literature to understand the symptoms of Coronavirus. Here is it in simple fashion.

Filing Suit Against Someone Who Gave You Coronavirus

Are those who thwart government mandates, who later come down with the virus, and transfer it to others, exposing themselves to legal liability?