Computer security expert witnesses may consult regarding network security, network forensics, computer forensics, computer crime, hacking, and data security. Philly.com reports that hackers stole $45M from thousands of ATM machines in just hours. The thieves hacked into a database of prepaid debit cards and then drained ATMs.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130510_Hackers_pull_out_a__45M_jackpot.html#g092o7TBHzuOBWhv.99
Sports injuries expert witnesses may consult on exercise physiology, sports injuries, sports medicine, and orthopedic rehabilitation, as well as related topics. www.standard.net/ reports that 46 year old soccer referee Ricardo Portillo has died after being punched in the head by a 17 year old goalie. The player was called for a foul and issued a yellow card warning. Portillo’s daughters had begged him to stop refereeing because of the growing risk of violence from angry players.
Oil and gas expert witnesses may opine regarding oil and gas pumps, fracking, petrochemical manufacturing, oil field explosions, and related matters. In the news, Mora County, N.M. has voted to ban oil and gas extraction using hydraulic fracking. Commissioners believe federal and state laws are not adequately protecting communities from hazards such as ground water contamination, risks to air quality, and migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface.
More news at http://www.usnews.com/.
Over 1,000 plaintiffs are suing Merck & Co. in the Eastern District of Missouri over the birth control NuvaRing. The pharmaceutical company is charged with not warning women that the prescription medicine could cause blood clots and possible death. NuvaRing is different than other forms of birth control in that it dispenses hormones directly into the bloodstream which a plaintiffs’ pharmacology expert witness argues may cause “spikes” of hormones and lead to blood clots.
Patents expert witnesses may consult on design patents, international patents, licensing, and related issues. In Will Spanx Case Make Design Patents a Fashion Trend?, Legal Blog Watch writes:
The escalating patent battle between shapewear makers Spanx and Yummie Tummie over body-slimming camisoles has sparked discussion about what it and similar cases may mean for the future of design patents in the fashion industry.
Read more: http://legalblogwatch.typepad.com
In Zithromax and Sudden Death, emergency medicine expert witness Barry E. Gustin, MD, MPH, FAAEP, FACFM, writes:
At one time or another, most of us have taken the antibiotic, Zithromax. It is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for conditions including bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and others. The discussion that follows has to do with Zithromax’s side-effects, some of which are potentially life-threatening. Recently, I have seen a case in my emergency room of sudden cardiac arrest secondary to the cardiac effects of Zithromax. The FDA has recently warned of this phenomenon.
A recent FDA bulletin wrote that antibiotic azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax; Pfizer) poses the risk of a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm and therefore warrants careful screening of patients for this drug.
Legal fees expert witnesses may advise regarding attorneys’ fees, legal billing, and fee disputes. DLA Piper, a global law firm with 4,200 lawyers located in more than 30 countries, is being sued for overbilling. Emails sent by several former DLA Piper lawyers uncover billing for unnecessary or unworked hours in a New York bankruptcy case. Adam Victor hired DLA Piper to handle a case for the power plant company Project Orange Associates. Victor is now suing his former law firm.
DLA Piper v. Victor, 650374/2012 Supreme Court of the State of New York.
In Healthcare Reform: Hurricane or Rainbow, insurance expert witness Stephen George, MBA-HA, writes:
The common denominator to the “business of healthcare” is the assumption and management of financial risk. Fewer and fewer insurers will allow physicians and hospitals a blank check going forward, and our government will set the pace of the charge because of the burgeoning Medicare and Medicaid entitlement programs. The sooner medical providers realize their future autonomy hinges on balancing cost with efficacy of care, the better chance of keeping control. The AMA has been enormously effective at repealing federal fee schedule cuts, but that cannot be counted on forever. The AHA has been noticeably ineffective in getting cuts repealed. Should the national insurance advocates have their way, tremendous change is in store for hospitals, physicians, health insurers and consumers.
Mr. George is a federal court qualified expert witness. He is certified by the AMA for CME teaching, and holds adjunct professor status at Nova University, Southeastern. Since establishing Provider Risk in 1995, Mr. George has served as president and CEO.
The Florida Senate passed legislation that would tighten restrictions on expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases. Florida SB 1792 now goes to the state House. The legislation requires expert witnesses in malpractice cases to be experts in the same specialty as the doctors who are defendants. Those opposed say that the change will decrease the number of expert witnesses eligible to testify which could be a hardship for those pursuing malpractice cases.
Read more: SB 1792: Medical Negligence Actions
Mechanical engineering expert witnesses may opine on issues regarding applied mechanics, mechanical failures, mechanical systems, and associated matters. This week, Garfield County Oklahoma District Court Judge Dennis Hladik ruled that the discovery deadline will not be extended to include expert witness George Wandling in the negligence case against Zaloudek Grain Co. Plaintiffs include the families of young men who lost their legs while working at a company grain elevator. Dr. Wandling, P.E., C.F.E.I., President of Wandling Engineering, is an expert on the design of the grain facilities.
Complicating matters, insurance company CompSource refused to cover the accident. Zaloudek’s worker compensation policy was cancelled when the company did not provide information for an audit in a timely way.
Read more: http://enidnews.com/
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