In This Issue
Consumer Alerts
Case Results
Legal Insights
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Did You Know?

 

Clark Fountain offers a helpful free summary of Florida Case Law, written by board certified in-house appellate attorney, Julie H. Littky-Rubin, designed to give you the headlines (saving you hours of reading).  

 

Register here.

 

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CONSUMER ALERTS IN THE NEWS

FORD RECALLS MULTIPLE MODELS

Five Ford automobiles including 1.1 million pick-ups have been recalled for faulty parts, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. 

 

1.1 Million Trucks Recalled Over Gas Tank

Ford released in a statement that it is recalling 1.1 million pickup trucks in the United States and Canada because the strap that holds the fuel tank in place can corrode and break, causing the gas tank to fall out. Read the Today Show story.

 

 

Ford Ranger, Other Trucks Recalled Due to Failed Exterior Lights

 

Ford has recalled 26,715 trucks, including the 2004-'11 Ford Ranger, 2002-'05 Ford Excursion and 2002-'07 Ford F-Series 250-550 due to a faulty switch that may cause the loss of turn signal lights, brake lights, taillights and hazard lights. Ford is not aware of any related accidents to date. Read more here.

 

2007 Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego Recalled

Ford is recalling 2,945 Five Hundreds and Mercury Montegos because of a fuel leak that could result in a fire. Read more here.

 

HONDA RECALLS CIVIC COUPE & SEDANS

Due to a fuel leak that can result in a fire, Honda is recalling more than 1,150 Civic coupes and sedans, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Read more here.

 

VITAL SIGNS ISSUES WORLDWIDE RECALL OF BREATHING UNIT

A GE Healthcare company, Vital Signs issues a worldwide recall of its Hygroscopic Condenser Humidifier (HCH)/Anesthesia Breathing Circuit because it may have an occlusion that can prevent proper flow of medical gases or oxygen, which could result in insufficient oxygen delivered to the patient (hypoxia or hypoxemia). Read more here.

 

1 MILLION TOY KEY SETS RECALLED

More than one million sets of toy keys with remote are being recalled by Battat Inc. after reports of keys and key rings breaking. Read the company's safety alert.

CASE RESULTS

$11 Million Verdict Upheld Against Mitsubishi

 

After ruling 2-1 to reverse an almost $11 million verdict obtained for our clients in Palm Beach County against Mitsubishi in a products liability case involving a defective seatbelt design, the 4th District graciously changed its mind on rehearing.

 

In a turn of events, the appellate court granted attorney Julie Littky-Rubin's motion for rehearing, withdrawing its earlier opinion and issuing a new one which reinstated the jury's verdict. 

 

The case involved 25-year old, Scott Laliberte, who died after the seatbelt in a Mitsubishi Montero failed during a rollover crash in 2004. While the recent decision in Mitsubishi v. Laliberte will not bring back our clients' son back, it gives the family some closure and save them from having to relive Scott's death during a second trial.

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Legal Team Heads West: Case in Mexico, Claim Brought in California

When a California attorney needed help on a products liability case involving a tire failure and rollover that resulted in a passenger's catastrophic paralysis, he asked Clark Fountain to join forces. The accident occurred when a missionary couple was returning to the United States from Mexico. Because the accident occurred in Mexico, partner Hampton Keen traveled to Mexico to take depositions.

 

Prior to the firm's involvement, the case had been pending for several years with little progress. Due to Clark Fountain's experience with similar vehicles and the same manufacturer, we resolved the case in California for a confidential amount within eight months.

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Defective Fuel System Claims Lives of Two College Students

The lives of two college students were tragically cut short after the car they were traveling in was struck in the rear by another vehicle and burst in to flames. Attorneys Mark Clark and Tim Murphy handled the case, which was referred to us, and brought suit against the vehicle manufacturer, alleging it designed a defective fuel system in the accident vehicle.

 

After several years of litigation, the firm was able to reach confidential settlements with the vehicle manufacturer on behalf of the families of the accident victims.

LEGAL INSIGHTS

 

Should law firms integrate Twitter into their marketing strategy?

Are you thinking what's a Tweet and should I be doing it? You're not alone. One of the most popular social media tools has not yet been as widely embraced by the legal community. Read this insightful Daily Business Review article about how law firms are - or, are not - integrating it into to their plans, and the reasons why some are more successful than others.