Honda has issued a new recall of an additional 272,779 vehicles and 640 air bags sold as replacement parts due to a defective condition within the driver's side air bag.   Because Honda is unable to determine which vehicles the 640 replacement air bags were installed in, an additional 603,241 vehicles are being included in this recall.  This is an expansion of a previous recall that began in June, 2011.  The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,709,477.  The recall affects certain model year Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey, Acura, Pilot and Acura TL vehicles.  In the event of a crash, the inflator of the driver's side air bag could rupture, with metal fragments striking and injuring the driver or other occupants.  Learn more here.  

Ford Recalls Over 128,000 Fusions and Mercury Milans; Wheels May Fall Off  

 Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans due to problems with the vehicles' wheel studs. Multiple stud fractures may occur in the wheels during vehicle operation, causing vehicle vibration and the possibility of wheel separation. Read more here.  

Wal-Mart Recalls 2.2 Million Electric Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling approximately 2.2 million Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze & Comfort Essentials 1500 watt heaters, model number 1013, sold at Wal-Mart stores across the country. The heaters can malfunction, resulting in overheating and fire. Wal-Mart has received 21 reports of various incidents related to the heaters, including property damage and injury due to minor burns and smoke inhalation. Read about the recall here. 

Target Recalls Children's Travel Cases That Violate Lead Paint Standard

Approximately 139,000 Circo Children's Travel Cases are being recalled by Target due to the surface coating containing excessive levels of lead; a violation of the federal lead paint standards. The travel cases were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide in 2011. Read more here. 

Partial Settlement Reached for Breast Cancer Patient Against Negligent Provider

Firm wins $626,000 in Tragic Wrongful Death Settlement Against Trucking Company

Road to Legal Profession Still Has Obstacles for Many Minorities

Racial diversity in the legal profession continues to hover around the 10 percent mark for the past decade. Could that number climb with the help of pre-law counselors and law school admission officers who can identify promising applicants and provide guidance from application process through graduation?  That is just one of the potential solutions noted in a recent article in The National Law Journal. What other factors could increase diversity in law schools and the legal field, and what possible factors are hindering the process?  Learn more here.  

State Court Budget Cuts Threaten Rights, Justice

With state and local government funding of state court budgets being slashed, courthouses across the country are being impacted in such a way as to hinder the rights of individuals pursuing justice. According to a recent article in The New York Times, some claim resolutions might take two to three years due to cuts in staff, resources and operating hours.  With most Americans using state court systems for matters ranging from personal injury cases and business disputes to foreclosures and traffic tickets, how will budget cuts affect the outcome and timing of legal matters?  Read more about the issue here.  

Program to Resolve Medical Malpractice Cases More Quickly Could Have National Appeal

Could a New York program designed to speed up the resolution of medical malpractice cases serve as a national model for handling medical liability litigation? According to an article in The Washington Post, the New York program, called judge-directed negotiation, was pioneered by a Bronx judge to reduce the complexity, expenses and emotional turmoil created by medical malpractice lawsuits. The process is relatively straight-forward: when a medical malpractice lawsuit is filed, a judge with expertise in medical matters becomes the point person for the case to supervise the entire process and help broker a settlement.  The program is already expanding into other parts of New York.  Will other states follow suit? Read more here.