Collins Attorneys Legal Blog
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Ford Settles Defective Product Lawsuit with Woman Left Paralyzed in Auto Accident
Following a $16 million verdict, Ford Motor Company settles with a woman left paralyzed in an auto accident. The settlement came as the jury considered additional punitive damages against the manufacturer for…
January 18, 2010 -
New Mexico Court Takes #5 Honors on List of Judicial Hellholes
The American Tort Reform Association named the New Mexico appellate courts #5 on their list of judicial hellholes. Among the reasons for the listing was the refusal to adopt the baseball rule…
January 12, 2010 -
Construction Accident Fatality Results in Settlement with Contractor and Sub-Contractors
The family of a worker killed in a construction accident in Texas reached a settlement with the contractor and subcontractors in a wrongful death lawsuit for the seemingly low amount of $440,000.00.…
January 9, 2010 -
Punitive Damages in New Mexico: What is Reasonable?
The $100 million award of punitive damages against British Petroleum for workers injured by a toxic chemical release raise some interesting issues for New Mexico law. The federal court case in Texas…
December 28, 2009 -
Injured Child and Family Awarded $31 Million for Birth Injuries Resulting from Medical Negligence
An Ohio jury awarded an 8 year old and his family the largest medical malpractice award in the state‘s history. The 8 year old child, Leondo Stanziano, suffers from cerebral palsy as…
December 18, 2009 -
Rejection of Underinsured Insurance Coverage is No Good Unless Attached to the Policy
The New Mexico Court of Appeals has made clear the requirements for a valid rejection of uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage. The Court ruled in Arias v. Phoenix Indemnity that to be…
December 7, 2009 -
Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Don‘t Leave Home Without It
Car accidents are a fact of life. They are far too common. Most people will be in a car accident at least once during their lives. Often times, it will be that…
December 5, 2009 -
Loss of Consortium Claims in New Mexico
Often personal injury claims in New Mexico present the possibility of bringing a loss of consortium claim. This is particularly so in cases of serious personal injury. A loss of consortium claim…
November 30, 2009 -
Deadlines are Short in Suits Against the Government in New Mexico
Personal injury lawsuits against governmental entities in New Mexico have surprisingly quick deadlines. These deadlines arise under the New Mexico Tort Claims Act. You should be aware of the Act‘s deadlines if…
November 25, 2009 -
The Power of an Apology: “Sorry Works” in Medical Malpractice Claims
An apology works in medical malpractice claims in 35 states. In fact, the “Sorry Works” program has been put into legislation in 35 states. Unfortunately, New Mexico is not among them. Instead,…
November 2, 2009