Joint Trial Ordered for Mesothelioma Legal Claims

New York Supreme Court Justice Orders Joint Trial for Two Asbestos/Mesothelioma Legal Claims

New York Mesothelioma attorneys discuss the two 'asbestos exposure in the workplace' cases recently joined by the Supreme Court.

(PRWEB) October 16, 2007 -- Two New York Mesothelioma/asbestos legal claims involving asbestos exposure in the workplace, filed by Levy Philips & Konigsberg, LLP, have been joined for trial based upon a recent legal court decision. On September 24, 2007, Justice Marcy S. Friedman, Supreme Court, New York County, located in downtown New York City, announced a ruling that joins the two mesothelioma cases, both being legal claims for mesothelioma/asbestos exposure in the workplace, for a single trial to begin on November 5, 2007.

The Court's Order joins the cases of Joel and Sharon Rosenberg v. Alpha Wire Company, et. al, Index No. 106697/06 and Joseph and Dolores Casale, Index No. 104299/06. Mr. Rosenberg resided in Jackson, New Jersey when he developed pleural mesothelioma due to workplace asbestos exposure; he died from this asbestos cancer at the age of 64. Mr. Casale, who is living with pleural mesothelioma at the age of 65, resides in Lantana, Florida. Mesothelioma attorneys from Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP filed these legal claims regarding asbestos/mesothelioma in the New York City Asbestos Litigation, as each man suffered significant exposure to asbestos while working in New York City.

Mr. Rosenberg, a life-long electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW"), Local 3, started in the trade while still a teenager in 1960. Mr. Rosenberg's workplace asbestos exposure occurred while working in the electrician trade in work sites in New York. Mesothelioma due to workplace asbestos exposure developed in Mr. Rosenberg from a variety of worksites including the Arthur Kill Powerhouse in Staten Island, the World Trade Center, Kennedy Airport and Rockefeller Center. The asbestos/mesothelioma legal claim seeks money damages for Mr. Rosenberg's pain and suffering resulting from his mesothelioma. continues. Electricians, such as Mr. Rosenberg, sustained asbestos exposure in the workplace from a variety of sources including the cutting and splicing of wire and cable that was insulated with asbestos, as well as the drilling of asbestos-containing electrical control panels.

Mr. Casale was a career steam fitter (also known as pipe fitter). At the time, steamfitters were unknowingly endangered with asbestos exposure in their workplace due to asbestos being used in boilers and other equipment. While still a teenager Mr. Casale worked at shipyards, including the Brooklyn Navy Yard, as a member of the Local 638 Union. Mr. Casale continued in the same union and worked in the steam fitter trade at job sites in New York City throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Casale later moved to Florida but due to his asbestos exposure in the workplace while still in New York, mesothelioma was diagnosed and immediately linked to his previous occupation. Mr. Casale's occupation caused his workplace asbestos exposure from equipment, including pumps, valves, and boilers, as well as from gaskets and insulation.

Justice Friedman joined these two mesothelioma/asbestos legal claims into a single trial based upon New York Civil Practice Law and Rule ("CPLR") Section 602 which permits cases to be joined for trial to "avoid unnecessary costs or delay." The defendants in the lawsuit argued that the cases should be tried separately because Mr. Rosenberg and Mr. Casale worked in different trades and their claimed workplace asbestos exposure occurred at different job sites. But the New York mesothelioma attorneys from Levy Philips & Konigsberg, LLP, convinced the Court that these cases should be tried together to save costs and insure that each family received their day in court as soon as possible.
The trial of these New York City mesothelioma/asbestos legal claims is expected to last approximately six weeks, and will feature the testimony of Mr. Casale, Mr. Rosenberg, their wives and children, along with a host of expert witnesses, with expertise in areas such as occupational medicine, history and public health.

The trial will take place in Justice Friedman's courtroom located at 80 Centre Street in Manhattan.

For more information about this mesothelioma trial, or for more information about mesothelioma in New York and New Jersey, asbestos exposure in the workplace or your rights regarding asbestos awareness at your jobsite you may call the mesothelioma attorneys at Levy, Phillips & Konigsberg LLP at 800-MESO-LAW or 212-605-6200 or complete the email form on this page. You will also find informative medical and asbestos/mesothelioma legal claim information for New York and New Jersey at www.nynjmesothelioma.com.

Press Contact: Jay Berkowitz
Company Name: Levy Philips & Konigsberg, LLP
Phone: 561-620-9121
Website: http://www.nynjmesothelioma.com/new-york-mesothelioma-claims.php

Mesothelioma Lawyer Creates Mesothelioma Cancer Website

Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer Michael Shepard creates New Mesothelioma Cancer Website for Victims of Asbestos Exposed Cancer called Mesothelioma

Top Boston Mesothelioma Law firm led by Shepard a leading Boston attorney Launches New Website to Provide a Valuable Information Resource to Assist Anyone with Questions About Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Injuries.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) October 22, 2007 -- Approximately six years after the 9/11 tragedy, more and more individuals are being medically documented as having experienced complications related to toxic exposure from the event. Dangerous exposure has been reported to have affected thousands both during and after the cleaning up of debris.

This exposure has led to mesothelioma cancer and other injuries caused by asbestos to become recent headlines for what appears to be a sudden epidemic of affliction. Evidence also suggests that past exposure from unregulated asbestos use many years prior to September 11, 2001, will also produce a resurgence of the pandemic in the near future.

Medical experts as well as experts from various other fields have joined in the crusade to help victims and their families better understand the issues surrounding asbestos exposure. Boston-based mesothelioma attorney Michael Shepard of the Shepard Law Firm has recently created an online community that helps individuals get answers to their questions, and opens doors for victims and their families.

A Helping Hand
Leading Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer - The Shepard Law Firm in Boston has been in practice for more than 13 years. The firm is known to deliver exceptional personal service for individuals with valid personal injury claims. Their specialty areas of practice and expertise include aircraft cases, crane cases, and injuries related to auto mechanics and household exposures to asbestos. The Shepard Firm has represented several clients affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases.

Because of the extensive line of support one needs when dealing with a terminal illness like mesothelioma, Michael Shepard of The Shepard Firm envisioned creating a resource that would provide victims with more than simple legal advice. Http://www.mesotheliomacancer.com is a portal of information that serves to help individuals understand what treatment options and support groups are available, where to look for quality medical advice, legal options, and other things victims need to know.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is considered to be the most severe of all of the asbestos related diseases and one that requires the least amount of exposure to asbestos in order to develop. Exposure to asbestos often occurs in public places, primarily sites which serve as one's place of employment. Mesothelioma is an incurable form of cancer that affects the lungs, chest cavity, and surrounding organs and areas of the body. Symptoms of the disease typically do not occur or become noticeable until decades after being exposed.

The New Online Resource for Victims
By visiting this Boston based Mesothelioma Cancer web site, victims of asbestos and others who have questions about the disease can receive the answers they need. The launch of the new website is Attorney Shepard's response to the growing number of Mesothelioma treatment cases being reported, and the realization of the need to help people become informed on a more widespread scale. However, the website is meant to serve as more than just a simple research tool, it has been created to be an online means of support for those affected by mesothelioma and other serious diseases. Its format is created to be both easy to interpret and educational.

Key website features includes:
What Causes Mesothelioma
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Stages
Options for Treating
Managing Pain
Specialized Care, Nutrition and advance treatment options.

Plus links to books, articles, and other websites one can access for published information. Information on cancer support groups and treatment facilities as well as travel and lodging for family members of victims receiving treatment are other beneficial features. Actual personal stories are provided to demonstrate to victims and their families that they are not alone.

Victims of asbestos cancer and other related diseases are encouraged to visit the site to become more knowledgeable about their options. With thousands of new cases of these diseases being diagnosed each year, Shepard believes it is important to provide the public a practical means of staying informed.

For more information about the new online community, or Michael Shepard and Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer details check out the detailed web site http://www.mesotheliomacancer.com/

Internet Marketing by: Lawyer Marketing Firm - CEPAC.


Press Contact: Michael Shepard
Company Name:
Phone: 1.800.451.4471
Website: http://www.mesotheliomacancer.com/

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Record Home Foreclosure Calls

National Foreclosure Hotline Reaches Record High Call Volume

The Homeownership Preservation Foundation has received more than 100,000 calls from concerned homeowners since beginning of the year, shattering call records set in 2006

October 18, 2007 - MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The upward trend of calls to the Homeownership Preservation Foundation's Homeowner's HOPE Hotline continues, with counselors fielding almost 60,000 calls in the third quarter of 2007. This doubles the call volume from the previous quarter and represents a more than ten-fold increase from the same quarter in 2006.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Americans avoid foreclosure, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) operates a national 24/7 helpline - 888-995-HOPE - that offers homeowners personalized assistance to help manage mortgage payment concerns. According to HPF, almost 25,000 homeowners received mortgage counseling during the third quarter - up from 15,000 completed counseling sessions in the second quarter.

"Troubled homeowners are more aware of our services because of the intense media coverage surrounding the foreclosure crisis," says Colleen Hernandez, president and executive director of HPF. "It's encouraging to know we've been able to reach out to so many homeowners. With more than a million Americans facing possible foreclosure, we are working hard to expand our counseling capacity and continue our commitment to preserving homeownership through our services."

Foreclosure filings skyrocketed to 240,000 in August 2007, a 110 percent increase from the same month a year ago, according to reports by RealtyTrac, a company that tracks home foreclosures. This increase equates to one foreclosure filing for every 510 households. August's total represents the highest number of foreclosure filings reported in a single month since RealtyTrac began recording monthly filings two years ago.

Struggling homeowners are being more proactive in asking for help. HPF data shows that calling during the early signs of trouble increases the likelihood of positive post-counseling outcomes, as more options remain open to the homeowner. Among the homeowners who called 888-995-HOPE, 24 percent were less than one month behind in mortgage payments, which is up from 21 percent during second quarter 2007.

"The sooner a struggling homeowner asks for help, the easier it is to formulate a plan," said Hernandez. "But, no matter the situation, HPF can provide options and information to help."

Key Statistics - Third Quarter 2007

Foreclosure can happen to anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, demographic or type of mortgage. Current trends observed by hotline counselors include the following:

    * California accounted for the highest percentage of homeowners receiving counseling (14%); Ohio ranked second (12%) and Illinois third (6%).
    * Fixed-rate mortgages represented 33 percent of callers while adjustable-rate callers accounted for 44 percent.
    * Sixty-four percent of callers reported annual household incomes of less than $42,000; 13 percent of callers' annual incomes exceeded $60,000.

HPF Adds Key Staff

HPF announces the addition of Barb Wendt, Vice President of Operations, and Josh Fuhrman, Director of Counseling to the organization. "We are pleased to have these two important hires completed," said Hernandez. "As we continue to expand our 888-995-HOPE Hotline capacity, the roles that Barb and Josh play are vital. They each bring exceptional knowledge and experience to the organization and we are thrilled to have them on board."

About the Homeownership Preservation Foundation

Founded in 2004, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing foreclosures and preserving homeownership for American homeowners. The Foundation partners with city, county and state governments; federal government agencies; community-based nonprofit organizations; and mortgage companies to offer creative solutions to preserve homeownership. HPF's cornerstone service is the Homeowner's HOPET Hotline, a foreclosure prevention counseling service available free to American homeowners by calling 888-995-HOPE. For more information about the Homeownership Preservation Foundation or the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline, visit www.995hope.org.

Contacts
Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Tracy Morgan, 952-857-6822
tmorgan@995hope.org

E. coli Lawsuit Against Cargill

Marler Clark files E. coli Lawsuit Against Cargill

October 15, 2007 - SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An E. coli lawsuit was filed today in Minnesota against Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, the meat company whose frozen ground beef products were identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in September and October. The lawsuit was filed in Dakota County District Court on behalf of Dakota County residents Eric and Jennifer Gustafson and their two children, Callie and Carson, who both suffered E. coli infections after eating Cargill ground beef patties at a barbecue in September. Callie's E. coli infection led to hemolytic uremic syndrome, and she was hospitalized for seven days.

The Gustafson children's cases were two of three E. coli cases that triggered an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture which eventually led to Cargill's recall of 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties for E. coli contamination on October 6, 2007. The Cargill products were sold at retail establishments, including Sam's Club, and to restaurants and other institutions throughout the United States. Since the investigation began in Minnesota, E. coli illnesses tied to Cargill ground beef products have been identified in Minnesota (5), Wisconsin (5), North Carolina (2) and Tennessee (3). Many of the E. coli cases involve children or young adults with HUS. According to news reports, children in Minnesota and Tennessee still remain hospitalized in critical condition.

"This is not the first time that Cargill or one of its many subsidiaries has had E. coli-related problems that led to illness," said William Marler of Marler Clark, the Gustafsons' attorney, who pointed out that he has represented victims of prior E. coli outbreaks traced to Cargill products. "In 2000, Cargill was implicated as the seller of E. coli-contaminated meat during the Milwaukee Sizzler E. coli outbreak that sickened 60 and killed one young girl. In July 2001, Cargill recalled 200,000 pounds of ground beef after being linked to an illness in Georgia. And again in 2002, Cargill sickened 57 in Wisconsin and Minnesota and recalled over 500,000 pounds of contaminated ground beef."

Since spring of 2007, nearly 30 million pounds of ground beef has been recalled in the United States. Marler added, "It seems like the wheels are coming off the beef industry. With millions of pounds of meat pulled from shelves and hundreds sickened, there must be a through investigation of an industry clearly out of control."

BACKGROUND: William Marler has been involved in E. coli cases since the Jack in the Box outbreak of 1993, when he won a settlement of $15.6 million for nine-year-old Brianne Kiner. His firm, Marler Clark, has prosecuted dozens of E. coli cases in Minnesota, including those related to the 2007 ground beef E. coli outbreak traced to PM Beef Holdings and Lunds Food Holdings; the 2006 E. coli outbreak stemming from consumption of E. coli-contaminated ground beef produced by Nebraska Beef and sold at Supervalu, then served at a church supper in Longville, Minnesota; the 2006 E. coli outbreak traced to the consumption of Dole brand baby spinach; a 2006 E. coli outbreak at Taco John's restaurants that was ultimately traced back to E. coli-contaminated lettuce; an E. coli outbreak in 2001 that was traced to a China Buffet restaurant; and an E. coli outbreak in 2000 linked to ground beef produced by AFG and sold by Supervalu and Cub Foods.

Marler comments on food safety and E. coli outbreaks on his blog, www.marlerblog.com. More about Marler Clark can be found at www.marlerclark.com.

Contacts
Marler Clark
Suzanne Schreck, 206-346-1879
sschreck@marlerclark.com

Dallas DWI Lawyers Can Probably Get You Off

Dallas DWI Lawyers Can Probably Get You Off

Back in 1981 I moved to Dallas, Texas and lived there for 6 months. While I was there I did some driving and I did some drinking, but I never did them at the same time. I just found out that if I HAD been picked up for a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated, or driving while impaired (also DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), driving under the combined influence of alcohol and/or other drugs, driving under the influence per se, or drunk in charge), I would have been in one of the best possible places to not face any serious penalty for breaking the law. Not because the laws are easy to get around or avoid, but because of the law firm of McConathy & McConathy that are Dallas DWI lawyers.

I happened to visit their Dallas DWI lawyer site and was amazed no, I have to say I was shocked that their lawyers and attorneys have gotten 91% of Dallas DWI cases off with either a Not Guilty or Dismissal since 2002. The law firm web site even has a page that lists them all.

Despite their success as DWI lawyers, you can have an initial DWI attorney consultation with them at no charge whatsoever and they say this is a $500 value! You can contact them online and get a free case evaluation if you are not able to drive to their office, due to being too wasted, if you happened to wreck your car, or the car of a friend or family member. And they have credit terms and even take major credit cards, assuming that you have it together enough to have one of those. If not, they can give you credit terms and set up a payment plan.

I really had thought there were much tougher laws that made things like getting caught for DWI Dallas almost a sure bet for hefty fines and/or jail time these days. What will all the ruckus put up by groups like MADD (http://www.madd.org/) I had thought that once you got arrested they would have enough on you that resistance was futile, but that seems to not always be the case, at least those lucky enough to hire Dallas DWI lawyers McConathy & McConathy.

Mesothelioma Attorney Joins Lawyer Network

Nationally Recognized Mesothelioma Attorney Christopher Placitella Joins Lawyer Central Network (LawyerCentral.com)

LawyerCentral.com announced the addition of nationally recognized mesothelioma trial lawyer Christopher Placitella to their exclusive legal network. Mr. Placitella has accepted exclusive membership within the Lawyer Central New Jersey Network providing information and assistance for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.

Red Bank, NJ (PRWEB) October 5, 2007 -- LawyerCentral.com announced the addition of nationally recognized mesothelioma lawyer Christopher Placitella to their exclusive legal network. Mr. Placitella has accepted exclusive membership within the Lawyer Central New Jersey Network providing information and assistance for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Mr. Placitella is well-known for his landmark participation in multi-billion dollar tobacco and Phen-Fen settlements as well as being a nationally recognized authority on mesothelioma trial law. Mr. Placitella is also the author "The History of Asbestos" and anchor of the popular video series "Mass Tort Update".

Christopher Placitella is a Past President, New Jersey Trial Lawyers (ATLA-NJ); Member, Occupational Health & Safety Board of NJ AFL-CIO; Vice President, New Jersey Public Interest Law Center; Adviser, Workplace Environmental Counsel; Adviser, Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning; Lead counsel or Steering Committee member for numerous national class actions, including asbestos and diet drugs.

The Lawyer Central Network is an exclusive nationwide network of local attorneys highly dedicated to their unique areas of practice. Lawyer Central is emerging as the leading public relations and mixed media marketing organization for fast-growing law firms and forward-thinking attorneys. Lawyer Central membership includes a variety of legal marketing media exposure ranging from practice area video filming, through interviews and complete public relations and new media management.

For more information on Christopher Placitella or Lawyer Central please call 800-449-1970 or visit http://www.lawyercentral.com/


Press Contact: Christina Trischetti
Company Name: Lawyer Central
Phone: 800-449-1970
Website: www.lawyercentral.com