Legal Search Engine Blog

UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s Earnings Guidance and Settlements Generates Comments

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:25:00 +0000

A.M. Best Comments on UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s Earnings Guidance and Settlements

OLDWICK, N.J.-- July 03, 2008 --A.M. Best Co. has commented that the ratings of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UnitedHealth) (Minnetonka, MN) (NYSE: UNH) and its subsidiaries remain unchanged following the company's release of a revision to earnings guidance and reduced second quarter and full year 2008 earnings. UnitedHealth also announced a settlement in the federal securities class action and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) lawsuits.

On July 2, 2008, UnitedHealth announced a revision to its earnings outlook for 2008 following an assessment of preliminary second quarter 2008 results and recent business trends. The company's risk-based commercial business produced a lower level of gross margin than expected due to increased pressure on premium yields, which are resulting from a competitive commercial business environment. Furthermore, UnitedHealth is experiencing a decrease in the gross margin for Medicare Part D and Medicare Chronic Special Needs Plans.

Additionally, UnitedHealth announced that it had reached an agreement to settle both the federal securities class action and ERISA lawsuits. Both lawsuits arose from UnitedHealth's historical stock option practices. As a result of the settlements, UnitedHealth will pay $895 million pre-tax into a settlement fund for the benefit of class members of the federal securities class action lawsuit and $17 million into a settlement fund for the benefit of ERISA class members. UnitedHealth's insurance carriers will cover the majority of the ERISA settlement.

A.M. Best expects UnitedHealth to continue to experience pressure in the commercial market, which may result in lower margins. The result of these announcements and the subsequent payment for the settlements are expected to increase UnitedHealth's debt-to-capital ratio above 40%, should the company use debt for the payment. While A.M. Best is not comfortable with an increase in the debt-to-capital ratio above 40%, A.M. Best expects the ratio to remain less than 45% and for this ratio to return to 40%by second quarter 2009. A.M. Best also expects UnitedHealth's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) interest coverage to remain at 10 times or greater. Additionally, A.M. Best would like UnitedHealth to scale back its share repurchase program until the debt-to-capital ratio decreases to 40%.

On January 29, 2008, A.M. Best issued a press release announcing a downgrade to the ratings of UnitedHealth Group and select subsidiaries. At that time, A.M. Best considered the change in the company's capital structure and increase in debt-to-capital ratio in the rating action.

If UnitedHealth's debt-to-capital ratio increases above 45% or if the company announces another negative revision to earnings (including any additional settlements or fines), a negative rating action may occur. Additionally, A.M. Best would take into consideration the magnitude of the amount of any settlement or fine in any rating action. A.M. Best will continue to monitor the financial results and risk-based capitalization of UnitedHealth and its insurance subsidiaries, as well as continue its ongoing dialogue with company management.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Contacts

A.M. Best Co.
Analysts:
Sally Rosen, 908-439-2200, ext. 5280
sally.rosen@ambest.com
or
Kenneth Frino, 908-439-2200, ext. 5012
kenneth.frino@ambest.com
or
Public Relations:
Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

j2 Global Communications Patent Lawsuit Gets Protus Response

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:47:00 +0000

Protus Responds to Patent Lawsuit brought by j2 Global Communications

OTTAWA-- July 03, 2008 --Fast growing Canadian technology company Protus IP Solutions responded today to a competitor's patent infringement suit by noting that the asserted patents are not relevant to the company or any of its products.

The plaintiff (j2 Global Communications) has accused Protus' popular MyFax Internet fax services of infringing two patents. The lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Texas.

Last year Protus defeated j2 Global Communications in another patent lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Dean Pregerson issued an order on November 13, 2007 dismissing the case against Protus, with prejudice (meaning the patents cannot be reasserted against Protus). The case was closely followed by technology and communications companies because j2 Global Communications, prior to targeting Protus, licensed the patents to more than 30 companies. Protus was the first company to challenge these patents in the courts and was awarded a decisive victory.

"This is another meritless case by j2. In the last case the court held that the patents did not apply to Protus' services," said Andrea Girones, General Counsel at Protus. "We are confident that this case will be dismissed as well."

"I'm not surprised that j2 feels compelled to continue to clog the courts with these unfounded lawsuits," said Joseph Nour, Protus' Chief Executive Officer. "Protus' MyFax is the fastest growing Internet fax service in the market and is aggressively gaining market share against j2's eFax. We are confident that we will win this case on its merits and MyFax will continue to erode j2's market share."

About Protus

Protus® provides the highest quality software as a service (SaaS) communications tools for small-to-medium-businesses (SMB) and enterprise organizations, including award-winning MyFax, the fastest growing Internet fax service; my1voice, the cost-effective, feature-rich virtual PBX phone service that travels with the user from phone to web; and Campaigner and CampaignerPro, software-as-a-service email marketing solutions with advanced automation features. Protus' commitment to delivering a superior user experience has resulted in a continually growing and loyal customer base, allowing market leadership in industries including finance, insurance, real estate, healthcare, transportation and government. For more information about Protus and its family of communication tools, call 888-733-7007 or visit www.protus.com.

Contacts

Protus
Sue Rutherford
613-733-0000 x 519 or srutherford@protus.com
Tech Image
Tracy Shryer
847-279-0022 x230 or tracy.shryer@techimage.com

Program to Protect Consumers Against Fraud

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:01:00 +0000

MoneyGram Announces Program to Protect Consumers Against Fraud

MINNEAPOLIS-- July 02, 2008 --MoneyGram International is adding to its existing efforts to protect consumers from fraud-induced money transfers in response to concerns from state Attorneys General. Through an agreement of voluntary compliance, MoneyGram is taking steps to enhance consumer protections and further address the problem of wire transfer fraud. The company and 44 states plus the District of Columbia are cooperating on a five-year plan to raise public awareness of the dangers of fraud through a variety of tactics including enhanced consumer education, more prominent fraud warnings for money transfer customers and enhanced training for agents.

Besides enhancing its own education efforts, MoneyGram will contribute $1.1 million to the AARP Foundation for Consumer Education to fund a fraud awareness program aimed at the elderly, who are often targets for fraud. This program is expected to get underway in the next three to six months.

"We are very pleased to help launch this program," said Tony Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MoneyGram International. "We are committed to helping to stop fraud and protect consumers, and we know that this is an issue that none of us can tackle alone."

"AARP Foundation's fight against consumer fraud advances AARP's goal of ensuring the economic security of people 50 and over," said AARP Foundation President Robin Talbert. "Preventing consumer fraud and abuse are critical components of financial security. AARP, the AARP Foundation and hundreds of community volunteers have been fighting fraud directed at older consumers for more than 10 years. We are very proud of our outreach and education."

MoneyGram will also pay $150,000 to the Attorneys General Executive Committee to cover costs.

MoneyGram International, Inc. is a leading global payment services company. The company's major product and services include global money transfers, money orders and payment processing solutions for financial institutions and retail customers. MoneyGram has 152,000 global money transfer locations in 180 countries and territories. For more information, visit the company's website at www.moneygram.com.

Contacts

MoneyGram International
Michael Fox, 203-682-8218
mfox@icrinc.com

Ohio Residents Not Worried About Gambling Addiction

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. Announces Status of Ohio Petition Drive

MINNEAPOLIS-- July 01, 2008 --Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: LACO) announced today that it is currently on pace to collect over 700,000 signatures to place a referendum permitting one casino in Ohio on the November 4th ballot. Ohio law requires at least 402,225 valid signatures to place the referendum on the November 4, 2008 ballot. Although it has obtained more than the required number of signatures, the Secretary of State has not verified that the signatures are valid. The verification will occur when the petition and signatures are submitted to the Secretary of State on or before August 6, 2008.

"We are pleased with the number of signatures that we have obtained so far and believe it shows that a significant number of Ohio residents want a casino in their state," said Tim Cope, President of Lakes. "We anticipate gathering in excess of 700,000 signatures by August 6 and we anticipate verifying enough signatures in the requisite number of counties to place the referendum on the ballot."

Under the current development plan, construction of the planned casino would likely commence within 12 - 18 months after the referendum is approved, and the casino would open approximately 18 months after construction commences. The casino is expected to employ up to 5,000 people and could generate over $200 million in gaming tax revenues that would be divided directly among all 88 Ohio counties on a per capita basis.

About Lakes Entertainment

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has development and management or financing agreements with four separate Tribes for casino operations in Michigan, California, and Oklahoma, for a total of five separate casino sites. Lakes is currently managing the Cimarron Casino for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Four Winds Casino Resort for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Lakes is also involved in other business activities, including possible development of a Company owned casino resort project in Vicksburg, Mississippi and the development of new table games for licensing to Tribal and non-Tribal casinos. The Company also owns approximately 61 percent of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE), a separate publicly held media and entertainment company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes, including the World Poker Tour® television series, the operation of an online gaming website, the licensing and sale of branded products and the sale of corporate sponsorships.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Lakes Entertainment, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities as well as other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of regulation (including gaming and tax regulation) and competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, obtaining a sufficient number of signatures to place the Ohio casino resort project on the November 4, 2008 Ohio statewide election ballot or if the referendum is placed on that ballot, that the referendum will pass, need for current financing to meet Lakes' operational and development needs; those relating to the inability to complete or possible delays in completion of Lakes' casino projects, including various regulatory approvals and numerous other conditions which must be satisfied before completion of these projects; possible termination or adverse modification of management or development contracts; Lakes operates in a highly competitive industry; possible changes in regulations; reliance on continued positive relationships with Indian tribes and repayment of amounts owed to Lakes by Indian tribes; possible need for future financing to meet Lakes' expansion goals; risks of entry into new businesses; reliance on Lakes' management; and the fact that the WPTE shares held by Lakes are currently not liquid assets, and there is no assurance that Lakes will be able to realize value from these holdings equal to the current or future market value of WPTE common stock. There are also risks and uncertainties relating to WPTE that may have a material effect on the company's consolidated results of operations or the market value of the WPTE shares held by the company, including WPTE's significant dependence on the GSN as a current source of revenue, and the risk that the WPT series does not find a domestic distribution outlet; difficulty of predicting the growth of WPTE's online gaming business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE's business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that WPTE's television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts

Investor Relations:
Integrated Corporate Relations
William Schmitt, 203-682-8200
investorrelations@lakesentertainment.com
or
For Further Information:
Timothy Cope, 952-449-7030

Web Site Protects Home Renters When Foreclosure Crisis Threatens

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:09:00 +0000

Foreclosure Crisis Threatens Potential Home Renters But One New Web Site Offers Protection

Many looking for rental homes risk costly problems and future evictions without realizing it, but CheckForForeclosure.com has an easy solution.

Los Angeles, CA - June 28, 2008 -- Alarming numbers of would-be home renters sign expensive leases and rental agreements not knowing that the homes they are about to rent are already in foreclosure. Fortunately, people who are searching the classifieds for a rental home can take advantage of a new service and Web site - CheckForForeclosure.com, Giving Renters the Notice they Need (http://www.CheckForForeclosure.com) - that provides access to inside information about potential landlords and lets would-be renters know if they are about to walk into a trap.

The newest tragic twist in the nationwide mortgage and housing crisis is creating havoc and distress for many unwary consumers. Very few people who shop for a rental home are even aware of the growing problem, and fewer still know how to protect themselves from signing up for a disaster when they go out to look for a rented or leased home, condo, or apartment. In some cases those who sign new leases are evicted within days of moving into a home or apartment - without refunds of payments or deposits.

CheckForForeclosure.com was created by knowledgeable real estate industry professionals to specifically address the needs of consumers who might otherwise become ensnared in the renters in foreclosure crisis. Some classified ad pages in foreclosure-prone cities are riddled with listings for rentals that are - although innocent consumers do not realize it - about to be repossessed by banks and mortgage companies. Unless someone shopping for an apartment or home rental has the ability to look beyond the advertising hype and spin and find out which rentals are dangerous, there is no way to pick the winners from the losers. Looking for a rental becomes a game of Russian roulette unless consumers take steps to get the information they need to make safe and informed choices.

Bankers and landlords are not required by law to disclose an imminent foreclosure to a renter, and real estate laws generally protect landlords and lenders while offering little help for victimized renters. That leaves renters to fend for themselves, so taking the time and making the effort to investigate the foreclosure filing status (http://www.CheckForForeclosure.com) of a potential rental property is a wise investment and a good insurance policy against foreclosure rental headaches and heartaches. In today's treacherous housing environment, it pays to take full advantage of services like those offered by CheckForForeclosure.com to ensure peace of mind for one's family.

Contact Information
Steve Gold
SG1 Investments, Inc.
http://www.CheckForForeclosure.com
702-987-4846

New Patient Safety Solution Supported By Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:14:00 +0000

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Supports Florida's New Patient Safety Solution

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the leading national program that has certified more than 300,000 pharmacy technicians, supports and congratulates the Florida House of Representatives and Governor Charlie Crist for passing legislation requiring new standards for pharmacy technicians. The new Florida legislation takes a progressive step toward increasing patient safety for consumers. The legislation will ensure pharmacy technicians meet key requirements for training, certification and registration.

Washington, D.C. - June 27, 2008 -- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) (http://www.ptcb.org/), the leading national program that has certified more than 300,000 pharmacy technicians, is pleased to support and congratulate the Florida Legislature for passing SB 1360 and Governor Charlie Crist for signing it into law, requiring new standards for pharmacy technicians. Tireless advocacy efforts for the passage of this critical patient safety legislation and its final approval by Governor Crist were spearheaded by the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FSHP) and the Florida Pharmacy Association (FPA).

The new Florida legislation takes a progressive step toward increasing patient safety for consumers. By passing this legislation without amendment, and signing it into law, the Florida state legislature and governor will ensure pharmacy technicians meet key requirements for training, certification and registration. PTCB is proud to have certified 15,000 pharmacy technicians in Florida to date and looks forward to working with more pharmacy technicians and their employers.

"Florida's new pharmacy technician standards are an important patient safety solution for consumers in the Sunshine State and Governor Crist and the state's legislators should be applauded," said PTCB Executive Director and CEO Melissa Murer Corrigan. "To meet these new state standards, PTCB is looking forward to continued work with pharmacy technicians and significant employers of Florida's pharmacy technicians such as Walgreen's, CVS, Publix, Target, the U.S. military, multiple health-systems and independent pharmacists in communities across the state. Several of these employers presently support and endorse PTCB across the United States."

The landmark piece of Florida legislation (SB 1360) contributes to raising the bar for states across the country by providing an example of the high standards needed for pharmacy technicians. The more than 40,000 pharmacy technicians currently working in Florida will be required to register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy by 2010. In 2011, they will need to either complete a board-approved training program with 1,500 hours of work as a technician under a Florida licensed pharmacist, or be certified (https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Guidebook_to_Certification&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=2952) by a program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). PTCB is the pioneer in certifying pharmacy technicians (https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Learn&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=1384) and is accredited by the NCCA. PTCB's certification program has been included in regulations by more than 30 state boards of pharmacy. Through its strategic partnership with Pearson VUE, PTCB is able to offer highly scalable computer-based testing through the world's largest network of testing centers.

Studies show without a doubt that Americans support a standard of excellence for pharmacy technicians. A recent poll commissioned by PTCB confirms that 91% of American consumers support strong regulations across the country to protect patient safety by requiring that pharmacy technicians are trained and certified. While states like Florida reflect this growing need for action, almost twenty other states still have no requirement for certification. Clearly, consumers are relying on state boards of pharmacy to protect them and enact strong requirements such as Florida's for pharmacy technicians.

About the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) (http://www.ptcb.org/)

PTCB was established in January 1995 and is governed by five pharmacy organizations - the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP), the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Since PTCB's inception, PTCB has certified over 300,000 pharmacy technicians through the examination and transfer process. PTCB's certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The goal of the PTCB national certification program is to enable pharmacy technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. PTCB contracts with Pearson VUE, the industry's technology leader, as its computer-based testing vendor. PTCB draws upon the experience and expertise of its 13-year partner, Professional Examination Service (PES) for test development.

Contact Information
Mark Franco
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
http://www.ptcb.org
202-429-7508
202-828-9767

YouTube Wins, Canadian Television and American Girl Lose Domain Name Decisions

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:33:00 +0000

Recent National Arbitration Forum Domain Name Decisions Involve YouTube, Canadian Television and American Girl

MINNEAPOLIS-- June 24, 2008 --The National Arbitration Forum issued decisions on the rights to YouTube.net, CTV.com, and AmericanGirl.net. Conflicts over domain names are on the rise. The dispute resolution provider handled 1,658 domain disputes in 2006, a 21 percent increase from the prior year, and 1,805 disputes in 2007.

The following decisions were made in accordance with the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) by independent and neutral arbitrators on the National Arbitration Forum Panel.

YouTube.net

Complainant Google Inc., owner of the popular video sharing site YouTube.com, filed a complaint on March 11, 2008 against YiWuShi Shuangfeng Jixie Youxian Gongsi of China, the registered owner of YouTube.net.

The National Arbitration Forum Panelist followed traditional UDRP principles in disregarding the functional ".net" generic top-level domain (gTLD) when determining the "YouTube" domain name was identical to Complainant's YOUTUBE trademark. The arbitrator also found that the website at the domain name advertises and displays adult-oriented content. The owner of YouTube.net registered and used the domain name in bad faith based on the fact that it was using Complainant's well-known mark to provide such content. For these reasons, the National Arbitration Forum granted transfer of YouTube.net to Google Inc. on May 5, 2008.

CTV.com

Complainant CTV Inc., a Canadian English language television network, brought a complaint against CTV.com owner Murat Yikilmaz of Turkey, on April 11, 2008.

Complainant has used the CTV mark since 1961 to identify its goods and services, and registered the CTV mark in 1974 with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. A three member Panel found that the domain name was identical to the CTV trademark. The Panel determined that the three letters which constitute the essence of the disputed domain name are generic initials used by many parties to identify many goods and services. The Panel found Respondent to be in the domain name warehousing business, specializing in three character domains. Respondent's use of CTV.com to attract Internet traffic is a legitimate business interest, especially in this case where none of the advertisements are related to Complainant's television operations. Additionally the Panel found CTV Inc. had not proven the domain name was registered or used in bad faith. The majority of the Panel denied Complainant's requested relief on June 10, 2008. Panelist Kerans dissented in the decision, inferring that Respondent likely was aware of CTV Inc.'s business and mark in Canada and the U.S.

AmericanGirl.net

American Girl, LLC, a subsidiary of Mattel that manufactures dolls and books for young girls, submitted a complaint against The Tidewinds Group, Inc on February 25, 2008 seeking transfer of AmericanGirl.net.

The National Arbitration Forum arbitrator found that the domain name was identical to the AMERICAN GIRL trademark, which Complainant had submitted into the record. Further, Respondent used the site to display links to commercial websites, proving no legitimate interest in the disputed domain name. Finally, the Panelist looked at the registration and use of the disputed domain name. It was found that Respondent registered the domain name in 2002, three years before the application filing date for the AMERICAN GIRL mark that Complainant provided. While noting that Complainant provided no evidence that it possessed common law rights or any other trademarks previous to 2005, the National Arbitration Forum Panelist found no bad faith registration or use and denied transfer of AmericanGirl.net to American Girl, LLC on April 16, 2008.

To file a claim see www.domains.adrforum.com. Contact domaindispute[at]adrforum.com with questions. Media please contact Christina Doucet at 952-516-6486 or media[at]adrforum.com.

About the National Arbitration Forum

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, the National Arbitration Forum is an international leader in arbitration and mediation services. An innovator in the industry, the National Arbitration Forum was appointed an approved provider of the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) by the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in 1999. Since then, over 10,000 domain name disputes worldwide have been filed through the National Arbitration Forum's state-of-the-art case management system, now optimized by Forthright. For more information, visit www.domains.adrforum.com.
Contacts

National Arbitration Forum
Media:
Christina Doucet, 952-516-6486
media[at]adrforum.com

Call for Better Sanitation Prompted By Lettuce E. coli Outbreak

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:59:00 +0000

E. coli Outbreak Associated with Lettuce Prompts Call for Better Sanitation

MINNEAPOLIS-- June 09, 2008 --According to Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., ten cases of E. coli O157:H7 in the state of Washington have been associated with the consumption of lettuce. Based on interviews of those sickened, health officials believe the source of the outbreak is bagged, commercial romaine lettuce.

Six of the people sickened were Pierce County residents. Five of them had laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. The sixth person had symptoms identical with those of the other five, but a lab test was not done to confirm E. coli O157:H7. The cases may be associated with a restaurant and an educational institution. Because the outbreak is deemed over, health officials are not releasing the names of either, but Internet accounts of the outbreak indicate that some of those sickened may have eaten salads at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

Four of the people sickened were Thurston County residents. All four had laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. Three of them attend Capital High School in Olympia and ate salads in the school cafeteria. The fourth person attends Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Olympia and ate a salad there.

"This is yet another example of contaminated lettuce causing illness," stated Pritzker. "At the bottom of every E. coli outbreak is bad sanitation. It is up to the lettuce industry to clean up its act and use good sanitation practices on every farm, every day."

Cattle are the principal source of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Cattle manure containing E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate water that flows through lettuce fields and that is used for irrigation, pesticide application, and/or washing lettuce. Therefore, it is imperative that lettuce not be planted near cattle operations.

In addition, Pritzker and other food safety advocates have been pushing for regulations requiring the lettuce industry to do the following: 1) frequently test irrigation water; 2) frequently test bags of lettuce and salad before they reach the consumer; 3) educate workers throughout the industry about the importance of hand washing and not coming to work if they are sick; 4) and prevent animals, both domestic and wild, from wandering on to lettuce fields.

Because a number of E. coli outbreaks have been linked to bagged lettuce and spinach, federal and state regulators should frequently inspect processing plants.

"The lettuce industry and state and federal governments have to work together to ensure the safety of lettuce. A mother should not have to worry if the salad she is serving her children will make them sick," stated Pritzker.

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. is one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli outbreaks. For more information, visit http://www.pritzkerlaw.com or contact Fred Pritzker at (612) 338-0202. Pritzker | Ruohonen has offices are located at Plaza VII, Suite 2950, 45 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Contacts

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A.
Fred Pritzker, 612-338-0202

Victims of Asbestos Exposure Should Call the Mesothelioma Victims Center

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:49:00 +0000

Mesothelioma Victims And All Victims of Asbestos Exposure Should Call the Mesothelioma Victims Center First For Free Honest Advise & Help

Why should victims of mesothelioma or their families call the Mesothelioma Victims Center First? According to Americas Watchdog, "its pretty simple, we will tell them the truth about treatment options, lawyers, Social Security, and everything else they need to know and our service is free". The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to assist all US victims of Mesothelioma. Americas Watchdog has initiated this very complete free service because there is literally nothing close to this type of service in the United States, and because this type of service is sorely needed by Mesothelioma victims and their families. The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to assist victims & their families in every way possible. Victims who served in the US Navy are especially encouraged to contact the group at 866-714-6466.

May 27, 2008 -- The Mesothelioma Victims Center is a free service designed to assist all victims of Mesothelioma, or to assist the families of victims who have this disease. What makes this service unique? According to Americas Watchdog,"our service to victims or their families is free. Mesothelioma is a rare, and lethal form of cancer related to asbestos exposure. Americas Watchdog never realized that there was no safety net for victims, to get help from the government or VA. They did not know how difficult it might be to get veterans benefits or social security benefits. Americas Watchdog also discovered that it is critical for victims of this lethal disease to get proper legal representation. They have designed the Mesothelioma Victims Center to be the national advocacy center for the victims and family members of Mesothelioma.Their service is free. The web site is located at http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.com.

Very Important note: According to the Mesothelioma Victims Center, "You do not want a personal injury attorney with little, to no Mesothelioma experience taking on a case, unless they have lots of experience with mesothelioma. This is especially true of US Navy veterans, who were exposed in a US naval vessel engine room. If you, or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, there are thousands of law firms that say they can take the case. The problem; there are only a handful of law firms in the US that can do a superior job."

According to Americas Watchdog, "Individuals who have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, or their family members should call the Mesothelioma Victims Center first, for honest and straight forward advice at 866-714-6466". The Mesothelioma Center is all about honest, and helpful advice for all Mesothelioma victims. The Mesothelioma Victims Center web site is located at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.com.

The Mesothelioma Victims Center's services include:

* Assisting the victims of Mesothelioma in obtaining Social Security permanent disability payments

* If the victim is a veteran and was exposed to asbestos during military duty, we will work with the victim and his/her family in obtaining veterans disability and health care benefits.

* We will assist the family in getting the best possible health care options

* We will assist the victim in getting legal representation.

* We will assist the victim and their family in getting counseling on a wide variety of topics that arise from this disease.

A victim of Mesothelioma or their family can call the group any time for help, assistance and advice anytime at 866-714-6466.

Who Can Get Mesothelioma? Individuals exposed to asbestos. As Follows

* Individuals who served in the US Navy. Especially Navy personnel who served in or around naval ship engine rooms.

* Members of the US Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.

* Naval ship yard workers

* Oil refinery workers

* Ship yard workers

* Automotive repair specialists

* Construction workers

* Plumbers

* Demolition contractors

Important note to doctors and medical staff: Please tell your patients about the Mesothelioma Victims Center.

Because no other group is providing this full range of services, and because victims and their families need assistance in these areas, Americas Watchdog is doing all of this at no charge, because its the right thing to do. Americas Watchdog's Mesothelioma Victims Center web site is located at http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.com. Anyone wishing more information can call the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime at 866-714-6466. Health care workers or physicians are encouraged to tell your patients about the Mesothelioma Victims Center.

Americas Watchdog and its Mesothelioma Victims Center are all about taking care of precious souls in need, and corporate responsibility.

Contact Information
THOMAS MARTIN
Americas Watchdog
Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com
866-714-6466

Beginner's Guide To Divorce Released

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:55:00 +0000

Announcing The Beginner's Guide To California Divorce

Veteran divorce attorney Robert Busch has just released, "How To Win Your California Divorce, The Beginner's Guide", a 73 page book written for California residents who are considering divorce and know little, if anything, about California divorce law.

Sacramento, California  - April 3, 2008 Veteran divorce attorney Robert Busch has just released, "www.californiadivorcetips.com [How To Win Your California Divorce, The Beginner's Guide", a 73 page book written for California residents who are considering divorce and know little, if anything, about California divorce law.

After consulting with thousands of men and women, the author became frustrated with the lack of easy-to-understand basic information on the divorce process in California. Many of the books on divorce are outdated, many are written by attorneys who have never practiced law in California, and some are crammed full of information the typical reader doesn't need.

Divorce law is neither simple or easy. Whether or not lawyers are involved, there is critical information people must know if they have any hope of getting a fair settlement or favorable court ruling, should the matter go to court. Relying solely on attorneys is usually a big mistake.

Anyone hoping to win their divorce must be prepared. How To Win Your California Divorce, The Beginner's Guide, provides the reader with almost 17 years of lessons, strategies, tactics and checklists to help the reader get everything she is entitled to under California law.

How To Win Your California Divorce, The Beginner's Guide, also provides important information about preparing and filing the initial paperwork. Doing this wrong can result in the loss of significant property and/or support rights.

Three easy-to-use checklists included in How To Win Your California Divorce, The Beginner's Guide, are designed to help the reader remember the important information needed to get the best results in their divorce.

For additional information on How To Win Your California Divorce, The Beginner's Guide, contact Robert Busch or visit www.californiadivorcetips.com.

About Robert Busch: A practicing attorney since 1986, Robert Busch earned his B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and his law degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of Pacific.

Contact:
Robert Busch
Law Office of R. Jeff Busch
Telephone: (916)859-0370
E-mail: BuschLawOffice(at)gmail.com
Website: www.CaliforniaDivorceTips.com

New Product Features Include Federal Analysis and Commentary; Pending Legislation

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:16:00 +0000

AllRegs Releases New Product Features: Federal Analysis and Commentary; Pending Legislation

EAGAN, Minn.-- June 02, 2008 --AllRegs, the leading publisher of guidelines for the mortgage industry, announces the release of online product enhancements allowing subscribers to access analysis and commentary on federal legislation or view pending state or federal legislation.

In addition to searching the comprehensive online database consisting of thousands of pages of government and conventional single family lending guidelines and forms, subscribers of the flagship Single-Family Lending Package can now access the following:

    * Plain-language analyses and interpretive summaries for major federal legislation dealing with the residential mortgage lending industry, with links directly to supporting statutes and regulations
    * Continuous updates with e-mail notification
    * Federal disclosures and other forms

This Federal Analysis and Commentary covers the following major federal legislation:

    * Alternative Mortgage Parity Transaction Act
    * Depository Institutions Deregulations and Monetary Control Act
    * Equal Credit Opportunity
    * Fair Housing Act
    * Fair Credit Reporting Act
    * Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
    * Garn-St. Germaine
    * Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
    * Home Ownership Protection Act
    * National Flood Insurance Act
    * Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
    * Truth In Lending Act

A new feature within the State Compliance Package, Pending Legislation features all pending state and federal bills, from pre-file to enacted status. The notification feature of Pending Legislation can be considered an early warning system for future changes in processes and procedures. By keeping up with the progress of the legislation, users can revise processes in advance to accommodate the new law and regulation.

Bills are categorized and searchable by subjects, such as licensing, fraud, fees and more. Users will learn all of the details regarding the pending bill, including the bill number, category, title, date, status and summary. The status information will change as the bill changes, but the bill summary will remain the same. From each matrix, users can link out to the State Legislature's web site and view the bill's full text.

Should you have any questions regarding this product enhancement or if you'd like to see a demo, please contact AllRegs Customer Service at (800) 848-4904 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. CT and 6:00 p.m. CT. or email help@allregs.com.

About AllRegs:

First introduced in 1989, AllRegs is used by virtually all of the top 100 lenders as well as throughout numerous governmental agencies, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLBs, FHA, VA, RHS, Ginnie Mae, and more. AllRegs is the exclusive electronic publisher of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Single and Multi-Family Seller/Servicer Guides, The Federal Home Loan Banks' MPF Program Guidelines, and CalPERS' Member Home Loan Program Guidelines. Products include single and multifamily underwriting & insuring guidelines as well as federal compliance laws and regulations, state compliance laws and regulations with plain-language analyses, contract publishing services for retail and wholesale lenders and a library of historical guidelines. The educational division, AllRegs Academy, offers distance learning, classroom training, and a series of online Practical Guides. For more information call (800) 848-4904 or go to www.allregs.com.

Contacts

For AllRegs
Meredith Boyd, 678-781-7219

Online Academic Writing Center Available to the Public

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Capella University Makes Comprehensive Online Academic Writing Center Available to the Public

The online university's Online Writing Center features multi-media modules aimed at graduate level students studying in a variety of disciplines
College & University Pressroom

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 29, 2008 --A comprehensive online academic writing center developed by Capella University (www.capella.edu) primarily for graduate level students is now available to the public at www.capellawritingcenter.org. Capella, which is an accredited,* online university that focuses on master's and PhD degrees, created the Online Writing Center to provide its 23,000-plus students with instruction, resources, and strategies to help them navigate the writing process and develop clear and effective academic writing.

"We decided to make this writing resource available to the general public because, first, it's the nature of writing centers to share resources, and second, we have some unique resources to share that are a result of the collaboration among faculty, staff, and our incredible web and instructional designers," said Leslie Olsen, coordinator of Capella's Writing Center. "There is so much information on this site that people seeking help with their writing won't find on other writing resource Web sites. What we have developed truly makes the writing process much more manageable, efficient, and enjoyable."

Some of that unique information includes a writing handbook organized around the writing process and embedded with multi-media modules, animated handouts, and easily downloadable documents on topics such as the philosophy behind APA writing guidelines, writing a literature review, and pre-writing techniques that can be used to help facilitate the writing process.

"The multi-media modules and animated handouts are very unique among writing resource Web sites, and are a very effective way to help these concepts come to life and really sink in," said Olsen, adding that all of the modules are ADA compliant.

Some other topics covered on Capella's Online Writing Center include:

    * Annotated Bibliography Guide
    * Grammar
    * Business and Technical Writing
    * APA Style and Formatting
    * Undergraduate Writing Resources
    * How to Get Your Work Published
    * Academic Integrity

The site also offers a wide variety of one-page handouts in PDF format for downloading on topics such as developing a thesis statement, writing in the third person, and plagiarism. The Writing Center even features a "Writer's Relief" section for those who need a break from thinking about writing.

Although Capella's Online Writing Center has been developed primarily for graduate-level students, it does feature a section for undergraduate students. It includes an interactive module on the four stages of writing, which takes the student all the way through the writing process, from prewriting, through drafting and peer review, and on to revising, editing and proofreading.

About Capella University

Founded in 1993, Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety, and bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 104 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. The online university currently serves more than 23,400 students from all 50 states and 45 other countries. It is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.

Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.

Learn more about earning an online degree at Capella University:

online education (http://www.capella.edu/online_education.aspx)

distance learning (http://www.capella.edu/distance_learning.aspx)

online university (http://www.capella.edu/online_university.aspx)

Contacts

Capella University
Media Contact:
Irene Silber, 612-977-4132
irene.silber@capella.edu

$250 Million Damages in Boston Scientific Patent Case Awarded To Medtronic

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:18:00 +0000

Medtronic Awarded $250 Million Damages in Patent Case against Boston Scientific

Federal jury in Marshall, Texas, finds that Boston Scientific Corporation infringed three patents owned by Medtronic

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 27, 2008 --Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced that a federal jury found that Boston Scientific Corporation has infringed three patents owned by Medtronic, and awarded Medtronic $250 million in damages.

Medtronic sued Boston Scientific in 2006 asserting that Boston's Taxus Express2, Express2, Liberte, Maverick, Maverick2, and Quantum Maverick products infringed the Fitzmaurice and Anderson catheter patents owned by Medtronic. The trial began on Friday, May 16, 2008.

The Fitzmaurice patents cover angioplasty catheters with narrowed distal ends, which improve the deliverability of angioplasty catheters. The Anderson patent covers semicompliant angioplasty balloons. The Anderson balloons provide sufficient strength to withstand repeated inflations allowing custom vessel sizing.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts

Medtronic, Inc.
Public Relations
Marybeth Thorsgaard, 763-505-2644
or
Investor Relations
Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696

Mobile Insurance Claims Center Set Up for Fast Claims Handling

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:05:00 +0000

Farmers Insurance Claims Team Sets Up Mobile Claims Center for Fast Claims Handling

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 27, 2008 --Farmers Insurance Group of Companies advises its Farmers Insurance customers suffering damage from the tornado in Hugo to immediately contact their agent or call the 24 hour claims hotline, 800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764).

Foremost Insurance customers who have damage should file their claim by calling: 1-800-527-3907.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Farmers and Foremost combined have received more than 2400 claims.

To further assist customers, Farmers' Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus is in Hugo, MN at Oneka Elementary School located at: 4888 Heritage Parkway.

The Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus is a rolling customer support center equipped with top-of-the-line technology for immediate claims handling and outfitted with comforts of home such as a grill for on-the-spot meals. Farmers customers can stop by the Mobile Catastrophe Claims Bus anytime. Reporters are welcome to tour the bus as well.

"The Farmers claims bus allows us to serve the most number of people," said Locke Pierce, State Executive Director of Farmers Insurance in Minnesota. "We are equipped to be a community relief center with this bus. We can serve meals by the hundred and allow people telephone and computer access to reach relatives. These are luxuries no one takes for granted during a crisis."

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers® is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.

Contacts

Farmers Insurance Group
David Bishop, 850-228-8997
david.bishop@farmersinsurance.com

Strategic Business Advantage Provided By Paperless Accounts Payable Automation

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:04:00 +0000

Paperless Accounts Payable Automation Shown to Provide Strategic Business Advantage

New study by the Aberdeen Group, underwritten in part by Metafile Information Systems, shares the barriers to, and benefits of, paperless financial automation.

Rochester, MN  - April 23, 2008 -- http://www.metaviewer.com - Metafile, a Minnesota-based content management firm dedicated to providing streamlined financial innovations, has helped ensure financial departments in companies worldwide experience the strategic value of accounts payable automaton by underwriting the latest AP whitepaper by analysts at the Aberdeen Group.

The "E-Payables: Imaging and Workflow" report, the first in a three-part series of Aberdeen benchmarks on AP automation, focuses on the initial stages of the accounts payable process, invoice receipt and workflow management.

The study disseminates reasons why some enterprises have yet to completely eliminate paper from their financial processes while benchmarking data illustrating the bottom-line benefits of the move towards paperless workflow automation.

Leveraging the insights of more than 200 executives, the Aberdeen group discovered that integrating accounts payable automation solutions with existing IT systems poses the greatest challenge to paper removal. As a result, forty-four percent (44%) of enterprises do not move to implement any einvoicing solutions.

"The reasons against implementing an einvoicing solution are not surprising. In fact, IT systems integration is perhaps the most common concern among our newest customers," states Jim Mandt, Metafile's Vice President of Technical Support. "In response to this concern, many financial automation solutions, including Metafile's MetaViewer, are designed to have as minimal impact on a firm's IT environment as possible by offering either a full-service in-house solution or an online, hosted solution with full technical support and backup of all files in a secure data center."

Enterprises that automate invoice receipt and workflow management by implementing solutions such as MetaViewer demonstrate significantly lower invoice-processing costs and cycle times while improving visibility and control over spending and reducing regulatory compliance risks.

Best-in-Class enterprises are excelling in many performance metrics and demonstrate the following AP performance benefits by utilizing automated solutions:
    Invoice-processing costs are 83% lower than all other enterprises
    Invoice-processing cycle times are 80% faster than their peers

At the end of the day, however, the benefits of going paperless are more than just financial; rather they speak to a company's competitive advantage as a whole.

"There is more to paperless accounts payable automation than just cost savings; imaging and workflow management solutions promote compliance with business controls allowing AP staff to focus on more strategic tasks," said Amit Gupta, research analyst, Aberdeen. "Enterprises that have adopted various flavors of e-payables solutions have transformed the AP function to a source of competitive advantage, supporting business planning and decision making."

A complimentary copy of the report "E-Payables: Imaging and Workflow" underwritten by ReadSoft, Verian Technologies and Metafile Information Systems, is available by visiting Aberdeen's website.

About Metafile
Metafile Information Systems, Inc. provides workflow automation solutions via its customizable content management solution MetaViewer. A privately held software development and integration firm, Metafile has helped the financial departments in companies such as Winn Dixie, Gate Petroleum, Wellborn Cabinet and Allied Beverage streamline accounts payable and accounts receivable processes for over 25 years. More information on Metafile and MetaViewer may be found online at www.metaviewer.com.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company
Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to AberdeenTM for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890; or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com.

Media Contact
Kevin Sawyer
Misukanis & Odden
ksawyer(at)misukanisodden.com

Press Contact: Kevin Sawyer
Company Name: Metafile
Phone: 952-400-7432
Website: www.metaviewer.com

Should Mesothelioma Victims Call A Mesothelioma Victims Center?

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Mesothelioma Victims Should Call Americas Watchdog's Mesothelioma Victims Center

If you are a victim of Mesothelioma or a family member friend of a victim Americas Watchdog is there for you. Americas Watchdog has created the Mesothelioma Victims Center as a free service to victims or family members of victims, of a rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma. Americas Watchdog has initiated this very complete free service because there was literally nothing close to this type of service in the United States and because this type of service is sorely needed by Mesothelioma victims and their families. The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to assist victims & their families in every way possible

April 21, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog has created the most wonderful service for victims or family members of victims of Mesothelioma. Until a family member was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, Americas Watchdog had never heard of this disease or knew much about it. Mesothelioma is a rare and lethal form of cancer. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. The group never realized that there was no safety net for victims, to get help from the government. They did not know how difficult it might be to get veterans benefits or social security benefits. Americas Watchdog also discovered that it is critical for victims of this lethal disease to get proper legal representation. They have designed the Mesothelioma Victims Center to be the national advocacy center for the victims and family members of Mesothelioma.Their service is free. The web site is located at http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.com.

Their services include:
* Assisting the victims obtain Social Security permanent disability payments
* If the victim is a veteran and was exposed to asbestos during military duty, we will work with the victim and his/her family in obtaining veterans disability and health care benefits.
* We will assist the family in getting the best possible health care options
* We will assist the victim in getting legal representation.
* We will assist the victim and their family in getting counseling on a wide variety of topics that arise from this disease.
A victim of Mesothelioma or their family can call the group any time at 866-714-6466.

Who Can Get Mesothelioma? Individuals exposed to asbestos. As Follows
* Individuals who served in the US Navy. Especially Navy personnel who served in or around naval ship engine rooms.
* Members of the US Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
* Naval ship yard workers
* Ship yard workers
* Automotive repair specialists
* Construction workers
* Plumbers
* Demolition contractors

Because no other group is providing this full range of services and because victims and their families need assistance in these areas, Americas Watchdog is doing this at no charge because its the right thing to do. Americas Watchdog's Mesothelioma Victims Center web site is located at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com . Any one wishing more information can call the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime at 866-714-6466.

Americas Watchdog and its Mesothelioma Victims Center are all about taking care of precious souls in need and corporate responsibility.

Press Contact: THOMAS MARTIN
Company Name: Americas Watchdog
Phone: 866-714-6466
Website: Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Free National Directory to Include Drunk Driving Attorneys

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Mon, 26 May 2008 03:58:00 +0000

LawInfo Expands Free National Directory to Include Drunk Driving Attorneys

LawInfo.com now provides a way in which the public and professionals alike can locate a pre-screened, pre-qualified drunk driving lawyer in their area. In an effort to guarantee professional, unparalleled criminal law representation, Lawinfo administers a detailed screening process for DUI and DWI attorneys that verifies state bar admission, peer approval and recommendations, a proven high rate of case and trial success, and no pending disciplinary action.

October 9 -- LawInfo has now added qualified drunk driving attorneys to its free online national directory. These attorneys are a part of LawInfo's signature service, the Lead Counsel Program, which provides pre-qualified, pre-screened attorneys, including DUI lawyers, DWI attorneys and car accident lawyers, through a simple, 2-click accessible attorney directory. The Lead Counsel Program has resulted in the enhanced screening of attorneys' credentials and has become a symbol of quality assurance for consumers searching for legal representation.

A person is guilty of drunk driving when he or she drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any chemical or controlled substance to the extent that his or her mental faculties are impaired and/or his or her blood alcohol level (BAC) is above the legal limit. All offenses that involve the operation of a vehicle while intoxicated are criminal law matters, which could potentially incur a felony conviction and possible prison sentence depending on how serious the charges are; i.e. if the offender's impairment caused a traffic accident resulting in personal injuries, wrongful death, etc.

If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), it is critical that you retain a qualified and experienced drunk driving attorney immediately to protect your legal rights and fight for your exoneration. LawInfo's Lead Counsel drunk driving lawyers are highly skilled and are fully versed in the intricacies of drunk driving laws. The following is a testimonial of a Lead Counsel DWI attorney's skill at work:

"New Hampshire DWI attorney Patrick E. Donovan is my savior and was worth every penny. He recently tried my DWI, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Threatening Case and brought it to acquittal. I found Patrick through the LawInfo site after hiring and firing 3 previous attorneys in New Hampshire." -Sharon Wilber-Lemire

For over a decade, LawInfo's mission has been to assist the public in locating qualified attorneys and legal services. Founded in 1994, LawInfo is recognized nationwide as a leader within the legal community. In addition to listing a national directory in which to locate skilled drunk driving attorneys, LawInfo.com also provides the latest legal news, breaking headlines on FDA-mandated recalls for defective drugs and dangerous products and supplies an index of experienced local and national attorneys who are handling such cases.

LawInfo.com has also designed a legal resource center that provides a quick and easy way to access free legal forms and documents, research thousands of legal FAQ's, obtain document preparation services and locate legal experts throughout the nation--such as private investigators, bail bondsmen, process servers and paralegals. LawInfo.com also provides marketing packages for attorneys and legal professionals crafted by a team of specialists that integrates web design, content development and internet marketing with targeted traffic-generation tactics. LawInfo is staffed by experienced legal industry professionals and their corporate offices are located in San Marcos, California, just thirty minutes north of San Diego.

For more information about Lead Counsel drunk driving attorneys, or LawInfo's free legal resource center, call 1-800-397-3743 or visit www.lawinfo.com.

Press Contact: Lisa Wilson
Company Name: LawInfo, Inc.
Phone: 800-397-3743
Website: www.lawinfo.com

Mesothelioma Blog Reports on Man Fired for Reporting Asbestos Cleanup

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:05:00 +0000

LegalView Mesothelioma Blog Reports on Whistleblower Who Was Allegedly Fired for Reporting Improper Asbestos Cleanup to Authorities

LegalView recently updated its mesothelioma blog to include reports of a whistleblower being fired after he reported improper asbestos cleanup. The worker who refused to sign off on the demolition of the school was dismissed from his job duties permanently after he reported the improper procedure cleanup to officials.

Denver, CO - April 18, 2008 -- LegalView, the number one resource for everything legal on the Web, recently updated its mesothelioma blog with news of the firing of an alleged whistleblower who attempted to report improper asbestos cleanup of a local high school. The city worker was part of a crew that was to demolition an old schoolhouse. The worker allegedly told city managers that the schoolhouse was filled with asbestos and would be hazardous if improper asbestos removal procedures were not followed. However, after the worker refused to sign off on the demolition and spoke out, he was fired, according to reports.

Asbestos is a hazardous chemical that is often found in insulation of many older buildings including government buildings, offices, homes, apartments, universities and schools. It is derived of vermiculite, which was heavily mined early on in the 20th century throughout the world. Asbestos was revered for its qualities of being cost efficient and its ability to insulate sufficiently without catching on fire as easily as other insulations. However, it was discovered that breathing in asbestos fibers and dust caused a deadly form of lung cancer to develop. Additionally, areas that currently contain asbestos must follow strict procedures and methods from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for removal, otherwise asbestos fibers will likely be released into the air and contaminate surrounding areas and individuals. Those who feel they have been previously exposed to asbestos fibers should contact a mesothelioma lawyer for immediate assistance on building a case.

Mesothelioma cancer can take years to develop and is incurable. It is often misdiagnosed, as symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are similar to many other illnesses. Individuals who have contracted mesothelioma should speak with an experienced medical attorney and receive a consultation on a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. To learn more about this recent mesothelioma blog posting as well as additional up-to-date news, reports and information on recent mesothelioma jury verdicts, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/.

In addition to the extensive mesothelioma information portal, LegalView offers information on an assortment of other legal issues that may disrupt the lives of millions of Americans. Information on issues such as pharmaceutical investigations, including the latest Singulair recall, preventable conditions like Erb's Palsy, diseases, illnesses, accidents, chemical exposure, employment discrimination, etc.

LegalView even provides news on the most recent traumatic brain injury treatments, available through LegalView's Web site. Also on the brain injury site, readers can find information on what may be involved with filing a brain injury lawsuit.

On the Singulair practice area, readers will be able to access the latest news on the prescription drug, which had been under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after reports began to surface about Singulair side effects that can allegedly include moodiness, suicidal behaviors and thoughts.

Additionally, using the Erb's Palsy information portal will provide victims and their families insight into the cause of their condition as well as opportunities for developing an Erb's Palsy lawsuit for potential monetary compensation to help pay for costly medical bills commonly associated with this condition. Erb's Palsy can be a debilitating condition and is usually preventable. It is associated with birth-canal complications that have occurred when an infant's shoulders or head became lodged, causing damage to the nerve system controlling arm movement. While Erb's Palsy often can clear on its own through time, many individuals still require physical therapy and many will need surgery to fix their condition. Those who suffer from this disease are advised to use LegalView's site to easily be referred to a qualified Erb's Palsy lawyer.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Press Contact: Katie Kelley
Company Name: LegalView
Phone: 720-771-3246
Website: http://mesothelioma.legalview.com

Contract Management to Help Customers Simplify Contract Creation and Tracking

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:57:00 +0000

Lawson Software Launches Contract Management to Help Customers Simplify Contract Creation and Tracking

Application helps organizations reduce operational costs by helping to improve management of contracts from start to finish

ST. PAUL, Minn.-- May 19, 2008 --Lawson Software (Nasdaq: LWSN) today announced the general availability of Lawson Contract Management, which is designed to help organizations, including those in healthcare and the public sector, simplify contract creation and management. The new application is designed to help customers reduce purchasing costs by streamlining the creation of vendor contracts and monitoring the supplies and services purchased against those contracts.

Lawson Contract Management, part of the Lawson S3 Supply Chain Management Suite, delivers standardized, auditable processes for contract creation and greater visibility into the supplies and services an organization has under contract. This insight can help purchasing managers reduce costs by enforcing compliance with vendor contracts. It also helps managers negotiate vendor discounts by helping them better analyze supply usage trends within their organization.

"Lawson Contract Management helps us create contracts faster with reusable templates and terms and conditions. It also provides a single, secure and auditable repository of all contract-related documents," said John Lauer, manager of enterprise systems, Oglethorpe Power, a Georgia-based power supply cooperative and a Lawson Contract Management pilot customer. "The application also allows us to track purchase volumes for specific items, which helps us negotiate better contract prices."

Located in Tucker, Ga., Oglethorpe Power generates electricity for thirty-eight Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs). It is the nation's largest power supply cooperative in terms of assets and annual kilowatt-hour sales.

Lawson Contract Management supports flexible pricing scenarios, such as complex tiered pricing and management of rebates, which is particularly useful in managing healthcare supply contracts. Public services and utility organizations, including Oglethorpe, can use Contract Management to help manage construction agreements and automate enforcement of business terms to help reduce costly overruns or incomplete projects.

In addition, Lawson Contract Management can store corporate and other non-purchasing contracts, helping to create a more comprehensive view of these enterprise documents. The application also helps companies develop customized procurement contracts for products or services to meet their evolving needs. Lawson Contract Management is also compatible with Lawson Business Intelligence, which helps organizations create virtually unlimited types of reports to meet the specific needs of departments and managers.

"Controlling costs is one of the most challenging business issues facing healthcare and public sector organizations," said Keith Lohkamp, product strategist, Lawson Software. "Lawson Contract Management works with existing Lawson applications, such as Lawson Strategic Sourcing and Lawson Procurement, to help customers minimize supply costs, which typically make up an organization's largest expense after employee compensation. It helps simplify sourcing, contract creation, enforcement of pricing on purchases, and ongoing management of contracts."

About Lawson Software

Lawson Software provides software and service solutions to 4,000 customers in manufacturing, distribution, maintenance and service sector industries across 40 countries. Lawson's solutions include Enterprise Performance Management, Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Enterprise Asset Management and industry-tailored applications. Lawson solutions assist customers in simplifying their businesses or organizations by helping them streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance business or operational performance. Lawson is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., and has offices around the world. Visit Lawson online at www.lawson.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements contain statements of intent, belief or current expectations of Lawson Software and its management. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The company is not obligated to update forward-looking statements based on circumstances or events that occur in the future. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: uncertainties in Lawson's ability to realize synergies and revenue opportunities anticipated from the Intentia International acquisition; uncertainties in the software industry; uncertainties as to when and whether the conditions for the recognition of deferred revenue will be satisfied; increased competition; uncertainty regarding potential future deterioration in the market for auction rate securities which could result in additional permanent impairment charges, global military conflicts; terrorist attacks; pandemics, and any future events in response to these developments; changes in conditions in the company's targeted industries and other risk factors listed in the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lawson assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Contacts

Lawson Software
Joe Thornton, +1-651-767-6154
joe.thornton@us.lawson.com
or
Weber Shandwick
Jenny Myers, +1-217-649-2965
jmyers@webershandwick.com

Center to Assist All Victims of Mesothelioma

noreply@blogger.com ((hris) — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Mesothelioma Victims Center to Assist All Victims of Mesothelioma

Americas Watchdog has created the Mesothelioma Victims Center as a free service to victims or family members of victims, of a rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma. Americas Watchdog has initiated this very complete free service because there was literally nothing close to this type of service in the United States and because this type of service is sorely needed by Mesothelioma victims and their families. The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to assist victims & their families in every way possible.

April 16, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog has just opened its Mesothelioma Victims Center, as a way to assist and protect victims of a rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma. The service is free to Mesothelioma victims or their families.

Until a family member was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, Americas Watchdog had never heard of this disease or knew much about it. Mesothelioma is a rare and lethal form of cancer. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. The group never realized that there was no safety net for victims, to get help from the government. They did not know how difficult it might be to get veterans benefits or social security benefits. Americas Watchdog also discovered that it is critical for victims of this lethal disease to get proper legal representation. They have designed the Mesothelioma Victims Center to be the national advocacy center for the victims and family members of Mesothelioma.Their service is free.

Their services include:
* Assisting the victims obtain Social Security permanent disability payments
* If the victim is a veteran and was exposed to asbestos during military duty, we will work with the victim and his/her family in obtaining veterans disability and health care benefits.
* We will assist the family in getting the best possible health care options
* We will assist the victim in getting legal representation.
* We will assist the victim and their family in getting counseling on a wide variety of topics that arise from this disease. A victim of Mesothelioma or their family can call the group any time at 866-714-6466.

Who Can Get Mesothelioma?

* Individuals who served in the US Navy. Especially Navy personnel who served in or around naval ship engine rooms.
* Members of the US Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
* Naval shop yard workers
* Ship yard workers
* Automotive repair specialists
* Construction workers
* Plumbers
* Demolition contractors

Because no other group is providing this full range of services and because victims and their families need assistance in these areas, Americas Watchdog is doing this at no charge because its the right thing to do. Americas Watchdog's Mesothelioma Victims Center web site is located at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com . Any one wishing more information can call the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime at 866-714-6466.

Americas Watchdog and its Mesothelioma Victims Center are all about taking care of precious souls in need and corporate responsibility.

Press Contact: THOMAS MARTIN
Company Name: Americas Watchdog
Phone: 866-714-6466
Website: http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com