Author Archives: John Willis
Do Talcum Powder Manufacturers Have a “Duty to Warn” Women About Ovarian Cancer Risks?
For several decades scientists have been researching the link between women’s use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer. While government regulatory agencies have yet to declare such a link exists, that has not prevented juries in states like South Dakota and Missouri from holding the manufacturers of talcum powder—notably Johnson & Johnson, the world’s… Read More »
Is It Safe to Take My Child to a Tennessee Indoor Trampoline Park?
In a famous episode of the long-running comedy series “The Simpsons,” Homer Simpson acquires a used trampoline and proceeds to charge neighborhood kids admission to jump on it. Homer’s quick financial windfall turns ugly, however, as scores of children are injured on the unsafe trampoline and are eventually seen strewn about the Simpsons’ lawn… Read More »
Is a Tennessee Hospital Liable When One Patient Kills Another Patient?
When we are injured due to someone else’s negligence, we reasonably expect the courts to hold the negligent party accountable. Unfortunately, Tennessee law often puts roadblocks in place that deny personal injury victims their day in court. In health care liability and medical malpractice cases, for example, it is not enough to simply allege… Read More »
When Is a Tennessee Business Liable for the Death of an Independent Contractor
Every Tennessee business owner owes a basic “duty of care” to individuals they invite onto their property. This includes not only customers but also independent contractors performed to work on the premises. But that does not automatically mean a business owner is liable for every personal injury that occurs on their property. Tennessee Court… Read More »
Who Is Responsible If My Child Is Assaulted at School?
Parents expect their children to be safe while attending school. And when their child suffers is injured due to the negligence of school officials, they rightly expect to hold the school accountable. Unfortunately, many school officials try to deny responsibility for student safety even when they know there may be a serious problem. District… Read More »
Dealing With Hospital Bills Following a Car Accident
Paying for medical care is a major issue for many Tennessee families. This is especially true following a car accident where you may suffer serious injuries that require surgery and ongoing medical treatment. If you do not have medical insurance, you may end up owing thousands of dollars in medical bills due to someone… Read More »
What Happens When Tennessee Employers Ignore Safety Rules?
Workplace safety is a serious matter. Yet too many Tennessee employers treat federal and state safety regulations as optional. As a result, thousands of completely preventable accidents occur every year, leading to worker injuries. ‘Lax Approach to Supervision” Led to Tennessee Bridge Accident For example, a federal appeals court recently upheld a U.S. Department… Read More »
What If a Jury Finds I Am Partly to Blame for a Car Accident?
In a car accident lawsuit, the defendant will often try to place at least some of the blame on the plaintiff or victim. There is an important legal reason for doing this. Tennessee adheres to what is known as a “modified comparative fault” rule in negligence cases. This means that if the defendant can… Read More »
Tennessee Court Rules “Therapy Dogs” May Accompany Accusers in Criminal Cases
If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to assert your constitutional right to confront your accuser. This can be difficult in many cases given that a jury may be predisposed to believe an alleged victim’s testimony. A defendant’s rights can be further compromised when the judge allows the jury to hear or… Read More »
Exculpatory Agreements Often Protect Negligent Business Owners
Many business owners try to avoid liability for negligence and personal injury by demanding their customers sign exculpatory agreements. Such an agreement releases the business owner from any liability for injuries or damages sustained on its premises. While there are some cases where Tennessee courts will not enforce such exculpatory clauses, they are generally… Read More »
