Large toxic tort cases can be lengthy, expensive, and complicated to pursue. Few lawyers who have not litigated such cases appreciate the complex issues that arise and the practical solutions to those issues. As with any case, proper assessment and preparation are key. The factors to be considered in these cases, however, vary dramatically from normal attorney intake procedures. From the logistical perspective of managing thousands of clients, difficulties of proving causation, facing a well funded adversary, to the perseverance required to complete such a long, expensive journey, these cases present challenges to the best of attorneys. However, every once and a while, a case comes along that demonstrates how things should work; Tolbert v. Monsanto was one of those cases.

The Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) began statewide in Alabama in 1991. Modeled after the highly successful Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, it provides a way for lawyers in Alabama to help their communities. Attorneys enroll in the program by agreeing to provide up to 20 hours per year of free legal service to poor citizens of Alabama. Cases are referred to the VLP from Legal Services offices around the state. Before referral, the cases are screened for merit and complexity (to see if the case resolvable in 20 hours or less) and the potential client is screened for income eligibility (must live at 125 percent of poverty level, currently $2,151.08 monthly, for a family of four.)

Update on Hormone Replacement Therapy Litigation by Navan Ward Jr.

Power Point Presentation Mass Torts made Perfect Permax/Dostinex Presented by: Vance Andrus and Navan Ward, Jr.

A product liability claim focuses on whether or not the product is defective. In automobile cases, the defective product could be the entire vehicle, or a component part such as the seat belt assembly or tires. Unfortunately, the average motorist has no idea how unprotected he will be in an accident as a driver or passenger in one of
these defective vehicles. Often, causes of action for product liability claims are hidden from the untrained eye. It is important to recognize possible defect claims in the motor vehicle accident cases. Any accident that involves paralysis, death, loss of limb, or brain damage should be analyzed for possible product liability claims.