Goodman Firm Blawg

The Truth About Medical Malpractice

Here is a great article written by the Center for a Just Society. The article details some very important points about medical care in the US and the media's claim of a medical care "crisis."

Eliot Spitzer Goes After AIG

The tough NY Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, has filed a civil suit against insurance giant, AIG, alleging deceptive practices to artificially inflate company numbers. Spitzer is a tough AG who has gone after several insurance companies in the past. This is my favorite quote: "The irony of this case is that AIG was a well-run and profitable company that didn't need to cheat."

More Hot Water for AIG??

Link: AIG Delays Filing Annual Report With SEC.

Insurance Company Pays For Jerking Business Around During Claim

This article outlines the 3rd Circuit's decision affirming an award of punitive damages nearly 75 times the amount of the actual damages awarded in the trial court. The insurance company jerked around a family business making a claim for repair following tornado damage. The business was awarded $2,000 as damages for the claim, but the insurance co. was ordered to pay an additional $150,000 in punitive damages and an approximate $135,000 in attorney fees and costs! The Court of Appeals upheld the award and said the proper measure of damages was not just the $2,000, but rather the attorney fees and expenses as well. I love the insurance company's argument that they should not have to pay much in punitive damages since the claim was so small!!! No wonder they never paid the claim in the first place!

Spitzer Goes After AIG

NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has apparently set his sights on insurance giant, AIG. If you are not familiar with Spitzer, do a Google search and see how he has gone after several industries which have trampled on the "little guy." Keep up the good work!

The Lure of the Billable Hour

Here is an article from Small Firm Business News outlining one attorney's troubles caused by over-billing a company for respresentation in workers' compensation claims. The fact he billed for 94 hours of work in a single day did not go unnoticed....

Tort Reform Did Not Work in Texas

This article outlines one medical malpractice insurance company's plan to hike doctors' premiums in Texas by 19%. This hike is was proposed just six months after Texas passed a $250,000 damage limit on malpractice claims. The insurance company's own memos state that such relief does not result in lower premiums for doctors. Perhaps better business management by the insurers would result in savings to their insureds?