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Health insurance expert witnesses may write reports on long term care insurance, medical insurance and related topics. In State Senate committee passes insurance rate regulation bill, PasadenaStarNews.com writes:

The State Senate’s Health Committee approved Assembly a bill by a 5-3 vote Wednesday that would clamp down on health insurance rate hikes. AB 52 would require California health plans and insurers to seek approval from regulators before raising health care premiums, co-payments or deductibles.

Read more: pasadenastarnews.com.

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A study by environmental expert witness Alisa Rich showing elevated levels of air pollutants and toxins such as benzene led residents in Denton County, TX, to complain to the state that they were breathing polluted air and suffering negative health effects from natural gas compressor stations. When controversies have arisen over natural gas drilling and its impact on air and water quality in North Texas, Alisa Rich has often been a key player.

Critics of gas drilling have cited her findings in calling for tougher environmental regulation of the industry. “I would like to see the industry invest less money in their marketing propaganda and direct that funding towards technical equipment that can reduce emissions, rather than try to convince individuals that emissions do not occur and that industrial mining is ‘safe,'” Rich said, referring to natural gas extraction. “Industrial mining is neither safe to the occupational workers nor to individuals subjected to carcinogenic emissions and surface contamination of radioactive materials from mining natural gas.”

Read more: star-telegram.com

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Trucking expert witnesses may write reports and testify on federal motor carrier safety regulations, the truck manufacturing industry, qualifications of truck drivers, and related topics. Transport Topics offers trucking and freight transportation news and this week reports:

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves issued the following statement after the United States and Mexico announced the launch of a new cross-border trucking program:

“American Trucking Associations welcomes this latest step in improving the efficiency of trucking and trade at our southern border. By signing this historic agreement, the U.S. and Mexico have laid the groundwork for continued economic growth on both sides of the border.

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In Construction Trench Collapse Cases Require Knowledge and Experience with OSHA, construction site expert witness William Gulya, Jr., President & CEO, Middlesex Trenching Company, writes:

Trench collapses (a.k.a. cave-ins) are one of the most feared construction accidents in the underground utility and site-work construction industry. The very thought of being buried alive and crushed by the soil is horrifying and often results in death or serious injury. Other potentially fatal dangers may exist when workers enter trench excavations such as asphyxiation in a confined space and inhalation of toxic fumes. Electrocution or explosions can occur when workers come into contact with underground electric cables natural gas mains or service lines. OSHA requires that all workers in trenches and excavations are protected, and that safety and health programs address the wide range of dangers that may be encountered during excavations. Excavation cave-ins are a major cause of fatalities within the construction industry. The fatality rate for excavation work is 112% higher than the rate for general construction. (OSHA)

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PricewaterhouseCoopers has just released its Daubert Challenges to Financial Experts:An 11-year study of trends and outcomes, which surveys federal cases since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1999 Kumho Tire decision expanded Daubert’s reach to financial experts. Highlights of this year’s report include:

* This past year (2010) saw the most challenges and the second highest exclusion rate for all expert witnesses during the past 11 years (2000-2010).

Read more: bvwirenews.com.

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The Supreme Court failed to uphold a California law banning the sale of violent video games to children on June 27, citing the First Amendment right to free speech. Professor Craig Anderson, distinguished professor of psychology and director of ISU’s Center for the Study of Violence, has contributed extensively to a large body of research showing a definitive link between exposure to violent media and aggressive behavior. Though he has served as an expert witness in similar cases, he did not take part in this one.

Read more: iowastatedaily.com.

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A motorcyclist who was participating in a protest ride against helmet laws died after he flipped over the bike’s handlebars and hit his head on the road. Philip A. Contos, 55, lost control of his bike, smashed his head on the pavement and died near Syracuse, N.Y. “The medical expert we discussed the case with who pronounced him deceased stated that he would’ve no doubt survived the accident had he been wearing a helmet,” said state Trooper Jack Keller.

Read more: dailymail.co.uk.

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Procter & Gamble won a big victory in its defense of dozens of lawsuits over its Fixodent products. A federal judge in Miami threw out the lead case in a series of lawsuits that claimed using the denture cream caused nerve damage.

U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga did not rule on the merits of the plaintiffs’ claims. But she ruled that the expert witnesses the plaintiffs planned to call would not be permitted to testify. Their opinions, she ruled, were not based on enough scientific evidence and so she would not allow them to present their theory to a jury – that the zinc in Fixodent caused harm.

Read more: cincinnati.com.

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Auto insurance claims expert witnesses may write reports and testify on issues involving insurance claims, insurance adjusters, insurance agencies, and more. In Tips and Strategies to Deal with Insurance Companies an attorney contributing to auto-insurance-claim-advice.com writes:

Consumers are often surprised when the insurance company:

* Gives them a low total loss evaluation * Fixes their car with USED parts * Cuts their rental car early * Gives them a low bodily injury settlement * Devaluates their pain and suffering * Denies coverage on questionable investigations * Attributes fault to the wrong driver As an ex-claim adjuster, now an attorney, I learned how the insurance claim process works and how you can protect your rights and get compensation for your damages. Insurance companies train adjusters to be hard negotiators in just about every aspect of a claim (whether you know it or not).

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In the wrongful death suit involving University Central Florida football player Ereck Plancher, the jury has awarded the family $10 million in damages. The jury found the UCF Athletic Association negligent in Plancher’s death.

Plancher collapsed and died following off season conditioning drills at the UCF football complex on March 18, 2008. Orange County medical examiner Joshua Stephany and three experts hired by the Plancher family attorneys testified Plancher died from complications of sickle cell trait.

Read more: sun-sentinel.com.