Month: November 2022

The lawyer who won a $4.7 billion ruling against Johnson & Johnson in the US over claims its talcum powder caused cancer is launching a group action to compensate alleged victims in the UK.

Mark Lanier is one of the founding partners of Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts LLP, which has been set up to target corporate wrongdoing that has harmed people on a large scale.

To read the full story please visit:
https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/us-lawyer-who-won-47bn-talcum-powder-ruling-targets-uk-next

A €2 million award to a couple who claimed they were exposed to toxic chemicals after spray foam insulation was installed in their home has been upheld by the Court of Appeal (CoA).

The injuries suffered by Patrick and Anita Duffy were very serious and life changing, the three-judge court ruled.

The description of Mr Duffy’s injuries as “catastrophic” was not necessarily unfair in the circumstances of the case, the CoA said.

As a result of being exposed to the chemicals, Mr and Mrs Duffy both went on to develop Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS). They were described by their own consultant respiratory physician as being amongst the most severe cases of RADS he had ever encountered and within the top 1pc in terms of severity.

To read the full story please visit:
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/2m-award-for-donegal-couple-exposed-to-toxic-chemicals-from-home-spray-foam-insulation-upheld-42125539.html

New law and rules may be needed to combat the ‘hired gun’ syndrome, says Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal (COA) has warned expert witnesses and lawyers there needs to be a “significant change” in an “unacceptable” litigation culture concerning the use of expert evidence.

The three-judge COA voiced particular concern that it is “commonplace” for experts to see themselves as advocates for the party who retains them and about the “excessive and expensive” use of expert evidence potentially benefitting wealthier litigants at the expense of the less well-off.

To read the full story please visit:
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2022/11/09/unacceptable-litigation-culture-on-expert-evidence-needs-to-change-judges-warn-lawyers-and-experts/?