Iowa Personal Injury and Property Damage News of Interest for March 9, 2011

The mortgage fraud blog has several more stories about mortgage fraud issues and reported stories.

14 Charged in Large-Scale Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy
Attorney Indicted for Defrauding Foreclosure Clients
Bank Employee Sentenced for Falsifying Documents
Alleged Mortgage Fraudster Extradicted from Trukey
Former Taylor Bean & Whitaker Treasurer Pleads Guilty
Man Indicted for Real Estate Ponzi Scheme
Loan Officer Sentenced for Foreclosure Rescue Scam
Attorney Sentenced for Stealing Closing Funds
4 Charged in Florida Mortgage Fraud Scam
Man Admits Foreclosure Delay Scheme
Search Mortgage Fraud Blog

The Des Moines Register has a report about a lawsuit against a Fort Dodge hospital about a 7-year-old interpreting or signing to her deaf mother. Okay I too am rolling my eyes over this story. Apparently there was a medication mix-up involving an antibiotic. The story says, "Addison didn't suffer any serious problems from the 2009 incident...". Well that remains to be seen but if the Plaintiff can't prove damages they have no reason to file the lawsuit. In every personal injury lawsuit there are four things you have to prove and one is obviously damages. If there aren't any damages the case fails as a matter of law. I can already hear the complaints from the tort deformers' claiming this one lawsuit is a reason to shut down the entire system. Trust me folks, if this case has no legs the judge or the jury will no-bill it. I see it's in federal court - the eye roll gets more pronounced - which judge has this? And God help the Plaintiff's attorney if the evidence is slim. You do not want to be in federal court unless you have a good case. The federal courts lack the kind of broad jurisdiction of the state court system.

In Odebolt, Iowa - a place I've never even heard of - the Des Moines Register reports a bus driver was charged after a 7-year-old girl who was dropped off got struck by the bus. The bus driver reportedly continued on with her route. It's not clear if the writer is saying the bus driver that hit the girl called 911 and radioed the school district for aid before continuing on her route; although it appears that may be the case. I just can't tell from the story details. Are they saying the girl was left there alone or what exactly are they saying?

A dispatch tape was released, like we really need to hear this, of a mother's final pleas as she and her 2-year-old were consumed in a house fire. Wheatland, Iowa. This is another town I've never heard of. You know the key to home safety begins with operable smoke detectors and landlords of multifamily housing have a legal obligation to install them and to make sure they are working. Bad batteries can lead to legal liability by those injured or killed.

Iowa's judicial workers got 6% more in their paychecks than the rest of us will be getting. And you wonder why most Governors would like to ditch organized labor for governmental workers? Get a clue people; the rest of us can barely afford to hire even a single person to help out in the office. Most law firms are eking out a living and have let most of their staff go. The judicial workers are getting 6% over two years. Does that mean 12%? Oh, I guess not: "The salary increase for the AFSCME members will be split over time: 2 percent on July 1, 2011, then 1 percent on Jan. 1, 2012, then another 2 percent on July 1, 2012, and another 1 percent on Jan. 1, 2013."

There's been a lawsuit filed between ISU and some ex-employees of the veterinary clinic. Issues seem to be squaring off over confidential information including customer lists and financial information. These are pretty typical issues in this kind of case. Non-compete clauses may also be at issue.

To commemorate the occasion let's play Ashley Tisdale in "He Said She Said" and CopyCat by Lacrimosa. If the law is going to be anything it needs to be somewhat fun, if not in reality then in your mind. And this will end it for today. Have a good one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XZLFM6bp0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1f0nXqWqyI