Legalino

Ghanian Legal Aid To Be Improved

The Ghanaian government has promised to seek a review of the Legal Aid Scheme Act that was passed in the country in 1997. The act, highly praised at the time, provides citizens with free legal assistance in cases where they are unable to find the financial means to secure proper legal protection and advice themselevs.

Continue reading 18.09.2011. 01:24

South Korea Defends Capsizing Chinese Fishing Boat

The South Korean Coast Guard stands accused of capsizing a Chinese commercial fishing boat off of the coast of South Korea. South Korea believes that video evidence captured at the time of the incident will prove that the South Korean Coast Guard acted within the confines of maritime law.

Continue reading 03.03.2011. 09:26

The Scope Of Mesothelioma Cases

Mesothelioma cases are considered to be a branch of labor law. More specifically, Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by long-term exposure to dangerous materials such as asbestos. Construction sites, naval yards and hospitals are likely to contain asbestos, which means that employees are at an increased risk of developing Mesothelioma. Because employers are aware of the building materials used they can be held liable civilly if any of their staff comes down with the disease.

Most states have a two to five year statute of limitations on Mesothelioma case. Because of this, those diagnosed with the disease must act quickly to secure an attorney trained to handle Mesothelioma cases. The fees associated with filing and settling a Mesothelioma case are payable only after an attorney has successfully represented his or her client. In the event that a person succumbs to the disease, surviving relatives may file a lawsuit against the former employer with the assistance of a Mesothelioma attorney. The monetary awards associated with wrongful death Mesothelioma cases can range from several hundred thousands dollars up to multi-million dollar settlements. If a number of workers have died or been diagnosed with Mesothelioma an attorney may consider filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of the victims and their families.

Asbestos was found to be a harmful substance years ago, and many jurisdictions have completely banned it from being used. Mesothelioma is an incurable disease, however, there are some treatments that can help patients to lead more productive lives. Because Mesothelioma is usually not detected for many years after initial exposure it can be difficult for doctors to pinpoint the cause. This requires Mesothlioma attorneys to depend on the testimony of leading experts who can decipher medical records. Not all courts are able to conclusively decide whether or not an employer is liable in a Mesothilioma case. A lawyer may petition a federal level court to hear a Mesothelioma case.

Because Metsothelioma is preventable and no medical treatment can cure the disease patients are likely to be dropped from their insurance providers. If forced to pay out pocket for medical procedures, people with Mesothelioma can be financially ruined. This is why it is recommended that Mesothelioma survivors immediately initiate legal proceedings as soon as they are diagnosed. These cases can take years to settle, however, attorneys with sufficient proof can expect to earn a substantial portion of settlements won for their clients.

12.09.2010. 03:01

President Obama Signs New Aviation Bill

The Continental Airlines crash that claimed the lives of 50 passengers prompted Representative Jerry F. Costello to push a bill that would increase the number of hours student pilots would need to log before being licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Continue reading 06.06.2010. 16:28

The Entertainment Industry And Media Law

Television stations, news outlets, production companies, newspapers and other various businesses in the entertainment industry use media law to prevent unauthorized parties from accessing their works. Any time licensed content is used to benefit an unauthorized party a media lawyer will be retained. Some media companies have hired entire legal teams in order to monitor, sue and prosecute suspected offenders. This includes employees that attempt to leak licensed materials to be public before the scheduled release date and individuals that sell unlicensed copies of movies and CDs for a profit.

Those that infringe on the copyrights of media companies are also subject to prosecution under federal law. Licensed materials such as movies and CDs frequently come with warning labels that tell the purchaser what is and is not allowed under the law. Any other type of physical or digital product that bears the trademark of a company or individual also falls under media law. Counterfeiting involves the production of a product that is virtually identical to that of an officially trademarked item in the attempt to defraud both consumers and the manufacturer. Some brands are heavily counterfeited and individuals that are convicted of this type of crime are usually a part of a larger criminal ring.

Intellectual property and the Internet is a heavily debated topic. Because users accessing the web come from all over the world and international Internet laws have been enacted some companies spend billions of dollars to do their own policing. Fore instance, there are no trademark laws in Taiwan, which means that any individual can legally copy, distribute or sell a product that is licensed in the US or other countries. If the purchasers reside in countries that have copyright laws then can still be prosecuted.

Entertainers that are not represented by a media company may retain media lawyers if they feel that their copyrighted materials have been stolen or misused. These types of cases are usually heard in civil court. Singers, actors and producers have also been known to sue other members of the entertainment industry if their images have been damaged. This can include libel and slander. Judges frequent issue what is known as a 'gag order,' which is when both parties are restricted from making statements to the press that have anything to do with the pending cases. Production companies may also sue entertainers in cases that involve breach of contract or misrepresentation.

02.12.2009. 14:12