Diligent, Compassionate And Comprehensive Trial Lawyer
Although similar attempts have been made in the past, the Rhode Island legislature is once again considering a bill to toughen state seat belt laws. It goes without saying that seat belts can save lives and reduce the severity of injuries in serious auto accidents, yet thousands still fail to buckle up every time they get in their car. Under…
Margaret Marshall, who delivered the opinion in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, 798 N.E.2d 941, has announced that she will be stepping down from her post on the Court. Unfortunately, Justice Marshall’s husband has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and she will be stepping down to care for him. Justice Marshall will be well remembered for the Goodridge decision which was a State…
Rhode Island law requires that an injury caused by the negligence of a Town or City be reported to that Town or City within sixty (60) days of the accident, or the case will be dismissed. This is a topic that has been on my mind for the past week or so because I have a new client who broke…
Yesterday I wrote a post about a Virginia Supreme Court decision imposing liability on the hosts of a sleepover following a fatal auto accident. The parents of the victim had requested that their daughter not be allowed to ride in any car with teenage boys, and the Court imposed liability on the hosts for failing to follow through with that instruction…
A bill introduced by Representatives Caprio, Petrarca, Silva, Edwards, and Lally has now become law. Rhode Island General Law, Chapter 10-7 “Death by Wrongful Act” now includes the following: R.I.G.L. 10-7-7.1. Punitive Damages. In an action commenced under section 10-7-5, recovery may be had for punitive damages if such damages would have been recoverable had the decedent survived. Punitive damages are…
By now we have all seen the electronic traffic message signs telling us that there is a new law in Rhode Island banning texting while driving. It is true that Rhode Island has joined the growing number of States to make illegal this dangerous activity. One might ask, how dangerous is texting while driving? It turns out, according to a Car &…
The Judicial Nominating Committee will interview six potential candidates to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Judge Suttell to Chief Justice. Three current judges: Judge Savage and Judge Indeglia of the Superior Court, and Judge D’Ambra of the Family Court will be interviewed. In addition, three private attorneys, John A. MacFadyen, Samuel Zurier, and Sandra Lanni will be…
The Rhode Island State Senate unanimously approved a bill granting “domestic partners” the right to claim the bodies of, and make funeral arrangements for their loved ones. The bill defines “domestic partner” as someone who had been in “an exclusive, intimate and committed relationship” with the deceased and had cohabited for at least a year before the death. The law…
Governor Carcieri has nominated Justice Paul Suttell to replace Chief Justice Frank Williams at the State’s highest Court. The Governor said of Judge Suttell: Justice Suttell brings a wealth of judicial and scholarly experience to the position of Chief Justice…He has served the public with the highest honor and distinction, first as a member of the Rhode Island House of…
New Attorney General, Eric Holder, is in a predicament. He has the choice of prosecuting fellow attorneys for an interpretation, albeit misled interpretation, of the Constitution, or to forego prosecution and let the past eight years slip away like a dark memory. John Yoo and his compatriots advised former President Bush on interrogation techniques and greenlit investigative procedures that were likely illegal…
