On February 18, 2020, Boy Scouts of America filed bankruptcy following an avalanche of sex-abuse claims from about 84,000 survivors. After over a year in bankruptcy and three unsuccessful settlement attempts, the Boy Scouts and local Councils reached a settlement agreement with The Creditor’s Committee (TCC), the Coalition for Abused Scouts, and the Future Claims Representative.
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Courts Reopening and Addressing Case Backlog
On March 14, 2020, a Court order from the Georgia Supreme Court immediately closed all Georgia courts. Since then 15 subsequent orders have extended that emergency declaration, putting the Courts calendar in complete disarray and delaying civil trials for at least two to three years. The final judicial emergency order is set to expire on June 30, 2021.
Safety and Accountability
This week Fisher-Price recalled its 2-in-1 Soothe ‘n Play Glider and the 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Glide Soother after four infants died from suffocation after rolling over in the products’ seats. The infants were reportedly placed in the soother unrestrained on their backs and were later found on their stomachs. The Soother and Glider can rock babies back and forth or side to side.
(Update) 2021 Child Victim Protection Act Passes GA House, But Waits in Senate Committee
The Child Victim Protection Act of 2021 (GA House Bill 109) was reintroduced in the Georgia General Assembly this year. The bill would allow victims to recover damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse that took place on or after July 1, 2015.
Continue readingLawsuits Filed Against BD Bard and Sterigenics by Atlanta Attorneys Representing Almost 200 Clients Diagnosed with Cancer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mitch Leff, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com Kim Speece, (404) 849-6579, kim@leffassociates.com Lawsuits
ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2020 — A group of Atlanta-area attorneys announced today it has filed new lawsuits against medical sterilization companies BD Bard and Sterigenics. The claims were filed in State Court in Gwinnett (BD Bard and Sterigenics) and Cobb County (Sterigenics). The initial filings are on behalf of a small number of the almost 200 clients diagnosed with cancer who are represented by the team.
Continue readingPenn Law Supports the Georgia Rights Alliance
The 2021 Georgia legislative session is expected to include a heated debate on tort reform. Several bills in the upcoming General Assembly will likely include revisions to Georgia’s current legal procedures. Penn Law supports the Georgia Rights Alliance (GRA), a group of Georgia citizens committed to protecting the Constitutional rights of all Americans. The GRA is working to defend against corporate lobbyists, insurance companies, and big corporations that attempt to imbalance the scales of justice within our court system in their favor .
We believe that every Georgian deserves the right to seek justice in a court of law against the person or corporation that wronged them. More than 30 lobbying organizations are expected to combine forces for the purpose of passing tort reform legislation during the 2021 session. Proposed bills are projected to seek limitations such as increasing the burden of proof for certain injured individuals in proving their claims and capping awards for punitive damages, which are designed to punish persons or entities whose conduct is considered egregiously negligent or intentional.
Now is the time to educate Georgians and to raise awareness of these potential changes. As a voice for victims, we believe that every citizen should have the ability to fight the person or organization that harmed them in a court of law where they will be held accountable for their actions.
Penn Law supports the Georgia Rights Alliance, and we recommend visiting their website at https://georgiarightsalliance.org to sign up for more information and to find your legislative representative. Join the GRA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GARightsAlliance/ to stay up-to-date on these issues. Lastly, we urge all to write to your legislators to let them know you want to stand up against special interest groups and the lobbyists from large corporations and insurance groups.
Now is the time for your voice to be heard.
Alexandra “Sachi” Cole has been named by the Daily Report a 2020 Attorney “On the Rise.”
Alexandra “Sachi” Cole has been named by the Daily Report a 2020 Attorney “On the Rise.” The honor recognizes Georgia’s most promising attorneys under the age of 40. Sachi sees the law as a tool to help people. She says, “I always wanted to help those who are in need of representation and actually started my career in non-profit law for this reason. The great thing about working in law is that each case is different, allowing me to feel challenged every day. And, honestly, that never gets old.”
This is just the latest in the many honors awarded to Sachi. She has also been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star by Super Lawyers and Atlanta Magazine. Only 2.5% of all attorneys in Georgia are selected as Rising Stars. She is also a board member of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy providing no-cost services to childhood victims of sexual abuse in the Atlanta area.
“Our goal at Penn Law is to make a difference in the lives of our clients. Sachi does this day in and day out with her dedication to her clients and determination to see each of her clients get the justice they deserve. We are incredibly proud that she has been recognized for her efforts,” says Darren Penn, founder, Penn Law.
Sachi says her proudest moments have come in her work with sexual abuse victims. The claims are very nuanced and complicated but very important. She is proud Penn Law was the first to successfully bring a public nuisance claim in the context of institutional childhood sexual abuse and that the firm continues to work on the legislative side of this issue with a bill known as the Child Victim Act. Sachi says, “We have clients who have suffered trauma as children that can never be reversed. It is our responsibility to fight for them.”
Alexandra “Sachi” Cole Named to “2020 On the Rise” List by Daily Report
We at Penn Law would like to congratulate Alexandra “Sachi” Cole for her recognition as one of Georgia’s most promising lawyers under 40. Sachi is one of 21 attorneys named in the Daily Report’s “2020 On The Rise.”
The honor recognizes attorneys who are innovators not only in their practice and litigation but also in their communities with pro bono and charitable work. Sachi specializes in products liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, civil rights and complex civil litigation.
She is very active in her community, serving on the board of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy which provides no cost services to childhood victims of sexual abuse in the Atlanta area.
Congratulations Sachi, and thank you for your hard work and dedication to being a voice for victims.
USA Swimming Latest Organization to be Sued Citing New Legislation Created to Protect Victims
In the first major filing under California’s Assembly Bill 218 — which allows victims to confront their accused abusers in court — six women have filed suit against USA Swimming, alleging the organization failed to protect them from coaches who were known sexual predators. In the lawsuit, three coaches are accused of abusing the women during the early 1980s when they were between the ages of 12 and 17.
We Support Change
Protests and riots during the worst pandemic in a generation. These are some of the most difficult times many of us have ever seen. Our country is in turmoil in the wake of the horrendous acts perpetrated against George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.
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