by: ATRA

Judicial Hellholes are places where judges system-atically apply laws and court procedures in an inequitable manner, generally against defendants in civil lawsuits. In this sixth annual report, ATRF shines the spotlight on six areas of the country that have developed a reputation for uneven justice.

1. SOUTH FLORIDA
South Florida has a reputation for high awards and plaintiff-friendly rulings that make it a launching point for class actions, dubious claims and novel theories of recovery. This year, defendants felt the Miami heat with a $521 million award against an accounting firm. In addition, an appellate court overturned a $60 million award against an automobile manufacturer in a case in which the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Meanwhile, South Florida's "King of Torts," a lawyer whose lifestyle included a Key Biscayne waterfront mansion, leased apartments in New York and Los Angeles, a $1.2 million condo in Colorado and a staff of servants, went to prison for stealing $13.5 million from roughly 4,500 of his clients.And the liability climate has driven many doctors from the area, though this situation has steadily improved since the Legislature enacted reforms in 2003.

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by: Arlene Furlong

One Team, One Goal: Improving Oral Health is the new theme for Dental Assistants Recognition Week 2008-2010. It describes dental assistants' commitment to patients and dentistry, their increasing involvement in various aspects of the dental practice.
During DARW 2008, set for March 2-8, dental assistants will celebrate their contribution to the profession through educational/ charity events and team-rewarding activities. Dentists find a variety of perks to show their respect for dental assistants' diverse contributions to the dental profession and the public.
"I'm old enough to remember when many dentists practiced by themselves," said Dr. Robert Shaw, chair of the Council on Dental Practice. "Today, all of us know we are not as effective when practicing in that mode, and that the quality of our work and the amount of care delivered is expanded tremendously when we utilize auxiliaries. I, for one, would never want to practice without my staff. I could not do the kind of dentistry I do without them. We all owe a great deal to the staff in our offices who help make good things happen in our practices."

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by: Howard Kunreuther

How long-term insurance can help homeowners in hurricane zones save money and protect themselves at the same time.
Homeowners in hurricane-prone areas are at sea when it comes to insuring their property, and they don't know what to expect when it comes to renewing their policies. Following the wreckage caused by the four hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004, and then by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, some insurers simply refused to renew coastline policies. In February 2007 State Farm, the largest insurer in Mississippi, stopped selling new policies on homes and small businesses there. Allstate (nyse: ALL - news - people ) Insurance announced it would restrict new homeowners policies in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and New York City, out and out refusing to write policies in spots likely to get hit by hurricanes.
There is a high risk that state governments will regulate prices more than they do now, forbidding insurers to quit even when they lose money or when they're facing unfair tort lawsuits.

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