Legal News Archives | Lombardi Law Firm

To Your Personal Injury Lawyer, Are You a Commodity?

Like the shifting sands of the Outer Banks, the facts in our current world seem to be forever undermined and shifting Perhaps fifteen years ago, a Miami lawyer I knew told me the personal injury practice was being “commoditized.” “Commoditized?” I asked. “What the hell are you talking about?” I was a little insulted and fairly skeptical. What did he mean? How could the practice of representing an injured person be treated like a commodity? It took me a while to appreciate what...

Our 6-Day Look at Iowa’s Distracted Driving Crisis

Distracted driving is the new drunk driving. The Kickoff — Why This Conversation Matters Over the next six days, we’ll explore one of the deadliest and least discussed threats on Iowa’s roads: distracted driving.We all know about drunk driving. But today, your phone — not your drink — is the bigger danger. A single glance at a text, a quick scroll through social media, or a tap to change a playlist can send a car across the center line. On highways like I-80...

Catastrophic Injury Lawyer West Des Moines, IA

ChatGPT Incorrect Citation and Sanctions

Attorney Lombardi Law Firm Sanctioned for Citations Generated by ChatGPT — Implications for Personal Injury Pleadings In Mata v. Avianca, Inc., a U.S. District Court dismissed a personal injury claim and sanctioned plaintiff’s counsel for submitting fake case citations created by ChatGPT. The incident raises important ethical and practical issues for personal injury practitioners relying on AI tools in pleadings. Wikipedia Facts & Court Action The plaintiff...

Nervous Shock And the Bystander Liability Claims

Car accidents due to cell phone use Paul v Royal Wolverhampton: UK Supreme Court Tightens Limits on “Secondary Victim” Claims Question Posed: Do relatives who witness an act of medical negligence have a cause of action based on bystander liability? Let us look at this UK case and then consider the elements of a bystander liability case in the State of Iowa, United States of America. Headline / Lead In a landmark 2024 decision, the UK Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Paul v...

Clarifying the Role of Personal Injury in RICO Claims

Medical billings can lead to government fraud claims based on qui tam actions for incorrect billings. Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn does not radically expand RICO Headline / LeadIn Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed whether a plaintiff who suffered personal injuries can recover treble damages under the civil RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statute. The Court’s decision clears some uncertainty — and may influence how plaintiffs structure claims when both injury and business or property loss...

Nitrate in Drinking Water: Symptoms & Risk Factors Checklist

Here’s a practical checklist you can use to spot possible nitrate-related health concerns and risk factors from drinking water: ✅ Nitrate in Drinking Water: Symptoms & Risk Factors Checklist 🚼 Infants (highest risk) Bluish skin, lips, or fingernails (“blue baby syndrome”) Unusual fussiness or lethargy Trouble breathing or rapid breathing Frequent diarrhea (increases risk of nitrate absorption) 🤰 Pregnant Women Fatigue beyond normal pregnancy levels Dizziness or headaches not explained by other causes History of anemia or low hemoglobin Known thyroid problems 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 General...

Legionnaires’ Disease Prevention Checklist

Legionnaires’ Disease Prevention Checklist Building & Facility Management • Develop a Water Management Plan (CDC/ASHRAE guidelines). • Maintain hot water storage tanks ≥ 60 °C (140 °F). Deliver hot water to outlets ≥ 50 °C (122 °F). • Prevent stagnation by flushing outlets, removing dead-end pipes, and draining storage tanks. • Maintain adequate chlorine or other disinfection; test water regularly. Cooling Towers & Large Water Systems • Clean and disinfect cooling towers at least twice per year. • Remove scale, biofilm, and sediment. • Monitor pH, disinfectant residuals, and...

Do You Have A Medical Malpractice Case?

We have been hitting pretty hard on ATV accident articles and our experience as a personal injury law firm for accident victims. I need to write about something else today. We are getting a lot of calls on potential medical malpractice cases. Unfortunately for injured patients, the Iowa Legislature, that is controlled by Iowa’s Republican Party, along with the Republican Governor, have put up roadblocks to most of you. Apparently, you do not donate enough to their campaign war chests...

Are ATV accidents more likely to occur in the rural areas?

Iowa ATV or UTV Personal Injury Accidents ATV accidents are more likely to occur in rural areas. One reason is obviously that people living in the cities do not have the environment that allows for recreational activities. Rural living is more conducive to ATV, UTV and other small alternative vehicle driving. ATV and UTV Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries or Death Can Occur Here are the basics. Several factors contribute to this trend: Terrain and Environment: Rough and Varied Terrain: Rural areas often...

Which ten things should you never do with the defense medical exam?

Which ten things should you never do with the defense medical exam? When attending a defense medical exam (DME), also known as an independent medical examination (IME), it is crucial to approach the process with caution and awareness of your rights. The DME is typically arranged by the defendant's insurance company or the defense lawyers and involves an examination by a medical professional chosen by them. It is not to be taken lightly. And, even though you already know they are...