Brianna Smith, Author at Legal Reader

Brianna Smith is a freelance writer and editor in Southwest Michigan. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Brianna has a passion for politics, social issues, education, science, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the simple life with her husband, daughter, and son.

South Carolina State University to Pay Wrongful Death Settlement After Student Athlete Killed in Broad Daylight

December 15, 2017

One of the last things that go through a parent’s mind when they send their child off to college is that their child might die in a tragic incident. Unfortunately for the family of a South Carolina State Univerisity student, that is exactly what happened, and the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit as a result. The lawsuit itself was filed against South Carolina State University and two university-related groups for the “2014 fatal on-campus shooting of a student football player,” Brandon Robinson. Fortunately for Brandon’s family, the lawsuit was recently settled for $437,500.

Image of the Recalled Dream on Me Child Mattress

23,000 Dream on Me Child Mattresses Recalled Over Fire Hazard Concerns

December 14, 2017

An important recall has been issued that parents should be aware of. The company “Dream on Me recently recalled 23,400 crib and toddler mattresses sold in 2016 because they fail to meet federal flammability standards.” This is particularly dangerous because in failing to meet the flammability standards, the mattresses actually pose a risk of fire, according to the Consumer Product Commission (CPSC).

Viacom, BET Settle Discrimination and Defamation Lawsuit with Former Executive

December 14, 2017

Earlier this year, a BET executive sued the network and it’s parent company, Viacom, for discrimination and defamation and claimed “she was terminated while on medical leave for breast cancer treatment.” After a lot of back and forth, both Viacom and BET announced earlier this week that a settlement has been reached with the former executive, Zola Mashariki. But what happened, exactly?

Former Firefighter Wins Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against Tampa Fire Rescue

December 14, 2017

Another workplace discrimination and retaliation lawsuit was recently settled, this time between the city of Tampa and a former firefighter with Tampa Fire Rescue. The former firefighter, Tanja Vidovic, was awarded $245,000 in damages “after she sued the city, claiming she was the victim of repeated discrimination and harassment during her seven and a half years with the fire department.” But what happened? What kind of discrimination and harassment did she endure?

Image of St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, GA

Columbus, GA Woman Wins $26M Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Against St. Francis Hospital

December 12, 2017

Imagine visiting your doctor for a routine procedure and leaving marred or disabled. Unfortunately for one woman in Columbus, Georgia, something like this happened when she visited St. Francis Hospital for a “common neck surgery that ended up leaving her disabled.” As a result of the botched surgery, the woman, Sandra Williams, “filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against St. Francis Hospital for the end result of her neck surgery.” Fortunately for her, a jury ruled in her favor and decided that “St. Francis and its surgeons were 100 percent at fault.” As a result, St. Francis must now pay Williams $26 million dollars. So what happened?

Family Files $2.8M Lawsuit After Dublin Water Park Accident

December 10, 2017

When most families visit water or amusement parks, they do so with the expectation that they’ll enjoy a day of fun and relaxation. Few families fret over the possibility of an accident occurring. For one family that visited The Wave, a relatively new water park in Dublin, California, that’s exactly what happened, though. While going down one of the park’s water slides, the Emerald Plunge, Susannah Jones’ 10-year-old son flew off the slide and hit the cement. Fortunately, the young boy survived the ordeal, but his mother and father still filed a “$2.5 million lawsuit against the city of Dublin, The Wave, the manufacturers of the slide and the contractors and subcontractors who installed the slide.”

Image of a Recall Alert for Kroger Comforts for Baby Purified Water

FDA Recalls Purified Kroger Baby Water Amid Mold Concerns

December 8, 2017

A major recall has been issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that parents may be interested in, especially those with babies. The recent recall was issued earlier this week on Monday, and affects gallons of “Kroger’s Comforts For Baby purified water with added fluoride…with a sell-by date between 4/26/2018 and 10/10/2018.” Why was the recall issued, though? Well, it turns out the affected gallons of water are contaminated with a certain “type of mold that could cause serious allergic reactions.”

Family of Kaitlyn Duffy Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Fatal Virginia Beach Crash

December 8, 2017

After the tragic death of a Great Bridge High School senior, Kaitlyn Duffy, her family decided to file a “$30 million wrongful death lawsuit” against the parties responsible for the teen’s death. Earlier this year Duffy was “killed by an accused drunk driver,” and the lawsuit itself was filed “against the driver and his employer, Great Bridge Furniture.”

$2M Settlement Reached In Lawsuit Over Teen’s Dental Death

December 8, 2017

One family in Minnesota found out quickly that fatal accidents can occur even during a trip to the dentist. Back in 2015, Sydney Galleger visited her dentist, Dr. Paul Tompach, to have her wisdom teeth removed. Unfortunately, during the procedure, she went into cardiac arrest and later died as a result. Shortly after the tragic incident, the girl’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, which just settled for $2 million.

Does Your Baby’s Rice Cereal Contain High Levels of Arsenic?

December 8, 2017

Anyone who has or had a young child knows that infant rice cereal is one of the most common first foods out there. Not only is it a simple way to incorporate fruits and vegetables into a child’s diet early on, but the cereal itself is easy to digest and typically safe for kids prone to food allergies. Also, it’s full of vital vitamins and nutrients to help a baby’s body and brain grow, or so we thought. Unfortunately, a study was recently conducted that discovered that infant rice cereal actually contains high levels of arsenic, and “ little has been done to reduce the amount of arsenic found in” the popular cereal.

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