The Arkansas Bar Association held its 121^st Annual Meeting in Hot Springs over the weekend. The three-day conference, themed “Game Changers,” included a diverse array of continuing education sessions, keynote speakers such as Olympic gymnast and law graduate Shannon Miller, and various awards acknowledging outstanding service of lawyers in Arkansas. Sarah C. Jewell was recognized for her year of service as 2018-2019 Chair of the Arkansas Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (YLS). YLS is the primary service arm of the Association and provides leadership opportunities for young lawyers within the organization and in the community.

In 2013, a car plunged into Little Rock Pond. While there is evidence that suggests the two victims died as a result of Little Rock’s 911 deficiencies, a unanimous ruling on May 30, 2019 upheld the decision of a circuit judge, in which the city cannot be held financially response for the deaths.

A California jury ordered Monsanto to pay a married couple punitive and compensatory damages of $2 billion after they were both diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The cancer was allegedly caused by years of exposure to Roundup products.

As reported by the U.S. Right to Know, jurors listened to 17 days of trial testimony. Alberta Pilliod and Alva Pilliod were the plaintiffs for the case. The couple started using Roundup in the 1970’s and continued to do so until only a few years ago. Alva was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that spread to his bones, pelvis, and spine in 2011. Four year later, Alberta was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma brain cancer.

The Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) Awards Committee and Board of Directors recently recognized McMath Woods P.A. attorney Sarah Jewell with the 2019 ATLA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award at the organization’s annual meeting. Jewell was chosen to receive the award for demonstrating the skills, ethics, and dedication to advancing and protecting the rights of individuals and the American Justice System.

“If every young lawyer had Sarah’s drive, ability to problem solve, and her passion for the legal system, our world would be a better place. She’s incredibly deserving of this award. We’re grateful to have Sarah on our team,” says Carter C. Stein, managing partner of McMath Woods P.A.

The Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) recently awarded Sabrina Marshall of McMath Woods P.A. with the Outstanding Paralegal/Legal Assistant Award at the organization’s annual meeting held in North Little Rock. The award is given in recognition of outstanding service to and support of the legal profession with an emphasis on contributions made in the past year.

Marshall was chosen by the ATLA Awards Committee and the Board of Directors to receive the Outstanding Paralegal/Legal Assistant Award for consistently demonstrating the skill, professionalism, and dedication to advancing the efficient and effective operation of the law firm in which she works.

“Not only is Sabrina an asset to the firm, but she is an asset to our clients. She’s dedicated to making our firm and our processes the best they can be, and that is apparent each and every day,” says Carter C. Stein, managing partner of McMath Woods P.A.

Not all hospitals give the same quality of care. Patients need reliable hospitals with skilled doctors, nurses, and a system that prioritizes the health and safety of everyone who enters the building. Unfortunately, those in Arkansas may not be getting the best care from their hospitals.

When it comes to hospital safety, Arkansas ranks 45^th in the country. Only two Arkansas hospitals were given the A rating—Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. The Leapfrog Group, a non-profit that focuses on health care, released this report. There were hospitals that earned D grades: Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Baptist Health Hospital in Fort Smith and Little Rock, CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, and Northwest Medical Center-Springdale. Arkansas also has an F-ranking hospital: National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs.

Whenever a medical professional acts negligently, they can harm their patient. Medical errors can have severe consequences. In order to get compensation for the injuries and damages you’ve suffered, you may be able to get help from a medical malpractice lawyer. At McMath Woods, P.A., we understand that what you’re going through is overwhelming, but we’re here to make sure you get the justice you deserve.

Medical negligence cases take time and a lot of care. There are often many angles at play, including those held by insurance companies, hospitals, and independent contractor physicians. Our attorneys won’t be intimidated by insurance companies or large hospitals. When medical professionals make mistakes and bring harm to innocent people, they need to be held accountable for their actions. With us at your side, we’ll make sure your voice is heard.

Car accidents, even minor ones, can be stressful, traumatic events. Handling the incident can be made easier if everyone involved follows the laws and cooperates. Unfortunately for a number of car accident victims, some negligent drivers leave the scene of the accident. The person who remains is left to deal with the situation on their own, with no guarantee that the responsible party will ever be held accountable. If you find yourself dealing with a hit-and-run, it’s important to know the state laws that apply to your situation and what actions you should take to recover as quickly as possible.

Keeping the environment safe is in everyone’s best interests. We need to be able to drink water, breathe the air, and eat the foods that are grown in our soil. When we’re unable to do that, society suffers. There are laws in place called environmental protection laws that are supposed to keep individuals and businesses from causing harm to the environment which in turn may harm others. These laws function by placing limits on what a person or company can do and cannot do regarding how they dump chemicals or hazardous products, how they interact with the soil, water, or air, and how they use chemicals that may filter into natural areas.

Here’s a brief summary of how some of these limitations work and in what circumstances:

Many new or amended bills are presented to Arkansas’ General Assembly on a daily basis. While many are dismissed, a number proceed forward through the process and are eventually passed as laws. As a resident and citizen of Arkansas, it’s crucial to be aware of the law changes that could impact your life. The following are some of the most important law changes that have taken place in 2019 so far.