News

Legal News Headlines by Lawyers.com

1. 01.05.2009
   Did medical bills lead to Peoria nurse's firing?: Wife says hospital fired her because of her husband's expensive cancer treatment

   Jan. 5--Tony Dewitt was not going to win his battle with prostate cancer. He knew it. His wife, Phillis, knew it. The people at the hospital where she worked knew it. But still, Phillis was taken aback when her supervisor asked whether Tony planned to seek hospice care. "He's not ready to give up," Dewitt said she responded. When her boss raised the subject again a few months later, Dewitt realized executives were monitoring Tony's soaring medical bills. "He still wants to fight," she explained, feeling defensive.

2. 01.05.2009
   A change in the law

   * What's happening: Watch for more lawsuits alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A new law amending the ADA went into effect Thursday. * Who was protected before: Over the last decade, the Supreme Court had substantially narrowed the number of people eligible for legal protection under the act. The new statute, passed by Congress and signed into law this fall, affirms a broader definition of disability.

3. 01.05.2009
   White House looking at Vela case; Soldier with St. Anthony ties hoping Bush will give him pardon

   Curtis Carnahan doesn't know if President Bush will pardon his son. But he does have confirmation the White House is considering his request. The father of soldier Evan Vela has been fighting for his son's release since February, when Vela was sentenced to 10 years in a military prison for killing an Iraqi citizen. The 24-year-old was also convicted of planting an AK-47 on the dead man's body and lying to investigators.