On the heels of a recall and stop sale order on eight different Toyota models, the automaker has announced a global recall of its 2010 model Prius Hybrid, as well as the Lexus HS250h sedan—bringing the total number of recalled Toyotas to 8.5 million. The Prius is the top-selling hybrid vehicle in the world and [...]

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have released guidelines to identify and test for toxic drywall in affected homes. The government-approved methods must be followed for homeowners seeking federal assistance for toxic drywall, which is linked to corrosion of household components and health complaints.  A federally-approved [...]

This morning, Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a congressional panel that all Toyota owners who have cars affected by the recent recall involving unsafe accelerator pedals should stop driving their cars and take them to a Toyota dealer to be repaired. In response to LaHood’s remarks, Toyota shares declined even further. However, later [...]

Dr. Mehmood Patel, an interventional cardiologist formerly practicing in Lafayette, Louisiana, has been sued by the United States in a False Claims Act suit asking for treble damages and penalties. The lawsuit claims that Dr. Patel performed medically unnecessary cardiovascular procedures and then billed Medicare for it. Dr. Patel has already been convicted on 51 [...]

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has requested lenders to provide temporary assistance to homeowners with defective Chinese drywall whose mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Homeowners who receive such relief would be able to decrease or postpone their mortgage payments until their Chinese drywall problems are remediated. HUD officials are also [...]

A conference for construction, finance, and legal professionals entitled “Tainted Chinese Drywall: Getting Help for Those in Need” is being held in Fort Pierce, Florida on January 29. The conference will provide information from both the public and private sectors about current developments in the Chinese drywall crisis, with information designed to help professionals best [...]