Physicians are concerned about a new infection that appears to be drug-resistant. The new infection is called gram-negative bacteria infections such as Acinetobacter baumannii, pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These are especially difficult to treat since they fight off even the most advanced antibiotics supposedly.

Jurors in Maryland have rendered large verdicts against ExxonMobile for a huge gas spill in Baltimore County in 2006. The were approximately 300 plaintiffs in the lawsuit who alleged the spill caused damage to the underground water table leading to devaluation of their property and personal injuries as well. The jury awarded millions of dollars in damages.

Required arbitration proceedings to resolve disputes have met with some judicial opposition if it becomes unconscionable. For example, a federal appeals court recently indicated that state courts may declare arbitration clauses unconscionable where individual claims may yield minor sums. Although most arbitration clauses are upheld by courts, there does seem to be a trend away from them in certain circumstances. Certainly, where there is a possibility of a class action suit, such a suit may not be barred where the individual suit could be so minor as to operated unfairly against the claimant.