A recent AAJ article reports that a petition is pending requesting that the Supreme Court allow active duty military personnel to sue the government. Petty Officer Nathan Hafterson died on March 26, 2006, at Naval Hospital Jacksonville after being admitted for trouble breathing. His attorneys state that it would put military members on the same footing as civilians under the Federal Tort Claims Act. This malpractice action was denied by the lower courts because a federal law (known as the Feres doctrine) prohibits active military members from suing the US government.

Pfizer Agrees to $2.3 Billion Settlement
The CBS Evening News and the AAJ are reporting that Pfizer was hit with $2.3 Billion in fines for for violating federal drug marketing rules. Pfizer was accused of promoting the pain medication Bextra for uses that were not approved.