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.

GM being criminally investigated
Bloomberg news reports the US attorney’s office in the southern district of New York is investigating possible criminal charges against GM. As a product liability lawyer, I would be surprised if there is a criminal conviction. Very often when a corporation is caught covering up matter that lead