On October 16, 2015, Scott Kurkoski was a featured speaker in Las Vegas, Nevada at the National Association of Royalty Owners Annual Convention. Mr. Kurkoski gave a national perspective of municipal efforts to regulate oil and gas development. The National Association of Royalty Owners is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year, exclusively representing oil & gas royalty owner interests.

Across New York and Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies have mounted a crusade against cell phone use and texting while driving. Stiffer and more comprehensive penalties addressing this conduct are regularly enacted by the legislature. Signs on state highways now advertise "Text Stops". It is no secret why attention to cell phone use is on the rise. Distracted driving causes accidents and hurts people, often severely. Federal estimates suggest that distraction contributes to 10% of all fatal [...]

Takata Corp., a Japanese manufacturer of automotive parts, has recalled airbags used in approximately 34 million vehicles, that is nearly 1 in 7 vehicles on the road in the U.S. today. The issue with these airbags is that they have on occasion violently exploded, causing rather than preventing injury. Most instances have occurred following car accidents, even minor ones. However, in one case it is alleged that the airbag exploded while the vehicle was stopped at a red light. Takata has [...]

To recover damages for pain and suffering under New York's No-Fault Insurance Law, an individual injured in a car accident must establish that he or she has suffered a "serious injury." There are nine (9) categories of "serious" injuries: (1) death; (2) loss of a fetus; (3) dismemberment; (4) fracture; (5) significant disfigurement; (6) permanent loss of use of an organ, member, system, or function; (7) permanent consequential limitation of use of an organ or member; (8) significant limitation [...]

Benicar is a prescription drug used to reduce blood pressure and hypertension. The medication is manufactured by the Japanese company Daiichi Sankyo and co-promoted in the United by Forest Laboratories. Studies have linked the use of this drug with severe side effects including chronic diarrhea, vomiting, rapid and excessive weight loss, dehydration and cardiovascular problems. Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP is reviewing potential claims arising out of the use of Benicar with a Pennsylvania [...]