Did the manufacturer of a powerful painkiller deliberately mislead doctors and the public about the safety of its drug, putting profits ahead of patients? Those are the allegations against Purdue Pharma, the drug manufacturer that put OxyContin on the market. Purdue Pharma has now filed a bankruptcy petition in a move that is likely a precursor to a nationwide settlement with the numerous state and local governments that are suing the company.

Sometimes, car accidents are cut and dry. Other times, it's a bit harder to tell who actually caused the accident, often because emotions and confusion get in the way. After all, an accident is usually a traumatic and unsettling experience. If you are ever unsure about who was at fault when a car accident occurs, do your best to keep calm and try to go over the facts and the common indicators of fault.

When sitting down with a client to discuss the possibility of getting compensation, an auto accident attorney has to look at a lot of factors. If you're wondering what your chances of successfully pursuing a claim or a lawsuit might be, it's worth taking the time to examine four key issues that matter to an auto accident lawyer.  Injuries and Damages The very first question is whether any harm occurred, and if so, how much there was.