New York Times, "Study says malpractice payouts aren't rising"

When Mike Kreidler was an optometrist in Olympia, Wash., he railed against trial lawyers. He believed that aggressive trial lawyers were the reason he faced rising insurance premiums. Dr. Kreidler, now in his second term as Washington State's insurance commissioner, has changed his mind. He has decided that the problem is not the lawyers - although they have contributed - but also the insurance companies. "I came full circle," he said. "I started out with a strong bias against trial lawyers and lawsuits, and now I see the trade-off and I have both sides, the trial lawyers and the insurance companies, mad at me."

The high price of medical malpractice insurance is a notoriously nebulous and highly politicized subject. Insurers and doctors contend that the insurance is more expensive because of a surge in jury awards and settlements. Consumer advocates and their political allies assert that insurers have raised rates because they can, arguing that insurers' claims have slowed significantly while premiums have shot up.

Associated Press, "Man Awarded $2.7 million for Popcorn Plant Injuries"

A former popcorn plant worker who claimed his respiratory illness was the result of a harmful chemical used to make butter flavoring has been awarded about $2.7 million in damages.

Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, is one of about 30 current and former workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc. The plaintiffs say the manufacturers should have known the chemical diacetyl, used to make the popcorn's butter flavoring, causes lung damage.