Rockport Attorney C. Donald Briggs, III has been named to the list of New England “Super Lawyers” once again.  For the fourth year in a row the Michigan based publication “Super Lawyers” listed Don Briggs among the ranks of only 5 percent of the lawyers in Maine to receive this honor. 

Don Briggs is well known for helping Maine victims of car accidents, medical malpractice, and other personal injury negligence cases. Though he has handled thousands of personal injury cases in his career, Don is also known for his attitude that “Everyone’s injury is unique, and everyone deserves individualized legal services “. 

Don Briggs is one of only two board certified Civil Trial Advocates in Maine, and served as past president of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.   

Though mindful that  even so called “minor” injuries can have a major impact on  hard working Mainers, Don Briggs often takes on the most catastrophic injury cases in the State of Maine.  He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum  and has been recognized as a Fellow by the National College of Trial Advocacy.

Attorney Briggs emphasizes that winning top compensation for Mainers’ injury cases requires a lawyer willing to stay on top of national litigation trends and legislation.    He goes the extra mile for Mainers as a State Delegate to the American Association for Justice, the leading national organization protecting ordinary Americans’ right to jury trial.  On the local level, Don Briggs is currently president of the Knox County Bar Association.

Honesty is the basis of good science. Government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) count on good, honest science used by the government to protect the public.

In a recent letter to President-Elect Obama, several FDA scientists allege that dishonesty is prevalent at the agency and that the “scientific review process for medical devices has been corrupted and distorted by current FDA managers, thereby placing the American people at risk.”

Among the charges: scientists and doctors have been threatened and told, on occasion, to ignore FDA regulations; devices have not been properly labeled; managers without appropriate experience have been given authority to make final decisions about device regulation and have done so while ignoring serious safety and effectiveness concerns; FDA experts have been excluded from product meetings because manufacturers felt that they were “biased”; and manufacturers have been allowed to market their products without FDA approval.

An internal investigation of the charges, according to the scientists, has resulted in absolutely nothing. “No one was held accountable, no appropriate or effective actions have been taken, and the same managers who engaged in the wrongdoing remain in place and have been rewarded and promoted.”

With the transition to President-Elect Obama’s administration will come changes to the leadership of both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to a recent statement from the FDA, “We have been working very closely with members of the transition team and any concerns or questions they have on any issue, we will address directly with the team. Separately, the agency is actively engaged in a process to explore the staff members’ concerns and take appropriate action.”

By: Eliza Stoll for Briggs & Counsel

Copyright 2009 Briggs&Counsel