The tragic stage collapse just moments before the country band Sugarland was scheduled to perform at the Indianapolis State Fair left 6 people dead and dozens injured. Now the first wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family of a 42 year-old woman who died after a gust of wind sent the stage tumbling. This lawsuit will also test Indiana's treatment of same-sex couples, since the woman's wife is suing the state and three other companies that constructed the stage.

The deceased's wife was also severely injured during the stage collapse and will suffer permanent injuries as a result. Together they have raised a 17 year-old daughter, who was not harmed at the State Fair. The family is suing the state of Indiana, Mid-America Sound Corp., Dave Lucas Entertainment Group, and Live Nation for $50 million. The state of Indiana does not recognize gay marriage and state law requires only spouses or next of kin to receive settlements of wrongful death cases.

A 45-year-old man from Charleston died on Monday from injuries he received in late March that were caused by a collision with a drunk driver.

The man was driving on Highway 526 on March 24th at around 1:00 a.m. At this time, a 32-year-old man traveling in the same direction struck the man's car from behind. The man was immediately taken to the hospital for serious injuries. The driver who rear-ended the man was found to be well over the legal alcohol limit at the time of the accident.

The drunk driver was initially charged with a DUI involving bodily injury. Following the man's death, however, his charge has been increased to DUI involving a death.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family of the man who died because of this accident.

If you or someone you love has been killed in an accident with a drunk driver, please contact the Charleston wrongful death attorneys of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

A Charleston woman has filed six lawsuits against her husband's former workplaces, claiming that the asbestos that was present at the companies caused him to get lung cancer and die.

The man was sent to several different companies to fix manufacturing equipment and was routinely exposed to the toxic pollutant throughout his time at six of the companies. His wife claims that he was not adequately warned about the dangers of his working environment, and his employers did not provide him with safety equipment, such as goggles or a mask, to protect him from the asbestos.

The woman's husband was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after working at these companies and died. The woman is suing for punitive, as well as compensatory, damages.

If someone you love has died because of the negligence of an employer, please contact the Charleston wrongful death attorneys of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

WCHS radio reports that the Du Pont Plant has been cited six times for significant workplace violations. These citations came from the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration because of an accident at the plant last January.

The accident occurred when Carl Fish, 58, died after exposure to phosphene gas. According to OSHA, the company failed, "to properly inspect piping used to transfer the phosgene, perform a thorough process hazard analysis for the operation, train workers on hazards associated with the gas, thoroughly inspect all high-risk sections of piping used to transfer other chemicals, and properly install energized electrical conductors," writes WCHS Radio. the fines add up to $43,000 owed by the company. 

Toxic substances can make you sick and cause serious health problems. If you or someone you know has been exposed to toxic substances on the job, contact a Charleston Exposure to Toxic Substances Attorney at the Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. 

According to The Post and Courier, "A judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit against North Charleston police stemming from the 2006 death of a man who was repeatedly jolted with a Taser gun while high on cocaine."

The wrongful death suit was dismissed after a defense motion because the plaintiff, Black's mother, and her attorney continually failed to respond to requests and meet court deadlines. The judge did dismiss the case without prejudice, however, which means it can be refiled again.

In October 2006, Kip Black, a mentally impaired man, was stripping and acting wildly when police discovered him. The Post and Courier reports then, "Black began chewing on his driver's license and running into traffic." Officers used both tasers and chemical spray, which they said had little effect. It took four officers to bring him to the ground. He was pronounced dead later at a local hospital. According to The Post and Courier, "The Charleston County Coroner's Office ruled that cocaine use had causedBlack to die from 'excited delirium syndrome.'"