Many people have called or written asking for an update on the recent settlement talks.

We were unsuccessful at reaching a settlement thus far.  No update was posted as we remain in telephone talks in a final good faith attempt to reach a settlement.

The mediator was (and remains) retired Maricopa [Arizona] County Superior Court Judge Christopher Skelly.  Judge Skelly was insightful and spent a tireless day attempting to bring the parties together.   We feel we did come close to reaching an agreement but could not bridge the gap primarily due to an unforeseen problem.  That problem is ConAgra's insurance company.  As with any large and involved claim, questions exist as to what portion of our cases are covered by ConAgra's insurer beyond that amount of money representing ConAgra's self-insurance limits.  At some point, that is, the insurance company has to approve or acquiesce to a settlement, especially where some insurance money may be involved.  A lawyer from Atlanta was present at mediation in Phoenix to represent the insurer.

Judge Skelly remains involved and a settlement may yet be reached.  ConAgra bore the costs for the mediation.

As has been reported all along, if a fair settlement is not reached in a timely fashion, we intend fully to kick the living tar out of ConAgra in court.  We are prepared.  Keep in mind we have been invited to join, and have now been added, to a trial team for three cases coming up for trial in Dallas County, Texas sometime early into the next year.

For those folks who unfortunately have cases in the "permanent" category [loss of life, surgery, necrotic bowel, Reiter's Syndrome (a/k/a reactive arthritis), miscarriage or lengthy hospitalization stays], your cases will be presented on a case-by-case basis we hope before year's end.  Your cases naturally involve more complex medical and proximate cause issues and take time to prepare in the detailed manner in which we work.

We will attempt to keep this site updated again in the next two weeks.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Orlando with any individual questions which may not have been addressed in an update.  The toll free number remains 1-866-373-1800.  Your best bet is email which permits time to respond -- roger@OrlandoFirm.com.  Compliments accepted as well.  Mr. Orlando's peanut
butter case paralegal is Ms. Zany Dunlap who can be reached at zany@OrlandoFirm.com.

[Note that Zany will be out of the country, beginning with a 22-hour flight to Vietnam, on a long-overdue vacation for a solid month beginning October 4, 2007.  Zany is the glue that keeps The Orlando Firm together. Accordingly, Mr. Orlando will be exasperated, overwhelmed, sullen and sulking for these four weeks - so take it easy on me, please.  With Zany departs my close friend and Zany's husband, Andrew Dunlap.  Andy is our internet and website guru so there may be a short delay in updates as well.]

Best regards to you all from The Orlando Firm [Atlanta, Georgia] and Bellovin & Karnas [Tucson, Arizona], and thank you for continuing to trust in our representation.