RPWB Law Firm

RPWB attorney & State Senator Deon Tedder was selected to become a Riley Fellow. He will join the renowned leadership program that represents a cross-sector network that includes corporate CEOs, legislators, school superintendents, religious and nonprofit heads, and business and community leaders.

42 Lowcountry Leaders Selected to Become Riley Fellows FOR INFORMATION: Claudia Winkler Director of Marketing and Communications The Riley Institute at Furman University 864.294.3368;

Fifteen RPWB attorneys were named the the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list. In addition, three attorneys were named lawyers of the year for product liability, personal injury and medical malpractice in Charleston. Three of our younger attorneys were named to the Ones to Watch list.

Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC Attorneys Named to 2025 The Best Lawyers in America® Our lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC have been named to the 2025 The Best Lawyers in America®. Contact us today.

Congratulations are in order for our colleague Gordon Rhea, who was recently nominated to become the next Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Gordon Rhea Nominated To Be US-VI Attorney General RPWB would like to extend a congratulations to our colleague, Gordon Rhea, on his nomination to become the next Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. recently announced the nomination of Rhea, who worked at RPWB first as a member attorney and then later in an of coun...

We wish it would have happened a lot sooner.

Asbestos Finally Banned in United States We’ve been waiting nearly 50 years to type this: Asbestos is finally banned in the United States. After decades of inadequate protections for workers, the EPA has finally banned the only remaining type of asbestos still imported into America. More than 50 countries have already banned the use of a...

We had a great weekend talking to folks about community and legal issues at the 2024 Black Business Expo in North Charleston. RPWB attorney Deon Tedder drew the lucky winner of the 55-inch tv: Stephanie from Ladson, SC.

RPWB was proud to participate in the 2024 IOP Polar Plunge this past weekend at the Windjammer. We won first place in the costume contest for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson! In all, the event was a blast, the water was cold and more than $54,000 was raised for the Special Olympics.

As diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Zepbound gain popularity, there are a number of troubling signs that the drugs cause side effects including stomach paralysis, intestinal blockage and deep vein thrombosis. If you have suffered any of these, please contact us for a free, no-obligation case review.

Ozempic Stomach Paralysis & Intestinal Blockage Lawsuits Lawsuits Filed by Users of Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Zepbound RPWB lawyers are filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals who developed either stomach paralysis (called gastroparesis), ileus/intestinal blockage or deep vein thrombosis after using GLP-1RA drugs. These drugs, b...

You may have seen ads recently on tv about the drug Tepezza, which is used to treat thyroid eye disease (TED) or Graves’ disease.

RPWB attorneys are reviewing the cases of people who suffer from permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus after using Tepezza.

The warning label does not caution doctors or users about the side effects of hearing loss or tinnitus even though nearly 10 percent of patients reported hearing problems during the drug’s clinical trials. Further studies have raised additional questions about Tepezza’s impact on hearing.

Learn more about how RPWB is helping Tepezza patients who suffer from hearing problems.

RPWB attorneys represent dozens of women nationwide who developed uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers after using chemical hair straighteners.

Hair relaxers manufactured by L’Oreal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen, Dabur and Namaste Laboratories contain potentially dangerous chemicals that could increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine and other cancers. Brand names of the hair relaxers include: Motions, Dark & Lovely, Soft & Beautiful, Optimum Care, Just for Me, Carson Soft Sheen, Hawaiian Silky, Ultra Sheen, TCB and ORS Olive Oil.

Chemical Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuits Chemical hair relaxers manufactured by Revlon, L’Oreal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen, Dabur and Namaste Laboratories contain potentially dangerous chemicals that could increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine and other cancers.

This editorial is an important read for all South Carolinians as powerful business interests attempt to water down liquor liability laws. As a law firm that represents innocent victims injured and killed by drunk drivers, we see first hand the damage done when bars overserve their customers.

Editorial: A tragic reminder of why bars have to pay more than 'their share' SC Venue Crisis wants to end joint and several liability, which hits businesses that illegally sell alcohol to inebriated customers who kill innocent victims.

RPWB attorneys represent heart surgery patients who developed an infection as a result of a device used to regulate patients' temperatures during surgery.

The Sorin 3T was widely used in heart surgeries until 2015 when the FDA issued a safety alert linking the device to outbreaks of the bacterial infection, M. chimaera, a slow-moving infection that typically takes between 1.5 and 3.5 years for symptoms to be noticed. In some cases, hospitals have notified previous heart patients of the infection risk.

RPWB recently filed an additional case involving a patient at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. The patient developed the infection as a result of his 2019 heart surgery, but it was not discovered until 2021. He ultimately died as a result of the infection.

More info: https://www.rpwb.com/drugs-devices/heart-surgery-infection-lawsuits/

RPWB attorney and State Senator Deon Tedder has spent some time in the White House over the last couple of weeks. He attended holiday parties hosted by the President and Vice President as well as a meeting on preventing gun violence. We are proud of Deon and the work he puts in to serve our state and his clients.

It can pay to report fraud perpetrated against the federal government. Recently, RPWB attorneys Chris Tuck, Bobby Wood and Chuck Dukes represented a whistleblower who helped the federal government recoup $1.7 million from a Florida medical provider. By law, the whistleblower gets to share in the proceeds.

RPWB Represented a Whistleblower who Helped the Federal Government Recoup $1.7 million The federal government has recouped $1.7 million from a healthcare provider who fraudulently billed Medicare and TRICARE for medical procedures that were not deemed necessary and were performed by an unqualified technician.

A local energy conservation non-profit will receive nearly $500,000 to help low income residents in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties conserve energy and save money on energy bills.

The Sustainability Institute will receive $484,345.89 in unclaimed monies from the 2021 settlement of the class action lawsuit Hearn v. Santee Cooper. The case was filed in 2017 on behalf of Santee Cooper ratepayers who paid increased and improper utility rates in connection with Santee Cooper’s cancelled construction of a coal-fired generation facility at the P*e Dee Energy Campus.

Local Non-Profit to Receive $500,000 to Help Low Income Households Save Money on Power Bills The Sustainability Institute will receive $484,345.89 in unclaimed monies from the 2021 settlement of the class action lawsuit Hearn v. Santee Cooper to help low income residents in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties conserve energy and save money on energy bills.

It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our friend, colleague and law partner, J. David Butler on September 30, 2023, after a valiant three-year battle with cancer. He was a friend to all and was, quite simply, the nicest guy one could have the pleasure of knowing.

Dave devoted his 30-year legal career to representing individuals across the country who suffered harm from corporate wrongdoing. Dave was a fierce advocate for asbestos and mesothelioma victims and was known for his compassion, integrity and dedication to his clients and their loved ones. Over the last three years, Dave selflessly and bravely continued helping other families seek justice as he underwent cancer treatments himself.

Above all, Dave was a kind and generous family man who put his loved ones and friends before himself. He had no love greater than that for his wife, Kim, and three daughters – Elizabeth, Hannah and Rebecca. He was a passionate Florida State fan and was most at home when grilling for his family on game day.

Working with and knowing someone like Dave is a rare gift, and he will be missed tremendously at RPWB. We send our love and condolences to his family and many friends.

A huge congratulations to the Charleston Association of Legal Assistants, which won affiliate of the year at the National Association of Legal Assistants conference in Boston this month. Legal assistants and paralegals are the lifeblood of law firms and we couldn't be prouder of all of the paralegals in the Charleston-area for their work and for this amazing award! A special thanks to RPWB paralegal Lene Rex, who serves as vice president of the local chapter.

RPWB member Beth Burke spent the day meeting with elected officials in Washington D.C., as part of the American Association for Justice's Women's Lobbying Day. Burke is chair of the 700-member Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus, which is committed to educating pro-civil-justice members of Congress about the 7th amendment and the importance of the civil justice system.

We all know that having kids read throughout the summer keeps students from losing their momentum, but reading also helps spark creativity in young minds and empathy for others. RPWB attorney Deon Tedder recently teamed up with the non-profit Every 1 Voice Matters to donate hundreds of books to Charleston County students who otherwise might not have easy access to them.

Sherrika Myers, Rep. Deon Tedder donate 800 books to Charleston County students About 800 books were donated to four schools across charleston county school district today.Local nonprofit--every 1 voice matters -- teamed up with state repre

We are excited to announce that Deon Tedder has joined RPWB. Tedder joins RPWB after working at David Aylor Law Offices for the past five years, where he helped many clients in the Charleston area with personal injury and criminal defense matters. He is honored as a 2022-2023 Rising Star in personal injury litigation by Super Lawyers and as a Top 40 under 40 personal injury attorney by the National Black Lawyers Association.

Trial Lawyer Deon Tedder Joins RPWB Trial attorney Deon Tedder has joined Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, where he will focus on personal injury, mass torts and criminal defense work out of the firm’s Mount Pleasant and Columbia offices.

Asbestos was prevalent in South Carolina's power plants into the 1990s. Many tradesmen came in direct contact with asbestos as a routine part of their jobs, with some of them later suffering from mesothelioma.

Asbestos in South Carolina Power Plants Asbestos was widely used at South Carolina power plants through the 1990s. Many tradesman came in direct contact with asbestos as a routine part of their jobs.

Congratulations to RPWB paralegal Lene Rex for serving as Vice President of the Charleston Association of Legal Assistants! CALA provides legal education and networking opportunities for its members. We encourage all Charleston paralegals to check it out.

If you're one of the 117 million Americans who use eye drops, make sure to read this important news update about a large recall.

EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Eye Drops Lawsuit EzriCare® and Delsam Pharma® Artificial Tears — both brands of over-the-counter eye drops— have recently been linked to a rare infection, causing some users to lose vision and even have their eyeball removed. Lawsuits are being filed across the nation.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

It's not just a day for us, it's baked into the way we do business. RPWB is proud to have these strong, intelligent and experienced female attorneys in key leadership positions at our law firm.

RPWB attorney Beth Burke presented during the South Carolina Association for Justice's first-ever Paralegal Seminar on Friday. The event was organized in part by RPWB paralegal Barbara Carter. Paralegals play an incredibly important role at our law firm and many others in the state. We stand with SCAJ and others who want to make sure that we are investing in the professional development of these vital employees who are on the front lines of the judicial process.

Good news for mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims as the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Johnson & Johnson's bankruptcy scheme. This allows talcum powder users with cancer to continue seeking justice for cancer caused by asbestos-contaminated talc.

Johnson & Johnson Talc Bankruptcy Petition Dismissal is a Win for Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Victims By Dave Butler In a significant victory for injured consumers, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the bankruptcy petition of a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that holds the company’s liabilities for claims brought by thousands of consumers injured by exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc ...

Spotted in the break room 🍤 🍤 🍤

Recent studies suggest that chemicals found in hair relaxer and straightening products may cause uterine, endometrial and other cancers. RPWB attorneys are investigating cases nationwide in which women regularly used products by Revlon, L’Oreal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen, Dabur and Namaste Laboratories before being diagnosed with cancer.

Chemical Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuits Chemical hair relaxers manufactured by Revlon, L’Oreal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen, Dabur and Namaste Laboratories contain potentially dangerous chemicals that could increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine and other cancers.

We have some BIG news from our employee food drive. Thanks to the generosity of many, we raised enough money for Lowcountry Food Bank to serve 30,000 meals to our local community! Here are RPWB attorneys Karl Novak and Nina Fields with paralegal Barbara Carter, who organized the drive.