Sokolove Law Blog Feed

Humira Lawsuit Filed Against Abbott Laboratories

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:37:00 -0500

A woman has filed a dangerous drug lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories inc. claiming the company’s Humira drug led to her cancer diagnosis.

According to Law360 (subscription required), Cynthia DiBartolo alleges that she was prescribed Humira to treat a psoriasis flare-up in late 2008. She received injections until April 2009 when her dentist noticed an irregular mass on her tongue. She was soon diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and had to undergo surgery to remove part of her tongue, according to the complaint.

DiBartolo claims that since the cancer diagnosis she has since suffered weakness, difficulty speaking and seizure like symptoms, among other conditions. She also alleges that Abbott knew about Humira’s association with skin cancers from clinical trials, but failed to warn consumers and health care providers about tracking the drug for signs of skin cancer until March 2011.

She is seeking punitive and compensatory damages.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action.

Humidifier Used with Supplemental Oxygen Therapy Issued a Recall by the FDA

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:12:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration has issued Class I recall of a humidifier used with supplemental oxygen therapy because of a recently discovered defect.

According to the FDA, the Salter Labs 7600 Bubble Humidifier was recalled because the humidifier lids failed to pop off at the intended pressure levels. Furthermore, when “pop-off occurs, the brass slug does not always reseat to the appropriate position,” the recall stated.

When the slug does not reseat properly, this can cause the humidifier to leak, which will potentially disrupt the flow of supplemental oxygen to the patient. This could lead to Hypoxemia, which can result in serious adverse side effects or death.

The 7600 Bubble Humidifier is a medical device used in home health care and health care facilities. Model numbers included in the recall are 7600-0-50, E7600-0-50, NP7600-0-50, as well as special order patient kits with 7600 bubble humidifiers: lot numbers 091911 and 092611.

The FDA describes Class I recalls as “the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe device, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Filed Against Skin Cream Company

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:04:00 -0500

A consumer fraud lawsuit has been filed against a skin cream company alleging it made false claims about its ReJuv skin cream.

According to Law360 (subscription required), Lacy Barnes filed her class action lawsuit in California state court claiming that Cross Atlantic Commodities Inc. provides no scientific evidence that Rejuv products shrinks wrinkle size and restores skin.

The consumer fraud lawsuit states that the claims were “false, deceptive and misleading” and that plaintiffs in the lawsuit had “suffered injury in fact and have lost money as a result of defendants’ false representations.”

The class action also says that the company violated the California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.

Barnes wants the company to compensate the consumers who purchased the product and to stop making any more false claims.

If you have been harmed by consumer fraud, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Leads to $15 Million Award

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:41:00 -0500

A medical malpractice lawsuit has led to a $15 million award to a woman who claimed her doctor failed to properly diagnose her with breast cancer.

According to NBC New York, 50-year-old Stephanie Tesoriero discovered a lump in her breast in 2002 and had a mammogram that same year. Dr. Paul Fisher of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center did not find any cancerous cells and told her to return for another exam the following year. She claims the lump never went away, and when she received more tests 16 months later with a different doctor, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tesoriero had to undergo chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiation treatments. Her trial lasted two weeks before the jury found the doctor to be negligent and awarded her $15 million.

If you or a loved one has experienced medical negligence, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and learn about your options.

Insecticide Chalk May Contain Toxic Substance

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:36:00 -0500

Health Canada has issued a warning for a pesticide product known as “Insecticide Chalk” that is manufactured in China because it contains highly toxic substances.

According to the agency, the product is not registered for use in Canada and sample tests have revealed that it contains deltamethrin - a pesticide that can cause serious health effects if it is used incorrectly. Children who mistake the product for blackboard or sidewalk chalk can become exposed to the pesticide and potentially harm themselves

There have been reports of several children who were hospitalized after eating the chalk. Side effects that can occur from overexposure to the product include stomach pains, vomiting, tremors, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.

The product is sold under names such as "Miraculous Insecticide Chalk," "Insecticide Chalk," and "Cockroach Chalk."

If you or your child has been harmed by an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you and represent your case.

Arsenic May be in Some Organic Foods

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:28:00 -0500

Former NFL Players Continue to Sue Over Concussions

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:17:00 -0500

The National Football League continues to be sued by former players over concussions they suffered while playing in the league as another class action federal lawsuit has been filed by 62 former players and 30 of their wives.

According to Playerinjury.com, the latest complaint - which was filed in Philadelphia court - is the largest to date. Some of the players include Seth Joyner, Jeremiah Trotter, and Bob Landsee.

The former players allege the NFL committed negligence and fraud and “knew about the debilitating and permanent effects of head injuries and concussions that regularly occur аmοng professional players, уеt ignored and actively concealed those risks."

A judge has recently ruled that all of the lawsuits against the NFL will be consolidated in Philadelphia federal court.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by concussions or serious head trauma, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Chevy TrailBlazers Being Investigated by Federal Safety Regulators

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:12:00 -0500

An investigation is underway into Chevy TrailBlazer vehicles that may contain a fire hazard in the driver’s side doors.

According to the Associated Press, the investigation involves more than 309,000 2006-2007 TrailBlazer SUVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the fires either began in the power window switch or a related electrical component.

The NHTSA received 12 complaints of fires occurring in the SUVs. General Motors, the maker of the TrailBlazer, said there had been no reports of injuries associated with the vehicles.

If you or someone you know has been harmed by an unsafe vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Chrysler Sued in Product Liability Lawsuit for Leaky Sunroofs in Jeeps

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:47:00 -0500

Chrysler Group LLC is being sued in a product liability lawsuit by two Jeep owners who claim that their sunroofs leak and are defective, yet the company refuses to fix them under warranty.

According to Law360 (subscription required), Jay Miller and Brooke Willman filed their class action in New Jersey Federal Court claiming the that leaky sunroofs led their Jeep vehicles to develop electrical problems, rust, mold, and cause damage to the seats, carpets and floor mats. They also allege that even though Chrysler issued bulletins to dealerships about the issue, the company “routinely declined” to provide warranty service for the defective sunroofs, instead blaming “external factors such as heavy rainfall, owner misuse, negligent maintenance, or other factors beyond Chrysler’s control.”

The product liability lawsuit alleges that Chrysler violated the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

Miller and Willman seek damages on behalf of anyone who purchased or leased a Jeep Liberty, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, or Chrysler 300 vehicle between February 1, 2006 and February 1, 2012 with a factory installed sunroof.

If you have purchased a vehicle with defective components, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Doctors Admit to Hiding Mistakes and Lying to Patients

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:45:00 -0500

A 2009 national survey has found that many physicians may have either withheld information or lied to their patients regarding medical mistakes they have made and the financial relationships they have with drug makers and device manufacturers.

According to the Boston Globe, a survey conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital questioned nearly 1,900 doctors and found that many of them did not follow the standards of accreditation groups and medical societies, which require medical professionals to be completely honest to their patients.

The survey showed that close to 20 percent of the doctors said they did not completely disclose mistakes they had made within the past year in order to avoid medical malpractice lawsuits. Close to 40 percent of the doctors said they did not think they needed to inform patients of incentives such as free vacation time or speaking fees they received from drug manufacturers.

Federal regulators have taken some actions to help make the doctor-patient relationship more transparent. A recently enacted law requires medical and pharmaceutical companies report any gifts or payments they receive worth more than $10.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Infant Swings Issued New Safety Standards By CPSC

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:22:00 -0500

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has proposed new safety protection standards for infant swings that would prevent injuries to the young children and babies who use them.

According to Law360 (subscription required), the new safety standard requires all swings have both a waist and crotch restraint system. Seats with a back angle of more than 50 degrees will be also required to have a harness or shoulder strap installed.

Manufacturers must also increase the testing of the structural integrity of the swing by dropping a 25-pound weight onto the seat 500 times. Previously a weight only had to be dropped onto the seat 50 times.

The CPSC will also require that infant swing makers place warning labels on the swings that deal with the likelihood of death for babies who cannot support their heads.

The new requirements are being considered as a response to 2,268 incidents - including 600 injuries and 15 fatalities - that occurred from January 2002 to May 2011 that were linked to infant swings,.

If your child has been harmed by an unsafe baby swing, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

'Wholistic Herbs' Issues a Recall for Products Due to Health Risks

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:09:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration has announced that Wholistic Herbs Inc is recalling its “Koff & Kold” spray with herbal extract and “Kold Sore” spray with liquid sea mineral due to possible health risks.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the Texas-based company is recalling all quantities of the 1 fl. oz spray products that were distributed from March 2009 through February 2012. The recall was initiated following a routine inspection by FDA that found several issues with labeling. They also found that the products were not adequately tested and could not be sterile and could lead to infections.

“Kold Sore” and “Koff & Kold” were distributed in various states across the country, including New York, Virginia, Nevada, Illinois and Maryland. They were also sold through acupuncture clinics and on the company’s website.

There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the recalled products.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Filed Over Health Insurance Denial

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:00 -0500

A class action consumer fraud lawsuit has been filed against a health care insurer claiming it attempted to avoid paying for in-home claims for thousands of elderly people in California.

According to CBS News, Dr. William Hall initially filed the class action and claimed he had purchased a long-term care policy in 1994 and submitted claims in 2010. However, Senior Health Insurance Company of Pennsylvania (SHIP) only reimbursed him for 20 percent of his claims and refused to pay the remainder of the policy. He claimed that the insurance company’s refusal to pay out the claim led to him having to pay tens of thousands of dollars out of his own money for home care.

The complaint alleges that SHIP has tried to avoid reimbursing elderly policy holders for long-term care by taking an extremely long time to respond to claims, and sometimes even ignoring them. SHIP also would allegedly require policyholders to undergo unnecessary medical examinations and paperwork while requiring that the caregivers have licenses, both of which violate company policy and California law.

If you or a loved one has experienced insurance denial, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

FDA Warns of Drug Interaction between Hepatitis C and HIV Drugs

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:58:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about the possible dangers of combining certain Hepatitis C and HIV medications.

According to the FDA, combining the hepatitis C drug Victrelis ( boceprevir) with certain HIV drugs such as atazanavir, lopinavir and darunavir, could lead to a drug interation that could reduce the effectiveness of each drug.

A study testing drug interactions showed that “taking Victrelis with ritonavir (Norvir) in combination with atazanavir (Reyataz) or darunavir (Prezista), or with Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) reduced the blood levels of the HIV medicines and boceprevir in the body.”

If you or a loved one have been harmed by a dangerous drug, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a dangerous drug lawyer may be able to help you and represent your case.

Massachusetts Hospitals Report Card on Infection Rates Released

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:23:00 -0500

A newly released report card on infection rates in Massachusetts hospitals has revealed that state hospitals have an especially high rate of surgical infections among women who received vaginal hysterectomies over the past two years.

According to the Boston Globe, report cards for 71 hospitals showing the number of patients who contracted potentially serious infections from medical care and surgery that was meant to heal them found that out of 4,313 procedures for vaginal hysterectomies, 23 infections were reported in 2010 while 25 were reported in 2011.

Infections were also detected in surgical incisions for knee replacements, coronary artery bypass surgery, hip replacement, abdominal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, and blood stream infections.

Dr. Madeleine Biondolillo, director of the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality suggested that the hospitals in the state should use the report cards as a way to push further improvements.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by surgical infections, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Botox Lawsuit Filed Against Allergan by Missouri Man

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:08:00 -0500

A dangerous drug lawsuit has been filed against Allergan Inc. by a Missouri man claiming the company’s Botox caused him to develop a debilitating disease.

According to the Orange County Register, 46-year-old Thomas McGee received Botox injections in October 2008 to help ease his back pain. Four days after receiving the injections he contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disease.

McGee claims that Allergan was aware the drug could cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome because of internal documents that showed the disease as a top safety concern. He added that Botox should have issued a warning on the drug that said it could lead to the crippling disease.

The dangerous drug lawsuit also states the McGee’s doctor who administered the injections was paid a total of $360,000 over a ten year period to promote the “off label” uses of Botox.

A panel jury awarded McGee $12 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a dangerous drug lawyer may be able to help you and represent your case.

Nissan Versa Recalled for Transmission Shifting Problems

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:58:00 -0500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is saying that Nissan North America will issue a recall for its 2012 Nissan Versa vehicles due to dangerous transmission shifting issues.

According to Consumer Reports, the cars violate federal safety standards because they are equipped with an automatic transmission that can be shifted from the Park gear without requiring the driver to first step on the brake of the car. This flaw could increase the risk of a car accident.

The NHTSA said the problem involves the “shifter rods and the shifter knob of the automatic transmissions” for more than 36,000 vehicles manufactured from June 2011 to January 2012.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe vehicle defect, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Tainted Wipes Destroyed by Wisconsin Manufacturer

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:47:00 -0500

H&P Industries and the Triad Group of Wisconsin recently disposed of potentially contaminated wipes that have been blamed for illnesses and deaths.

According to MSNBC, the disposal of the wipes takes place more than a year after the Food and Drug Administration urged H&P to issue a global recall of the iodine and alcohol wipes that were possibly tainted with two different types of bacteria due to improper sterilization and manufacturing procedures.

Large quantities of chemicals, medical products, and bulk liquids have been taken to secure landfills and waste disposal centers. New government documents have revealed that the company has either reconditioned or destroyed more than $6 million worth of products that were suspected to be tainted and taken by federal regulators last year.

At least 12 product liability lawsuits have been filed against Triad that claim their contaminated wipes led to illnesses, infections or death in some cases.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Mobile App Marketers May Illegally be Providing Background Checks

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:45:00 -0500

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent letters to several companies that may be illegally providing employers with background check data that is collected from background screening applications.

According to Business Insurance, the letters were sent to various mobile application marketers, including eVerify, InfoPay Inc, and Intelligator Inc. The FTC warned that any of the companies that were providing data about a person’s reputation, character, or personal characteristics they would be violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and must adjust their actions to comply with its guidelines.

Some of the FCRA provisions include ensuring the companies take steps to provide the “maximum possible accuracy” of information they provide.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by consumer fraud, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Pedinol Pharmacal Packaging Mix Up May Have Led to Stray Pills

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:20:00 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Pedinol Pharmacal Inc. have informed doctors and healthcare providers across the country that there may be a packaging problem with two forms of the pharma company’s Gris-PEG (griseofulvin ultramicrosize) medication.

According to a joint press release from both entities, the warning was issued after the discovery that a packaging/labeling error with Gris-PEG 125mg and 250mg bottles that potentially resulted in the medications getting mixed up As a result, a stray pill of one medicine could accidentally end up in the bottle of another product.

Gris-PEG is used for the treatment of ringworm infections. The bottles that may have their medications mixed up were packaged by Novartis Consumer Health in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The FDA and Pedinol warn doctors and healthcare professionals to carefully examine any Gris-PEG tablets they currently have to make sure there all the tablets are correct and the same.

If you or a loved one have been harmed by a dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation.

Kentucky Girl with Cerebral Palsy Gets Service Dog

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:11:00 -0500

A Kentucky girl who was born with cerebral palsy has been given a companion dog by a group of companies that would ordinarily cost tens of thousands of dollars and will likely help her perform everyday tasks better than before.

According to Louisville’s NBC affiliate WAVE-TV, 5-year-old Addison Childers was born with cerebral palsy that affects her ability to walk and causes her to have seizures.

However, a partnership between Milk-Bone and Kroger recently led to Addison receiving a service dog from a non-profit organization that provides companion pets to people with disabilities.

"Her big issue is her balance and coordination, and she's not able to walk around like typical children are,” said Dustin Childers, Addison's father, according to Louisville ABC affiliate WDRB. “This dog is going to be a walking assistant to her, give her the ability to get around the classroom, get around our house just on a lot better scale than any walker can give her."

If not for the gift from the companies, getting the dog could potentially have been a sizable expense. WAVE reported that the service dog was valued at $20,000.

If you have a child who was born with cerebral palsy, you are probably looking for any methods possible to make your child’s life as easy as possible, regardless of how expensive it may be. If you think your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical error, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a birth injury lawsuit. Monetary compensation in a birth injury lawsuit can be designated specifically towards medical costs for your child.

Boy Born with Cerebral Palsy Receives Unique Treatment

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:53:00 -0500

A child who was born in Ecuador with cerebral palsy and previously had significant trouble walking now have a brighter future in store following a surgical procedure at a Minnesota hospital.

According to Minnesota CBS-affiliate WCCO, 12-year-old Santiago Quintana was born in Ecuador with cerebral palsy that left his legs weakened and bent inward, making it difficult for him to walk. Tests would eventually reveal that Santiago had to use four times the energy to walk when compared to children without cerebral palsy.

Looking for a solution to ease his difficulty walking, Santiago and his family were recommended by their orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Novacheck at Gillette Children’s Hospital in Minnesota. The surgeon was aware of Novacheck because Gillette had annually sent surgeons down to South America to provide orthopedic care.

After traveling thousands of miles to the hospital, Novacheck performed a single multilevel surgery that realigned ten of Santiago’s bones and joints to straightening his knees and aligning his feet.

Following the procedure, Santiago was able to walk straight, upright, and with less pain than before.

While Santiago’s case is rather unique, the truth is that many families who have a child with cerebral palsy must seek out potentially expensive medical procedures and find a way to pay for them. If you think a medical error led to your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about a birth injury lawsuit that could result in a monetary settlement that is specifically designated to fund your child’s medical procedures.

Unpaid Wages Lawsuit Filed Against LEO Pharma Inc.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:45:00 -0500

A class action unpaid wages lawsuit has been filed against LEO Pharma Inc. by former employees who claim the company withheld their overtime pay.

According to Business Insurance, the class action lawsuit claims that LEO improperly classified its sales representatives as salaried employees and violated both the Fair Labor Standards Act and corresponding state wage-and-hour-laws.

The complaint was filed in New York Federal District Court on February 9th.

Fierce Pharma reports that the former employees seek to represent current and past salespeople since Feb 7, 2009.

If you have been withheld overtime pay, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Merck Removes Propecia Information from Website

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:31:00 -0500

Merck & Co. has removed content from a website advertising Propecia amid growing litigation and medical evidence that the hair growth drug may cause severe adverse events.

According to Baltimore Courts Examiner, various dangerous drug lawsuits have been filed alleging Merck either knew, or should have known, about the serious adverse side effects Propecia could cause, but failed to warn the public about them.

Propecia side effects include clinical depression, erectile dysfunction, breast cancer, prostate cancer and over-development of the male breast.

Over the past 10 years, more than seven million prescriptions of Propecia have been filled.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by Propecia or another dangerous drug, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Charles Schwab Named in Consumer Fraud Lawsuit

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:27:00 -0500

Charles Schwab Corp has been accused in a consumer fraud lawsuit of forcing its customers to waive their right of pursuing a class action lawsuit against the firm, which a violation of industry laws.

According to Bloomberg, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - which regulates actions that take place on Wall Street – brought the consumer fraud lawsuit against the online brokerage with allegations that last October it added rules the account agreements of more than 6.8 million customer accounts that prevented them from either starting or joining class-action lawsuits against the brokerage.

Instead, the company's rules allegedly require customers to agree that an industry arbitrator would not have the proper authority to consolidate claims from multiple parties into a class action lawsuit. FINRA acts as an industry arbitrator for legal disputes involving brokerage firms such as Schwab and its customers.

The lawsuit alleges that by instituting the new rules, Schwab is putting its investors in a difficult position that would not give them proper access to legal processes for recovering their losses.

If you or a loved one have been taken advantage of by a company’s greed, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a consumer fraud lawsuit.

Vita Coco Makers Settle Consumer Fraud Lawsuit for $10 million

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:23:00 -0500

All Market Inc, the manufacturers of Vita Coco, has agreed to a settle a consumer fraud lawsuit that claimed the company misled consumers about the health benefits its popular coconut water provided.

According to the Associated Press, the consumer fraud lawsuit was prompted after scientific testing found significantly fewer electrolytes in samples of O.N.E. Coconut Water and Vita Coco than what was advertised on the packages by the All Market.

The Associated Press reports that the agreed to settlement will force All Market to change its labels by May to inform consumers of the drink’s “natural variability.” The company must also provide up to $5 million in charitable donations, refunds, and vouchers.

If you have been wronged by consumer fraud, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Defective Hip Replacements May Lead to Long-Term Health Issues

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:37:00 -0500

New research suggests that defective hip replacements may cause adverse health effects in some people, even after they are removed.

According to USA Today, new research shows that debilitating problems from all-metal implants may continue for years. Mathias Bostrom, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City said that damage occurs in the body when pieces of the hip implant rub against each other and lead to the breaking off of metal debris that becomes stuck in nearby soft tissue and blood entering the blood.

The FDA said that inflammation and tissue death may occur around the joint and toxins entering the blood may affect the nervous system and heart.

Researchers from the American Society of Hip and Knee Surgeons released a technology review in December 2011 that found metal on metal hip replacements had higher rates of revision surgeries compared to other types of implants.

Signs of hip implant failure include swelling, pain or the onset of a limp.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Medical Negligence Lawsuit Filed By Louisiana Woman

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:54:00 -0500

A Louisiana woman has filed a medical negligence lawsuit against a pathology service claiming it misread her medical test results.

Diana Noveck claims that employees at Consultant Pathology Services misread her pap smear test and told her that she was completely healthy. A second pap smear she received 15 months later revealed that she was in fact suffering from cervical cancer.

After undergoing a hysterectomy, Noveck found out that her earlier results had been misread and she should have been given treatment much earlier, the Louisiana Record reported.

The complaint was filed by Noveck and her husband seek damages from the company that compensate for pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, disability and loss of consortium among other things.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Merck Sued in Dangerous Drug Lawsuit for Gardasil

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The family of a Canadian teen girl who passed away after receiving the human papilomavirus vaccine (HPV)has filed a dangerous drug lawsuit against Merck, claiming the pharmaceutical giant should be held responsible her death.

According to the Toronto Sun, 14-year-old Annabelle Morin was given a first dose of the HPV vaccination Gardasil at a clinic in October 2008. Soon after, she began to vomit, became confused and incoherent, and was unable to speak or walk. She was admitted to a hospital but was diagnosed with only a migraine and discharged.

In November 2008 she received her second dose of the drug and became sick again, according to the complaint. She was found unconscious in a bathtub in her home two weeks later and pronounced dead at the hospital.

The family claims that three doctors and the clinic were negligent in their treatment and should also be held responsible for Annabelle’s death. Lorin Morin, Annabelle’s mother said she was never told of the side effects that Gardasil could cause.

If you or your child has been harmed by a Gardasil or another dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Hospitals Settle Consumer Fraud Lawsuits for $12 million

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Justice Department has announced that several hospitals in seven states will pay more than $12 million to settle consumer fraud lawsuits that had claimed the hospitals had submitted false claims to Medicare.

According to Bloomberg, the settlement will resolve civil claims alleging the hospitals overcharged Medicare between 2000 and 2008 for the cost of the treatment for osteoporosis spinal fractures called kyphoplasty procedures. The Justice Department said that more than 40 hospitals have paid at least $39 million to settle similar claims.

Plainview Hospital in New York will reportedly pay the highest amount for an individual hospital at $2.3 million, while four hospitals in Florida affiliated with Adventist Health System/Sunbelt Inc. will collectively pay $3.9 million.

“By recovering taxpayer dollars lost to improper billing, this settlement will help support the vital public health care programs we depend on,” Said Assistant Attorney General Tony West.

If you have been wronged by consumer fraud, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Fracking Lawsuits Mount Against Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Yet another fracking lawsuit has been filed, this time coming out of Dimock, Pennsylvania. It is yet another complaint that blames the natural gas drilling technique for contaminating local ground water.

According to Bloomberg, residents of Dimock are blaming Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. for elevating methane levels in wells used for drinking water. They claim that Cabot’s hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) operation caused water contamination after an explosion cracked the well cap into pieces. These complaints come after the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that it would supply drinking water to the town.

This case adds to the 23 cases that have been reported involving fracking filed since August 2009 by landowners from various U.S. states. These complaints may eventually lead to stricter government regulations on fracking as 23 families are asking the court to classify fracking as inherently dangerous.

Although gas and oil industry insiders say that the complaints do not prove that fracking causes water contamination, the attorneys of the plaintiffs believe the amount of cases will increase as the expansion of fracking to more populated areas continues. They say more drilling may create new routes for chemicals to travel, leading to even more complaints.

McClatchy News Papers reports that in Texas a new law has been put into effect that requires oil and natural gas operators to inform the public of the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing operations. The rule also requires the operators to disclose the amount of water they use in fracking.

If you have been harmed by contaminated water, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Agent 'Orange Makers' Subject of Product Liability Lawsuit

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:16:00 -0500

Monsanto is the subject of a class action workplace chemical exposure lawsuit that focuses on one if its factories manufactured toxic substances used for “Agent Orange” that may have led to many residents from a nearby town getting sick.

According to NPR, the class action lawsuit was filed on the behalf of tens of thousands of people who have either lived or worked/went to school in the town of Nitro, West Virginia since 1949. Nitro was the home to a Monsanto chemical production plant that produced substances such as herbicide 2,4,5, which was used to create the deadly defoliant chemical known as “Agent Orange” that was used during the Vietnam War.

During the years the plant operated, the town saw a high rate of its citizens developing significant health issues such as cancer. The lawsuit filed against the company claims that toxic substances from the factory were spread throughout the town and exposed to residents regularly. The lawsuit singles out dioxins, which have been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, as one type of chemicals that was often spread around the town.

Throughout the 1980s eight former employees of the plant successfully sued Monsanto over health effects they suffered due to their work at plant.

The lawsuit is asking for Monsanto to pay for monitoring of the health of those who have been sickened by the dangerous chemicals.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by dangerous chemical that was spread by a company’s negligence, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a workplace injury lawsuit.

Metal Hip Replacements May Increase Cancer Risk Too

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:10:00 -0500

In addition to their high failure rate, metal-on-metal hip implants may also increase the risk of cancer in some patients who have them implanted, according to a new study.

According to The Telegraph, the study - which was undertaken by a group of UK Othropaedic Consultants – researched medical records of 72 patients who had metal-on-metal hip replacement devices implanted in them. The researchers found that 17 people in the study ended up suffering from genetic damage to their bladders after the implant.

Three of those patients eventually developed bladder cancer.

One potential reason for the increase in bladder cancer risk may be tied to another significant risk associated with the metal-on-metal implants: the leakage of metallic fragments that dislodge when the metal parts grind against each other into the bloodstream. If these dangerous – and potentially toxic – metals enter the bloodstream, they could put major organs at risk of being poisoned.

If you or a loved one have been sickened or injured by defective metal-on-metal hip implants, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about potentially pursuing a defective medical product lawsuit.

Football Concussions Result of Many Hits, Not Single Blow

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 -0500

A new study from researchers at Purdue University has found that football players who suffer concussions likely do so because many hits they sustain over a long amount of time instead of from one single blow.

The study followed football players at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana for two seasons and measured helmet-sensor impact data against brain-imaging scans and cognitive tests that were taken before and after each season.

Throughout the study, players received anywhere from 200 to nearly 1,900 hits to the head per season. Data from the helmet sensors were then compared to the medical data.

"The changes in brain activity we are observing suggest that a player is having to use a different strategy to perform a task, and that is likely because functional capacity is reduced," said Thomas Talavage, an expert in functional neuroimaging and co-director of the Purdue MRI Facility. "The level of change in the fMRI signal is significantly correlated to the number and distribution of hits that a player takes. Performance doesn't change, but brain activity changes, showing that certain areas are no longer being recruited to perform a task."

The study will appear online in the Journal of Biomechanics.

A number of former NFL players recently brought a lawsuit against the league alleging that it misinformed them of the long-term health risks associated with concussions by publishing nonscientific papers written by its medical committee that downplayed the link between concussions and brain injuries.

If you have suffered long-term health complications due to a concussion that you were assured would not happen, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about potentially pursing a personal injury lawsuit.

Toyota Vehicles Being Investigated by Federal Safety Regulators

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:49:00 -0500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Toyota Camry sedans and RAV-4 crossover SUVs after learning of reports that fires may start in the driver’s side doors.

According to the Associated Press, six fires that appeared to start in the power window switch of the door have been reported to the NHTSA. The vehicles have not been recalled nor have there been any reports of anyone being injured.

The investigation also includes the Toyota Solara and may affect as many as 830,000 cars.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe car, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action.

DePuy Mass Tort over Artificial Hips Continues to Grow

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:55:00 -0500

Nearly 250 people have joined a mass tort that claims DePuy Orthopaedic’s metal-on-metal hip replacements caused injuries, and even more people are expected to join.

According to the North Jersey Record, attorneys expect the number of plaintiffs to reach 1,000 for the defective hip replacements that were recalled in 2010 after a British study found that 13 percent of patients needed a corrective surgery within five years.

The FDA has warned that the friction between the metal-on-metal joints can cause debris loosen and enter the body’s bloodstream, elevating the levels of cobalt and chromium. It has received close to 300 complaints about the DePuy ASR artificial hip replacements since 2008.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a metal hip replacement, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

New Bill Could Reduce Risk of Defective Medical Products

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:55:00 -0500

Members from the U.S. House or Representatives are introducing a new bill that would no longer allow a medical device to be approved for sale in the U.S. if a similar defective medical device has already been pulled from the market over health or safety concerns.

Introduced by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), the bill is a response of sorts to the medical issues that have arisen in recent months regarding transvaginal mesh implants manufactured by companies such as Johnson & Johnson and C.R. Bard Inc. It attempts to close a loophole that does not prevent devices from being approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration if similar devices have previously been found to be dangerous and recalled or discontinued.

“If an automobile is recalled for a major safety problem, we wouldn’t allow future models to repeat this same flaw, and the same should be true for the medical devices used in our bodies,” Markey said in the statement, according to Bloomberg. The bill ensures “that devices do not mimic the mistakes made by other products.”

The law that is currently in place states that the FDA can clear a medical device for sale if it is “substantially equivalent” to a past similar device, which is referred to as the “predicate”. The new bill would not allow for approval if any “predicate” for a new device was removed – or is currently in the process of being removed - from the market. Manufacturers of the new medical device would also have to explain in detail why its product is different than the previous defective versions.

Many manufacturers’ versions of vaginal mesh implants were allowed by the FDA to go to market without human testing because they were similar to existing products. In many cases, the product that had been on the market were vaginal mesh implants designed by Boston Scientific Corp. that were recalled for safety issues in 1999.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a defective medical device like transvaginal mesh, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a product liability lawsuit against the product’s manufacturer.

Personal Care Items May Contain Deadly Ingredients

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Consumer advocates are warning people that use certain soaps, makeup, and lotions may contain deadly ingredients that consumers should by wary of.

The Washington Post reports that many cosmetic and personal care items contain dangerous ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde and diethanolamine, according to Jane Houlihan, director of cosmetics safety research for the Environmental Working Group.

“What we put on our skin often ends up inside our body, and so it’s every bit as important as what we eat, drink and breathe when it comes to minimizing exposure to things that aren’t healthy for us,” she added.

“Research has shown that many conventional personal-care products contain chemicals of concern that can disrupt your hormones, have been linked to cancer, cause allergies or can damage your skin,” said Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. She further explained that the U.S. has very few safety standards for cosmetics, and that “companies are basically making their own decisions about what’s safe enough to sell.”

Barbara Sattler, director of the Environmental Health Education Center at the University Of Maryland School Of Nursing says that “the toxic exposures just add up over time. If you’ve got a set of neurotoxins in two or three or five products you’re using and you’re putting them on your skin and inhaling or ingesting them every day, you’re increasing the risk of an untoward effect.”

People are most concerned about long-term effects the chemicals may have such as fertility problems, cancer and neurological issues that these chemicals may potentially cause.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action.

Allergan Inc Stops Lap-Band Sales to California Clinics

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Allergan Inc, the manufacturer of the Lap-Band, has announced that it will no longer sell its product to the clinics associated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing campaigns.

According to The Los Angeles Times, the company made the decision as a response to the federal investigations that are being conducted on the centers for consumer fraud.

Since 2009, five people from Southern California have died from Lap-Band surgeries performed at the California clinics, resulting in several wrongful death lawsuits that have been filed.

Side effects for successful Lap-Band surgeries include nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, gastroesophageal reflux disease, upset stomach, stretching of the stomach pouch, and stretching of the esophagus.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a Lap-Band procedure, or by another unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Dietary Supplements Recalled Over Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Healthy People Co. has issued a recall of its dietary supplements due to the presence of undeclared drug ingredients.

According to the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), a lab analysis has found Sibutramine and Tadalafil in supplements like Ever Slim Shake Mix and Mince Belle Dietary Supplement, making them unapproved new drugs.

Sibutramine, which is an FDA approved drug used to suppress appetite for those who are obese, is known to cause a significant increase in blood pressure and/or pulse rate. It may also present the highest risk of those ailments for those with a history of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, or arrhythmias.

Tadalafil, which is also FDA approves to treat male erectile dysfunction, may cause blood pressure to become too low. This drug may negatively interact with nitrates, which are found in some prescription drugs that treat diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law to discuss your potential case with a dangerous drugs lawyer.

Prudential Settles Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Regarding Unpaid Claims

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:54:00 -0500

Prudential Financial Inc. has reached a settlement with seven states following a consumer fraud lawsuit that alleged it conveniently ignored death databases in order to avoid payments to the families of dead policyholders.

According to Bloomberg, the settlement calls for Prudential completely change its computer and more consistently use death databases to check on policyholders and ensure that policies do not go unpaid. The company had previously been accused of regularly accessing death databases when checking on the proper time to terminate a policy, but not using them to confirm when payments for a policy should begin.

"We know that the failure to search for beneficiaries even though the company has access to death information is a pervasive industry practice," said Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, according to Bloomberg.

In total, Prudential will improve its search system by improving the detection of false Social Security numbers and the location of beneficiaries. It will pay more $17 million to accomplish this, as well as pay for other mandated expenses.

Florida, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey and North Dakota were the investigatory states in the consumer fraud lawsuit that claimed the company had not been properly paying out its claims.

If you or a loved one has been taken advantage of by an insurance company’s unfair practices, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about possibly pursuing a consumer fraud lawsuit.

W.R. Grace Settles Bankruptcy Litigation

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:54:00 -0500

The settlement of bankruptcy court litigation involving asbestos-product maker W.R. Grace & Co. will likely help thousands of families who have mesothelioma lawsuits pending against the company.

According to The Daily Inter Lake, W.R. Grace recently ended bankruptcy court litigation and agreed to a $19.5 million settlement that will fund the Libby Medical Program and transfer to a local Libby Medical Plan Trust. This financial decision will ensure that the Libby Medical Program – which until now has been a voluntary operation started by W.R.Grace that could have technically been shut down at any time - will remain open.

The bankruptcy settlement will also establish an Asbestos Personal Injury Trust as part of the company’s reorganization plan. Up to two asbestos trusts to compensate asbestos and mesothelioma personal injury claimants and property owners can be established under the reorganization plan. The trusts will cover costs for any current and future asbestos claims.

When initially filing for bankruptcy, the company said it had been named in 110,000 asbestos-related lawsuits.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by loose asbestos fibers, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about possibly pursuing an asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuit.
Jim Sokolove+

Cincinnati Bus Company Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit For $5 Million

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Cincinnati school bus company First Student has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit that claimed one of its drivers hit a teenager and led to his death.

According to Cinicinnati.com, on November 15, 2010 Mason Adams was crossing the street on a cross walk when a 23-year-old driver from First Student hit him with a bus.

The wrongful death lawsuit that was filed by Adams’ mother claims that the bus’ video camera captured the accident and showed that the driver failed to properly defrost the windshield, leaving him unable to see Adams crossing the street.

The bus driver was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2011 for the death.

If your child has been harmed in a bus accident, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

George Brett Sued in Consumer Fraud Lawsuit over Sports Jewelry

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A consumer fraud lawsuit has been filed against an athletic product company owned by Kansas City Royals legend George Brett claiming it misrepresented the health benefits its sports jewelry provides to consumers.

According to the Kansas City Star, Seth Thompson of Iowa filed the complaint earlier this month in Des Moines federal Court against Brett Bros. Sports International stating that he purchased a necklace from the company hoping “to experience the increased energy and focus and reduced fatigue and stress that the Brett Bros. website described.” However, Thompson added that he “did not experience any of the promised benefits.”

Thompson seeks class action status and wants the company to stop falsely advertising its products and return all the profits it has made back to the buyers.

If you have been wronged by any type of consumer fraud, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Health Canada Warns Against Doribax Use

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Health Canada has issued a “Dear Doctor” letter to doctors that contains new safety information regarding dangers of using Doribax for the treatment of ventilator-assisted pneumonia (VAP).

The warning regarding the use of Doribax was released in consultation with Janssen Inc, which manufactures the medication, to hospital staff and other medical professionals following the termination of a Phase 3 study that had been investigating the use of the drug to combat VAP.

The study was ended after an analysis of data from 274 of the planned 524 subjects showed a “higher mortality rate and a lower clinical cure rate among subjects treated with a fixed seven-day course of Doribax 1 g q8h compared to those treated with a fixed 10-day course of imipenem-cilastatin.”

The letter also warns that treatment duration periods for Doribax should tailored to the severity of illness, infecting pathogen and the patient's clinical response.

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public health warning that based on the same study. It added that U.S. Doribax has not been approved to treat any type of pneumonia, or for doses greater than 500 mg every eight hours.

If you or a loved one have been harmed by a dangerous drug such as Doribax, contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about potentially pursuing a dangerous drug lawsuit.

Personal Injury Lawsuits Grow to the Hundreds against the NFL by Former Players

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Hundreds of former National Football League players have filed personal injury lawsuits against the league claiming it did not do enough to protect players from suffering traumatic head injuries.

According to CNN, at least 137 former players and their families have filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL alleging that the league deliberately withheld information that was vital to player safety. Some of the more notable players such as Jim McMahon, Jamal Lewis, and Dorsey Levens have filed similar personal injury lawsuits in states across the U.S. Levens and Lewis claim that the NFL “hand-picked committee of physicians” to misrepresent evidence of the side effects of concussions and other head traumas.

A recent study by researchers at Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy found evidence of an illness called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy - a brain disease that is similar to dementia- in 14 out of 15 former NFL players that were studied. Each player had either sustained repeated concussions, sub-concussive blows to the head, or both.

Many of the players filing the complaints describe symptoms that include sleeplessness, headaches, and dementia.

A panel of judges has recently ruled that the lawsuits against the NFL will be consolidated in Philadelphia federal court.

If you or a loved one has experienced a sports concussion or head injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Online Statin Sellers Don't Display Important Safety Information

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:16:00 -0500

Internet websites that sell prescription statin medications to consumers do not provide the proper information regarding safe use of the medication and possible side effects, a new study has found.

The study, which will be published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, simulated customer search and evaluations that focused on quality and safe medicine use for 184 retrieved sites.

The results showed consumers who lookto purchase statins online are likely to encounter websites that were poorly designed and either left out or misrepresented a number of important medical facts. Many of the websites that were surveyed had confusing language, incomplete lists of known side effects and compatible medications.

"Websites offering statins for sale contain little information on the safety of these drugs, which are intended as prescription only medicines" said Professor David Brown of the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Portsmouth, the leader of the study. "There is an inherent danger in patients seeking to self-medicate in this way without consulting a healthcare professional and being appraised of ways to use the medicine safely."

If you or a loved one have taken a dangerous drug that has led to health problems, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation.

Tassimo T Discs and Coffee Makers Recalled for Burn Hazards

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:45:00 -0500

Kraft Foods Global has recalled Tassimo coffee makers and four million Tassimo T Discs because the single serve coffee packages may become clogged during the brewing process and spray hot coffee grounds and liquid onto users.

According to Consumer Reports, Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have received reports of 21 incidents where the defective T Discs sprayed consumers while they were being used in the Tassimo coffee machines. Four incidents resulted in second degree burns, and one of the victims was a 2-year-old girl who was burned on her face.

The recall includes Maxwell House, Gevalia, and Nabob brand expresso Tassimo T-Discs sold from August 2011 through February 2012.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

High Chair Deemed to be Unsafe by Consumer Reports

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Consumer Reports has announced that a high chair is unsafe because it does not have the proper safety features that would prevent a child from either sliding out of the chair or being caught and strangled during a fall.

According to Consumer Reports, tests showed that the Dream on Me Bistro high chair lacks a “passive crotch restraint,” which is a fixed post that lies between a child’s legs to stop him/her from falling out of the chair or becoming stuck between the tray and the seat.

They also found that the high chair had openings between the chair arms and the seat are big enough to let a child’s torso or legs to go through, posing an additional injury risk. Other safety hazards included openings in the chair when it is set up that could catch small fingers and places where fingers could be pinched while the chair is folded or adjusted.

In addition, testers found the trays on the chairs to be hard to install, adjust or remove.

If your child has been harmed by an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law to speak to a product liability lawyer and learn about your legal options.

Lipsticks May Contain High Lead Levels

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration has found that certain brands of lipstick have unsafe amounts of lead in them that are not allowed to be used in cosmetics.

According to Forbes, lipstick from Maybelline and L’Oreal contain lead levels that are above the recommended 5 parts-per-million (ppm), while Maybelline had 7.19 ppm and L’Oreal had 7.0 ppm. Other lipstick brands that hit right below the maximum lead level include Nars and Covergirl.

In 2007 most lipstick brands tested at 3ppm.

“Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, because lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development,” said Dr. Sean Palfrey, a professor of pediatrics and public health at Boston University and the medical director of Boston‘s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, said.

Dr. Mark Mitchell, policy advisor of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice and co-chair of the Environmental Health Task Force for the National Medical Association, added that lead can build up in the body over time, and that lipstick with high levels of lead that is “applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels.”

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.