Sokolove Law Blog Feed

Asbestos Lawsuit Launched Against BNSF Railway

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:50:00 -0400

Two Nebraska men who used to work for BNSF Railway have brought an asbestos lawsuit against the company alleging that it is to blame for their asbestos-related diseases.

William Schleicher began work as a blacksmith in 1943 at a reclamation plant owned by the railroad company. Years later in 1968 Cox began working at a BNSF heating plant. At both of these locations, the men claim they regularly dealt with products containing asbestos, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.

Both men now suffer from asbestos-related diseases, and claim that BNSF’s subpar working conditions and failure to provide them with proper safety materials are the reasons for their illnesses. Their asbestos lawsuit accuses BNSF of negligence and failure to provide a safe place to work.

Cases involving asbestos exposure can sometimes be very difficult and often benefit from the help of an experienced asbestos or mesothelioma attorney. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and now suffers from an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, call Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation regarding an asbestos claim.

New Distracted Driving Lawsuit Filed Against Texter

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:59:00 -0400

A couple that sustained life-altering injuries during a 2009 car accident caused by a texting teenager is seeking to hold the person the driver was texting liable for their injuries by adding them as a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit.

In the unprecedented move, David and Linda Kubert allege that because Kyle Best and Shannon Colonna were exchanging texts at the time of the accident, Colonna was “electronically present” in Best’s vehicle, according to the New Jersey Law Journal. They further allege that she was aware or should have been aware that Best was driving.

The Kuberts say they are trying to broaden a “firmly ensconced” cause of circumstances with liability predicated on conventional tort concepts such as proximate cause and foreseeability of harm, according to the New Jersey Law Journal.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by distracted driving, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawsuit may be able to help you.

NY Man With Faulty Hip Implants Reaches Out to FDA

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:52:00 -0400

A New York man who has undergone two different hip replacement surgeries with defective hip implants is planning to reach out to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an effort to improve medical device regulations.

Steve Lorenz has been living with the recalled Johnson & Johnson ASR metal-on-metal hip replacements, which has caused him to experience pain and discomfort, according to Of The Morning Call. He says he has had problems finding a doctor to perform a revision surgery because they want to avoid litigation.

The defective hip replacement is made out of chrome and cobalt metals and the friction between the metals in the implant has been shown to release tiny pieces of metal into the bloodstream. This may lead patients to experience side effects such as mood swings, vision loss, implant failure, and damaged soft tissue around the prosthesis, according to the Morning Call.

Lorenz and his wife will travel to Washington D.C. in June to go before the FDA to try and persuade the agency to make stricter regulations so that medical devices do not enter the market without undergoing clinical trials.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective metal-on-metal hip implant, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you

FDA Calls for Kid-Sized Medical Scanners

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:50:00 -0400

As concerns grow over the affect that radiation from CT scans and X-rays may have on children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed guidelines to manufacturers urging them to create new scanners for young patients.

There is concern that an excessive amount of radiation received by a child from medical testing may increase their risk of cancer later in life, according to the Associated Press. Research shows that scans are unnecessarily used far too often and children are in even more danger because their tissues, which are rapidly growing, are more sensitive to radiation.

The proposed guidelines suggest that makers of the medical imaging devices provide specific information to doctors on ways to lessen radiation exposure for kids of different age groups and sizes or label the device as unsuitable for children. The guidelines also encourage the creation of machines that have buttons doctors can push to make adjustments and software to remind the medical profession to make the changes.

The FDA’s guidelines are open for comment from the public for four months before they become finalized, according to the AP.

If your child has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Folding Step Stools Recalled Due to Risk of Fall

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:47:00 -0400

Kennedy International Inc. has issued a recall for its folding step stools because of a fall hazard.

The recall affects about 1.6 million Folding Step Stools in the U.S. and 64,000 in Canada because the stools can break or collapse unexpectedly when in use, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

The company is aware of at least 15 reports of incidents involving step stools cracking or breaking, including three reports of injuries to consumers using the stools. There have been two reports of back injuries and one report of a fractured leg.

The step stools were sold at HomeGoods, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and other retailers throughout the nation from January 2010 through January 2012.

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 a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Phenobarbital May Stunt Neuronal Growth

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:43:00 -0400

A new study conducted on the brains of infant rats suggests that the epilepsy drug Phenobarbital may stunt neuronal growth.

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center studied four types of epilepsy drugs, including Phenobarbital to identify the effect different drugs had on the normal growth of brain neural networks on normal animals, according to News Medical.

The study published in the Annals of Neurology, found that when the drug was given to the infant rats one week after birth, their brain wiring became altered and this caused them to experience cognitive abnormalities as they grew older, according to News Medical.

"Our study is the first to show that the exposure to these drugs - and just a single exposure - can prevent brain circuits from developing their normal connectivity, meaning they may not be wired correctly, which can have long-lasting effects on brain function," says Dr. Karen Gale, a professor of pharmacology at GUMC and a senior author of the study.

Gale further says that the results of the study imply that the drugs are not as gentle on the growing brain as many would like to believe.

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.

Judge Denies Lap-Band Makers’ Bid for Arbitration

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:42:00 -0400

Last week, a California judge refused to force a group of patients to undergo arbitration after they were injured or died from Lap-Band surgeries, claiming clinics and a marketing firm failed to warn patients about the risks associated with the weight loss procedure.

The medical malpractice lawsuit, filed February 2011, is a result of the "1-800-GET-THIN" advertising campaign that promised the public fast weight loss, according to Law360 (subscription required). The complaint claims that Top Surgeons and "1-800-GET-THIN" gave consumers an unrealistic view of the surgery and did not inform them of vital warnings.

In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to the marketing firm and clinics claiming they deceived patients about the grave nature of the surgery. The "1-800-GET-THIN" advertisements were subsequently pulled.

A consumer fraud lawsuit was filed earlier this year against the Lap-Band clinics by its former employees claiming the centers persuaded patients to have surgeries that were unnecessary and billed their insurance companies for the procedures.

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

Senators Want EPA to Examine Lead Factory Sites

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:05:00 -0400

Six U.S. senators have called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to look into health threats that forgotten factory sites pose - including factories close to playgrounds and schools.

The issue was featured in a recent USA Today investigation that was published last month, which found that government regulators did not do much to probe and protect the public from toxic fallout that remains in soil around hundreds of former lead factories, also known as smelters. The factories operated during the 1930s and 1960s, which was prior to environmental regulations.

The probe found that although the EPA was provided with a list of the former locations of the factories over a decade ago and EPA investigators recommended soil testing to determine the hazards, nothing was ever done.

In the senators’ letter, they expressed worry over the health hazards the old factories posed and that “families with young children have unsuspectingly allowed children to be exposed to higher than recommended lead levels," according to USA Today.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by chemical exposure, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Government

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:34:00 -0400

The federal government is being sued by the estate of a soldier who died in 2008, in a $2 million wrongful death lawsuit claiming that he was not ready to be given a three day pass by the VA Medical Center.

The wrongful death lawsuit states that Jeffrey Jared Waggoner took the Global Assessment of Functioning, which measures a person’s psychological, social, and occupational fitness, and received a score of 30 out of 100, according to The Oregonian. The complaint states that a score of 30 meant the soldier needed inpatient care.

The plaintiffs allege that the 32-year-old veteran suffered from a number of emotional and physical disorders such as an opioid addiction and post traumatic stress disorder. At the time of his death, he was taking 19 different drugs, including Clonazepam, Tramadol, Oxycodone, Melatonin, and nicotine.

His cause of death was listed as an overdose of Oxycodone and methadone as well as asphyxiation. The wrongful death lawsuit says that the Army’s own probe discovered that Waggoner should not have been released by the VA Medical Center due to his Global Assessment of Functioning test score.

This most recent complaint filing is the Waggoner estate’s third try to sue the complaint because previous attempts were rejected under the Feres Doctrine, which stops members of the military from filing lawsuits against the government for injuries that occurred while on active duty.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

Kolcraft Issues Recall for Bassinets Due to Fall Hazard

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:28:00 -0400

Kolcraft Enterprises Inc. has issued a recall for about 46,000 bassinets due to a fall risk.

The recall is being issued for the company’s Tender Vibes & Light Vibes bassinets because the latches that attach the bassinet base onto the metal frame can appear to be locked in place but still remain unlocked. This lets the bassinet to become detached from the metal frame, causing the bassinet to fall and the infant to be injured, according to a press release by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The CPSC and Kolcraft have received seven reports of latches that detached from the bassinet frame. One infant experienced a bruised cheek when the bassinet detached from the metal frame and landed sideways on the floor with the infant inside.

The product was sold at mass market and independent juvenile specialty stores throughout the nation and online from July 2008 through May 2012.

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

Inflatable Water Slides Issued Recall After a Death

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:00 -0400

The death of a 29-year-old Colorado woman has prompted a recall of about 21,000 inflatable water slides.

The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) says that the Banzai water slides may deflate during use and the rider may hit the ground underneath the slide. The vinyl slide can also topple in both windy and still weather conditions, said the CPSC.

Two other injuries have occurred from the slides including one man who became a quadriplegic and a woman who fractured her neck, according to the Associated Press.

The slides were manufactured in China by Manley Toys Ltd. and were sold at Toys R Us and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through June 2009.

In February, a jury awarded $20 million to the family of the woman who died in a wrongful death lawsuit.

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 a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Fosamax May Have Little Long Term Benefit

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:23:00 -0400

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted an analysis of studies of various drugs used to treat osteoporosis in older women and have come to the conclusion that these medications may have little benefit in the long run.

Their findings, which were published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine, reignites a debate over whether use of osteoporosis drugs - such as Fosamax - for more than three to five years is effective in strengthening bones, according to Bloomberg.

The FDA began their analysis since 2007 and in September 2011 an advisory panel recommended updates to the drug labels to show the effectiveness may wane over time.

The agency previously linked the bone-strengthening drugs to jaw bone deterioration and thigh fractures. It is also probing the drugs’ link to esophageal cancer.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a Fosamax or another 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.

Lenders Force Homeowners into Foreclosure

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:17:00 -0400

Forced-placed insurance – in which a mortgage lender imposes an exorbitant insurance policy on a homeowner with an insufficient or lapsed policy – is getting a hard look from federal and state regulators.

Scrutiny of the practice comes as it becomes clear that forced-placed insurance is a lucrative business for some banks and their mortgage servicers, which get paid a commission for buying the high-priced policies from insurers, according to a recent Bloomberg editorial. That commission is built into the premium and inflates the price paid by the homeowner.

An investigation by New York State’s Department of Financial Services revealed that the banks receive nearly 15 percent of the premiums from forced-placed policies, according to Bloomberg. And the banks often collect additional profits by using their own insurance subsidiary to reinsure the forced-placement policy.

Such arrangements may help to explain why some lenders have been slow to aid troubled borrowers and stem the tide of home foreclosures, writes Bloomberg.

Both the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state insurance regulators are looking at rules to help homeowners avoid having costly force-placed insurance pushed on them. Critics of forced-placement are calling for measures such as banning or imposing limits on the commissions paid to lenders and requiring competitive bids for forced-place policies, among other things.

If you think you are the victim of an unfair forced-placed insurance policy, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation on consumer fraud.

Canadian Surgeons Warned About Hip Replacement Risks

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:15:00 -0400

Health Canada is warning orthopedic surgeons about the potential health risks linked to metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacement surgery.

The hip implants have been associated with reports of pain, implant loosening, and local tissue reactions. In severe cases additional surgery was required to replace the old system with a new one, according to a Health Canada press release. A survey conducted by the UK’s National Joint Registry showed that about 14.2 percent of revised MoM hip replacements exhibited soft tissue reactions.

Some of these adverse reactions are thought to be the result of increased levels of small metal particles and metal ions released by the medical device. In addition to warning doctors of the risks involved with these implants, the agency issued specific recommendations for follow-up and diagnosis of patients with a MoM hip implant such as how to properly assess patients from revision surgery and metal ion contamination.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Ford Expands Windstar Recall

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:09:00 -0400

Ford Motor Co. has expanded a previous recall on its Windstar minivans by adding 32,400 vehicles because the undercarriage parts may rust and break.

The National Highway Traffic Safety announced that the front wheels can break and cause drivers to lose control. The company is also recalling 9,400 vehicles from Puerto Rico because the rear axles may crack and break if they are put under repeated heavy loads, according to the Associated Press.

Ford issued a recall in January 2010 that involved Administration announced that Ford will recall 23,000 of the vehicles from Virginia to repair parts near 400,000 Windstars from cold-weather states where salt is used to clear snow and ice from roads. Salt may cause mounts and brackets to rust and separate from the frame, causing drivers to lose steering control, according to the AP.

The recall for the rear axle was issued in August 2010 and involved more than 600,000 Windstar vehicles in the U.S. as well as Canada. It includes vehicles sold in states with cold weather from 1998 through 2003.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe vehicle, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Photo courtesy of IFCAR via Wikimedia Commons.

FDA Issues Warning on Dangers of Libation Therapy

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:06:00 -0400

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning about injuries and death associated with the use of an experimental procedure often called “libation therapy” or “liberation procedure” to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

Some researchers believe that CCSVI may cause multiple sclerosis (MS). They also speculate that it may contribute to the progression of the disease by impairing blood drainage from the brain and upper spinal cord. Studies that searched for a link between MS and CCSVI are inconclusive and the criteria used to diagnose CCSVI have not been adequately established.

Libation Therapy uses balloon angioplasty devices or stents to widen narrowed veins in the neck and chest. The FDA has learned of stroke, death, detachment and migration of the stents, damage to the treated vein, blood clots, cranial nerve damage and abdominal bleeding associated with the experimental procedure.

Balloon angioplasty devices and stents have not been approved by the FDA to be used as treatments for CCSVI.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Intuitive Sued in Botched Robotic Surgery Lawsuit

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:47:00 -0400

Another robotic surgery lawsuit has been filed against Intuitive Surgical that claims it used “force” and “intimidation” to make physicians use its da Vinci robot for surgeries, and that the device was responsible for a woman’s botched hysterectomy.

Patricia Mayfield claims that Intuitive Surgical sold the surgical robot using a “calculated program of intimidation and market management, forcing hospitals and physicians to purchase it in order to appear to be competitive, and creating a fear in their minds that if they did not have this technology they would lose business to competitors," according to Mass Device.

Mayfield had the surgery at the Nelson Center for Women in Meridian Mississppi. Her doctor allegedly provided her with brochures and documents “propounding the benefit of da Vinci robotic hysterectomy over all other methods of hysterectomy”

Shortly after the surgery, she returned to the hospital because of complications and had to have a second procedure to examine a pelvic abscess she developed after the first surgery.

Mayfield claims that the company suppressed complaints and hid the rates of complications from both the public and the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also accused of having insufficient post-marketing surveillance and comparison testing, lack of appropriate physician training, and over-promotion of the da Vinci system.

Mayfield is asking for $270 million in damages for her botched operation.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to represent your case.

RAM Medical Fined $100K for Phony Surgical Mesh

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:37:00 -0400

RAM Medical has been slapped with a $100,000 fine for selling contaminated and counterfeit surgical hernia mesh.

The New Jersey based company was also placed on probation for three years and must pay about $73,000 in restitution, according to the Associated Press. The company purchases discounted and overstocked products from suppliers and wholesalers throughout the world to resells them to companies in the U.S.

Ram Medical must also locate and destroy all of the imported counterfeit mesh.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation. A product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Senate Probes Painkiller Makers’ Financial Ties

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:30:00 -0400

The U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee will probe the financial ties that exist between the manufacturers of prescription painkillers and patient advocacy groups, pain experts, and groups that determine the rules on how physicians use the medications.

A letter signed by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), the committee’s chairman, and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said the investigation is meant to ensure that patients and doctors are receiving correct and unbiased information from painkiller makers about the risks and benefits of their drugs, according to The New York Times.

The letter was sent to makers of prescription painkillers as well as several pain specialists and patient advocacy groups.

The Senate inquiry comes amid an epidemic of narcotic painkiller overdoses and growing concern about the risks patients face by taking these drugs over extended periods of time or at high doses.

Narcotic painkillers, or opiods, are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in the nation, according to The Times. In the last 10 years, the number of prescriptions written annually for the medications - including Vicodin, OxyContin, methadone, and fentanyl - has increased fourfold.

If you or a loved one were 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.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Settled for $2.2 Million

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:23:00 -0400

An Illinois hospital recently agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle the claims of a man who says he was injured by a procedure that went awry.

OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center and a local doctor agreed to pay $2.2 million in total to Paul Ringer Sr. and his wife, according to Mywebtimes.com.

The medical malpractice lawsuit claimed that Ringer had a routine prostate procedure on November 13, 2006 at the hospital when it went under the name of Community Hospital of Ottawa. He suffered an injury to his bladder that resulted in its removal.

If you or a loved one has been injured by medical malpractice, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

Ingredient in Sunscreen Linked to Endometriosis

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:18:00 -0400

A new study suggests that there is a potential link between an ingredient in sunscreen and an increased risk of endometriosis - a painful condition that causes uterine tissue to grow outside of the uterus.

The study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, is the first to examine the link between endometriosis and benzophenone (BP), an ingredient in sunscreen that mimics the effects of the female hormone, estrogen. BP ingredients effectively block ultraviolet rays from the sun, according to Science Daily. Tiny amounts of BPs may go through the skin and be absorbed into the blood.

Researchers analyzed BP levels in the urine of 625 women who had surgery for endometriosis. High levels of a BP known as 2, 4 OH-BP were linked to an increased risk of developing the condition. Endometriosis affects up to 1-in-10 women.

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 a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Drugs Lack Dosing Info for Kids

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:52:00 -0400

A new study finds that 50 percent of drug labels do not include information on the correct dosing and safety precautions for kids.

In 2009, researchers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration evaluated 560 drug labels for medications used to treat a variety of ailments such as allergies and high blood pressure. They found that 231 of the drugs had proper labeling and 29 dosing information for some age groups, according to Reuters. Fifty-four percent of labels had no useful dosing information for kids.

"If you give a child a therapy and it doesn't work, it's hard to tell if your dose wasn't ideal or it's just because the drug didn't work. Likewise if a child has a side effect, it's hard to tell if that's a side effect of the drug or if the child wouldn't have had that side effect if the right dose was given," said Dr. Eric Lavonas, from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver.

If your child 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.

Vermont May Ban Fracking

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:47:00 -0400

It seems as though Vermont may be on the brink of being the first state in the nation to ban the largely debated gas drilling practice of hydraulic fracturing or fracking,

After passing the House last week with an overwhelming vote of 103-36, the Democratic Gov. Peter Shulmin is next to approve the bill, according to the Boston Globe.

Fracking involves drilling deep wells and injecting water to release natural gas deposits in between its layers.

Many environmentalists say that the chemicals used during fracking threaten public health as well as the environment. They further assert that the companies that do the drilling have not fully informed the public about what chemicals are being used during the process, according to the Globe.

The new action taken by Vermont comes on the heels of the government issuing new rules for fracking on public lands.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by contaminated water due to fracking, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Medical Negligence Lawsuit Leads to $650K

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:41:00 -0400

A Massachusetts jury handed down a $650,000 award to the father of a girl who developed a serious hip condition after her doctor disregarded the wishes of her parents to have her tested.

When Emily DiStasio was 6 months old in 2004, her parents reported to her doctor that they noticed she crawled only using her arms and they were concerned about it. The child’s pediatrician never ordered a hip X-ray or diagnostic test, despite the continued complaints from her parents, according the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Another doctor diagnosed Emily - at almost three-years-old - with severe bilateral hip dysplasia, which is a condition that can successfully be treated without surgery, if it is caught early enough.

The medical negligence lawsuit states that because Emily was not diagnosed early enough by her doctor, her condition will require several surgeries throughout her life, including at least two complete hip replacements and limb-lengthening procedures.

Emily is now 8-years-old and attends public school where she must be assisted by someone at all times.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by the medical negligence of a medical professional, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation. A medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

Depakote Lawsuit Leads to $1.6B Settlement

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:18:00 -0400

Abbott Laboratories has agreed to pay $1.6 billion to settle a dangerous drug lawsuit filed by federal and state governments alleging the drugmaker illegally marketed unapproved uses of the epilepsy drug Depakote.

The settlement is the second-largest in a number of multimillion dollar payouts in recent years stemming from a stricter enforcement by state investigators and the Justice Department against drug manufacturers who illegally promote their medications, according to the Washington Post.

Abbott Labs has also agreed to plead guilty to a criminal misdemeanor.

Although doctors can prescribe “off-label” drugs - unapproved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as “safe and effective” - drugmakers are prohibited from actively marketing their products for the same uses.

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.

Allergan Gets Subpoena For Lap-Band

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:11:00 -0400

Allergan Inc. has been slapped by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Inspector General with a subpoena to appear in court for its Lap-Band device.

Earlier this year, the House Democratic lawmakers called for hearings on medical devices including the Lap-Band. This was prompted by a study published in the medical journal Archives of Surgery, that showed nearly 50 percent of patients with a gastric band needed the medical device removed after six years or had no weight loss, according to Bloomberg. More than 40 percent of patients had long term complications.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the gastric band in 2001 for severely obese people - 100 pounds overweight with a body mass index of 40 or more - with conditions related to obesity such as heart problems. In February 2011, Allergan received approval to expand their marketing of the Lap-Band to include people who had lower body mass indexes.

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 and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

Woman Set Occupied Nursing Home Bed on Fire

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:54:00 -0400

While instances of nursing home and elder abuse oftentimes occur at the hands of workers at facilities, it is not always the case.

Fifty-nine-year-old Joyce Johnson will spend eight years in prison after pleading guilty to setting an occupied nursing home bed on fire that was in the same room her mother was staying in. Witnesses say that the bed of the 73-year-old roommate of Johnson’s mother was set on fire while the resident was asleep. Since the fire was limited to one area of the bed, the resident, and Johnson’s mother, were both unharmed.

Johnson had been at the nursing home visiting her mother before she started the fire. While she denied having any issues with her mother’s roommate, she eventually admitted to police that she had lit the bed sheets on fire before leaving the room to visit her cousin down the hallway, according to the Southeast Missourian.

Johnson pled guilty to second-degree elderly abuse, a reduced charge from the first-degree elder abuse and first-degree arson she was initially charged with.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in any way while living in a nursing home, there may be legal options at your disposal. Call Sokolove Law today to learn more about what is required to pursue an elderly abuse lawsuit.

Asbestos Delays Construction of Energy Plant

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:51:00 -0400

The discovery of potentially dangerous asbestos products on the construction site of a new natural gas plant in North Carolina has halted all building operations so proper abatement procedures can take place.

While digging on the future site of the Sutton Energy Complex, workers uncovered an underground structure that was more than 50-years-old. Testing confirmed that the structure contained trace amounts of asbestos.

Officials from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) were called to the site. They decided, along with officials from Progress Energy (the owners of the plant), to halt construction until the asbestos had been properly removed.

Representatives from Progress Energy told Wilmington NBC affiliate WECT-TV that no workers had yet complained of any ill effects that could have been caused by asbestos exposure. While the energy plan had originally been slated for completion in 2014, it is not known how the asbestos abatement delay may adjust the timeline.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos at a construction site and now suffers from mesothelioma, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Securities Fraud Scam Gets Man 240 Months in Prison

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:45:00 -0400

A Dallas man has been sentenced to 240 months in prison for securities fraud charges involving his operation of a Ponzi scheme in two states that took advantage of thousands of victims.

Thirty-six-year-old Joseph Blimline was part of a group that started their Ponzi scheme in Michigan in November 2003. The securities fraud scheme promised inflated rates of return on oil and gas investment opportunities to potential investors. However, the money received from investors was instead used to pay previous investors and diverted into a separate account for Brimline’s personal.

Between November 2003 and December2005 the scheme netted over $28 million in investor funding, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

By 2006, Blimline enlisted new help as he shifted his Ponzi scheme to Texas. Acting under the company name of Provident Royalties, he orchestrated a similar scheme of making false representations and failing to disclose material facts to potential investors. Blimline netted more than $400 million in unsecured loans from approximately 7,700 investors.

The Texas securities fraud scheme eventually collapsed in 2009. FBI agents in Michigan and Texas worked together to unearth both schemes and eventually arrest Blimline.

“To all potential investors, I urge you to be wary of investment vehicles that promise exorbitant rates of return. Remember: If the opportunity appears too good to be true, then it probably is,” said John M. Bales, a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas.

If you or a loved one have been taken advantage by a fraudulent securities fraud scheme, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a consumer fraud lawsuit.

Nursing Home Owner Defrauds Medicare and Medicaid

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:06:00 -0400

The owner of three Atlanta-area nursing homes has been convicted on charges of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of $32.9 million while providing “horrendous” care to residents at the facilities.

Sixty-three-year-old George Dayln Houser was found to have billed Medicare and Medicaid programs for $32.9 million in “worthless services” for the three deficient nursing homes run by he and his wife between July 2004 and September 2007. While the Medicare and Medicaid funding was supposed to pay for food, medical care, and other services for nursing home residents, those living in Houser’s facilities never received them. Between the three facilities, there was room for more than 400 residents to receive nursing home care.

In addition to not properly using government funding to care for residents, the facilities each also suffered from a number of other shortcomings that put residents at risk:

• Each facility lacked a sufficiently sized staff to take proper care of the residents

• Buildings were inadequately maintained. Two facilities had holes in their roofs that leaked rainwater and led to water damage. However, the holed were never patched.

• Insect and rodent infestations were regular problems that were likely caused by rotting garbage left at the facility when trash collection service bills were not paid.

• Vendors of food, pharmacy and clinical laboratory services, medical waste disposal, trash disposal, and nursing supplies were regularly not paid by Houser, leading food and supply shortages.

“It almost defies the imagination to believe that someone would use millions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid money to buy real estate for hotels and a house while his elderly and defenseless nursing home residents went hungry and lived in filth and mold,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “We will continue to aggressively protect our most vulnerable citizens and hold accountable those who prey on the elderly and steal precious healthcare dollars.”

In addition to improperly caring for the facilities’ residents, Houser was also convicted of eight counts of deducting $806,305 in federal payroll taxes from his employees’ paychecks and never paying it back to the IRS.

Rhonda Washington Houser, George’s wife, pleaded guilty to misprison of the felony of health care fraud in December 2011. They both are now awaiting sentencing.

If you or a loved one have been victimized by nursing home abuse or improper care, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

Abbey Theatre Closed Over Asbestos Worries

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:57:00 -0400

A National theatre in Dublin, Ireland is being closed for two months following the revelation that it may contain an asbestos risk to theatergoers that needs to be removed.

Officials at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin recently announced that after meeting with consultants and health officials they had decided to close the theatre so asbestos abatement procedures could take place. The theatre had been scheduled to host a staging of The Plough and the Stars from July 26-September 15, but the performance has now been moved to another theatre.

The asbestos abatement work at the theatre will be performed with the assistance of Ireland safety officials.

"There is no health risk whatsoever for staff or patrons, which has been confirmed by ongoing weekly air-quality tests, carried out by a specialist analytical company,” a spokesman for the theatre said, according to the Belfast Telegraph. “We have opted to fully remove the asbestos for the long-term safety of our staff because theatre involves a lot of technical work and staff may be required to work in the areas where asbestos was identified."

Whether it is in Ireland or the United States, many old theatres contain construction or set products that were built using asbestos as a flame retardant. As these theatres age, it is more likely that asbestos products could become damaged and release inhalable fibers into the air.

Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma that can be traced back to asbestos exposure from a theatre or building? Call Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation regarding a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Couple Says Insurer Wrongly Denied $75,000 Damage Claim

Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A couple from Montana who rented out their greenhouse to a company that grows medical marijuana and had its operation subjected to a federal raid is claiming their insurer acted in bad faith for denying its $75,000 damage claim.

Scott and Stephanie Nelson, the owners of Helena Glass and Stove Works, rented a greenhouse they owned to Montana Cannibis so it could grow medical marijuana, according to Claims Journal. As it turns out, the broker in the transaction never relayed the appropriate information to Farmers Alliance Mutual Insurance Co.

In March 2011 the greenhouse was the subject of a federal raid. Among other things, the raid caused damage to the greenhouse, leading the Nelson’s to file a $75,000 damage claim with the insurance company. However, the Nelsons were surprised when they learned that their claim had been denied.

In an effort to get their claim paid to them, the couple brought an unfair insurance denial lawsuit against the company. No decision has yet been reached in the lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an insurance company that has acted in bad faith, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing an unfair insurance denial lawsuit.

Air Canada Sued Over Drowsy Pilot’s Actions

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:37:00 -0400

Air Canada is being sued in a $20 million class action personal injury lawsuit by passengers claiming a drowsy pilot caused the plane to make a steep dive.

Although the airline says that the incident occurred because of unexpected turbulence, the Transport Safety Board of Canada said it was actually caused by a pilot who had just woken up from a long nap, according to the Toronto Sun. An investigation by the board found that the pilot thought the plan was on a crash course with another plane.

In the complaint, the passengers allege they were “subjected to violent forces as the aircraft was suddenly put into a steep dive.” Fourteen passengers and two crew members suffered injuries because they were not wearing seatbelts.

The personal injury lawsuit claims that Air Canada attempted to settle with passengers without informing them of the actual reason the incident occurred.

If you or a loved one has been injured during a plane ride, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you.

Debate Over DMAA Safety Continues

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:33:00 -0400

The debate over the safety of DMAA (dimethylamylamine), an ingredient added to some dietary supplements and marketed “workout boosters,” is heating up as a Harvard researcher is demanding a complete ban of the substance.

"Currently research is being conducted to see how dangerous they are, but we know that there have been reports of death, stroke, and heart failure among people taking DMAA," said Pieter Cohen, internist at Cambridge Health Alliance and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

This demand comes only a week after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested safety data on DMAA from 10 drugmakers, according to WebMD Health News.

There is increasing concern that DMAA may cause blood vessels to narrow which can increase blood pressure and lead to side effects such as tightening in the chest and shortness of breath.

The FDA received 42 reports of people experiencing adverse side effects from products containing DMAA. Canada has banned the substance from all dietary supplements, according to WebMD.

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

Florida Pharmacy Linked to Eye Infections

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:32:00 -0400

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention confirmed that products mixed in a Florida Pharmacy led to 33 reports of a rare fungal eye infection affecting people from seven states.

All of the people affected had undergone some type of eye procedure such as injections or surgery, according to MSNBC. The CDC reported that 23 of the people experienced some degree of impaired vision and 24 had to have another eye surgery.

A large amount of the cases were tied to a dye, triamcinolone injection and other drugs from Franck’s Compounding Lab, according to MSNBC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested new bottles and syringes of the dye collected and found several species of bacteria and fungus.

Franck’s Lab recalled the lots of dye in March and one lot of triamcinolone was also recalled that month.

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.

Flame Retardants May Pose a Safety Hazard

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:22:00 -0400

Flame retardant makers mounted a misinformation campaign to spark demand for their products even as studies showed that the chemicals present significant health risks and provide minimal fire protection, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Tribune’s investigative report found that the industry attempted to downplay the risks posed by fire retardants by engaging in misleading tactics. These tactics included overstating the benefits of flame retardant chemicals, creating a fake consumer watchdog group, and organizing a group of high-ranking fire officials to champion use of the chemicals.

Flame retardant chemicals are used in a variety of products from children’s toys and clothing to electronics and furniture. Proponents say they help save lives by reducing fire risk.

However, some of the chemicals have also been linked to cancer, developmental issues, fertility problems, and neurological deficits. And government research into fire retardant foam in furniture shows that it provides negligible protection from fire.

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 a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Sportspower Limited Recalls Trampolines Due to Fall Risk

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:17:00 -0400

Sportspower Limited’s trampolines have fallen short as the company has issued a recall for the products due to a fall risk.

The recall was issued for 92,000 Sportspower BouncePro 14’ Trampolines because the netting surrounding these trampolines may break, allowing children to fall through the netting and be injured, according to a press release by the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Sportspower has received 17 reports of the net breaking, resulting in 11 injuries including broken bones, back and neck injury, and contusions.

The products were sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from February 2009 through February 2012.

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 a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

Pradaxa More Dangerous than Warfarin

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:06:00 -0400

More research has been released that details the dangers of taking Pradaxa in comparison to older forms of anticoagulant drugs.

Dr. Mark Wurster and his colleagues analyzed the clinical records of 113 patients who had switched their treatment plan from warfarin to dabigatran – the active drug in Pradaxa. Patients who were analyzed took the drug for a mean time of nearly four months.

The study found that while there was only one medical event required drug discontinuation among patients (constituting a discontinuation rate of 0.88 percent) while they were using Warfarin, 13 medical events occurred among patients while they were taking the dabigatran (a discontinuation rate of 11.5 percent).

Furthermore, the medical events associated with dabigatran were sometimes quite serious, as one gastrointestinal bleeding event led to a patient death while other patients suffered from two GI bleeds, one rectus sheath hemorrhage, one intracranial hemorrhage, one deep venous thrombosis, one atrial thrombus, one transient ischemic attack, and one skin rash, Heartwire reported.

"The problem with dabigatran is that it has been presented as a 'fire-and-forget' medicine. That is, the doctor can write a prescription and not think about it again. But anticoagulation is not like that,” Wurster said. “Just because patients on dabigatran don't need to have regular INR measurements doesn't mean they don't need monitoring."

Wurster also commented that because newer anticoagulant drugs had shorter half-lives than Warfarin, missing 2-3 doses of the medication could be long enough to allow a major blood clot to develop. He recently presented the findings of the study at the Thrombosis & Hemostasis Summit of North America 2012.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug such a Pradaxa, there may be legal options at your disposal. Call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a dangerous drug lawsuit.

Errors Plague Thousands of Americans’ Credit Reports

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:00:00 -0400

Switched numbers and misspelled names are just a few types of mistakes on credit reports that may seem minor, but have the ability to do an enormous amount of damage.

Due to a lack of rules on how credit-reporting agencies must fix mistakes, the public is left by the wayside when it comes to amending the errors, according to The Columbus Dispatch. These errors have robbed thousands of people from the chance of buying a car or home, renting an apartment, taking out a loan for college, or even getting a job.

The federal law that governs credit reporting is laden with gaps and obstacles that make it almost impossible to correct mistakes, according to the Dispatch.

Some critics say many consumers have no other option but to pursue litigation. Lawmakers believe that the problem affects millions of people in the U.S.

If you or a loved one has been wronged by consumer fraud, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a consumer fraud lawyer may be able to help you.

Facebook Message Helps Diagnose Newborn’s Condition

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:45:00 -0400

A six-month-old from the UK has been diagnosed with a rare brain condition that could have killed him if not properly treated. However, interestingly enough, his diagnosis was not spurred by a medical expert, but rather from a comment on a Facebook post.

The Liverpool Echo recently reported on George Dent, who was born with an abnormally shaped head that gave his parents initial cause for concern. Despite their worries that the head shape may be the sign of a serious medical condition, doctors told them that everything was fine.

Still worried that something may be wrong, George’s mother’s fears were confirmed when she received a comment on her Facebook profile picture – which showed George – from a woman who suggested that he may have Trigonocephaly.

Trigonocephaly is a congenital condition that causes the skull plates in a newborn to fuse together too early and create a triangular shape. It can lead to speech and behavioral problems and, If not treated within a year, can be deadly.

After contacting a specialist to George for the condition, he was correctly diagnosed with it immediately.

“When he was diagnosed I was absolutely devastated, not only with the diagnosis but he will need a major operation at one year which will leave him with a scar from ear to ear which he will have for life,” George’s mother, Charlotte, told the Echo. “And if it hadn’t been noticed by this woman I dread to think what he would have gone through and what his life would have been like.”

Trigonocephaly is often noticeable soon after birth, and complications during birth has been listed as a potential cause of the condition. If you or a loved one have a child who has suffered a birth injury that can be traced to medical error, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a birth injury lawsuit.

Chelsea Hotel Residents Express Asbestos Worries

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:38:00 -0400

Tenants of a historic Manhattan hotel are bringing their landlord to New York City housing court because of safety concerns regarding a number of things, including asbestos products that have been disturbed during prolonged demolition work.

The Chelsea Hotel, which was built in the 1880s and has housed countless celebrities from Arthur C. Clarke and Mark Twain to Bob Dylan and Stanley Kubrick, has been undergoing renovations since 2011 and not accepting guests. However, residents of the building have been allowed to remain in their homes.
However, many of those tenants have become angered with Joseph Chetrit, their landlord, because of hazardous conditions they claim have have become apparent since the renovations began. Among the dangers pointed out by the residents have been mold on walls, crumbling ceilings, and air shafts that contain loose asbestos fibers, WNYC reported.

Following four months of negotiations, 36 of the tenants recently announced that they would be taking Chetrit to housing court and asking for a judge to order the hazardous conditions be remedied.

“The landlord of one of Chelsea’s iconic buildings has done less than nothing to improve these conditions,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn

The tenants also accuse Chetrit of delaying the asbestos and dangerous chemical removal as a bullying tactic to get them to move out of the hotel.

Most buildings built prior to the 1980s contain some type of asbestos products. If these products are damaged and release fibers into the air, those who inhale them have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma later in life.

If you or a loved one have developed mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure from an old building, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a mesothelioma claim.

Photo courtesy of waywuwei via Flickr.

Feds Slow in Addressing Tractor Trailer Safety Concerns

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:25:00 -0400

Under-ride collisions – accidents in which a car crashes and slides beneath the rear of a tractor-trailer with devastating results – kill more than 400 people annually and injure thousands more.

Yet a year after a report from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) found that many truck under-ride guards fail in low-speed crashes, federal highway safety regulators still haven’t taken action to prevent such accidents from happening, according to ABC News.

The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) told ABC it will not require stricter standards until it has completed its own testing, which has been underway since 2009. The NHTSA says it is working on addressing the issues the IIHS report has raised.

In its own testing, IIHS investigators found that when the average passenger car rear-ended a tractor-trailer truck, the bed of the truck pushed the hood and the vehicle’s windshield back at about neck level of the passengers and drivers, which could result in decapitation.

The IIHS also found that while certain aspects of cars have become more effective, like the impact-absorbing engine compartments, the standards for under-ride guards on tractor-trailers has remained the same for about 20 years.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by in a car accident, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you.

Some Fertility Treatments May Increase Risk of Birth Defects

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:23:00 -0400

A new study suggests that certain types of fertility treatments may lead to an increased risk of birth defects.

The study, released by the New England Journal of Medicine, is based on information from more than 300,000 births — 6,163 of which happened with some form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) -- in the state of South Australia between 1986 and 2002, according to the Los Angeles Times. Researchers found that 8.3 percent of children whose parents used ART developed a birth defect, compared to 5.8 percent of kids whose parents conceived naturally. The types of birth defects included “cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, urogenital, and gastrointestinal abnormalities and cerebral palsy,” reported researchers.

The study authors also identified the risk of single types of ART. They started with in vitro fertilization (IVF), which involves sperm and an egg being combined in a laboratory dish and allowed to grow for a couple of days before being placed back into the woman’s uterus. Researchers found that IVF was associated with a 26 percent increased risk of birth defects, but after statistical adjustments such as demographics, the increase became insignificant, according to the Times.

Another type of ART researchers studied is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which involves a single sperm being injected into an egg. This procedure was linked to a 57 percent increased risk of developing a birth defect, even after statistical adjustments. Researchers found that the risk rose even higher to 66 percent in instances where a fresh embryo was used.

The researchers noted that “the large majority of births resulting from assisted conception were free of birth defects,” and concluded that their findings “can help provide guidance in counseling patients who are considering treatment for infertility.”

If your child was born with a birth defect, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Muslim Woman Awarded $5M in Harassment Lawsuit Against AT&T

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:09:00 -0400

A Missouri jury awarded a Muslim woman a record $5 million in a harassment lawsuit that claimed she was subjected to harassment for years after converting to Islam while she was employed at AT&T.

Susann Bashir claimed that she endured workplace discrimination every day after converting to Islam in 2005. She had worked at AT&T’s Kansas City office as a fiber optics builder for seven years prior to converting and never experienced any harassment during that time.

"I was shocked. I thought, 'What is going on?'" she told the Kansas City Star, according to Fox News. "Nobody ever cared what I wore before. Nobody ever cared what religion I was before."

By 2008, the harassment hit a low point when her boss snatched her hijab (a head scarf) and exposed her hair. Following the incident, Bashir became so stressed out that she was unable to go back to work. When she asked to be transferred or for her boss to be removed, her complaint claimed that no action was taken.

After not returning to work for nine months, her employment was terminated.

The jury awarded her $5 million in punitive damages as well as $120,000 in lost wages and other damages. Although this workplace discrimination award is the largest in Missouri’s history, Bashir will receive much less because the state caps these types of awards at five times the actual amount.

If you have experienced discrimination in the workplace, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Health Canada Updates Label for Lexapro

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:01:00 -0400

Health Canada has issued an update for the antidepression drug Lexapro (escitalopram) - known as Cipralex in Canada - to warn the public about the risk of abnormal heart beats.

The class of drugs Lexapro belongs to is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and a clinical trial showed that it can cause electrical changes in the heart known as QT interval prolongation, according to News Medical. The electrical changes may cause the heart to experience abnormal heart rhythms, which may lead to death.

The increased risk is related to dosage so the higher the dose, the higher the increased risk. This warning has been added to the drug label for Lexapro.

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.

Distracted Driving Lawsuit Leads to $24M Award

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:55:00 -0400

A Texas jury awarded $24 million to a woman who was involved in a car accident caused by the distracted driving of a Coca-Cola truck driver.

Vanice Chatman-Wilson was driving a Ford Fusion when a Coca-Cola truck driver who was talking on her phone caused the 2010 accident, according to the Insurance Journal. She claims she suffered back and neck pain as well as had to undergo lumbar surgery.

Coca-Cola contends that it has a policy that requires drivers to use hands-free devices when using a cellphone while operating a vehicle, but the driver says she was using a headset.

The jury decided to award Chatman-Wilson $10 million in punitive damages and $14 million in actual damages.

Distracted driving has become a hot topic amongst lawmakers as some in the U.S. have called for a federal law to prohibit cellphone use while driving.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a car accident due to distracted driving, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you.

Registry Established to Investigate Pradaxa Dangers

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:33:00 -0400

Likely spurred by concerns that have been raised regarding the safety of its anticoagulant drug Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced the launch of a new registry designed to learn more about any risks associated with long-term antithrombotic treatments.

The pharmaceutical manufacturer recently announced the launch of the GLORIA(TM)-AF Registry Program, which will consist of prospective observational study in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The registry program will focus, but no be limited to, antithrombotic therapy medications such as Pradaxa, warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid, and Xarelto.

The company hopes to eventually enroll 56,000 patients from 2,200 sites across the country into the registry and use the information to “understand the long-term use of antithrombotic treatments to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with NVAF.” Data regarding the demographics, disease characteristics, treatment decisions, and the safety and efficacy of the patients will be documented in the registry.

"With the launch of GLORIA-AF, Boehringer Ingelheim continues to broaden the understanding of non-valvular atrial fibrillation," said Dr. John Smith, the senior vice president for clinical development and medical affairs at the manufacturer. "The introduction of recently-approved oral anticoagulants changed the treatment landscape for many people living with this condition and BI is leading efforts through our registry to collect important real-world information with the goal of improving patient care."

The registry is currently slated to be completed by 2020.

Since its introduction to the market, Pradaxa has been linked to a number of dangerous bleeding events. A number of studies have since called into question whether or not the drug is safer than more traditional anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by Pradaxa use, call Sokolove Law today to learn more about pursuing a Pradaxa lawsuit.

Chemical Exposure Lawsuit Filed Against BP

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:27:00 -0400

A man and his wife have filed a chemical exposure lawsuit against BP claiming chemical dispersants used in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill led him to experience seizures, with deteriorating vision and unable to walk.

David Hogan claims that neither he nor his team were provided with any data about the Corexit oil dispersants made by NALCO Co., which is another defendant named in the complaint. He further alleges that the “health and safety man” from BP reassured “Mr. Hogan that 'haz-mat' diving gear was not necessary since there was absolutely nothing in the oil or anything mixed with the oil that was hazardous or of any concern, from a health standpoint to Mr. Hogan and his dive crew,” according to the complaint.

Hogan says because of this he and his crew worked up to 20 hour days for the following one-and-a-half to two weeks, in water that was "consistently contaminated with oil for a considerable distance below the surface."

The chemical exposure lawsuit claims that at least one worker began to experience health issues before they completed their assignment and two members of his team committed suicide. Hogan says he experienced many health problems connected to exposure to the oil spill and Corexit dispersants. Some of his other injuries include seizures, cognitive problems, and vertigo, according to the complaint.

Hogan and his wife seek punitive damages for gross negligence, past future physical pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages, among other things.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by chemical exposure in the workplace, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you will be able to pursue legal action.

FDA Warns on Increased Risk of New Cancers with Revlimid

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:25:00 -0400

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public of an increased risk of new types of cancer in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma who received Revlimid (lenalidomide).

Clinical trials conducted after Revlimid was approved showed that patients who were newly-diagnosed and treated with Revlimid had an increased risk of developing second primary malignancies - such as Hodgkin lymphoma, myelogenous leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes - compared to similar patients who received a placebo, according to an FDA press release.

This new safety information had been added to the drug label of Revlimid as well as the patient Medication Guide.

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.

BPA May Contribute to Breast Cancer

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:19:00 -0400

A new study suggests that fetal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) may contribute to breast cancer in women.

The study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted using monkeys. Researchers fed pregnant rhesus macaques a piece of fruit that contained BPA each day during the third trimester of their pregnancy, according to McClatchy. They examined the mammary glands of the female offspring and found that there were changes in the tissue that give rise to dense tissue - a risk factor for breast cancer in humans.

“We think that our results suggest that it is very likely that fetal exposure to BPA would also increase the propensity to develop mammary cancer in monkeys,” the study authors said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed the chemical to be safe and rejected a petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council to ban it, then said that more studies were needed, according to McClatchy.

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 a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.