Archive for August 01, 2005

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Blames Autism on Vaccines

Advocates of the position that autism is linked to childhood vaccination now have the backing of a Kennedy.

Mother of Stillborn Child Awarded $268,000 in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

A woman who filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against an Apple Valley obstetrician after the death of her baby has been awarded $268,000 in a ruling handed down Friday.

Dioxin Found in 2 West Virginia Schools

Dioxin was found in dust samples taken from two Kanawha County, West Virginia schools. Samples from a community center and several households in the same area were also contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical.

Court Strikes Down Cap on Monetary Awards in Medical Malpractice Case

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has overruled a 1995 law that placed caps on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits, finding the law in violation of the state's due process clause.

18 Southern California Welders file Mass Tort Lawsuit

The welders claim they suffered serious neurological injuries resulting from exposure to welding fumes containing manganese.

New Study Shows Medical Malpractice Rates Still Rising While Insurance Payouts Stabilize

A new study released by the Center for Justice and Democracy in New York has found that in the past 4 years, medical malpractice rates charged to physicians have risen dramatically, while payouts in malpractice claims have stabilized.

Discarded Electronics Equipment Can Contaminate Groundwater

Electronic equipment, including computers, monitors and television sets, contain significant amounts of lead. If improperly disposed of, this lead can contaminate groundwater, and pose health risks to people who consume the water.

Woman Burned by Scorching Hot Manhole Cover Sues Consolidated Edison

A New York woman is suing Consolidated Edison for brand-like burns she received after falling from her skateboard onto a scorching hot metal manhole cover in Manhattan.

Medical Expert Testifies Against Vioxx Manufacturer

On July 22, a doctor told a packed courtroom that he had resisted prescribing Vioxx to his patients because he did not believe the arthritis drug was safe.

New Hampshire Jail Death Lawsuit Settled

The lawsuit against Holsborough County for the death of Brian Armsrong, 41, after he received a head injury in jail, was settled with the family for $65 thousand plus legal fees.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Expands Investigation of SUV and Truck Fires

3.7 million Lincoln Navigators, Ford Expeditions and F-150 pickup trucks are being investigated due to hundreds of vehicle fires that are believed to be cause by a defect in the cruise control switch.

Child With Cerebral Palsy Awarded 4.5 Million Settlement From Limerick High Court

As part of a major medical malpractice settlement reached today, a 12-year-old-boy born with cerebral palsy has received 4.5 million from the Mid-Western Health Board of Limerick.

Workers Sue Sleepy Hollow Village and Firefighters for Explosion

Two maintenance workers have filed suit against Sleepy Hollow Village, the fire chief, and two firefighters who allegedly caused a gas explosion and fire that seriously injured them.

Bouncer Not Charged With Attempted Murder for Inflicting Brain Injury

Lyle Henry, a Fat Tuesday's bouncer, will not be charged with attempted murder or aggravated assault in the criminal trial against him for inflicting a severe head injury to bar patron David LaSalle, 22.

Jury Awards 23.8 Million to Family of Baby Born With Cerebral Palsy

Jurors in a recent medical malpractice lawsuit have awarded 23.8 million dollars to the family of a baby girl born with cerebral palsy following a traumatic delivery.

Prempro Classified As Carcinogen By World Health Organization

According to a recent announcement by the World Health Organization, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments such as Prempro and Premarin should be considered as human carcinogens.

Study Shows Jaundice Pre-Screening Can Prevent Brain Damage Associated With Cerebral Palsy

New data reveals that a simple one-dollar test on infants can aid in the diagnosis of kernicterus, a type of brain damage that causes cerebral palsy and other forms of mental disability in newborns.

Parents of UK Boy With Cerebral Palsy Receive 4 Million Dollar Settlement

The parents of a U.K. child who developed cerebral palsy after a premature birth have received a settlement of ~4 million from an obstetrician charged with mismanaging the delivery.

Nursing Home Employee Found Guilty of Elder Abuse

In Yuba County, California a superior court judge convicted a former nursing home worker of leaving a 98-year-old Alzheimer's patient outdoors all night.

Case Against Napa Nursing Home Delayed to Allow Defense to Examine Evidence

Attorneys for the former owners of a nursing home in Napa, California have asked to postpone the case against their clients in order to review extensive evidence gathered by federal authorities.