Archive for May 26, 2006

North Carolina, Hawaii latest states to consider thimerosal ban for vaccines

Following the lead of several other states including California and Iowa, the state legislatures of North Carolina and Hawaii are now considering bills that would ban the use of thimerosal in vaccines.

CDC tracks emergency room visits caused by ADHD drugs

In the first study of its kind, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that more than 3,000 Americans seek emergency medical treatment for problems caused by attention deficit disorder drugs.

Boat driver pleads guilty in fatal DUI case

Man pleads guilty to DUI manslaughter for killing one individual and injuring two others during a boating accident in 2002.

Furnace, homebuilder, gas, plumbing companies settle gas explosion lawsuit for $5 million

A lawsuit regarding a 1996 gas explosion that leveled a brand-new Illinois home, killing a woman and her son, was settled in May 2006 when the four defendant companies offered the family $5 million.

Appellate panel reverses crack-cocaine conviction

A 42-year-old Lakewood, New Jersey man’s drug conviction has been overturned by an appellate panel because a police officer did not have a warrant to search the man’s car.

Pain sufferer tries to get painkiller drug sentence overturned

After being badly injured in a car accident and later developing Multiple Sclerosis, Richard Paey began taking pain killers before he was convicted of having more than the law allowed.

Defense records seized by authorities returned, defense asks for dismissal

Upon returning from Columbia where witnesses in the drug case against accused drug cartel leader Joaquin Mario Valencia-Trujillo were interviewed by an associate of his defense attorney, a customs agent seized defense paperwork at the airport.

SWAT teams from two cities combine to arrest man on drug charges

A 51-year-old man was arrested on drug charges after police from two towns outside Houston Texas, Richmond and Rosenberg, descended on his house to serve a search warrant.

Appeals court upholds verdict in Ohio medical malpractice case

Earlier this month an appeals court upheld the verdict in an Ohio medical malpractice lawsuit, but ordered the amount of damages allotted to be reduced.

Calif. insurance commissioner accuses companies of price gouging

In the latest of an ongoing battle, California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi on May 25 said that homeowner and auto insurance companies have gouged consumers with unconscionably low payouts on claims.