Archive for 2009
Warning labels on the diabetes drug Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate), marketed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), caution that the medication can cause or worsen heart disease and that those who have experienced heart failure cannot be started on the drug.
Five lawsuits have been filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing makers of post-surgical pain pumps of promoting the devices for shoulder surgery patients without U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, resulting in irreversible cartilage damage.
News about personal injury lawsuits concerning Yamaha Rhino off-road vehicle (ORV) rollover accidents has people thinking about a number of related safety issues, including state laws that allow children to operate ORVs.
Personal injury and wrongful death suits are stacking up against Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals over its YAZ® and YASMIN® oral contraceptives, most blaming the pills for dangerous blood clots. There are already more than 100.
Saying it never cleared them for use on joints, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has demanded that makers of pain pumps and the anesthetics used in them warn patients of the possibility of severe cartilage damage.
Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will spend $20 million dollars on media messages to correct claims for its YAZ® birth control pill, under orders from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Hydroxycut, a dietary supplement marketed as a weight-loss aid, was recalled earlier this year as the result of reports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that users of the product line suffered liver damage. So far, the FDA says it does not know what ingredients in Hydroxycut might be potential culprits.
Litigation mounted recently against drug maker GlaxoSmithKlein (GSK) over alleged heart disease and strokes caused by its diabetes drug Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate). Two more lawsuits were filed in an Illinois circuit court.
Concern about the danger of drivers speaking on cell phones and sending text messages varies widely across the country, if judged by states' laws regulating, or not regulating, the practices.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned owners of Yamaha Rhinos not to use the popular side-by-side four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles until they have been equipped with half doors the company is installing free of charge.
The recall of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut earlier this year at the urging of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some people remembering the last time it was recalled. That was in 2004, and the problem then was ephedra.
In 1996, 2005 and 2006, a national advocacy group and the state of Illinois asked the federal government to order a package warning that taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including Johnson & Johnson's Levaquin®, could result in damage to tendons.
Some fibromyalgia patients seeking relief of chronic pain and the depression that often comes with it are turning to the fentanyl transdermal patch, which delivers a powerful pain killer through the skin.
According to United Cerebral Palsy, a national charity dedicated to serving CP victims and their families, about 8,000 newborns and infants are diagnosed with the condition each year.
Reports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of liver damage in users of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut prompted a recall of the product line by its manufacturer earlier this year.
Statements from a government safety agency and numerous civil lawsuits concerning Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents have people concerned that using the vehicle according to the company's guidelines could result in tragedy.
The antibiotic Levaquin®, which has been linked to serious tendon injury, especially to the vulnerable Achilles' tendon, presents the greatest risk of such injuries to patients over 60 and those who have had kidney, heart, or lung transplants.
Covidien PLC has announced its intention to market a generic version of the Actiq® fentanyl citrate painkiller lozenge by early 2010, after recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Thousands of complaints have been lodged with federal and state agencies about alleged property damage and health problems blamed on Chinese drywall used in home construction. If you think your home contains Chinese drywall, there are ways to find out, some certain, some circumstantial.
An Idaho jury awarded a motorcyclist $1,826,000 for injuries suffered in a 2006 collision with a construction company dump truck.
Spurred by two tragic fatal accidents, New York State last week made driving while intoxicated (DWI) with a child in the vehicle a felony offense.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring the manufacturers of shoulder pain pumps to update safety labels to include a warning about the dangers of anesthetics on cartilage.
The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office will not file charges against Sen. John Kerry's daughter, who was arrested and booked for driving under the influence (DUI) in Hollywood.
While riding any motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving a four-wheeled vehicle, the class known as sport or supersport motorcycles is by far the most dangerous.
A major defendant in a class-action defective products liability lawsuit over damages allegedly caused by Chinese drywall has agreed to be tried in U.S. courts, rather than forcing the issue into international courts. Plaintiffs' attorneys say this will speed up the process.
A Rochester, N.Y., man was killed when the Yamaha Rhino all-terrain vehicle (ATV) he was driving overturned as he made a sharp turn. His passenger escaped with minor injuries.
The judge overseeing lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson over the antibiotic Levaquin has set a schedule for pretrial proceedings that may allow the first federal court trial to begin in August of 2010.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is asking for mandatory rules to regulate recreational off highway vehicles (ROVs) such as the Yamaha Rhino.
A bill intended to protect homeowners from loss of, or changes to, insurance coverage because of Chinese drywall in their homes has been introduced in Congress by a representative from Louisiana, a state heavily affected by the issue.
A 24-year-old woman confined to a wheelchair because of permanent brain injury suffered at birth has been awarded $43.5 million by a New York jury.
Johnson and Johnson is opposing a move to consolidate three lawsuits against the company and its subsidiary, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc., over the antibiotic Levaquin, claiming it would create an unfair disadvantage in hundreds of pending suits.
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) is a class of drugs that are prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes patients.
In a blow to thousands of homeowners seeking financial assistance in dealing with property damage and health issues they blame on dangerous Chinese drywall, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has declined to support the allegations.
The Yamaha Rhino all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was marketed as a recreational vehicle capable of off-road operation under a wide variety of conditions. However, its design turned out to be extremely dangerous, causing rollover problems that resulted in serious and life threatening injuries to consumers.
College campus culture can lead to a high incidence of students driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and illicit drugs, according to the results of several studies conducted in recent years.
Placement of pain pumps in the shoulder joint (intra-articular placement) has been linked to the development of Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL).
Forbes Magazine has released an analysis of what they consider to be the most dangerous vehicles of 2009, based on crash test data compiled by the federal government and the insurance industry.
Defective Chinese drywall litigation is set to begin in January 2010, with six cases being heard by U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon.
Mel Gibson's infamous 2006 drunk driving arrest may be in the public memory for years to come, but it won't be in the public record, thanks to a judge's recent order to expunge it.
Despite an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit to the tune of $9.5 million dollars, Facebook continues to find itself the subject of legal action resulting from the company’s controversial Beacon advertising program.
Mesothelioma is a medical condition that affects the protective film that surrounds major body organs. Given that symptoms may not manifest themselves until much later in life and early detection may prove difficult, survival rates for the condition will vary based on a number of factors.
If there is asbestos on your property, it is important that it be removed as soon as possible from the premises. It is important that you hire a professional company rather than do it yourself, however, and to know what to look for in a professional.
New California laws will expand use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) in the cars of convicted drunk drivers.
Toyota has recalled 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to potentially defective floor mats that may cause the accelerator to stick.
Reglan is a drug that is prescribed to treat stomach problems such as nausea and heartburn. The drug has not been FDA approved for treatment in children, and may increase their risk of developing serious muscle disorders.
If you suspect your home contains asbestos, you should consider having it tested for asbestos. If you or a loved one has suffered an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, consult an attorney.
The Louisiana Recovery Authority has approved at least $5 million to cover property damage caused by defective Chinese drywall.
Fluoroquinolones such as Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox are prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Learn about the most common fluoroquinolone products on the market.
Reglan is a drug that is commonly prescribed to treat nausea. However, it has been associated with dangerous side effects. Is Reglan use safe during pregnancy?
Asbestos exposure can result in debilitating conditions, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is why it is important to ensure there are no objects or products in your home with contain asbestos. The following is a brief rundown of objects in a home that may contain asbestos.
Ignition interlock devices can be installed in the cars/vehicles of DUI offenders to check their blood alcohol levels via a breath test before they can start or while driving their vehicles.
Defective Chinese drywall has caused property damage and health problems for thousands of residents of the southeastern United States. Who is liable for damages in these cases?
Although Yamaha was not found liable in the Rhino rollover death of a 13-year-old boy, many believe that the vehicle's defective design caused the accident.
Shoulder pain pump lawsuits are set to go to trial starting in January of 2010. The plaintiffs in the suits claim that they have suffered significant cartilage damage as a result of the pumps.
Biodelivery Science's fentanyl mouth patches are now available for use in adult cancer patients who have developed a tolerance for opioid drugs.
Recent studies suggest that the type 2 diabetes drug Avandia is associated with an increased risk of bones fractures in patients who take the medication.
Experts believe that several products manufactured in China, including drywall, food, and toys, are defective and can pose serious health risks to consumers. Learn more about Chinese defective products.
Yamaha rhino accidents involving the 450, 660, and 700 models have resulted in an estimated 60 deaths in the United States; as a result, Yamaha is facing defective product litigation filed by injured consumers.
Shoulder pain pumps have been the subject of litigation due to their potential risk to cartilage. Two recent studies have found a link between shoulder pain pumps and serious cartilage damage.
Avandia is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, use of the drug has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and other heart-related problems.
The family of an autistic teenager who died after using a Fentanyl pain patch has filed a lawsuit against a dentist, dental resident, and Seattle hospital. The teen was prescribed Fentanyl for dental pain; however, this is not an approved use of the drug.
A Texas man has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the Actiq Fentanyl lollipop, alleging that the product caused severe tooth decay and almost $40,000 in dental work.
Tardive dyskinesia is a muscle disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary, movements of the face, arms, legs, and torso. This disorder may be linked to use of medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, Reglan, and other metoclopramides.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine. While Fentanyl can legally be prescribed to patients who suffer from chronic pain, the drug has been subject to abuse.
The FDA has approved a metoclopramide tablet that melts in the mouth. This is despite recent lawsuits filed against the makers of Reglan (a form of metoclopramide) that allege the drug is associated with an increased risk of the development of muscle disorders.
A Palm Beach County jury has awarded $2.3 million to a man who suffered injuries from an accident that occurred at an entertainment complex in Boca Raton.
A study that was recently published in Ophthalmology journal found that people who take flouroquinolones have an increased risk of developing double vision.
A man who suffered a brain injury in a 2005 car accident has been awarded nearly $2 million by a Lenawee County Circuit Court jury. Douglas Mayher, of Britton, Michigan was injured when his vehicle was struck by a teenage driver whose car went airborne as she attempted to pass another vehicle on M-50.
On September 12, Missouri police arrested Chad Schaffner, 37, whom police believe robbed at least 10 banks in multiple states since May. Schaffner, who has a criminal record, faces multiple charges, including bank robbery, burglary, armed robbery, receiving stolen property, and drug charges.
Actress Katherine Heigl, 30, revealed on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that she and her husband, Josh Kelley, 29, are adopting a special-needs child from Korea. The baby girl will turn 1 year old in November.
Four Levaquin lawsuits have been filed in Illinois state court against the manufacturer of the drug Johnson & Johnson and their subsidiary, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc., as well as against Walgreen Co.
The family of a nineteen-year old man who suffered fatal injuries in a hotel pool accident has been awarded almost $3.8 million. The victim drowned in the deep end of the pool and was unable to be found right away because the water was so dark and cloudy.
The family of a man who died from injuries sustained in a crash on Interstate 15 has been awarded almost $4.4 million in damages. A Utah jury found that the state department of transportation and a subcontractor assisting with bridge construction were partially responsible for the accident.
Actress Lori Petty, star of Tank Girl and A League of Their Own, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Under Petty’s plea deal, she will attend AA meetings, pay fines, and receive outpatient treatment.
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Ventura County under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit alleges that the county did not hire a qualified candidate because she is deaf.