December 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Bextra Side Effects

Bextra is a  non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) prescription drug for  arthritis, osteoporosis, and other inflammatory ailments. This medication was approved by the USFDA for the treatment of pain.  There have been many dangers and side effects of Bextra. Some of the most serious are causing  bleeding stomach ulcers.  On April 7, 2005, the FDA asked Pfizer to voluntarily withdraw Bextra, and required new labeling and warnings for all NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including those sold over the counter.

Side effects of Bextra include:

-          Stomach Pain

-          Nausea

-          Indigestion

-          Upper respiratory tract infection

-          Diarrehea

-          Headache

-          Serious stomach (rarely occurring)

Class action suits against the company making Bextra are becoming increasingly popular as more and more users find out about the side effects of this drug.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: Bextra
November 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Depuy Hip Implant Recall

Since 2008, the FDA has received more than 300 complaints of problems with the DePuy Hip Implants, including chromium and cobalt toxicity due to the metal on metal design of the implant causing these ions to float around in the blood.  These metal toxicity issues can be extremely dangerous.  If you have had this implant and have experienced the following complications then you should contact an attorney immediately:

  • Loose hip cuts
  • Hip dislocations
  • Bone fractures
  • Pseudotumors from metal debris
  • Allergic reactions
  • Permanent muscle and tissue damage

Hip implants have generally been expected to last up to 15 years, but many Depuy patients have reported the hip implant failing after two or three years and having to have expensive and painful second and third surgeries to have the implant replaced.  DePuy has been compensating patients following the recall, but the expenses are much higher than the expenses of hip replacement surgery. If you have received correspondence from DePuy regarding a recall, you should speak with an attorney before signing any paperwork. You may be signing a waiver which may prevent any additional compensation from the company should further medical complications occur later.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: depuy hip implants
November 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FDA Recall of Yasmin (YAZ)

The FDA released a recall on Yasmin (Yaz) because several batches of drugs were released to the public that were out- of- compliance.  The FDA stated that at least nine batches of drugs were shipped to the United States.  The recall affects 32, 856 boxes of Yaz and 122.208 boxes of Ocella. Lot numbers for the recalled Ocella tables are 84080A and 84081A. The lot number for the recalled Yaz tablets is 91605A.  Numerous lawsuits have been filed nationwide by persons injured by Yasmin or Yaz because of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals failure to protect the public from certain dangers associated with their birth control or warn consumers of the potential side effects.

If you or a loved one have been taking Yaz and have had these reported side-effects of the drug, then give us a call for a free consultation:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Pulmonary embolus
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Venous Thrombembolism
  • Kidney Disease
  • Liver problems and tumors
  • Organ failure
  • Gallbladder disease

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: defective drugs
October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Recall of Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Oral Contraceptives

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals used a voluntary, nationwide, retail-level recall of many oral contraceptives because of a packaging error, where select blisters were rotated 180 degrees within the card, reversing the weekly tablet orientation and making the lot number and expiry date no longer visible. This packaging error and the potential for this error to have affected other oral contraceptive products resulted in the company issuing the recall of multiple lots. 

As a result of this  error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy. These packaging defects do not pose any immediate health risks. However, consumers exposed to affected packaging should begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately and consult their health care provider or pharmacist.  Pharmacies are being instructed to contact consumers who have received affected product.

The following products have been affected (and if you have used any of the following products you should contact your pharmacy that distributed the drug):  • Cyclafem™ 7/7/7 
     • Cyclafem™ 1/35 
     • Emoquette™ 
     • Gildess® FE 1.5/30 
     • Gildess® FE 1/20 
     • Orsythia™ 
     • Previfem ® 
     • Tri-Previfem®

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: defective drugs
October 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Recent FDA Recalls

FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford Cantaloupes shipped by Jensen Farms because of a recall on  Rocky Ford cantaloupe due to potential link to a multi-state outbreak of Listeriosis (generally caused by the Listeria bacteria);

  • The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford Cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms and to throw away the recalled product that may still be in their home.
  • Jensen Farms is voluntarily recalling Rocky Ford Cantaloupe shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, and distributed to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.
  • The recalled cantaloupes have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria and may be linked to a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis.
  • The CDC reports that at least 22 people in seven states have been infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes as of September 14.
  • Patients reported eating whole cantaloupes they purchased from grocery stores marketed from the Rocky Ford growing region of Colorado.

While all people are susceptible to Listeria, older adults, persons with weakened immune systems and pregnant women are at particular risk.  There have already been 23 deaths due to this outbreak, which makes it the deadliest food borne illness outbreak in 25 years.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: Food Contamination
October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Food Poisoning Outbreak

In August 2011, A salmonella outbreak as a result of contaminated ground turkey has killed one person and sickened 76 other people in 26 states in the United States. There has been no source identified for the outbreak, but a recall of the possible contaminated ground turkey is in effect.

On August 17, 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against the owners of the Fayetteville, North Carolina Olive Garden restaurant on behalf of the over 3,000 people who received Immune globulin injections or hepatitis A vaccinations after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus at the restaurant.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: Food Contamination
October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Birmingham’s Dangerous Roadways

In a recent study conducted by CNBC,  Birmingham, Alabama was ranked as one the top 15 most dangerous places to drive. Birmingham was ranked 14th with 13.55 fatalities per 100,000 people.  Number One on the list was Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 22.39 fatalities per 100,000 people.  You can see the report by clicking here.  The data was gathered from  populations with 150,000 people or more and looked at other data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

Factors that can influence and contribute to fatal car accidents:

  • Number of residents
  • Design of roadways
  • Age of motorist
  • Weather conditions
  • Number of visiting motorists

If you have been involved in a serious accident, or an accident involving a fatality remember to:

  • Only sign your personal insurance documentation.
  • Collect accident witness contact information
  • DO NOT admit fault
  • State only the facts and limit discussion with anyone
  • Always go to the hospital after an automobile accident

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: Car Accidents
September 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Precautions When Bitten by a Dog

The following are some precautions that should be taken when bitten by a dog without Rabies Vaccination Papers:

1) Wash the wound with soap and water.

2) Continue to flush the wound with water for a few minutes.

3) If there is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound until it stops.

4) Bandage the wound.

5) Elevate the area that was bitten.

6) Obtain the name and address of the dog owner, and any information you can obtain about the dog, especially the vaccination records.

7) Contact a dog bite attorney for a free consultation to discuss your rights under the law.

8) Only sign health care paperwork from your primary care physician.

9) Have your attorney read the city and county ordinances to review policies and procedures for handling dog bite victims.

10) Do NOT sign anything from the owner of the dog.

11) Do NOT sign anything from the owner’s homeowner insurance provider.

12) Do NOT have contact with the county or city animal control authorities.

If you have been injured in an animal attack, call our dog bite attorneys at (205) 201-1789 for a free consultation.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: Animal Attacks
September 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Automobile Accidents

Car accidents are the leading cause of unnecessary deaths in the United States, and make up a large portion of the personal injury claims in the nation.  If you are involved in an automobile accident in Alabama and not severely injured, you should stay on the scene of the accident until the police arrive and an accident report has been filled out.  The following are some important reminders about what you should do when involved in an accident:

  • Don’t sign any documentation unless it’s for the police or your insurance agent.
  • Make immediate notes about the accident and any damages involved for both parties.
  • Try to remember witness information, get their contact information, and if the auto registration for the other party involved is different than the driver then make note of the this.
  • Be polite, but DO NOT tell anyone the accident was your fault, even if you think it was, this should be determined by the officer handling the case.
  • Only state facts and limit your discussion of the accident to the police and your insurance agent.
  • Always go to the hospital after having an accident, you may have some injuries but are unaware of those symptoms.  Sometimes when you are in involved in an accident, you get a rush of adrenaline due to the shock and immediate excitement that the sudden impact can cause.  It is not unusual for you to not feel any pain when in this excited state, even though you might have serious injuries.  But once you come down from this adrenaline rush, the pain sets in and you can “crash”.  Similar to athletes that play through injuries during the game, only to feel the symptoms when they come down and crash afterwards.   The adrenaline rush involved in an accident can be similar to the rush of excitement during intense competition.  That is why it is so important that you go to the hospital immediately after you leave the scene of the accident, since you could have a serious sprain, tear, head injury, brain or spinal injury, nerve damage, or even a break and not even feel the pain until hours or days later.

If you have been involved in a serious automobile accident you must contact an Alabama Automobile Accident Lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: Car Accidents
June 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FDA Sunscreen Rules

Federal regulators will finally require sunscreen manufacturers to test the effectiveness of their products against sun rays that pose the greatest risk of skin cancer. Under new rules being announced today, these companies will also have to follow stricter guidelines when describing the effectiveness of their products against ultraviolet B rays.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration only requires testing for ultraviolet B rays that cause sunburn. That’s what the SPF measure is based on.

Starting next summer, products must be tested for how well they deflect the more dangerous ultraviolet A rays. UVA rays are most commonly linked to skin cancer.

The federal government first announced plans for sunscreen standards in 1978.

 

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Filed Under: FDA
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved - The Harris Firm L.L.C.