Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

The Dangers of Yaz and Yasmin Prescription Drugs

Rick Shapiro — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Yaz and Yasmin, the two most popular birth control pills in the United States, are not perfect prescription drugs. In fact, the side effects they inflict on young women can be horrendous, even life threatening. It seems that the numerous warnings and side efffect list is getting longer and longer.

The controversy began when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Bayer to correct their misleading advertisements which touted Yaz and Yasmin as not only a great birth control pill, but also capable of fighting acne and premenstrual syndrome. However, women who take Yaz and Yasmin are at a higher risk for gallstones, gall bladder removal surgery, stroke, blood clots, symptoms of depression, a breast lump, sudden numbness, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance, chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, and sweating. Following gall bladder surgery women may face gallbladder removal side effects. As far as blood clots, pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and even pancreatitis have been reportedly linked to Yaz.

Here is the original misleading Yaz advertisement…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6nbaEBYR2k&feature=related

Here’s the corrective Yaz ad….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO-G8O0lHq0&feature=related

Bayer was required to run corrective ads in 27 states informing the public that Yaz did absolutely nothing to help with acne or PMDD. The company spent over $20 million on the ad campaign; a mere drop in the bucket considering the drugs market share.

Yaz and Yasmin are the two biggest selling birth control pills in the world and generated close to $2 billion in sales for Bayer.

The issue took a tragic turn when Swiss health regulators stated Yaz is potentially connected to the death of a young woman who suffered a pulmonary embolism.

As an injury lawyer who’s represented people seriously hurt by dangerous drugs, I’m extremely concerned about the side effects Yaz and Yasmin could inflict upon young women. Here’s an excerpt from a young woman’s post on steadyhealth.com about terrible Yaz side effects:

“I was experiencing numbness of the entire body (primarily on my left side), my hands were cramping up and I felt like I was blacking out. I was brought to [a hospital], they quickly ruled out a stroke since I was so young, but focused on MS and Lupus (those tests came back negative). After 3 days they sent me home with no answers. So after 3 weeks of being in and out of the hospital and doctors offices (with minimal feeling and total weakness of my left side), I was sent up to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. After sitting with the neurologist telling him what was going on and him reading my reports he found the answer- I HAD A STROKE! This is the scary part- my stroke was caused by my birth control. He continued to tell me that in the last 6 months he has seen more and more young women (20's and early 30's) that are having strokes and all have one thing in common- YAZ BIRTH CONTROL, which is the brand I am on.”

The FDA needs to consider taking Yaz and Yasmin off the market along with conducting a thorough investigation of Bayer’s marketing practices. The evidence is mounting against these dangerous drugs and women are having their lives changed forever as a result.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and we have experience handling dangerous drugs and prescription drug errors. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) and we have another office in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC). We are ready to talk to you by phone right now to discuss your case, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rick Shapiro

Honda Recalls Civics and Accords Due To Lethal Airbag Problem

John Cooper — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:46:00 GMT

Honda Motor Company recalled 440,000 vehicles, including three of their most popular models – the Civic, Acura TL, and Accord, due to a highly dangerous airbag problem. The problem centers around the airbag inflator and its propensity to rupture due to an exorbitant amount of air pressure causing metal fragments to shoot out and strike the driver, according to Reuters.

The Honda airbag recall began back in November of 2008 and the 440,000 is a newly expanded number of vehicles potentially at risk.

One person was killed due to this problem and many others have been injured. As a personal injury lawyer who’s represented clients hurt by airbag failure, I believe a thorough investigation needs to be conducted examining what and when Honda knew about the lethal airbag problem. The fact someone has already died from this issue is unacceptable.

Here’s a video discussing the risks associated with motor vehicle airbags…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMzJNzfAIV8

Honda prides itself on being a motor vehicle company that’s ethical, forthright, and manufactures safe vehicles. This airbag issue indicates a major failure in all three areas.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Cooper

13News Weatherman Injured in Bicycle Accident, Has Potential Product Liability Case

John Cooper — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:33:00 GMT

Well-known 13News Weatherman Jeff Lawson was injured while riding his bicycle in Smithfield, Virginia (VA). The chain on Lawson’s bicycle slipped and Lawson was catapulted forward on the ground, according to The Virginian-Pilot. He endured a separated shoulder and broken neck requiring surgery.

As an injury lawyer practicing for over 20 years, I recommend Mr. Lawson speak with an attorney immediately. The bicycle he used needs to be examined and research should be conducted to verify if chain slips are common for that particular model.

Chain malfunctions are not uncommon. A perfect example was back in 2008 when the Amsterdam Bicycle series was recalled by the manufacturer, Electra Bicycles. The chain regularly derailed and posed a major risk to bicyclists.

Every year in the United States, over 500,000 people are treated in emergency departments due to bicycle accidents, and over 700 people die as a result, according to the CDC.

Some people’s injuries are due to not wearing a helmet or not properly following rules of the road. Mr. Lawson, however, was wearing a helmet and the accident was likely caused by a malfunctioning component on his bicycle.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Cooper

Be Cautious When Using Fireworks

Emily Mapp Brannon — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:27:59 GMT

Its July 4^th weekend and we all know what that entails – fireworks. In the state of Virginia (VA), consumers are allowed to use specific fireworks including sparklers, fountains, “pharaoh’s serpents,” “pinwheels,” and “whirligigs,” according to fireworks.com. If you plan to use any of these pyrotechnic devices, exercise caution and vigilance over friends and family who use them. Fireworks-related injuries are not uncommon.

Back in 2006, eleven people died and roughly 9,200 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Nearly one-third of all fireworks-related eye injuries led to blindness, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Over two-thirds of all fireworks-related injuries occurred between June 16 and July 16, not really surprising considering the July 4^th predilection for fireworks and the summertime weather.

You need to be very vigilant about who uses fireworks. One out of every three people injured were children 15 years of age or younger, and people under 20 years of age sustained close to half of all injuries from fireworks, according to the CDC. So, to be safe, don’t let young children use any type of fireworks.

As an injury lawyer who represents clients who’ve been severely injured using supposedly safe devices, I strongly recommend letting professionals handle fireworks. Instead of purchasing your own, simply enjoy a local fireworks display.

Here’s a video talking about fireworks safety…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5IZwTmAXvg

Also, do not exercise poor judgment and try to purchase illegal fireworks. In Virginia, these include firecrackers, skyrockets, and any fireworks which explode, travel laterally, send any projectiles into the air, according to fireworks.com.

If you are responsible and cautious with fireworks, there’s a good chance you’ll have a fun, safe July 4^th weekend devoid of serious injury to you and your loved ones.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Emily Mapp Brannon

Be Cautious of Ladder Defects While Performing Yard Work

Randy Appleton — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:35:00 GMT

It’s summer time so the weather is conducive to yard work and general home improvement. Many people plan to utilize a ladder to clean gutters, roofs, etc. but be cautious - ladder defects are not unusual.

A recent report found roughly 225,000 accidents happen each year that are directly related to ladder use, according to greathomeimprovements.com.

As an injury lawyer who’s represented clients injured by ladder defects I understand the dangers of ladder use and what can go wrong.

Before you dust off the ladder in the garage and start using it, follow these basic guidelines – from scif.com - to help ensure the ladder is fit for use…

· Look for loose steps and rungs. The rungs should be sturdy, clean, and not slippery from grease or oil.

· The upright ladder legs should be strong and devoid of cracks, splits, and bent edges.

· The ladder's braces should be sturdy.

· Nails, screws, bolts or other fasteners should be tight.

· The ladder feet should be examined and the non-slip base should be in good repair.

Here’s a video talking about ladder safety…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdqL0AMM8Zw

However, many ladder injuries aren’t due to misuse but defect. For example, the Werner Ladder 356 series was the subject to controversy, and numerous lawsuits, due to the left front leg buckling and falling down.

If you’ve used a ladder and been injured, I strongly recommend you speak with an attorney. The companies which produce these ladders have a responsibility to make sure they’re manufactured properly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Randy Appleton

Defective Chinese-Made Drywall Causes Electrical and Respiratory Problems, According to Suit

John Cooper — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:26:00 GMT

Five homeowners in the Hampton Roads area filed a lawsuit last month seeking damages in excess of $5 million against a local developer, a distributor, and a Chinese manufacturer of drywall. The plaintiffs allege that the companies were negligent for selling the drywall and for not warning homeowners and customers that it is defective. People in several states have complained that the Chinese-made drywall emits corrosive gas that damages household electrical systems and causes serious respiratory illness.

The drywall in question, 100,000 sheets in all, was imported in 2006 by Venture Supply LLC, the Norfolk-based company who is the distributor named as defendant in the suit. These 100,000 sheets of drywall were enough to build over 300 homes, and have been linked to developments in Norfolk, VA Beach, Chesapeake, and Northeastern North Carolina.

Other defendants in the suit include Shandong Taihe Dong-xin Co. Ltd, a Chinese company that has been connected to defective drywall found in homes in Florida, as well as The Porter-Blaine Corporation, a contractor affiliated with Venture Supply and Harbor Walk Development LLC. Harbor Walk Development is the company responsible for building the 240-unit Harbor Walk condominium complex in Norfolk in 2006.

Two residents of Harbor Walk are plaintiffs in the suit. Fifty-nine year-old Michelle Germano, a nurse who works from home, stated that she began to smell sulfur throughout her home not long after purchasing it in June 2006.

This lawsuit is the third filed in Hampton Roads that is connected with Chinese-made drywall. A couple in Virginia Beach filed a suit against their builder, The Futura Group LLC, seeking damages of $600,000 caused by the Chinese drywall. Additionally, an insurance company filed a dispute in Norfolk federal court against The Dragas Cos., based in VA Beach, over claims related to Chinese drywall. Dragas said it is inspecting homes suspected of containing the imported drywall, and that it would pay to fix homes found to have Chinese drywall.

I’ve seen many cases like this during my time as a personal injury attorney. They always remind me of how important it is for consumers to do their part to protect themselves. If you’re planning to buy a house, you should always have it inspected by a licensed home inspector. If you have any doubts about the quality of materials used in your home’s construction, don’t be shy: ask your contractor what materials he uses, and where they’re from. Your home should be equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and you should make sure they work properly on a regular basis. If you ever smell sulfur or other toxic fumes, call the authorities immediately.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper,Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY. CA

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Cooper

Stork Craft Recalls More than 500,000 Cribs Due to Risk of Entrapment Injury and Suffocation/Death

John Cooper — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:58:48 GMT

Hundreds of parents in the Hampton Roads area have been looking under their babies’ mattresses lately, checking the serial numbers. Stork Craft issued a massive recall of over 500,000 cribs earlier this month, citing faulty mattress support brackets, which could result in entrapment and suffocation of the child. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, is aware of ten incidents in which one or more of these mattress support brackets broke. In several of these cases, the break caused the mattress to collapse, which created a perilous gap between the mattress and the crib rails. One toddler fell, sustaining bruises to his forehead. Another baby fell and became entrapped between the mattress and crib rails, but luckily did not receive any injuries.

The CPSC strongly urges all parents whose children use the affected Stork Craft cribs to “immediately stop using the recalled cribs” and to “find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.” They should also contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit, which includes new mattress support brackets.

The crib, which is manufactured in Canada, China, and Indonesia, is sold in the U.S. at J.C. Penney, Kmart, Walmart, Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, and Cosco.com. The CPSC advises that the “manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia ‘Storkcraft baby’ or ‘storkling’ is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs. In the product that contains the Fisher-Price logo, this logo can be found on the crib’s teething rail, in the manufacturer’s instructions, on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board, and on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.”

As a personal injury attorney, cases involving serious injuries to young children are always hard; as a parent, they are gut-wrenching. Although my kids are not infants now, these types of recalls always remind me of how important it is to keep our kids safe. Even if you don’t use the Stork Craft crib, there are some general guidelines you can follow to keep your baby safe in his or her bed at night. Always lay your baby down on his or her back, and use a one-piece sleeper instead of a blanket to prevent suffocation. Check the crib’s teething rail regularly for cracks or breaks. Also, be sure to adjust the height of any mobiles or crib gyms as your baby gains mobility. And never, ever hesitate to ask your pediatrician if you have any concerns for your baby’s safety.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm (VA-NC law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY, who handle car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Cooper

Fentanyl patches: Lethal Weapon of Overdose Death, Another Jury Verdict Against Fentanyl Distributors

Rick Shapiro — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:35:45 GMT

Another major multi-million dollar verdict (November 17, 2008) against fentanyl patch distributors, this one out of Illinois for fentanyl patch "defect" causing an overdose death.

I have been studying reports from the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and I am led to the opinion that prescriptions of fentanyl patches, especially at the higher dosage patch, are the equivalent of a lethal weapon of drug overdose death. Based on reports from all over the United States of overdoses, sudden deaths occur especially when duragesic/fentanyl is prescribed to non-chronic pain patients or those not already treated with very strong narcotic medications, proved by many overdoses occurring in cases of lawful prescription of these patches. The problems with fentanyl patches stem from the fact that fentanyl, the medication, is more than 80 times more powerful than morphine drop for drop. When fentanyl patches are prescribed for patients, especially in the higher dose patch levels, the patch becomes a lethal weapon that can easily kill an unsuspecting victim. The overdoses are destroying families.

Guess what? The pharmaceutical companies that have convinced doctors nationwide to prescribe these lethal weapons, are making hundreds of millions of dollars on this burgeoning new area of growth, but the overdose deaths are spiraling out of control nationwide.

Check out the videos which talk about the dangers of fentanyl patches by clicking on this link-see the fentanyl patch video warning.

As noted above, an Illinois jury returned a 16 million dollar verdict against two companies selling fentanyl patches, finding that a "defect" in the product caused a lethal overdose to the 38 year old mother of three. One of the "defects" is that these patches are being prescribed for use by patients outside the hospital at all!They are so lethal they should only be used as a last resort for totally chronic pain patients, and carefully prescribed even then.

See my prior posts on this topic.

Our law firm is now investigating and accepting cases involving overdose deaths where fentanyl was prescribed to a patient who is not within the prescribing criteria for this apparently lethal weapon.

My take: the "courtroom" of public opinion about fentanyl patches is going very badly for the drug companies peddling these patches, and I predict that the jury system will assure that this dangerous patch medication, in any high dosages, will either be pulled from prescription, or only used in rare cases. It will take a continuous string of jury verdicts or FDA action, whichever comes first.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rick Shapiro

Fentanyl Patch-Overdoses and Deaths Connected to Prescription of Patches

Rick Shapiro — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:46:55 GMT

Our personal injury law firm is now investigating two separate fentanyl patch overdose death cases, both coincidentally occuring in North Carolina, and both involving the 75 mcg/hr dose patch (patches have 25, 50, 75, and 100 mcg/hr dosages). In accepting one of the cases, where a 35 year old married accountant died on her couch after applying a pain patch, I have promised her husband/widower that our law firm will get to the bottom of how this intelligent young woman, with abdominal pain of several weeks, could have overdosed and died from wearing a fentanyl patch prescribed by her doctor for abdominal pain.

Questions involving fentanyl patches that our law firm is investigating:

1. Since fentanyl is 81 times stronger than morphine drop for drop, why is this potent drug prescribed for a patient to handle at home, when so many patients have died from overdoses in the last several years?

2. Several recalls have occured and the FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory citing reports of deaths in patients using the fentanyl patch.

3. A number of drug manufacturers of time-release fentanyl patches have already seen sued over allegations of defective product claims as well as other claims. One of the claims is that a malfunction of the patches caused an overdose of fentanyl gel to leak and to be absorbed by patients, resulting in life-threatening side effects and even death. Manufacturers of fentanyl transdermal pain patches have voluntarily recalled numerous lots of their patches and the FDA has issued Public Health Advisories related to the fentanyl patch dangers. Manufacturers affected include Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Alza Corporation; Actavis South Atlantic, LLC; Sandoz; Cephalon, Inc. and Mylan.

4. Proper instructions of hospital staff/nurses: we are investigating the precise instructions that are provided to a patient when discharged from the hospital about how to change and handle the patch.

5. Dosage/Medication prescribed: given the powerful effects of fentanyl, and the known overdose dangers, why would any physician prescribe a significant dose of fentanyl, in a patch, when safer, alternative pain medications do not have nearly the high risks of death and overdose?

Fentanyl is so dangerous and potentially fatal, that it poses a major public health and safety issue that I plan to address in continuing articles on Injuryboard. The solutions may be that fentanyl should not be prescribed outside the hospital setting unless strict safeguards are followed. Presently, the warnings and the prescribing of this drug to patients for home use are simply far too loose and the FDA needs to restrict this drug's use far more radically.

Other Injuryboard colleagues have discussed the dangers of fentanyl in articles entitled: FDA Issues Second Warning About Fentanyl Skin Patch and in FDA Warns About Fentanyl Again.

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including dangerous drugs, car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases. The firm's website is: www.hsinjurylaw.com , and the firm edits two injury law blogs: Virginia Beach Injuryboard & Norfolk Injuryboard.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rick Shapiro

Fentanyl Patch Drug Associated with Overdoses & Death Claims

Rick Shapiro — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:29:07 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory regarding the safe use of fentanyl pain patches, such as Duragesic, citing reports of deaths in patients using the fentanyl patch. Problems with leaky fentanyl patches lead Janssen Pharmaceutical Products to recall certain shipments of the Duragesic fentanyl pain patch. Some personal injury attorneys have assserted that these fentanyl patches should be recalled from the US market, citing the safer and more effective alternative pain medications. Our personal injury lawyers have accepted fentanyl patch cases involving overdose or death under highly unusual circumstances--such as a sudden wrongful death where the fentanyl drug be linked to overdose or death. Fentanyl is one of the most powerful opioid analgesics with a potency approximately 81 times that of morphine.

A number of fatal fentanyl overdoses have been directly tied to the drug over the past several years. In particular, several drug manufacturers of time-release fentanyl patches have already seen sued over allegations of defective product claims as well as other claims. One of several claims is that a malfunction of the patches caused an overdose of fentanyl gel to leak and to be absorbed by patients, resulting in life-threatening side effects and even death. Manufacturers of fentanyl transdermal pain patches have voluntarily recalled numerous lots of their patches and the FDA has issued Public Health Advisories related to the fentanyl patch dangers. Manufacturers affected include Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Alza Corporation; Actavis South Atlantic, LLC; Sandoz; Cephalon, Inc. and Mylan.

My injuryboard colleagues have also sounded the alarm in articles entitled: FDA Issues Second Warning About Fentanyl Skin Patch and in FDA Warns About Fentanyl Again.

While these pain patches have therapeutic benefits, the injuries, overdoses and deaths associated with this medication are mounting and alarming.

My take:

The civil justice system is often the best truth finding method to determine if a drug or medication's side effects or harms simply outweigh the benefits, or, whether a powerful drug such as fentanyl may be used only in a hospital setting for example. At 81 times the potency of morphine, we are talking about a very dangerous drug indeed.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rick Shapiro