Dangerous products that cause injuries.
Johnson & Johnson, a global medical device, pharmaceutical, and packaged goods manufacturer, has settled 845 lawsuits stemming from the use of Levaquin, an antibiotic. The lawsuits claim Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers that Levaquin was associated with an increased risk of tendon damage in older patients and instead, downplayed the risks to boost sales. Although the settlements were disclosed October 30, 2012 in a Minneapolis federal court, the agreements of the settlement have not been completed and it is not known how much Johnson & Johnson will pay victims. Johnson & Johnson faces more than 3,400 state and federal lawsuits stemming from Levaquin complications. Four lawsuits have gone to trial, but only one has been successful – Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $1.8 million settlement to a Levaquin victim in 2010. Johnson & Johnson has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that they will continue to dispute the allegations made in lawsuits brought by plaintiffs who are not involved in settlement talks. In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required all makers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (Levaquin’s class of antibiotics) to increase warnings of tendon damage. Victims who have filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson claim the company should have increased warnings before the FDA required them to. Estey Bomberger – Recovering Millions For Victim If you or a [...] Read more »
The Medtronic INFUSE Bone Graft was considered revolutionary when launched in the U.S. in 2002. The INFUSE bone graft eliminated the need for bone to be harvested from the patient, instead relying on a genetically engineered protein to help fuse damaged vertebrae. The genetically engineered protein found in the bone graft is recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein or BMP, as it is commonly referred to. Medtronic Promoted Off-Label Use of the Bone Graft The medical device is only approved to treat degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (lower back) and has never been approved for the treatment of cervical (neck) spine damage. This has not stopped Medtronic from promoting the bone graft for use in the cervical spine. Allegedly, Medtronic funded studies showing positive results for the “off-label” use of the device and paid doctors to deemphasize the dangers associated with their product. Off-label is a term used to describe the use of a product for any purpose not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2008 FDA Warning In 2008, the FDA issued a notification warning healthcare providers of the dangers associated with the bone graft. Some of the more notable findings from the FDA’s Public Health Notification are: The safety and effectiveness of BMP in the cervical spine had not been demonstrated. Over the course of four years, [...] Read more »
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that is usually caused by overuse of the plantar fascia, a thick fibrous band of connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is common among athletes, but the condition can also be caused by extended wear of Skechers Shape-ups toning shoes. Shape-ups have a curved, cushy sole that many in the medical community believe is the reason wearers are developing plantar fasciitis. Although Skechers claims the curved, cushy sole forces wearers to “use muscles they never knew they had,” many podiatrists believe the shoes sole fails to offer adequate support. Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms Some of the more common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include chronic pain and increased pain after periods of rest. If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis and you believe wearing Skechers Shape-ups caused your injury, stop wearing your Shape-ups and visit your healthcare provider immediately. Delaying diagnosis and treatment could cause your condition to worsen. Waiting to seek medical attention could also jeopardize your ability to collect compensation for injury expenses. Consult a Skechers Shape-ups Injury Lawyer After you have visited a healthcare provider, consult a Skechers Shape-ups injury lawyer at Estey Bomberger. We can explain to you what your legal rights are and how your rights may allow you to obtain monetary compensation from Skechers. We may also [...] Read more »
Q. What is ectopic bone growth? A. Ectopic bone growth or unwanted bone growth as it is also referred to, is a term used to describe a condition known as heterotopic ossification – the process of bone forming outside of the skeleton. The growing bone can invade soft tissue and cause pain and other complications. Q. I was fitted with a Medtronic INFUSE Bone Graft in the neck region and have experienced neck swelling. Is swelling a symptom of ectopic bone growth? A. Yes. Use of the INFUSE Bone Graft in the neck region can cause neck, throat, mouth and shoulder swelling. Patients suffering from ectopic bone growth may also experience loss of sensation, reduced range of motion, nerve damage, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. Q. How soon after experiencing my first symptom should I seek medical attention? A. If you were fitted with an INFUSE Bone Graft in the neck region and you are experiencing unwanted bone growth symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis of unwanted bone growth is critical to preventing permanent damage. An X-ray or CT scan can identify unwanted bone growth easily. Q. How do I know if I underwent an off-label Medtronic INFUSE Bone Graft procedure? A. If you are not sure if you underwent an off-label INFUSE Bone Graft procedure, contact the surgeon [...] Read more »
Hundreds of people have been injured while walking or exercising in Skechers Shape-ups toning shoes. Skechers Shape-ups injuries can range from minor – cuts and scrapes – to serious – hip fractures, head injuries, and back injuries. How can a shoe cause a serious injury? Skechers Shape-ups curved sole can make it difficult for a person to maintain their balance. If unable to balance, a person can fall and sustain a fall-related injury. Shape-ups curved sole can also alter a person’s walking mechanics, which can lead to serious alignment issues. Types of Injuries Caused by the use of Skechers Shape-ups Foot, leg, and ankle injuries are the most common types of Shape-ups injuries, but almost any type of injury can be sustained while wearing the popular toning shoe. Shape-ups wearers have reported suffering from broken ankles, femur fractures, hammer toe, tibia fractures, Achilles tendonitis, head injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, muscle tear/sprains, hip dislocation, hip fractures, arm injuries, skull fractures, and paralysis. How a Lawyer Can Help If you suffered a serious injury from falling in a pair of Skechers Shape-ups or from extended wear of Shape-ups, you should speak to a Skechers Shape-ups injury lawyer. After hearing your story and carefully reviewing your medical records, an experienced lawyer can tell you what your legal rights are. If your rights allow you to [...] Read more »
On October 10, 2012, Toyota Motor Corporation announced it is recalling 7.43 million vehicles worldwide because of a faulty driver’s side power window master switch (PWMS). In the U.S., the recall affects 14 models manufactured from 2007 through 2009. According to Toyota, the driver’ side PWMS may feel sticky or “notchy” because of an uneven grease application during the assembly process. If a commercial lubricant is applied to the switch to fix the sticky or “notchy” feeling, the switch could smoke and lead to a fire. No car accidents or injuries related to the faulty power window switch have been reported, but more than 200 PWMS problems have been reported in the U.S. The October 2012 recall is the largest for Toyota since the auto manufacturer issued a recall in 2010 for more than 6 million vehicles because of a malfunctioning accelerator. Filing a Product Liability Claim At Estey Bomberger, our California product liability lawyers believe that companies like Toyota should be held accountable for the design or production of a defective product. Individuals who have been seriously harmed by a defective or dangerous product, such as a faulty auto part, may be entitled to monetary compensation for the expenses related to a serious injury. To find out if your legal rights allow you to file a personal injury claim, please visit www.esteybomberger.com/defective-products/auto-product-liability.html. Every [...] Read more »
Nearly 17,000 vials of tainted steroid injections were shipped out across 75 clinics in 23 states. The steroid injection manufacturer, New England Compounding Center issued a recall on October 6th affecting all of its products distributed from its Framingham, Massachusetts facility. So far more than 100 patients have reportedly developed meningitis and seven fatalities have occurred in connection with the contaminated steroids. Latest reports claim that the meningitis-linked steroid may have affected as many as 13,000 people in the United States. Steroid Injections in the Spinal Column Many patients regularly receive steroid injections to treat chronic back pain. The steroid acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing inflammation that may be irritating the nerve root and causing the chronic pain. Millions of Americans receive this treatment every year, and the procedure itself is usually safe when done correctly using sterile drugs. However, when the injection is contaminated with bacteria or fungus, the patient can be at high risk of developing a serious infection or illness. Fungal Meningitis Some of the vials shipped out by the New England Compounding Center contain a fungus that may be the cause of the meningitis outbreak. Symptoms may develop one to four weeks after exposure to the fungus and includes: Severe headache Stiff neck Vomiting Seizures High fever Sensitivity to light Fungal meningitis can be treated, so it [...] Read more »
On October 4, 2012, Honda voluntary recalled about 269,000 2002-2006 CR-V Crossovers due to a fire hazard. According to Honda, the fire hazard stems from a master switch that controls the vehicle’s power windows. Liquids can seep into the door and reach the master power switch for the electric windows, which can cause the switch to overheat and possibly catch on fire. Honda discovered the problem after complaints from consumers prompted them to launch an investigation. Honda said it is aware of four fires caused by the defect, but no injuries in connection with the fires have been reported. The October 4th recall is the most recent of a growing list of recalls for Honda. On August 31, 2012, Honda issued a recall for more than 820,000 Pilots and Civics due to faulty headlight wiring. The recall affects certain 2002-2003 Honda Civic models and 2004-2005 Pilots, and is an expansion of a March 2012 recall that affected approximately 554,000 CR-Vs and Pilots. Honda said a defective headlight switch caused the problem. No accidents or injuries related to the defective headlight wiring have been reported. On September 27, 2012, Honda added 573,000 Accords to a recall that was first issued in 2007. Since 2007, Honda has recalled approximately 1.1 million Hondas and Acuras for the same reason: high temperatures in the engine compartment. Exposure to [...] Read more »
Skechers Shape-ups have a rounded sole, which creates instability for the wearer. Walking on an unstable surface can be difficult, which is why people who wear Shape-ups are more susceptible to falling. Falling to the ground can result in serious injuries, including brain injuries, herniated discs, skull fractures, hip fractures, wrist fractures, head injuries, neck injuries, foot fractures, femur fractures, tibia fractures, spinal cord injuries, contusions and lacerations. In addition to the increased risk of falling, Shape-ups can also distort the way a person walks. After extended periods of wear, the toning shoes can cause severe alignment issues, stress fractures, chronic Achilles tendon, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, and muscle and ligament tears/strains. Getting Help for Injury-Related Damages Sustaining a serious Skechers Shape-ups injury can affect your ability to function as you did before the injury occurred. Many victims are unable to work as a result of their injuries and many face years of recovery, (if a full recovery is possible). How can a victim get help for the expenses related to a serious Shape-ups injury? Victims can attempt to obtain funds for injury-related damages in the civil court system. Victims should contact a reputable Skechers Shape-ups injury lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger to determine their eligibility to file a personal injury claim. Do Not Jeopardize Your Ability to Recover Compensation How soon [...] Read more »
