Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

Link Between Estrogen Therapy and Asthma

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:26:24 GMT

A recent large-scale study showed an association between estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy and an increased risk of asthma in post-menopausal women. The research was reported online in Thorax. The research was conducted by Dr. Isabelle Romieu of the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico, and colleagues. According to this research, recent and current users of estrogen had a 54% increase in their risk of developing asthma. The researchers believe that hormone replacement therapy plays a role in developing asthma because of other research suggesting that an estrogen synthesis mechanism is involved in asthma suffered by women and girls. The study was based on bi-annual questionnaires completed by 98,995 French women, detailing their medical history, menopausal status, and various lifestyle characteristics. According to the study, the risk of asthma related to estrogen use was greater in women who had never smoked or who had reported allergic disease before the asthma onset. This particular study did not show an association between combination hormone therapy and an increased asthma incidence.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Chondrolysis Blamed on Pain Pump

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:47:28 GMT

Recently, an Oregon jury awarded $5.5 million to a chondrolysis patient. There are more than 150 lawsuits around the country regarding chondrolysis and shoulder pain pumps, with at least 12 of them expected to go to trial this year. Chondrolysis is a condition where the cartilage breaks down and deteriorates. Several medical studies have shown a link between chondrolysis and the use of shoulder pain pumps. Pain pumps are sometimes used after shoulder surgery to deliver medication directly to the shoulder joint.

In the 1990's orthopedic surgeons increasingly began using shoulder pain pumps after manufacturers claimed that the pumps would allow surgical patients to leave the hospital more quickly and with a more efficient delivery of pain medicine directly to the surgical site, instead of bottles of oral medication. The pain pump was FDA approved for use in the surrounding muscle tissue, but not for use in the actual shoulder joint. However, it is alleged that manufacturers actively promoted the use of pain pumps directly into the shoulder joint. While doctors are allowed to use drugs and devices for unapproved uses, manufacturers are prohibited from marketing their products for any use other than an FDA-approved use.

Some doctors say that the prolonged direct delivery of medication to the shoulder joint caused toxic effects of cartilage breaking down. Since cartilage does not regenerate, chondrolysis can lead to additional surgery or even shoulder replacement.

If you have developed chondrolysis after using a shoulder pain pump, contact Sheller P.C Sheller is leading pharmaceutical litigation firm, with a long history of successfully representing people who have been injured by medications and medical devices. Contact Sheller to discuss your potential legal claims.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

New Safety Rules Sought for Medical Radiation

Jamie Sheller — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:47:49 GMT

There is a new call for enhanced safety measures regarding medical radiation. This call is coming from the American Society for Radiation Oncology or Astro, the leading professional organization dedicated to radiation oncology. According to the group, the new safety measures should include establishing the nation's first central database for the reporting of errors involving linear accelerators - machines that generate radiation. Even though serious radiation incidents are rare, some experts believe that all errors must be reported so that they can be studied and used to reduce the potential for future errors. A central clearinghouse will help in that process. Astro says that its six-point plan would improve safety and quality and reduce medical errors. In addition to a central database, the plan also includes expanded training and a stronger accreditation program. Some states don't require licenses for technicians who operate radiotherapy machines. In 8 states, no credentials or education requirements exist for therapists who perform medical imaging other than mammograms. Astro is also seeking federal legislation requiring national standards for radiation therapy treatment teams. Uniform standard for accreditation and reporting of errors will enhance patient safety

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Now Toyota Has Prius Problems

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:53:18 GMT

On top of its problems with faulty gas pedals in several Toyota models, there are now complaints about brakes in the new Prius model. The Prius is the world's best-selling hybrid car. The complaints received by the Japanese government include braking problems, such brake failure and weak braking on bumpy roads. There have also been complaints received by the U.S. National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration. According to a Japanese government official, who spoke with Toyota executives, the problem involves an electronics issue with a small computer inside the brake system. The Japanese government has ordered an investigation of the Prius brake system, and there is the possibility of a Prius recall. This comes after a Toyota recall of millions of vehicles due to unintended acceleration. Since that recall, Toyota has lost $37 billion of market value.

If you have a Prius, and have been injured because of the brakes failing, contact Sheller P.C. Sheller is a leading automobile product defect firm, that has a long history of successfully representing people who have been injured by defective autos. Contact Sheller to discuss your potential legal claim regarding brake problems in your Toyota Prius.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Bristol-Myers Drug Videx Poses Liver Risk

Jamie Sheller — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:57:59 GMT

Recently, the FDA issued a warning regarding the drug Videx, which is made by Bristol-Myers. Videx is an HIV drug, approved in 1991. The drug keeps HIV from multiplying. According to the FDA, Videx users are at risk for developing a rare, but potentially fatal liver disorder. The specific liver disorder is called non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. So far, 4 people of the 32 reported cases, have died from bleeding or liver failure. With non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, the blood flow through the liver is dangerously slow. This can cause swelling in the veins of the esophagus. If those veins burst, it can result in potentially deadly bleeding.

Videx is not being recalled, because the FDA believes that its benefits to patients outweigh its risks. However, new warnings are being added to the Videx label, describing the signs and symptoms of the liver disorder. The label warnings advise monitoring patients for early signs of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

If you have used Videx and developed non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, contact Sheller, P.C. Sheller is a leading pharmaceutical negligence firm. Sheller has a long history of successful representation of individuals and classes of individuals in lawsuits over various drugs, including Vioxx, Paxil, Fen Phen, Seroquel and Prozac, among others. Contact Sheller to discuss your potential legal claims.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Toyota Faces Big Problems In Midst of Recall

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:57:57 GMT

In the midst of a recall of millions of its vehicles, Toyota is facing a public relations challenge. Customers are nervous and are questioning Toyota's safety. Toyota dealers have noticed a drop in customer traffic and sales since the gas pedal recall, but they believe that loyal customers will come back. In response to the concerns, Toyota has begun a publicity campaign to bolster its reputation for safety. Toyota ran full-page ads on Sunday in 20 major newspapers. According to crisis management experts, in addition to its problems with the recall, Toyota's message isn't clear and reassuring enough. The ads talked about the recall and halt in production as a "temporary pause" to put customers "first." However, the ads didn't explain how the Toyota gas pedal problems would be fixed. According to Toyota, the car and truck recall, involving 4.2 million vehicles, is related to condensation that builds up in the gas pedal assembly and can cause the accelerator to get stuck. Recently, federal regulators approved a plan by Toyota to start sending repair parts to dealers soon. Car industry analysts believe that American car makers, like Ford, may benefit from the Toyota recall and public relations problem. The recent recall, involving faulty gas pedals, has expanded into Europe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced an investigation into the manufacturer that supplied the defective gas pedals to Toyota.

If you have one of the recalled Toyota vehicles, and have been injured as a result of the gas pedal sticking, contact Sheller, P.C. to discuss your potential legal rights. Sheller is a leading automobile defect firm. Sheller lawyers have a long history of successfully handling many cases against automobile manufacturers for defective cars. We help people get the compensation that they deserve after being injured by car defects.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Pain Pumps Linked to Chondrolysis

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:36:02 GMT

Chondrolysis is a relatively rare condition in which joint cartilage dies, resulting in bone grinding on bone. It is painful, and can lead to the necessity for joint replacement. Chondrolysis can cause a lifetime of pain and disability. Recently, several medical studies have linked pain pumps to chondrolysis. Pain pumps are used after surgery to deliver local anesthetic to a specific area, via an inserted plastic tube.

Initially chondrolysis patients appear to recover normally from shoulder surgery, but at some point their healing stops. They develop pain and difficulty using the joint, leading doctors to discover that their cartilage has deteriorated and they have chondrolysis. There are now about 150 lawsuits across the country involving chondrolysis and pain pumps. According to patients' lawyers, the manufacturers disregarded safety as they sought to expand into the orthopedic market.

In the late 1990's, orthopedic surgeons increasingly used pain pumps rather than having patients with extended hospital stays. The pain pumps were also seen as safer than narcotic painkillers. However, the FDA never approved pain pumps for use in joints. Now many health care professionals think that the local anesthetic delivered through the pain pumps, were turned into toxins by being delivered into cartilage for up to 72 hours. Doctors began seeing more cases of chondrolysis. The FDA issued a warning in November 2009, about using pain pumps in joints. Manufacturers were ordered to change their labels to discourage the use of pain pumps in joints.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Doctors Will Get Monthly Updates On Tysabri/PML Incidence

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:34:13 GMT

Tysabri, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease, has been linked to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Biogen Idec, Inc., the maker of Tysabri is reinstituting its practice of providing monthly updates on PML, which is an often fatal brain infection. With this monitoring plan, doctors will be updated about new PML cases at the middle of each month. Access to this information will be through a password-protected website. The site will have information on the number of PML cases, details on the duration of use, and a cumulative patient exposure figure. Patients can request information from Biogen, but they will not receive as detailed information as doctors, due to regulations that restrict direct interaction between patients and drug companies.

In 2005 Tysabri was taken off the market in the U.S, after 3 clinical trial patients developed PML. In 2006, Tysabri was reapproved, but with restrictions. Currently, only patients with relapsing MS or Crohn's disease can receive Tysabri, and they must be enrolled in the risk minimization plan called the TOUCH Prescribing Program. As of mid-January 2010, the number of Tysabri patients who have developed PML is 31.

if you have taken Tysabri, and developed PML, contact Sheller, P.C. Sheller has a long history of successfully representing patients who have been harmed by pharmaceuticals. Contact Sheller to discuss your potential legal claims.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

E. Coli Concerns Prompt Beef Recall

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:08:00 GMT

Almost one million pounds of ground beef products are being recalled by Huntington Meat Packiing Inc., of Montebello, CA. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the beef products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. All boxes of the recalled beef products have the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The recalled beef products were produced between January 5, and January 15, 2010, and shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels in California.

In reviewing the records of Huntington Meat Packing, Inc., the FSIS also determined that earlier-produced beef products from the company may be contaminated with E. coli as well. Therefore, some beef products from Huntington, produced and shipped between February 19, 2008 and May 15, 2008, are also subject to a recall. These recalled beef products also bear the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels in California. The FSIS is taking this action with regard to the products produced in 2008, due to a concern that some of the beef may be frozen and still in commerce.

E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and kidney failure, and is potentially deadly.

The FSIS virtual representative "Ask Karen" is available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov, for consumers with food safety questions. Consumers can also call the USDA Meat and Poultry hotline at 1-888-674-6854, Mon. - Fri., 10 am - 4 pm, eastern time.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Data Security Breach At Lincoln National

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:54:01 GMT

Recently, Lincoln National Corp. revealed a data breach that could affect over one million customers. Lincoln National is a financial services company based in Radnor, PA. The security breach may have resulted in the leaking of personal data for 1.2 million Lincoln National customers. According to lawyers for Lincoln National, an unidentified source reported the security breach to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in August 2009.

Kroll, which is a forensic security company, was hired to investigate the Lincoln National security breach. The investigation showed that Lincoln National and one of its subsidiaries, Lincoln Financial Advisors, were sharing usernames and passwords to access the portfolio information management system. The system administration team had created and distributed the usernames and passwords for home office and support staff. The investigation did not reveal that people outside the company had used the data.

According to Lincoln National, it is no longer using shared usernames and passwords in its system. Lincoln National also says that it has notified its customers of the security breach, and that affected customers have been offered identity theft services.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller