Of particular concern are the “arms” that are made of a form of plastic, a synthetic polypropylene mesh. Once implanted in the body, they grow into tissue and can adhere to organs, making them very difficult to remove. Complications may include erosion into surrounding tissue and organs, pain, nerve damage, migration of the mesh, and hardening of the plastic. The arms can be problematic to remove and, in some cases, surgeons will opt to leave the arms behind, sentencing the patient to a lifetime of pain and possibly disability. Other Bard products include Avaulta Plus, Avaulta Solo, and Avaulta Biosynthetic. Once the mesh is out, a woman may need reconstructive surgery to put damaged tissues back in place, such as reconstructing the vagina, the rectum, or the pelvic floor.

There is no wonder why the FDA suggested in its July 13, 2011 Public Health Notification that the risks associated with synthetic Avaulta mesh may not be worth the benefit.

At Farah & Farah, our Jacksonville synthetics mesh injury attorneys understand it is difficult to discuss your pelvic surgery complications. That is why we have assigned compassionate and understanding women to discuss your case and your injuries. A statute of limitations does apply so we have opened the door to a complimentary consultation. You will not have to pay anything for us to take your case unless we secure an award on your behalf. Our number is (800) 533-3555.

On Thursday, January 26th, a federal panel of judges met to consider whether all of the cases should be consolidated before one federal judge. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) met in Miami to decide whether all of the cases, numbering in the thousands, should be consolidated before one judge in the Southern District of West Virginia. Judge Joseph R. Goodwin is already overseeing the C.R. Bard surgical mesh lawsuits and is therefore familiar with the issues, which include patient injury and a failure to inform by the manufacturers who may have understood that their products were defective.

The Judicial Panel delayed making any decision on the consolidation request.

Cases heard in an MDL can use a similar set of facts and share in the discovery process, where each side asks for and receives documents from the other side that can become evidence in their case. Injured plaintiffs keep their legal bills down when they can all share in discovery. In addition, consolidating cases in an MDL avoids any conflicting court rulings that can come from different judges in different jurisdictions.

Synthetic surgical mesh is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse in women, as well as stress urinary incontinence. It is a petroleum-based polypropylene mesh-like substance, permanently implanted to hold up the organs in place when they have fallen within the body. Age, genetics, childbirth, and a lack of exercise are all thought to contribute to the conditions.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports a five-fold increase in complications such as mesh erosion, migration, shrinkage, nerve damage, and intense abdominal pain, as well as infection. And the FDA has no real handle on the actual number of complications because the manufacturers are not required to track them. The Jacksonville transvaginal mesh injury attorneys of Farah & Farah are sensitive to listening to your concerns following a mesh implant. There is a limited time within which to bring an action, so starting the conversation may put you one step closer to finding some resolution to your pain and disability. Call us at 1(800) 533-35555.

Source: http://www.transvaginal-mesh-lawsuits.com/

The hospital was found to have erred when the patient suffered complications from fluid leaking into the abdomen, but it took eight days before the leak was fixed by follow-up surgery. During that time, he suffered a stroke due to low blood pressure. When his brain was deprived of oxygen and blood, he went into a coma for more than two weeks.

Now confined to a wheelchair, he cannot work, talk, feed, or bathe himself. Additionally, he did not receive eye drops for weeks during his care, burning his retina and causing loss of eyesight. He will need medical care for the rest of his life. The doctor, who had only performed about 21 bariatric surgeries, not enough to be accredited, has also settled with the man’s family.

At the time, the hospital claimed it was accredited on its pamphlet. Despite the blatant negligence and lack of patient care, the hospital plans an appeal for this Florida hospital malpractice case.

Farah & Farah’s Jacksonville medical malpractice attorneys send their condolences to this man’s friends and family. No amount of money will restore the quality of life he lost.

If you or a loved one has suffered from the negligence of a medical facility or professional, a medical malpractice action can bring your family some much-needed compensation. It also sends a strong message to medical professionals that patient safety comes first. While the money won’t do anything to restore this victim to the person he once was, it may help the next patient, as this hospital will certainly improve patient care after the jury has spoken.

Source: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-01-23/story/clay-deputy-awarded-178-million-lawsuit-against-memorial-hospital-doctor

Law enforcement is looking for a newer model two-door silver or gray car. It will have windshield and front end damage. A witness told the FHP the vehicle was seen at a Wal-Mart after the hit-and-run at Little Road and State Road 54. The car was being driven by a white female with brown hair in her late 20s wearing blue jeans and a tan shirt. She reportedly picked up a male passenger at the Wal-Mart. Anyone with information is asked to call FHP Trooper R. Evans at (813) 631-4020.

Florida Hit-and Runs

With 4,774 bicyclists hit in Florida in 2010 that resulted in 99 fatalities, Florida is among the top states for pedestrian and bicycle collisions with motor vehicles. The Florida bicycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah would like to address this problem by offering a reward.

Turn in a hit-and-run driver by calling Hit-and-Run Reward and, if that person is convicted, you will be awarded $1,000 for doing the right thing. Farah & Farah has joined personal injury law firms around the country in offering this reward. The number is (800) 644-8678 and thank you for helping to take these dangerous drivers off the road.

Source:http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/jan/19/driver-flees-after-hitting-bicyclist-in-new-port-r-ar-349150/

Complications include: debilitating abdominal pain, mesh migration and shrinkage, perforation of organs, and repeat infections. Bard makes Avaulta, as well as PelviLace, PelviSoft, Uretex, Align, and Pelvicol.

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) consolidates hundreds of cases filed in courts around the country and puts them before one judge, who then becomes familiarized with the issues facing all of the plaintiffs. Multidistrict litigation saves plaintiffs the costs of individual trials in that it allows for a coordinated discovery process where the plaintiffs can share what is uncovered from the other side. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will hear arguments from both sides on January 26, including whether or not injuries in three different MDLs concerning Bard and other makers of mesh should be consolidated before Judge Goodwin in the U.S. District Court for the southern district of West Virginia.

Bard is just one of nine manufacturers of synthetic transvaginal mesh which has caused thousands of women to experience serious complications and even death. The plaintiffs contend the mesh makers knew, or should have known, that transvaginal mesh was defective in its design and that the mesh should never have been put on the market. The FDA issued a July, 2011 report that found a five-fold increase in complications and deaths associated with synthetic mesh.

With about 300,000 synthetic mesh products implanted in women in 2010, and no accurate numbers on the complication rate, the transvaginal mesh lawyers in Florida of Farah & Farah are talking to women from Florida and South Georgia who may be suffering in silence with the effects of this synthetic plastic mesh product. There is a statute of limitations within which to act, so call us at 1(800) 533-3555 and we can begin a complimentary and confidential consultation on your injuries.

Comments to the Channel 4 site said two girls from nearby Ponte Vedra High School helped rescue the two young women from the burning vehicle.

A1A south of Mickler Road was closed for several hours after the crash. Our condolences go out to the two young men killed. Let’s pray the two women survive their injuries.

If I was a family member, I would want to understand what amount of fault the driver shared in this tragic accident. His estate could be held responsible for compensation to the family members of the two young women for their pain and suffering, as well as medical expenses and the cost of rehabilitation. The Florida car accident attorneys of Farah & Farah will always offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your options to seek justice for the injured.

Source: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/topstories/story/Two-killed-two-injured-in-fiery-crash/lwkPfLC3q02uS11Pjk4CiQ.cspx?rss=1; http://www.news4jax.com/news/Fiery-crash-kills-2-on-A1A-in-South-Ponte-Vedra/-/475880/8480576/-/10rs5f8/-/index.html

The FHP has now released the initial results of that campaign. During the time period of December 16 through January 2, the FHP arrested about 500 for driving while intoxicated. At the same time, the FHP issued 36,000 citations across the state of Florida. Citations for drivers in specific cities have not yet been tabulated and released.

Fortunately, these campaigns seem to be working, as the number of citations were fewer than in 2010, however, the number of DUI arrests was up over the same holiday period.

The campaign runs nationally every year from December 16 through January 2. It's organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers are involved in at least one-third of traffic crashes and roadway fatalities. Nationwide, at least 10,000 people were killed in fatal auto accidents involving drunk drivers in 2009.

The legal level of intoxication is 0.08 blood alcohol content (BAC). Anyone who has a BAC that number of higher is guilty of a drunk driving infraction. The penalties can range from jail time to the suspension of a license and fines. Eventually, a driver will lose his or her license to operate a motor vehicle. Unfortunately that doesn’t stop some people from driving.

Farah & Farah’s Jacksonville drunk driving victim lawyers recommend a zero tolerance policy toward drinking and driving for all Florida residents. If you are injured in a car crash that involves a drunk driver, Farah & Farah recommends making the phone call that will put an advocate by your side while you spend time recovering. The number for a cost-free consultation with our law team is (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/FHP_Release_DUI_Stats_137217668.html

The woman was making a right turn on Palm Brook Drive, but the golf cart instead ran into a fence, throwing the elderly woman to the ground. She was airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne where she later died. Her friends tell Central Florida News 13 they are dumbfounded by this tragic accident that took the life of a “sweet lady” who was a stickler for the rules of the game of golf.

Golf Cart Safety

Golf carts do not have seatbelts, and an FHP spokesperson says they encounter a number of golf cart-related crashes every year resulting in personal property damage and injury, but few involve serious injury or death.

The family may want to be assured there were no defective components of this golf cart that may have caused it to go out of control. An experienced Florida product liability law firm would investigate whether or not the brakes and steering on the golf cart were in working order. Was the roadway free of debris and the sidewalk even and free of cracks? An investigation would also include any eye-witness accounts of what actually happened since this is such an unusual turn of events.

Our law firm expresses its sincere condolences over the loss of this woman to her friends and family members.

The Brevard County personal injury lawyers of Farah & Farah will always offer a complimentary consultation after any personal injury accident. Call our number at 1(800) 533-3555 to start the conversation.

Source: http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120109/BREAKINGNEWS/120109016/Suntree-woman-75-dies-from-golf-cart-wreck-injuries; http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-09/news/os-golf-cart-elderly-woman-killed-20120109_1_golf-cart-accident-florida-highway-patrol-suntree

Florida auto accident attorneys understand the reality that PIP still provides a safety net to keep some people afloat following an auto accident while traditional insurance may not.

Gov. Scott has been joined in his mission to overturn PIP by state Sen. Joe Negron who on Monday, January 9, filed a bill- SB 1860. The bill targets fraud which the Associated Press reports costs Floridians $1 billion every year. Some insured drivers who live in high fraud areas are paying several hundred dollars more in insurance premiums due to PIP fraud, according to the report.

SB 1860 would give hospitals the first chance at taking care of a PIP accident victim instead of clinics that are sometimes involved in the fraud. Some pain clinics with questionable practices would face losing their license. A recent Miami-Dade County investigation found regulatory violations in the majority of the 49 pain clinics visited. Among them, some clinics bill for medical services but have never seen a patient.

Stay tuned for changes to PIP during the 60-day legislative session.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/09/2581177/sen-negron-files-bill-targeting.html

This is the same class of drugs that humans rely on to treat pneumonia, bacterial infections, salmonella infections, and other life-threatening diseases, reports the St. Augustine Record. Using the same drug in a food source renders them useless, and humans really need them to fight disease since the bacteria in the body has evolved to develop resistance to the antibiotic. Antibiotic resistant strains of superbugs have evolved in recent years, so supporters say it’s about time to stop using antibiotics in food sources.

The FDA says farm operators will still be able to use approved cephapirin products on animals to control disease and in so-called “minor species” of animals. Cephapirin is the first-generation of the cephalosporin antibiotic. Critics of the FDA say the announced ban does not go far enough because it still allows antibiotic use in meat-producing animals.

Since there are no new antibiotics on the horizon to fight bacterial infections, most medical professionals, as well as the FDA, consider it paramount to keep our modern-day antibiotics effective.

Cephalosporins are a broad spectrum antibiotics and a drug of last resort when other antibiotics have lost their effectiveness. Drugs for animals used for human consumption were supposed to be limited in 2008, but the Bush administration reversed the decision after heavy lobbying from drug companies and trade groups. Under the Obama administration, the FDA said it planned to take action, but had done nothing until Wednesday.

Source: http://ap.staugustine.com/pstories/health/20120104/937067127.shtml; http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm054434.htm

The NTSB reports the flight took off at 5:37 a.m. from the Mayo Clinic Heliport in Jacksonville and crashed 16 minutes later. Its altitude varied from 200 to 700 feet. Seconds before the Florida fatal aviation accident, the Bell helicopter struck a tree at about 30 feet off the ground, though it’s not clear yet why this experienced helicopter pilot didn’t avert the collision. He had been at 300 feet above sea level in what is described as foggy conditions.

News4jax.com reports the flight plan was not filed and minutes before the crash the pilot called the air traffic control tower in Jacksonville to ask about a restricted airspace. There was no emergency call of any kind. The heart was never retrieved and its intended recipient went back on the transplant waiting list.

The Florida wrongful death attorneys at Farah & Farah extend their sincere condolences to the friends and family of everyone involved as well as the family members of the transplant patient waiting for the procured organ. This is a tremendous loss for everyone involved and the entire healthcare community of Jacksonville. The NTSB may take up to a year to determine what actually happened.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/NTSB-Helicopter-struck-several-trees-in-crash/-/475880/7641050/-/13trds5z/-/index.html; http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-01-04/story/report-helicopter-hit-trees-30-feet-clay-crash

Some drivers let others drive their car or car share. The University of California Berkeley finds about 8,000 vehicles are used this way by a half-million people who partake in 27 programs across the U.S.

The programs are largely found in urban centers where Jolly Wheels, Getaround, and Relay Rides are based and help people connect to others who may want to rent their car for a short while.

The problem - your own auto insurance may not cover someone else using your car. The article said the insurance industry wants to discourage using your car for income because of the additional risk of an auto accident injury by renting your car to strangers who may not have good driving habits. They also may not know the roads or be out in inclement weather.

However, there are additional insurance policies to consider to be covered in a peer-to-peer car lending situation.

A $1 million personal umbrella policy will offer coverage when your standard auto liability coverage is exhausted. The cost is about $150 to $300 a year for the additional coverage. The umbrella liability is especially important if you have assets you want to shield, which can easily be exhausted following a devastating auto accident with injuries or death. This is true whether or not you share your vehicle with others.

The Clearwater auto accident lawyers at Farah & Farah recommend the million dollar umbrella policy under any circumstances because an unexpected auto accident can change your life forever. If you or a loved one is injured in a car collision, call us at (800) 533-3555 so we can help you decide the best course of action for your future.

Source: http://autos.aol.com/article/car-sharing-insurance/

Among workers ages 55 and over, just over 40 percent are still on the job, which is the highest rate in 20 years, according to nonprofit group the Employee Benefit Research Institute. And the same group reports because of the harsh recession, 20 percent of older Americans plan to never stop working.

With about one quarter of baby boomers reporting in 2010 that they have no retirement savings, it is especially important that they understand what happens if they are injured on the job. The employer must provide medical treatment if an on-the-job injury occurs which should cover doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, medical tests, hospitalization, and physical therapy. If you are injured on the job, do not delay in reporting the injury to your employer. If you feel the insurance company is not fully compensating you, the workers’ compensation attorneys in Jacksonville of Farah & Farah are just a phone call away at 1(800) 533-3555.

Source: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-12-29/business/fl-baby-boomers-retirement-20111229_1_baby-boomers-retirement-age-employee-benefit-research-institute; http://www.ebri.org/

The new UTVs are larger than an all-terrain vehicle but smaller than a pickup, and should offer lifeguards a 360-degree view of the beach and visitors. Like an all-terrain vehicle, they have open sides so people can approach the lifeguards, yet are big enough to accommodate emergency equipment and a surfboard. They are designed with a rubberized bumper to minimize any injury to visitors. Eventually, the county hopes to have 10 vehicles at a cost of $15,000 each. Pickup trucks will still be used but on a much more limited basis.

Personal Injury Lawsuit for Negligence

The injured woman’s family has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the county for negligence and is challenging sovereign immunity which usually blocks lawsuits against government entities. She was the third sunbather to be run over by the beach patrol in a year. The part-time lifeguard was issued a citation for careless driving. If you have been injured in any type of accident, the Volusia County personal injury lawyers of Farah & Farah can help you obtain compensation for your injuries. For a complimentary consultation with our law team, call (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-12-29/news/os-daytona-beach-vehicles-20111229_1_part-time-lifeguard-vehicle-strikes-utvs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that from 1999 to 2007, opioid painkillers such as hydrocodone, methadone, the fentanyl patch, and oxycodone caused fatalities to triple, leading to more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine. In this patient’s case, the first and second patch’s narcotic had not yet broken down in the 72-hour window it takes to do so when she was given the third patch. The article points out that increasingly, the goal for hospitals is to keep patients pain-free, which has led to overprescribing.

Because of fentanyl patch side effects, the product has received a black-box warning, the strongest given by the FDA, and has been recalled a number of times for product defects. It is best tolerated by those patients who take daily opioids for chronic pain.

The Jacksonville medical malpractice lawyers at Farah & Farah understand that if you are prescribed pain medication, ask if it is short or long-acting, and only take medication as prescribed. Ask about any potential for drug interactions.

In this case, the woman’s husband filed and settled a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctors who overprescribed narcotics for his wife which ended her life.

Source: http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-11-2011/painkillers-dangerous-effects.html