Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

Kawasaki Motors Corp is recalling about 4,000 of one of its off-road motorcycles because of safety concerns. Kawasaki agreed to the recall suggested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Consumers are warned they should stop using the off-road bike. It is also considered illegal to resell a recalled motorcycle.

The motorcycle in question is the Kawasaki 2010 KLX110. It is an off-road bike distributed by Kawasaki Motors of Irvine, California.

The problem – the bike has a faulty housing for the ignition switch which can allow water to enter. That can potentially activate the starter and since this is an electric starter, it can cause serious hazard of death. No injuries have been reported.

Note that the 2010 model year is involved and includes series KLX110CAF and KLX110DAF off-road motorcycles. They are distinguished by their lime green color with the word “Kawasaki” on the side of the fuel tank.

Continue reading "Kawasaki Recalls ATV" »

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Automaker, Toyota has been out of the limelight lately, following a series of recalls for runaway vehicles, but a New York grand jury has put troubled Toyota back in the news, according to a Consumer Affairs article.

Toyota has disclosed that it’s received a subpoena related to flaws with the steering system in some vehicles. This concerns auto product liability attorneys in Florida and throughout the United States. The subpoena related to a recall initiated by the company in 2005 for a faulty relay rod on pickup trucks and SUVs that could cause a loss of control in 1989 to 1996 vehicle model years.

The recall may have been five years ago, but in May, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it was looking into whether Toyota had promptly informed the regulatory agency about the steering problems within five days of understanding the problem as required by law. This would not be surprising as Toyota has already paid a record $16.4 million fine for failing for four months to alert regulators about its sudden acceleration problem.

The reason NHTSA may doubt Toyota’s version of the facts, is that when the company conducted a recall in 2004 for Hilux trucks with steering relay rod problems in Japan, Toyota told NHTSA the problem was isolated to Japanese vehicles. Toyota insisted it did not know about similar problems in the U.S.

By 2005, Toyota changed its mind and agreed that several models sold in the U.S. did have the steering problem, which could cause a vehicle to lose control. The company then issued a U.S. recall.

For years, NHTSA has failed to show it has any teeth when it comes to regulating the auto industry and now it appears the agency wants to make up for lost time. Toyota is the target now, and this marks the first time Toyota has faced a grand jury in the U.S. and criminal charges could be next.

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Millions of drop-side cribs have been recalled this year and now Pottery Barn Kids is recalling its version of the popular type of crib, according to a Consumer Affairs report. Eighty-two thousand are being recalled due to the dangers of entrapment. When hardware breaks, as frequently happens on the drop-side cribs, a young child can become wedged between the mattress and the crib’s frame leading to suffocation.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports the hardware of the drop-down cribs tends to malfunction with age and with incorrect assembly.

The CPSC says that there have been 36 reports of malfunctioning Pottery Barn cribs. Seven children have been injured. One child fell out of the crib and others had their legs caught. One child became entrapped but was not seriously injured.

Regardless of the model, consumers are asked to stop using the cribs which were sold from 1999 to 2010. Pottery Barn will provide consumers with a fixed-gate conversion that immobilizes the drop-side, originally designed to make removing and placing a child in a crib more convenient for the adult. Earlier this year, after millions of cribs from various manufacturers were recalled, the CPSC decided the drop-side models had design defects. Since then, the agency has called for the phase-out of drop-side cribs.

Manufacturers have an obligation to make products that are safe for children. Whether a defective design or constructed poorly of shoddy material, a defective product should never enter the marketplace, especially when those products are intended for children. When they do, a Florida child product recall lawyer can help parents determine whether they have a potential product liability claim against the manufacturer for compensation of their child’s injuries. Ultimately a product liability claim keeps other children safer if it forces the manufacturer to put out a quality, well-designed product.

The CPSC has found at least 32 children died in drop-side cribs over the last nine years. Fourteen other deaths are also being investigated that have a suspected link to the dangerous drop-side crib. Pottery Barn Kids can be contacted at 877-804-3847 or online at www.potterybarnkids.com.

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Before the end of the year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants to eliminate drop-side cribs from the market. Toward that end, the CPSC and seven manufacturers this week announced they were recalling the troublesome cribs that can entrap and suffocate infants, according to a Chicago Tribune report.

The picture on the Web site of CPSC shows how easily a little one can become wedged between the crib and the mattress when the hardware comes loose.

So far, 32 infants have died from being trapped in these cribs, and more than a dozen other deaths are suspected to have resulted from a failure of their drop-side crib. The drop-side crib is intended to make it easier for parents to place or remove a child from a crib.

More than two million cribs are included in this recall from big names in children’s products such as Evenflo and Simmons. Nine million drop-side cribs have been recalled in recent years.
The CPSC says do not try to fix the crib yourself with a handmade remedy or duct tape. The manufacturers will send out the appropriate hardware.

Here is a list of the cribs that were made between 2002 and 2009. Many cribs are resold in consignment stores and garage sales and likely will never be taken off the market.

• Child Craft, (this firm is out of business): Fixed-Side | Drop-Side


• Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y.


• Evenflo, of Miamisburg, Ohio


• Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan


• LaJobi, of Cranbury, N.J.


• Million Dollar Baby, of Montebello, Calif.


• Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. (SJP), of New London, Wis.

Jacksonville child product recall attorneys will continue to monitor the latest news regarding the drop-side recall.

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According to a Miami Herald report, Miami-Dade jury has found Miami-based Banner Supply at fault for a couple’s home that was built with defective Chinese drywall and on Friday, June 17, awarded them $2.5 million. This is the first test of a Chinese drywall case that has gone before a jury and the outcome is not a good omen for the industry.

In this case, the couple, Armin and Lisa Seifart, sued Banner Supply, the drywall company that provided the defective drywall from China. They were building their dream home in Coral Gables, but instead, the home was a nightmare. The air conditioner corroded and the home had a strange sulfur odor.

During the discovery process, the Seifart’s attorney found a document that said Banner replaced 2.3 million square feet of Chinese wallboard with U.S. produced wallboard, but only in the homes whose builders complained. The award was a little more than half of the $4.4 million they had asked for from the jury to recover the cost of taking the house down to the studs and rebuilding it. It still is not home, but they had more than $1 million in repairs and in rent, not to mention the approximately $200,000 in the lost value of their home on the resale market.

The couple said they didn’t want to sue but were left with no choice. Drywall from China imported between 2004 and 2008 was found by the Environmental Protection Agency to contain sulfur and the metallic element strontium at ten times the level of domestic drywall. It also contains compounds found in acrylic paint.

There are thousands of homes in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and California that were built with Chinese drywall who have cases pending against the supplier.

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Jacksonville defective product injury lawyers are noting that children swallowing batteries is becoming a growing problem as people increasingly are using button batteries. A Reuters story reports that there has been an increase in the number of children that put the tiny batteries in their mouth where they can become lodged in the esophagus or ingested.

If the lodged batteries are not removed within two hours, they can cause tears, burning or internal bleeding. The studies - published in the June issue of Pediatrics - come to the same conclusion – that the number of cases of battery swallowing are on the rise. Research suggests a 6.7 fold increase in the percentage of button batteries swallowed between 1985 and 2009. That increase mirrors the increasing use of the little lithium cell batteries that go in remote controls, cameras, watches, children’s toys, and many household products.

So far, there have been 13 deaths from swallowing or ingesting the batteries.

The researchers suggest that manufacturers take more care by creating a childproof battery compartment that may require a tool to open, and creating an education campaign so parents know what to look for if a battery is lodged or has been swallowed. That data shows that swallowing a lithium cell battery begins to severely burn a child internally within two to 2.5 hours. Data from the national batter ingestion hotline shows that children under the age of six were involved in the majority (62.5%) of button cell battery ingestions.

Parents need to be aware of the situation. The majority of small batteries were lying around or removed from household products. Believe it or not, some elderly individuals ingested the small items in 15.5% of ingestion incidents, believing that the batteries were pills.

Health care providers may not even know what to look for, so widespread education needs to include doctors, nurses and emergency room personnel. More than 54% of the time, cases were initially misdiagnosed. Symptoms of battery ingesting can include vomiting, fever, lethargy, irritability, cough, poor appetite, wheezing, and dehydration.

Please take seriously this alert about a potentially deadly product hazard that may be lying around your house.

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An investigation is uncovering the amount of influence former NHTSA employees may have had over the current Toyota probe. Critics in Congress say that Toyota had help from two former NHTSA employees. Christopher Santucci worked as a defect investigator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator. He then got a job at Toyota, the very company he had been in charge of investigating. He worked for Christopher Tinto, who also used to work for NHTSA. Now with these two together at Toyota they helped to limit probes into Toyota records show. Together, they pointed the NHTSA probe to focus on the brief burst acceleration instead of the runaway vehicles that have led to so many accidents and deaths.

Toyota documents that CBS News obtained from 2006 show that while NHTSA wanted company documents on “a broad testing and analysis question” concerning the Camry and Solara vehicle engine surge, Toyota in negotiations with NHTSA, got the agency to “reduce the response” and essentially provide much less data. A third ex-NHTSA employee also helped Toyota, former NHTSA attorney Kenneth Weinstein. Joan Claybrook, who used to head NHTSA, characterizes it like this. “They maneuvered and manipulated and I think Bamboozled the agency.” Congress is taking the apparent conflict-of-interest question before Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Absolutely not” he said.

Continue reading "Toyota Pulls Strings Within NHTSA To Kill Probes" »

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The Chrysler Group is recalling 24,000 Dodge and Jeep automobiles because of a defect that could cause the brakes to fail. The bulk of the recall applies to the Dodge Ram pickup truck, model years 2009-2010 as well as the 2010 Chrysler Sebring, the Dodge Avenger and Nitro, the Jeep Liberty, Commander and Grand Cherokee.

The problem is a rod-retaining clip that has been fitted incorrectly and in some Ram trucks the part has not been fitted at all. No accidents are reported as a result of the brake issue, but Chrysler says the problem with the braking system could result in brake failure without warning, “which could cause a crash.” As auto defect attorneys in Florida and throughout the U.S. are monitoring recall updates, Chrysler is working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the recall.

The auto giant is in the midst of trying to rebuild its image after going through bankruptcy last year and receiving federal bailout money. NHTSA is encouraging consumers to call Chrysler to obtain the fix.

Source report: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703837004575013263719462230.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

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A new crib recall policy could be part of the newly beefed up crib safety rules initiated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). When consumers find that they own a defective crib that has been recalled, CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum recently told congress that her “Safe Sleep Initiative” would require a crib maker to offer a refund or store credit to the owner of the defective crib. That is, as long as it does not force a company into bankruptcy. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) says what is most shocking about this is that all of the recalled cribs were certified as meeting the industry’s safety standards.

The problem with many recalled cribs is that they continue to resurface in the second-hand market, whether it is through a garage sale or consignment store.

Tenenbaum says she plans to ratchet up the public outreach for baby and toddler products by using multimedia tools, print, radio, television and social media to find the recalled items. Also CPSC is partnering with Safe Kids USA, Keeping Babies Safe, and the National Safety Council.

Recently the CPSC recalled more than 2 million Stock Craft drop-side cribs as well as 600,000 Dorel Asia cribs. Be sure to visit the CPSC Web site if you are planning to purchase a used baby crib or toddler equipment to check that it is not a defective product that has been recalled.

Source report: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/cpsc_cribs.html

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Drug maker, Merck, has given the FDA new data to win approval to market its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, to women between the ages of 27 and 45. The drug is already approved to protect girls and younger women, ages 9 through 26, from four strains of the human papillomavirus, which can lead to cervical cancer and warts. The vaccine also won approval to prevent genital warts in young males.

The drug has not been the blockbuster that Merck wanted so it has been trying for some time to win further FDA approval. In June 2008, the FDA rejected Merck’s application to expand use of the drug. And early last year, the FDA again withheld approval, asking Merck for more data on a 48-month study.

After a much heralded approval in 2006, Merck pushed and almost received approval for mandatory vaccinations for young girls. But there was a backlash when it was found that lobbyists were targeting female legislators to introduce new laws in their states. Gardasil sales slowed and now Merck faces competition from its rival, Cervarix, made by GSK.

Continue reading "Merck Trying to Expand Gardasil Use" »

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After news surfaced that Chinese manufacturers allowed dangerous levels of lead to be present in children’s toys and jewelry, a different substance – cadmium – was used instead. However, a recent associated press investigation has revealed that the heavy metal cadmium which has replaced lead in children’s jewelry is no substitute at all. Cadmium poses many dangers to children as well. Lab tests conducted by the associated press discovered that the most contaminated piece contained 91% cadmium. Bought on a national level, other pieces of jewelry amounted to a weight of 84% to 89% cadmium.

It is no secret that cadmium is a carcinogen and can easily come off of objects, thus contaminating the hands and other body parts of users. As additional concern arose regarding the exposure of this dangerous chemical substance to children, the Associated Press bought 103 items from store locations throughout Texas, New York, California, and Ohio, all during the months of November and December. What they found in the purchased items was that 12% of the jewelry items had at least 10% of cadmium present.

One of the worst offenders sold a contaminated bracelet charm- Wal-Mart, Claire’s, and the dollar stores:

• Three flip flop bracelet charms sold at Wal-Mart – 84 to 86 percent cadmium. The company that imported the items - Sulyn Industries of Florida says the charms were subject to lead testing not cadmium.


• Four charms from two “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” bracelets sold at Dollar N More store in Rochester, NY – 82 to 91 percent cadmium.


• Two charms on a “Best Friends” bracelet bought at Claire’s – 89 to 91 percent cadmium.


• Pendants from four “The Princess and The Frog” necklaces purchased at Wal-Mart – ranged between 25 to 35 percent cadmium.

“There’s nothing positive that you can say about this metal. It’s a poison,” said Bruce A. Fowler with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is a cadmium specialist and toxicologist.

Many parents and consumers may be wondering why the substance cadmium has become a problem. The answer relates to the fact that federal protection has not involved banning cadmium being in jewelry. However, lead is prevented from being present in and on children’s toys.

Continue reading "Toxic Metal in Kid's Jewelry from China" »

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Two Floridians both had colonoscopies and both have kidney disease. Both have also filed Florida pharmaceutical lawsuits against the drug makers of the drugs used to cleanse the bowels. Both Floridians took drugs that contain sodium phosphate. Doctors often refer to it as the “killer of kidneys” and their lawyer argues the drugs caused their kidney damage.

The drugs are known as over-the-counter drugs Fleet Phospho-soda and OsmoPrep pills.
One of the individuals is 63 and relies on dialysis after suffering kidney failure, reports Health News Florida. The other individual is 80, is a retired airline pilot, and is not on dialysis, but he cannot enjoy a normal active lifestyle.

OsmoPrep now carries a black box warning about the possible link between the preparation and kidney damage. Fleet Phospho-soda has been taken off the market.

While a single dose of the product for bowel cleansing is considered safe, Fleet allegedly recommended a double dose without FDA approval. Publix, where Schlichting bought his product was also named in the lawsuit.

Continue reading "Floridians File Lawsuit Against Drug Makers" »

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Jacksonville has had its first serious drug side effect of paralysis to report, apparently a result of receiving the swine flu vaccine.

Shortly after receiving the H1N1or swine flu shot, a Jacksonville firefighter has become paralyzed with the condition called Guillain- Barre syndrome or GBS. He is in Baptist Hospital and appears to be recovering.

GBS affects the nervous system causing paralysis and it has rarely been seen in the 2009 version of the swine flu vaccine; however, in 1976, during the last round of swine flu, the vaccine created at that time was known to cause GBS as a side effect.

With millions of vaccines given across the U.S., the head of the Duval County Health Department says there are about 10 cases of GBS across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 3,000 to 6,000 cases of GBS are contracted in the U.S. every year with the flu vaccine, adding another one for every one million. Most people are expected to eventually recover.

Continue reading "H1N1 Strikes Jacksonville Man" »

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A mother says in an interview that she's been waiting for this day to come ever since her one-year-old daughter was strangled by a home window blind cord in June 2002. That’s when she tucked twins into baby blankets in their cribs. One of the twins accidentally strangled herself by looping an inner cord within the window blinds around her neck.

Since the twin’s death, the mother has formed Parents for Window Blind Safety, lobbying the federal government for a recall of the dangerous blinds.

This week, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced one of the biggest product recalls in U.S. history, working with industry to recall all Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds with cords because of the risk of strangulation.

That includes more than 50 million blinds and shades from multiple manufacturers. The CPSC Web site has pictures of the various blinds that are involved in the recall. Basically whether a roll-up shade or a Roman shade, both have visible cords that can be pulled out from inside the folds on the blinds. For some toddlers, that is too much temptation to resist.

The CPSC has received reports of five deaths among children and 16 near-strangulations from fabric-looped Roman shades since 2006. Three deaths associated with roll-up blinds have been reported since 2001.

Continue reading "Roman Shades Recall" »

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Talc is the world’s softest rock but the minute fibers contained in talc are very similar to asbestos. For years, environmental scientists have been saying that talcum powder can cause cancer. Now that issue will be going to court.

A 52-year-old woman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is suing Johnson & Johnson and two mining companies for failing to warn consumers about the possibility of contracting ovarian cancer from talcum power.

She was diagnosed in 2006 after using the powder in her genital area every day after showering from 1975 to 2007.

The Argus Leader reports that the federal complaint says the talc caused her cancer and the mines and health care company failed to warn the public, making them guilty of negligence.

A Harvard University study from 2008, suggests women who use talc once a week might be increasing their risk of cancer by 36 percent. Daily users’ risk of ovarian cancer jumped by 41 percent.

You are urged by The American Cancer Society to replace talc with a cornstarch-based powder.

Consumer Help
Consumers can look on the Web site of the National Cancer Institute which has additional information about the risk of using talc near the vaginal area. Ovarian cancer strikes more than 21,000 women a year and leads to about 14,000 deaths annually. Often it is without symptoms.

Continue reading "Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer" »

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A woman driving in the Middleburg community near Jacksonville was fatally injured Sunday after being involved in a two-vehicle accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The 67-year-old woman from Venice, Florida was initially hospitalized in critical condition. The accident occurred on Blanding Boulevard at County Road 215. Investigators believe that she drove her Toyota Prius into the path of a southbound Ford SUV, failing to stop at both a stop sign and a flashing red light. The accident happened about 5:15 p.m. so it was still light enough to see. The SUV was driven by a Jacksonville man who suffered minor injuries.

Both individuals were wearing their seat belts. The woman died at Shands Jacksonville hospital.

The Toyota Prius has had its problems with unintentional acceleration.

While the story here does not say if that was a problem it certainly should be considered as part of any investigation. Other drivers have found themselves behind the wheel of the accelerating Prius they have no control over and have reported the incidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Continue reading "Woman Dies From Runaway Prius" »

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Toyota has had its share of problems recently with the sudden, unexplained acceleration in some of its vehicles that led to a recall of 4 million vehicles. While the floor mat was initially blamed, Toyota will add additional safety features to prevent the accelerator and brake from applying at the same time as part of the fix.

The company is facing another federal safety probe. Now regulators are trying to understand why Corolla and Matrix cars from model year 2006 are experiencing engine stalling problems. That can occur even at highway speeds and intersections. The 1ZZ-FE engines are named specifically.

The Corolla is a top seller for Toyota, ranking fifth among all vehicle sales this year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched the investigation November 30 after it received 26 complaints from drivers. Neither model is included in the previous recall of 4.2 million cars.

Continue reading "Toyota's New Problem - Stalling" »

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News is beginning to emerge in the popular media that the plant, St. John’s wort may, while being a cure for mild depression, not be good for our eyesight.

Research out of Fordham University finds that in the lab, hypericin, which is the active ingredient in St. John’s wort, may also make the eye susceptible to sunburn, even in visible light, which can cause a cloudy lens, leading to cataracts, and a damaged retina, which can mean irreversible macular degeneration which can lead to blindness.

In other words, the herb is phototoxic to the ocular lens.

If that is true we would expect to see the effects in a large population…and that is exactly what we are seeing.

Using data from the 2002 National Health Interview survey, epidemiologists from the University of Alabama cross-compared St. John's wort use and cataracts and came away with a statistically significant result - participants with cataracts were 59 percent more likely to report SJW use for at least a year.

This is intriguing at the very least and should serve as a red flag for anyone turning to “Nature’s Prozac.”

Unlike medications, the FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) allows dietary supplements to be regulated like food and requires the manufacturers to be responsible for ensuring the product is safe before it’s marketed.

The FDA’s role is to monitor any adverse events that may crop up AFTER the supplement is on the market.

Continue reading "St. John's Wort and the Cataract Connection" »

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The popular weight loss liquid drink, Slim-Fast ready-to-drink cans are being recalled because of a possible bacterial contamination. Unilever issued the voluntary recall in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration Friday.

The New Jersey based company found a bacterial contamination - Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism, which may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The products were sold in stores nationwide the company says in a statement.

Unilever says the possibility of getting sick is remote. The recall covers the 11 ounce ready-to drink products and does not affect powdered shakes, meal or snack bars. The list of products includes Slimfast Ready to Drink 3-2-1- French Vanilla, Rich Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Unilever says it is issuing the recall in an “abundance of caution.”

Look for individual or packaged cans in cardboard cartons containing four, six, or 12-cans.
The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast RTD products in cans. The company says it is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue and is alerting distribution centers, and retail outlets. Production will be resumed when the issue is corrected, the company says.

Call the company for a full refund at 800-896-9479, opened M-F until 6 p.m. EST.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers to young children from furniture in the home that is not properly secured and leads to tip-over deaths. It happened in Jacksonville this year when a young girl reached for a toy on the top of a television just resting on a stand. It toppled over onto her killing her. She was just one of about 134 tip-over deaths reported to the CPSC in recent years. More than 16,300 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms in 2006 because of tip-over hazards.

Some parents may not think that an unsecured television, furniture, or appliances could be a hidden hazard, but they are and they exist in almost every room.

“The most devastating injuries resulting from furniture tipping on children are injuries to the brain and when a child is trapped under a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates,” according
to Dr. Gary Smith, who is Director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Continue reading "Tip-Over Injury Warning - CPSC" »

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110,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks are being recalled. The announcement was made the day before Thanksgiving, a good time to hope something goes unnoticed.

The problem according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is that road salt used in the winter can cause the underside of the Toyota Tundra’s frame to corrode.
That is the area where the spare tire is mounted and a falling spare tire can cause road hazards. That is also the area where the rear brake lines are located and corrosion can lead to a brake system failure, according to NHTSA.

Tundra trucks from model years 2000 through 2003 can be brought back to the dealer. 20 states are affected where they use chemical de-icers or road salt including: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Tundra trucks, model years 2000 through 2003, can be brought back to the dealers to be repaired.

Toyota says it will contact owners.

However, the bigger story is Toyota’s announcement that it will reconfigure the accelerator pedal in 4 million recalled vehicles in the U.S. to avoid the pedal from becoming stuck under the floor mats causing unintended acceleration. The pedal will conform with the floor mat and in some models the shape of the floor surface will also be reconfigured.

In addition, the company plans to install a brake override system in the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as “an extra measure of confidence.”

Continue reading "Toyota Recall of 110,00 Tundra Trucks" »

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The city of Palatka is home to approximately 10,804 and has seen a 7.5% jump in population since 2000. As a popular city in Florida, Palatka only has a population density of 1553 people per square mile in its stretch of 6.96 square miles in size, which is fairly low compared to other cities comparable in size. Situated in Putnam County, a little over 20% of Palatka residents both live and work in the city. With such a large amount of people commuting within and outside of Palatka’s area limits, the reliance on privately owned vehicles is evident.

With the amount of vehicles on the road in Palatka in mind, an unfortunate occurrence of accidents, injuries, and death have been known to occur due to defective vehicles. Whether these catastrophic incidents are brought on by disjointed auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto parts can have damaging repercussions for drivers and passengers to endure.

One of the most controversial vehicles when it comes to auto product liability is the 15-passenger van. Despite continuous warnings about the risk and inadequacy of 15-passenger vans provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, consumers still buy and use these vehicles. Defective in their design, 15-passenger vans possess a high center of gravity that creates a vulnerability of “fishtailing” and overturning. Tire inflation which can cause a rollover accident is also a major issue of concern with 15-passenger vans.

When a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part causes innocent people to suffer serious injury, compensation may be sought on their behalf from negligent parties responsible for manufacturing the vehicle or its parts. The experienced Palatka auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims in receiving just restitution. Whether you think that your auto accident and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our Florida personal injury lawyers can help. Please contact Farah and Farah today at our Palatka office for a free consultation:

(386) 328-2889
417 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177


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As the largest town within the Jacksonville Beach community, Jacksonville Beach has an estimated population of 21,849. The population of Jacksonville Beach has grown by 4% since the year 2000. Often called “Jax Beach”, the popular area is a major section of Duval County. In being called home by thousands, Jacksonville Beach also attracts several tourists throughout the year to its beautiful beaches and vast cultural attractions.

With its immense population and large amount of visitors taking to the road and local highways, it is an ill-fated reality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Jacksonville Beach due to defective vehicles. Whether these tragic incidents are caused by the negligence of a particular auto maker or auto manufacturing standards that are unorganized, the breakdown of auto components often create detrimental circumstances for drivers and passengers to endure.

At the head of auto product liability concern, the U.S. Department of Transportation has constantly cautioned consumers about the threat and inadequacy of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are defectively designed due to possessing a high center of gravity which creates a tendency to “fishtail” and overturn. Additionally, 15-passenger vans have demonstrated serious problems with tire inflation which can cause a rollover collision. These accidents may sometimes lead to a roof caving in and seriously injuring anyone within the van.

Those who have been injured by a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have legal rights and deserve to receive compensation from negligent parties. The skilled Jacksonville Beach auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims obtain the restitution that is owed to them. Whether you believe your auto accident and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers may be of assistance. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Jacksonville Beach office for a free consultation of your case:

(904) 249-2585
472 Osceola Avenue
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250


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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling one million of the popular Maclaren strollers after 12 children had their fingertips amputated in the stroller hinges.
The recalled strollers have been sold in the usual retail outlets since 1999 up until November of this year. They are made in China and sell from $100 to $360. People generally love the strollers.

The CPSC stated in an announcement on its Web site that, “The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.”

So far 15 reports have been made of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge, with 12 children losing fingertips. Maclaren will send parents protective covers for the hinges.
This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Continue reading "Popular Baby Stroller Recall After Babies Lose Fingers in Hinge" »

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The city of Jacksonville has a population of about 805,605 and is the most populated city in the state of Florida. Jacksonville is also the 12th most populous city in the U.S. Covering 874.3 square miles in size, Jacksonville is the biggest city in the country for total land area. As more and more people are drawn to the vast culture and lively nature of Jacksonville, the area’s popularity for tourism also increases. Taking the large amount of inhabitants and visitors throughout Jacksonville into consideration, accidents, injuries, and even wrongful death occur as a result of defective vehicles. Some of these incidents take place due to shoddy auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a specific auto maker. Nevertheless, the failure of auto components can create numerous life-altering effects for drivers and passengers to endure.

One major point of concern for auto product liability and auto defects pertains to 15-passenger vans. Even with the U.S. Department of Transportation issuing warnings for consumers regarding potential dangers associated with the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans, these vehicles are still purchased and used. 15-passenger vans are defectively designed with a notable high center of gravity which creates a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. Issues with tire inflation are also a serious problem with 15-passenger vans because this can contribute to a rollover collision.

Individuals who have suffered property damage, physical injury, or emotional trauma from an accident involving a poorly designed auto part or defective vehicle have legitimate legal rights. As an auto product liability injury victim, you may be able to receive compensation from negligent parties to help pay for expenses associated with your grievances. The skilled Jacksonville auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have dedicated many years to assisting defective vehicle injury victims in obtaining the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto collision and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Jacksonville office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

(904) 396-5555
10 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202


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Situated within Columbia County, Florida, Lake City is also known as the “Gateway to Florida.” Lake City is a typical stop for travelers on their way to Southern Florida and is a popular tourist destination. The population in Lake City continues to increase and was recently estimated to be about 12,000. Columbia County, where Lake City is located, has approximately 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006. With such an array of residents and visitors taking to the road, it is an unfortunate actuality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Lake City as a result of defective vehicles. Some of these tragic incidents are caused by the negligence of a specific auto maker or are caused by inefficient auto manufacturing standards. No matter what the exact cause, the failure of auto parts can inflict serious ramifications on drivers and passengers.

15-passenger vans are a big concern when it comes to auto product liability and defective auto parts. Despite constant warnings from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the inefficiently and danger of 15-passenger vans, consumers continue to purchase and travel in these vehicles. One of the issues associated with the vans connects to tire inflation which can contribute to a rollover crash. In addition, these vans are defectively designed and have a high center of gravity which can lead to the van “fishtailing” and/or overturning.

Those who have suffered from a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part in Lake City have valid legal rights and may be able to obtain compensation from negligent groups. The experienced Lake City auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can help. Please contact Farah and Farah today at our Lake City office for a free consultation of your case:

(386) 754-7534
212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055


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Orange Park, Florida is a prominent suburb of Jacksonville situated in Northeast Clay County. Located south of Jacksonville, Orange Park possesses a dynamic community full of culture and history. Orange Park’s population exceeds 180,000 and has a high population density. In addition to those who call Orange Park home, several visitors and passerby traverse along the local streets and highways in Orange Park.

Within its vast region, residents of Orange Park greatly depend on privately owned autos to get around. With its large population taking to the road, it is an ill-fated reality that accidents, injuries, and even death occur in Orange Park as a consequence of defective vehicles. Some of these catastrophic accidents are brought on by the negligence of a specific auto maker or are caused by disjointed auto manufacturing standards. No matter what the cause, the failure of auto parts can impose life-altering repercussions on drivers and passengers.

One of the most questionable modes of transportation when it comes to auto product liability is the 15-passenger van. Despite continuous words of caution from the U.S. Department of Transportation warning about the inefficiently and danger of 15-passenger vans, consumers continue to purchase and travel in these vehicles. One of the problems associated with the vans relates to tire inflation which can lead to a rollover accident. Also, these vans are defectively designed with a high center of gravity that can lead to the van “fishtailing” and/or overturning.

Those who have suffered from a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have legal rights and may be able to acquire compensation from negligent groups. The skilled Orange Park auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims. Whether you believe your auto accident and consequent injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can assist you. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Orange Park office for a free consultation of your case:

(904) 264-0700
1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073


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If you are driving a Toyota, I hope you are aware of what is going on.

Last month, Toyota announced it was planning its largest recall ever of nearly four million vehicles over the issue of loose floor mats that may be interfering with the accelerator pedal, causing the car to speed out of control.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted an investigation into a high profile crash in California and is raising questions as to whether the floor mats are the only culprit in Toyota and Lexus models.

Last August, a Lexus ES 350, speeding out of control, killed an off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer, his wife, their daughter, and brother-in-law. All four died when the 2009 Lexus in which they were riding, a loaner car from the dealer, plummeted over an embankment in suburban San Diego at more than 100 mph before it burst into flames. The family was able to contact a 9-1-1- operator to say they couldn’t stop the ES 350. The brother-in-law, said the Lexus had no brakes.

Bob Carter, Toyota’s U.S. brand chief told the annual Reuters Summit recently said that speculation about a troubled fuel delivery system, braking, or runaway accelerator system is inaccurate.

"There's no evidence to support any of that," Carter said, adding that the automaker was working closely with the U.S. government to address the planned recall of up to 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles reports Reuters.

Since then, Toyota has warned consumers to remove the driver-side floor mats from eight Toyota models as a safety precaution, including the Prius.

These models are affected by this consumer alert:

• 2007-2010 Camry


• 2005-2010 Avalon


• 2004-2009 Prius


• 2005-2010 Tacoma


• 2007-2010 Tundra


• 2007-2010 ES 350


• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350

Continue reading "Toyota's Ongoing Problems" »

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Home to the longest-standing port in the continental U.S., the city of St. Augustine is often called “the nation’s oldest city.” Surrounded by beautiful beaches and museums, St. Augustine is home to approximately 12,157 residents and caters to many visitors passing through Northern Florida. As a well traversed area, St. Augustine is situated 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, and 40 miles south of Jacksonville.

With the immense population of St. Augustine taking to the road and local highways, it is an unfortunate reality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place due to defective vehicles. Whether these catastrophic incidents are brought on by incompetent auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto components can impose many negative consequences on drivers and passengers.

15-passenger vans are one of the most controversial vehicles when it comes to auto product liability issues. The U.S. Department of Transportation has repeatedly warned consumers about potential dangers associated with the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are improperly designed in that they have a particularly high center of gravity which creates a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. Problems with tire inflation are also an issue of concern with 15-passenger vans because this can contribute to a rollover accident.

Anyone who has endured injury due to a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part has legal rights and may be able to obtain recompense from negligent parties based on auto product obligations under the law. The experienced St. Augustine auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have devoted many years to helping defective vehicle injury victims receive the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our St. Augustine office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

(904) 797-7977
1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080


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In 2007, a 39-year old woman from San Francisco was the happy mother of 3-year-old twins.
Doctors put her on the Yaz birth control pill. Four weeks and one day later, she suffered a stroke.

Today it’s obvious to see part of her skull has been removed. Doctors had to operate to accommodate the brain swelling following her stroke. Her IQ is 77. She has chronic pain and has no short-term memory. She can no longer drive.

The injured woman was in the hospital for six months and returned to her twins a different person. They are getting help coping with the condition of their new mother, who walks, talks and looks different, with the help of a counselor.

Her doctors told her it was Yaz that caused her stroke and she has filed suit against drug maker Bayer HealthCare.

In addition, a 34-year-old history teacher and mother of two is also suing. She developed blood clots in both lungs in 2007 after starting Yaz. That resulted in partial loss of her right lung.
Yaz and Yasmin are made by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. Yaz is the newest sister to drug Yasmin and Yaz contains less estrogen. Ocella birth control is the generic version that is sold by Teva Pharmaceuticals.

All three oral contraceptives are among the most widely used and involve a combination of ethinyl estradiol with a new type of progestin, drospirenone. It has been linked to health problems including strokes, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease, pulmonary embolisms, and death. The drug label says that the presence of drospirenone can increase potassium levels and may present a risk for heart problems for women who have liver or kidney problems.

Courthouse News Service reports that Bayer is facing more than 125 lawsuits over Yaz, and up to six new cases a day are being filed around the country, claiming that Bayer didn’t thoroughly research the new progesterone ingredient, drospirenone before marketing it.
Class actions are forming in New Jersey, where Bayer is headquartered, in East St. Louis, and in Pennsylvania state court.

Amazingly the drug is still on the market. Bayer may have failed to warn about side effects, but it does know how to market.

Yaz is the top-selling birth control pill in the U.S. partially due to the multimillion- dollar ad campaign by Bayer that promotes the pill as a quality-of-life treatment that improves acne and severe premenstrual depression.

The go-to drugs for women under the age of 35 generated sales of about $1.8 billion for Bayer last year.

Continue reading "Yaz Yasmin Oral Contraceptives Lawsuits Growing" »

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One important element of health care reform that’s often not mentioned is the cost of medical errors and specifically errors involving prescriptions.

Medication interactions, a pharmacy mix-up, or the inability to read the doctor’s handwriting, can all lead to drug dosage errors which cost us all about $4 billion a year, not to mention lives and injuries.

Now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is trying to identify how 1.5 million prescription errors happen every year, according to the Institute of Medicine.

It is astonishing and even FDA commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, who is a doctor was stunned by the numbers. She announced a new plan called “Safe Use Initiative” by saying it “doesn’t require a new scientific discovery or a budget appropriation.”

The FDA will be holding public hearings and gathering information from the public.

Every week we hear of the adverse events from prescription medications, even when they are used as directed or prescribed. Consider Tylenol that can cause liver damage when taken in excess, and the current controversy about oral contraceptives Yaz and Yasmin, still on the market, but likely to eventually be pulled off because of the links to heart attack, strokes and blood clots.

Public Citizen’s Dr. Sidney Wolfe says part of the problem is that information is missing from warning labels about 99.5 percent of the time.

Continue reading "FDA Will Probe Medication Errors" »

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The city of Brunswick is situated in southeastern Georgia approximately 30 miles north of Florida. Brunswick is well-known for a variety of reasons, a few of which include being home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States and being the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. Brunswick’s estimated population was 16,235 in 2007 and it had a metropolitan population of 101,792.

In encompassing the twelfth-largest metropolitan area in the state of Georgia, Brunswick residents rely heavily on personally owned automobiles as transport throughout the vast counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With its immense population taking to the road and local highways, it is an unfortunate actuality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Brunswick due to defective vehicles. Whether these tragic incidents are caused by incoherent auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a specific auto maker, the failure of auto components can have detrimental consequences on drivers and passengers.

At the forefront of auto product liability problems, the U.S. Department of Transportation has continually warned consumers about the danger and inefficiency of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are defectively designed in that they have a high center of gravity which provides a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. 15-passenger vans also have shown issues with tire inflation which can lead to a rollover accident.

Individuals who have suffered injury due to a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have rights and may be able to seek compensation from negligent parties based on auto product obligations under the law. The skilled Brunswick Georgia auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have acquired many years of experience assisting defective vehicle injury victims in obtaining the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Brunswick, Georgia office for a free consultation of your case:

(912) 466-8896
4216 Coral Park Drive
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520

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Nine deaths are now blamed on highly flammable women’s robe sold by Blair LLC and the company is expanding its recall. Made by a Pakistani manufacturer, Blair LLC of Warren, Pennsylvania has been working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to widen the recall.

So far about 300,000 chenille robes have been recalled including a full-length robe, a chenille jacket, lounge jackets, and chenille tops. Earlier this year there were five reports of death linked to the robes.

What generally happens is that women wear the chenille robe in the kitchen near the stove where they catch fire. The garment has failed to meet federal flammability standards so are particularly dangerous if near an open flame.

Most of the victims have been in the 70s and 80s, according to the CPSC.

This robe from Pakistan is the not the only product under a federal probe. Other chenille robes and chenille products also made by A-One Textile & Towel of Karachi, Pakistan are being looked at.

"This robe is highly flammable, flames travel quickly up the robe," said Scott Wolfson of the CPSC. "It's a deadly risk to women."

The recalled products were sold in Blair catalogs, online and at Blair stores in Warren, Pa.; Grove City, Pa.; and Wilmington, Del., from July 2000 through April 2007.

Continue reading "Recall of Flammable Robes" »

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A 12-year-old boy lost his life last Saturday afternoon in Palm Bay, Florida in a tragic accident.
The boy was riding as a passenger in a go-kart that was traveling about 30 miles per hour down a dirt road when he was ejected. The go-kart was being driven by a 16-year-old who apparently lost control after avoiding a hole in the road. Another passenger was injured when the go-kart flipped.

A witness called 911 but on the way to the hospital the 12-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived, according to an investigator who arrived at the scene.

Our prayers go out to the family of this young boy who lost his life in a senseless accident. His classmates report that he was in fourth grade and will be greatly missed.

We so often see young people who lose their lives when involved in accidents involving wheels. Scooters, ATVs, and mini-bikes all have the power to go at a high rate of speed and cause permanent traumatic brain injury to a child when he falls off. There is little training to drive a go-kart and helmets are rarely used.

Just this month, a 9-year-old suffered severe burns and lost all ten fingers in a go-kart accident at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida. His go-kart flipped over and burst into flames after it allegedly hit some uneven pavement. In that case, the boy’s family has filed a negligence suit against the track for failing to maintain its surface and have fire extinguishers or emergency phones on hand. The boy is lucky to be alive as he was pulled from the burning wreckage.

In August, a 13-year-old also lost his life in a Miami accident when his go-kart was hit by an SUV on a public roadway.

Motorized go-karts are not licensed or equipped to be used on public roadways in Florida. The driver was not cited.

Continue reading "Florida Go-Cart Accident Kills Fourth Grader" »

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Even tobacco executives acknowledge these days that smoking is an environmental risk for cancer. According to the American Lung Association, more than 400,000 American lives are lost each year due to smoking or from secondhand smoke shared with babies and spouses.
Chantix sounded like a lifesaver when it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in May 2006.

Also known as Varenicline Tartrate, Chantix is made by Pfizer and given to end smoking addiction. The FDA reportedly reduced its usual review time from 10 to six months.

Here’s how it works. Instead of using nicotine, which many smoking cessation therapies include, Chantix reduces cravings and decreases the pleasurable effects of smoking. But side effects reported include nausea, headaches, abnormal sleep, and Chantix dreams, vivid wild dreams.

It’s estimated about 5 million prescription have been written.

In November 2007, the FDA began investigating reports of suicidal behavior among users. 37 reports had come in of suicides and hundreds with suicidal behavior. Pfizer was forced to add a stronger warning on the drug’s label.

Pfizer has suggested that Chantix-induced psychotic episodes are actually due to nicotine withdrawal, but the FDA notes that even people who keep smoking and are taking Chantix have the same episodes.

After ABC News published the story of Carter Albrecht, who, after taking his first 1 milligram Chantix tablet, assaulted his girlfriend, and was shot and killed by a neighbor who thought he was a burglar. ABC received over 200 comments from people describing similar erratic behavior.

By November 2007, the FDA issued a release about Chantix confirming there were an increasing number of reports about radical changes in behavior and suicidal thoughts among users of Chantix. As a result the FDA recommended that healthcare workers monitor Chantix users for behavior and mood changes. Pfizer continues to say that Chantix is a real breakthrough medicine even though by February, 2008, the FDA was saying that after a continuous review of adverse event reports there was likely an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Continue reading "Chantix Reports of Suicide Keep Coming In" »

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The Ford Motor Company is issuing a recall for 4.5 million vehicles because of a faulty switch that can overheat and catch fire.

The action comes after an 18-month federal investigation that has Ford recalling more than 14 million vehicles in eight recalls over a decade over the faulty switch and the potential for fires.

The problem switch is made by Texas Instruments and sold for about $21. The cruise control deactivation switch can leak hydraulic fluid, overheat and then burn risking fire, even when the car is parked in your garage. The Windstar vans have an elevated risk, said a Ford spokesman.
The Detroit News, reports that Ford stopped using the switches in early 2003, but not before they were linked to at least 1,500 complaints and 550 vehicle fires.

At least one person died when the vehicle caught fire in their garage.

A 76-year-old man died August 14, 2007 when a fire started in his 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis parked in an attached garage in San Antonio, the Detroit News reports. Police reported it as an electrical malfunction in the engine compartment of the car.

You are advised to park your vehicle outside until it can be serviced.

Ford drivers should look for anything that appears to signal a fire danger such as malfunctioning cruise control and brake lights, antilock braking systems and brake light warnings on the dash. Another warning sign is difficulty in getting the vehicle out of the park mode.

Continue reading "Ford Recall Involving Faulty Switch and Fire Danger" »

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Doctors may finally be getting the message about the dangers of Johnson & Johnson’s fentanyl patches. Sales are down worldwide 20.5 % equating to roughly $200 million dollars. The drop comes after a series of deaths and lawsuits and at least two J & J recalls in the last two years.

Just last month, the painkiller was prescribed to a 15-year-old boy who died of an overdose following a tooth extraction. The Seattle teen was autistic and for some reason was prescribed the patch usually used for chronic pain in cancer patients and is generally prescribed for people who have developed a resistance to opium-based painkillers.

Since the 15-year-old was unable to speak and communicate to caretakers, it complicated his reaction and anyone’s ability to help him.

A civil suit has been filed because the boy was given the highest dose available, says his attorney. The hospital says it erred in prescribing fentanyl to the teen patient. Wrong prescriptions of the fentanyl patch are not an uncommon problem across the country.

A Sanford, Fla., jury in October 2008 awarded $13.3 million to the family of a 34-year-old woman who died after undergoing back surgery and using the Duragesic patch (fentanyl). The jurors decided that two J & J subsidiaries, Janssen and Alza, were responsible for her death.
J & J face about 60 other lawsuits over the Duragesic patches.

Part of the problem with fentanyl, whether by J & J or generic, is that it is delivered through a patch allowing the drug to pass through the skin and entering the blood at a constant rate. When someone takes a pill, the level of drug rises and falls in the blood, giving the body somewhat of a rest.

Transdermal patches don’t give the patient’s body a rest and they may end up getting too much of the drug.

There have been five Duragesic/fentanyl recalls since 1994. Watson Pharmaceuticals issued a recall for its leaking fentanyl painkiller patch in August and the company said that exposure to fentanyl exposure may lead to respiratory depression and possible overdose.

In 2005, the FDA said that there had been 120 reports of death related to the fentanyl patch.
Most recently, in December 2008, a division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen a company under Johnson & Johnson recalled defective fentanyl transdermal patches. The company said some patches had a slit along one side creating the possibility that the fentanyl get could leak out of the package exposing both caregivers and the patient to an overdose.

The last official move by the FDA earlier this year came in a letter sent to the six manufacturers to demonstrate that the drug’s benefits outweigh the potential risks. While the drug has a real benefit for those suffering from so-called “breakthrough pain,” especially from cancer, the FDA notes that the number of accident overdoses is increasing.

Continue reading "Fentanyl Patch Dangers" »

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Defective Medical Device , Health & Information , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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Yaz and Yasmin are two types of birth control pills manufactured by Bayer Healthcare. Both contain ethinyl estradiol which has been present in “The Pill” for more than three decades. However, what’s new about these popular forms of oral contraceptive is the presence of progestin in Yasmin and Yaz. It is called drospirenone, a so called fourth-generation synthetic progestin. Unfortunately it results in elevated potassium levels which can cause potentially life-threatening heart problems.

Approved by the FDA in 2006 and 2001, almost immediately the FDA began receiving adverse event reports including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.

Public Citizen, the consumer group, has put the two pills on its “Do Not Use” list of drugs.
As the number of complaints over the side effects of these birth control pills continues to increase, four significant lawsuits have been filed in federal court against Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and there are more to come.

Bayer will run some corrective advertising and has told the FDA it will spend $20 million on the campaign to downplay its former overstatements about the benefits of Yaz while it downplayed the risks.

The birth control pills are still sold and aggressively marketed, exposing young women to serious and potentially life-threatening risks. When you follow the money trail, you understand why.

Yaz and Yasmin account for nearly 18 percent of the birth control market last year. That translated to more than $600 million in sales for Yaz and $1.85 billion in the first quarter of 2009 and $382 million for Yasmin. With other birth control formulations on the market, there is no benefit to using Yasmin and Yaz.

Continue reading "Yaz Yasmin Lawsuits Abound" »

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The makers of Children's Tylenol have announced a voluntary recall of more than 20 children's and infants' liquid products.

The products were made between April and June 2008 and the recall involves 57 lots of children’s products.

The full list and lot numbers of the products are contained on the Web site. Among those recalled:
Varieties of Children’s Tylenol have been voluntarily recalled. The brands include Children’s Tylenol Suspension 4 ounce Strawberry, Children’s Tylenol Pediatric Suspension 1 ounce Cherry, and Infant’s Tylenol Suspension Drops ½ ounce Grape.

The company says one of the inactive ingredients tested positive for a gram-negative bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia or B. cepacia. However none of the bacteria was found in the finished product and that the chance of a serious medical event is unlikely.

The bacterium is responsible for some antibiotic resistant hospital infections.

Continue reading "Tylenol Recall" »

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A 17-year-old was about to graduate from high school when the cheerleader and softball pitcher received the first of the three-shot series of Gardasil, the Merck drug that is supposed to protect young girls from the human papillomavirus, or HPV, that causes two types of cervical cancer and two types of warts.

That was 19 months ago.

"I just didn't know what to think because she was so healthy. I just could not understand why she was dead. No one seemed to know why she was dead,” says her grandmother.

The teen had no health problems, but after the second shot in September 2007 she started to get bad headaches, as well as muscle aches, and joint pain, said her grandmother. The doctor thought it was stress. Her third shot was February 20, 2008. By February 22 she was dead.

Her grandmother said that after the final shot, her granddaughter said she had a headache and went to bed. That next morning her mother found her on the bathroom floor. "Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that Gardasil is what killed her," says her grandmother.
An autopsy was inconclusive.

The grandmother says she is angry with the CDC and the FDA because even today they encourage girls to get the vaccine, even though there have been about 14,000 adverse events reported to the government, including Guillian-Barre Syndrome, where the muscles become paralyzed, in addition to headaches, fainting and even death.

In fact, the CDC says it has either investigated or is currently looking at 43 reports of deaths of those who received the vaccine. Read the reports on the Web site, Judicial Watch, that had to file a FOIA to get the death reports from the government.

"The FDA adverse event reports on the HPV vaccine read like a catalog of horrors. Any state or local government now beset by Merck’s lobbying campaigns to mandate this HPV vaccine for young girls ought to take a look at these adverse health reports."
-Tom Fitton, Judicial Watch

Continue reading "Grandmother Says Gardasil Killed Her Granddaughter" »

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After it was revealed in an analysis of 42 clinical trials in May 2007 that patients taking Avandia to treat Type 2 diabetes faced a 43% greater risk of having a heart attack, concern spread relating to the failure of manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline and the FDA to properly warn consumers about its cardiac risks. Based on a recent report, Avandia is now considered to pose more risk than Actos and a study revealed that senior citizens are the group most at risk of suffering from heart failure and death as a result of using Avandia. According to the article, in analyzing almost 40,000 records of patients 66-years-old and above, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre researchers in Toronto found that for every 93 patients given Avandia as opposed to Actos, there would be one additional cardiovascular event or death each year.

Even though new warning stating the specific risks of myocardial ischemia was added to Avandia’s boxed warning information in November 2007, other serious risks have been brought to the surface, such as liver failure. A Consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, published the research that revealed Avandia’s risk of liver toxicity and noted that its risks “far outweigh its benefits.” And as skilled Jacksonville, Florida Avandia lawyers, we couldn’t agree more. It is utterly tragic when medication that is supposed to help treat a serious disease or ailment ends up making a condition worse or creating new health problems for an innocent patient to endure.

Continue reading "The Many Dangers of Avandia: Study Reveals Heightened Risk for the Elderly" »

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Avandia is the drug many residents of Florida are discussing lately, which is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Some users have found the cure has caused more problems than the original disease.

Heart failure can be a deadly result of taking the oral diabetes medicine, made by GlaxoSmithKline. Avandia, also known as rosiglitazone, has been found to contribute to heart attack or failure, according to a six-year study on Avandia. 6.9 percent of the patients taking the drug died or were hospitalized.

A new study from the British Medical Journal (BMJ), published in August 2009, concludes that the drug has no advantage over competitor, Actos, and is more likely to trigger heart failure and death.

The drug came under the eye of the Food and Drug Administration, which in 2007, pressured Glaxo to make a more explicit “black box” warning about the heart risks. The FDA has also required more controlled trials and testing for Avandia, but that comes too late for patients who have been taking it to control their Type 2 diabetes.

Continue reading "Avandia – The News Keeps Getting Worse" »

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They are sold in Wal-Mart for as little as $29. But you may get more than surround sound from this DVD player. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a second recall for the Durabrand DVD player after Wal-Mart received 14 reports that the inexpensive players can overheat and burst into flames.

The CPSC has now recalled a total of 4.2 million of the players. So far, no one has been injured, but when one player overheated it caused property damage, according to CNN.
Consumers can return the players to Wal-Mart for a full refund.

Wal-Mart is also providing a number at (800) 925-6278 or asks consumers to visit their Web site at http://walmartstores.com/.

Last August, 1.5 million of the silver DVD players were recalled in the first phase. Now the government has expanded the recall to include the pink and purple models. They were made in China and sold to consumers in the U.S. between January 2006 and July 2009.

Look for the following UPC codes and model numbers:

Silver: UPC 1799901002, Model No. 1002
Pink: UPC 1799934100, Model No. 1002 PINK
Purple: UPC 1799932100, Model No. 1002 PUR

Continue reading "Exploding DVD Player Recall" »

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The New Chrysler has reversed itself from its previous stand of refusing to accept any auto product liability lawsuits resulting from the 30 million vehicles still on the road. The automaker has agreed to cover product liability claims that result after the company emerged from bankruptcy protection on June 10.

In a company letter sent to Congress last Friday, Chrysler says that future car accident victims, who believe their injuries resulted from a defective, seat belt, roof, side air bag, or any other auto part, will be able to sue the new company. However, 300 or so claims that were pending before Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy will not be covered.

Victims like a man who lost both legs after an accident in a defective Chrysler and filed before the company declared bankruptcy, will not be able to have their day in court. Instead they will become a creditor and stand in line to receive assets from a bankrupt company.

There are about 300 individuals who had Chrysler lawsuits pending and about 1,500 more with pending claims against General Motors which also declared bankruptcy and wiped out their cases. You can read about their cases in a special report prepared by the Center for Justice & Democracy – Victim Cases Wiped Out. (http://centerjd.org/archives/press/2009/GM-Chrysler%20Victim%20Stories.pdf)

Chrysler is known to have collapsing seat backs that in a collision, collapse backwards into rear passengers. The defect exists in over 10 million vehicles model years 1990 to 2009.
Since 1994, Chrysler has produced over two million Grand Cherokee SUVs with roofs that tend to buckle or cave in, resulting in traumatic head injuries and paralysis.

Continue reading "Chrysler Accepts Liability for Future Accidents in Defective Cars" »

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The United States is serious about China taking some responsibility for the drywall problems that homeowners in Florida and elsewhere are facing. That was the message that Florida Sen. Bill Nelson brought to China in a recent trip there to determine the level of cooperation forthcoming from the country.

His trip was followed by a delegation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), investigating hundreds of complaints from homeowners about the defective high-sulfur content drywall that is emitting a rotten-egg smell, making them sick, and corroding electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, HVAC systems, and appliances.

Sen. Nelson says he plans to make sure that the drywall issue is on the agenda when Chinese President Hu Jintao meets with President Obama this fall.

So far we know from the Environmental Protection Agency that the Chinese-made wallboard contains strontium ten times the level as American drywall and sulfur compounds as well as organic compounds that are generally found in acrylic paint. The wallboard was imported from China when the U.S. had a shortage after hurricanes from 2004 to 2006.

The CPSC says it has more than 850 reports of Chinese drywall problems, now including two new states, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. In all, 23 states are involved with Florida (658) and Louisiana (105) particularly hard hit. Many homeowners have decided to vacate their homes rather than live in what may be a dangerous environment from these product defects in Florida. Some folks report headaches, sinus and respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritations.

Continue reading "Sen. Nelson Looks to China for Cooperation on Drywall" »

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A Florida resident has called President Obama to come over to her custom home in Port St. Lucie and see for himself what Chinese drywall is doing to her, according to a report. She has organized a number of people, organized from the internet, all living in homes constructed with the defective drywall that emits sulfuric odors and gasses responsible for corroding wiring and who knows what else.

She is part of a new trend – homeowners who are rattling some cages to try and get federal and immediate help so they can move out of their homes. She has contacted hundreds of people who she hopes will join her in her campaign to get the White House interested in these defective products in Florida.

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson has suggested the President create a “one-stop’ federal drywall assistance center, where homeowners can go for the latest information on the problem and resources to try and find a solution.

About 100,000 households were built with drywall from China between the years 2000 to 2008, and their insurance policies have decided not to cover them. Unless they can afford to move out, while the federal government concludes dozens of investigations, they must stay put, or sleep in a tent in the yard, not knowing what the corrosive qualities of the sulfur might be doing to their family’s health.

Continue reading "Florida Chinese Drywall Victims Call on Washington" »

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There are about 2,421 families who call Palatka, Florida their home. With a total population of 10,804 people (as of July 2007 estimates), consumerism is undoubtedly alive and well. The city has an area of 7.5 square miles, and has experienced a 7.5% rise in population since the year 2000, meaning that more and more people each year move into the city limits, bringing their consumer goods and products with them.

From cars to clothing, home appliances to children’s toys, products can take a variety of different forms. However, there is always the possibility that those products, despite supposed testing, can be found to cause harm to people all over the country, Palatka residents included. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is responsible for monitoring products throughout the country, ensuring that those products are free from defects and risks that could pose serious harm to consumers. However, when products fail and do injure consumers, it is the job of Palatka defective product attorneys to ensure that those parties responsible for the products are appropriately held liable for their actions.

Manufacturers have an obligation to create products that are free from any and all defects that could pose serious risk to consumers. In the event that products do harm a consumer, skilled Palatka product liability lawyers will examine the circumstances surrounding the harmful product, and will seek compensatory damages on behalf of victims to help cover the costs associated with the faulty product.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective product, contact the Palatka product liability and defective product attorneys at Farah and Farah today. Our skilled legal team will examine the details of your case, and hold negligible parties responsible for their actions. Contact us today at our Palatka office for a free consultation, and we will see to it that you receive the compensation that your deserve:

Phone: (386) 328-2889
417 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177

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Amelia Island, Florida is located off the coast of Florida and is part of Nassau County. With a population of about 68,437 people, Amelia Island, otherwise known as the “Isle of Eight Flags,” is only 18.2 square miles in size. However, tourism is alive and well on Amelia Island, with visitors flocking to one of the many festivals that the island hosts each year, in addition to enjoying the sites and sounds while camping and sailing.

With such a large number of people coming and going each year, there are bound to be accidents along the way caused by defective products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 2.4 million deaths in the United States in 2006, 121,599 of which occurred as the result of accidents and the unintentional injuries associated with those accidents. While not all of these deaths occurred as the result of defective products, some of them undoubtedly did. Defective products can injure unsuspecting consumers almost anywhere, including Amelia Island. In the event that defective product injury does occur, it is important to seek the assistance of a skilled Amelia Island defective product lawyer.

At Farah and Farah, our product liability and defective product attorneys will fight for you, holding negligent manufacturers accountable for providing the public with potentially dangerous products. In the event that a faulty product causes injury of any kind, an experienced Amelia Island product liability attorney will examine the details surrounding the accident to determine negligence and who should be held responsible for it. Call us today for a free consultation, and we will examine the details of your case in order to surmise the best possible actions needing to be taken. Don’t hesitate to act now:

Phone: (904) 261-4440
501 Centre St.
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034

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An 18-year-old, who was driving a pickup truck that rolled and killed a passenger last January, has been charged with DUI manslaughter, according to a story. The 18-year-old male of Bryceville was driving eastbound on Roy Booth Road, just south of Callahan, when his truck veered off the road at a curve, then traveled through a ditch, back across the roadway and then overturned. A 20-year-old male passenger of Callahan was killed.

We offer our sincere condolences to the family of this young man who left this world at such a young age. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and determined that the 18-year old was the driver. Initially there were some claims he wasn’t, and that alcohol was involved. DUI manslaughter charges will be added to vehicular manslaughter, driving with a suspended license, and failure to wear a seat belt. The 18-year-old in this Florida drunk driving accident faces fifteen years in prison for one night of carelessness in his criminal case.

In a civil case, a personal injury attorney will need to be involved to ensure the defendant is not allowed to deny that DUI was a factor in any wrongful death lawsuit to follow. Determining the driver was drunk establishes that they were driving recklessly and could open the door to punitive damages against the drunk driving teen.

In this particular case, it is not clear why the decedent was ejected from the pickup truck. Family members may want to determine whether he was wearing a seat belt and whether the restraint system worked as it is supposed to. Generally, the assumption is that the passenger was not wearing a seat belt, when the truth may be that the product, the seat belt, was defective in some way. In that case, the family may have a Florida auto product liability action against the vehicle manufacturer or the maker of the seat belt.

Continue reading "Nassau County DUI Accident Kills Passenger " »

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Jacksonville Beach, Florida has a population of 21,849 people as of July 2007. Part of Duval County and often referred to as “Jax Beach” by the locals, Jacksonville Beach has a population density of about 993 people per square mile, and is more or less an extension of the city of Jacksonville. Operating as a prime tourist spot, Jacksonville Beach is made up of an assortment of locals and out-of-towners, all of whom, undoubtedly, use products in their day-to-day lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidents and unintentional injuries were the fifth leading cause of death in the United States in 2006. Even though said accidents only accounted for 5% of the total number of deaths that year, the percentage could have been much lower had negligent manufacturers ensured that their products were safe before introducing them to consumers. In the event that consumers are injured or negatively affected in some way as the result of defective products, it is vital that a skilled Jacksonville Beach defective product attorney examine the circumstances surrounding the accident to ensure that negligent parties are held liable for their actions.

Manufacturers have an obligation to provide safe products for consumers. Whether the product is an automobile, a tent used for camping, or a household appliance, that product is supposed to have been rigorously tested to make sure that it is safe to use by consumers. When products are found to cause potential harm to consumers, a Jacksonville Beach product liability lawyer is needed to make sure that injuries caused by those products are appropriately compensated for by those responsible for the injury.

At Farah and Farah, our product liability and defective product attorneys will fight for your rights as a consumer. Our lawyers will examine the circumstances surrounding your product accident, and will devise the best strategy for your defective product case. Please contact us today for a free consultation at our Jacksonville Beach office:

Phone: (904) 249-2585
472 Osceola Avenue
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250

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As if the problems with the foul smell coming from Chinese drywall is not enough to drive some Florida residents from their homes, now we learn that the state Fire Marshal’s Office and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are testing to see if the toxic drywall contributes to fires, based on a story. The source of two fires is in question and tests are underway by the state. We already know that as a defective product in Florida, the odorous drywall corrodes electrical wires and air conditioner coils.

The CPSC has received 608 incidents reports from 21 states about the Chinese drywall, most of the complaints coming from Florida, Louisiana and Virginia as we now find out in a CPSC status report on Chinese drywall in this country.

It finds that some of the drywall was made with a radioactive phosphorus substance—phosphogypsum—that is banned for use in construction in the U.S. and the health risks of phosphogypsum are uncertain. The analysis of content should be completed by the Environmental Protection Agency by August 21.

CPSC staff is currently pressing for approval to visit China, including specific mines and manufacturers.

The CPSC has asked China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine for a list of all drywall producers that used the LuNeng mine, which is located in the ShanDong province.

Continue reading "Is Chinese Drywall Flammable? " »

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Jacksonville, Florida is the 12th largest city in the nation of any major U.S. city with a population of at least 100,000 people. The largest city in the state of Florida, Jacksonville has a population of 805,605 and stretches a total of 874.3 square miles in size, the largest land area of any city in the United States.

One of the more popular tourist destinations in the state of Florida, with its sprawling beaches and sublime weather, Jacksonville not only houses a large number of people, but hosts a large number of visitors each year as well. Consequently, a wide array of products, from automobiles to kitchen appliances to camping equipment to children’s toys, all are a part of the daily lives of Jacksonville residents. In the event of a defective product causing an accident, serious injury, or wrongful death, it is important to know that a skilled Jacksonville product liability attorney is available to assist all victims in the Jacksonville area.

Product manufacturers have an obligation to make and sell products that are free from defects and safe for consumer use. If manufactures fail to adequately provide safe products for consumers, such as those consumers in the Jacksonville area, then those manufacturers become liable for all accidents associated with their products. Experienced Jacksonville defective product lawyers can hold negligent manufacturers accountable for their actions, and seek monetary damages on behalf of their clients.

At Farah and Farah, our product liability attorneys and defective product lawyers will fight for you, holding manufacturers responsible for providing the public with dangerous products. Contact us today and we will examine the details of your case in order to surmise the best possible actions needing to be taken. Please don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation at our Jacksonville office location:

Phone: (904) 396-5555
10 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

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Lake City is located in Columbia County, Florida and is known as the “Gateway To Florida.” With a population of about 12,000 and in a county whose population is on the rise (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006), Lake City has become a popular tourist destination as well as a stop for those on route to Southern Florida. With such an expanse of visitors and residents who rely on a variety of products to maintain healthy living or add enjoyment to life, incidents of injury or death relating to a defective product tend to take place from time to time.

As consumers who expect that products they purchase and use themselves or give to their loved ones are safe, reliable and risk-free, it is devastating to have that trust violated. When children, adults, and the elderly use products that result in personal injury or wrongful death, a Lake City product liability attorney from Farah and Farah can help the injured person or the decedent’s family receive compensation for financial hardships.

It is understandable that a lot of people don’t want to admit that defective products in Lake City exist and can be capable of causing injury or death to innocent children, the elderly, and adults alike. However, defective medical devices, defective auto parts, defective children’s furniture and toys, defective electronics or household products are all an unfortunate reality and can have serious life-altering consequences.

If a defective product was the cause of you or loved one’s injury, or if someone you care about has been wrongfully killed, the skilled Lake City defective products attorneys at Farah and Farah can be of assistance during this difficult time. We will aggressively defend your rights and ensure that the negligent manufacturer is held responsible for the harm their dangerous product has caused. Contact Farah and Farah today to speak with a member of our legal team or contact us at our Lake City offices:

212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 754-7534

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Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville located in Northeast Clay County just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Rich in history and a thriving community, Orange Park has a great deal to offer. Clay County, which Orange Park is located in, is also a bustling region of Florida. With a population in excess of 180,000 and a very high population density, hundreds of residents and visitors rely on a variety of products to maintain healthy living or add enjoyment to life. Many people understandably don’t want to believe or admit that defective products in Orange Park exist that are capable of causing injury or wrongful death to innocent children, the elderly, and adults alike. However, defective medical devices, defective auto parts, defective children’s furniture and toys, defective electronics or household products are all an unfortunate reality and can have serious life-altering consequences.

As consumers who expect that products they purchase and use themselves or give to their loved ones are safe, reliable and risk-free, it is devastating to have that trust violated. When children, adults, and the elderly use products that result in personal injury or wrongful death, an Orange Park product liability attorney from Farah and Farah can help the injured person or the decedent’s family receive compensation for financial hardships.

If a defective product was the cause of you or loved one’s injury, or if someone you care about has been wrongfully killed, the skilled attorneys at Farah and Farah can be of assistance during this difficult time. We will aggressively defend your rights and ensure that the negligent manufacturer is held responsible for the harm their dangerous product has caused. Contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today for a confidential consultation:

1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073
Phone: (904) 264-0700

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St. Augustine is home to the oldest port in the continental United States – in fact, St. Augustine is commonly referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” In 2004, the population was estimated to be 12,157. Home to beautiful beaches and museums, St. Augustine continues to be a popular tourist destination in Northern Florida. Located about 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, St. Augustine is also a well traversed location. As a vastly populated area, St. Augustine residents and visitors use a wide variety and large amount of products on day to day. When children, adults, and the elderly use products that result in personal injury or wrongful death, a skilled St. Augustine product liability attorney can help the injured person or the decedent’s family receive compensation for financial hardships.

A lot of people don’t want to believe or admit that defective products are out there, but defective medical devices, defective children’s furniture and toys, defective auto parts, and defective electronics and household products are all an unpleasant reality and can have serious consequences on a victim’s life. The knowledge and skills of a defective products attorney in St. Augustine is needed when taking on product designers and manufacturers who will do almost anything to cover up mistakes so that they aren’t held responsible for their negligent actions that put innocent people at risk for suffering life-changing injury or wrongful death.

As consumers who expect that products they purchase are safe, reliable and risk-free, it is devastating to have that trust violated. If a defective product was the cause of you or loved one’s injury, or if someone you care about has been wrongfully killed, the skilled product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah will aggressively defend your rights and ensure that the negligent manufacturer is held responsible for the harm their dangerous product has caused. Contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today for a confidential consultation:

1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Phone: (904) 797-7977

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Brunswick is a city in southeastern Georgia located about 30 miles north of Florida. Home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States, the city's economy encompasses manufacturing, agricultural processing, and bulk cargoes. In 2007, the city proper had an estimated population of 16,235 and an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792. Brunswick’s metropolitan area is the twelfth-largest in the state of Georgia and includes the counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With a region that encompasses such a large, varied area and a population that is on the rise, residents and visitors alike use a huge amount and wide array of products on a daily basis. When children, adults, and the elderly use products that result in personal injury or wrongful death, a Brunswick, Georgia product liability attorney can help the injured person or the decedent’s family receive compensation for financial hardships.

A lot of people don’t want to believe or admit that defective products are out there, but defective medical devices, defective auto parts, defective children’s furniture and toys, and defective electronics and household products are all an unfortunate reality and can have serious life-altering consequences. The knowledge and skills of a product liability attorney in Brunswick, Georgia is needed when taking on product designers and manufacturers who will do anything like cover up mistakes so that they aren’t held responsible for their negligent actions that put innocent people at risk for suffering life-changing injury or wrongful death.

As consumers who expect that products they purchase are safe, reliable and risk-free, it is devastating to have that trust violated. If a defective product was the cause of you or loved one’s injury, or if someone you care about has been wrongfully killed, the skilled attorneys at Farah and Farah can help. We will aggressively defend your rights and ensure that the negligent manufacturer is held responsible for the harm their dangerous product has caused. Contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today for a confidential consultation:

4216 Coral Park Drive,
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: (912) 466-8896

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Last week Florida joined 25 other states that have made wearing seatbelts a primary offense which allows law enforcement to pull a driver over. Previously, there had to be some other reason to pull a driver over, with the seat belt violation as a secondary offense. Now an officer can write you a ticket for $100.

Seatbelts save lives and there is no debate on that point. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that 1,700 serious injuries and 140 lives will be saved in Florida due to the primary seat belt law. This new enforcement will not only save lives, but also millions in associated costs which taxpayers ultimately pick up.

Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that in 2007, nearly 2,000 people were killed in crashes and 61 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt.

A seat belt saved the life of a Jacksonville woman and the three children she was watching, according to an article. Two weeks ago, her Ford Explorer was traveling south on 9A when the traffic in front of her suddenly slowed, she swerved, then overcorrected and rolled the Explorer twice, landing it atop an overpass with the wheels dangling 40 feet above the road. She and the kids were belted in. One child received a scraped knee.

Compare that to another auto accident in Florida in a Ford Explorer, two weeks ago, when four high school students, cutting school, were thrown from their SUV since none of them were wearing seat belts. Four teens died.

Continue reading "Florida’s New Primary Seatbelt Law " »

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If an individual files for bankruptcy protection because of mounting hospital bills, for instance, depending on the type of bankruptcy, you can have all of your debts wiped clean. The same thing apparently goes for major automakers, even while they are receiving taxpayer money to help them restructure.

With the help of the Treasury Department, Chrysler is wiping clean any liability for consumers who have pending product-liability lawsuits against their defective automobiles or parts.

Reportedly, the plan to do away with product liability claims was settled on during negotiations between the Treasury Department and Fiat. Chrysler chairman and CEO, Bob Nardelli, said that claimants would probably get nothing.

Fiat had initially been willing to assume Chrysler’s product liability claims before the Obama administration steered the company into bankruptcy.

What does that mean for the hundreds of consumers who have pending claims for being injured by exploding gas tanks, a roof that crushes in because the standards are not strong enough, a seat belt that doesn’t work, or a back hatch that flies open upon impact? It means that they are left out in the cold.

Continue reading "40 Million Reasons To Sell Your GM Car" »

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Lake City is located in Columbia County, Florida and is known as the “Gateway To Florida.” With a population of about 12,000 and in a county whose population is on the rise (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006), Lake City has become a popular tourist destination as well as a stop for those on route to Southern Florida. With such an expanse of visitors and residents who encounter all sorts of medical needs due to emergencies, injuries, illnesses, or health conditions, medical malpractice in Lake City is prone to occur.

Although most of us don’t want to believe or admit that medical malpractice in Lake City poses serious life-long affects because of failure to diagnose, birth injuries, hospital negligence, and surgical injuries, this kind of negligence is a reality throughout the U.S. and Florida. The knowledge and skills of a Lake City medical malpractice attorney is needed when taking on insurance companies, big hospitals, and/or doctors who will do anything, such as cover up mistakes, so that they aren’t held responsible for their negligent actions that put innocent people at risk for suffering life-changing injury or wrongful death.

As patients and consumers in Lake City who often rely on the aid of pharmaceutical products to help recover from or treat an illness, we expect that the products we are prescribed or buy over-the-counter are safe and don’t pose a risk to our lives. When a manufacturing company distributes medication that causes dangerous side effects to its users, those who are injured may receive compensation; however, this is no easy task. Pharmaceutical litigation is a complex process that requires an experienced Lake City pharmaceutical litigation attorney to help evaluate your case and the evidence involved so that justice can be attained. Contact Farah and Farah today to speak with a member of our legal team or contact us at our Lake City offices:

212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 754-7534

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Medical Malpractice , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville located in Northeast Clay County just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Rich in history and a thriving community, Orange Park has a great deal to offer. Clay County, which Orange Park is located in, is also a bustling region of Florida. With a population in excess of 180,000 and a very high population density, hundreds of residents and visitors rely on a variety of medication to maintain healthy living or treat an illness or condition. Many people don’t want to believe or admit that pharmaceutical litigation in Orange Park occurs due to adverse drug reactions and dangerous side effects that went undetected in testing or were ignored while more products were distributed.

As patients and consumers who often rely on the aid of pharmaceutical products, we expect that the products we are prescribed or buy over-the-counter are safe and don’t pose a risk to our lives. When a manufacturing company distributes medication that causes dangerous side effects to its users, those who are injured may receive compensation; however, this is no easy task. An experienced Orange Park pharmaceutical litigation attorney can help you if you’ve suffered injury due to medication by evaluating the evidence involved so that justice can be attained.

While encountering a variety of life’s obstacles, many people require medical attention for different conditions and emergencies of all kinds. Unfortunately, cases of medical malpractice in Orange Park happen from time to time, as they do across the nation, resulting from failure to diagnose, birth injuries, hospital negligence, and surgical injuries, just to name a few. The knowledge and skills of a Orange Park medical malpractice attorney is needed when taking on insurance companies, big hospitals, and/or doctors who will do anything like cover up mistakes so that they aren’t held responsible for their negligent actions that put innocent people at risk for suffering life-changing injury or wrongful death. If you have been injured from a defective drug or have suffered medical malpractice in Orange Park, contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today for a confidential consultation:

1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073
Phone: (904) 264-0700

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Medical Malpractice , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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Two years ago, one 10 year old girl, was doing well in school and at home, but she had one reoccurring problem. She kept having strep throat. Her mother and doctor couldn’t figure out what was going on until the girl had to give up her bedroom to guests for a week. Her strep throat went away.

According to an article, turns out she didn’t use her dental rinse during that time. Agent Cool Blue Listerine is geared toward children and shows up a blue color when plaque is left behind. It’s supposed to encourage brushing. Instead it is encouraging a lawsuit.

This girl is now at the head of what may turn out to be a class action product liability lawsuit. Listerine, made by a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, admitted to consumers that four different types of bacteria were found in the formulation two years ago. The four contaminants were: pseudomonas flurorescens; klebsiella oxytoca; serratia marcescens; enterobactar cloacae; all bacteria that grew in the absence of any preservative.

About 200 potential plaintiffs have joined the product liability lawsuit complaining of the same symptoms, repeated strep throat, high temperature, extremely large sores in their mouths, and cracking of permanent molars.

The company immediately reformulated the product and added a preservative.

But that may not have done the trick.

Continue reading "West Palm Listerine Product Liability" »

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Posted In: Class Action , Health & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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St. Augustine is home to the oldest port in the continental United States – in fact, St. Augustine is commonly referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” In 2004, the population was estimated to be 12,157. Home to beautiful beaches and museums, St. Augustine continues to be a popular tourist destination in Northern Florida. Located about 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, St. Augustine is also a well traversed location.

With hundreds of residents and visitors relying on a plethora of medication to maintain healthy living or treat an illness, many people don’t want to believe or admit that pharmaceutical litigation in St. Augustine occurs. As patients and consumers who often rely on the aid of pharmaceutical products, we expect that the products we are prescribed or buy over-the-counter are safe and don’t pose a risk to our lives. When a manufacturing company distributes medication that causes dangerous side effects to its users, those who are injured may receive compensation; however, this is no easy task. Pharmaceutical litigation is a complex process that requires an experienced St. Augustine pharmaceutical litigation attorney to help evaluate your case and the evidence involved so that justice can be attained.

While encountering a variety of life’s obstacles, many people require medical attention for different conditions and emergencies of all kinds. Unfortunately, cases of medical malpractice in St. Augustine happen from time to time, as it does across the nation, resulting from failure to diagnose, birth injuries, hospital negligence, and surgical injuries, just to name a few. The knowledge and skills of a medical malpractice attorney is needed when taking on insurance companies, big hospitals, and/or doctors who will do anything like cover up mistakes so that they aren’t held responsible for their negligent actions that put innocent people at risk for suffering life-changing injury or wrongful death. If you have been injured from a defective drug or have suffered medical malpractice, contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today for a confidential consultation:

1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Phone: (904) 797-7977

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Medical Malpractice , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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You may have heard the news reports about the popular cold remedy, Zicam.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ordering the maker of Zicam to cease marketing the little bottle with the big nasal spray after continuing reports that some users have lost their sense of smell.

Here are the three over-the-counter Zicam products affected:

• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel


• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs


• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product)

Perhaps most serious is that the FDA believes that Zicam maker, Matrixx, may have received more than 800 complaints directly to the company regarding product liability injury, which by a 2007 FDA regulation are supposed to be turned over to the FDA.

Matrixx Initiatives stand behind the science of its products and its belief that there is no causal link between its intranasal gel products and anosmia. The company says the FDA action is unwarranted. They plan to cooperate with the FDA to review safety data.

But for fans of Zicam, don’t worry. The cold tablets made by Zicam also deliver the homeopathic ingredient, zinc gluconate, a naturally occurring mineral. The only difference is in the delivery. Directly into the nasal passages causes the working ingredients to be absorbed immediately.

Continue reading "Zicam Warning for Consumer Safety" »

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Health & Information , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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Those out there who drive Chrysler and General Motor cars have a real fight on their hands.

On June 1 when a bankruptcy judge decided to override a group of injured victims of Chrysler and approved the sale of the company to Fiat, he essentially cut the legs out from under Americans injured by the vehicles by leaving them with no assets to pursue the car company for their injuries. A victim’s fund would cost about $300 million a year, but the money was not put aside.

Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety says Fiat even agreed to take on the liability. Instead the bankruptcy judge sailed through a prepackaged plan to leave thousands of Americans out in the cold.

Consumers just spent $57 billion of tax dollars to bailout Chrysler and GM.

Bob Dinnigan is left in a difficult and heartbreaking situation. His daughter, Amanda is a paraplegic after a seat belt injury of her spinal cord. She is 12-years-old. The family has spent about $1 million on her care so far and the insurance is running out.

There are thousands of victim stories being told by consumer groups and General Motors reportedly has $1.25 billion in pending product liability claims and with 40 million GM and Chrysler cars currently on the road. The federal government reports nearly half of all death and injury claims filed against auto manufacturers involve Chrysler and General Motors.

The best advice experts have for consumers is to sell your GM or Chrysler car now, because if you are injured, there will be no remedy for you.

Continue reading "Chrysler Leaves Injured Customers In The Cold" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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The Florida Department of Children and Families, or DCF, in the past has had a terrible reputation of covering up and denying reports of child abuse within the foster care system. The recent Florida wrongful death of a little boy in foster care has been handled much differently this time around.

Seven-year-old Gabriel Myers had been put on several psychiatric drugs for depression, and ADHD. After parents, family members and a system let him down, the little boy is assumed to have killed himself in the shower of his Broward County home.

Based on Gabriel’s death, DCF set out to find out exactly how many kids are placed on psychiatric mind-altering medications, many of which have dangerous side effects that can include suicidal thoughts. This kind risk imposed on children would require the counsel of an experienced Jacksonville pharmaceutical litigation lawyer who can help determine through an investigation who is responsible for the defective drug.

The Florida Times Union report finds that hundreds of kids in foster care have been placed on psychiatric drugs by their caregivers in Northeast Florida - 205 kids in Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties were found to be on at least one psychotropic drug. In St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Volusia counties, 136 kids are medicated and 76 are on drugs in Baker, Union, Bradford, Gilchrist, Alachua and Levy counties.

What’s especially shocking is that no one gave authority for these drugs to be used on the children, and most of the drugs are not even approved for child use.

Under Florida law, parental or guardian consent must be granted in writing before children in foster care can be given psychotropic drugs to modify behavior. Oversight by a psychiatrist is required, along with court orders. DCF will now aggressively seek out those parents or guardians to get consent where it was missing in about 16 percent of the cases. According to the report, kids who stayed with family members were medicated about 4 percent of the time, while kids in group homes were medicated about 30 percent of the time.

At Farah and Farah, our skilled Jacksonville personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have been defending the rights of those injured or killed by the negligence of pharmaceutical companies and other large parties. Call us today for a free consultation at 800-533-3555.

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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With millions of men and women receiving Botox injections to fight the effects of aging, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants a new warning to help prevent serious personal injury in Florida and throughout the U.S.

A report states that Botox (Trademark name of Allergan) and similar anti-wrinkle drugs must carry stringent warning labels, such as a black box warning, the most serious issued by the agency, and a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

There is some concern that Botulinum toxins may spread from the injection area to other areas of the body causing symptoms similar to those of botulism, including trouble of breathing, trouble swallowing, blurred vision and various other adverse effects. Let’s not forget that Botulinum toxins are purified forms of botulism that work to temporarily reduce or stop muscle activity.

The FDA says these effects are rare, but have occurred in children when used to help relax uncontrollable muscle movements.

This new action for black-box warnings was spurred by a petition from the watchdog group, Public Citizen, which has had its eye on Botox and its product liability for awhile. FDA records show there were more than 650 adverse events from Botox injections from 1989 to 2006. Problems included pneumonia, fluid in the lungs, and 16 deaths.

Allergan says it will work with the FDA to update its label for Botox and Botox cosmetic products. Other products are: Myobloc (botulinum toxin type B), marketed by Solstice Neurosciences; and a new FDA-approved product, Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), marketed by Ipsen Biopharm Ltd.

If you have been injured by a cosmetic procedure that was supposed to improve your life, you will need the help of an experienced Florida medical malpractice attorney at Farah and Farah who understands the background on these cases.

Botox has been the subject of some questions for awhile and with this new warning, it merits a second look by the medical establishment, consumers, the law and the federal regulatory system that is supposed to keep us safe.

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Posted In: Medical Malpractice , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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After 25 reports of liver damage and severe liver injury, the Food and Drug Administration has taken the popular weight loss supplement Hydroxycut off the market to protect consumers. What does this recall mean for the millions of people who have bought Hydroxycut products? To start with, if you haven’t already stopped taking Hydroxycut products, it is advised that you do so immediately.

Hydroxycut over-the-counter drugs were purchased by over $7 million people for weight-loss, energy-enhancement, low-carb dieting, and fat-burning applications. It has not been revealed to the public which ingredients in Hydroxycut damage the liver. Due to Hydroxycut use, there has been one reported death caused by severe liver damage and 23 patients have required liver transplant surgery. Considering the prominent use of Hydroxycut nationwide, these numbers pose questions of how many cases of liver damage and liver injury have gone unreported and what will the future hold for any new cases?

Symptoms of Hydroxycut liver damage include jaundice, brown urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, weakness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and/or itching. Hydroxycut products have also been linked to a rare muscle/kidney conditions, adverse cardiovascular events and seizure.

Liver damage can be irreversible, which is why it is crucial to seek medical attention for your injuries if you have experienced any symptoms of liver failure or liver damage after using Hydroxycut products. You may also want to keep a log of all symptoms and any information regarding their characteristics and onset.

The next question you may be asking yourself is: Do I have a Hydroxycut case? News of the May 1 FDA recall has prompted concern for consumers’ rights and you may have a potential Hydroxycut lawsuit, but you must act soon. The experienced personal injury attorneys in Florida at Farah & Farah have the knowledge and skills to help you pursue justice in your Hydroxcut case. Contact us at 800-533-3555 for more information and a free case consultation.

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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Florida is trying to crack down on illegal prescription use, by following the lead of all but a dozen states. The bill would stop the practice known as ‘doctor shopping’ that is visiting various physicians and accumulate prescriptions, according to a report.

Presently, addicts come to Florida because the state doesn't have a prescription tracking system like other states that with the help of computers, can track addicts and drug dealers through a state system. Someone looking for oxycodone, for example, can visit a variety of clinics and obtain prescription in Florida and no one will know it.

It’s estimated an average of nine people a day, addicted to these drugs, are overdosing because of the lack of regulation.

The bill requires pharmacies to report to the state within 15 days who received the drugs. Pain clinics would have to be registered with the state and be subjected to inspections. Obviously, those concerned about privacy are concerned that SB462 would violate privacy.

Somehow 38 other states have figured out how to implement some sort of tracking system while Florida remains the largest state that has failed to do so. Unfortunately some doctors are not above dispensing narcotics and the state has just suspending the license of an Orlando physician for doing so. That is a step in the right direction.

It can seem alarming how many people abuse prescription drugs, and it is also shocking how often manufacturing pharmaceutical defects occur. No one should use prescription drugs for purposes beyond what a doctor recommends, but even when medicine is rightfully acquired, sometimes dangerous side effects can occur and raise the issue of product liability in Florida and throughout the nation.

If you or someone close to you has suffered injury from adverse reactions to prescription drugs, it is vital to seek medical attention to figure out the medications causing harm. It may also be in your best interest to call Jacksonville’s experienced pharmaceutical litigation attorneys at Farah and Farah to see if you have a case that could help you attain compensation for injury caused by a manufacturer’s negligence. Call 800-533-3555 today for a free evaluation.

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Posted In: Law & Information , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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A class-action product liability lawsuit has now been brought against home builder Lennar on behalf of homeowners living in Florida with sick homes made with drywall that originated in China, according to a report.

This is just one lawsuit in Florida while many others have been filed in other states naming the Chinese drywall maker, builders and their suppliers. People claim they are getting sick from the sulfur gasses and fumes coming from the drywall used primarily in 2005 and 2006. The off gasses are also corroding wiring, mirrors, metals, and electronic equipment.

Lennar in turn has sued the Chinese drywall manufacturer and distributor and is doing what it can to fix the outstanding problems.

People who have lost property and their health, not to mention a home, likely have a toxic and defective building product and have suffered product liability injury. Estimates up to 100,000 homes in the U.S. may be affected including Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The results of a state Department of Health investigation as well as uncovering multiple layers of responsible parties will be what an experienced Florida product liability lawyer needs to investigate.

The builder is in the best position, not to mention ultimately responsible, for what they use as raw materials to build a home. These homeowners shouldn’t suffer bloody noses, headaches, and who knows what other health problems, resulting from gasses emitting from their walls. Product liability here is evident; however what’s not so clear is the chain of command and just who knew or suspected they may have a problem and failed to correct it.

For about 100,000 people, their home is anything but home sweet home.

It is unfortunate when products are put on the market that can cause serious injury because adequate testing or research wasn't done. Under product liability law, manufacturers have an obligation to ensure their products are safe, or at least warn of any hazards that could occur from using them.

If you have suffered bodily injury from a defective product, including drywall in your home, you may be entitled to compensation for any losses or medical bills. Call the skilled product liability attorneys in Jacksonville at Farah and Farah today for a case evaluation.

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Big Tobacco has some close friends among the Florida legislature meeting in Tallahassee. According to an article from tampabay.com, Senate Bill 2198 caps the bond Big Tobacco would have to set aside in case they lose the cases filed by about 8,000 sick smokers. These are cigarette lawsuits filed by survivors of spouses who died from cigarettes, or by those injured permanently.

The bill will allow Big Tobacco a safe haven to appeal every judgment by posting bonds of no more than $100 million. A bond is required to be posted before an appeal can take place. And filing appeal after appeal can take time – all in Big Tobacco’s favor.

If a plaintiff dies, their survivor can take over a case, but if both die, the case goes away. Paving the way for endless appeals is a slap in the face to these people who have already waited decades to have their tobacco litigation day in court. Both a House and Senate committee have pushed through the bills.

This was very good news for Philip Morris, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco, and Lorillard, which will be allowed to use the system against the injured.

Chalk this up to a corporate bailout for an industry that has been established by the Florida Supreme Court. Deceiving the public and knowingly manufacturing a product they knew was highly addictive, knowingly manufacturing a product they knew caused more than a dozen horrible diseases; and who intentionally marketed this very dangerous product to the youngest of Americans.

Continue reading "Shielding Big Tobacco From Liability " »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Product Liability , Tobacco Lawsuits

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Too bad you can’t be sued for being morally corrupt. There is no law on the books yet, but this guy would certainly qualify.

Apparently the Florida Attorney General agrees. AG Bill McCollum is asking the Duval County Circuit Court to issue a permanent injunction against Showbiz Promotions and its owner, Jaime Salcedo.

He is the Jacksonville “businessman” who created toys in the image of slain 2-year-old, Caylee Anthony, and chew toys resembling former NFL player Michael Vick who raised fighting pit bulls, has been sued.

It seems that Slcedo’s justification for such enterprises was that profits from the “Inspirational Caylee Sunshine Doll” and the chew toys would go to benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and local animal shelters.

Not really. Prosecutors say that was a front promoted by the promoter, and that little or no contributions were made to those nonprofit organizations. Salcedo mislead consumers in a question of Jacksonville product liability and fraud.

"Any company that intentionally misleads innocent consumers to believe they are contributing to worthy charitable causes is absolutely reprehensible," McCollum said to Channel 4 in a report. "It is disgusting that a company would exploit a tragic situation for personal gain."

Apparently the veil of ignorance has been lifted from Salcedo’s eyes. He’s decided to cancel sales of the Caylee doll after public outcry following the discovery of the dead little girl near her grandparents’ Orlando home.

Continue reading "Florida Man Sued For Caylee Doll, Vick Chew Toy" »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Product Liability

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It was reported in an article yesterday, April 8, 2009 that Raptiva (efalizumab), used to treat patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, has been taken off the U.S. market by manufacturers Genetech, Inc.

The company has withdrawn the defective product because of a potential risk of patients developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and seriously fatal neurologic disease caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. Genetech estimates that 46,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Raptiva since its FDA approval in 2003.

Approximately 2,000 patients in the U.S. may be receiving Raptiva for chronic plaque psoriasis. Anyone who is currently taking Raptiva should see their physician immediately to discuss alternative treatment. There is potential for severe psoriasis worsening if a patient abruptly discontinues using Raptiva, which is why patients must talk with their doctor before stopping treatment.

PML is not the only side effect from use of the dangerous drug Raptiva. Since the drug is an agent which suppresses the immune system, many serious viral and bacterial infections have been known to occur.

Continue reading "Raptiva Drug Recall" »

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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Medtronic, the company that’s facing a slew of product liability lawsuits over the defective medical device Sprint Fidelis cardiac wire, now agrees the death count is higher than first reported.

An independent panel of physicians concluded that 13 have died from the defibrillator lead, up from the five deaths the company previously revealed.

Last month, Medtronic told doctors that leaving the lead intact was perhaps the best choice for the majority of patients since four of those patient deaths happened while trying to remove the defective lead.

The defective lead was in the heart of about 270,000 patients when Medtronic pulled the device in October 2007.

The Sprint Fidelis lead which delivered either too many shocks or didn’t deliver an appropriate shock to steady a heartbeat, is the focus of lawsuits charging product liability, negligence, fraud, and breach of contract, among other charges.

If you were told about the number of deaths, would you want this product put in your chest?
Patients can ensure they are safe from defective drugs and defective medical devices in Florida and throughout the nation only when their makers fully and openly disclose the side effects. It would be nice if they did the right thing for the right reasons, but too often the motive of profit clouds judgment.

Continue reading "Medtronic Defibrillator Lead Killed 13" »

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Posted In: Defective Medical Device , Product Liability

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