Florida Injury Attorney Blog

Adam Mason, a 31-year-old Pensacola resident, was awarded $7 million by a Florida jury in his dangerous drugs lawsuit against Swiss drug manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche. The drug maker failed to warn Mason that using the acne drug Accutane could lead to a gastrointestinal disease called inflammatory bowel disease.

Mason had to have surgery to remove his colon after he developed the disease. Mason says that because of the surgery he can no longer work as a welder. Mason also was able to obtain settlements from his doctor and West Florida Medical Center after he filed medical malpractice lawsuits against them.

His case is 1 of over 400 inflammatory disease-Accutane-related cases against the Swiss drug maker. In another case, Andy McCarrell won $2.6 million for his lawsuit that cited similar side effects.

Accutane is a controversial acne drug that has been linked to depression, birth defects, suicidal tendencies, and psychological disorders. A USA Today news article from 2004 says that Hoffman-La Roche opted not to issue stronger warnings about potential side effects because they were worried the warnings would negatively affect sales.

Hoffman-La Roche now includes in its packaging that Accutane can lead to possible psychological side effects. The packaging also warns users that Accutane use can lead to inflammatory bowel disease (but not many details are provided). It also continues to insist that the connection between IBD and Accutane is not definite.

In 2004, an FDA researcher recommended to a US Senate panel that the acne drug be investigated in case a recall was warranted.

A drug manufacturer can be held liable for a dangerous or defective drug if a user becomes injured, sick, or dies from taking the medication. Sometimes, a drug maker will send a drug into the marketplace without conducting proper testing. A drug may also come with insufficient warnings about potential side effects and proper use.

In some instances, drug manufacturers may promote and manufacture a drug in a way that generates sales rather than ensures the users’ safety. These are negligent actions by pharmaceutical makers who can be held liable for personal injury or wrongful death.

Jury awards local man $7 million, Pensacola News Journal, October 12, 2007

Accutane Victim Awarded $7 million in Florida Lawsuit, News Inferno, October 12, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Accutane, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Accutane, Roche USA Pharmaceuticals

Continue reading "Florida Jury Awards Pensacola Man $7 Million In Products Liability Lawsuit Against Accutane Manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Dangerous or Defective Drugs , Products Liability

Bookmark:

Kolcraft Enterprises is recalling about 425,000 infant play yards that were made in China. The recall comes after a 10-month-old child died. The child was strangled by the changing table’s restraint strap that was hanging into the “Sesame Beginnings” travel play yard where the infant had been placed.

Injuries or death caused by a defective product can be grounds for a products liability injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit.

12 different play yards are part of the recall. The changing restraint straps on the tables are a strangulation risk. Another play yard that was recalled, the Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard, was recalled because a child could get stuck against the side of the cradle that rocks back and forth.

The play yards were sold at retailers across the U.S. from January 2001 through September 2007.

Play Yards that were recalled include:

1) Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot,
2) Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot LTD,
3) Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot 3-in-1,
4) Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot 4-in-1
5) Carter’s Lennon Travelin’ Tot
6) “Sesame Beginnings” by Kolcraft Travel Play Yard
7) Jeep Sahara SE Play Yard,
8) Jeep Sahara Limited Play Yard,
9) Jeep Sahara XT Play Yard,
10) Jeep Sahara Limited SE Play Yard,
11) Jeep Sahara Limited XT Play Yard
12) Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard

Specific model numbers can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site.

In 2003, 60,700 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms because of injuries related to nursery products. There were 149 nursery product-related deaths between 1999 and 2001.

Here are some nursery-related products that have been known to cause injuries to children:

• Strollers
• High Chairs
• Changing Tables
• Play Yards
• Baby Gates
• Bassinets
• Infant Carriers
• Baby Jumpers
• Cribs
• Jumpers
• Play Pens
• Baby Bouncer Seats
• Baby Bath Seats
• Portable Baby Swings
• Cradles

In a another unrelated nursery product recall, Simplicity and Graco recalled 1 million cribs last week after three infants died due to suffocation.

Kolcraft recalls 425,000 play yards, CNN.com, September 27, 2007

Kolcraft Recalls Play Yards After the Death of a 10-Month-Old Child, US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Nursery Product Related-Injuries and Deaths

1 million Simplicity, Graco cribs recalled after 3 babies die, USA Today, September 27, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Kolcraft

Continue reading "Kolcraft Recalls Infant Play Yards That Were Made in China " »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Products Liability

Bookmark:

Chrysler LLC has announced that it is recalling close to 300,000 sports utility vehicles because of possible break problems. The recall affects over 90,000 2007 Jeep Wrangler SUVs, over 156,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commander SUVs from 2006 and 2007, and close to 50,000 2007 Dodge Nitro SUVs.

The recall comes after the car manufacturer received some 20 complaints from drivers that experienced break delays when trying to stop after driving up a hill. So far, the problem has been cited as the cause of one motor vehicle accident. No personal injuries have been reported so far.

Chrysler says it will fix the problem by reprogramming the computer connected to the antilock brake system. It is also recalling 2007 Chrysler Sebring convertibles and some 72,333 Dodge Avenger sedans because of problems with the locks and front door latches.

The Honda recall involves a seal that could let salt and moisture enter the rear wheel bearing and cause corrosion, which could cause the wheel to fall off and lead to a motor vehicle crash. Two customers have filed complaints with Honda.

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards has a series of requirements that a motor vehicle must meet to be considered safe for drivers and passengers. A recall must be issued if a particular make or model of car, truck, or motorcycle (or any of their motor vehicle parts or equipment) has gone into the marketplace and does not meet these standards or exhibits a defect that places people’s lives at risk.

Some safety defect examples include:

• Problems with a vehicle’s wiring system
• Air bags that deploy when they are not supposed to
• Defective accelerator controls
• Malfunctioning accelerators
• Faulty steering components
• Engine cooling fan blades that are fragile
• Defective seat belts

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a traffic accident because of a defective motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, you should contact a personal injury attorney right away.

Chrysler Recalls Nearly 300,000 SUVs, AP, September 15, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations

Chrysler LLC

Honda Motor Company

Continue reading "Chrysler Announces Recall of Almost 300,000 SUV and Honda Recalls Over 180,000 Civics" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Products Liability

Bookmark:

Mattel Inc. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling more toys because they contain too much lead paint. This is the third massive recall by Mattel in a little over one month, and more than 21 million toys have been affected.

This recall includes 675,000 Barbie accessories, 8,900 Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys and 90,000 GeoTrax locomotive lines.

So far, there are no reported injuries or deaths that have been attributed to lead paint exposure from this latest group of toys. Lead paint poisoning caused by exposure to a defective or dangerous product, however, can be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit by an injured person.

Dangers of Lead Exposure for Children

Children 6 years of age and under—including fetuses—are at high risk of having their health affected by exposure to lead.

Lead interferes with the development of the central nervous system and the brain, and exposure to lead can lead to learning disabilities, IQ deficits, stunted growth, slowed growth, impaired hearing, behavioral difficulties, and death.

Some symptoms associated with lead poisoning:
• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability

As these symptoms are frequently associated with other common illnesses, it can be difficult to determine whether or not they are signs of lead poisoning. Getting your child tested for lead poisoning is the only way to confirm whether they have been exposed to lead.

Lead is also dangerous for adults, and can lead to various health problems, such as the following:

• Fertility problems
• Problems during pregnancy
• Digestive problems
• Nerve problems
• High blood pressure
• Memory problems
• Muscle problems
• Joint problems

A products liability claim or lawsuit allows the injury victim the opportunity to hold the negligent party responsible for the defective or hazardous product that caused the personal injury. A product’s manufacturer, distributor, and seller are some of the parties that can be held responsible in a products liability case.

More than 20 million toys have been recalled since 2001. While some of the toys were recalled because they came with small magnets that could easily be swallowed by children, the majority of the toys called back were because of lead paint concerns.

RECALL: 800,000 more Mattel toys over lead paint fears, Sun-Sentinel.com, September 5, 2007

Challenges for Mattel after 3rd recall, IHT.com, September 5, 2007

Health Effects on Children, NSC.org

Lead: Basic Information, EPA.gov

Related Web Resources:

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Product Recalls, Mattel

Continue reading "More Mattel Toys are Recalled Because Of Excessive Lead Paint " »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Products Liability

Bookmark: