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FDA Warns of Increased Risk of Sudden Death Associated With Antidepressant Drug

Scott Kappes — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:38:47 GMT

Yesterday the FDA and Sanofi-Aventis notified healthcare professionals of changes made to the prescribing information of the prescription antidepressant medication Norpramin. The changes include modifications to the “Warnings” and “Overdose” sections.

According to the FDA’s Dear Healthcare Professional Letter, extreme caution should be used when giving Norpramin to patients with a family history of sudden death, cardiac dysrhythmias, or cardiac conductions, as the drug may increase the likelihood of these events.

Both Sanofi Aventis and the FDA said that Norpramin overdose is more likely to result in death than other tricyclic antidepressants.

If you are taking this medication and have a family history of sudden cardiac arrest you should contact you doctor immediately and talk about switching medications to a safer alternative.

The FDA is encouraging people to report any adverse events associated with this or any other medication be reported to the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting System.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Tyson Foods Gets FDA Warning for Unsafe Conditions

Scott Kappes — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:07:50 GMT

A letter warning a Tyson Foods about the unsafe conditions found at a Texas plant was posted online today. In the letter the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) informed Tyson that their inspectors had found fish and crab meat stored at dangerously high temperatures for extended periods of time.

The FDA found seafood stored between 40 and 55 degrees for about 18 hours. According to the FDA these items should always be stores below 40 degrees in order to prevent bacteria from growing.

Tyson was also cited by the FDA back in August for failure to document procedures for stopping bacterial growth.

"Our Fort Worth plant is clean and sanitary and the products produced there are safe to eat," company spokesman Gary Mickelson said in a statement. The shrimp and crab meat observed by FDA inspectors was not used in company products, he added.

The FDA warning letter is dated Nov. 13, but was made available to the public online today.

Tyson says that have updated the temperature control plan in the mean time.

FDA warning letters are issued to companies when the FDA has found evidence of the company not following federal regulations marketing or manufacturing of goods. Although the letters are not legally binding, the agency can take companies to court if a letter is ignored of or they fail to comply with regulations.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Chinese Drywall Link to Toxic effects Strengthen by Latest Report

Scott Kappes — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:50:55 GMT

Last week the suspected link between Chinese drywall and potential harmful effects on humans became stronger. On Monday the federal government released three preliminary reports that strengthen the case that Chinese drywall may be toxic to humans.

One report focused on the analysis of air samples taken from 41 homes known to contain Chinese-made drywall. These samples were compared to 10 homes that are not suspected to contain tainted drywall. In samples from affected homes researchers found consistent detections of hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde. While the concentrations detected are below irritant levels, the CPSC says that it is possible that the synergistic effects of these and other compounds found in air samples could cause irritant effects.

Two additional studies examined corrosion found on metal components taken from homes containing Chinese drywall. These studies found a “strong association” between corrosion found on metals and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide found in homes.

While the study was not intended to examine health effects, “we can say that the levels of pollutants we found, particularly the hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde, could possibly contribute to some health problems that have been reported to the CPSC,” said Jack McCarthy, president of Environmental Health & Engineering Inc., who carried out the work.

Although the study increases suspicion that tainted drywall is responsible for some health effects reported by individuals living in affected homes, no causal relationship has been proven at this point.

It is suspected that some homeowners have yet to report problems due to fear that their insurers will drop their coverage; however, the CPSC is reminding consumers that reports can be made confidentially and are encouraging consumers to report problems.

Investigations of the tainted Chinese drywall will continue in the coming months.

If you suspect that your home may contain defective Chinese drywall we can help. You may be entitled to compensation to cover replacing the defective product in addition to compensation for possible health effects that may have been caused by Chinese drywall.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

J & J Fighting Levaquin Bellwether Consolidation

Scott Kappes — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:04:14 GMT

Levaquin maker Johnson & Johnson is fighting attempts by plaintiffs to consolidate the first three bellwether levaquin lawsuits in to one trial.

The company is facing hundreds of levaquin lawsuits that have been filed in both state and federal courts. The lawsuits allege that the company’s popular antibiotic medication, Levaquin, is the cause of tendon ruptures, tendonitis, and other tendon problems that have been suffered by patients who have taken the medication.

Levaquin lawsuits filed in federal court have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District court of Minnesota.

The first cases selected for trial are known as Bellwether cases. Bellwether trials play an important role in determining how a jury will react to the issues of that are present throughout the MDL and potentially laying the groundwork for a possible settlement.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys have proposed to consolidate the first three Bellwether cases into a single trial, claiming that the cases have similar injuries, claims, and situations and that would be more efficient for the court to handle them as a single trial.

Attorneys for the Johnson & Johnson, and it subsidiary Ortho-McNeil, disagree and argue that the potential differences in plaintiffs’ medical history and unique injuries suffered by each plaintiff may confuse the jury.

After years of pressure from the consumer advocates group Public Citizen, in July of 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally required the makers of Levaquin and other similar medications to update the warning labels for the class of antibiotics known as floroquinoles. The updated label now carries the FDA’s strongest available warning, the infamous black box warning, for an increased risk of tendon problems including tendon rupture in users of Levaquin and other flouroquinolone antibiotics.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Mover Sues Former Employer Over Neck Injury

Scott Kappes — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:25:52 GMT

A former employee of Burris Transfer and Storage Co. has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, claiming that he severely injured his neck while working for the company. Gary Crissman claims that on Dec. 19 he sustained a severe neck injury while lifting and carrying heavy pieces of furniture.

According to the complaint Crissman has suffered from severe physical pain and suffering, permanent impairment, and physical disfigurement due to the incident. Crissman has also incurred medical costs and lost wages as a result of the injury.

The suit claims that Burris transfer failed to properly train Crissman on how to properly perform the duties associated with his job. The suit also claims that Burris Transfer failed to provide Crissman with the proper tools to safely perform his job duties, failed to properly surpervise Crissman, and failed to provide an adequate number of co-workers to perform his duties.

Crissman is seeking actual damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Levaquin: A Prescription for Tendon Trouble

Scott Kappes — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:16 GMT

Thousands of people suffer tendon injuries each and every year. Many of these injuries are sustained as a result of strenuous physical activity or certain ailments that increase the likelihood of tendon injuries; however, many Americans are now suffering from tendonitis, tendon ruptures, and other tendon related injuries as a side effect of prescription antibiotic medications, like Levaquin.

Levaquin is a prescription antibiotic medication in a class of antibiotics known as flouroquinolones. In July of 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added their highest available warning, the “black box” warning, to the label of Levaquin and other flouroquinolone medications due to a disproportionate number of tendon ruptures and tendonitis among flouroquinolone users.

The data the FDA looked at when deciding to issue the black box warning suggests that Achilles tendon ruptures occur 3 to 4 more times more frequently in patients treated with flouroquinolones than in the general public.

Flouroquinolones, like Levaquin, are commonly used to treat serious infections like pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, sinus infections, chronic prostate infection, acute kidney infection, and various types of skin infections. Levaquin has been linked to numerous serious side effects including tendonitis, tendon injury, tendon rupture, renal failure, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and many other side effects.

Adverse events associated with use of Levaquin and other flouroquinolone antibiotics should be reported to the FDA through the MedWatch reporting program, which and be reached by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Experienced Injuryboard attorneys may be able to help those who have suffered debilitating injuries as a result of taking Levaquin. Victims of this dangerous medication may have the ability to recover compensation for medical expenses and other economic and compensatory damages that have been incurred due to their taking of Levaquin.

If you or a loved one have suffered a tendon rupture or tendonitis and have taken Levaquin, Injuryboard can help.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Consumer Product Safety Commission Launches “CPSC 2.0”

Scott Kappes — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:47:34 GMT

This week the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the launch of what they are calling “CPSC 2.0.” CPSC 2.0 is aimed at allowing consumers to get updated information about product recalls and other important information more quickly through the use of web 2.0 applications. CPSC 2.0 utilizes a variety of innovative technologies, including social media, which will hopefully extend the reach of the CPSC to millions of additional consumers.

Through social media, CPSC can directly reach millions of the moms, dads and others who need our safety information the most,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

The CPSC has launched their “On Saftey” blog, which is full of articles, videos, and podcast that can provide potentially life-saving information to consumers. The new website also includes a “Recall Widget” that can easily be added to other websites. To add the recall widget to your website click here.

As part of their CPSC 2.0 plan the agency will also have an official presence on YouTube, FlickR, and of course Twitter.

Hopefully the CPSC new technological efforts will bring their message to more consumers more quickly and provide consumers with the valuable knowledge the CPSC provides.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Six Year Old Girl Hit After Exiting School Bus

Scott Kappes — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:44:51 GMT

Yesterday in northwest Harris County a six year old girl was struck by a car shortly after exiting a school bus. According to the Click2houston.com story the six-year-old was struck when a driver lost control of the vehicle, striking a mailbox and then striking the child.

Officials said the girl received cuts and scrapes, and was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Thankfully the girl suffered minor injuries and will likley make a full recovery.

Authorities are still investigating the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

New Study Links Levaquin to Double Vision

Scott Kappes — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:48:00 GMT

According to a recent L.A. times blog post a new study has linked Levaquin, Cipro, and drugs in a group of antibiotics known as flouroquinolones, to the onset of double vision. When reviewing hundreds of reports of eye problems in people taking flouroquinolones researchers at the Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health and Science University discovered a disproportionate number of double vision occurrences.

Researched found 171 reports of double vision associated with the use of flouroquinolones, like Levaquin and Cipro. Flouroquinolones have previously been linked to tendon ruptures, tendinitis, liver damage, and other complications.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed throughout the nation on behalf of individuals who have suffered from tendinitis and extremely painful tendon ruptures associated with the use of flouroquinolones.

Luckily it appears that double vision symptoms associated with these medications are reversible. The study found that in 53 reported cases double vision symptoms subsided shortly after the antibiotics were discontinued.

It is unclear exactly why Levaquin and other similar medications appear to cause double vision; however, researchers speculate that the drugs may affect the tendons which control the eyes, leading to an inability to focus properly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Florida’s Lt. Governor is Suing for Chinese Drywall Damages

Scott Kappes — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:50:25 GMT

The Chinese drywall debacle is gaining more momentum each and every day. Thousands of homeowners in Florida and across the nation are being affected by toxic drywall, and Monday the fight got a new unsuspected poster boy, Florida’s own Lt. Governor Jeffrey Kottkamp. Kottkamp and his wife have filed a federal lawsuit seeking over $75,000 in damages resulting from toxic drywall in their home. See the News-Press story here.

The suit alleges that defective Chinese drywall has caused the Lt. Governor’s air conditioning coils and internal wiring to become corroded and family members have suffered numerous physical ailments.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission has received over 1,200 complaints in from two dozen states to date, and this number is expected to continue to increase in coming months.

The first of thousands of Chinese drywall lawsuits are expected to hit the court room early next year, but there may be it may be much longer before all of the claims have been settled or had their day in court.

The Law Firm of Reich & Binstock represents homeowners affected by Chinese drywall nationwide. If you suspect that your home may contain toxic Chinese drywall please contact us for a free claim evaluation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes