Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 150,000 F-150 pickup trucks model years 2005-2006 due to the risk of air bags deploying without warning. According to a Daily Finance article, the air bag defect has caused dozens of injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reportedly requested that Ford recall 1.3 million F-150 pickups from the 2004-2006 model years after receiving complaints from dozens of consumers about unintentional air bag deployment causing injury. The agency is currently evaluating the recall to determine if it is too limited.

The NHTSA investigation of the Ford F-Series pickup trucks, which has been continuing since September 2009, revealed that air bag deployment without warning has led to injuries that included chipped and broken teeth; cuts to the arm, hand, and face; lacerations; minor burns; and two owners reported loss of consciousness.

Ford had originally resisted recalling the pickup trucks, claiming the number of incidents was low and injuries were minor. The automaker also believed that consumers were given proper warning with an illuminated air bag warning light that informs motorists that the vehicle should be serviced.

The Ford pickup truck recall is expected to start in the beginning of March and consumers will be notified about going to their dealer for repairs.

Air bags are an important vehicle component in ensuring the safety of vehicle occupants if an accident occurs. Air bag design and manufacture is expected to be efficient and thorough to make sure that air bags do not deploy unexpectedly or at greater speeds than what is determined to be safe. Defective air bags can cause vehicle occupants to suffer severe injury or death. If an air bag defect is determined to be the cause of an accident or vehicle occupant injury or death, automakers can be held liable.

At Anapol Schwartz, our Philadelphia air bag defect lawyers have years of experience protecting the rights of individuals injured and family members of those killed because of defective auto parts. We are committed to ensuring that injury victims receive the compensation they deserve from negligent parties so that they can move on with their lives and receive the medical care they need. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact our firm for a free consultation. Call 1-866-735-2792 today.

The Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation is proud to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has accepted their video Casey Feldman, A Face of Distracted Driving. The video will be featured in the DOT’s ongoing video series “Faces of Distracted Driving”. The goal of the series is to draw attention to the tragedies of distracted driving to help prevent future distracted driving-related deaths.

The “Faces of Distracted Driving” campaign features videos made in-house by the DOT and chronicles the stories of those who have died because of distracted driving. However, unlike the other videos, Casey Feldman, A Face of Distracted Driving, was produced by Casey’s father, Joel Feldman. Mr. Feldman is a prominent attorney at the personal injury law firm of Anapol Schwartz. The video is the first to feature driving distractions other than the use of cell phones. In the video, family and friends of Casey are interviewed, to tell both her story as well as their own, including how their driving habits have changed since Casey’s tragic accident.

Casey, who was a college student in Springfield, Delaware County, was killed on July 17, 2009 after she was hit in a pedestrian crosswalk by a delivery van in Ocean City.

When interviewed by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Mr. Feldman stated, “We hope these stories will cause some of us to rethink our responsibilities as drivers. We are proof that tragedies can happen to anyone.”

To learn more about how you can prevent distracted driving tragedies like Casey’s, visit EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving), a website recently launched by The Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation, and watch Casey Feldman, A Face of Distracted Driving.

SaferCar.gov reports that General Motors Inc. has announced a recall of certain 2009-2010 Cadillac CTS sedans.

The recall includes 44,147 vehicles and was initiated due to a condition which may cause the wax finish on the vehicle’s rear suspension toe link jam nuts to permit the nuts to loosen. If the nuts loosen, this could result in a clanging sound. If the noise is ignored or unnoticed, the toe link could separate and allow the rear wheel to turn inwards or outwards. According to the manufacturer, if this occurs, a driver may experience unexpected changes with the handling of the vehicle. This could lead to loss of vehicle control and increase the possibility of an accident occurring.

Owners of the recalled cars are instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer, where the wax residue from the rear suspension toe link will be cleaned. Additionally, two new jam nuts will be installed to prevent loosening, and if necessary, the rear suspension toe link may be entirely replaced. All services will be done free of charge.

Consumers with questions may call Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or visit http://www.gmcownercenter.com to learn more about the recall.

When a product is found to be poorly designed or is comprised of faulty parts, its defects put consumers at risk. When a vehicle is discovered to be flawed, the severity of the danger it places consumers is even greater. A defective vehicle puts the lives of not just motorists in harm’s way, but also vehicle occupants, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road. If a vehicle is faulty, it can be more prone to causing a crash that otherwise may not have taken place, and the accident may be very severe or even fatal.

Auto makers have a legal responsibility to design, produce, and sell vehicles that are free of defects and safe for consumers to use. When manufacturers inadvertently or intentionally overlook their duty to consumers and an injury results, it is important for a victim to hold negligent companies accountable, not only to receive adequate compensation but to ensure the auto maker does not act negligently in the future. At Anapol Schwartz, our personal injury lawyers have a long history of successfully aiding injured victims receive fair compensation for their injury and related losses after they are involved in an accident caused by a defective vehicle. Call 1-866-735-2792 today to learn how our attorneys can help you with your auto product liability case.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Merck & Co. won a jury trial in its defense against a lawsuit that alleged the company’s drug Fosamax caused a woman osteonecrosis. The verdict’s announcement was made on Monday, February 14.

A state court jury in Atlantic City, New Jersey rejected claims from a woman from Pennsylvania that Fosamax, which is a drug used to treat osteoporosis, caused her osteonecrosis, a deterioration of the jaw, often referred to as ONJ. The woman also claimed the drug manufacturer failed to warn consumers properly about the risks of the drug and Fosamax side effects. The jury found that the drug did not cause the woman’s jaw and dental problems and that the company “acted properly.” The woman plans to appeal the case, stating the drug maker should not be allowed to keep getting away with hiding the risks of Fosamax.

Merck, which is based in Whitehouse Station, NJ, is currently facing approximately 1,180 cases of users who allege that Fosamax caused ONJ. This trial was the first Fosamax trial in state court. Three cases were previously tried in New York federal court, of which Merck won two and is appealing the loss of the third. In that case, the jury awarded the plaintiff $8 million but the judge reduced the amount to $1.5 million.

At Anapol Schwartz, our Fosamax attorneys have handled many lawsuits regarding unsafe drugs, including popular pharmaceuticals and diet drugs. If you have suffered because you have taken Fosamax, contact our law office today to learn more about your legal rights when pursuing a lawsuit against a drug manufacturer. Call 866-735-2792 to schedule a free consultation today.

MSNBC reports a natural gas explosion accident occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, in Allentown, PA. At least three people were killed in the blast, including a 4-month-old child, and two others are missing.

According to the Allentown fire department, a two-story row house exploded, causing the house and another to be leveled. UGI Corp. stated early Thursday that it is likely one of its natural-gas pipelines exploded, which prompted the accident and the blaze. The explosion was so powerful it was felt in Bethlehem, PA, about nine miles away from Allentown.

Two row homes were set on fire, as were six others. Witnesses to the accident state the flames were hundreds of feet in the air, and it took firefighters several hours to put the fire out. Firefighters were delayed by the complexity of digging through the snow and ice to access the ruptured gas line underground, which was fueling the flames. Between 500 and 600 residents of the area were evacuated.

Authorities will investigate the Pennsylvania gas explosion accident to determine what caused the natural-gas pipelines to explode. Often, explosion accidents such as this one are discovered to have been caused by gas mains that were not properly installed or maintained. There are many rules and regulations regarding the maintenance of gas lines. Gas companies should check gas pipelines regularly for any indications of problems, such as corrosion, so prompt repair can be conducted. If these safety precautions are disregarded, an explosion accident can occur, which can be catastrophic or even fatal. When a gas company disregards the safety of their workers and area residents by failing to follow the proper rules, they can be held legally responsible for any injuries or fatalities that result from a gas explosion accident.

Gas explosion accident victims typically suffer serious burn injuries, which can be very painful and require ongoing medical treatment, such as skin graft surgery. A Pennsylvania gas explosion burn injury lawyer can help injured victims understand their legal options as well as help them pursue compensation for their injuries from negligent parties. To schedule a free consultation with attorney from Anapol Schwartz, call 866-735-2792 today.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a man was killed after he was struck by a pickup truck in New Brighton, PA on Monday night, February 7.

According to the article, the Pennsylvania pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Third Avenue and 11th Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. One motorist stopped to allow the man and his daughter to cross the street, but a pickup truck traveling in the other direction struck both pedestrians. The man was carried for some distance on the hood of the truck. When emergency personnel arrived, the man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The woman was seriously injured and taken to Heritage Valley Medical Center for treatment.

New Brighton police have stated the pickup truck driver was taken in for questioning. The fatal PA pedestrian accident remains under investigation.

In the United States in 2008, 4,378 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is estimated that approximately 69,000 pedestrians were injured in collisions that same year. In Pennsylvania, 137 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2008. These alarming statistics result in an average of a pedestrian killed in a traffic accident about every two hours, with a pedestrian injured in an accident approximately every eight minutes.

According to the NHTSA, about 54 percent of the total pedestrian fatalities in 2008 occurred between the hours of 4 and 11:59 p.m. To prevent pedestrian accidents, the NHTSA recommends that walkers cross streets at designated crosswalks, and look both directions before crossing. Pedestrians should never assume that a motor vehicle will stop and allow them to cross; keeping in mind that many motorists often drive distracted, recklessly, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When out at night, walkers should wear light colored and reflective clothing, and use a flashlight to make their presence known to motorists.

A Philadelphia negligence lawyer at Anapol Schwartz can help victims injured in pedestrian accidents understand their legal rights and fight to obtain the compensation they deserve from negligent motorists. To schedule a free consultation, call 866-735-2792 today.

According to a recent article in the Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, a new study has found that for every four to five reported mesothelioma cases worldwide, at least one case goes unreported. This means that thousands more could be affected by this deadly disease than originally believed. It is the first study to give a global estimation of unreported cases of mesothelioma based upon data from countries that collect data regarding mesothelioma and asbestos use. Malignant mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

The study analyzed data that evaluated the relationship between country-level asbestos use from 1920 to 1970 and mesothelioma fatalities reported between 1994 and 2008. In 89 countries (which accounted for over 82 percent of the world’s population in 2000), cumulative asbestos use totaled over 65 million metric tons between 1920 and 1970. The United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, and Germany reported the highest numbers of asbestos use. For the 56 countries that reported mesothelioma data, there were about 174,300 mesothelioma-related fatalities between 1994 and 2008.

Typically, mesothelioma develops about 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Consequently, a country’s cumulative asbestos use in prior decades was discovered to clearly forecast the number of recent mesothelioma-related fatalities in countries that reported mortality data. When the authors of the study extrapolated this discovery to the 33 countries that did not report data regarding mesothelioma-related deaths, they estimated that at least 38,900 additional cases of mesothelioma could have occurred in these countries during the same 15-year time period.

If you have contracted mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos, you may be able to receive compensation for your illness and related losses. At Anapol Schwartz, our Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyers have the experience and resources needed to help you hold negligent parties legally responsible for your unnecessary exposure to asbestos. To learn more, call our attorneys today at 866-735-2792.

Recent research suggests that certain Zimmer NexGen CR Flex knee implants have a high rate of failure, with one study finding that knee replacements that are not properly cemented are failing at a rate as high as 9.3 percent. An article in The New York Times reported on the study, which was conducted by researchers from the Rush University Medical Center. The study revealed that many of these implants were failing after less than two years, when the device is supposed to last 15 years.

One hundred patients were used in the study, and it was found that about 36 percent of the knee implants were loose. Over half of the patients experienced significant knee pain and other problems related to the implant’s loosening. Common problems patients with the Zimmer NexGen knee implants experienced included:

• Compensation pain and problems;
• Device failure;
• Difficulty standing or walking;
• Knee and joint pain;
• Loosening of the implant’s components; and
• The necessity for revision or replacement surgery.

Overall, it is estimated that over thousands of people have received a Zimmer NexGen knee CR Flex cementless implant since 2003, a number of which now require a second, painful revision surgery to repair or replace.

The Zimmer NexGen knee replacement systems are designed to stay on a patient’s bone without using adhesive cement. The implant is fused onto the bone by using cobalt-chromium molybdenum alloy and porous fiber metal that imitates human bone. However, studies have shown the implant can loosen if it is not properly fusing with the patient’s bone as it should, causing many to suffer severe pain and other knee problems.

The Pennsylvania defective medical device attorneys at Anapol Schwartz can help those who have suffered because of a defective knee implant receive compensation for their injuries and losses. If you believe you may have a substantial claim for your defective knee implant, please contact us today by calling 866-735-2792.

Product Identification Notice: In any of our web pages referring to Zimmer NexGen products, these pages are intended to provide information about and are referring to the same Zimmer products that were identified by Dr. Berger in his presentation and study entitled “The High Failure Rate of a High-Flex Total Knee Arthroplasty Design,“ see: http://www3.aaos.org/education/anmeet/anmt2010/podium/podium.cfm?Pevent=434 and were written about in the NY Times article titled “Surgeon vs. Knee Maker: Who’s Rejecting Whom?,” see: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/business/20knee.html?scp=1&sq=Zimmer%20Knee&st=cse and that are reported in the FDA MAUDE database, see: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmaude/Search.cfm, where reports involving the Zimmer NexGen CR Flex Cementless or Porous Femoral component can be found. Not all Zimmer NexGen products are involved in our investigations and lawsuits.

Bloomberg reports that Pfizer Inc. was recently ordered to pay $142.1 million in damages to Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. for violating United States laws regarding racketeering that relate to the company’s marketing of Neurontin.

Pfizer is the largest drug manufacturer in the world, and a jury in Boston found that the company illegally promoted Neurontin for “unapproved uses.” Under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970 (RICO), the judge tripled the $47.3 million award from the jury, bringing the total to $142.1 million, but denied Kaiser’s request for the $76 million in interest on the award.

Neurontin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1993 for epilepsy. Officials from Kaiser alleged they were deceived by Pfizer to believe that the drug could also effectively treat bipolar disorder and migraines. Kaiser also claimed it was forced to pay more than $90 million more for the drug than it should have.

Kaiser is the first insurer to bring a case against Pfizer regarding Neurontin to trial. Currently, the drug manufacturer is facing over 300 lawsuits that accuse the company of illegally promoting the drug, or that they hid health risks associated with the drug. Former Neurontin users contend that Pfizer was aware that the drug posed a suicide risk and failed to disclose the information to doctors and patients. According to the article, the drug company has settled at least two lawsuits that alleged Neurontin was a factor in users’ suicides, and paid at least $400,000 in one of the suits.

In 2009, Pfizer paid $2.3 billion in fines after an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department discovered the drug manufacturer had illegally marketed Bextra, Geodon, Zyvox and Lyrica by “misbranding with the intent to defraud or mislead.” It was the largest settlement in Justice Department history.

If you have suffered because you have taken Neurontin or another dangerous or misrepresented drug, contact the product liability lawyers Philadelphia at Anapol Schwartz. Our attorneys have successfully handled a wide variety of pharmaceutical litigation cases and will work hard to ensure that you are compensated fairly. To learn how we can help you, call 866-735-2792 today.

The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Anapol Schwartz is proud to present its new mesothelioma website, http://pa-mesothelioma-lawyers.com/. This extensive website serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking to better understand various factors relating to mesothelioma. The website also provides health and legal information for individuals who have contracted mesothelioma as well as their family members.

The Pennsylvania mesothelioma website will address mesothelioma-related topics, such as facts, statistics, the process of diagnosing the cancer, the treatment options available, causes and symptoms of the disease, the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, and the prognosis and life expectancy of those who have contracted the serious disease.

It is important for anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma to think about their future in terms of finances surrounding medical care and treatment. A person who has contracted mesothelioma due to another’s negligence or oversight may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages.

Visitors to the new mesothelioma website will also learn more about how the Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyers at Anapol Schwartz can help them by providing quality legal representation and counsel. Anapol Schwartz is a Pennsylvania personal injury law firm that was founded in 1977 and has grown to over 30 attorneys. The record of success of Anapol Schwartz is unmatched, and is the result of hard work by lawyers and staff who are dedicated to holding those who are negligent accountable for their actions.