The arthritis drug Arava (leflunomide) is manufactured by drug maker Sanofi-Aventis and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 for those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. However, after reviewing Arava side effects from 2002 to 2009, the FDA identified a connection between the arthritis drug and 14 liver failure deaths and at least 49 cases of severe liver injury.
The new Arava website includes information regarding the drug safety alert that was issued by the FDA on July 13, 2010 informing patients and medical professionals of Arava’s black box warning. Aside from the risk of Arava liver failure, other potential side effects of Arava described in more detail on the new website include jaundice, joint disorder, encephalopathy (brain disease), blistering on the inside of eyelids, nose or mouth, coagulopathy (blood clotting problems), joint disorders, chest pain, peeling or blistering skin, and others.
To access more information regarding the revised Arava warning as well as other pertinent updates on the arthritis drug, please visit http://www.arava-lawyers.com/. The website managed by the experienced Arava side effects lawyers at Anapol Schwartz also provides additional information to help those afflicted by Arava in determining whether they have a potential Arava side effects lawsuit.
]]>Although practicing safe driving can reduce the risk of a Pennsylvania trucking accident, motorists may still find themselves involved in a truck crash that is not their fault. Motorists who are injured by a truck driver's negligence may be entitled to compensation, including medical bills, lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, and other damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please don't hesitate to contact the experienced Harrisburg truck accident attorneys at Anapol Schwartz. Our attorneys will review the details of your case and help you understand and protect your legal rights. Call Anapol Schwartz today at 1-866-735-2792 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
]]>In a recent deposition, former FDA drug-safety unit manager Dr. Rosemary Johann-Liang testified that the FDA's 2001 study of Avandia found that the drug increased the risk of heart attack more than did rival medications. Glaxo also received an email from separate researchers stating that Avandia “strengthens the signals” of heart ailments, which it failed to turn over to the FDA.
Dr. Johann-Liang left the FDA in 2007 after recommending that Glaxo add additional warnings and information to Avandia's label about the risks Avandia posed to heart health. She stated that the FDA also provided Glaxo with internal information about how to improve the Avandia warnings.
An upcoming FDA advisory panel meeting in Washington will consider the risks Avandia poses of increasing heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease and whether these risks outweigh Avandia's beneficial ability to help control blood sugar. The panel may consider Dr. Johann-Liang's testimony when making its decision. The drug's manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, continues to maintain that no studies have proven that Avandia is dangerous.
Pharmaceutical companies have an obligation to provide consumers with the information they need to make their personal medical decisions. When information about a medication's potential harmful effects is withheld, the resulting side effects, injuries, and even deaths can affect a patient and his or her family for years to come.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a harmful or recalled drug, the experienced Avandia side effects attorneys at Anapol Schwartz stand ready to assist you. Our legal team will review the details of your case and help you hold negligent parties accountable as we fight to obtain the compensation you deserve. Please don't hesitate to call Anapol Schwartz today at 866-735-2792 for a free and confidential consultation.
]]>The girl's father pulled the dog off the girl, who ran back indoors. According to the father, the pit bull tried to chase the girl into the house, and then bit the father when he would not let go of the dog. The animal prevented paramedics from entering the house until police arrived and shut the pit bull back in his owner's apartment.
Both the girl and her father are expected to make a full recovery, but may have to receive rabies shots, as the dog was not vaccinated. The dog is currently under quarantine.
Dog bites in Philadelphia can be highly frightening, especially to children. They can also result in severe injury, including the risk of contracting a disease from an animal that is sick or has not been vaccinated. Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure that their dogs are kept in secure areas where they will not pose a risk to neighbors or passersby.
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury in Pennsylvania, the experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz can help you understand your legal rights and plan your course of action. The dog's owner may be responsible for damages including medical bills, lost wages, and other compensation. Call the personal injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz at (866) 735-2792 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
]]>According to NIH, you may be exposed to crude oil if you live near a refinery or oil leak or eat contaminated seafood. Products made from crude oil, such as jet fuel, gasoline, tar, and other products can also be highly toxic to humans. If spilled, they may contaminate the environment for many years, posing further health risks to people, plants, and animals. If you work in an oil refinery or on an oil drilling rig, you may be exposed to crude oil toxins by skin contact, ingestion, or breathing fumes.
Symptoms of crude oil toxicity include dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, confusion, anemia, and irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs. Prolonged exposure may cause reddening or burning of the skin. Inhaling fumes or smoke from burning crude oil can cause damage to the respiratory system, which may show up as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, and other respiratory symptoms.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been exposed to crude oil toxins or another toxic substance, first contact your doctor. Then, get in touch with an experienced Pennsylvania environmental toxins attorney such as the skilled team at Anapol Schwartz. Our attorneys will help you understand your legal rights in the face of environmental toxin exposure and will fight to win you the compensation you deserve. Call Anapol Schwartz at 866-735-2792 for more information and a free case consultation.
]]>To help consumers and patients become more familiar with the potential risks of Keppra and Mylan generic Keppra, Anapol Schwartz’s new website addresses epilepsy, types of seizures, seizure statistics, generic Keppra side effects, generic Keppra, Levetiracetam (LVT), Anti Epilepsy Drugs (AEDs), as well as the differences between generic and name brand drugs. The website also serves as a helpful resource for patients who have experienced serious side effects after their pharmacy switched them from the brand name to a generic without the patient’s or neurologist’s approval, or even notification.
As one of the leading manufacturers of generic drugs in the world, Mylan received final approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 to manufacture a generic substitute for the anti-seizure medication, Keppra, developed by UCB Pharmaceuticals Inc. and marketed to epilepsy patients. However, some generic Keppra users have experienced breakthrough seizures and also several other serious side effects despite being seizure free for years and not experiencing any side effects on brand name Keppra.
Those interested in learning more about the plausible dangers of Keppra and Mylan generic Keppra are encouraged to visit Anapol Schwartz’s new Mylan Generic Keppra website. Patients who have experienced sporadic increases in seizures and other severe side effects after switching from Keppra to a generic substitute are not helpless. Individuals who have been harmed by pharmaceutical products have valid legal rights and deserve to fully understand them in addition to knowing possible options for obtaining compensation from negligent drug manufacturers, pharmacy employees, or physicians.
For more information regarding Keppra and Mylan generic Keppra, please visit http://www.mylankeppralawsuits.com/ or contact the skilled Mylan generic Keppra lawyers at Anapol Schwartz for a free consultation by calling 866-735-2792.
]]>The Ducks boat was giving a tour on the river when an engine fire caused the boat's engine to stall and die. The passengers and crew were waiting for a rescue boat to arrive when a large and unmanned barge, pushed by a tugboat, collided with the tour boat. Some of the passengers managed to put on life jackets just before the collision occurred. The tour boat capsized and sank to the bottom of the river.
Thirty-five of the passengers were rescued from the river, but two, a twenty-year-old man and a sixteen-year-old girl who were on the boat as part of a Hungarian tour group, were not found. Ten of the rescued tourists were rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital, where they were treated and released. None were seriously injured.
The barge is owned by the City of Philadelphia, but is operated by a contractor, K-Sea Transport. The barge transfers sludge from bio-fuels processing in the northeast part of the city to a recycling plant in southwest Philadelphia. The Ride the Ducks tour boat is owned by a company headquartered in Georgia, and is regularly inspected by Pennsylvania officials. The tour company has suspended operations of similar boats in several states pending investigation of the accident.
Pennsylvania authorities are investigating the Philadelphia boating accident thoroughly, fearing the risk of future incidents on the highly-traveled and fast-moving Delaware River. If you or a loved one has been injured while on vacation or touring, a negligent touring company or other party may be responsible for your injuries. An experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at Anapol Schwartz can help you understand your rights after an accident and will fight to recover the compensation you deserve. Call Anapol Schwartz today at (866) 735-2792 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
]]>West-Ward Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and Sagent Pharmaceuticals all recalled batches of Ondansetron prepared by Claris LifeSciences, Inc. after it was discovered that the batches were not sterile because they had not been prepared properly. Although none of the three companies have received any complaints or reports of patients suffering adverse effects from the non-sterile preparations, all three issued a recall due to the danger a non-sterile medication poses, especially to patients with damaged immune systems.
Ondansetron is frequently given to cancer patients and patients recovering from surgery to help control nausea and vomiting. It is also known by its original brand name, Zofran.
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer have also issued voluntary recalls of IV preparations of the antibiotics Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin for similar sterility problems. These medications were also prepared by Claris LifeSciences, Inc. and batches of each have shown the same lack of sterile solutions as the recalled batches of Ondansetron.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an unsafe or recalled drug, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced PA pharmaceutical litigation attorneys at Anapol Schwartz. Our Philadelphia drug recall attorneys will fight to protect your legal rights and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. For a free consultation of your Pennsylvania product liability case, call 866-735-2792 today.
]]>Some Pennsylvania bicyclists have banded together and are seeking to make commuting safer and more convenient for bicyclists. In May, Commuter Services of Central Pennsylvania hosted a “Bike to Work” week, encouraging commuters to ride their bicycles instead of driving. The campaign focused on the benefits to riders, including exercise and enjoyment of the outdoors, and the benefits to the community as a whole, such as cutting down on air pollution.
]]> In addition to promoting bicycling, Commuter Services also gave free advice to businesses seeking to make their offices more bicyclist-friendly. For instance, Commuter Services recommends that businesses install bike racks. The organization also provides a kind of “bicyclist insurance,” which pays for cab fare, rental car, or gas for a friend's car if the bicyclist gets sick or injured during the workday and cannot bicycle home.Bicycle-car accidents in Philadelphia often happen when motorists are not paying attention to their surroundings or do not respect bicyclists' legal right to share the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, please don't hesitate to call the skilled Pennsylvania bicycle accident attorneys at Anapol Schwartz. Our lawyers have a proven track record in helping injured bicyclists get the compensation they need to recover after an accident. Call Anapol Schwartz today at (866) 735-2792 for a free consultation.
]]>Common symptoms of zinc poisoning, or hyperzincemia, that may be caused by Fixodent include tingling, diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, headaches and other flu-like symptoms. If left undiagnosed and untreated, Fixodent side effects are far more serious.
One death has already been reported due to over-exposure to the zinc in the product. It is estimated that 35 million Americans use denture cream every day. At the time this article was written, Procter & Gamble maintained that Fixodent was safe and will not stop its manufacture.
Exposure to toxins contained in products that are supposed to be safe can leave the consumer with debilitating injuries, often resulting in the need for lifelong medical care. The experienced Pennsylvania Fixodent lawyers at Anapol Schwartz have extensive experience in dealing with large corporations whose negligence led to the pain and suffering of innocent people. If you or someone you love has been injured due to toxic levels of zinc in Fixodent, contact Anapol Schwartz at 1-866-735-2792 for a free and confidential consultation today.
Consumers below the age of 20 are the most prone to fireworks injuries; however, the risk of serious injury or even death still exists for anyone within close proximity of fireworks or other apparatuses. Some common fireworks injuries and hazards include lacerations, loss of limbs, burns, residential fires and wrongful death.
Although the Fourth of July can be an exciting time, do not forget to properly supervise young adults using legal fireworks and do not permit young children to light or play with fireworks. Also, never throw or point fireworks at another person. Please read additional consumer fireworks safety tips on the CPSC’s website to find out more about how you can help prevent serious injuries related to fireworks this Fourth of July.
The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Anapol Schwartz want consumers to be fully aware of preventative measures to avoid injuries from fireworks this Fourth of July. Do not disregard safety. Take every necessary precaution to protect yourself and others.
]]>First, make sure the diving board or pool slide is installed properly. Neither a board nor a slide should shift or wobble when you climb on it. Inspect your diving board or pool slide regularly to make sure it has not formed any cracks and there is no loose or rusted hardware. If you find cracks, loose hardware, or rust, do not use the diving board or pool slide and do not let anyone else use them until they are fixed.
Second, never use a diving board or pool slide while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and do not let anyone else use them if they are intoxicated.
Third, make sure that diving boards and pool slides are installed with their ends away from the pool edges and over a body of water deep enough to prevent injury. Teach children and other pool guests not to go underneath a diving board or pool slide, in case someone using the pool or slide falls on them.
Finally, always use diving boards and pool slides the way they are intended. This means allowing only one person at a time on the board or slide, using the slide feet first, and walking to the edge of the diving board before diving in. Running on a diving board or sliding down a slide head first may result in head and neck injuries, including unconsciousness. If you fall into a pool while unconscious, you may drown.
If you are injured while using an unsafe diving board or pool slide, you may be entitled to compensation, including payment of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The experienced Pennsylvania diving and swimming pool accident attorneys at Anapol Schwartz can help you understand your rights and make the best decision for you and your family. Call Anapol Schwartz today at 866-735-2792 for a free and confidential consultation.
]]>When we go to the doctor or the hospital emergency room, we expect the medical experts to be able to detect the cause of our distress, especially obvious medical problems.
In 1999, Michael Scarpa visited an emergency room in Scranton with complaints of chest pain and vomiting. The advice he received was to take cough medicine and go to his regular doctor the next business day. Unfortunately, Scarpa died two days later.
An autopsy revealed he had an ulcerated esophagus and died from sepsis, caused by food entering his pleural cavity through the hole in his esophagus. The doctors apparently never discovered his condition.
A jury awarded his widow $1.2 million on April 19,2010, after deliberating only four hours.The suit named the hospital and two doctors as defendants. The widow's attorney may additionally seek delay damages that could add another $700,000 to the recovery, and a Pennsylvania wrongful death action may also be an avenue to pursue.
The jury divided the negligence as follows: hospital 40 percent; one doctor, 30 percent; and the other doctor, 20 percent. Scarpa was assigned 10 percent of the fault, because he did not tell the doctors he had had surgery on his esophagus two years earlier.
Wrongful death attorneys can navigate these difficult waters and prove the necessary elements in a Pennsylvania medical malpractice case. To win such a case, you need to prove:
If the death of your loved one was caused by the negligent, careless or illegal conduct of another person, immediately seek an experienced wrongful death attorney who can help you with your case.
Dolan Law Offices is a Chicago law firm that is committed to provide excellent legal services to its clients. Its wrongful death lawyers represent families of wrongful death victims in Chicago and in the entire state of Illinois.
Dolan Law Offices
10 South Lasalle Street #3712
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 676-7600
Rich Foods Corporation announced that it had received no reports of anyone with an allergy to the undeclared milk, pecans, or coconut accidentally eating the crème filling. Instead, it issued the recall as a precautionary measure.
The crème filling was not sold in retail supermarkets. Instead, it was sold in 3.5-gallon pails to foodservice distributors and in-store bakeries nationwide, including stores in Pennsylvania. Rich Foods Corporation has recalled five separate batches of the filling due to undeclared allergens. The recalled batches bear production codes 11870137F21, F-22, F-23, F-24, and F-25. Businesses that purchased the filling are advised to remove it from their businesses and destroy it.
If you or someone you love has had an allergic reaction to a recalled or improperly labeled food, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer or business that prepared the food. The experienced Pennsylvania food recall injury lawyers at Anapol Schwartz can help you understand your legal rights and will fight for the compensation you deserve. Call Anapol Schwartz today at 866-735-2792 for a free case evaluation.
]]>Informing family members about a sudden fatal accident that has taken the life of a beloved family member is not something that should be taken lightly. The way in which an individual is informed about a loved one’s death can greatly affect that individual in terms of coping with the loss. The seminar and its speakers, including Joel Feldman, Esq., hoped to offer guests a strong and broad understanding of what the needs are of someone who has recently lost a loved one in a tragic accident. Some of the issues addressed in the seminar related to:
To read more about the seminar, please refer to the full blog post on PA Law Blogs.
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