Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

January 30, 2015

Actors and Artists Showcasing the Importance of Vaccinations

With increasing vaccine injury fears and the growing anti-vaccination movement, it is easy to forget the good that vaccines have done in eradicating disease from society. A new collection of artwork commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is designed to remind people of the important role vaccines continue to play.

The Art of Saving a Life showcases the talents of 30 renowned artists including actress Mia Farrow and photographer Annie Leibovitz as well as international painters, sculptors, photographers, writers and musicians whose inspiration pieces demonstrate the positive effect vaccines have had on human history.

January 30, 2015

Preventing Childhood Flu Deaths

Anapol Weiss

Children and the elderly are more susceptible to the flu virus, according to Johns Hopkins. The 2014-2015 flu season has been especially deadly for children, and the recent declaration of a flu epidemic by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) has put schools on high alert.

This season, influenza claimed the lives of 21 children in 11 states as of December 31, 2014. To keep the number from increasing, schools across the country are becoming more proactive in flu prevention.

January 20, 2015

Surgical Complications involving Retained Surgical Items

Anapol Weiss

Within the last 20 years, an estimated 80,000 “never events,” or surgical errors that should not have happened during surgery, occurred in American hospitals, according to Johns Hopkins.

One common example of a surgical error is when a doctor leaves a foreign object, such as a surgical instrument, inside the patient.

It is estimated that 4,500 and 6,000 adverse events involving retained foreign parts occur each year, according to USA Today.

January 15, 2015

DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit for Metal Poisoning

Anapol Weiss

Metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip recipients who experienced metal poisoning may be eligible to file a hip replacement lawsuit to seek compensation.

Johnson and Johnson (J&J) issued a hip replacement recall in 2010 that affected its popular DePuy ASR total hip replacement system. J&J made the decision after receiving reports about higher than expected early failure rates. A large number of patients were required to undergo a hip revision surgery after being diagnosed with metal poisoning. The grinding of the metal-on-metal components caused the device to corrode and infect the bloodstream with metal debris.

January 14, 2015

Stryker Hip Replacement Lawsuit Continues into 2015

Anapol Weiss

Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer, Thomas Anapol, who was instrumental in negotiating the November 2014 Stryker hip replacement lawsuit settlement, will continue to pursue Stryker hip lawsuits throughout 2015.

A voluntary Stryker hip recall was issued in July 2012 after the company received reports of metal poisoning caused by the device corroding inside the body. As a result, patients were required to have a hip revision surgery.

January 13, 2015

Vaccine Injury Lawyers Obtain $1.5 M GBS Flu Shot Settlement

Anapol Weiss

Anapol Weiss vaccine injury lawyers Lawrence Cohan and David Carney achieved a $1.5 million settlement in December 2014 on behalf of a Lebanon, PA woman who developed severe complications caused by Guillain-Barré Syndrome flu shot injuries.

About two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine in October 2011, Wendy Lister presented to the hospital with complaints of numbness, tingling, burning and weakness in her extremities. She was admitted and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) an autoimmune disorder that develops when the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it in has been known to happen as a result of vaccine injuries in rare cases.

January 7, 2015

Obtaining Compensation for a Vaccine Injury

Anapol Weiss

Filing a lawsuit may seem like the most obvious recourse when unexpected death, paralysis or other complications arise after a vaccination. Many injured victims and their families have obtained compensation in an entirely different way, however.

Severe vaccine adverse reactions are rare, and they’re often no one’s fault. When a vaccine injury does occur, victims and their families are likely facing a pile of long-term bills. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was established to provide patients with compensation without going through the traditional tort process.

January 7, 2015

GBS Symptoms after the Flu Shot

Anapol Weiss

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an extremely rare but possible vaccine adverse reaction. The association is often made between Guillain-Barre syndrome and the flu shot, but a number of vaccines have been known to result in GBS on rare occasions.

GBS is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that often starts out as muscle weakness or tingling but can evolve into paralysis as it spreads throughout the body.

January 5, 2015

Guillain-Barre Vaccine Injury Claims

Anapol Weiss

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a paralyzing autoimmune disorder that develops when the immune system attacks the nerves. GBS symptoms can start out mild but can lead to paralysis, or in extreme cases, death.

Guillain-Barre symptoms include:

Weakness or tingling sensations
Difficulty walking
Severe pain in lower back
Difficulty with eye or facial movement
Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
Difficulty with bladder control or intestinal function
Increased heart rate

The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but the condition is often preceded by an infection or stomach flu, according to the Mayo Clinic.

December 24, 2014

Hiring a Qualified Vaccine Injury Lawyer

Anapol Weiss

Hiring a qualified vaccine injury lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your claim and is likely to maximize your recovery .

Qualified vaccine lawyers have experience navigating through the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). They understand the legal process and can ensure your claim is filed properly and on time.

Representation by vaccine lawyers are not required to file a VICP claim, but a vaccine injury lawyer can take on the burden of filing the necessary paperwork before the deadline while the patient focuses on recovering from vaccine injuries.