Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A California mother recently received a $4.6 million settlement for the injury caused to her son when he was circumcised at one week old. Melanie Hall settled with Miltex Inc, a Mogen circumcision clamp manufacturer, and parent company Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp for defective manufacturing that resulted in 85% of the tip of her son's penis being amputated, according to the lawsuit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 56 percent of U.S.-born males are circumcised in hospitals. The Mogen clamp, Gomco clamp, and Plastibell are the devices used in the majority of circumcisions performed in the U.S.

In August 2000, the FDA alerted the public with a public health notification regarding the Mogen and Gomco clamps following 105 injury reports between July 1996 and January 2000. Penile injuries included cuts, hemorrhaging, amputation and urethral damage.

The FDA has received 139 additional reports since their 2000 public health notice for issues related to circumcision clamps, 51 of which were injury reports. 21 of those reports involved Mogen clamps. Although Miltex ceased distribution of Mogen clamps in 1994, some of its devices continue to be used.

Continue reading "Coral Springs Product Liability Lawyer Discusses Injuries Related to Circumcision Clamps" »

As Coral Springs personal injury lawyers, we regularly cover important consumer topics on our blogs regarding product recalls and safety tips. Some of the blogs we have written in the past have alerted parents about product recalls including cribs, baby monitors, strollers, baby sling carriers, and toys. Because it's important to stay alert on product recalls and safety topics, we want to remind parents and caregivers that September is national baby safety month.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 12 children under 15 years old suffered toy-related deaths in 2009. Also, in 2003, approximately 35,000 children were injured from defective products.

Please visit the CPSC website for tips on how to keep your baby safe throughout your home.

Continue reading "Coral Springs Personal Injury Lawyer Reminds Parents that September is National Baby Safety Month " »

Last month, toy manufacturer Fisher Price recalled more than 10 million toys in the U.S. due to injury and choking hazards. The recall includes tricycles, toys, and high chairs. Several children were injured, and seven needed stitches from the use of these products. For more information on this story, please see the report by ABC News. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns people who own any of these recalled items to stop using them and contact the manufacturer for repair kits and replacements.

According to CPSC statistics, there were 12 reported deaths linked to toys in 2009 among kids under 15 years old. More than half of those deaths (58%) were from riding toys including tricycles. That same year, there were approximately 250,100 injuries from toys which required treatment in emergency rooms.

As Coral Springs defective products attorneys working on product liability cases, we help people who have been injured and families of people who have been killed due to defective products such as dangerous drugs, defective medical devices, dangerous children's products, and defective vehicle design and manufacture. Our attorneys use their experience to hold negligent manufacturers accountable and obtain justice for the victims and families of victims whose lives have been changed due to defective products.

Continue reading "Coral Springs Injury Lawyer Warns Consumers Against Using Recalled Fisher Price Toys" »

An Iraq War Veteran from St. Petersburg, Florida, was killed on Sunday, September 11th, when a SCUBA tank exploded inside his home. According to reports, an investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of this potential wrongful death case, including whether the SCUBA tank was defective.

Alerts have been issued in the past warning people about risks of injury and death from tank explosions. There have been incidents where the cracking of the alloy around the fill ring has caused explosions, along with too pure an oxygen mix or overfilling of tanks. SCUBA tanks that are found to be defective upon inspection should not be used and a warranty claim should be filed with the manufacturer.

In a case involving wrongful death due to a defective product, the family of the victim should contact an attorney specializing in personal injury and products liability who can help determine their rights and investigate the case.

Continue reading "Coral Springs Wrongful Death Attorney Looks at Possible Product Liability Case in SCUBA Tank Explosion Death" »

A Miami woman suffered serious personal injuries when a defective product she was cooking with exploded on May 19, 2011. The 79-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released, was using a pressure cooker, when it exploded after falling on the floor. A piece of the pressure cooker ended up cutting off her left leg. The woman survived the accident, and doctors are now working in an attempt to save her leg.

Another news story regarding a products liability case based on defective pressure cookers happened in 2007, when HSN paid an $875,000 penalty to settle allegations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that HSN did not immediately report consumer burn injury complaints. According to CPSC allegations, HSN got a minimum of 25 safety complaints about the pressure cookers they retailed from September 2001 until around October 2004, but only reported them in February 2005.

It is mandatory that companies such as HSN report consumer complaints regarding defective and dangerous products to the CPSC. According to Federal law, these reports must be filed immediately in order to alert the public about any safety issues pertaining to personal injuries.

As Coral Springs products liability lawyers, we handle cases dealing with dangerous products and defects in design and manufacture under a negligence cause of action, as well as cases of strict liability. Under strict liability, the Plaintiff (person injured) is not required to prove that the manufacturer or seller of a product was negligent in producing or selling the product as the manufacturer or seller have a duty by law to produce and sell safe products. Lawsuits alleging strict liability or negligence each have their pros and cons and it is important to discuss your case with an injury lawyer who can recommend the best strategies for you case.

Continue reading "Coral Springs Personal Injury Lawyer Looks at Products Liability and Strict Liability for Pressure Cooker Possibly Causing Leg Amputation" »

Just one year after Toyota recalled over 2 million vehicles for gas pedal issues resulting in involuntary acceleration, the company is recalling another 2.17 million vehicles due to gas pedals sticking in floor mats or driver's side carpeting.

The models recalled include the Lexus GS, Lexus RX, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Lexus LX and Toyota RAV4. For more details about the recall, visit this report on cnn.com.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urged Toyota to issue its latest recall following a lengthy investigation. Since 2009, Toyota has recalled over 14 million vehicles worldwide to repair gas pedals and other safety issues. Several wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits have been filed against Toyota because of gas pedal issues resulting in injuries. One lawsuit involves a Houston man who sued Toyota after his wife was killed in a 2009 car accident.

Continue reading "Toyota's Latest Recall Affects 2.17 Million U.S. Vehicles" »

A baby monitor, designed to keep infants safe, ironically ended up killing two infants in the U.S. in 2010, prompting a recall in February 2011. Summer Infant, Inc., a manufacturer of baby safety products, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has recalled 1.7 million video baby monitors after two babies were strangled to death by the product.

Since 2004, there have been seven reports of infant strangulations due to baby monitors. The first reported strangulation caused by Summer Infant video monitors happened in March 2010 and the second in November 2010. Both infants were strangled by the electrical cords of their monitors.

Summer Infant is not making changes to the product. Instead, it is issuing new warning labels and revised instructions for monitors with electrical cords, along with providing consumer education. Consumers can go the the Summer Infant website to receive this information or call 1-800-426-8627.

The video monitors affected by the recall were sold between January 2003 and February 2011 nationwide for $60 to $300.

The CPSC and Summer Infant warn parents that the cords on the monitors can be dangerous if placed within a baby's reach. Parents and caregivers are urged to check the placement of their monitors and cords and make sure their infants are not able to reach the electric cords on the monitors.

Continue reading "Monitor Designed for Infant Safety Kills Two Infants" »

Gardasil, the popular HPV vaccine, has been linked to 56 deaths in the United States as of September 30, 2010. Over 17,000 adverse side effects have also been reported, some of the more serious side effects including blood clots, epilepsy, miscarriages, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a nerve disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.

Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, got FDA approval in 2006 to help protect against certain strains of HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which can lead to cervical cancer in females and genital warts in males. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 32 million doses have been given in the U.S. Gardasil is commonly used for females ages 9-26, but as of October 2009 when the FDA approved use of the vaccine in males, it has also been used by males ages 9-26. Merck also manufactured Vioxx, the painkiller that was recalled because it allegedly caused thousands of deaths from heart problems and strokes.

Continue reading "Merck Vaccine Gardasil Linked to 56 Deaths in the U.S." »

Drawing similarities to the now infamous drug, Fen Phen, the FDA recently recommended the recall of another weight loss drug, Meridia. Abbott Labs, the manufacturer of Meridia, followed through, withdrawing it on October 8, 2010. This decision comes after last month's split vote of an FDA panel over whether to withdraw the drug or add a black box warning to its label.

A medical study which showed an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks in people with heart disease prompted the FDA's recommendation to recall Meridia. The study, called the Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial (SCOUT), revealed that patients who took Meridia, also known as Sibutramine, had a 16% higher chance of heart attack and stroke than patients who took a placebo.

Meridia was approved by the FDA in 1997 and before the recall, was being used by about 100,000 people in the United States. Some of its side effects include chest pain, lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat and nausea. On January 21, 2010, the FDA alerted doctors and patients about Meridia's updated label information, in which Abbott agreed to include a new contraindication that it should not be taken by people with a history of cardiovascular problems including congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. Other warnings included Meridia's link to cardiac valve dysfunction and primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). The FDA advises that doctors stop prescribing Meridia, and patients cease taking this drug and ask their doctors for a different weight loss plan.

Continue reading "FDA Recalls Diet Drug Meridia" »

There have been numerous studies over the past several years regarding cell phone radiation and its possible link to cancer. While some studies suggest a link and others dismiss the idea, the answer to the cell phone- cancer link question continues to be a debate among researchers. What is a known fact, however, is that cell phones emit radiation.

In June 2010 in San Francisco, a law was passed requiring all cell phone retailers to show how much radiation cell phones emit. This law is meant to protect consumers by making this information readily available when people purchase their phones. The Wireless Association (CTIA), a group that represents the cell phone industry, was not happy about this law, and sued the city claiming this law is unconstitutional and leads consumers to believe that the FCC's standards are not enough. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees cell phone radiation standards in the United States, and demands that all cell phones be tested for radiation levels in independent labs.

A study by researchers at the non-profit Environmental Working Group discloses how much radiation is emitted by over 1200 cell phone models. Although the EWG argues that longer-term exposure (ten years or more) to cell phone radiation increases brain tumor risks, there is currently no conclusive evidence that proves there is a cell phone radiation-cancer link from either short or long-term usage. The EWG's goal with the report was to inform consumers so they could take measures to lower their potential risks. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a measure of how much radiation the body absorbs when using a cell phone. The website www.sarshield.com contains information on cell phone radiation and has a radiation chart where users can find out how much radiation their cell phone emits.

Continue reading "Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?" »

Patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery using DePuy hip implants should know that DePuy Orthopaedics has recalled their ASR hip implants. According to research by a British agency, 1 out of every 8 people who had ASR implants needed to have their surgery corrected within 5 years. This DePuy design defect affects thousands of people -- over 90,000 DePuy hip implants have been implanted worldwide. The hip implant models included in this recall are the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System.

Hip replacement surgery is a complicated surgery that can be very painful for some patients. When a patient has hip replacement surgery, they can usually expect their implants to last for 15 years or longer without needing a second surgery. However, due to DePuy's design failure in their ASR hip implants, many patients need to undergo corrective surgery within five years. Patients who are experiencing pain and having trouble walking after hip replacement using DePuy's ASR implants may have a defective implant. DePuy recommends that people with these types of implants see their doctors for a follow-up visit regardless of whether they are experiencing pain or other problems. For more information on the ASR implant recall, visit the DePuy Corporation's website.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been receiving complaints regarding the design failure in DePuy hip implants for over two years - around 400 complaints in the United States. According to The New York Times, some orthopedic experts are appalled that DePuy did not recall their devices earlier.

Continue reading "DePuy Hip Implant Recall Affects Thousands" »

Drop-side cribs have been a safety issue for several years. Following the largest recall of drop-side cribs in the United States - 2.1 million cribs manufactured by Stork Craft - there was another recall this summer that included over 2 million drop-side cribs from seven different manufacturers. Over the last five years, more than nine million cribs have been recalled. Many of these recalls are the result of design defects which have led to serious, and sometimes fatal, results. Drop-side cribs have caused 32 deaths and hundreds of injuries to children since 2000.

Last month the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously to ban drop-side cribs and also recommended new crib safety standards. When the new standards are implemented, the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs will be forbidden, and hotels and daycares will be prohibited from using them. With child safety being the main concern, new standards also call for better construction and improved mattress support. These standards will be published by the end of the year, and after a final vote, are expected to be implemented next year.

Continue reading "Drop-Side Crib Ban Looming, Government Recommends New Crib Safety Standards" »

Drop-side cribs are dangerous. That is the message Congress wants parents to know. The tragic death of a 6-month old baby boy from Long Island, New York, is a grim example. The infant became trapped and suffocated when the side rail on his drop-side crib malfunctioned. At least 32 babies in the last 10 years have suffocated or were strangled in drop-side cribs. In addition, 14 infant fatalities have been linked to drop-side cribs in that time frame.

According to reports, efforts have been made in Congress to prohibit the making, selling and reselling of all drop-side cribs and to ban them from establishments such as hotels and day care facilities. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is taking action to get the ban underway and is urging parents to understand the dangers of using drop-side cribs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission plans to make fixed-side cribs the new standard and to ban the sale and manufacture of drop-side cribs by the end of 2010.

Since 2005, over 7 million drop-side cribs have been recalled, usually due to malfunctioning hardware which can cause the drop-side rail to loosen or break. When the rail becomes detached, it creates a space between the side rail and mattress where a baby can get trapped and become strangled or suffocate. Although the crib industry favored fixed-side over drop-side cribs last year by voting to do away with the drop-side design, it is not yet mandatory for crib manufacturers to make only fixed-side cribs.

Some retailers, including Wal-Mart and Babies R Us, have already stopped selling drop-side cribs. Despite the warnings from the CPSC and Congress, drop-side cribs are still widely available online. Parents and caretakers should be aware of the dangers in using drop-side cribs and should avoiding using them at all costs.

Continue reading "Florida Parents Beware: Drop-Side Cribs Soon to be Banned Nationwide" »

A 13-year-old Davie boy has died after he was found with a hammock wrapped around his neck on May 2. The young man's father found him in his room entangled in the hammock and attempted to revive him through CPR. At the hospital, the young man was placed in a medically-induced coma, but never recovered. How he became entangled in the hammock and his exact cause of death are still being investigated according to reports.

Although the details of how this tragic death occurred remain unclear, hammocks have a history of being strangulation risks. This risk is especially prevalent in devices characterized as baby- or mini-hammocks which consist of light weight, nylon mesh and do not employ a spreader bar. These hammocks have been identified as strangulation and suffocation risks to babies and young children by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) for years and have undergone numerous recalls. The risk stems from a defective design that fails to provide a spreader bar to keep the mesh from pulling tight into a single rope which children can become entangled in while getting into and out of the hammock.

The death of this young man, while extremely tragic, is not unprecedented. In 2008, an eight-year-old Indiana boy reportedly died after a hammock he and his brothers were playing on became wrapped around his neck causing suffocation. Twelve children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old died after becoming entangled in mini-hammocks without spreader bars from 1984 to 1995 according to the CPSC.

Continue reading "Deadly Hammocks: Florida Teen's Strangulation Shocks Broward County" »

Users of some well-known anticonvulsant drugs may be at risk of committing or attempting suicide, according to researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last month.

The study researched records of over 297,000 patients who took anticonvulsants between 2001 and 2006 and were 15 years of age or older. The analysis revealed 801 attempted suicides, 26 suicides and 41 violent deaths in the first 60 days of patients taking anticonvulsant drugs. This research comes after a 2008 FDA drug warning on anticonvulsants in which the FDA made it mandatory for anticonvulsant drug manufacturers to have a warning about suicidal risks on product labels. The FDA took action after nearly 200 studies were conducted on 11 different medications. The studies revealed that patients who took anticonvulsants doubled their risk of suicide.

Neurontin, manufactured by Pfizer and Novartis's Trileptal were among the drugs researchers found to increase suicide risk by as much as double in people taking these drugs for the first time.

GlaxoSmithKline's Lamictal, and Gabitril, made by Cephalon were also found to increase suicide risk. It is uncertain as to why some anticonvulsant drugs raise the risk of suicide, but it is known that these drugs cause behavior and mood changes.

Anticonvulsant drugs are commonly used by patients with epilepsy; however, drugs such as Lamictal have also been marketed to treat conditions including bipolar disorder and migraine headaches.

The FDA allows doctors to prescribe any medicine they consider suitable for any condition, which means doctors may prescribe drugs off-label (meaning prescribing it for uses unapproved by the FDA) if they think it's necessary. Drug manufacturers, on the other hand, are only allowed to market the drugs for uses that are FDA-approved. However, drug manufacturers don't always follow FDA guidelines for marketing drugs. Earlier this year, in January, Novartis paid a 185 million dollar fine for off-label marketing of the epilepsy drug Trileptal.

Continue reading "Drug Alert: Patients Using Certain Anticonvulsant Drugs may be at Risk of Suicide" »