Diabetes Drug Avandia Could Be Pulled from Market
By injuheis on July 27, 2010
On June 28, a study was released which showed a connection between Avandia, a diabetes drug made by GlaxoSmithKline, and increased risks of heart problems, strokes and deaths in older adults.
According to FoxNews.com, the study conducted a comprehensive review of over 200,000 Medicare patients who took Avandia. The study followed the patients, who were an average age of 74, for three years. The study showed that 100,000 deaths, strokes, heart attacks and cases of heart failure may be due to Avandia side effects. GlaxoSmithKline maintains that the drug is safe and claimed there were limits on the study which led to an improper result.
The study found that patients who used Avandia were 27 percent more likely to have a stroke, 14 percent more likely to die, and 25 percent more likely to have heart failure than individuals on Actos, a competitor to Avandia. The FDA plans to hold a hearing on Avandia, where it will hear testimony about the safety of the drug and decide what should be done. The drug could be pulled from the market or be required to display more warning labels.
Some dangerous prescription drugs can have deadly side effects, if not leave a patient with serious injury or newly developed health problems. If you or a loved one has been injured by an unsafe drug in Maryland, including Avandia, you should contact an experienced Maryland pharmaceutical litigation attorney immediately. A knowledgeable attorney can help you receive damages for your medical problems that arose because of the prescription drug. For a free consultation with Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” call 877-228-4878 today.
Legionnaire’s Disease May Be Living on Your Windshield
By injuheis on July 22, 2010
According to AOLHealth.com, the dirty water that comes off your windshield when the windshield wipers are on could be the source of 20 percent of Legionnaire’s disease cases. Britain’s Health Protection Agency found that the water is a breeding ground for Legionella bacterium, which can lead to pneumonia if it is breathed in.
The Agency found that professional drivers are 5 times more likely to catch the disease than the general population. As part of a study, people in England and Wales who had Legionnaire’s disease in 2009 were questioned. Researchers found that people who frequently rode in a van, typically through industrial areas with windows open, were most at risk to contract the disease.
The Agency then found that the bacterium which causes the disease was found on 20 percent of cars that did not have windshield wiper fluid, but no cars that did. The Agency is now encouraging all drivers to fill up with windshield wiper fluid, since it kills the bacteria.
Legionnaire’s disease is rare. Most of its victims are males over age 50. The early symptoms are very similar to the flu. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients with Legionnaire’s disease die from it. It is typically very challenging to find the source of the infection. However, there have been many instances throughout Maryland in which poorly maintained hospital or elderly care facilities exposed patients to Legionella bacterium, resulting in serious illness and even wrongful death.
If you or someone you know has contracted Legionnaire’s disease, and you believe it happened as the result of another party’s negligence, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, today. Mr. Heisler has significant experience with Legionnaire’s disease cases and can help you learn about your rights and obtain compensation for your illness. Call 877-228-4878 today for a free consultation with a skilled Maryland Legionnaire’s disease attorney.
Maryland Boy Killed in Jet Ski Accident
By injuheis on July 20, 2010
An 11-year-old boy from Springettsbury Township recently died as a result of his injuries from a jet ski accident earlier this month, according to the York Daily Record.
The boy was jet skiing in the Irish Creek and stopped on his jet ski. While he was stopped, he was struck by a 12-year-old boy who was with him at the time. He was airlifted to the hospital with brain injuries and tragically died later. The 12-year-old was not injured.
Jet skis can be much more dangerous than other types of watercraft, primarily because the rider is exposed. Some typical injuries to jet ski riders include chest or head trauma, drowning, spinal cord damage, carbon monoxide poisoning, and broken bones.
One major problem with jet skis is that they lack braking ability, and while jet ski drivers are coasting to a stop, they tend to lose the ability to steer. Some of the primary causes of Maryland jet ski accidents include operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, steering loss and speeding.
Jet skis can be especially dangerous for children. In Maryland, it is illegal for anyone under age 16 to operate a personal watercraft. According to the Coalition of Parents and Families for Personal Watercraft Safety, 50 percent of all jet ski injuries involving children are moderate to severe. In the year 2000, jet skis represented 19 percent of registered boats but 45 percent of boating injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a jet ski or boating accident, you may have claims against not only another person involved in the accident, but also against the jet ski or boat manufacturer. With the help of an experienced Maryland boating accident attorney, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To learn more about your legal rights regarding boating accidents in Maryland, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free consultation by calling 877-228-4878 today.
Pottery Barn Kids Cribs Recalled
By injuheis on July 16, 2010
According to the Associated Press, 82,000 cribs “from popular retailer Pottery Barn Kids are being recalled over safety concerns.” The recall applies to all Pottery Barn Kids drop- side crib model numbers.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is concerned that faulty hardware could lead to the drop-side rail on the crib detaching and potentially causing infants to suffocate or become entrapped. 153 young children in the past four years have died due to drop-side cribs.
While the CPSC’s decision to ban the cribs is good news, what took it so long? Close to two hundred children are killed by a particular type of crib and it takes the CPSC four years to take action? That’s not acceptable. The CPSC needs to do its job and move quicker to recall or ban potentially lethal defective products in the future.
Steven H. Heisler takes child safety seriously. If your child was injured in an accident, or due to a defective household product, or the negligence of another person, contact a Maryland child injury lawyer. Steven H. Heisler handles child injury claims and will make sure that your child’s rights are protected.
Maryland’s Campaign against Distracted Driving Wins Praise
By injuheis on July 7, 2010
According to WJLA, a new report shows that the fight against driving while distracted is working, but not everyone is engaging. Many drivers continue to text, place phone calls, and participate in other distracting behaviors instead of focusing attention on the road. As a result, local governments have passed stronger laws and education campaigns against distracted driving. In 2003, only 17 states collected distracted driving data if there was an accident. Today 43 states collect distracted driving data.
Maryland has made significant strides in its campaign to prevent distracted driving. It has a texting while driving ban. The governor recently signed into law a ban against using a cell phone without a hands free device. Drivers under 18 cannot use cell phones while driving, even with a hands free device. The Maryland Senate is also considering making it illegal to read a text message while driving. Maryland also has included distracted driving in its overall state safety program.
Tragically, in 2008, 34 residents were killed as a result of distracted driving in Maryland. Almost 6,000 people were killed in 2008 nationwide as a result of distracted driving. If you or someone you know was injured by a distracted driver, you have legal rights. The distracted driver may be liable for damages to your automobile, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
For an experienced auto accident attorney in Baltimore who is dedicated to helping automobile accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, at 877-228-4878 for your free consultation. As a Maryland injury attorney with years of experience handling car accident cases, Mr. Heisler has the legal knowledge you need to be successful with your case.
Police Looking for Boaters in Boat and Run Accident
By injuheis on July 6, 2010
The Maryland Natural Resources Police are searching for a boat that was involved in a hit and run boating accident that occurred near the Chesapeake Bay at Thomas Point, according to The Baltimore Sun.
A powerboat traveling at about 40 knots hit the stern of an anchored sailboat, knocking the sailboat’s owner into the water and breaking both of his legs in the boating accident in Maryland. The man said he attempted to avoid the collision by diving underneath the surface of the water but the boat stuck both of his legs. He was rescued by Natural Resources Police officers who jumped into the water as he started to sink beneath the surface.
NRP officers are looking for a white 21 foot Donzi speedboat, which carried a couple in their 30s or 40s. Under Maryland law, boaters are required to travel at safe speeds and to have a lookout.
According to statistics, most boating accidents in the United States are caused by collisions. In 2007, there were 1,329 boating accidents that were caused by collisions. Those accidents killed 66 people and injured 953. One of the most typical causes of a collision is the failure to keep a proper lookout.
Those who have been injured or killed in a Maryland boating collision as the result of someone else’s negligence are entitled to compensation. That compensation can include sums for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, lost income, and more. An experienced Maryland personal injury attorney can help obtain the award you deserve. Contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation.
Washington County Motorcycle Accident Injures Two Men
By injuheis on July 5, 2010
A motorcycle and a car collided earlier this month in Carroll County. The collision occurred at the intersection of Broadfording Road and Md. 63, according to an article in The Herald-Mail. Two individuals were riding a motorcycle on Md. 63 when a Monte Carlo pulled out from a stop sign to cross the road. The motorcycle hit the driver’s side of the car and both riders were thrown from the bike.
The motorcycle’s driver was flown to a trauma center in critical condition. The motorcycle passenger was taken to a local hospital with a broken arm, a collapsed lung, and chest injuries. The automobile’s driver refused treatment.
The intersection where the accident occurred is known for being dangerous because of a large tree that obstructs the view from both intersecting roads.
In 75 percent of motorcycle accidents, the motorcycle collides with another vehicle, usually a passenger vehicle. The major cause of motorcycle accidents in Maryland is the failure of motorists to see and recognize motorcycles in traffic. The most likely place for motorcycle accidents is intersections, as it occurred in this particular crash, and usually involves the other motorist violating the motorcycle’s right of way. The visibility of the motorcycle also plays a large part in motorcycle accidents – the more visible the motorcycle, the less the risk of an accident.
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident involving a motorcycle? Tragically, motorcycle accidents can result in more bodily injury to the rider than individuals riding in enclosed vehicles. If you have been involved in a Maryland motorcycle accident as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation. Our Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers are eager to assist you.
Brace Yourself: Another Toyota Recall!
By injuheis on July 2, 2010
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for Toyota, the Detroit Free Press and New York Times are reporting that the Japanese automaker has recalled nearly 300,000 vehicles worldwide due to defective engines.
A Toyota spokesperson stated that “a defective engine part in the affected vehicles could cause unstable idling and cause the engine to stall.” The news agency Reuters state that 90,000 of the defective vehicles are Lexus’.
Reuters is also reporting that this most recent recall might cost Toyota $228 million. As you probably remember, Toyota recently recalled nearly 9 million vehicles as a result of faulty brakes.
If an engine stalls while the vehicle is on a highway or in heavy traffic, it obviously can place the driver and his or her passengers in a dangerous situation. If you own a Toyota or Lexus car and you receive a recall notice, do the prudent thing and get the car inspected as soon as possible.
Steve Heisler takes vehicle safety seriously. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a Maryland defective automobile, call Steve, “The Injury Lawyer,” at 1-877-228-4878 to learn more about your rights. Steve is a Maryland defective automobile injury lawyer and can help.
CPSC Warns of Fireworks Injuries During Fourth of July Weekend
By injuheis on July 1, 2010
A new study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that fireworks-related incidents were responsible for two deaths in 2009 and approximately 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries. According to the CPSC, throughout the 30 days near last year’s holiday, about 6,000 injuries involving fireworks were reported in which half of the injuries related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.
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.
Parental supervision is essential when legal fireworks are being used. Never allow young children to set-off or play with fireworks or other gadgets. It is also important to never throw or point fireworks at another individual. To learn more about how you can help prevent serious injuries related to fireworks this Fourth of July holiday, please refer to the CPSC’s website for consumer fireworks safety tips.
Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” wants consumers to fully understand the importance of safety during the Independence Day holiday in Maryland and nationwide. Do not disregard safety measures. Take every necessary precaution to protect yourself and others.