Metro DC Personal Injury Lawyer - Wrongful Death

Another "Made in China" Toy Recall

David Tompkins — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:46:53 GMT

File this one under ,"No longer surprising." The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of AQUA DOTS. News of the recall has been widely reported, like at Reuters.

I wish I was surprised by this, but after the last few months, I can't be. What makes me so mad is that MY kids got these stupid bead toys!

When these first got to the house, I KNEW these were trouble. At first, the beads were a mild choking hazard (small, sticky) but that was the extent of it. I should have trusted my parental instincts. I should have KNOWN that the MADE IN CHINA label was trouble. I just thought, "Hey, the kids like the toy." Boy was I wrong! This isn't just about a little lead paint that will make a generation of our kids stupid, this chemical laced plastic candy looking thing will KILL your kid. Wow. Ponder that one!

DON'T BUY CHINEESE MADE TOYS AT ALL!

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Tompkins

Trasylol Marketing Suspended

David Tompkins — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:15:30 GMT

From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that, at the agency's request, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. has agreed to a marketing suspension of Trasylol, a drug used to control bleeding during heart surgery, pending detailed review of preliminary results from a Canadian study that suggested an increased risk for death."

It would seem that that Bayer has put this drug on the market thinking only about its profit margin. There are currently two other medications to deal with bleeding issues during heart surgery, neither of which have such significant risk of DEATH. It is almost as though Bayer thought that cardiac surgery was not risky enough, the drug company thought it needed to add a little "spice" to serious heart surgery.

In my mind, it seems like Bayer, not having any heart, simply needs to make money by competing in the "drug marketplace" with an inferior product but with much better marketing. You sell more drugs if you give cardiac surgeons a nice new putter! Put Trasylol on the putter head so they see that brand every time the need to make birdie!

I would note that the FDA's initial response in 2006 (a year ago??) was not to question the drug, order a more in-depth study, or pull the drug. The FDA asked for a "stronger warning." Give me a break! People with heart conditions needing coronary bypass surgery are NOT SHOPPERS or CONSUMERS! The are not comparing drugs to limit bleeding or clotting during thoracic surgery. They are sick, feeble, and vulnerable people. Warning labels don't protect them.

Government oversight and ethical pharmacutical industry practices would protect us. That is not what happens. They have to kill or injure people and take the litigation lottery to see if they can escape any liability. Then they blame so-called greedy victims (or grieving family members) or their counsel for their dastardly conduct.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Tompkins

Wrongful Death Case Filed Against Cruise Line

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:16:41 GMT

Carnival Cruise Line has been sued for wrongful death after a man became ill from Norovirus and died while on a trans-atlantic cruise. The 76-year-old man was one of hundreds that became ill on the 16-day voyage. The lawsuit alleges he became ill from eating contaminated food. The ship's doctor was also listed in the lawsuit.

Norovirus is a highly contagious illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea and is second only to the common cold in its prevalence. The bug, which typically lasts one to three days, is unusually hardy and can spread through feces and vomiting, food contamination and by contact with surfaces such as doorknobs and railings.
It is rare for Norovirus to result in death, although cases have been noted among the frail and elderly.

The cruise line commented that the man died from a pre-existing condition and they were not responsible for his illness and death. The man was sailing on the Carnival Liberty from Italy in November of 2006. The cruise line is based in Miami.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann