Personal Injury Law: Do you have a wrongful death lawsuit?

It's true a wrongful death jury award can never bring a loved one back. A personal injury law victory also does not fill the void left when a wife and mother is suddenly taken away through the negligence of others.

Gordon Gibb of www.lawyersandsettlements.com tells the story of a legal case where simple act cost someone her life and $2.6 million in compensation.

"While any medical condition can be complex in nature," says Mr. Gibb, " the case that pitted the family of a deceased woman against Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Illinois hinged on a questionable hospital protocol that is alleged to have only required a nurse to place a lab report into a folder, and place it on a doctor's desk without verbally informing the doctor-or any doctor, for that matter--that the contents of the file were key to the survivability of a serious infection."

Mutual Fund Losses

Have you invested in mutual funds and suffered losses? If so, such a financial loss is usually devastating to the average investor.

Few investors play around with mutual funds for the sport of it. Most of us do it out of desperation to fund our retirement, or as a means to send our kids to college. With traditional retirement plans now virtually a thing of the past, many people are now in the position of having to fund their own retirement.

Because we have our future on the line, when we lose, it's more than just an annoyance. It's a devastation.

Kobe Byrant: Do You Have a California Labor Law Lawsuit?

Did you know California labor laws exist to protect innocent workers from the unfair practices of employers?

As a rule, the majority of infractions allegedly occur in a large, organized work environment but not always. Sometimes they allegedly happen in the home of a famous sports icon, with the alleged victim working in a domestic setting.

Such is the case with Maria Jimenez, the former housekeeper for NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant. Reportively Jimenez filed a lawsuit last week in Orange County Superior Court alleging that she was "harassed and humiliated" while on the job.

Montana Plane Crash - Who Was On Board?

What a tragedy for the 14 people (and their families) who lost their lives when a single-engine turboprop crashed into a cemetery in Butte, Montana Sunday.

Fourteen lives gone in an instant.

As of yet, investigators trying to unravel the Montana plane crash have not officially released the identities of those on board. However, according to CNN the grieving relatives of the victims have identified the doomed passengers.

Reglan - A Black Box Warning

Did you know that after possibly knowing for years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is only know getting around to mandating a black box warning for Reglan side effects (Reglan tardive dyskinesia)?

Metoclopramide side effects can be either temporary, or permanent. It can have life-altering effects on a patient's health and well-being.

You see, Reglan is prescribed to treat various gastrointenstinal disorders. These disorders include but are not limited to the slow stomach emptying that can occur in tandem with diabetes.

Peanut Butter Salmonella Scare & Peanut Butter Recall Update

Did you know that just weeks after it was linked to peanut butter salmonella and one of the largest food recalls in US history Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has filed for liquidation?

The fallout continues to rise. The death toll currently stands at 9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.

To date there is believed to be a total of 637 illnesses linked to the peanut butter salmonella outbreak. A total of more than 2000 products have also been recalled.

Continential Connection Flight 3407 - The Investigation Continues

Did you know that when Continental Connection Flight 3407 made impact with the house in Clarence Center, New York on February 12, 2009 the Bombardier Dash 8 twin turboprop commuter plane was NOT on autopilot?

Reports say that it was on autopilot a mere 26 seconds prior to impact. That's when the aircraft's sensors detected a 'looming stall' A.K.A. aircraft speak for a pending catastrophic loss of lift over the plane's wings.

You see, the 'shaker-stick' warning system kicks in, and violently vibrates the plane's control yoke which is meant to alert the pilot that a correction is necessary ASAP. The autopilot is then disengaged automatically.

Side Impact Testing & What You Should Know

Did you know that recent changes have been made to side-impact testing? Thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) its a good first step towards improved crash-worthiness of the vehicles we drive.

However 'Public Citizen', the noted advocacy group, believes much more needs to be done.

The reality is motorists are still being killed or maimed in vehicles.

How to check a broker's background

Some securities specialists say that unearthing complete information about any stock broker's background is difficult and that most consumers don't realize that the industry is largely self-regulated.

Plane Crash: It Happens in Threes

While it might be true that more people die in automobile crashes than in air accidents, there seems to be an increasing number of planes running into distress, resulting in death or disaster for those unlucky enough to be on board when the plane either falls from the sky, or refuses to get off the ground.

Case in point: a pilot lost his life just this morning when the cargo plane he was attempting to fly crashed during takeoff at Barnstable Municipal Airport at Hyannis.

According to a spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the plane was 500 feet down the runway when it crashed just after 10am this morning. Although it was not known if the plane was in the air, or had wheels still on the tarmac at the point of impact, it is known that the pilot, who was not identified, was the only person in the cargo plane when it crashed. The plane was owned by Wiggins Airways of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Plane Crash: Parachutist Sues for Injuries

When the single-engine Cessna P206 plane crashed into a field in Lawrence County last month, two people were killed. One of those killed was a parachutist who had exited the plane as it was spiraling downward, out of control. Sadly, the doomed skydiver didn't survive after her reserve chute deployed too early, and became entangled in the tail. Beyond the fatal injuries she suffered, one can imagine the horror of her last moments.

It has yet to be determined if the families of two parachutists killed in the crash--the doomed jumper entangled by the tail, and another who died in the plane's fuselage as it hit the ground--will be launching lawsuits. However, a surviving parachutist who suffered a broken right leg as she exited the out-of-control plane has filed suit against the skydiving company that oversaw the doomed flight, the owner of the company and the pilot of the downed plane, who survived but was critically injured.

California Software Developers: A Reality Check on Overtime, Overdue

It would be an interesting exercise to focus a webcam on a roomful of computer workers--and a clock--to gauge just how many hours you, and your colleagues are working, and to guess as to whether or not you're being paid the overtime you may be owed for working those long hours.

The fact remains that there are strict rules for the payment, or exclusion of payment of California overtime for development professionals.

Even though the threshold levels have changed in favor of the employer, you still might be in the position of being stiffed for the overtime that is officially your right. That denial might be happening simply because your employer is dishonest. Or, it may be happening simply because you haven't verified what your classification is, and how the work you actually do, actually compares to the classification your employer has bestowed upon you.

Checking Criminal Records

Since 9/11, Americans have become very security conscious. It is increasingly common for job seekers to find that a prospective employer checks criminal records, as part of the hiring process. Many companies are even conducting background checks on long-time employees. As a result, some people are finding that youthful indiscretions that had been previously overlooked are coming back to haunt them once their criminal records checks are completed.

Tragic Boating Accident: He Didn't Stand a Chance

With the approaching summer comes the season for boating accidents, as landlubbers take to the lakes in record numbers for some sun and some fun on the water. But all too often there is tragedy, as witnessed by the death of a boater just a week before summer on the Columbia River near Finley, in Washington State.

A 74-year-old man was boating with his wife on a 30-foot Tollycraft cabin cruiser, when they were hit from behind by another boat. The Tollycraft was in actual fact anchored, about 200 feet from shore along the Columbia River in Benton County, when a 28-foot Chaparral cuddy cabin day cruiser carrying four passengers slammed the Tollycraft from behind. The collision happened around 8pm on June 14th.

According to an eyewitness who was fishing along the riverbank, the Chaparral launched up over the stern of the slightly larger cabin cruiser, completely ripping off a blue canopy that covered the length of the boat. The two vessels eventually broke apart, and the Chaparral started drifting downriver.

Railroad Worker Injuries: Life and Death on the Rails

Life on the railroad can be tough, and is anything but the romanticized image of big, tough men (and women) happily slugging it out with a smile on their face and coal dust in their lungs. Given the dynamics of the tracks, the size of the trains and the various substances, dusts and chemicals inherent with running, and maintaining a rail service, life is anything but easy and ones' health is anything but assured given the risks associated with railroad worker safety.

Case in point is David Gibbs, a rail worker with Union Pacific Railroad based in Steelville, Illinois. Employed as a signal maintainer, Gibbs filed a complaint under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA 1908) in US District Court earlier this month alleging that Union Pacific failed to provide him with a safe place to work.

Unauthorized Mobile Content: Consumers are Fighting Back

It's called 'cramming' and it's got nothing to do with studying for an exam. Cramming is the latest catch phrase for unauthorized mobile content that shows up on your cell phone bill that you didn't authorize. You didn't order it, didn't ask for it, and didn't subscribe to it--at least knowingly. And yet you continue to get billed by a third party for something you hardly even know exists, let alone use.

Thankfully, people are fighting back. The proof is in the number of class action lawsuits that have been filed by mobile phone users fed up with unauthorized third-party billing, and last week a major announcement by AT&T Mobility that it would settle a group of class action suits, and issue refunds to consumers who are out-of-pocket for services they never used and didn't want.

It's easy enough to do. According to the Utilities Consumers Action Network (UCAN), a not-for-profit advocacy group based in San Diego, a consumer can subscribe to everything from ring tones, to horoscopes to a joke-of-the-day and never know it. Perhaps you have filled out a form, or entered a contest that required the inclusion of your cell phone number.

California Software Developers Overtime: We Feel Your Pain

Okay, so you're a California software developer. You love what you do, and you make a decent living at it. You reside in one of the most glorious places on earth--but you don't necessarily love your life. That's because you also love your wife and your kids, and your hobbies, but you have no time for them because you're spending 80 hours a week staring bug-eyed into a computer monitor. Worse, you're denied overtime that you think is your right under the California overtime statutes.

And enough with the "hey, you're one of the team" and "we're all in this together" BS. You haven't seen the sun in days; you're putting on weight because you don't have the time to run anymore. Your son hit his first home run in Little League while you were a no show--again--and your lovely bride is not bothering to return your emails anymore.

Zurn Pex Plumbing Leaves Homeowners Fretting Over Fittings

There's little doubt as to the advantages of Zurn PEX plumbing systems over traditional copper: the material is lightweight and easy to handle, and much less expensive. Not quite as popular with thieves, either. It offers freeze damage resistance, and prevention of lime, and mineral build-up.

And with fewer fittings, proponents say there are fewer installation errors. However, some of those fewer fittings have been known to fail prematurely, causing leaks and damage to homes.

Let's get married, let's get more information about it

A civil union between two people whether religious or otherwise is commonly called a wedding; reforms to the law and attitudes regarding marriage have seen a number of important changes in recent years. The ceremony is an opportunity to perform a traditional service and celebrate with friends and family. the law requires that the couple sign the marriage certificate in front of witnesses before the marriage can be legally accepted. Traditionally, the woman getting married is the bride and the man the bridegroom usually abbreviated to groom; they are then referred to by the title husband and wife, once they are married.

Rail Worker Fatigue: Tired, and Working the Trains

A tired worker is a threat to himself as well as those he serves. In the case of a railway worker diagnosed with Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder (CRSD), the impairment from lack of sleep could carry significant consequences, and falls within the responsibility of Norfolk Southern Railway according to a FELA lawsuit that has recently been launched.

The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) was enacted at the turn of the last century in response to a spate of injuries and deaths suffered by rail workers on the then-humming rail lines. While rail service has fallen from its once-lofty perch, the institution is still alive and viable--and the risks for rail workers are, too.

Different Wedding Services, know about it

Whilst there are many interpretations of a wedding, generally speaking they are still a religious or legal union between two individuals; many changes to the service have occurred in recent years. Despite the religious aspect to a marriage, it is still a legal matter; the law requires that the couple sign the marriage certificate in front of witnesses before the marriage can be legally accepted. A woman taking part in the ceremony is called a bride, a man called a bridegroom; once they are married they known as the wife and husband.

TACA Plane Crash: Airport a Disaster Waiting to Happen

Lawyers representing those injured or traumatized, or the families of those killed aboard the commercial airliner that crashed in Honduras May 30th, may have no shortage of entities on which to attach blame for the plane crash, given the ultimate design, and the history of the airport.

It was May 30th when the Airbus A-320 touched down at Toncontin International Airport on its second attempt, skidding past the end of the runway and barreling into a hill, killing the pilot and two passengers. Two people were killed on the ground in their cars crushed by the hulk of the Airbus plane.

The pilot, with over 11,000 hours of flight logged in the air, aborted his first attempt to land due to poor visibility. On his second attempt, he touched down in the middle of what is already one of the shortest runways in the world--a runway that was also wet, which worsened braking.

How to identify junk faxers

The good news is that you can always find out who is sending you the junk faxes if you follow the steps below.

First use this page: How to identify the fax broadcaster

If you get an unsolicited fax, follow this procedure (one of the first three is almost always guaranteed to work):

California Labor Law: Contractors Who Don't Play By the Rules

So you're a construction worker in California. And you've been following the news reports about the construction crane accidents in Manhattan, and even though you're not working on, or anywhere near a crane you wonder if everything is on the up-and-up with your employer. Well you have California Labor Law on your side.

You would be happy to know that there are various California labor laws and statutes that protect you from an abusive employer. You should also be happy to know that the Labor Standards Enforcement arm of the Labor Commissioner's Office keeps a close eye on things.

Truck Accident: Tragic Tangle with a Tractor-Trailer

She was a soccer player--caring, and fun-loving. When a classmate's dog died, she baked the grieving owner cookies. That's the type of person Sydney Aichs was. And that's why so many friends and loved ones are mourning her death to a truck accident after her small car was rammed by a tractor-trailer running a red light. The 16-year-old Virginian was pronounced dead at the scene while the truck driver, Kenneth Barbour, 54, escaped unharmed.

The Waynesboro man would be later charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. If convicted of the first charge, he faces up to 10 years in prison, together with an additional year in jail and a $2,500 fine if also convicted of the lesser charge.

Unum: Healthy Employees, Unhealthy Practices

A company with a reputation for denying legitimate claims and throwing the lives of well-meaning policy holders into chaos has again been honored with an award recognizing its commitment to the health of its employees. Unum took home a Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award from the National Business Group on Health this month, its third such win.

This Jeckyll-and-Hyde personality trait inherent with the nation's largest insurance provider makes for an interesting, if not troubling twist as reports keep coming in from consumers and policyholders shaken to the core by Unum's alleged efforts to deny their claim, or berate them over the continuation of payments for legitimate needs.

Asbestos Mesothelioma: A Death Sentence Has Its Price

The family of a pipe fitter who has since died from an asbestos-related disease is launching a second lawsuit against a collection of 35 companies. The lawsuit was filed in May, and states that the defendants should have warned workers and consumers about the dangers of asbestos, and asbestos mesothelioma.

The late Ernest L. Edwards had earlier filed a lawsuit and received a settlement. However, subsequent to his death Edwards' family is suing with regard to "a different malignant asbestos-related injury" that the family claims resulted in Edwards' premature death.

New York City Crane Collapse Update: A Bad Weld May be at Fault

In the aftermath of the latest construction crane collapse in New York City that claimed two lives yesterday, focus is being placed on a potentially faulty weld in an integral part of the crane structure.

The larger issue, however--and one that has been the subject of much debate over the past 24 hours--remains how this could have happened in view of the stringent tightening of regulations that was the result of a March 16th collapse that took seven lives. Commenting to a reporter from the New York Times on Friday Louis J. Coletti, who is president of the Building Trades Employers' Association, said "you've seen some new regulation put into place by the City, but today we're talking about an incident where every regulation has been followed."

Yamaha Rhino Rollovers: Two Die in Two Separate Rollovers on the Same Day

An all-terrain vehicle that may be more familiar to people lying on its side than on all four wheels is the subject of yet another lawsuit alleging a dangerous design, as users of the popular Yamaha Rhino ATV continue to suffer serious injuries, or even death.

Ryan Rogers, of Bossier City, Texas claims that he was injured while riding in a Yamaha Rhino that rolled towards the passenger side. While his suit does not specify his injuries, or break out the alleged defects of the vehicle in which he was riding when injured, the lawsuit is just one of hundreds that have cited Yamaha, and the Rhino ATV for design flaws such as a high center of gravity and tires that are too narrow--attributes which are said to invite rollover accidents, even at relatively low speeds and on relatively flat surfaces.

Second Construction Crane Toppled in Two Months, One Person Killed

A second construction crane accident in New York City in two months is raising questions about the safety of building, and infill construction practices in city centers and highly populated areas. Early reports say one person was killed when a construction crane toppled in New York City this morning, and the incident is eerily similar to an event that happened earlier this Spring when a huge construction crane toppled to the ground in New York, killing seven people, injuring dozens of others and scaring an entire city half to death.

How does this keep happening?

The construction day had barely begun this morning on the Azure, a high-rise condo going up at 333 East 91st street in New York City. According to eyewitness Joe Quinn, he had started work at 7am this morning along with 24 others as part of a crew stationed on the roof of the building. According to Quinn, in comments published moments ago in the New York Times, the turntable that attached the crane to the tower "came right off. Boom..." The startled 25-year-old observed that there was no weight on it whatsoever, and therefore wasn't stressed in any particular fashion. "It wasn't hooked up to anything," Quinn said. "The disk came off where it attaches to the tower.

"I ran like hell."

Zurn PEX: the Ticking Time Bomb Behind Your Walls

The retired doctor from Minnesota must have been thanking his lucky stars that he was home when his upstairs bathroom sprung a leak above the ceiling. He was there to shut the water off before thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars might have been done as a result of a defective Zurn PEX brass fitting.

Others haven't been so lucky, and more are joining a class action lawsuit against Zurn Industries, alleging a defect in the brass fittings that join lengths of PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene pipe, together.

Few in the industry, including plumbers, have anything bad to say about the actual PEX pipe, which is a flexible and less expensive alternative to far more expensive copper products. The flexibility is a godsend, given the prior requirement to accomplish literally hundreds of cuts and joins in a typical structure, while working with a rigid product like copper. PEX, in contrast, can be easily threaded and dramatically cuts down on installation time, as well as cost. PEX is also thought to be a worthy improvement on the problem-prone polybutylene piping.

50+ Address and Telephone Number Records Companies

This information index is designed to direct you to a public record vendor specializing in an information category you need.

The list below consists of public and private address and telephone number information companies. All vendors are listed in alphabetical order along with and their web address.

Canceling Your Credit Card: A Novel Idea Recorded on Phone

I don't normally do this, as those of you who read my blog well know, but I just finished reading an extremely interesting post on canceling your credit card. Seems it was written by this guy, Bob Rankin, who simply wanted to lessen his load (as I'm sure many of us do, these days) by canceling a credit card, one that he no longer needed . . .

Securities / Stock Fraud: Big Boys Roll the Dice, the Little Guy Loses...

Not that his team is in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Well, at least not this year. But on the night that the pre-eminent hockey championship launches before a sea of ribald hockey fans far removed from California, the owner of the Anaheim Ducks hockey club has resigned as Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Broadcom Corp after allegations of securities fraud.

A civil complaint has been filed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Henry Samueli, alleging that he backdated 232 million stock options in an effort to make them more valuable. Samueli, it has been reported, denies the allegation--and of course is presumed innocent of the charge until proven guilty. Such is the court of public opinion, however, which automatically assumes that someone is guilty the instant a charge is laid.

Are Background Checks an "Inherently Governmental" Matter?

Pennsylvania officials gambled and lost in having the state Gaming Control Board rather than state police handle some aspects of background checks on applicants for casino licenses.

SuperShuttle International Inc: Allegations that Drivers are Made to Pay the Freight

In a case that gets right down to where the rubber hits the road, employees of a California shuttle company are hoping that a class-action lawsuit will shift their case into overdrive, and force their employer to ante up millions of dollars in unpaid overtime.

Employees of SuperShuttle International Inc. allege that their employer has misclassified them as 'independent contactors' and / or 'franchisees' over a four-year period. Such designations would allow the company, the suit alleges, to do an end run around State labor laws and statutes governing basics such as minimum wage and overtime pay.

Menu Foods Agrees to $24 Million Settlement in Tainted Pet Food Case

Pet owners impacted by the massive Menu Foods tainted pet food recall of last year will soon be making a trip to their bank, provided a US $24 million dollar settlement offer is approved by the courts.

The pact was agreed to in principle back in April. However, on May 22nd came the signal that an agreement with all parties had been reached, subject to court approval, which is expected this Friday.

If approved, any and all pet owners impacted by the Menu pet food recall will be eligible for compensation for any, and all documented expenses related to the illness, or death of their pet--including veterinarian bills, or burial costs. Pet owners who may have been forced, or elected to take time off work could also expect compensation for time lost on the job. Burial expenses would also be covered.

Deadly Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis: Who Dropped the Ball?

Imagine driving to work, as you do every day, only to have the bridge underneath you suddenly give way and collapse. That's what happened to scores of people last year after an unsafe bridge in Minneapolis simply gave up, killing 13 people and injuring 145.

Now it's been revealed that not only was the bridge not safe, but that transportation officials were told for 17 consecutive years that the bridge was not safe. They allegedly did nothing about it.

We all recall the images last August 1st, of heaving asphalt, crumpled steel and what was left of cars and their passengers trapped therein, disappearing into holes. Pity the people driving underneath the bridge at the exact instant the structure, with all its weight, fell in on top of them, killing them instantly or horribly maiming them for life--not to mention the psychological impact of having something like that happen to you. The images were disturbing enough for those of us watching the disaster unfold on television, from the comfort of our own homes.

The tragedy is that it appears it could have been prevented.

Writer vs. Sun Microsystems in California Labor Law Case

Yet another California Labor Law class action is brewing in the sun-kissed State, in support of a technical writer for Sun Microsystems who claims she was denied legitimate overtime.

Dani Heonemier was happily employed by another firm when the company was purchased by Sun Microsystems in 2005. However, Heonemier's relationship with her new employer proved anything but sunny, after she soon found herself sometimes working 60 hour work weeks, often without breaks and most often without overtime.

The technical writer is accusing Sun Microsystems of unfairly treating about 300 technical writers, and is challenging the company's assertion that technical writers qualify as exempt from overtime pay according to the provisions in California Labor Law governing overtime pay.

Tainted Heparin Investigation Continues, Lawsuits Keep Coming...

As the tainted heparin issue continues to reverberate around the globe, lawsuits continue to mount as those harmed by contaminated heparin, or the families of those who have died, seek compensation in the face of a complex and convoluted environment.

In a word, whom do you blame? The manufacturer, for sourcing the tainted heparin from China in the first place? Or the government, for not providing the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the necessary tools to police imports? In Missouri, they're suing the manufacturer -- in this case, for allegedly waiting too long to initiate a recall.

Asbestos Mesothelioma: From the Shop Floor to Hollywood

He may have lived half the world away in England, but Ken Myring died from a horrid disease that can root out anyone, anywhere - and asbestos exposure is almost always the cause of asbestos mesothelioma. Myring lost his brief battle and died in December at the age of 82, and now his widow is searching for his former coworkers.

Your life's work should earn you a comfortable and restful retirement. It shouldn't kill you and rob you of the leisure you spent a lifetime setting aside. But that's what happened to Myring. All he did was get up in the morning and go to work at Sketchley, a hosiery factory on Rugby Road at Hinckley, in southwest Leicestershire, England. From 1939 to 1982 he went to work faithfully every day, working in an environment where the steam pipes were lagged with asbestos, and the steam presses were covered with an asbestos blanket. Even the roof of the factory, made from corrugated asbestos cement sheets, could have released asbestos fibers that led to Mr. Myring's fatal condition.

Ford Parts Backlog: Owners Get Short End of the Stick

Imagine receiving a recall notice for a fairly serious problem with your Ford vehicle - one that could cause your vehicle to catch fire. So you duly respond to the recall, only to be told that there aren't enough parts, and that you'll have to wait. The parts backlog means you're continuing to drive a dangerous vehicle that could catch fire at any moment.

Even when it's just sitting, parked in the driveway.

Such is the frustration of hundreds of thousands of Ford owners who have received recall notices for faulty cruise control systems. At issue is a faulty switch that could produce a short in the electrical system. Some owners have experienced fires while driving. However, others have seen their vehicles go up in flames parked in the driveway. One family completely lost their house when their Ford Explorer caught fire in the garage. Both the truck, and the home were completely destroyed.

Asbestos Found in Children's Toy

A children's toy allegedly containing harmful asbestos has resulted in state and federal lawsuits filed on May 2, 2008 in California. Named in the lawsuits are Planet Toys Inc. and CBS Broadcasting Inc. after asbestos was allegedly found in a line of popular CSI toy science kits modeled after the equally popular CSI drama series.

Planet Toys manufactures the toys, which are licensed by CBS.

Icy Hot Patch = Severe Burns For Many

The voluntary recall by Chattem Inc of its high-profile line of Icy Hot Pain patch must have been frustrating for a company that looked to the product with so much promise when it was launched in 2001. However, the company could not deny the fact that users were complaining of severe burns and skin irritations, and had little choice but to commence an urgent recall this past winter.

Critics maintain the company waited too long to pull the trigger, with adverse event reports coming in as long as 14 months before the recall was announced. The Icy Hot Patch is air-activated, and is designed to start off cool, then evolve to a sustained but gentle heat, replicating the long-held belief that icing a sore muscle first, followed by heat therapy, is the best way to ease the pain and soothe sore, aching muscles. Directions suggest that a patch can be worn for up to eight hours safely.

Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Gone Wrong

Colin Dorrian was a promising law school student when he sought relief from a chronic dry eye condition by undergoing Lasik laser eye surgery. However, rather than improving his vision and freeing him from his contacts, the procedure left him with so much eye pain and fuzzy vision that after six years, he took his own life.

"As soon as my eyes went bad, I fell into a deeper depression than I'd ever experienced, and I couldn't get out," the doomed man wrote in his suicide note.

Lasik surgery has exploded in popularity in recent years, as clients with increasing amounts of disposable income and the vanity needed to throw away their glasses and contacts for good, go under the knife at a cost that averages about $2000 per eye. Radio, TV and magazines burst with advertisements for a procedure that boasts a high success rate--and indeed the vast majority benefits with 20-20 vision, or better.

Real Estate Overcharges: Others Get Rich on Your Money

You know what they say--look after the pennies, and the dollars will look after themselves. So it stands to reason that unscrupulous agents and officials involved with various real estate transactions are doing quite nicely pocketing extra money from real estate overcharges. Money that is rightfully yours.

There is little doubt that a real estate transaction is a complicated process, and to the average Joe it can be overwhelming. Not so, however, for the various officials and agents we hire to steer us through the process. They do this every day of the week, vs. a handful of times in a lifetime for us. As a result, it's not hard to pull the wool over our eyes.

Botox Critics Continue to Lobby for Black Box Warnings

As critics of Botox continue to lobby for black box warnings regarding the potential for the toxin to migrate away from injection sites to affect muscular function that could allegedly prove injurious or even fatal to a patient, the drug best known for its cosmetic indication is currently being studied for the potential treatment of headache.

Allergan Inc., the maker of Botox, is currently in the midst of Phase III clinical studies testing the potential use of Botox for headaches. While it has not been determined just how the Botox would be administered for this indication if approved, it's ironic that a recent study coming out of Italy found that Botox injected into the whisker muscles of lab rats migrated into the brain.

Hospitality Industry: Management Sharing Tips?

A ruling in April governing the hospitality industry in New York could have a sweeping effect as to just what is a service charge, and what is a tip. And for management sharing tips, the ruling could spell an end to that practice. Here's the scoop, or the tip if you will...

Server Arnel Samiento and his colleagues who work for World Yacht, took exception to the fact that their employer did not pass along the entire 20 percent service charge, levied to patrons aboard their dinner cruises in New York harbor, to the waitstaff. The employees further alleged misrepresentation, in that customers were led to believe that the gratuity was included in the ticket price, while at the end of the day the wait staff would only see a gratuity in real dollars of between four and seven percent. The remainder would be split amongst managers working the day.

MRI's May Induce Onset of a Debilitating Malady

Having a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan using the contrasting agent gadolinium during the procedure may induce the onset of a debilitating malady commonly known as NSF/NFD.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a painful condition that is characterized by the thickening and hardening of the skin mostly affecting the limbs but the disease can also impact internal organs and can progress so rapidly, a patient can regress from healthy to wheelchair-bound within a matter of weeks.

Choosing A Good Divorce Attorney

Unfortunately the chances of a married couple splitting up gets higher each year so hiring a divorce lawyer is the next crucial step; ensure they have at least the following abilities:

*Competent in this field *Have the right attitude for this work *Be responsible

Nevada Hepatitis C Scare: Testing Candidates Approach 60,000

While 40,000 people have been identified as candidates for testing in the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada hepatitis C scare, that number could climb to 60,000. What's more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, such unsafe practices as re-using syringes and double dipping into single-shot vials could be more widespread.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid is seeking $26 million in emergency funds from Congress in an effort to help suspected hepatitis C victims who can't afford to pay for the screening procedure. Money would also go to the CDC to ensure that the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada debacle isn't repeated elsewhere in the country.

Best Attorneys - A Solution To Your Divorce Problem

Unfortunately the chances of a married couple splitting up gets higher each year so hiring a divorce lawyer is the next crucial step; ensure they have at least the following abilities:

*Skilful in this type of case *Have the proper demeanor *Efficient in their work methods

Chantix and Champix Stories Abound

There is nothing more compelling than someone's own story, and the stories involving Chantix and its Canadian and European counterpart Champix, abound.

The smoking-cessation system introduced by Pfizer in 2006 does, indeed work for some. However, it appears that a greater proportion of users encounter serious side effects, not the least of which are aggression and anxiety, depression and suicide ideation. To that end, some have ended their own lives tragically while on the drug, which is designed to block nicotine from reaching the brain.

Tainted Heparin - Death Toll at 81

The tainted heparin juggernaut just keeps getting bigger: it was revealed on April 22, 2008 that the US Food and Drug Administration puts the death toll linked to tainted heparin at 81 deaths, and the country count is up to 11.

It was revealed, according to a report in the New York Times, that the FDA has now identified a clear link between the heparin contaminant oversulfated chondroitin sulfate--found in various lots of heparin inbound from China--and adverse reactions that have, according to the FDA, led to deaths.

Trasylol Lawsuits Against Bayer Mount

As Bayer AG continues to study the results of the Canadian BART trial on Trasylol, and whether or not those findings may compel the manufacturer to lobby health regulators as to the merits of re-marketing a now-vilified drug, its legal arm prepares for its day in court as lawsuits against Bayer mount.

One of those lawsuits was filed in March in Federal court in St. Louis on behalf of the family of the late Samuel Nakis, age 81, a heart surgery patient who went under the knife in December of 2005. However, soon after surgery the senior began to suffer from renal failure, and was placed on dialysis but to no avail. He died within a month of his surgery.

Heparin Contamination Deliberate: FDA

LeRoy Hubley not only lost his son, but also his wife to tainted heparin. He told stunned observers at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in Washington on April 29, 2008 that "as Christmas music played softly in the background, we each said our goodbyes," the distraught man said, breaking down in tears to a hushed room. "Then my wife and love of 48 years drifted away."

For the first time since it was revealed that a contaminant in tainted heparin sourced from China may be linked to as many as 81 deaths, officials with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have publicly put forth their belief that the addition of oversulfated chondroitin sulfate was a deliberate act.

Three People Die in Arizona Plane Crash

On the morning of April 23, 2008 three residents of Arizona took off in a light plane, not knowing that they would never see their families again, smell the spring air again, feel the warm sun again. Instead, their small plane crashed shortly after take-off, killing all three on board.

Plane crashes are always horrific, even when passengers survive. However, while the commercial airline industry still has a good track record in view of the sheer number of flights that happen in any given day, the same cannot be true for light aircraft. Increasingly, more people indulge their passion for flying, and baby boomers with higher levels of disposable income than their parents, can afford to own their own planes.

Possible Merck ERISA Violation Regarding Vytorin

When Merck dragged its feet for 21 months before releasing the ENHANCE study shaming Vytorin, the manufacturer allegedly did more than delay the bad news: it may have also delayed the returns, and derailed the retirement plans of thousands of investors unaware of a ticking time bomb. But Merck knew, and in so doing may have breached its fiduciary duty to investors under ERISA guidelines.

It's common knowledge by now that Vytorin, the so called cholesterol-fighting drug, has been deemed no more effective in mitigating the build-up of plaque on arterial walls than cheaper generics, including older statins. That conclusion, revealed by the ENHANCE study, was reached as early as April 2006 when the study data became available. However, for reasons known only to them, Merck and Schering-Plough delayed the release of the study, while continuing to heavily promote Vytorin in television and print in a market awash with Americans battling high cholesterol levels.

Icy Hot Patch Causes Painful Blisters

Robbie Bender of North Texas is an active boy and avid sports enthusiast who turned to the Icy Hot patch after the muscles in his legs started cramping up last year following soccer practice. However, as reported by nbc5i.com in Dallas/Fort Worth, Bender applied the patch to his leg just before bed--but soon awoke to painful blisters.

His mother, Linda reports that her son screamed in pain when the patch was pulled away, and the blisters representing a second-degree burn on his leg were obvious."It took (the manufacturer) several months to even respond, once I sent the information over," she told a television reporter.

Mutual Fund ERISA - Braden vs. Wal-Mart

A class action lawsuit filed in late March alleges that Wal-Mart, the giant discount retailer, violated mutual fund ERISA statutes and cost its 401(k) employee plan holders and investors $60 million in unnecessary expenditures by purchasing expensive mutual funds, when cheaper alternatives were available.

Jeremy Braden, an employee of Wal-Mart in Ozark, Missouri filed the suit March 31st in US District Court for the Western District of Missouri. His lawsuit appears to be a classic case of ERISA violation, given his allegations that Wal-Mart, and those responsible for managing and administering employee retirement and 401(k) plans (Plan), invested in retail mutual funds that were not only expensive, but were also under-performing.

How Asbestos Exposure Has Affected One Family Breadwinner

Larry Rochon is a man who knows all too well the dangers of asbestos, after working with floating asbestos fibers as constant companion at the Scott Paper Company. He also knows the dangers of that same asbestos exposure when transferred to his family.

While cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma from long-term asbestos exposure have long been documented, it's rare that you hear of family members succumbing to the asbestos exposure of the family breadwinner. But it can happen and it does, when a worker unknowingly transports asbestos fibers home on his clothes, or to car seats in the minivan.

It also behooves industry, which continues to legally utilize asbestos for the manufacture of automotive brake parts, for example, to ensure proper practices, and procedures are both implemented and enforced. Such practices might include breathing apparatus, and protective clothing, including headgear, gloves, and footwear that would be removed and not worn home. Ideally, workers would have the capacity to shower prior to getting back into their street clothes.

DirectTV Customer Complaints Grow Due to Unfair Fees

It's one thing for a company to protect its cash flow. In fact, ensuring adequate cash flow is a prerequisite to running a viable business. However, ensuring that cash flow through the alleged practice of unfair and unreasonable cancellation fees, and putting those fees on the backs of your clients and customers, has been described as unfair and unjust. To this end, a number of DirecTV customers allege ill will and unfairness with respect to cancellation fees.

A Tonawanda, New York couple had just this problem. Bill and Kim Schwartzkopf were, at one time, clients of DirecTV. At the point at which they believed their contract had run its course, the couple retired their satellite service and switched to cable.

Avandia Maker Cited By FDA

In what appears to be an epidemic amongst drug manufacturers, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken Avandia maker GlaxoSmithKline to task for withholding information about the drug long suspected of harboring a higher risk of heart attack than patients on other diabetes drugs.

A stern warning letter was forwarded to Glaxo on March 25th, and posted to the FDA web site one week ago. A spokesperson for the manufacturer chalked up the oversight to "inadvertent omissions."

However, that's not how the FDA saw it, calling the violations "serious" and ordering the company to take prompt action.

Plane Crash: When a Million-Dollar Plane Falls Apart in the Sky

When A.D. Williams Engineering President Reagan Williams taxied along the runway at the City Centre Airport in Edmonton, Alberta the morning of March 28th, he couldn't know that his Piper PA-46 aircraft would become the next plane crash statistic, and never make it back.

In fact, he couldn't know that within a half hour he, and his four passengers would be dead.

The Piper-46 Turbo Malibu lifted off from the tarmac enroute from Edmonton to Winnipeg around 8am Friday, when it disappeared from the radar at 8:12 AM mountain time. Wreckage was found about four hours later strewn across a wide area about 7 miles northeast of Wainwright, Alberta near the Battle River.

Veterans Malpractice: Will More Money Help?

Families who have been adversely affected by Veterans medical malpractice and the often deplorable conditions at some VA hospitals, are hoping that new congressional funding for VA hospitals--the largest single infusion of cash in the 77-year-history of Veteran's Affairs--will finally eradicate the crisis, and give veterans of all ages and stripes their due.

It has been a long time coming, as conditions at many VA hospitals worsen, and dubious medical practices resulted in the deaths, and injury of too many former soldiers.

Yamaha Rhino Announces Recall After Rollovers

One can well imagine the frustration of Yamaha Rhino rollover victims, or the families of those who have died in a Yamaha Rhino rollover, after it was announced that the 2008 Rhino models have been recalled for a potential brake problem.

For years, there has been ample concern about the design of the popular side-by-side ATV, embraced by many because of its car-like qualities. The Rhino seats two, in a side-by-side configuration much like a two-seater sports car. There is a cargo area in back for hauling gear, much like you would find with a pick-up truck. And yes, there is the requisite roll cage, grab handles and seat belts for occupants.

Heparin Deaths Soar to 62

Deaths linked to contaminated heparin have soared in recent months, with the death toll now standing at 62, up from 19. While no deaths have been reported since Baxter International, the giant pharmaceutical company and one of the world's leading suppliers of heparin recalled virtually all of its heparin product, the concern over heparin and suspected problems with the supply chain from China, remains.

In a detailed analysis by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is reported that most of the deaths were reported over a 3-month window beginning in December of last year, followed by deaths in January and February of this year. There have been no reports of deaths since the end of February, when Baxter initiated the recall. Covidien, which was formerly known as Tyco Healthcare, and B. Braun recalled much of its heparin product as well, as a precaution.

The Reality of US Reality TV Shows Unfair to Workers?

The reality for many workers on US Reality TV shows is long hours, and little or no overtime pay -- a contravention of California overtime statutes. It is for this reason that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is attempting to organize workers, to help them get a better deal from their employers.

Last Tuesday, 12 former workers of such leading TV shows as American Idol, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, and Amazing race filed complaints with State labor officials, seeking $500,000 in unpaid overtime and penalties.

Their plight is best represented by Justin Buckles, a former production assistant and production coordinator on the show 'American Idol.' Various reports state that Buckles claimed to have routinely worked 12 to 20 hour-days, seven days a week -- without lunch breaks.

Questions About Trasylol Date Back to 1963

When Bayer AG convenes its annual stockholder's meeting on April 25th in Cologne, the German group Coalition against BAYER Dangers (CBG) will be on hand to introduce countermotions to the proceedings, one of which will focus on the history, and dangers of Trasylol (known as Aprotinin).

Among other issues about which it plans to challenge Bayer AG, is an alleged violation of the rules of responsible corporate management over the most recent fiscal year. Among other issues it wants to discuss with Bayer, including the construction of waste incinerators and coal plants on Bayer sites, Bayer business activities in Burma and Bayer's alleged participation in illegal price fixing cartels, is the Trasylol debacle:

"Only after intervention by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) did BAYER stop marketing its heart surgery drug, Trasylol in November 2007," the motion states.

Heparin Scare Reaches Crisis Proportions

The heparin scare appears to be reaching crisis proportions as yet another manufacturer has recalled dozens of lots of its pre-filled syringes after a heparin-like contaminant was found in tested heparin.

Covidien announced the voluntary recall March 28th of 32 lots of Heparin Lock Flush Syringes containing various concentrations of heparin. The recall, announced in concert with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), comes on the heels of similar recalls by Baxter International, and B. Braun.

The most telling aspect of this latest recall, however, is the identity of Covidien's supplier--Scientific Protein Laboratories LLC--the same supplier implicated in the two prior recalls.

Counterfeit Heparin & Long Term Effects?

Patients with recently-implanted heart stents, vascular stents or grafts are wondering if they are going to be affected by the tainted heparin scare, after the US Food and Drug Administration last week alerted medical device manufacturers that they should review their sources of heparin. Some medical devices, including devices used in pulmonary bypass and in-vitro diagnostic procedures, are coated with heparin.

An FDA spokesperson assures that "we're not talking about a large amount" of heparin, in such devices. Still, amidst revelations that as much as 50 percent of the active ingredient of heparin inbound from China has been substituted with a counterfeit ingredient, one has to wonder about the long-term effects to constant exposure.

Chinese Daily News Workers Awarded $5.19 Million

Imagine 17-hours days with few breaks, if any, and no overtime pay. If you complained, you were told that there was someone ready and willing to take your job. Such is an example of the deplorable work requirements alleged in a class-action lawsuit that recently resulted in a $5.19 million dollar award to the workers of The Chinese Daily News, in Los Angeles.

Launched in 2004 on behalf of 200 employees, the class action resulted in a sum of $2.5 million, awarded by a jury in 2007. Upon appeal, the same judge presiding over the original trial, Consuelo B. Marshall of Federal District Court in Los Angeles, affirmed the original award, and then added to it. The increase includes 10 per cent interest on the original sum of $2.5 million, as well as penalties for violation of various labor laws.

Those violations were alleged to be outrageous.

FDA Chantix Suicide Video Disappears

In tandem with an update of safety warnings concerning Chantix by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a video presentation reportedly linking Chantix to suicide presented by the FDA and available through a link to its Patient Safety News web page, has suddenly disappeared.

As part of its service to drug consumers, the FDA has recently been providing a video service, or news show called FDA Patient Safety News. Billed as a video news show for health professionals, FDA Patient Safety News is basically the articulation of recent safety updates and concerns duly noted in text on the same web site, but presented in video form. Two professionally dressed hosts, one male and one female, sit behind a desk on a set fashioned after a typical television news show, with the FDA as a backdrop. The show appears to be a monthly production, and can be viewed as individual chunks by topic, or as a full webcast combining all of the videos, and therefore all of the updated safety alerts for that month, into one entire show.

However, a Chantix video alerting viewers to the potentiality of suicide and suicide ideation has mysteriously disappeared.

Trasylol Tragedy - Is there a lesson to be learned?

If there is a lesson that could be taken from the Trasylol tragedy, it might be that drug makers who hide, avoid, or mistakenly withhold important safety data from public, or even medical consumption would face certain censure in some fashion as an inducement not to ever allow such an oversight to happen again.

That lesson, however, has either not been sufficiently learned, or there is no one with sufficient teeth to enforce it.

"Eighteen months after Bayer AG, the makers of Trasylol, was found to have withheld from a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel information that could have proven damaging to the marketability of Trasylol and hasten its exit from the marketplace, the FDA had yet to respond beyond an obvious distaste for what had happened.

Was Tainted Heparin A Factor In 19 Patient Deaths?

Now that the mysterious substance found in tainted batches of heparin has been identified, attention now turns as to what role the counterfeit had to play in the suspected deaths of 19 patients potentially attributed to tainted heparin, and whether or not it was the heparin mimic that was the basis for as many as 700 adverse reaction reports.

What also needs to be answered is why the counterfeit was used in the first place. Why, and how?

"The greatest question of all, however, is what to do about the reality that the majority of the world's heparin supply comes from China--a country that has already been found to be suspect in several instances regarding tainted drugs and consumer goods.

Asbestos Poisoning The Cause of Six Family Deaths

A Canadian First Nations family that has incredibly lost five of its members to asbestos poisoning, has now lost a sixth.

Rita Swain died earlier in late March from mesothelioma, reports the Canadian Press. She was diagnosed three years ago with the asbestos-related disease, which affected the lining of her stomach.

Raven ThunderSky herself has asbestos-related lung disease, and represents the seventh family member to be afflicted with asbestos-related health issues. Swain was ThunderSky's half-sister.

Vytorin and Zetia to be Last Resort Therapy Only

The message could not have been clearer. At a major cardiology conference March 30th in Chicago, a gathering of 5,000 of the country's leading cardiologists were told unequivocally that cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia should only be used as a therapy of last resort, given the now-widely-held view that the two drugs may not work.

The presenters urged their colleagues to switch their patients back to statins.

That position, also reflected in an editorial in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine published the same day, is the strongest condemnation yet of Merck and Co, and Schering-Plough's once-ballyhooed cholesterol drugs.

Vytorin and Zetia to be Last Resort Therapy Only

The message could not have been clearer. At a major cardiology conference March 30th in Chicago, a gathering of 5,000 of the country's leading cardiologists were told unequivocally that cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia should only be used as a therapy of last resort, given the now-widely-held view that the two drugs may not work.

The presenters urged their colleagues to switch their patients back to statins.

That position, also reflected in an editorial in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine published the same day, is the strongest condemnation yet of Merck and Co, and Schering-Plough's once-ballyhooed cholesterol drugs.

B. Braun Medical Announces Recall of Heparin Products

On March 31st B. Braun Medical announced a recall of its heparin products, after tests concluded that a similar contamination affecting heparin products marketed and sold by Baxter International, had invaded its product as well.

However, the company is being criticized for keeping its heparin products on the market while testing was taking place, and only triggered a recall when tests confirmed a problem.

Singulair - Allergy Medication Now Linked To Suicidal Behavior

Yet another high-profile drug is suddenly under the microscope after reports of suicidal behavior. Singulair, the popular allergy medication marketed by Pharma giant Merck and Co. and raking in sales of $4.3 billion last year, is being scrutinized after what is described as a handful of patient reports have come into the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For its part Merck is co-operating with the agency and making data available for the FDA to study, but stressed that the concern is based on random reports, and was not seen in any of the 11,000 participants involved in as many as 40 Singulair clinical trials, according to the drug maker.

HIV Drugs Under Suspicion for Increased Risk of Heart Attack

In what is fast becoming a never-ending story, a drug that showed no concern in clinical trials is suddenly under the microscope now that the drug is on the market and used by a wider number of Americans.

This time it's HIV drugs Ziagen, and Videx, two drugs that have now been identified as posing a greater risk for heart attack than other HIV medications.

Outbreak of Salmonella Poisoning From Municipal Water Supply?

As careful as you are to mitigate germs in the kitchen to ward against salmonella, you might be forgiven for becoming angered when despite your best efforts, the salmonella that could make you and your family sick could be coming from your tap water. That's the case in the city of Alamosa, Colorado after an outbreak of salmonella poisoning has been allegedly traced to the municipal water supply.

Reports of salmonella contamination in Alamosa have been escalating for several days, and that number reached 216 on March 24th. Sixty-eight cases have been confirmed, and nine people remain in hospital.

New Book Slams Drug Makers

A new book about the pharmaceutical industry slams drug makers, and makes the case for a nation hooked on prescription drugs--which is exactly what Big Pharma wants. Our Daily Meds' - How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves Into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs by Melody Petersen is a blockbuster new book by the former New York Times health reporter.

She spent four years reporting on the drug industry for the venerable newspaper. The book is a summation of that beat, and her own investigative journalism into the often-murky world of an industry purported to make our lives better.

However, as the book suggests, the opposite may be true.

6 Cases of Hepatitis C potentially caused by the re-use of syringes

As is often the case when news of a health violation breaks, the news gets worse before it gets better. Not more than a week after it was revealed that an outpatient clinic in Nevada had been investigated with regard to six cases of hepatitis C potentially caused by the re-use of syringes, comes news that the patients of six other centers may be at risk.

The primary focus of the investigation for the past week has been the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, located on Shadow Lane. However, the doctors who control the Endoscopy Center also own six other centers in Nevada, and there have been reports of more violations at other surgical centers. Sources told Eyewitness News 8, the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas, that the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is working to narrow the list of patients at risk related to the other clinics.

Chantix: One Man's Compelling Story

One has only to read the revealing essay by writer Derek De Koff in New York Magazine, to get a true appreciation for the risks, and the reality of Chantix--a smoking cessation medication that has resulted in thousands of adverse affect reports to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and several actual suicides.

Two deaths in particular have caught the world's attention. One was Carter Albrecht, a musician and one-time member of the band Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (Brickell is married to musician Paul Simon). On Chantix for barely a few weeks, Albrecht turned on his girlfriend before attempting to break into a neighbor's home. The startled homeowner fired a bullet through the door, killing the musician on September 3rd, 2007.

Go Figure: Your Wireless Implantable Defibrillator Can be Hacked

Taking a page right out of James Bond, a soon-to-be-published research paper analyzing the sophistication of implantable medical devices (IMD) and cardiac defibrillators (ICD) sheds new light on the capacity of such devices to be programmed and adjusted from outside the body by a medical professional, presumably your doctor.

The bad news is the device could potentially be hacked. The good news: it's not likely to happen, given the relatively close proximity required to transmit, and receive data. It's not like someone from across town can hack into your heart and hit the 'Stop' button...

Medtronic: No Human Testing of the Failed Sprint Fidelis Lead

In a blockbuster revelation published in the March 6th, 2008 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), we learn that Medtronic was allowed to take the defective Sprint Fidelis lead to market with only bench testing, without the need for a human trial.

Medtronic halted sales of the ultra-thin leads after a spate of adverse event reports, and five deaths.

Quit Smoking - Chantix and the dangers even 3 weeks on this drug can do

Daniel Arndt, a 44-year old father of twin boys, locked himself inside a room of the family home while everyone was away with a 12-pack of beer and two bottles of blood pressure pills. Arndt had been three weeks on Chantix, the smoking cessation drug from Pfizer that blocks nicotine from reaching key receptors in the brain.

He neatly typed an Email to his wife revealing all the computer passwords, before swallowing the contents of both pill bottles with his 12th beer.

"I was at the point where my wife would just look at me wrong and I'd get angry," he tells Christine Cox, a reporter with the South Bend Tribune in Michigan. "A couple times I got close to hitting my wife, and that's something I've never done."

Has your life been seriously compromised because of Trasylol?

It was revealed recently that as many as 10,000 Floridians have either lost their lives, or whose health have been seriously compromised at the hands of Trasylol, the vilified anti-bleeding drug pulled from the market in November of last year.

A spate of recent media reports culminated in the February 17th airing of 60 Minutes on CBS, which profiled the heartbreaking story of Trasylol patient Joe Randone and featured renowned researcher Dr. Dennis Mangano. The latter estimates that 22,000 lives could have been saved--or about 1000 a month--had the makers of Trasylol, Bayer AG, pulled the product off the market two years ago when several red flags were flapping in the wind, including Mangano's own study.

Veteran Malpractice: Heartbreaking Stories, Shameful Conduct

One would assume that putting one's life on the line for one's country would be met with obligations in kind, including top-notch health care after the veteran comes home. However, that appears not to be the case, as more reports of veteran malpractice at Veterans Affairs hospitals come to light.

One of the most recent reports originates in St. Louis, where a VA official apologized to families and pledged reform after it was revealed that substandard care at a southern Illinois VA hospital may have contributed to 19 deaths.

Duragesic: This Patch Could Stop Your Heart

The active ingredient contained in the recalled Duragesic pain patch is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is considered to be several times more potent than heroin. The makers of the Duragesic patch containing fentanyl have recalled the patches over concern that a breach in the patch reservoir could pose an overdose hazard to both patient, and caregiver.

The potent patches are prescribed for chronic pain. They're designed to dispense a continuous, but controlled amount of potent pain relief for those suffering from severe and chronic pain. The recalled patches could have a cut on the side that could potentially leak fentanyl gel. The latter would be considered a serious health hazard for both user, and anyone who might come into contact with the patch.

Designed to administer 25 micrograms of pain relief each hour to pain sufferers conditioned to such potent medication, an unseen leak in the patch reservoir could potentially deliver an overdose of fentanyl to the patient through the skin.

Yamaha Rhino Rolls Onto Driver's Leg

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the video of a Yamaha Rhino rolling over onto the driver's left leg makes a dramatic statement. The Yamaha Rhino has come under fire after a number of injuries and deaths have been attributed to the 4-wheel ATV.

Unlike other all-terrain vehicles with either three, or four wheels designed in a motorcycle-like configuration, the Rhino became instantly popular with a car-like design, and side-by-side seating.

However, the product has not been without its critics. Accusations of a high center of gravity and narrow tires suggest the Rhino is prone to tipping, even at slow speeds and flat terrain, according to some.

The Rochester Meat Recall: Were They Listening?

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Rochester Meats recall, a Class 1 recall that cited 188,000 pounds of beef suspected of sickening five people in two States, is when the beef products were produced:

October 30th, and November 6th, 2007.

Most will recall--pardon the pun--that the news media last fall was inundated with coverage of what was then the largest meat recall in some time. The massive Topps beef recall, which totaled 21.7 million pounds of product, eventually scuttled operations at the Topps meat processing plant and forced the company to close. The company's hard assets and trademarks--including several thousand pounds of potentially tainted beef still in storage--were auctioned off early in the New Year.

Vytorin Marketing: Promise a Rose, Deliver a Thorn

There's nothing worse for a consumer than being promised one thing, only to be given something entirely different. Such is the case for users of Vytorin, the cholesterol-fighter that is being investigated for false advertising in the wake of new data that questions the drugs' effectiveness.

Vytorin is actually two drugs combined into one: Zetia and Zocor. The latter is a statin drug, which are often used by themselves, whereas Zetia is commonly combined with a statin, such as Zocor, in an effort to take the hill in the war against cholesterol. Given the propensity for doctors to prescribe the two drugs together, it only made sense for the manufacturers to combine the two into one, albeit expensive, product.

Kugel Mesh: An Infectious Personality?

Marion Teague is a man who knows what can happen when a Kugel Mesh patch goes wrong. The Arkansas native developed a serious infection that he attributes to a Kugel Mesh patch, and he required surgery to have the patch removed.

In January he launched a lawsuit against Davol, the maker of Kugel Mesh, in an effort to recover lost wages and medical expenses, among other damages.

It is not known if the Kugel Mesh patch he was given is one of the recalled patches. However, of note is the fact that the Federal court in Rhode Island recently expanded its mandate to include all Kugel Mesh patches, not just the recalled products.

Is there a link between botox and botulism?

In spite of a warning just a few weeks ago by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning the safety of Botox, and a call by advocacy group Public Citizen for beefed-up warnings on product labels, Botox continues to be misunderstood.

Such general misconception over just what Botox is and how it works, continues to grant Botox the widespread perception that a Botox injection is a quick and easy way to get rid of unwanted wrinkles for up to four months, without any risk whatsoever."

That's the perception. But it is far from reality.

Chantix - Could quitting smoking be any worse?

It's not hard to imagine why a drug like Chantix is so fully and completely embraced--at least in the beginning. Smoking is a health hazard, not to mention the social stigma. Given the horrendous cost of long-term health care, smokers are trying to prolong their lives and prevent potential financial ruin by getting off tobacco and nicotine dependence.

However, as hard as it is for most Americans to quit, many are finding that Chantix makes it that much worse. While the number of smoking cessation formulas are as long as your arm, most if not all are Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) and focus on the premise that a gradual reduction of nicotine, over time, will reduce dependence and curb the cravings.

Duragesic: Potentially Lethal in the Wrong Hands

The recent recall of Duragesic pain patches should not come as a surprise, given the checkered history of a product that introduces extremely potent pain medication directly through the skin. First approved in 1990, Duragesic has endured several recalls in the last 14 years.

However, 2005 appeared to be a watershed year for concern over the Duragesic pain patch, when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was investigating 120 deaths. It has been reported that there have been deaths since, although it is unclear just how many deaths have been linked to the pain patch. An FDA spokesperson suggested that while the numbers were small, the concern was due to the fact those deaths were preventable.

Stockbroker Arbitration: When Your Stockbroker Stiffs You

It might make for good laughs on late-night television, as fans of Late Night with David Letterman on CBS saw on February 27th with his Top Ten List (Signs You Have a Bad Stockbroker), but stockbroker fraud is no laughing matter--especially when you have your retirement nest egg on the line.

Stockbroker arbitration is a means by which bilked investors can seek restitution for any instances of stockbroker fraud, and there can be many. While individual stockbrokers can find themselves called to the carpet for unethical conduct, entire companies have had to answer for unsavory practices that take advantage of their investors.

Some of these companies are blue chip, with names that are household words.

Zyprexa on trial again - this time in Alaska

Spectators in a courtroom in Anchorage are getting an earful about how Zyprexa maker Eli Lilly waited, according to a witness, almost nine years to add warnings to Zyprexa with regard to a risk for diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels and weight gain.

Instead, Lilly is alleged to have hid data that cast Zyprexa in a bad light, and instructed its drug reps to only articulate the diabetes issue if a doctor brought it up first. Otherwise, an internal Lilly document allegedly shows, reps were forbidden to proactively address the diabetes issue.

The most damning testimony so far has come from Dr. John Gueriguian, a diabetes specialist and a medical reviewer for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before taking his retirement in 1998.

Amgen's Anemia Triple Threat: Black Box Warnings Expanded

A new black box warning announced yesterday by anemia drug maker Amgen comes on the heels of recent data which suggests increased incidence of death, and accelerated tumor growth amongst patients with certain types of cancer.

The warning applies to Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit--drugs that are designed to fight anemia and are often prescribed to cancer patients undergoing, or having undergone chemotherapy.

The drugs are also used in patients suffering from kidney failure.

Tainted Heparin Found to Contain Counterfeit Ingredient

While the heparin recall by Baxter International reverberates through the medical community, the issue is becoming more and more complex, and further intensifies the concern over the propensity for drug companies to increasingly source their raw materials abroad, and especially China.

In so doing, Americans are losing their faith in government watchdogs like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their ability or lack thereof to keep the nation's drug supply safe.

As Americans dealt with the news of yet another drug recall--this time virtually all of Baxter International's heparin blood thinner products, a new wrinkle has been added to the story.

A very serious wrinkle.

Nevada Clinic Re-used Syringes--40,000 Potentially Exposed

There are 40,000 people today who have just found out, or may soon find out, that they may have been handed a death sentence by an outpatient clinic in Las Vegas, after potentially contaminated syringes were re-used, injecting the possibility for hepatitis C.

After six patients of the clinic were diagnosed with hepatitis C last year, an investigation found that the clinic was not using clean syringes for each injection.

Clean needles, yes. But clean syringes? No, apparently.

Potential class-action lawsuit against the makers of Vytorin

This is the story of a drug company, like most other drug companies, that appears to put the profits ahead of the people. At least, that's the accusation coming from a dear, old 72-year-old grandmother who is serving as the lead plaintiff for a potential class-action lawsuit against the makers of Vytorin.

You can't really blame Marion J. Greene. She's a grandmother, after all, and at 72 is as frugal as the day is long. Like most 72-year-old grandmothers who have known hard times and tight budgets, and who appreciate the value of a dollar.

And so Marion was rightly annoyed to learn that she had been paying through the nose for what she thought was a superior product.

The US Immigration And Customs Enforcement Agency

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement department, also known as ICE, in recent years has become the biggest unit that carries out investigations as part of the United States Department of Homeland Security, also called the DHS. This agency, ICE has been given the charge of ascertaining areas of vulnerability on US borders and eliminating the threat or problem.

Potential Baxter Heparin Death Rate Rises

In a dramatic turn of events over the last 24 hours, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now saying that as many as 21 deaths may be linked to potentially tainted blood thinners, and Baxter International--having recalled all lots of its multi-dose vials last month--is now recalling virtually all of its heparin products as a precaution.

On February 28, it was suggested that four deaths had been linked to heparin, a blood thinner widely used for dialysis patients, and following some surgical procedures. While the 17 additional deaths being reported cannot be conclusively linked to heparin distributed by Baxter International, (given that the patients were extremely ill and may have succumbed due to other causes), the possibility is sufficient nonetheless to raise increased concern.

Heparin production and its link to small, unregulated Chinese sweatshops

The heparin recall in January over an unknown bacterial contamination may be linked to small, unregulated production houses in China. Last month, Baxter International recalled nine lots of the injectable blood thinner after hundreds of adverse reaction reports, and four deaths.

In all of 2007, there were about 100 reports or adverse reaction to heparin. The spike in 2008, given that the year is just beginning, is an alarming increase. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the reports, and according to the Associated Press the FDA put in a request to doctors to switch from using Baxter heparin during the week of February 11th.

Botox Could Leave You Breathless

Recent concern over adverse effects, including deaths stemming from injections of Botox and Myobloc for both cosmetic uses and muscular conditions appear to carry much more weight in Europe, than it has in the US.

It also appears to carry more weight with consumer advocacy groups such as Public Citizen, than with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency entrusted with the health and well being of the nation.

The FDA issued a communiqué February 8th warning of the potential for rare, but serious adverse effects related to the use of Botox, Botox Cosmetic, and Myobloc. While it has been suggested that there are no qualitative problems with the drugs, the fact remains that the existence of adverse effects which may or may not mirror results of pre-market trials of the drugs has nonetheless raised a red flag.

Defective Products vs. The Supreme Court. They Fight, You Lose

On February 21st the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in concert with Rinnai America Corp, announced a voluntary product safety recall involving the defective product Rinnai EnergySaver Direct-Vent Wall Furnace, due to a potential carbon monoxide hazard.

According to the alert a gasket in the furnace, fuelled by either natural gas or propane, could fail--posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home.

Kugel Mesh: Federal Court Expands Devices It Will Consider

The news for Kugel mesh manufacturer Davol doesn't get any better, but it does for victims of the Kugel Mesh patch as well as other Davol mesh devices after the Federal Court in Rhode Island decided late last month to expand the Davol products that qualify for litigation.

Initially, when all claims relating to Kugel mesh were consolidated to one Federal court, it was understood that claims would only relate to the recalled Kugel mesh products, all of which centered around a defective retractable 'memory ring' that was allegedly prone to failure at the welds, causing potential invasive damage to internal organs.

However, in late January the Court ruled that proceedings would include claims regarding any allegedly defective Davol mesh patches, and not just the recalled products.

Supreme Court Upholds Individual's Right to Sue Over 401(k)

You could forgive James LaRue for being ticked with the administrators alleged to have mis-managed his 401(k) investments after the value of his holdings plunged $150,000. His instructions were to move his portfolio into safer investments.

They didn't. Oops, sorry. And now LaRue is behind $150,000 in his retirement planning. However, the Southlake, Texas investor has been vindicated by a Supreme Court ruling, released yesterday, that clears the way officially for holders of 401(k) plans to sue for losses, due to a breach in fiduciary duty.

Under the language of the current law, lawsuits could be initiated in an effort to recover losses to the Plan itself, but it was unclear as to whether an individual Plan holder could sue as an individual.

Duragesic: This Painkiller Patch Can Kill

If you're on 'the patch,' then you're either trying to quit smoking, or you have a chronic condition which leaves you in a great deal of pain, the kind of pain that only a Duragesic, or similar pain patch containing the powerful opioid fentanyl, can stem.

The trouble is, they could also leave you dead, due to a defect that has prompted two recalls within a week.

On February 12, 1008 pain patches marketed in the US as Duragesic by PriCara and also in generic form by Sandoz, were recalled due to a potential for accidental overdose by way of a small cut, or leak in a few of the patches.

Nobel Biocare: When Dental Implants Lose Their Bite...

In a case that might rattle your teeth, Nobel Biocare is facing scrutiny after some Nobel Biocare dental implants have begun to fail and loosen after three years.

Nobel Biocare issued a safety notice in October of last year, after evaluating more than 2000 implants involved with 1183 patients. According to the company, their conclusions showed that, on average, marginal bone levels around Nobel Biocare were normal and didn't deviate from what is typically seen around conventional, two-piece implants.

However, some patients were seen as having a lower-than-marginal bone level. Nobel Biocare concluded that the implants were not placed according to "the intended protocol."

In other words, they may not have been installed correctly.

Asbestos: Remove? Or Leave Well Enough Alone?

There is a myth out there about asbestos. Oh, it's a health hazard all right, and as a known carcinogen it can cause asbestos mesothelioma. However, the popular belief that if you have asbestos in your building you've got to get it out of there, could be flawed.

In fact, many experts agree that it is best, provided asbestos is properly contained, to leave it right where it is. It's when you disturb the asbestos, where you get into trouble.

Fosamax: Low-Cost Generics Expand the Risk

The troubles over Fosamax are bound to intensify, with the approval of a new, generic form of the drug that is alleged to cause Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a debilitating disease of the jawbone. With its patent for alendronate having expired, just days ago the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the licensing of the first generic versions of the drug.

Fosamax, manufactured for over a decade by Merck, has been doing quite well with its osteoporosis drug, thank you. In fact, in spite of a basket of other drugs available designed to fight bone loss, WHEC Television in Rochester, New York reported that more than half of all women in the United States suffering from osteoporosis take Fosamax. Other sources suggest that more than 10 million men and women have taken Fosamax.

Botox: Lose the Wrinkles, Lose Your Life?

Got a Botox shot lately, to mitigate those wrinkles? Here's the thing--Botox could actually provide one little wrinkle of its own: You could die from it.

Earlier this month the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was petitioned by the advocacy group Public Citizen to release warnings about Botox, a product that is more generally known as a cosmetic injection, but has far more uses including, although unapproved, children--mainly with cerebral palsy.

First Unum: When Insurance is Anything But

Anyone having seen Michael Moore's 'Sicko' documentary, released last year, will have a renewed appreciation for the kinds of trials and tribulations First Unum clients must bear while navigating the tactical minefield that Unum allegedly requires well-meaning Americans to wade through in an effort to collect on a legitimate claim for short and long-term disability, and Unum life insurance.

People without an HMO or long-term health and disability insurance would have reason to worry. But if you have coverage, and have been making your premium payments on time every month, you have nothing to worry about, right?

Right???

The Great American Dream, indeed. For many, it is more like the great American nightmare.

Biocare Direct Dental Implants: It's Enough to Rattle Your Teeth...

One of the primary reasons why a dental patient will opt for permanent dental implants over the more traditional, removable bridge or plate, is the annoying tendency for a plate or bridge to slip. However, for some patients of Nobel Biocare dental implant technology, it's a case of déjà vu when their implanted prosthesis loosens.

It's not hard to appreciate why permanent dental implants are increasing in popularity.

Wrongful Death Knows No Bounds

Wrongful death observes no boundaries, or carries no bias for economic or social status. Wrongful death can happen to the blue-collar worker, the poor, or the rich and famous. However, the one common denominator remains that wrongful death, no matter who is involved, is tragic and needless.

For the late James Hizer of Ohio, his world had turned upside down after he was laid off from his job after 27 years. As one can appreciate, 27 years is a long time to remain with one company, together with the sense of security and well being that comes along with that.

It's not easy to start over, at age 58. But James Hizer did, snagging a $12 per hour blue-collar job at a steel-cutting company, in an effort to get by.

Burn injury: There are many dangers out there...

There are many different types of burns, and different causes of burn injuries--fire being the most obvious. But there are other sources for the intense heat capable of producing a burn, such as injuries from caustic chemicals.

And chemicals can burn more than just the skin. A chemical that gives off powerful and potent fumes can be inhaled, burning the inside of the lung.

Boiling water. This writer will never forget the day when, as a child, he stood by in horror as his mother dropped a full kettle of water, going at full boil, onto her unprotected foot.

PPH: When Losing Weight Can Kill

If you found yourself in the middle of any February prior to 1997 and packing a few extra pounds, you might have been one of the millions of Americans turning to Fen Phen, the magic diet pill that was all the rage until it was revealed that Fen Phen was a suspected link to PPH, an often fatal lung disease. Today, you may be turning to a PPH Class Action lawsuit.

You would have been forgiven for embracing Fen Phen, especially given its exalted status at the time. Fen Phen was actually the combination of fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine, and was hailed as an answer to anyone with any kind of weight problem, no matter how severe.

And in the middle of February, in any given year, weight loss for millions of Americans is top-of-mind. First, February follows January, which follows the excesses of the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. If you had a weight problem going in, that problem is exacerbated after so many helpings of turkey and plumb pudding.

Securities Fraud Litigation by the Numbers

It's not the record of 2002 when the Enron scandal drove the number of stock fraud lawsuits to 267 for just the second year in the New Millennium. However, 2007 looks like it's going to be a banner year just the same, and given the sub prime mess, it would surprise no one if 2008 appeared to be on track for securities arbitration.

Indeed, securities fraud class action lawsuits had dropped to a ten-year low in the US for 2006, according to a recent study conducted by the Stanford Law School Securities Class Action clearinghouse, and Cornerstone Research.

However, last year weighed in with 166 lawsuits against companies claiming stock fraud. That's above the 116 filed the previous year, which represents an increase of 43 per cent.

Credit Card Abuse: Like Your Balance, it Keeps Going On, and on, and...

It's hardly surprising that credit card defaults have risen 30 percent, given the challenges consumers face simply navigating the minefield of fees, penalties and other questionable practices amounting to credit card abuse.

In a society increasingly moving away from cash, credit card companies have been earning a justified reputation for taking advantage of an era where credit is treated with somewhat of a laissez-faire attitude, as opposed to the respect and caution with which we used to approach credit card debt not that long ago.

Steven-Johnson Syndrome - an allergic reaction that could be life threatening

Of the myriad side effects one can experience while taking prescriptions, and even some over-the-counter drugs, one in particular is little-known but deadly: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). This horrific condition, taken to the extreme, has been described by some as a fate worse than death.

You just need to see the pictures, to understand why...

SJS is an allergic reaction that affects the mucous membranes and the skin, and can become so severe it could threaten your life.

Zyprexa: Eli Lilly could be Tagged with $1 Billion Dollar Fine

A four-year investigation into the marketing practices of Zyprexa may result in manufacturer Eli Lilly paying $1 billion in fines to federal and state governments.

At issue are unscrupulous marketing initiatives Eli Lilly publicly denies but which appear in company documents, targeting doctors with regard to the use of Zyprexa off-label. While the drug was only approved in the United States to treat severe bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, company documents show that Lilly encouraged doctors to prescribe Zyprexa to patients with age-related dementia, as well as individuals with mild bipolar disorder who had previously had a diagnosis of depression.

Truck accidents - due to negligence?

It's inconsolable - families wiped out by truck accidents within a few days of each other. One was blamed on adverse weather conditions, while the other was due to negligence on the part of the truck driver.

However, in both cases it points to the vast divergence of vehicle size on the highways, and what happens when the biggest vehicles, and the smallest vehicles, collide.

Stockbroker Arbitration: Don't Get Burned. Get Even

Investing is sometimes a risky business, and can result in stockbroker fraud. Investment risk is normally mitigated with the help of a stockbroker who understands your particular risk tolerance, and manages your portfolio with prudence and pride.

However, if that stockbroker gets greedy with your money and pulls some financial fast ones that could result in substantial losses to your portfolio, you can at least look forward to some assistance through the process of stockbroker arbitration.

Truck accidents - do all drivers and operators adhere to regulations?

The truck driver and operator must adhere to a basket of regulations designed to maximize safety, and minimize risk on the road. To that end, truck drivers have a greater responsibility than car drivers, given the sheer size and weight of their rigs, and the potential for disaster when a truck accident happens.

In fact, much like an airline pilot must conform to a strict regimen--both personal and professional--of checks and balances, the trucker also has a protocol to follow.

However, do all drivers and operators adhere to these strict guidelines?

Schering-Plough: Dragging Heels on Vytorin Study, a Breach of ERISA?

The long-awaited, and long-delayed release of the ENHANCE study on the effects and efficacy of the cholesterol drug Vytorin (Zocor combined with Zetia) may have done more than raise the ire of doctors and the medical community: it also may have ticked off investors of Schering-Plough, one of the two manufacturers involved in Vytorin. The delay may translate into a breach of ERISA-mandated fiduciary duty regarding employees participating in a Schering-Plough pension plan.

More than that, it may wind up hurting them now that the bloom is off the Vytorin rose. It is expected that doctors will begin to scale back prescribing Vytorin to their patients, which is sure to hurt sales of the cholesterol drug. That in turn could have an impact on stock price, and in turn investment performance.

Head Games: Meat Packing Plants Pose Risks to Workers

You've often heard the phrase, "he's got more brains than he knows what to do with..." In the town of Austin, Minnesota that phrase has taken on new meaning, thanks to a bizarre health issue that appeared to be affecting certain employees of a meat processing plant there.

In fact, as truth is stranger than fiction, you would be forgiven if this sounds more like a script for an investigative medical drama on television than the real-life trials of hapless line workers just doing their jobs, as gross as jobs sometimes are, in meat packing plants.

Trasylol: The Worm Turned Almost Overnight

By now most are familiar with the recent fortunes of anti-bleeding drug Trasylol, and how it has been pulled from world markets after studies have revealed links to heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. A major Canadian study was halted back in October after concern over the death rate of aprotinin (Trasylol) participants. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that Trasylol be withdrawn, and Trasylol maker Bayer AG complied pending thorough analysis of the Canadian BART study data.

There have been some horrendous stories linked to Trasylol, which has long been used during cardiac surgery to stem blood loss in those patients prone to bleeding.

Chantix - not the smoking cessation wonder drug many thought

Smoking is not the easiest habit to break. It can cause irritability in the best of us, as we try to wean our bodies of addictive nicotine. But suicide? That's what one consumer experienced with Chantix, the so-called smoking cessation wonder drug that was proven in clinical trials to be more effective than Zyban.

Today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating more than 100 complaints from patients of Chantix who have experienced suicidal thoughts.

Some have even taken those thoughts one-step further, and made the attempt.

Chantix - not the smoking cessation wonder drug many thought

Smoking is not the easiest habit to break. It can cause irritability in the best of us, as we try to wean our bodies of addictive nicotine. But suicide? That's what one consumer experienced with Chantix, the so-called smoking cessation wonder drug that was proven in clinical trials to be more effective than Zyban.

Today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating more than 100 complaints from patients of Chantix who have experienced suicidal thoughts.

Some have even taken those thoughts one-step further, and made the attempt.

Sears Privacy: Spyware is Watching You

Talk about Big Brother watching you. Spyware is something you expect to get from an unsavory web site or an infected email--not from a major retailer. However, that appears to be the case with Sears and Roebuck through their My SHC Community, on-line service.

At issue is the inclusion of a tracking device linked to a well-known tracking company ComScore, which monitors Internet traffic and mines for data. While a welcoming email was reported to have contained a reference for the tracking opportunity, the on-line registration does not.

Comcast Alleged to have Breached Fiduciary Duty with 401(k) Investors

In spite of tripling its profit in the first quarter of this year, a dramatic reversal of fortune by the end of 2007 at Comcast Corp. has prompted concern for members of Comcast investment plans or profit sharing retirement plans who may have suffered irreversible losses.

It has been suggested that Comcast may have dropped the ball in its fiduciary duties as managers of 401(k) plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. Under the legislation, minimum standards are established for pension and health plans enacted by private businesses and corporations, and offers protection for investors and plan participants who may be hurt by the performance of the company as it relates to retirement, and investment plans.

Trasylol: 235 Deaths. Are There More?

While the world waits for the results of the now-halted Canadian BART study on the effects of anti-bleeding drug Trasylol, various reports of deaths linked to Trasylol lend new emphasis of the wisdom in taking a considered pause, before Trasylol is allowed back on the market.

That last statement is a question mark, as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on record as saying it is the FDA's intent to work with Trasylol manufacturer, Bayer A.G., in the gradual phasing-out of Trasylol.

California Injury: Negligence Comes in Various Forms

Injury can mean different things to different people, and negligence can take on all forms. In the case of individuals adversely affected by California injury negligence, some of those injuries, and your rights, might surprise you.

For instance, if you ride a motorcycle in the State of California, you probably know that it is perfectly legal in the State to ride in between lanes of traffic. Drivers not in the know will shake their fists at you, thinking you are taking advantage of the diminutive dimensions of your vehicle when compared to yours'. They would accuse you of being reckless, that you are taking advantage.

PPH Class Action: Drop a Few Pounds, Forfeit a Few Years

There's nothing worse than finding out ten years after the fact that a diet pill you took briefly may be the cause of PPH symptoms. The fact these diet pills and appetite suppressants were deemed safe at the time provides the gist for PPH class action lawsuits, which are continuing to gather steam.

PPH is the acronym for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension--and no, it has nothing to do with pulling a muscle or hyper extending a ligament playing tennis. PPH is much more serious than that.

It is, in fact a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery shoots up without just cause, although the abnormally high blood pressure is linked with changes in the small blood vessels in the lungs, which appear to narrow and increases resistance to blood flowing through them. This increased resistance, in turn, puts a strain on the right ventricle of the heart.

Unum: Earnings Up, Claim Payouts Down. Surprised?

While the business side of Unum seems to be doing fine, thank you--the ethical side is still taking a hit, with at least one interviewee on BBC back in November suggesting that despite assurances to the contrary, the leopard has yet to change its spots.

The world's largest disability insurer, with 25 million Unum life insurance policies in the US alone, was taken to task a few years ago by various agencies and state governments for unethical practices with regard to claims handling, and was ordered to re-open hundreds of thousands of previously-closed claims.

Little wonder, when you hear the kind of story told by Linda Nee, who was featured as part of a BBC broadcast on the evening of November 7th of last year. Nee was a claims handler for Unum Provident.

Toshiba DLP Television Lamps: Always Carry a Spare

Oh, for the days when you could just take your new TV out of the box, plug it in and expect years of trouble-free, worry-free service. Sadly, that has not been the case for hundreds, if not thousands of owners of Toshiba high-definition televisions, with defective lamps that appear to take the industry back to the old tube days.

Many will remember the era before solid-state, when a variety of vacuum tubes powered many aspects of televisions and radios. Tubes, akin to incandescent light bulbs, prone to failure after a certain amount of use. And because some aspect of the unit would fail according to which particular tube blew, it rendered your TV useless until the repairman came to fix it.

Bank of America: Income Down 95%, 401k Plans Down?

Bank of America is yet another victim of the slowing US economy and the damaging sub-prime mortgage crisis, prompting the company to undertake a multi-billion-dollar debt write down. Worse, the less-then-stellar performance may have put Bank of America retirement fund investors at risk for reduced Bank of America 401k portfolios, alleging a potential breach of fiduciary duty on the part of the company to undertake prudent investments on behalf of Plan holders.

Wachovia 401(k) Investors: Who's Watching Out for You?

You could forgive yourself for putting your trust--and your money--into an institution that suggests it's gonna 'watch-over-ya.' How can it not, with a name like Wachovia? However, the opposite could be true as investors are watching Wachovia take a hit from the nation's credit crisis, and almost certain corresponding losses in 401(k) plans, and losses to Wachovia employee savings.

In so doing, Wachovia just might be the latest institution to face scrutiny over its fiduciary duties to investors and retirement savers in 401(k) plans.

Beware the ESA: Anemia Drugs Could Make You More Than Just Tired...

It is a sad state of affairs when drugs designed to make you better actually make you worse, but that is the inference with a trio of anemia drugs commonly given to cancer patients, and individuals suffering from kidney problems. Procrit, Aranesp and Epogen were recently given black box warnings, and now face an FDA panel in March.

What's more, the Epogen website warns of Epogen side effects, and of a study in which patients with kidney failure and cardiac disease taking Epogen showed an increase rate of thrombotic events and fatalities. The company also warns that Epogen should be discontinued in patients with antibody-mediated anemia.

Using Legal Credit Repair Services

Bad credit happens and this is unfortunate. No matter how personally responsible a person may be there is the unfortunate potential to see one's credit rating take a dive. While it is true that a great variety of problems can derive from bad credit, this is not something that people should invest their time wallowing.

California Bankruptcy Laws Provide Two Options for Exemptions

There are things that occur in the course of a person's life that can cause unintended financial problems. In some cases, there is just no other remedy that to seek bankruptcy relief in order to deal with overwhelming debts and harassing creditors. In California, there are some specific California bankruptcy laws which must be followed if you live in that state and are filing for bankruptcy.

Identity Theft College

The problem of identity theft is an ever-growing problem all around the world. People are very potential victims each time that they sign onto the Internet. Being protected from identity theft is extremely important. Due to the rise in identity theft and the need to learn about protection, many colleges are now offering courses on this very subject.

Identity Theft Phone Number Warning

Did you know that one simple phone call can leave you victim to identity theft? Unfortunately, your telephone can make you victim of identity theft very quickly. The scam is used often and many people unsuspectingly end up with a great many problems. It is imperative that you understand the importance of identity theft through the phone to be better protected.

Identity Theft Insurance

Identity theft is a big problem for many consumers and Internet users. There are ways to be protected from identity theft but nothing is ever 100 percent full proof. After all, the sole intent of identity thieves is to steal your identity without your knowledge. One way to be protected in case you fall victim to identity theft is to have identity theft insurance.

Reporting Identity Theft

If you are a victim of identity theft or suspect that identity theft has occurred there are several steps that are recommended by the Federal Trade Commission for you to take. It is imperative that you act quickly to limit the amount of damage that can be done by thieves. Taking action quickly will minimize damages to your identity and help you to restore your identity.

Facts on Credit Card Identity Theft

Identity theft, or ID theft, is traditionally defined as the use of an individual's personal information--such as Social Security number or date of birth--to commit financial fraud. The person may actually take your credit card and charge things on it or it can also be used to acquire other documents or information like your bank account number, driver's license and social insurance number. It is a crime that is often described as being on the rise in North America but is it really?

RT Coopers Solicitors

We are a full service commercial law firm based in the City of London with expertise in intellectual property, data protection, employment law, corporate law, media & entertainment law, technology and litigation.

We can be contacted at enquiries@rtcoopers.com.

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Do I Need To Join A Benzene Lawsuit

Benzene is a chemical in liquid form, which is widely used in many products that we use in the day-to-day life. Synthetic fibers, dyes, resin and paints are some of the items in which benzene is being used. Hence, we can say that most people are exposed to this chemical in some way or the other every day. However, the people who work with high levels of this chemical are the ones who are at risk.

Finding a Good Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Attorney

Cerebral palsy is a broad term. Three types of diseases fall under this term. If we classify the word, cerebral means ‘Brain’ and palsy means a physical disorder like uncontrolled movement. Athetiod cerebral palsy is one such form, which is associated with uncontrolled or involuntary movement. Athetoid cerebral palsy is caused by damage to certain parts of the brain, such as, the cerebellum or the basal Ganglia.

Since these parts of the brain, which maintain the coordinated movement of the body parts, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy patients are characterized by slow uncontrolled writhing movements. In most cases they affect the hands, legs and feet, or in some cases muscles of the face and the tongue as well. These movements are elevated during times of stress and disappear totally during sleep. The muscle condition of such patients is weak and hence they have difficulty in walking and grasping on to objects.

Updating Your Federal Labor Law Posters

Federal labor laws require all employers to prominently display all mandatory federal labor law postings, along with the state-specific labor notices required by your state. Failure to do so will lead to your company’s paying fines of up to $17,000. Five federal labor law posters require compliance:

Equal Employment Opportunity—This requires employers to give equal employment opportunity to all and prevent employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. The poster Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law must be posted prominently.
Federal Minimum Wage Law—It requires employers to pay a set minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place for all employees to read.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)—It requires employers to provide employees with a safe workplace.
Employee Polygraph Notice—Prevents most employers from subjecting applicants or employees to a lie detector test. Violations under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act Labor Law can attract penalties up to $10,000 against employers.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—Requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected, leave to eligible employees. The poster must be displayed prominently for all to read.

How To File An Endowment Claim

Claiming endowment or a mis-selling property requires immediate action to be taken. At the time the assurance company or the company making the policy sends a warning letter regarding the risk of shortfall, one must immediately file an endowment claim. Immediate action on your part will assure no loss situations.

Various types of endowment letters are sent by the endowment provider. However, while some of these letters do not require immediate action on your part, others may mean serious business. Taking advice from the endowment provider/company or an independent financial advisor helps a great deal.

Securing A Commercial Boiler Rental

Many online companies provide commercial boiler rentals at cheaper rates than what you would find elsewhere. So getting online and searching for resources is the first step to secure a commercial boiler rental.

What all can I rent?
You can rent mobile boiler rooms which come with an in-built burner control center, a feedwater system, fuel storage, chemical feed system and much more. These come in various capacities that ranges from 50hp to 650 hp. Mobile fire tube boilers are also available for rent by various service providers. These come in capacities ranging from 600-800HP.

Do I Need To Join A Benzene Lawsuit

Benzene is a chemical in liquid form, which is widely used in many products that we use in the day-to-day life. Synthetic fibers, dyes, resin and paints are some of the items in which benzene is being used. Hence, we can say that most people are exposed to this chemical in some way or the other every day. However, the people who work with high levels of this chemical are the ones who are at risk.

Identity Theft - Avoid Becoming A Victim To Identity Theft

Identity theft is a challenging and scary situation to be in. Unfortunately, identity theft is on the rise. You need to know how identity thieves operate and then what to do if you become an identity theft victim. If you are informed, you can take steps to make it less likely that identity theft will happen to you.

The first thing to understand is how a person gets the information necessary to assume your identity. They are looking for your credit card statements, credit card offers, tax information, new checks, credit card numbers, etc.

Here are a few ways these people can get your personal information:

Lawyer Legal Protection Plan - Have You Thought About The Importance of Needing An Attorney?

Do you have a legal protection plan? If you don’t have a legal protection plan, why not? Have you thought about how easy it is for you to be sued?

A legal protection plan would come in handy when that accident you thought was a minor fender bender turns into a situation where you’re getting sued. A legal protection plan would come in handy when your daughter says something off-hand to a teacher at school and the teacher decides to take you to court.

So what’s the easiest way for you to get a legal protection plan for your family?

How To Find A Car Accident Attorney

A car accident attorney with expertise and experiences in car accidents will help you detangle complicated legal issues and defend you in the face of million foes – from opponents to your insurer. You can’t prevent yourself from unpredictable fatal strike of car accidents, yet you can defend yourself against predictable penalties by professional support from these lawyers.

How to Find a Dui Lawyer

DUI (Driving under the Influence) law is one of the most commonly violated laws by motorists. The law was made to ensure that people drive safely and prevent accidents which occur due to excessive alcohol consumption. Drunken driving jeopardizes not only the person who is driving but also the life of other people on the road. Because of the increasing number of car accidents, the law is strict and the consequences for such reckless driving are severe.

How To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney

Are you wondering how to find the best personal injury attorney? Well, let me help you. If any unfortunate injury happens to you it can be very difficult to find a competent attorney who can fight your case. This is more so, when your insurance company does not cooperate by compensating you inadequately for the injury. Finding a good lawyer can be crucial in winning in such cases.

It is important to select lawyers speedily as courts have strict time limits within which such suits may be presented. Here are some decisive aspects to consider when choosing the right lawyer.

Personal Injury Attorney Selection Tips
Experience should be the major factor in choosing your lawyer. He should be a specialist in dealing with personal-injury cases. This would enable him to fight the case in an efficient manner and secure you fair justice.

The lawyer should be resourceful and responsive to the clients’ needs, and readily available whenever his consultation is required. In case you are unsatisfied with your attorney you should be able to switch to another attorney without paying any penalty.

Dallas Fort Worth Attorneys
The Dallas Fort Worth Attorneys’ recognize the urgency and concerns of their clients. They know that many of the injured people do not have the money or resources to make a fair case. These hindrances should not come in the way of justice.

They are well aware that negotiating with big firms and dealing with insurance companies for fair treatment to the clients is a lengthy and challenging job. The attorneys here invest a lot in hiring experts to gather evidence that can support their case in a big way. They cover these expenses themselves and get a portion of the funds recovered as compensation of their services. This compensation of their services is called a "contingency fee" arrangement and you would find this practice as common among personal injury attorneys.

Choose an insurance company which would fully compensate for your personal loss, including the losses that arise from future complications. Some attorneys cover all the legal expenses of yours till you are able to fully recover the losses from the insurance company. You may opt for these sorts of firms. This practice is very common with many of personal injury attorneys in Texas. It would be better for you not to accept the offer from the insurance company from the first instance. Ensure that you are recovering the full compensation.

How To Find A Medical Malpractice Attorney

Medical malpractice refers to the negligence on the part of medical professionals due to which the required standard of care is not provided to a client leading to injury, damage or even death of the patient. The medical professional could be a doctor, technician, nurse, or even a hospital. Normally, the patients are not aware of the intricacies of a disease or its treatment and as such they are not in a position to assess the activities of the medical personnel and to assign the blame when they have to suffer due to their negligence. Most of the patients are also not aware of their rights and ways to get compensation.

Need for a Medical Malpractice Attorney: Such circumstances where a client suffers due to the negligence of medical professionals necessitate the services of a medical malpractice attorney who can enlighten the client regarding his rights and institute lawsuits for obtaining compensation.
Medical malpractice attorneys have the experience and the expertise to assess the claim of the client. They can also advise the client whether the case has any substance and whether it is worth filing, after they have studied the case. They can also estimate the amount of compensation that should be payable if the case is won.

Special Attributes of a Medical Malpractice Attorney
The lawyers are also experts in medical field and can put up valid arguments to prove that the medical professionals were not at fault, claiming that the decision and the treatment given by the medical professional was within accepted medical norms and that if any mistake has been made, it was innocent and with good intention. To counter these and other arguments, the medical malpractice attorney has to be smart and adept so that he can point out the inconsistencies of the arguments. He has to prove by analogy that even drivers are human beings and can make mistakes with good intention, but that does not give them the right to become negligent and run over an innocent pedestrian or bang into another vehicle. Moreover, even if incriminating medical records are not available, they should be capable of using circumstantial evidence to prove the fault of the medical professional.

Attorney’s Fee
Normally, the client will have to pay a certain percentage of the settlement amount to the attorney, in case the judgment is in his/her favor and the attorney is able to obtain compensation. On the other hand, if no compensation is obtained, the client is not obligated to pay anything to the attorney.

How to Manage Structured Settlement Annuity

The process of structured settlement involves negotiations that concern payment schedule and the value of annuity. It mainly involves a life insurance company and a claimant. Litigation related structured settlement annuity involves the defendant also.

What happens in structured settlement annuity?
According to the contractual agreement, the defendant agrees to pay the money in installments to the claimant under structured settlement annuity process. In return, the claimant drops his litigation. The defendant gives instructions to a third party/assignee for the execution of annuities on his behalf. He provides the party with the necessary funds. The assignee purchases an annuity contract to fulfill the periodic payment obligations.

If you are in the process for obtaining structured settlement annuity, then you can avail a broker’s service to help you get the deal that suits you.

Structured Settlement Firms: How they can help you?
Structured settlement firms manage all the paperwork of structured settlement annuity, including court orders, annuity contract, settlement agreement and release and assignment agreement. For the settlement duration, the defendant needs to ensure he fulfills all the conditions for annuity for it to remain tax-free. For the protection of the tax-free status of settlement annuity, no alterations should be made to the structured settlement annuity once the concerned parties have agreed to it.

You can also make the payment from structured settlement to an estate. In this case, your payment is free from income tax but not estate tax. It can take up to 3-6 months for closing the structured settlement. You will start receiving payments after 30-45 days of the court order.

Advantages of Structured Settlement
Due to various benefits offered by structured settlements, they are popular with those reeling under financial losses or heavy litigation, as well as claimants. These benefits include guarantee of payment and tax-free payment within the time. Although stocks and real estate investment alternatives offer better returns, they do not provide security and guarantee like that offered by structured settlement.

State and federal laws regulate these settlements. For structured settlement transactions, these laws are followed. You can invest annuities in low-risk government insured options and U.S Treasury Securities.

Adjusting structured settlements for inflation is a major advantage for the same amount as their sum is more than lump sum payment. Structured settlement is also preferred by the paying party, which is usually an insurance company, as they have to pay less than what they would have to pay a claimant if the litigation had been successful for him. This is beneficial for the defendant too as he saves on court expenses and attorney fees.

With so many advantages accruing to all parties concerned, it is no wonder that structured settlement annuity process is so popular when it comes to settling financial disputes out of court.

How to Find a Personal Injury Attorney

With the advent of Internet it has become really easier to find information about any product or services. Not just products and services, but now you can easily find consultants, physicians, experts and attorneys over the Internet. But finding a suitable and competent attorney is much different than finding services over the Internet. Let’s see what it takes to find a suitable attorney/lawyer for personal injury cases and what exactly we should look for in that attorney?

What is the California Lemon Law?

Just like other states, California lemon law is very popular in California. As far as general definition of lemon law is concerned it can be referred as the statement created by the government to protect consumers from defective piece of automobiles, vehicles or even appliances.

How to Get Cash for Structured Settlement

Well, when it comes to structured settlement there are many misconceptions about it because there are many options to choose from. However, remember the most common way to get money for your structured settlement is through an agreement (in exchange for the release of liability for your claim, either from your ex- employer or any other party responsible for the damage) where you give your consent to accept payments over a period of time.

Finding a Personal Injury Attorney in Chicago

Personal injury covers any bodily injury caused by a person, vehicle or a product. Remember that insurance companies would always try to keep the compensation amount low. Therefore, it is a good idea to hire personal injury attorneys to fight on your behalf. Research has proved that you are more likely to get higher compensation with their help.

Locating a Michigan Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injury attorneys provide legal guidance in case of injury due to accidents, carelessness and negligence by others, medical malpractice, defective products, harmful side effects of weight loss and dietary drugs, injury sustained in someone else’s property due to poor maintenance, dog bites etc. Michigan personal injury attorney is a specialist lawyer who specializes in personal injury lawsuits related to the state of Michigan.

Seek Advice From VIOXX Lawyers To Win Fair Compensation

The chemical name of VIOXX is Rofecoxib. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug manufactured by Merck & Co. This was prescribed for the relief of osteoarthritis, acute pain in adults and menstrual treatment. VIOXX was withdrawn from the market since side effects such as heart attacks, strokes and blood clots were reported. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vioxx. However, the FDA is offering advisory programs to inform people of Vioxx’ side effects and advising them to consult physicians for further medication.

How to Find a DUI Defense Attorney

Dui Defense attorneys help drunken drivers to solve legal issues. Drunk driving, Driving Under Influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated are different terms that describe the same offence. Known by different names under different State laws, drunk driving is a serious offense that can have serious legal consequences. Most people ignore this crime because they feel that they can get away with it after paying the fine, which is not always true.

Major Update to Net Detective

Though Net Detective boasts a 211+ million name database of information -- everything from criminal records to family histories, birth, death, social security, adoption, DMV records and more -- its parent company, Harris Digital Publishing, today launched an update (see Best Detective) to its award-winning online detective system.