Legal Seeker

Accutane Side Effects Lawsuits

legalseeker — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:01:32 +0000

Accutane is an oral medication prescribed to treat individuals with severe nodular acne. Although Accutane has proven effective in treating acne, the drug may have significant side effects. Pregnant women should never take Accutane, as it has been shown to cause birth defects. Furthermore, in 1998 the FDA issued a warning to doctors prescribing Accutane, which cautioned them to monitor patients for signs of depression. There have been numerous cases of mental problems reported for patients taking Accutane. These problems range from irritability to severe depression, in some cases involving suicidal thoughts.

Accutane has been associated with the following serious side effects:

Liver Failure
Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
Allergic reactions

In addition to the above side effects, Accutane has been associates with the following gastrointestinal disorders:

Inflammatory Bowl Disease (IBD)
Crohn’s Disease
Ulcerative Colitis

If you have been injured by an Accutane related side effect you may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Learn more about prescription drug lawsuits.

Vioxx Recall

legalseeker — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:52:02 +0000

After a three-year study identified Vioxx as a defective drug due to increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients, Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx, voluntarily pulled the arthritis drug from the market on Thursday, September 30, 2004. The prescription drug Vioxx was popularly prescribed to patients for osteoarthritis treatment. Now that these health risks have been confirmed, patients should contact their primary care physician for information on other treatment options.

Learn more about filing a drug recall lawsuit.

What is Benzene Exposure?

legalseeker — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:47:20 +0000

Benzene is a sweet-smelling, highly combustible, clear liquid that can be released into the environment naturally or artificially. Benzene is used in the manufacture of numerous products, including paint, plastics, resins, and such. Highly toxic, exposure to benzene can cause effects ranging from temporary illness to life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. If you worked in or lived near an industrial facility where benzene was used, you may have suffered chemical exposure. If you have developed a serious condition that may be related to benzene exposure you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Truck Accident Injuries and Deaths

legalseeker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:18:30 +0000

Trucking accidents cause serious injury or death to thousands of people across the nation each year.

Semi truck accidents account for almost 13% of all traffic deaths in the United States. The driver of a tractor trailer is significantly less likely to be injured in a collision than the drivers and passengers of other vehicles involved. This is primarily due to the sheer size of most semi trucks. Trucking accidents can be caused by a number of factors.

Tractor trailers are very large, unwieldy vehicles to drive. Even at relatively low speeds, some maneuvers can cause a semi truck to roll over. When going down a hill, it is possible for a large truck to “trip” itself when turning suddenly. Tractor trailers may be overloaded, given an unbalanced load, or the load may shift in transit. These situations can all make a semi truck more likely to tip over. It is also difficult to bring an 18-wheeler to a sudden stop. Tractor trailers are equipped with special brakes, however it is still possible to lock the brakes. This can also cause the loaded trailer of a semi truck to swing out to the side of the vehicle, in other words locking the brakes can cause the big rig to “jackknife.” This is an extremely dangerous situation, as a jackknifed tractor trailer can sideswipe other cars, bystanders, and buildings.

Many times, trucking companies do not properly maintain their fleet of semi trucks in order to save money. Poorly maintained tractor trailer fleets can result in dangerous and inadequate trucks. If a semi truck needs to brake suddenly, for example, it is important that the brakes are properly calibrated, or the truck may not be able to stop quickly enough without jackknifing the trailer. This sets the stage for catastrophic trucking accidents, which can cause permanent injury or death.

Another common cause of trucking accidents is negligent semi truck drivers. Trucking companies typically pay their drivers by the number of miles covered, which encourages speeding and extended periods behind the wheel. Tractor trailer drivers may push themselves to accumulate greater mileage, despite new laws placing limits on the number of consecutive driving hours. Drivers are also required to record their hours in a log. It is possible to falsify records, however.

Be aware that trucking companies act immediately after accidents to assess and limit their financial liability to the victims involved. The sooner you hire a qualified accident attorney, the better it is for your case.

Learn more about vehicle accident lawsuits.

Welding Rod Fumes and Manganese Poisoning

legalseeker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:14:17 +0000

Welders and those who work in their vicinity can be exposed to the toxic fumes that emanate during the welding process. Welding rod fumes often contain manganese, which is toxic to the body at high levels. Manganese poisoning can affect specific parts of the brain and central nervous system, resulting in symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. This permanent condition is known as manganism.

Some symptoms include:

Poor coordination
Lack of muscle control
Shuffling gait
Lack of facial expression
Uncontrolled tremor

If you know someone who displays these symptoms and previously worked as a welder or in an industrial setting, he or she may be suffering from the effects of manganese toxicity. If your loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but is not responding to medications like levodopa or Sinemet, he or she may actually have manganism.

Silica Dust Inhalation and Silicosis

legalseeker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:12:04 +0000

Some occupations like mining and sandblasting involve heavy exposure to rock dust, which often contains silica, or silicon dioxide. Crystalline silica, most commonly found as quartz, is a chief component of granite and sand. When crystalline silica dust is inhaled, it irritates and inflames lung tissue. Eventually, this inflammation can cause scar tissue to form. These scar tissue nodules can obstruct oxygen flow to the lungs and cause a variety of harmful health effects. This condition is known as silicosis.

There are three forms of silicosis:

Chronic silicosis is caused by long-term, low-level silica dust exposure.
Accelerated silicosis occurs more rapidly due to exposure to greater amounts of silica.
Acute silicosis is caused by intense short-term exposure to silica dust.

Some silicosis symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and fever. As silicosis progresses, pulmonary and cardiac impairment can occur. Silicosis patients are also at an increased risk for lung cancer, tuberculosis, heart disease, and connective tissue disease.

Learn about filing a toxic exposure claim.

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

legalseeker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:09:49 +0000

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in crystalline fibers. Because of its durable and fire-retardant properties, asbestos is widely used in many industrial applications. Unfortunately, asbestos is a dangerous material to work around. Individual asbestos fibers are thin and light – able to float in the air. Without adequate protection, workers can easily inhale these asbestos fibers. Sometimes the family of such a worker may even be exposed to asbestos from the fibers brought home on work clothes.

Tiny asbestos fibers work their way down into the lungs, where they pierce the tissue. Sometimes asbestos exposure causes significant scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. There are many harmful effects associated with asbestosis. In some individuals, the asbestos fibers slowly work their way through the lung tissue and into the mesothelium, a layer of cells that surrounds and lungs and abdominal cavity. This lining becomes irritated by the crystalline asbestos fibers, which may eventually cause cancer to form.

Mesothelioma can form in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Either way, this form of cancer has no cure and is considered a terminal disease. Mesothelioma may take years to develop, and the symptoms may not be evident until long after the exposure occurred. The company that allowed you to be exposed to asbestos may be held liable for negligence.

Learn more about hazardous material lawsuits.

Thousands Injured by Product Defects Each Year

legalseeker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:05:07 +0000

Defective products cause injury and death to thousands of unsuspecting consumers every year. This area of law is referred to as product liability. Product liability is a complicated area of law, and claims may be filed against manufacturers, distributors, and/or retailers, depending on case specifics.

“Defect” and “Defective” in Product Liability Litigation:

The terms “defect” and “defective” have fairly broad meanings in product liability law. Any product that is unreasonably dangerous when used as intended could be considered defective. Of course many products may be inherently dangerous, such as a sharp knife, but not considered unreasonably dangerous. If the design of the knife was faulty or it was poorly manufactured, then the knife would be considered defective. If this product defect then resulted in injury to someone using the product as it was intended, the manufacturer could be held liable. A product may also be considered defective if the packaging does not adequately warn consumers about certain dangers.

Some Examples of Defective Products:

Defective Medical Devices

Hip implants
Surgical implants
Heart stents

Automotive Defects (Crashworthiness)

Defective seat belts
Defective airbags

Defective Machinery

Power tools
Electric appliances

If you or a loved one has been injured from a defective product, contact a product liability attorney to learn more about your legal rights.

Learn more about defective product lawsuits.

Car Accidents Kill 40,000 People Each Year

legalseeker — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:49:46 +0000

Car accidents kill over 40,000 people every year in the United States. In 2003, injuries from car accidents totaled almost 3 million. Some of the more serious injuries resulting from car accidents involve traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, and lacerations. Not only can these injuries cause severe pain and suffering, victims may also have to undergo significant rehabilitation. In some cases, car accident victims sustain permanent injuries. These injuries may affect an individual’s ability to return to work and earn a living. Some victims of car accidents have a much lower quality of life due to impairment or disability.

Car accidents oftentimes involve the following:

Drunk drivers
SUV rollovers
Pedestrian knockdown
Sleepy drivers
Cell phone usage
Head on collisions
Side impact collisions
Speeding
Reckless drivers
Defective roadways

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident you may have legal rights.

Learn more about motor vehicle accident lawsuits.

Catastrophic Injuries – You Have Legal Rights

legalseeker — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:44:06 +0000

A catastrophic injury often occurs out of the blue due to circumstances beyond the victim’s control. Catastrophic injuries can be caused by car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, chemical exposure, airplane crashes, and defective drugs. Some common examples of catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, loss of limb, severe burns, and multiple bone fractures.

A catastrophic injury can drastically affect the life of the victim and his or her family. Individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other such injuries may not be able to return to work. They may require significant treatment and rehabilitation. In addition, one’s quality of life can decrease substantially. Family members may suffer from the financial strain or from taking on caretaker responsibilities. Sometimes it seems like there is nothing that can be done to replace the loss of a loved one or to repair the effects of a catastrophic injury.

Learn more about personal injury law.