Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on behalf of Kraft Foods Global, Inc. that the company will be recalling about 8,000 pounds of frozen pepperoni and sausage pizza products because of an undeclared allergen of soy protein concentrate. The company discovered the defect; and has not sent any reports to the FSIS indicating adverse reactions due to consumption of the product. The recall will take place at retail establishments in 17 states, including Missouri.

The products being recalled are any product with the “JACK’S” back label, specifically 17.2-ounce packages of “Kraft, Jack’s Original, Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza made with pork, chicken & beef.” The product may also include this label: “Tombstone Original 12 Pepperoni Pizza.”

When a product is defective, the responsibility of any damaging effects on consumers could be in the hands of the companies that manufacture, sell or distribute the damaged product.

Continue reading "Kraft Foods Recalls Allergen-Causing Food Items" »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Product Liability

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New research indicates that Paxil may not be effective if taken for mild depression. An analysis of several anti-depressants published in the Journal of the American Medical Association combined the findings of six earlier studies of antidepressants and placebo effects. The discovery indicated that, on average, the benefit of taking paroxetine anti-depressants such as Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac and imipramine, older antidepressants, may be minimal or nonexistent in patients who have mild or moderate depression. However, for those with severe depression, the benefit of taking these medications over a placebo were substantial.

With these new findings, many women suffering from mild to moderate depression are wondering if taking Paxil is worth the risk, especially since the drug has been known to cause birth defects if taken while pregnant. Some complications for unborn babies include congenital heart defects and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), a condition that affects newborns’ breathing and circulation capabilities.

Continue reading "Research Shows that Placebo May Be as Effective as Paxil" »

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Posted In: Defective Drugs , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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The road to Marble Hill is lined with crosses, common markers of fatal accidents. Teenagers from the area have experienced a string of car accidents in recent years, especially along highways 34 and 51. After the recent death of a friend, one local teenager is advocating improvements of the curvy Bollinger County roads. The 15-year-old girl said she knew seven teenagers who died in car accidents along the twisting roads. The most recent incident was on December 23, 2009, when a girl was killed after her car slid off Highway 51 and into a tree. She was a sophomore at Woodland High School.

The 15-year-old girl wrote a letter and distributed it to politicians and media outlets to bring awareness to the situation. The letter mentioned six fatalities since 2003, "To name a few," it said. She said friends encouraged her to make the statement to prove a point. "If someone finally stands up, they'll have to do something," she said. The girl also stated that she advocates improvements like guard rails, reflective paint and shoulders along the roads.

Continue reading "Road Warrior: Teenager Leads Fight to Improve Deadly Bollinger County Highways" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Employees at a St. Louis plant, where a shooting spree in early January left four people dead, have returned to work. A spokesman for the ABB Inc. plant revealed that the first day back was devoted to helping employees deal with their emotions. Counselors were on hand to help employees cope with the fact that a disgruntled worker killed three co-workers and injured five others before taking his own life.

Authorities say the suspect arrived at the plant on January 7, 2010, armed with four guns and opened fire. They have not released a possible motive. All but two of the injured have been released from the hospital. No details about the conditions of the two who remain hospitalized were released.

Workers who sustain injuries on the job in Missouri are entitled to fair compensation for their expenses and loss of wages. As an injured worker, you could seek compensation for medical treatment including hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, and any other medical treatment that is needed for you to recover from your injuries. If a worker dies as a result of his injuries, then his family is entitled to receive these benefits as well.

Continue reading "St. Louis Plant Reopens One Week after Shootings" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Law & Information , Personal Injury , Premises Liability , Workers Compensation

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According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there are approximately 3,000 train accidents in the United States each year. One third of all train accidents are fatal. Train and railroad accidents can also cause other serious injuries such as brain and spinal injuries that may lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that close to 60% of all fatal railroad crossing accidents occur at unprotected crossings. Furthermore, approximately 80% of all public railroad crossings do not have safety gates or lights.

Common railroad accidents include collisions with passenger vehicles or other trains, derailments, mechanical failures, driver fatigue and improperly maintained tracks. Therefore, it is important to drive carefully and uphold proper care at railroad crossings. Here are a few train safety tips that could help save your life:

• Expect a train at anytime on any track.


• Understand that trains cannot stop quickly. A train that is going 55 mph can take a mile or more before stopping after the emergency brakes are activated.


• Look out for a second train at multiple track crossings.


• If your car stalls on the tracks, get out of the vehicle and walk away at a 45-degree angle toward the direction the train is coming. This is to ensure flying debris won’t injure you.


• Trains are three feet wider than the tracks on each side.


• Cross tracks only at a designated crossing.

Continue reading "Preventing Railroad Crossing Accidents: Train Safety Tips" »

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Posted In: Law & Information , Personal Injury , Railroad Accidents , Wrongful Death

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The important issue of medical malpractice caps is before the Missouri Supreme Court. The state's high court will hear a constitutional challenge to the $350,000 award limit in medical liability cases. According to a news report, this case stems from a $1 million jury verdict in 2008 given to a man who experienced a brain hemorrhage and other complications after his pacemaker became infected. However, the judge ended up reducing the jury's $1 million award to $350,000 to match the state medical malpractice cap. The trial court rejected arguments from attorneys for the plaintiff that the cap and other reforms violated patients' equal protection and jury trial rights. The Missouri Supreme Court directly took on this man’s appeal of the ruling.

The 2005 state cap basically limits noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering to $350,000 in a medical malpractice claim. As Missouri personal injury attorneys who see the effects of medical negligence, we hope the Supreme Court in this case rules for the plaintiff. These caps, or limitations, are unfair to victims who have already suffered greatly due to another person’s negligence and reckless disregard for the well-being of others. It's only right that they get the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve.

Continue reading "Medical Malpractice Cap Issue Comes Before Missouri Supreme Court" »

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Posted In: Law & Information , Personal Injury

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Early Thursday morning, a male gunman attacked a transformer manufacturing company in St. Louis, leaving three dead and five others wounded. Local reports indicate that three of the injured people are in critical condition. Police estimate that 40 to 50 workers were on the premises during the time of the shooting, many of whom were hiding in offices or on the roof. The suspected shooter, armed with a handgun and assault rifle, apparently opened fire in the parking lot before storming the factory. He committed suicide by shooting himself shortly after the ambush.

The accused was also involved in a legal dispute with the company against the administrators’ management of employee retirement funds filed in 2006. He and several co-workers were part of a group of ABB employees who felt that their retirement accounts included excessive fees and expenses for investment options. The trial on this matter began Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Company owners and manufacturers have a responsibility to protect all employees on the premises. This includes maintaining proper working conditions, fire and hazardous materials safety, and adequate security.

Continue reading "Gunman Kills Three, Injures Five at St. Louis Factory" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Personal Injury , Premises Liability , Workers Compensation , Wrongful Death

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Two women were injured Friday November 20, 2009 when the car they were riding in overturned after sliding off the road, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. The driver of the vehicle swerved to avoid hitting an animal. Both injured women were passengers; one sustained serious injuries, while the other suffered minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed. The highway patrol reported that none of the women were wearing a seatbelt.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an unbelted occupant of a 30 mph crash hits the windshield with the same force as a fall from a three story building. Passengers have died in crashes as slow as 12 mph. The effectiveness of an airbag system is reduced by 40% when the seatbelts are not used. Nationally, car crashes kill 5 people every hour, and in Missouri, one person dies every nine hours in a car accident. The best way to avoid serious injury is to buckle up. Violators may be subject to a fine and court costs for not properly using seat belts.

Continue reading "Two Women Hospitalized after Car Overturns on Polk County Road" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury

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A 39-year-old Newark woman has filed a lawsuit against Bayer Corporation, blaming its popular birth control product Yaz for causing her stroke and other related health issues. The mother of 3-year-old twin girls took the prescription-only product for four weeks in the summer of 2008. She then suffered a stroke that caused her to be hospitalized for six months.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The complainant had been taking the pills to help reduce premenstrual pains — which is one of the advertised uses of Yaz. While hospitalized, the woman needed to have part of her skull temporarily removed because of excessive swelling in her brain. That portion of skull was later replaced. As a result of the stroke and related illness, she also suffered a diminished IQ and is now borderline mentally handicapped. She has also experienced a change in her mood and speech. The suit attributes the woman’s health problems to Yaz.

As the No. 1 selling birth control in the world, Yaz has been at the center of much criticism in recent years. The Food and Drug Administration has criticized the makers of Yaz three times in recent years regarding the company's advertising campaign, the suit said.

Continue reading "Newark Woman Sues Bayer over Yaz" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Defective Drugs , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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A Warsaw man was injured in an accident on November 11, 2009 when the motorcycle he was riding crashed as he tried to avoid hitting a deer. The highway patrol reported that the 57-year-old man was riding westbound on Route BB at Hidden Valley Road when he swerved suddenly to dodge a deer in his path. His motorcycle went into a skid, overturned and slid off the roadway. The victim was airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries. Charges are pending in the crash investigation.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road and accidents happen all too frequently. Most often, motorcycle accidents involve drivers of other vehicles, but single-vehicle crashes are not uncommon. Whatever the situation, the best course of action is to contact a personal injury attorney who can assess the circumstances and help the victim navigate through the legal system.

Continue reading "Warsaw Man Injured on Motorcycle Due to Deer on Route BB" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury

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Four people were killed and four others were injured in a crash that occurred on a snow-covered Missouri highway. According to a report in the News Tribune, the fatal car crash occurred near Smithton when a car that was westbound on the U.S. 50 crossed the centerline, spun counterclockwise and struck the rear of a pickup truck. The car then skidded and crashed into another eastbound vehicle. Missouri Highway Patrol officials said the 32-year-old driver of the westbound car and three of her passengers died. Three children, including two in the westbound car, were taken to hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. Another 33-year-old woman was also hospitalized with injuries.

A number of tragic Missouri car accidents can be avoided if drivers would only slow down during winter weather when snow or ice is on the roadway. The best thing to do in bad weather is to avoid driving. Bur if you cannot, it would be in your best interest to take necessary precautions such as slowing down and maintaining adequate distance between vehicles. If you have been injured or have lost loved ones as a result of another driver's recklessness or negligence, you could file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Four Killed, Four Injured in Missouri Auto Accident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury

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E. coli-tainted beef produced by an Oklahoma company has sickened 21 people in 16 states, which could possibly include Missouri. According to a news report in the Washington Post, this is a potentially lethal strain of E. coli bacteria. This food-borne illness outbreak caused National Steak and Poultry to recall about 248,000 pounds of beef from steaks to sirloin tips that were packaged and shipped to restaurants, hotels and institutions all over the country. This recall is being categorized as a "Class I" or "high health risk" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

E. coli infections typically cause abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea that may contain blood. Young children and the elderly are at the highest risk for becoming infected with E. coli and developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which can lead to serious kidney damage or even death. USDA officials say that this particular E. coli contamination occurred as a result of tainted beef used for chopped steak that was mixed with other products in the plant. An investigation is ongoing.

Continue reading "E. Coli Tainted Beef Causes Illnesses in 16 States" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Foodborne Illness , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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