Posted On: February 26, 2010

Honda Airbag Recall Extended to 437,000 Cars

According to a report, Honda, Japan’s second largest car manufacturer, extended its recall to 437,000 cars due to defective airbags. The initial recall was issued in 2008 and included 4,000 Accord and Civic sedans; it was later expanded in 2009 to include another 510,000 vehicles. The most recent recall mainly impacts the United States and Canada. However, 4,000 vehicles in Japan and 13,000 vehicles in Mexico, Taiwan, and Australia were also affected.

The recall was issued in order to replace the airbag inflator that can cause the airbag to overinflate, and according to the report, result "in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material and possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants." So far, the malfunction has been linked to eleven injuries and one fatality.

The cars that currently fall under the airbag recall include 2001 and 2002 model-year Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CL, CR-V and 2002 Acura TL vehicles. The Japanese-only models that are included in the recall are Inspire, Saber and Lagreat. If Honda contacts you about the recall, you should contact an authorized dealership as soon as you receive your notification.

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Posted On: February 25, 2010

Girl Dies in St. Louis House Fire

An early morning house fire struck the South Side of St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, February 6, 2010. A report states that the family of six was not aware of the fire when it began around 5 a.m. on the first floor of their three-story home. The 17-year-old son had been sleeping on the first floor when he awoke and discovered that furniture had caught on fire. He then alerted his family upstairs. The parents and two sons managed to escape safely through a third story window that had access to a flat area on the roof.

After escaping, the father made several attempts to re-enter the home to rescue his two daughters, who were trapped on the second floor. Due to heavy smoke and flames, he was unable to succeed. One of the trapped family members, a 13-year-old girl, was located near a window and was easily rescued once fire officials arrived at the scene. Unfortunately, firefighters were unable to reach the second daughter, who was 10-years-old.

The fire severely damaged the home, causing the roof to collapse the structure completely. The surviving family members were rushed to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

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Posted On: February 24, 2010

Toyota Recalls an Additional 2.3 Million Vehicles

According to recent reports, car manufacturer, Toyota Motor, has recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to gas pedal malfunctions, even in the absence of a floor mat. This recall is separate from the recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to correct a gas pedal problem linked to faulty floor mats which allegedly caused the pedal to stick and create unintended acceleration.

Toyota spokesman, Brian Lyons, stated, “The pedal may become harder to press and may become slower to return when released. In the worst cases, it may become stuck in a partially depressed position.” Toyota also claims that unintended acceleration due to gas pedal malfunction is “rare and infrequent,” but can occur after gas petal mechanisms endure excessive use.

Toyota says that owners will be notified when a solution is available and urges people to brake firmly in order to regain control of their vehicle if the gas pedal should become stuck. In such an event, the car should be driven to the closest safe location, turned off, and a Toyota dealer should be contacted.

The following vehicles are currently being recalled: 2009-2010 Toyota Rav4, Corolla, Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia.

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Posted On: February 23, 2010

Missouri Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident

Police in Waynesville are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a car versus pedestrian accident in Missouri, which killed a 51-year-old woman. Officials say that the woman was found lying along the roadside on Highway 17 North. The vehicle that hit her did not stop at the scene of the accident. She was rushed to a local hospital, but did not survive her injuries.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under Missouri law. Under Missouri Revised Statutes section 577.060.1.: "A person commits the crime of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle on the highway or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility generally open for use by the public and knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his culpability or to accident, he leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving his name, residence, including city and street number, motor vehicle number and driver's license number, if any, to the injured party or to a police officer, or if no police officer is in the vicinity, then to the nearest police station or judicial officer."

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Posted On: February 22, 2010

Three Victims File Lawsuit against Levaquin Manufacturers

Despite recent black box warnings on Levaquin, an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, many people are still suffering from its serious side effects. In West Virginia, three individuals who are plagued with severe tendon-related injuries filed separate lawsuits against Johnson and Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development.

Levaquin belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones that have been known to cause tendon injures. Studies suggest that fluoroquinolones can degrade tendon cells by causing apoptosis, or cell death. The damaged cells weaken and can then tear or rupture more easily. Many of the people who take Levaquin are 60 and older, the same group of people who are most at risk for tendon injury while taking the drug.

The three plaintiffs also contend that treatment for Levaquin side effects include corticosteroids – the same drug that greatly increases the risk of tendon rupture when combined with this antibiotic. The suit declares that the defendants did not properly highlight the drug’s tenotoxic effects in their marketing campaigns. Instead, Levaquin’s safety record and minor adverse side effects such as diarrhea and nausea where more prominently advertised while the severe warning of tendon rupture did not receive any special attention.

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Posted On: February 19, 2010

Missouri School Bus Crash Injures Six

Five students sustained injuries in a Missouri bus accident after their school bus was struck by a pickup truck. The Springfield News-Leader reports that the accident occurred on Missouri 39 in Cedar Springs just east of El Dorado Springs. The injured students ranged in age from 10 to18 years. The 17-year-old who was driving the pickup truck also sustained injuries. The pickup truck rear-ended the school bus, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol. The students were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 1996 and 2006, there were 96 school bus crashes nationwide in which at least one school bus occupant died. More than 50 percent of those crashes involved another vehicle. In the 41 single-vehicle crashes, 48 occupants, 14 drivers and 32 passengers died.

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Posted On: February 18, 2010

Missouri Lawmakers Have Need to Toughen Traffic Laws, Report States

A report card recently released by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says Missouri has done a reasonable job of enforcing state traffic laws and protecting drivers. But the report card also states that Missouri lawmakers have some work to do in order to save lives on the road. According to a KY3 report, the advocacy group grades each state based on 15 laws addressing teen driving, distracted driving, drunk driving and the required use of seatbelts, child booster seats and motorcycle helmets.

Where does Missouri stand? On a scale of green to red, Missouri is a yellow. The state has continued its requirement of motorcycle helmets and booster seat laws. Lawmakers have also fixed the state's graduated licensing law for teens. However, to move to the next level, state lawmakers must adopt an all-driver texting ban, advocates say. Right now, Missouri only bans texting for drivers under 21 years of age. There are five bills that have been proposed to ban texting for all drivers. The report card also puts a new emphasis on tougher ignition interlock laws for convicted drunk drivers.

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Posted On: February 17, 2010

Many Concerned over Lack of Warnings on Levaquin

Over the past few years, there have been a number of complaints and lawsuits filed against Johnson and Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development for their product Levaquin, an antibiotic known to cause severe tendon injuries. The antibiotic is commonly taken for a variety of bacterial infections such as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and prostatitis.

The people who are most at risk for tendon rupture and tendonitis caused by the drug are people in the 60 and older age group and those who are taking corticosteroids. Unfortunately, some who take Levaquin may also be prescribed a corticosteroid as a common treatment for various symptoms the initial drug encompasses.

Levaquin is a part of the fluoroquinolones antibiotics group, and has more frequently caused tendon injuries than any other drug in its group. In countries outside of the U.S., regulatory authorities provided physicians with warning letters discussing the high risks of tendon rupture in patients taking the drug. Conversely, the U.S. manufacturers claimed “proven performance” on 63 million people using Levaquin outside the U.S., but had not disclosed the adverse events reported by the same people.

In some cases, the benefits of taking the antibiotic may outweigh the side effects and risks. If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of taking this drug, contact an experienced St. Louis Levequinn injury attorney at Page Cagle. Call us today at (866) 620-5757 for a free consultation.

Source report: http://www.wvrecord.com/news/223717-trio-says-levaquin-caused-tendon-injuries

Posted On: February 16, 2010

Medical Malpractice in Missouri

Medical negligence is a serious issue in Missouri. What is medical negligence? It could range from misdiagnosis to the failure to diagnose a disease or health condition. It includes errors made by doctors or surgeons during a surgical procedure. Botched surgeries or surgeons operating on the wrong side or the wrong part of the body may also be considered medical negligence. It could also include mistakes or negligence on the part of anesthesiologists, nursing staff and pharmacists whose actions put patients in jeopardy.

A recent news report talks about a lawsuit that was filed by the administrator of a deceased woman's estate claiming that doctors caused the woman's death by cutting through a valve in her heart while performing heart surgery. The lawsuit alleges that during a cardiac catheterization and stent placement procedure, two doctors punctured the woman's right iliac artery. She eventually died of complications from the surgery.

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Posted On: February 15, 2010

Missouri Firm Recalls Beef Products for E. coli Contamination

West Missouri Beef LLC. is recalling about 14,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef products suspected of being contaminated with E. coli. According to a news report, the problem was discovered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. So far, federal officials have not received any reports of illnesses or fatalities as a result of this E. coli contaminated beef. The beef products involved in this recall were produced between October 2009 and January 2010.

E. coli is a potentially lethal bacterium. Its most common symptoms are bloody diarrhea, dehydration, nausea and vomiting. It most often affects young children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. In some cases, victims can develop a serious condition called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which may cause life-threatening kidney failure. The USDA advises consumers to use caution when they prepare raw meat products. Only consume ground beef or beef patties that have been cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to be sure that the beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill these harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

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Posted On: February 12, 2010

Teen Driver Dies after Trying to Pass On a Curve

An 18-year-old driver who tried to pass on a curve died in a head-on crash January 10, 2010 - and three people in the car that he hit were seriously hurt. The Union youth was fatally injured in the crash on Highway 50 at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The crash site is about a mile west of Route EE in Franklin County. The Missouri Highway Patrol said the victim was driving west on Highway 50 when he crossed the center line to pass another vehicle on a curve. He then hit an oncoming car head-on.

Three people in the oncoming car were seriously hurt. The passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were airlifted to nearby hospitals. The driver who caused the accident had not been wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, one person dies every nine hours in a car accident in Missouri. 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.

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Posted On: February 11, 2010

Four New Lawsuits Filed against OsmoPrep for Causing Kidney Damage

On December 23, four people in North Carolina filed lawsuits against Salix Pharmaceuticals for its product OsmoPrep, a prescription oral sodium phosphate commonly used for bowel cleansing in preparation for colonoscopy examinations. As a result of taking the drug, the plaintiffs suffer from acute phosphate nephropathy, a form of severe kidney damage that causes the patient to develop calcium-phosphate crystalline deposits in the renal tubules. They allege that the manufacturer did not adequately warn people about the serious and possibly life-threatening risks of kidney damage from OsmoPrep’s side effects.

In 2008, the FDA added a black box warning to OsmoPrep and Visicol, another oral sodium phosphate. The FDA also indicated that kidney injury could occur within several hours of use or anytime up to 21 days after taking OsmoPrep. This drug has been commonly marketed as an easy alternative to other methods of colon cleansing such as drinking a large quantity of a bowel cleansing liquid. In contrast, OsmoPrep is taken in pill form and uses two sodium phosphates to draw water into the bowls.

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Posted On: February 10, 2010

Toyota May Recall Prius Models for Braking Problems

Toyota is getting ready to issue a vehicle defect recall on thousands of Prius models for a brake defect. The Japanese auto maker has already recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide because of sticking accelerators. Now a Nikkei business daily report states that Toyota has decided to recall about 270,000 Prius cars in Japan and the United States to repair a brake problem.

In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission (NHTSA) has already ordered a probe into Prius brake issues. The federal agency has received 124 reports of the hybrid vehicle's brakes failing, especially in situations where a car goes over a bump or when it hits a pothole. The auto maker has faced criticism for the way in which it has handled the recalls involving the gas pedal problem, which is said to have caused unintended acceleration in those vehicles. In fact, the gas pedal defects have been blamed for several accidents, including one in August where four members of a California family were killed in a fiery crash involving a Lexus.

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Posted On: February 9, 2010

Missouri Recalls 22,000 Weakened H1N1 Vaccines

The state of Missouri recently recalled 22,000 H1N1 vaccines. Throughout the nation, government health officials have been recalling hundreds of thousands of these pre-filled vaccines recommended for children because the doses had lost strength over time. Therefore, 22,000 weaker vaccines were distributed throughout 75 counties across Missouri. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the manufacturer of the vaccine say that the recalled vaccines are still safe and effective. Also, parents should not be worried if their children received the pre-filled vaccine.

The Department of Health and Human Services said swine flu has killed eleven people in Missouri, much milder than when compared to other states such as Kansas, where 22 deaths have been reported. Missouri is one of the few states that has not been strongly affected by the illness.

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Posted On: February 8, 2010

Kraft Foods Recalls Allergen-Causing Food Items

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.

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Posted On: February 5, 2010

Research Shows that Placebo May Be as Effective as Paxil

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.

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Posted On: February 4, 2010

Road Warrior: Teenager Leads Fight to Improve Deadly Bollinger County Highways

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.

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Posted On: February 3, 2010

St. Louis Plant Reopens One Week after Shootings

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.

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Posted On: February 2, 2010

Preventing Railroad Crossing Accidents: Train Safety Tips

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.

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Posted On: February 1, 2010

Medical Malpractice Cap Issue Comes Before Missouri Supreme Court

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.

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