Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

At this time of year, Missourians hear and see many suggestions for ways to “make the holidays bright.” However, a holiday tree that catches fire will turn a bright holiday into a tragic one. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates that dried-out natural Christmas trees catch fire in about 250 homes every season, often resulting in death and causing millions of dollars in property damage.

To keep a tree fire from ruining your family's holidays, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends keeping your tree well-watered. Dry trees catch fire more quickly than most people realize. A six-foot-tall dried-out Scotch pine, for instance, may set a room on fire in as little as five seconds, according to the USFA. Within a minute, a fire started by a dried-out tree can engulf an entire room, depleting the oxygen in the house and spewing toxic smoke into the air: a recipe for disaster.

Electrical shorts in holiday lights, candles, and other sources of heat or flame can easily set a dried-out Christmas tree on fire. By contrast, the USFA's tests on trees that were kept well-watered found that it was nearly impossible to set watered trees on fire. For best results, the USFA recommends watering your tree daily, never letting it use up its entire supply before adding more. Artificial trees that are clearly labeled fire-resistant are also an option.

A fire kept in a fireplace and supervised can make a holiday home cozy, but a fire anywhere else is dangerous. If you or someone you love is injured in a fire this season, or in any accident that has resulted in injury, the experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law may be able to help. Call us at (314) 322-8515 today for a free and confidential consultation.

From the ages of one to nine years, children are at a greater risk for accidental burn injuries than adults. This is particularly true of toddlers and preschool-age children, whose skin is much more delicate than an older child or adult, and who are fascinated by “adult” tools like matches and lighters but unable to understand the dangers posed by fire or by hot objects like stovetops. In order to help families protect children from burn injuries, Safe Kids USA offers the following tips:

Install smoke alarms and test them regularly. Smoke alarms offer an early warning about the presence of smoke, heat, or both.

Create a family escape plan. Since children cannot always figure out how to escape a fire under pressure, teach kids at least two different ways to get out of their bedrooms, and designate a point away from the house as a “meet-up point” so family members can find each other if a fire occurs.

Lock up matches and lighters and teach children that they are not toys. Children like to imitate adults and will try using a lighter or matches if they have seen adults do so, unless they understand that these tools are off-limits.

Do not allow children to use a microwave until they are old enough to reach the microwave safely and understand that steam from microwaved foods and drinks can cause burns.

If you or someone you love has been burned or injured by a defective product, the experienced Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law can help. To learn more about your legal rights and options after an accident, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

No Halloween costume is complete without the right facial decorations, which often means using makeup, face paint, or facial accessories like fake beards. In order to help avoid allergic reactions or other injuries caused by colorants and other harsh chemicals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers several tips for choosing Halloween makeup that won't leave you itchy or sick.

First, always follow the directions on makeup or other products. This includes following the directions on how to remove products. If the directions explain that the makeup is not for use on your face or near your eyes, avoid using it on these areas.

Next, if you're using a product you haven't tried before, do an allergy check by placing a small amount of the makeup or other product on the inside of your arm. If you develop redness, itching, a rash, hives, or another reaction, do not use the product.

Finally, not all color additives are approved by the FDA for use on human faces or near the eyes. The FDA website has a list of approved color additives online at http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm. Compare the ingredients on your makeup to the items on the list to make sure you're not putting anything on your face that might cause serious injury.

Every year, Halloween partygoers suffer injuries from improperly-made or defective costumes, makeup, treats, and decorations. If you've been injured by a holiday product, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Page Law can help. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Any time that you are involved in an accident, it is important to discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney. The decision of which personal injury attorney to choose can have a substantial impact on the outcome of your case. When choosing a lawyer to represent you in an accident, you want to focus on two qualities: experience in the particular type of law, and trustworthiness.

When choosing an accident lawyer, experience in handling your particular type of accident is imperative to making sure you are in good hands. Every aspect of the law is different, and a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the law as it relates to car, motorcycle, or truck accidents is better equipped to handle your case than an attorney who focuses on other aspects, such as criminal or domestic law. Having an attorney who knows how to handle big insurance companies and has the wherewithal to take your case to a trial by jury will allow for the best result. To find a lawyer with experience, look at the resume and case histories they have listed on their website and focus on the field of law they practice in.

Picking an attorney who you can trust is important no matter what type of case you have. Some cases can extend for many years depending on the severity of the injuries and throughout that process it is comforting to know that you have an attorney who is fighting hard for you and protecting your interest. One way to judge whether an attorney is trustworthy is to ask around to your friends or other attorneys you may know. Another way is to read online reviews from past clients to get a feel for how they relate with them. The most effective method, however, is to meet your attorney in person. Ask for a free face to face consultation with the attorneys you are interviewing.

Once you feel confident with the lawyer’s experience and are able to gauge his or her trustworthiness, you can proceed comfortably with your case knowing you are in good hands. We encourage you to review our website and see for yourself if the experience of our Missouri personal injury attorneys in handling car, truck, and motorcycle accident cases is what you need.

No matter how hard parents try to keep their children safe, there are countless factors in everyday life that could put a child in harm’s way. To help teach children and parents how to stay safe, Child Safety Day will be held at The Pageant at 6161 Delmar St. in St. Louis on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free and there will be games and activities that are not only fun, but informative as well.

Activities are aimed towards teaching family safety for streets, cars, bicycles, the Internet, and home, as well as what to do in times of emergencies. Free services offered at the event include fingerprinting, fitted bike helmets, booster/safety seat instructions, flu shots, DNA kits, and gun locks. Attendees can also participate in a car rollover simulator and the St. Louis Fire Department smoke house in order to learn how to handle these emergency situations.

The St. Louis personal injury attorneys of Page Law are one of the sponsors of Child Safety Day along with the likes of the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other organizations. Our attorneys and staff will personally be on-hand to give out educational materials and safe toys for children.

Our offices successfully handle a wide range of personal injury cases and understand the toll an injury can take on a family, especially when it is a child who has been hurt due to negligence. We are looking forward to Child Safety Day as a time to spread the word about how to stay safe and hopefully prevent future injuries in St. Louis. For more information about our law firm or how we can help in your personal injury case, visit www.injuredclient.com or call 314-322-8515.

The Frank J. Mitchell, Jr. Trauma Center recently received a Level 1 verification from the American College of Surgeons, the highest honor a trauma center can receive, according to a recent news report from Connect Missouri. Only two other trauma centers in the state have received a similar designation.

The trauma center, which is part of University Hospital, is designed to treat patients who are facing life-threatening injuries or illnesses in which several body systems are at risk of permanent damage or failure. These include patients who suffer catastrophic injuries in car accidents, workplace accidents, and other situations. The staff at the trauma center treat over 1,500 patients each year, often racing the clock to get an injured or ill person stabilized in order to save their lives.

The trauma center includes several surgeons with specialized training in trauma care, including board-certified pediatric surgeons who are specially trained to deal with children suffering severe medical trauma. The center is connected to the facilities of University Hospital as a whole, so that patients who need care have access to all necessary medical resources.

Every family hopes that their loved ones will never need the care of a trauma center. When a severe accident occurs, however, top-quality trauma care may become necessary to save a person’s life. If you or someone you love has been injured in a Missouri accident, the experienced St. Louis injury accident attorneys at Page Law can help you hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions and seek the compensation your family needs. To learn more, call us today at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation.

Fireworks are one of the Fourth of July’s most beautiful and exciting traditions. However, when fireworks are not used safely, serious injuries can result. In order to help protect those who use fireworks this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers information on fireworks injuries and how to avoid them.

Thousands of U.S. residents go to the emergency room each Independence Day after a fireworks-related injury, according to the CPSC. While deaths are rare, they do happen. More often, however, users of fireworks survive the accident but suffer serious, life-altering injuries, including burn scars or the loss of fingers or other body parts. The costs of such accidents can be staggering, and the damage can be permanent.

In order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself or those you love this Independence Day, the CPSC recommends that you purchase fireworks that meet CPSC safety requirements and that come with instructions for use. Always follow the instructions that come with fireworks, and only light one at a time. Using fireworks intended for professional displays only or that are homemade can cause serious injury. Clean up your fireworks area thoroughly before you leave, so that no one can be injured by fireworks that were accidentally left behind.

Fireworks are designed to catch fire and explode, so accidents can happen even with the best care. If you or someone you love has been injured in a fireworks accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced Missouri accident attorneys at Page Law. Call us anytime at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation.

Missouri personal injury law firm Page Law is proud to announce signing with The Chad Carden Group (CCG) to execute “The Page Launch.” At Page Law, we strive to be better for our clients. With implementing a synergistic combination of planning and strategizing connected with our core business beliefs, we look forward to the exponential growth CCG will help bring to our firm. Attorney John Page, a senior partner at Page Law, states, “I have been following Chad Carden’s work for years and I am thoroughly impressed with the projects he has done with many Fortune 500 companies.”

“The Page Launch” is scheduled for March 18, 2011 and with CCG’s assistance, the execution phase of this monumental project is expected to be carried out for 12 months. At that point, CCG will step back from the firm little by little as we meet each goal that we’ve set. In reflecting on the endeavor, John Page states, “I have to admit, this is a game changer. Chad Carden has opened my eyes to what executing with precision really means. Page Law is an outstanding law firm right now, but we are about to take it up a notch with CCG.”

Page Law was recently honored as one of Missouri’s most Winningest law firms by the Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly. In adding to this accomplishment, “The Page Launch” will bring the firm to a new level in which John Page further states, “Our firm’s results are outstanding and our client service is stellar. But to truly be a ‘world class’ operation, each and every employee of Page Law must execute with precision at every single level. We will be utilizing CCG’s experience working with much larger and complex corporations, in developing and implementing ‘The Page Launch’.”

A freshman from Kansas University has sued a fraternity because of serious injuries he received while at a frat party, according to LJWorld.com.

The freshman was injured in September 2010 after he was allegedly ordered to dive into a homemade pool at a party hosted by the fraternity. The pool was made of sandbags and a tarp. As a result of the stunt, the student suffered serious spinal cord injuries, including permanent spine damage and paralysis.

The man’s lawsuit was filed in Missouri because that is where the fraternity conducts its business, and the member of the chapter house association who specialized in pledge treatment and education is also based there. In the lawsuit, he claims that officials at the fraternity knew there had been problems in the past with that particular party, and that national fraternity officials warned the chapters not to build any pools or ponds. The suit also claims that minors were allowed to drink at the party.

After the accident, the college placed the fraternity on probation, finding that it violated the rules against hazing. All members were required to complete community service. However, the college was not able to prove that fraternity members ordered the man to jump in the pool, but they were able to find three other forms of hazing had taken place.

This fraternity could be held liable for the student’s injuries under a theory of premises liability. A property owner or occupier can be held liable for any injuries that come from a dangerous condition on their property. They have a duty to protect people lawfully on their property from injuries that could result from hazardous conditions, such as this homemade swimming pool.

Have you been injured on someone else’s property by a hazard that existed on the land? If so, call the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law, LLC at 314-322-8515 to talk with an attorney about your injuries. We will strive to get you the compensation you deserve.

St. Louis personal injury law firm Page Law is honored to be recognized as one of Missouri’s most “Winningest Law Firms” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly. This acknowledgement was based on overall 2010 plaintiff verdicts and settlement wins in the verdicts and settlements database. Only twenty-one other law firms in Missouri were included on this list and Page Law is proud to be acknowledged amongst them. Founder of Page Law and St. Louis personal injury lawyer John Page was also accredited as one of Missouri’s “Winningest Plaintiff Lawyers for 2010” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Missouri Lawyers Weekly is one of seven Missouri Lawyers Media publications. Since its founding in 1987, Missouri Lawyers Weekly has served as a helpful resource for subscribers, attorneys, and legal professionals. The publication covers the most up to date reports on changes to court rules, verdicts and settlements, state and federal court legal decisions, and other vital legal news.

In being included on this prestigious list of “Winningest Law Firms”, Page Law maintains its philosophy of providing each and every client with the personal attention and time that they deserve. Page Law continues to succeed in doing this and helping clients obtain substantial results by not taking on a high volume of cases. To learn more about Page Law, please visit our blog again or browse our website at http://www.injuredclient.com/.

The St. Louis personal injury law firm of Page Law is proud to announce that founder and attorney John Page has been selected as one of Missouri’s “Winningest Plaintiff Lawyers for 2010” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Only eighteen other plaintiff lawyers in Missouri were chosen to be on this list for their success in 2010.

Page Law was also selected as one of Missouri’s most “Winningest Law Firms” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly based on the 2010 plaintiff wins in the verdicts and settlements database. Missouri Lawyers Weekly is one of seven Missouri Lawyers Media publications. Missouri Lawyers Weekly is a highly reliable resource for Missourians, lawyers, and legal professionals. The publication provides recent state and federal court legal decisions, updates to court rules, verdicts and settlements, and other critical news.

No two personal injury cases are alike, which is why the circumstances of every person’s accident must be thoroughly examined. This way, an effective plan can be developed to achieve successful results. Page Law never takes on a high volume of cases. Clients should never be treated like commodities. Page Law focuses on upholding the philosophy it was founded on - treating clients with the respect they deserve by dedicating the time and attention needed. To find out more about John Page and Page Law, visit our blog again or look through our website at http://www.injuredclient.com/.

Personal injuries unexpectedly affect St. Louis residents in a variety of ways. Injuries can be sustained in a range of circumstances including mishaps at work and car accidents. Initially the primary concern for victims of a personal injury will be the physical health of the individual. When you are injured in any circumstance, it is important to seek the proper medical attention.

Stress often accompanies injuries inflicted upon you that are outside of your control. When injured in an accident you will often be forced to miss days of work and limit your physical activity. Stress can stem from the changes to our daily lives that were forced upon us by personal injuries. Even after physical recovery from such injuries, you may still feel further stress resulting from wanting to know how to recover from the additional affects of your personal injury.

A key factor in minimizing the stress associated with your personal injury is finding an experienced and comforting St. Louis personal injury attorney.

It is important that your attorney has experience dealing with personal injury cases. There are essential steps associated with building your case and recovering fully. You need to obtain detailed information and you need to understand the jurisdictional subtleties that accompany personal injury cases in St. Louis, MO. In addition to finding an experienced attorney, in order to minimize your stress, it will be helpful to find an attorney who will comfort you throughout this process.

Attorney’s workloads often get the best of them and a common complaint of attorneys in Missouri is the lack of attentiveness devoted to their clients. You want to find an attorney who is polite, quickly responds to any questions or concerns you have, and is able to empathize with you and your situation. An attorney with such experience and characteristics will help minimize the stress associated with your personal injury by providing assurance that your case will be dealt with timely and effectively. Moreover, the attorney’s knowledge and attentiveness will allow you relax during this process.

John Page is a St. Louis injury lawyer and a senior partner at Page Law, LLC. As a personal injury attorney, he handles St. Louis personal injury cases on a daily basis. John has been a lawyer for personal injury victims his entire career. In addition to handling his own personal injury caseload, John spends a great deal of time training personal injury lawyers at his firm. John can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 314.322.8515 or 800.500.4658. He can also be reached by emailing him at john@thepagefirm.com or by visiting him online at http://www.injuredclient.com.

Page Law, LLC and The A.W. Smith Law Firm are proud to announce the debut of the Serious Injury Legal Group (SILG) website, http://www.silg.com/. The new website is a resource for lawyers who would like to make a personal injury case referral to experienced and skilled personal injury attorneys. The SILG website also includes helpful information for both accident victims and lawyers alike in Missouri and Illinois on topics relating to car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, as well as wrongful death.

The SILG website provides a place for small law firms as well as other lawyers to turn when a seriously injured individual calls their office, and requires assistance the law firm or lawyer may not be able to offer.

What sets SILG apart from other legal websites is a feature that allows referring lawyers the ability to follow a referred case from start to finish. The website provides a secure login to any referring attorney who can review the status of any case they have referred to SILG at any time. The SILG website gives referring lawyers the assurance that they have provided a seriously injured person quality care with another attorney, and gives lawyers the confidence to refer cases again in the future knowing that they can stay informed about the case.

If you would like to learn more about your legal rights and options as a personal injury victim, or if you would like to refer a personal injury case to SILG, visit the new website or call 1-800-900-SILG (7454) today.

A new study from the Netherlands just discovered that pregnant women who take a certain drug to control seizures may be at an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida, according to BusinessWeek.com. Spina bifida is a medical condition in which the spinal bones don’t close but the spinal cord remains in place. Children who suffer from spina bifida require life-long treatment.

The drug that was tested is carbamazepine or Tegretol. It’s typically taken by women who have epilepsy to control their seizures. The study found that if Tegretol is taken during a pregnant woman’s first trimester, the risk of having a baby with a major malformation was 3.3 percent. Another drug that controls epilepsy, valproic acid, or Depakene, was found to be much more dangerous for pregnant women. Women taking this epilepsy drug were six times more likely to have an infant with spina bifida and seven times more likely to have an infant with hypospadias than women using other anti-epileptic drugs.

When deciding whether to take drugs to control epilepsy, pregnant women and their doctors need to weigh the risks of controlling epilepsy against the risk of potential birth defects. There are two alternate epileptic drugs available to treat epilepsy, but currently there’s little data available on the risks of taking those drugs while pregnant.

Obstetricians have a duty to warn their patients about the risks of any drugs they may take while pregnant. If your child is born with a birth defect and you believe it was due to the use of a dangerous drug, contact the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law, LLC. Call us today at 1-314-488-2433 for a free consultation.

A Missouri man was hospitalized and may be arrested after an ATV accident in Camdenton, according to LakeNewsOnline.com.

The man, who is from Sunrise Beach, was riding his 2005 Yamaha ATV when he was forced to swerve to avoid crashing into another ATV. His ATV rolled and he spilled onto the road, suffering moderate injuries. The man wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the ATV accident. He and the female driver of the ATV into which he almost crashed were both cited for operating an ATV on a highway, which is illegal in Missouri, and for driving while intoxicated. The female driver was taken to jail. The other driver was taken to the hospital.

In 2009, there were 472 crashes involving either ATVs or bicycles in Missouri. There were 244 injuries and eight fatalities resulting from those accidents. The rate of injuries per crash was much higher for those injured in an ATV wreck, as opposed to those riding in a car or truck.

In order to prevent serious injuries while riding an ATV, there are some rules that should be followed. First, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. Besides being illegal, ATVs are difficult to control on pavement. Don’t drive ATVs with a passenger. Wear protective gear, especially a helmet. Consider taking an ATV safety course.

If you have been injured due to the fault of someone else in a Missouri motorcycle, bicycle, or ATV accident, financial help may be available. Contact the skilled Missouri personal injury lawyers at Page Law. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, property damages, medical expenses, and more. Call us for a free consultation at 314-488-2433.

Tragically, a Missouri man died in a go-kart accident west of Reeds Spring, according to KansasCity.com. The 46-year-old died when his go-kart ran off the road, hit a tree and overturned.

Although accident statistics for all go-kart crashes are not readily available, statistics are available for go-kart accidents that occur at amusement parks. According to SaferParks.org, 40 percent of go-kart accidents occur with kids between the ages of 7 and 12.

Most go-kart accident injuries are caused by collisions with other carts or collisions with stationary objects. Other common types of injuries are abrasions from seatbelts, burns, individuals being hit by go-karts, and accidents while loading or unloading. In addition, some highly publicized accidents in recent years have illustrated the dangers of strangulation of go-kart riders wearing neck scarves or head coverings while riding.

How do you ride safely on a go-kart? First, a child needs training before operating a go-kart alone. Before you allow your child to drive a go-kart, make sure they understand how to operate the kart. Follow all instructions in the owner’s manual. Do not attempt to put two people into a go-kart designed for one. Always fasten your safety belt. Always wear a helmet and protective gear.

Go-karts can be a great deal of fun, but if not operated properly they can be deadly. If you have been injured in a Missouri go-kart accident that you believe was caused by another person’s negligence, contact the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law at 314-322-8515 today for a free consultation.

Nobody expects to be involved in a Missouri injury accident. However, mistakes do happen and many times these accidents require the skill of an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney. The videos on this blog will explain the role that a lawyer plays in a personal injury case and will hopefully answer any questions you may have regarding consulting a Missouri accident attorney about your injury.

Some victims of auto accidents in Missouri don’t necessarily want to file a lawsuit against the person responsible for their injuries. What many injured victims don’t realize is that in most cases, filing an insurance claim is sufficient enough to ensure that they get the financial help they need. However, there are some cases where the insurance company does not want to cooperate and a lawsuit is the only option. A St. Louis personal injury attorney can help you understand the process of filing a claim, or, if the situation calls for it, a lawsuit against the responsible party. Watch the below video for more information:

No one ever plans to be in an accident, let alone find themselves in need of a St. Louis personal injury attorney. For most people who have been hurt in either an auto accident, motorcycle collision, or another accident caused by someone else’s negligence, they need help right away.

Although it is important to find a lawyer who can help you as soon as possible, you will not benefit in the long run by choosing just any attorney. To find out more about how you can find the right lawyer for your specific case, please watch the below video.

Tragically, a Missouri sprint car racer was killed in an accident in Warsaw, Missouri. According to a www.ktul.com report, the racer was electrocuted in his shop while he was preparing his trailer for racing.

An average of 400 Americans die of electrical shock injuries each year caused by consumer products alone. What should you do if someone needs help due to an electrical shock injury? According to the Mayo Clinic, you should immediately call 911 if an individual has been shocked and is experiencing heart problems, respiratory failure, burns, seizures, numbness and tingling, burns, or muscle pains and contractions.

While waiting for the medical personnel to arrive, first check to see if the person is still in contact with the source of electricity before touching him or her. If possible, turn off the source of electricity. If high voltage lines are the source of the injury, stay at least 20 feet away until the power is turned off. Then check for signs of consciousness. If the person is not conscious and not breathing, begin CPR. In addition, you should try to keep the torso elevated higher than the head, and elevate the legs. You should not move a person with electrical shock injuries unless the person is in immediate danger.

Have you or someone you know been injured by electrical shock as the result of someone else’s negligence or as the result of a defective product? If so, you should consult an experienced Missouri injury attorney. At Page Law, our attorneys are knowledgeable about all aspects of personal injury law and will strive to obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation at 314-322-8515.

An 11 year old Missouri girl was injured in a tragic fireworks accident over the Independence Day weekend.

According to kansascity.com, the girl was injured by “Black Eyed Peas”, the small explosive poppers typically thrown down or placed on the road so that cars can run over them. The girl unwrapped a package and placed them into a bowl in preparation for a July 4th neighborhood party. As she was moving them, an explosion occurred and she was critically injured.

She was transported by helicopter to Children’s Mercy Hospital. In 2009, Children's Mercy hospital reported seeing 52 patients in their emergency room with fireworks-related injuries. In 2008, 28 children were seen with fireworks-related injuries.

On average, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 fireworks injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms each year. Injuries to children under age 15 account for 40 percent of the injuries. Firecrackers and sparklers have the most reported injuries among all types of fireworks. Approximately half the injuries to children under 5 years old are caused by sparklers. Most of the fireworks injuries are burns, and about two-thirds of the victims of fireworks injuries are males.

Continue reading "Young Girl Injured in Fireworks Accident over Holiday Weekend" »

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, several Missouri residents have already begun celebrating with fireworks and other devices. While a patriotic spirit is to be encouraged, far too many citizens overlook safety when utilizing these potentially dangerous objects. A new study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that fireworks-related incidents were responsible for two deaths in 2009 and approximately 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries. According to the CPSC, throughout the 30 days near last year’s holiday, about 6,000 injuries involving fireworks were reported in which half of the injuries related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.

Consumers below the age of 20 are the most prone to fireworks injuries; however, the risk of serious injury or even death still exists for anyone within close proximity of fireworks or other pyrotechnics. Some common fireworks injuries and hazards include burns, lacerations, loss of limbs, residential fires and wrongful death.

Parental supervision is essential when legal fireworks are being used. Never allow young children to set-off or play with fireworks or other gadgets. It is also important to never throw or point fireworks at another individual. To learn more about how you can help prevent serious injuries related to fireworks this Fourth of July holiday, please refer to the CPSC’s website for consumer fireworks safety tips.

The Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law want consumers to understand the importance of safety during the Independence Day holiday. Take every necessary precaution to keep your loved ones safe.

According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), drowning in a backyard pool is the fourth leading cause of death for children under five years of age. About 260 of these young children die in pool accidents each year, and another 3,000 are seen in emergency rooms for water-related injuries. While the risk of a drowning accident in Missouri is always present, you can take steps to prevent your children and their friends from being injured or killed in the family pool.

The CPSC recommends the following steps:

• Never leave a child unsupervised around a pool or in a place where they can reach the pool.


• Make sure babysitters understand the importance of watching the children at all times while they are in or near the pool.


• Place a fence around the entire perimeter of the pool. Install self-latching gates, and place the latches out of reach of small children.


• Swimming lessons do not make children “drown-proof.” Even if they can swim, always supervise children in or near the pool.


• Completely remove the pool cover before allowing children to swim. Otherwise, children may become trapped under the cover.


• Keep rescue equipment, including a long pole and a flotation device, near the pool. Do not use floating toys as a substitute for a child's swimming ability or for constant supervision.

Although pool manufacturers have a responsibility to make safe products, they cannot eliminate the risks a pool poses to young children. Watching your children at all times while they are in the pool can prevent life-threatening accidents.

If you or your child is injured by an unsafe pool structure or pool equipment, you have legal rights. A skilled Missouri personal injury lawyer from the experienced legal team at Page Law can help you understand your rights and hold negligent parties accountable. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

According to an article, about fifty percent of patients who received a certain type of radiation treatment for cancer in the past five years from CoxHealth were exposed to dangerously high levels of radiation. Authorities say they don’t know if the overdoses caused or hastened any deaths, but they are going over medical records to investigate whether or not they did.

The hospital has revealed that more than 150 patients were given doses of radiation between 20 and 70 percent more than they needed. Another group of patients only received 10 percent more than they needed. Of the entire group of patients treated with the incorrectly programmed machine, 59 percent of them died. The mistake was the result of a technician using the wrong tool to program the radiation machine. It went unnoticed for five years until a newly hired second technician questioned the calibration used by the chief physicist.

Unfortunately, radiation over-exposure has become more common than one would think. Nationally, there have been several similar stories in recent news. Radiation overdose is extremely serious and is an issue that no one ever expects to experience at a treatment facility that has taken an oath to provide the highest standard of care possible. When medical professionals fail in their duties, situations of medical negligence or malpractice may result and an injured patient is entitled to seek compensatory damages for their injuries.

Continue reading "Patients Were Overexposed to Radiation at Hospital" »

Nbcactionnews.com reports that the Kansas City Royals have to answer to a claim that Slugger the mascot wounded a fan with a hot dog. Apparently, Slugger was launching hot dogs into the stands with an air rifle when things got out of control. The injured male fan has filed a lawsuit seeking $25,000 in damages and claims that Slugger’s reckless action has caused a severe detached retina and cataract. The victim will require surgery and wants compensation for further medical expenses because of the injury. A spokesman for the Royals made no comment because the suit is still an ongoing legal matter. The suit cites negligence and battery.

Although this case might seem humorous to some given its context, people don’t go to sporting events or entertainment venues expecting to be injured by the staff. It is reasonable to expect a certain level of duty of care to ticket holders at a stadium. This particular case may be more complicated than it appears, mainly because several parties may be involved. There may also be Missouri premises liability issues in addition to the injury claim for the damage done to the fan’s eye.

Continue reading "Slugger the Mascot Injures Fan with Hot Dog" »

A man was critically injured in an auto accident in Columbia after his vehicle was struck by a city bus. According to an ABC 17 news report, the major injury collision occurred at the intersection of Old Highway 63 and Bearfield Road. Apparently, the bus collided with the car and pushed it up against a telephone pole. As a consequence, the man was trapped inside his car for almost an entire hour. Fortunately, none of the 14 passengers in the bus were injured in the crash.

In such serious car collisions, it is important to look into whether one of the drivers failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection. Failure to yield right-of-way may be caused by driver inattention, recklessness, impairment or distracted driving. The at-fault party in these kinds of crashes may be held financially responsible for the accident and injuries sustained. Victims who are injured as a result of someone else's negligence may seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and even long-term care if the injuries are debilitating or lifelong.

Continue reading "Missouri Bus Accident Critically Injures Man" »

Confidential reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend that GlaxoSmithKline's controversial diabetes drug Avandia be pulled from the market because it can cause heart attacks, the New York Times reports. The report obtained by the Times states that if all diabetics using Avandia stopped taking it, about 500 heart attacks and 300 cases of heart failure would be prevented each month.

Several studies, including a Canadian study in 2009, found that Avandia was associated with an increased risk of heart failure and death among older patients. A bipartisan U.S. Senate investigation also determined that Glaxo did not warn patients earlier that Avandia was potentially deadly. Avandia has been linked to causing congestive heart failure, primary pulmonary hypertension and osteoporosis. A 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who took Avandia experienced a 43 percent higher risk of cardiovascular events.

Continue reading "FDA Wants Avandia Off the Market: Dangerous Side Effects" »

Children of women who take antidepressants such as Paxil in the later stages of their pregnancy "are slower in reaching some developmental milestones," according to new studies performed by Danish researchers. A news report in HealthDay states that the scientists used data obtained from more than 81,000 babies born in Denmark. They found that babies whose mothers took antidepressants during the second or third trimester took more time to sit on their own or walk than children of depressed mothers who did not take these medications.

This particular study is not the first to show that antidepressants such as Paxil may affect fetal development. In 2009, a study in the British Medical Journal found that women who took such antidepressants during the first three months of their pregnancy were threatened with the higher potential of giving birth to babies with septal heart defects or malformations in the wall separating the right side of the heart from the left. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have issued warnings to consumers about the increased risk of heart defects and other birth defects associated with the use of Paxil during pregnancy. Paxil has also been known to cause other birth defects such as low blood sugar, vomiting, irritability and seizures.

Continue reading "Antidepressants Such as Paxil May Be Slower to Reach Developmental Milestones" »

A recent report released by the Better Business Bureau claims that Missouri has more federally licensed dog breeders than any other state in the country. The state of Missouri is home to over 30% of licensed dog breeders in the U.S. That is over four times the amount of dog breeders in the next highest state.

Although these breeders do have federal licenses and must undergo an annual inspection, there are only 13 inspectors who are forced to juggle their duties along with other responsibilities. As a result, many atrocities go unchecked. For instance, a breeder in southwest Missouri is said to buy and sell nearly 90,000 puppies a year. The breeder delivers the puppies in a semi. There are also numerous reports of sick puppies being delivered.

The Better Business Bureau has a few tips to help fix the out of control puppy mill situation in Missouri. The department of Agriculture must step in and be more aggressive in prosecuting repeat offenders. Missouri should also consider raising the annual license fee. In addition to new legislation and ordinances, consumers can also make a difference by adopting a shelter animal instead of buying a puppy.

Puppy mills are generally more concerned with quantity over quality; and as a result, inbreeding can occur, which may increase the animal’s proclivity to aggression. Aggressive and mistreated animals are more likely to attack a human, thereby increasing the number of dog bites in Missouri.

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Claims: Better Business Bureau Investigates Missouri Puppy Mills" »

An Iowa Police Officer was recently forced to pull out his firearm and dispatch a dog that was running amok through a residential neighborhood. The officer, responding to numerous calls of a dog running wild, arrived on the scene and found himself face to face with a very hostile German Shepard. According to statements issued by the police chief, the dog was approximately one to two feet away from the officer and snarling. The officer felt extremely threatened and was forced to shoot the dog in self-defense before the animal had a chance to lunge.

Police discovered later that the dog was unlicensed and had no records of rabies vaccinations. The officer claims that the resident’s safety and the safety of a local mailman were his primary concerns when confronted with the animal. In this case, no one was injured; but when an unfamiliar dog is running wild, the potential for confrontation can be very high.

Continue reading "Officer Shoots Rampaging Dog in Self-Defense" »

All pit bull owners in Poplar Buff will be required to microchip and register their dogs by April 1. The city’s animal control officers will be enforcing the new ordinance. If a pit bull is found running wild, the animal will be checked for microchip to determine who the owner is. If the dog does not have a microchip, it will be impounded. The ordinance also states that if a pit bull or pit mix happens to die, the animal’s owner will not be allowed to replace the dog with another pit bull. This decree is an effort to phase out all pit bulls from Poplar Bluff.

Most Missouri dog attacks in Poplar Bluffs involve pit bulls; although, according to animal control, over 50% of all dogs in the city are pit bulls. This type of breed-specific legislation is not uncommon in Missouri. Other cities such as Dexter and Piedmont have also banned pit bulls completely.
Microchipping dogs of all breeds is common, but the frequency of pit bull attacks in Poplar Bluff has left officials with little choice but to impose this measure. The restrictions leveled at pit bulls can seem unfair to pit bull owners despite the fact that this type of legislation is becoming common across America and the rest of the world.

If a pit bull attacks you or someone in your family, you may be overwhelmed by the complexities of the laws pertaining to this breed and dog bites. An experienced St. Louis dog bite lawyer can help protect your legal rights. Call 866-620-5757 for a free consultation with a skilled and knowledgeable dog bite attorney at Page Law.

Source: http://www.semissourian.com/story/1618351.html

Last October, a stray pit bull viciously attacked a five-year-old boy, almost completely tearing off his scalp. According to the Birmingham News, another dog had saved the boy by fighting the pit bull and carrying the boy to safety. Although pit bulls have been known to have a proclivity toward aggression, the mother did not blame the breed for attacking her son. Instead, she blamed the way the dog had been raised, and the facts may support her opinion.

Some of the facts may be surprising to those who are biased toward the so-called dangerous breeds. If a dog of any breed attacks you, you may be entitled to compensation if the owner is found to be negligent. However, the Missouri dog bite laws can be confusing and also vary from county to county.

Pit bulls account for most reported dog bite cases, which could be because there are more of them than any other breed. Experts claim that the most popular breed of dog at any point in time is always going to be responsible for a greater number of attacks. The popularity of pit bulls could also push some owners to inbreed the dogs, which can produce dogs that are more prone to aggressive behavior. One of the experts owns five pit bulls and is never worried about leaving them with his children, claiming that the way the dog is raised accounts for its aggression.

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a dog attack or sustained a serious dog bite injury, you need an experienced St. Louis dog attack personal injury attorney to help investigate your case and protect your rights. Please call 314-322-8515 for a free consultation with a skilled and knowledgeable dog bite lawyer at Page Law.

Source: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/03/dog_bite_reports_defy_most_ste.html

A Kennett, Missouri local was served a summons to appear in court for violating the city’s dangerous dog ordinance. According to a story, at approximately 4:10 p.m. on March 16, 2010, Kennet’s humane officer received a call about a pit bull trying to bite students at a local middle school. Upon arriving at the school, she discovered that the animal had been subdued by a reserve police officer. As she and the officer were discussing the situation, a man aggressively approached them and demanded they relinquish his dog. When pressed to show identification, the man became agitated and started cursing. He then proceeded to angrily push the dog toward the officers and told them to take the animal.

Anticipating trouble at the pound, the humane officer decided to house the dog at an off-site location. The following afternoon someone was caught breaking into the dog pound. The suspect was apprehended in his vehicle and charged with trespassing on city property, breaking into the pound and violating the dangerous dog and leash law ordinances.

Continue reading "Man Charged for Pit Bull Attacks on Local School" »

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented a black box warning for Reglan and all other drugs containing metoclopramide. According to a news report, what is curious about the recent buzz surrounding the Reglan black box warning is that it is more than a year old. The FDA news release dated February 26, 2009 talks about the Reglan black box warning. There are no recent releases or warnings that relate to Reglan.

The FDA warning stated that one of the effects of the drug, used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease or diabetic gastroparesis, is "tardive dyskinesia," or involuntary movement disorders. The black box warning, which is the most serious warning that can be issued by the FDA, also states that these side effects can be irreversible with no known cure available.

Another analysis of study data by the FDA showed that about 20 percent of patients in that study who used Reglan took it for more than three months. Also, the FDA is continuing to receive more reports of tardive dyskinesia in patients who used or continued to use Reglan. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movement of facial muscles, the tongue, the eyes, fingers and other extremities. An individual of any age is at risk for drug-induced tardive dyskinesia.

Continue reading "FDA Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Warning More than a Year Old " »

A 5-year-old boy sustained injuries in a Missouri child dog bite attack, ABC 17 News reports. The toddler had to be airlifted to an area hospital for treatment after he was attacked on Old State Road near Highway T. The dog was taken away by animal control. No further information was available about the condition of the child.

The details of how or why this animal attack occurred have not been reported yet. There are many factors that determine fault, negligence and liability in dog attacks. There are several details that need to be examined on a case-by-case basis. Was the dog on a leash? Was the dog provoked? Did the dog have a history of vicious behavior? Some states have a strict liability statute, which means that the dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by his or her pet, irrespective of the circumstances or regardless of whether the owner had knowledge of the animal's prior viciousness.

Continue reading "Dog Bites Toddler in Missouri" »

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children are the most at risk of being attacked by dogs in the United States. Even when kids are taught not to approach unfamiliar dogs or not to bother a dog that is sleeping, as a recent attack demonstrates, children cannot prevent a dog owner from improperly detaining their animals. According to a ksdk.com article, a 3-year-old girl was attacked by three dogs when she was at play in a front yard.

Based on the article, the toddler has been hospitalized for over a week to receive medical attention for over 50 bites, ten of which may have reached the bone in some locations. The girl’s father stated that she is unable to move and has received over 150 stitches, experienced a lot of swelling, and is still in much pain. Apparently, the dogs that dragged the young child almost 90 feet – lab retriever mixes and an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) – commonly roam “free around the neighborhood” and were not properly held within their owner’s yard.

Continue reading "3-Year-Old Hospitalized after Dog Attack" »

The County of Santa Clara in California has filed a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline over its drug Avandia. The suit claims that the drug maker has made billions of dollars on the diabetes medication which has caused heart attacks and strokes. According to a report in the San Jose Mercury News, the lawsuit is alleging that the drug maker has been involved in a decade of false advertising and marketing misrepresentation. The suit is seeking compensation on behalf of patients and providers in California.

Numerous patients nationwide have filed personal injury lawsuits against Glaxo over Avandia. However, this is the first lawsuit filed by a governmental entity that claims that the drug maker falsely advertised Avandia's benefits and hid its dangerous side effects from consumers. The lawsuit states that while GlaxoSmithKline made billions of dollars in profit by selling the drug, Avandia caused 60,000 to 200,000 heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths nationwide from 1999 to 2006. A Feb. 20 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that Avandia caused heart attacks and strokes and recommended that it be removed from the market.

Continue reading "County Lawsuit over Avandia Alleges Dangerous Side Effects" »

A recent Three Rivers Publishing article discusses the perseverance of a 7-year-old girl in her continuing recovery from a serious pit bull attack that occurred in February 2010. According to the story, the young Cuba Elementary first grader was bit in the face by a neighbor’s pit bull after entering the vicinity where the dog was chained. Even though the girl was hospitalized for nine days and underwent two operations to treat the dog bite injuries on her face, the article mentions that she is still in pain, has swelling on her face, visible scarring, jaw damage, cannot open her left eye, and may have permanent vision damage. The first grader may also need reconstructive surgery in the future in addition to other medical care, including possible dental surgery to treat her jaw.

While the injuries sustained in this Missouri dog attack are considerable, even the most minor of injuries from a dog bite can impose tremendous emotional trauma and financial strain upon an individual and their family. In this particular situation, the young girl must be transported from Cuba, Missouri to St. Louis in order to receive the medical treatment she needs. In similar instances where a dog bite victim faces long-lasting medical bills and travel costs due to a dog attack, the dog owner may be held liable for such expenses in addition to compensation for pain and suffering and other related damages.

Continue reading "Cuba, Missouri 7-Year-Old Suffers Multiple Injuries in Pit Bull Mauling" »

According to the Center for Disease Control, dogs bite nearly 4.5 million Americans each year. In 2006 alone, 31,000 people required reconstructive surgery because of dog bites. Also, 16 people are killed each year as a result of dog bites. Those who are most at risk for dog bites are children between the ages of five and nine, adult males and people who keep dogs as pets. Adults with two or more dogs are five times more likely to be bitten.

If you are considering owning a dog, there are tips you can follow in order to prevent dog bites to you, your family and your neighbors:

• Educate yourself about which breeds best fit your household. You may wish to consult a veterinary or other animal specialist to help.


• If you have children, avoid dogs that have a history of aggression.


• Spend time with the dog that you are considering adopting or purchasing.


• If you have a dog, spaying and neutering it often reduces aggressive tendencies.


• Properly socialize and train your dog to be around other dogs as well as children.


• Teach your dog submissive behaviors.


• Do not leave your child alone with a dog.

Missouri dog bite laws are very specific. If a dog has bitten you, or your child, you should discuss your case with an experienced MO dog bite lawyer after consulting a physician. The skilled Missouri dog bite attorneys at Page Law have a wealth of knowledge in handling dog bite and personal injury claims. Call us today at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/biteprevention.html

A 7th Circuit court has ruled that a lawsuit may go forward against SmithKline Beecham Corp. over the suicide of a 23-year-old woman who committed suicide after taking the antidepressant Paxil. According to an article in The National Law Journal, the court made a unanimous decision to reverse the lower court decision. The appellate court ruled that the drug maker, now known as GlaxoSmithKline, did not show "clear evidence" that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have rejected a change in the drug's labeling to warn about the enhanced possibility of suicide in young adults who take Paxil.

Now, this woman’s case will move forward. Her death has not been the only suicide that has spurred a Paxil wrongful death lawsuit. Several suits have accused the drug maker of ignoring studies that indicated Paxil was ineffective in the treatment of children and adolescents and that they may increase suicidal thoughts. A lawsuit filed in June 2004 by former New York Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, also accuses Glaxo officials of misrepresenting data on the prescribing of Paxil to children.

Continue reading "Seventh Circuit Finds Paxil Manufacturer Did Not Meet Burden to Pre-empt" »

According to an article posted on OzarksFirst.com, a deputy in the Pulaski County Sheriff’s department was hospitalized after being attacked by two dogs. The deputy had been on duty checking on the well being of a woman at her residence just outside of St. Robert’s city limits. As he approached the house, two Great Danes attacked him. He was released from hospital and will be on medical leave for several days for recovery.

Dog bites kill an average of 16 people each year. Although most victims of dog bites are children, situations like this one are becoming more frequent. By law, dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their pets. While other states impose harsher liability if it is the dog’s first bite, some states allow it to be of no consequence; however, this depends on the severity of the wound.

Regardless, dog bite wounds can leave visible scars as well as affect a person’s future interaction and feelings toward dogs. If a dog has bitten you in Missouri, remember that you have the option to file a dog bite claim in St. Louis and recover medical expenses as well as other financial losses that resulted from the incident. Doing this may also help prevent a particular dog from attacking again and causing injury or trauma to others.

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Injury Lawyer: Pulaski, MO Deputy Gets Mauled By Great Danes" »

A Siberian husky fatally bit an infant in Minnesota on February 18, 2010. According to a news report, the 11-day-old boy was left alone in a car seat on a bed when the incident occurred. The family contacted authorities soon after the attack; however, the infant had stopped breathing. Emergency medical workers were unable to revive him. The dog was immediately tested for rabies and quarantined. It was euthanized on Tuesday, March 2.

The Center for Disease Control reports that 800,000 out of 4.7 million American dog bite victims seek medical help for their dog bites; half of those victims are children. This means 400,000 children are in emergency rooms for dog bites each year. This incident has brought nationwide attention to the serious consequences of dog bites. Missouri dog bite law is very specific with respect to dog attacks and owner liability.

Although dogs do not commonly attack infants, these incidents do happen and are not limited to involving pit bull and Rottweiler breeds. In light of this information, knowing how to properly behave around dogs and other animals can help save your child’s life and prevent injury. Here are a few preventative measures to use and teach your children:

• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog


• Do not disturb a dog while it is sleeping, eating or nursing puppies


• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to smell you first


• Do not approach unfamiliar dogs

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Tort Law Attorney: Husky Euthanized for Fatal Bite to 11-Day-Old Infant" »

Toyota Motor Corp stands firm that its electronic throttle system is in no way defective and has not contributed towards the unintended acceleration issues that have recently forced the recall of more than 8 million Toyota vehicles. According to a Reuters news report, independent testing of Toyota vehicles has led some to believe unintended acceleration issues are the result of faulty electronic systems. This belief is being challenged by Toyota, who, after helping fund similar studies, holds onto the claim that a mechanical defect is ultimately to blame.

Reportedly, an engineering expert at Southern Illinois University recently told a congressional panel that he had found a flaw in Toyota's accelerator controls which could enable a vehicle to unintentionally accelerate. However, studies conducted at Stanford University and engineering company Exponent both claim that the findings were not conducive to real-world driving, and that engineering manipulation was required to create such results. As one Exponent engineer explained, "As engineers we could rewire anything, but that is not realistic."

While time will tell whether or not the problems with Toyota vehicles stem from electronic errors or mechanical defects, the fact of the matter is simple: Toyota vehicles have been recalled for various reasons due to safety concerns.

Continue reading "Conflicting Studies Paint Skewed Picture of Toyota Unintended Acceleration Issues" »

According to an article from The News Press, on December 22, 2009, a two-year-old child was killed from a dog bite in Cape Coral, Florida. The dog in question was a Weimaraner, a generally non-violent breed, and was euthanized a few days after the incident. In memory of their child, the parents have raised donations to build to build a playground 200 feet from a dog park.

The project is said to cost $250,000 and a much-needed amenity to the town. The park, designed by the victim’s mother, has symbolic meaning that will honor the young boy’s memory. In addition to the playground, the parents have also created a foundation to educate parents, dog owners and children about animal safety and prevention of dog bites.

Children under the age of ten-years-old are common victims of dog bites. One resounding aspect of this story that parents and dog owners alike should consider is that dogs of any breed, regardless of training, have the potential to attack. Dogs bite for a variety of reasons, including dominance, predatorily instinct, defense and fear. How a person interacts with a dog also affects the dog’s reaction.

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Compensation Attorney: Family Builds Playground in Memory of Child Killed By Dog" »

Following several congressional hearings and investigations led by federal officials amidst the recall of millions of vehicle models, Toyota remains firm in denying that any electronic flaw is the cause of throttle problems or unintended acceleration. According to a Los Angeles Times article, a March 8, 2010 presentation was held at Toyota’s operations center in Torrance, CA.

Apparently, five engineers have responded to a Southern Illinois University assistant professor’s findings which support that he can create an electrical flaw in Toyota vehicles without the vehicles’ diagnostic system picking it up. The article also mentions that if the assistant professor’s study is determined to be accurate, claims may be made by some Toyota consumers regarding incidents of unintended acceleration without a trouble code being initiated on the vehicles’ computers.

While Toyota engineers support the claim that the assistant professor’s tests are “an unrealistic manipulation,” the automaker has been asked by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to provide a company employee memo that may reveal safety risks being taken as a way to save the company money. While Toyota continues to defend itself against claims of electrical defect, there is no doubt that some Toyota motorists and passengers have experienced the consequences of sudden acceleration in injury and fatal auto accidents.

Continue reading "Toyota Denies Claims of Electronic Defect Causing Unintended Acceleration" »

Based on a US News & World Report article, an incident of sudden acceleration due to a sticking gas pedal took place in Southern California on March 8, 2010. According to the report, the driver of the 2008 Toyota Prius dialed 911 to seek help because the gas pedal in his vehicle was stuck and he could not slow down from 94 mph.

Fortunately, this man was not injured and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was able to assist him in slowing down the runaway Prius. The article points out that this process took approximately 20 minutes and that the CHP officer instructed the driver through loudspeaker to apply the brakes as well as the emergency brake. Once the vehicle was able to hit 50 mph, the motorist turned off his engine and the vehicle eventually came to a stop.

Although the article didn’t mention whether or not this man’s Prius had received a redesigned gas pedal or a new floor mat, recent speculation and academic studies from outside experts have pointed to electronic malfunction as the origin of Toyota throttle problems. The 2008 Prius involved in the above incident has been included only in the floor mat recall. After learning of the incident, Toyota sent a field technical specialist to provide assistance and investigate the report.

Continue reading "Toyota Prius Involved in Southern California Sudden Acceleration Incident" »

A recent LA Times article reported that a live webcast on March 8, 2010 will discuss Toyota’s defenses against claims of electronic throttle problems made by an automotive technology assistant professor from Southern Illinois University. According to the article, the assistant professor presented his study results to Congress in February, pinpointing electronic issues as the culprit for recalled Toyota vehicles experiencing unintended acceleration and throttle problems.

While the assistant professor has concluded that wiring failure in recalled Toyota cars is connected to sudden acceleration, Toyota has denied such claims of electronic flaw. Based on the article, the automaker referred to the assistant professor’s study as “completely unrealistic under real-world conditions.” Through the webcast, Toyota is supposed to present their defense by re-creating the study and providing rebuttals made by experts from Stanford University’s Center for Automotive Research.

Auto manufacturers are responsible for designing, testing, and creating vehicles that are free of defect or flaw before putting them on the market. The assistant professor involved in the Toyota throttle study asserts that automotive electronics may cause a vehicle to experience problems if the components are not properly tested to respond to extreme vibrations or temperatures.

Continue reading "Toyota Electronic Throttle Problems Supported by Assistant Professor's Study" »

Consumers should be advised about a black box warning for Reglan and other metoclopramide-containing drugs that are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. A black box warning is the strongest warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that the drug carries a risk of serious or life-threatening side effects. The black box warning for Reglan from the FDA highlights the risk of tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements of the face and extremities.

Reglan works by increasing muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. This speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. Reglan is also used short-term to treat heartburn caused by acid reflux in people who have used other medications without relief of symptoms. The drug is used in people with diabetes which can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite and a feeling of fullness after eating.

The Reglan black box warning states that patients using the medication as a long-term treatment for gastrointestinal disorders are at risk for tardive dyskinesia. Those who are at risk for this serious Reglan side effect are the elderly, particularly women who have been taking Reglan for extended periods of time. Tardive dyskinesia typically causes the following symptoms:

• Grimacing


• Lip smacking


• Rapid eye blinking


• Involuntary movements of the fingers, hands, arms, face, legs and shoulders


• Pursing of the lips


• Trouble breathing, swallowing talking or walking

The sad fact remains that these symptoms are almost irreversible since there is no known treatment for tardive dyskinesia. If you or a loved one has developed tardive dyskinesia after taking Reglan, please contact the skilled injury lawyers at Page Law for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and loss. Call our St. Louis product liability attorneys at 866-620-5757 today to find out how we can help.

In efforts to quell the number of dog bite victims, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are testing software that will teach children how to behave around animals. According to an article and video posted on ABC News, a non-verbal computer program called “Blue Dog” will ideally become a teaching tool across the nation. Appropriate behavior that the program aims to teach is to not pet animals while they are sleeping or eating.

The Center for Disease Control indicates that dogs bite 4.5 million Americans each year. Keep in mind that these are just the cases that are reported. Countless dog bite instances are left unreported. The most common victims of dog bite attacks and mauling incidents are children. This is due to the fact that children often miss a dog’s warning signs more easily than adults do. Education is a much-needed action for preventing severe instances of dog bites.

Research shows that Missouri dog bites occur more frequently in the spring and summer months than in winter months. This is because during the springtime and summer, children are more likely to be outside and around animals. If a dog has bitten your child in Missouri, clean the wound thoroughly and talk to your pediatrician about possible rabies infections.

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Lawyer: Software Is Said to Prevent Dog Bite Attacks on Children" »

Without announcing a vehicle defect recall, Chrysler is planning to carry out a "safety improvement campaign" to fix the front airbags on 355,000 minivans, including Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravans. According to a Reuters news report, the move comes after Chrysler found that the front airbag sensor could fail to deploy if it becomes damaged and wet. Chrysler is not currently issuing any recalls and is instead claiming that there have been no complaints or injuries due to this new issue. Chrysler also states that an airbag warning light will alert the driver if there is a defect or issue with the system.

Recalls and corrections have become commonplace in recent months. Chrysler is attempting to fix this safety hazard before there are any personal injuries due to faulty manufacturing. This proactive move by Chrysler may have been inspired by the recent woes of Toyota and Honda. Honda recently had to recall almost half a million of their vehicles due to defective airbags, which caused a number of personal injuries and one reported fatality. Toyota recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles for defective gas pedals that caused unintended acceleration. Car manufacturers are required by law to ensure the safety of their vehicles.

Continue reading "Airbag Product Defect Prompts Chrysler Minivan Fix " »

Five people sustained injuries in a Missouri auto accident. According to a news report in the Sedalia Democrat, the accident occurred as one driver who was northbound on Route 131 at Highway 50 failed to yield right-of-way to an eastbound vehicle. The injured parties included four adults and one infant. Thankfully, this incident did not involve any life-threatening injuries, according to the news report.

Failing to yield right-of-way is a common cause of Missouri auto accidents. We see this problem occur most commonly in accidents that take place at street intersections. Very often, these types of accidents will involve a driver who fails to yield right-of-way to another or a driver who runs a red light. Both of these circumstances are serious traffic violations under Missouri law. The driver who failed to yield right-of-way in such cases could be determined to be at fault for the accident and could be held liable for injuries, damages and losses suffered by the victims of a car accident. In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of surgery, physical therapy or other related damages.

Continue reading "Missouri Auto Accident Injures Five" »

According to a recent article from ozarksfirst.com, a school bus crash in Missouri left five people injured in El Dorado Springs. The collision occurred in the morning, just east of town, on northbound Highway 39. The bus was stopped in a designated school bus area to pick up passengers when a pick-up truck, driven by a student, struck the rear of the bus.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that the bus had its flashing lights on and stop arm extended. The driver of the truck was allegedly speeding and unable to stop the vehicle in time. Four students from the bus and the student driver were transported to the Cedar County Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. There were 16 total students on the bus at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "Five Injured in School Bus Crash" »

Johnson and Johnson issued a large recall for many of its products after reports that some of them contained a musty smell. The initial Johnson & Johnson recalls were issued in November and December of 2009 for the well-known pain reliever, Tylenol. After the initial recall, research from the Food and Drug Administration concluded in stating, “The breakdown of a certain chemical applied to the wooden pallets used to ship the product was the culprit.”

On January 15, 2010, Johnson & Johnson expanded its recall to cover all lots that may have been affected by the contaminated wooden pallets, regardless of consumer reports. The recall was also extended to include products such as Junior Strength Motrin IB, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Benadryl, Extra Strength Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release, Motrin IB, Regular Strength Tylenol, Rolaids, Simply Sleep, St. Joseph Aspirin, Tylenol Arthritis and Tylenol PM.

Many of the recalled lots were manufactured at one of Johnson & Johnson’s main manufacturing sites located in Puerto Rico. Users of the products have reported side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; though no serious medical problems have been reported.

FDA officials also reported that Johnson & Johnson was aware of consumer complaints as early as September 2008, though it did not thoroughly investigate until late 2009.

Continue reading "Johnson & Johnson Recalls Tylenol and Other Brands" »

A Rhode Island based-company, Daniele International, Inc., issued a recall late January due to a salmonella outbreak. The outbreak affected over 200 people in 42 different states, including Missouri. Over 1.25 million pounds of salami were recalled after the endemic continued to spread across state lines.

Officials determined that those who got sick all shopped at Costco (a Daniele salami supplier) prior to becoming ill. Researchers tested a sample of the Costco salami and it was positive for salmonella. Since salami does not usually contain the bacteria, investigators were led to believe that black pepper was the contaminating factor.

According to the CDC and the FDA, the levels of contamination for pepper and spices are generally low; however, black pepper is more likely to carry salmonella compared to other spices because it is sun-dried in order to retain its outer skins. The direct correlation between Daniele International and the salmonella outbreak is still under investigation; therefore, the company has not taken full responsibility for the outbreak.

Continue reading "Peppered Salami Causes Salmonella Outbreak " »

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.

Continue reading "Honda Airbag Recall Extended to 437,000 Cars" »

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.

Continue reading "Girl Dies in St. Louis House Fire" »

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.

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls an Additional 2.3 Million Vehicles" »

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."

Continue reading "Missouri Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident" »

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.

Continue reading "Three Victims File Lawsuit against Levaquin Manufacturers" »

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.

Continue reading "Missouri School Bus Crash Injures Six" »

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.

Continue reading "Missouri Lawmakers Have Need to Toughen Traffic Laws, Report States" »

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 Law. 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

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.

Continue reading "Medical Malpractice in Missouri" »

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.

Continue reading "Missouri Firm Recalls Beef Products for E. coli Contamination" »

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.

Continue reading "Teen Driver Dies after Trying to Pass On a Curve" »

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.

Continue reading "Four New Lawsuits Filed against OsmoPrep for Causing Kidney Damage" »

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.

Continue reading "Toyota May Recall Prius Models for Braking Problems" »

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.

Continue reading "Missouri Recalls 22,000 Weakened H1N1 Vaccines" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

When a southwestern Missouri couple bought their dream home near Mount St. Helen, Washington, they never imagined they’d end up losing everything. The seller and real estate agent neglected to disclose that the house had once been a meth lab. The couple found out from folks in town that there had been a drug operation and a drug bust two years prior. Meth making chemicals had permeated virtually every surface of the house. The occupants of the house had been arrested and the landlord put the property up for sale.

The couple was afflicted with rashes, insomnia, mood swings and called the health department. The property and all the contents within it were condemned. A four year legal nightmare ensued, their credit rating was destroyed, and they lost all their family heirlooms. The husband was subsequently diagnosed with kidney cancer.

Eventually, the Washington courts ruled in their favor and the seller was required to purchase the property back and pay off the mortgage. The couple has since returned to Missouri where they rent a home near Springfield.

Continue reading "Missouri Family Wages Four Year Legal Battle Over Undisclosed Meth Lab" »

Many of us take prescription drugs because we believe they will make us feel better or help us recover from our illnesses. And make no mistake – many prescription drugs do make us better. Modern medicine has progressed by leaps and bounds helping us prevent illness or the spread of infectious diseases. Almost all drugs have some type of side effect, but in most cases, those side effects are minimal and will disappear once the patient stops using the drug. However, there are some prescription drugs that cause dangerous side effects, which could result in severe complications or even death.

Levaquin is one such drug and has been known to cause serious complications and side effects. The dangerous drug Levaquin is manufactured by the company Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is basically a synthetic drug agent, which is used to treat severe bacterial infections. Levaquin is in the fluoroquinolone class of anti-infectives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its stamp of approval to Levaquin in 1996. The company made more than $1.6 billion in Levaquin sales.

Continue reading "Missouri Pharmaceutical Liability Lawyers Concerned about Deadly Levaquin Side Effects" »

In December 2008, the FDA issued a warning against C.B. Fleet Company and its over-the-counter oral sodium phosphate (OSP) laxative, Fleet Phospho-soda. The laxative had been marketed as safe for double doses for colonoscopy bowel preps. However, higher doses of the product have been linked to acute phosphate nephropathy, a form of acute kidney injury, and various other side effects. Although it is rare, acute phosphate nephropathy includes calcium-phosphate crystalline deposits in the renal tubules and could lead to renal failure, dialysis, kidney transplant or death.

Visicol and OsmoPrep, the only two prescription OSPs, also carry some severe side effects such as kidney injury, rectal bleeding or chafing, seizures and arrhythmia, disorders affecting rhythmic heartbeat. They are often prescribed to patients as a bowel cleanser before colonoscopy, x-ray or surgery.

Continue reading "Colonoscopy Laxatives May Cause Severe Kidney Injury" »

Wyeth and Schwarz Pharma, the manufacturers of Reglan, won a recent case regarding a woman in West Virginia who developed tardive dyskinesia and other side effects from taking a generic version of the drug. The woman accused Wyeth and Schwarz Pharma of manufacturing the drug that caused her condition. The company was exempt from liability given that a different manufacturer produced the generic drug the woman was taking. The woman alleged that she was prescribed the Pharma version of the drug, but given a generic version by her pharmacy. It is unknown whether or not the woman will pursue the lawsuit with the manufacturers of the generic drug.

Reglan, also known as Metoclopramide, is used to treat heartburn, acid reflux and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Studies have shown that 27-29 percent of long-term users of Reglan develop tardive dyskinesia; an untreatable condition characterized by involuntary, repetitive and purposeless movements such as rapid blinking, arm and leg jerking, and lip smacking. The syndrome is often devastating and permanent, affecting victims’ emotions, social interaction, mental state and vocation.

Continue reading "Woman with Tardive Dyskinesia Loses Case against Reglan" »

PAGER, a nonprofit organization that provides information and support to parents, patients and doctors, is looking into dangerous side effects caused by the commonly prescribed gastrointestinal drug, Reglan. This is a very common medication prescribed by doctors to improve the muscle tone of the esophagus and intestines. It is also often used to treat heartburn and acid reflux in adults and children. However, earlier this year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a "Black Box Warning," the most severe kind of warning, for Reglan because of an overwhelming number of adverse reaction reports filed.

PAGER (short for Pediatric Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux association) officials say they have been hearing complaints about Reglan since 1995. Several parents reported that their children experienced "unusual facial and neck movements" and very often, those movements did not go away when the drug was discontinued.

Continue reading "GI Drug Reglan Could Cause Irreversible Side Effects" »

For several years, GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C. ignored evidence that its antidepressant, Paxil, may have caused birth defects in Missouri and throughout the nation, according to details emerging from a pharmaceutical liability lawsuit. The claim was filed by a woman who says her 3-year-old son has heart problems because she took Paxil during her pregnancy. Attorneys nationwide who have filed these Paxil lawsuits on behalf of injured clients and their children are alleging that Glaxo, for many years, knew about early tests and research results which all raised issues of concern. In fact, an attorney cited a test where rats that were administered Paxil were more likely to have pups that did not survive past four days.

Warnings relating to Paxil apparently came as early as the 1980s. A scientist warned in an internal memo that "there remains the possibility" that Paxil could cause birth defects in higher doses. But Glaxo ignored those research findings. There are now 600 or more pending cases in the United States, which allege that Glaxo knowingly put Paxil on the market and concealed its risks from consumers in order to boost profits. Paxil, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992, generated $942 million in sales just in 2008. Attorneys for Glaxo have denied all allegations and maintain that Paxil has cleared all clinical trials.

Statistics show otherwise. By 1997, within five years of Paxil's approval, Glaxo had received reports of 50 miscarriages or intrauterine deaths. A Glaxo scientist at that point warned that the high number of cases was "an alarming finding." That warning was also ignored by the pharmaceutical company and went unreported to the FDA.

Continue reading "Drug Company Ignored Evidence of Paxil Birth Defects for Years, Lawsuits Allege" »

In learning that a handful of patients with pre-existing kidney problems developed a serious condition called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), the FDA issued a letter of warning in 2006 informing healthcare professionals about the addition of a boxed warning for Gadolinium-based contrast agents, commonly used in MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging). The FDA announcement also included new warnings about the danger of NSF.

Previously referred to as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy, NSF is a skin condition that, although currently under peer review, occurs only in individuals with kidney disease. The reason for this is that gadolinium (a heavy metal ion) is capable of staying in a person’s system unless the kidneys are able to get rid of it.

The International Center for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Research defines the condition as large areas of solidified or hardened skin. An affected area may contain raised papules, plaques, or confluent papules, which may raise skin deposits of mucous or display pigmentary variation. As a consequence of NSF, some patients lose the ability to entirely extend the joints of their feet, arms, legs, and hands, and may not be able to walk.

Continue reading "FDA Reveals Risk of NSF from Gadolinium-FDA Reveals Risk of NSF from Gadolinium" »

The holiday season includes overeating, celebrations and, often times, heartburn. Many people turn to over-the-counter medications and prescriptions to relieve heartburn caused by gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other gastrointestinal pains. However, one such product has been reported to create a more severe problem for patients.

Long-term use of Reglan has been linked with tardive dyskinesia, an incurable condition that involves involuntary repetitive movements. The symptoms of the condition include twitching, blinking, sudden jerks and other purposeless movements. There is no treatment for the condition or its symptoms, which are seldom reversible. Unfortunately, patients who develop symptoms of tardive dyskinesia from Reglan use may retain the condition for the rest of their lives even if they have stopped using the drug.

The FDA has approved Reglan for short-term use (4-12 weeks), yet 30% of patients are prescribed the drug for 12 months or longer. Studies have shown that close to 29% of patients using Reglan long-term develop tardive dyskinesia, which is contrary to the warning labels that indicate the occurrence is possible but rare.

Continue reading "Long-Term Use of Reglan Linked to Twitching Condition" »

It is very common and routine for doctors to request a colonoscopy for patients aged 50 and older. However, the drugs often prescribed to cleanse the bowels before the procedure can have severe side effects.

OsmoPrep and Visicol are the only two prescription oral sodium phosphate (OSP) laxatives used for bowel cleansing before colonoscopies, x-rays and surgeries. These products have been known to cause the following:

• Irregular heartbeat


• Acute phosphate nephropathy (kidney damage)


• Renal failure


• Seizures


• Rectal bleeding


• Chafing

Some of the above side effects may cause permanent damage or death if left untreated.
In 2008, the FDA required manufacturers to add boxed warning labels to these products and to conduct further research on the benefits and risks of OSPs. The FDA also issued a warning to the makers of Fleet Phospho-soda for the defective product, later causing the company to recall the over-the-counter OSP.

Continue reading "OsmoPrep Side Effects and Risks" »

The end of each year is marked by holiday cheer. However, during the holidays, statistics show an increase of drivers on the road as well as intoxicated driving. This year, the Missouri Highway Patrol is participating in operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) over the holidays. During Thanksgiving weekend last year, there were 1,736 traffic crashes with 14 killed and 634 injured.

According to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), about three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lives. In addition, a first-time offender has driven an average of 87 times prior to being arrested. The highest number of drunk driving fatalities fall under the 21-24 age group. In 2007, Missouri had 130 fatalities for that age group, 45% of which were alcohol-related. December holidays and New Years often show an increase in drunk driving accidents.

Continue reading "December Holidays Show Increase in DWI Accidents" »

In 2005, the FDA released a warning on the drug Paxil indicating that the drug increased risks of birth defects when taken during the first three months of pregnancy. Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) given to patients to relieve depression. Other SSRIs included in the report were Celexa, Fluvoxamine, Lexapro, Prozac, Symbyax and Zoloft.

Mothers who had been taking Paxil or other SSRIs after the 20th week of pregnancy were six times more likely to give birth to babies with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) than pregnant mothers who did not take antidepressants. PPHN is a severe but rare disease that is characterized by abnormal blood flow leading to a lack of oxygen to the baby’s heart and lungs. The condition can be fatal to babies and may cause permanent neurologic damage to survivors.

Continue reading "Paxil Warning: May Cause Serious Birth Defects if Taken While Pregnant" »

A woman was killed and a child injured at a private railroad crossing in Webster County, Missouri. According to an article in the Kansas City Star, the Captain of the Southern County Fire Protection District said that the train’s engineer had seen the truck and tried to stop.

Two other children were in the truck bed but had jumped out of the vehicle before the crash. The 33-year-old woman, pronounced dead at the scene, had picked up the children from school and was on her way home. Her eight-year-old daughter sustained serious injuries and was air lifted to Springfield hospital.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that every two hours, a train hits a vehicle or pedestrian in the U.S. Another terrifying statistic is that you are 20 times more likely to die in a vehicle-train accident than a two-car crash.

Continue reading "Missouri Train Accident Kills One, Injures Another" »

In today’s world, many of us rely on doctor’s advice and medications to heal us and make us feel better. Still, it is important to keep yourself well informed on any medications that you are taking in order to prevent serious damage.

Levaquin and Cipro are two such medications that have harmful and often irreparable effects. These drugs are antibiotics classified under the flouroquinolone family and often prescribed for serious bacterial infections. Cipro gained publicity in 2001 for being the most common treatment for anthrax attacks.

The two most common symptoms of flouroquinolone antibiotics are tendon rupture and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), a painful skin disorder also known as erythema multiforme. Other symptoms include vision damage, hearing loss, insomnia, anxiety, organ disorders, suicidal thoughts or actions, tendonitis, joint and muscle damage, and gastrointestinal damage.

Levaquin and Cipro side effects are also compounded when taken in combination with corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve, Advil and Motrin. Unfortunately corticosteroids and NSAIDs are often prescribed or taken to treat symptoms of TEN.

Continue reading "Dangerous and Permanent Side Effects of Levaquin and Cipro Antibiotics" »

On December first, the U.S. Senate will begin debates on its version of healthcare reform including a considerable expansion of the Elder Justice Act and other issues concerning seniors and long-term care. The Senate’s version is reportedly more extensive than the House’s bill. The main issues in both reforms include more effective worker screening programs with national background checks. In addition, the Senate’s version incorporates an increase in federal aid for elder abuse identification and requires long-term care providers to report cases as well as implement new anti-abuse programs alongside the Department of Health and Human Service.

Other provisions include Medicare market basket payment updates for 2010, long-term insurance programs and the expansion of Medicaid to community-based and home services. The Senate’s reform will also implement the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act, which enable long-term care insurance programs for current workers to pay gradually in preparation for elder years.

Continue reading "Senate to Debate on Health Reform and Elder Justice Act December 1" »

Patients undergo MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) for various reasons. Whether it’s to discover an injury that an X-ray cannot detect, or to determine the presence of cancer, MRIs are frequently used. When undergoing an MRI, technicians and physicians will turn to a contrast agent, such as Gadolinium, to help alter the images of the area being screened to improve its quality in the results.

These Gadolinium contrast agents are injected into the patients’ bloodstream prior to the MRI scan so that the MRI computer can make an accurate distinction between abnormal and normal tissue. However, once researchers discovered in 2006 that Gadolinium use directly caused nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with pre-existing kidney problems, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an official warning. It is no surprise then, that some patients have become mistrustful of MRIs.

Continue reading "Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in MRIs Connected to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis" »

Two semi trucks collided on the shoulder of Interstate 57. A 45-year-old man driving a semi truck hit a parked truck when he lost control of the vehicle and ran onto the shoulder of the highway. The other driver, a 24-year-old man, was in the second vehicle. The two trucks were carrying cargo of butter and lumber. The collision caused one truck’s fuel tank to split open, igniting the cab while the other truck’s trailer spilled sticks of butter on the highway.

The local fire department managed to keep the flames from burning all the cargo. Police and cleanup crew spent two days cleaning the butter spilt onto the interstate. The at-fault driver reportedly ran off the road upon spilling his coffee. Both drivers were hospitalized for serious injuries.

Continue reading "Two Semi Trucks Crash, Spilling Butter All Over Interstate 57" »

A personal injury lawsuit filed by a woman and her husband is underway in Madison County Circuit Court. The couple claims that the other driver, a man, struck the rear end of their vehicle causing the wife to sustain chronic headaches; jaw, back and neck pain and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The woman has recently added to the claim that she is no longer able to care for her husband who suffers Parkinson’s disease and other neurological degradations. The woman’s conditions, as a result of the accident, have caused her to lose wages, experience a diminished quality of life, incur medical costs, and become incapable of providing services or companionship to her afflicted husband.

The two blame the other driver for causing the rear end accident, driving too fast, and not keeping a careful eye on the road. They are requesting over $100,000 in compensation in addition to attorney’s fees and any other relief the court deems just.

Continue reading "Couple Accuses Driver of Causing Chronic Injuries" »

After this summer’s dog fighting raids, nearly 500 dogs were left without homes. Dogs found in the raids that showed any signs of aggression toward humans were killed, while many others were put up for adoption or sent to rescue groups. However, if homes cannot be found for these abused dogs, they, too, will be put to sleep.

One of the most common dog fighting breeds is the Pit Bull terrier. Training for fights can begin as young as a few weeks old. Regardless of previous training, a dog fight can happen at any time, which is an intimidating fact for owners of certain dog breeds and for their neighbors.
There is no way to tell if a dog will end up normal or a vicious fighter, although a large part of it depends on the owner and training of the animal. Still, several towns are beginning to ban ownership of specific breeds because of the dogs’ proclivity to violence, which makes it more difficult to find homes for ex-fighters. Rescuers believe that these bans are unnecessary because with proper training and care, ex-fighters can live normal, loving lives without the urge to fight or attack.

Continue reading "Ex-fighting Dogs Left Without Homes After Summer Raids" »

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently put out an alert about two prescription drugs used to cleanse the bowel before a colonoscopy that may cause kidney damage. According to a Health Day news report, the oral sodium phosphate products Visicol and OsmoPrep could cause acute phosphate nephropathy, in other words, severe kidney damage. The FDA has apparently received reports of 20 unique cases of kidney damage associated with the use of OsmoPrep. The onset of kidney injury in these cases varied, occurring in some patients within several hours of using these drugs, and in other cases, up to 21 days after use. A number of patients routinely take oral sodium phosphate products – either prescription or over-the-counter – to clean the intestines prior to a colonoscopy or other medical procedures.

In 2006, the FDA put out an alert saying that sodium phosphates should be used with caution. Now the federal agency is saying that oral sodium phosphate products should not be used by patients under the age of 18 or in combination with other laxatives containing sodium phosphate. Those at risk also include patients 55 years of age or older; people who suffer from dehydration, kidney disease, acute colitis or delayed bowel emptying; and those taking medication for kidney function such as diuretics.

Continue reading "Oral Sodium Phosphates Linked to Kidney Damage" »

A 19 year-old man from Hughesville plead guilty to a single count of involuntary manslaughter and causing a two-car crash on Interstate 70 near Lee’s Summit Road in Missouri last January. The accused, driving a red 2005 BMW M3, hit the right rear of the deceased’s silver 2001 Ford F-150. The collision spun the truck out of control, causing it to veer right and roll several times. The male victim, age 50, was ejected from the truck and died two hours later from head injuries and internal bleeding at a hospital. Witnesses told Missouri police that the alleged was racing another vehicle, cutting in and out of traffic, and reaching speeds up to 100 mph.

Reckless driving poses a threat to all motorists and pedestrians, causing accidents, injuries and, in this case, death. Careless driving is indicative of negligence and the guilty party is responsible for all damages and costs relating to the accident. Over 40,000 people are killed in an estimated five million car accidents each year. Many of these accidents involve teens.

Continue reading "19-Year-Old Driver Responsible for Two-Car Crash " »

A 38-year-old woman sustained major injuries in a Missouri car accident after her vehicle was rear-ended at an intersection, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Web site. Officials said that the woman's 1983 Ford Fairmont stopped to make a left turn at an intersection when she was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford F-250 pickup truck. The Ford Fairmont then crossed over the center line because of the crash impact and was struck by a 2002 Jeep Wrangler. The woman was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. No other injuries were reported.

In any incident where injuries are caused by someone else's negligence, an injured victim may qualify to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and even costs of long-term care if catastrophic injuries are involved. Car accidents often occur because of someone else's negligence. In some cases, drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted, or driving recklessly.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Missouri Car Accident" »

Recent research demonstrates a possible association between a popular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent and the incidence of a rare disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with kidney disease, according to a Science Daily report. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis triggers thickening of the skin, organs and other tissues. There's no effective treatment for this serious, debilitating disease.

NSF is a serious condition. Patients who are afflicted with NSF experience an increase of collagen in the tissues, which causes thickening and hardening of the skin of the extremities. This could result in an inability to move. It could also cause a tightening or deformity of the joints. NSF can develop pretty quickly and could result in the patient becoming wheelchair-bound in just a few weeks. In some cases, other tissues including those of the lungs, heart, diaphragm, esophagus and skeletal muscle could be affected. Since there is no effective therapy or treatment for this disease, chances for recovery are indeed challenging.

Continue reading "Gadolinium Contrasting Agent Linked to Rare Degenerative Disease" »

Two people sustained injuries in a car accident on the Highway 70 after the driver of a Toyota Camry lost control and struck a Chevy Suburban that was pulling a boat. According to a news report, the driver of the Camry lost control and hit the boat that detached from the Suburban. The sport utility vehicle overturned. The driver of the Suburban was airlifted to an area hospital with severe injuries. A passenger in the Suburban was also taken to the hospital with less traumatic injuries. The driver of the Camry fled the scene, but was apprehended shortly after the crash, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said.

Hit-and-run or leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under Missouri law. Missouri Revised Code Section 577.060 states: "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."

Continue reading "Two Injured in Missouri Car Accident" »

Paxil, or paroxetine, is an antidepressant that has been known to cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy. The FDA classifies Paxil as a Category D medicine, indicating the level of risk to unborn children. Category D medicines can be given to pregnant women, if the benefits of the drug outweigh the possible risks to the fetus. In the case of Paxil, if a woman is unresponsive to other antidepressants and suffers acute depression, the drug may be prescribed.

Still Paxil poses a prominent risk to babies if mothers take the drug during pregnancy. If taken in early pregnancy, the drug denotes possible heart problems to the fetus and mother ranging from mild to severe and may require surgery. Paxil is also known to cause persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), a condition that affects newborns’ circulation and breathing patterns, preventing oxygen from the heart and lungs. PPHN can be fatal or cause permanent damage to the baby. Paxil can be found in breast milk and can be harmful to feeding babies.

Continue reading "FDA Classifies Paxil as a Category D Medicine" »

This autumn, regions in Missouri have been struck by heavy rainfall, especially in Hannibal. The monthly average rainfall for Hannibal increased from 11.37 inches to 11.46. Rain leads to flooding which contributes to poor road conditions. Many roads have been closed and reopened due to excess rainfall. The heavy rain has also been the perpetrator in several car accidents that claimed a few lives. To ensure road safety, the Missouri Department of Transportation has been monitoring road conditions and posting updates on the traveler information map section of its website.

Rainwater coats roads, making them slicker, which can cause tires to lose traction or hydroplane. The best way to prevent a hydroplane is to make sure there is enough tread on your tires and to drive five miles below the posted speed limit, or slower, if conditions are more severe. If you drive too fast in the rain, your tires may not be able to grip the road properly and could skid on the water, causing the vehicle to spin and even accelerate. If this happens, release the gas pedal and drive straight until the tires regain traction.

Continue reading "Tips on How to Drive in Missouri's Heavy Rain" »

A 20-year-old man from O’Fallon, Missouri was killed in a head on collision with a tractor trailer. The crash occurred westbound on Highway 40 near Barat Haven, shutting down the road for several hours. Police suspect the man had been driving under the influence of alcohol and are waiting for toxicology test results.

The man was driving a 2000 silver Infiniti east at 3 a.m. head on against westbound traffic before striking a tractor trailer, driven by a 48-year-old man from Kansas City. The collision caused an explosion that melted the cab and part of the trailer. The young driver died 40 minutes later at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. The truck driver was not hurt.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 Assessment of Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities reports that the age group with the highest risk of alcohol-related traffic accident fatalities is 25-34. The age group 45-64 was the only one reported to have an increase in fatalities from 2006 to 2007. Missouri alcohol-related fatalities account for 30-34% of all statewide traffic accident fatalities.

Continue reading "Man Killed Driving Eastbound on Westbound Highway" »

Bayer says that a study by Swissmedic, the Swiss medical authority, released recently in German, shows that the risk of potentially fatal embolisms, or clots, is about the same for its Yaz brand contraceptives as it is with other birth control pills. According to a report on Bnet, Bayer has provided an incomplete translation of Swissmedic's study, which may not provide the complete picture. This study is being looked at with great interest by attorneys who have filed pharmaceutical liability lawsuits on behalf of personal injury victims who have suffered greatly as a result of taking Yaz. So far, about 130 Yaz lawsuits have been filed. These lawsuits basically allege that Bayer's use of drospirenone, the active ingredient in the pill, increases risks of blood clots, which can result in heart attacks and strokes.

Swissmedic began investigating all birth control pills after a 16-year-old was disabled by a lung embolism after she took Yaz. Reportedly, there have been nine deaths connected with the use of oral contraceptives in Switzerland since 1990. Bayer launched Yaz, a lower-dose version of Bayer's contraceptive Yasmin, last year in Europe where it was expected to generate peak annual sales in the low triple-digit millions of Euros within five years. Bayer's contraceptives, Yasmin, Yaz and Yasminelle, were the pharmaceutical company's best selling products last year, generating sales of 1.2 billion Euros in 2008 alone.

Continue reading "Swiss Medical Authority Investigates Yaz Drug Side Effects" »

According to an article posted on New York Times’s website, many employees are not reporting work-related injuries and are consequently are not enacting their rights to safe working conditions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report Monday, indicating that the underreporting is a result of employee fears of hurting work and contract opportunities, being disciplined or fired, increased workers’ compensation costs and preventing benefits to colleagues. Still, workers who don’t report injuries also have to foot the bill for any medical visits and supplies, prescriptions, and therapy necessary for treatment.

The lack of reporting also has a direct affect on the accuracy of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data and reports. Inefficient data can prevent new and more efficient legislation regarding workers’ compensation from passing. The GAO also reported that over a third of occupational health practitioners surveyed stated that employers had pressured them to “play down” work-related injuries or illnesses in order to minimize the number of reports.

Continue reading "OSHA Workers' Compensation Data in Question Due to Employee Underreporting" »

On Saturday night, a 62-year old man from Humansville, Missouri was killed instantly in a one-car crash, according to a News-Leader article. The driver, a 36-year old man from Bolivar, sustained serious injuries and was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. The Missouri State Patrol reported that the vehicle ran off the right side of the road, causing it to overturn and eject the two men. The report also indicated that neither man was wearing a seat belt.

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that wearing a seat belt reduces fatal injury risks for front seat occupants by 45%. It is a well-known fact that people over the age of five should wear a seat belt; however, seat belt statistics for Missouri are lacking.

A survey taken in 2008 indicated that an average of 77% of people in Missouri wear seat belts, a statistic that has had minimal improvement since the 2004 survey. Missouri is 7% less than the national average (84%). Changes to Missouri seat belt laws have not had positive reactions, being viewed as overly prescriptive.

Continue reading "Missouri Falls Behind on National Seat Belt Average" »

Mitsubishi has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will be recalling 29,353 2008-2009 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions due to faulty front airbag sensors. Apparently these cars pose a risk to those living in states that use road salt. Prolonged exposure to road salt and melted snow can coat and corrode the airbag sensors, causing them to possibly malfunction in the event of a crash. The company will be issuing a geographic recall, which is expected to begin on November 27 in the District of Columbia and 22 states, including Missouri.

On April 1, 1989 the U.S. passed a law requiring all vehicles built after that date to have airbags installed. Since then, the NHTSA has reported that front airbags have saved more than 12,000 lives between 1960 and 2002.

Continue reading "Mitsubishi Recalls Lancers for Defective Front Airbag Sensors" »

In the following two-part blog series, we will discuss the importance of preventing animal-vehicle collisions. The last three months of the year are often marked by an increase in animal-vehicle collisions; and deer are the most commonly hit large animals. Although Missouri is not one of the higher risk states for deer-vehicle collisions, this year Missouri insurance companies are reminding drivers to be aware of animals on the road.

According to the Center of Disease Control, 6.1 million light-vehicle collisions were reported in the US in 2000. About 4%, or 247,000 (excluding animal-motorcycle accidents) of the crashes involved hitting an animal. Animal-automobile accidents also result in an estimated 200 human deaths each year and cost over one billion dollars in vehicle damage.

Deer are most active and likely to cross roads at dawn and dusk, especially in rural areas or near wooded creek bottoms. The increase of deer-vehicle collisions is commonly attributed to hunting and mating seasons as well as the close proximity of highways to habitats; but there is no official reason as to why these accidents increase at the yearend. Regardless, we share the road with animals as well as other motorists and should take necessary precautions when driving.

Continue reading "Deer Season: Learn How to Prevent Animal-Vehicle Collisions This Fall (Part One)" »

A series of vehicle accidents in October caused a stir in Southeast Missouri. The first crash involved a 49 year-old woman driving southbound on Interstate 55 who veered on the left side of the road, hitting a bridge. The woman was taken to Missouri Delta Medical Center for moderate injuries.

The next accident involved a motorcycle driven by a 33 year-old man who had lost control of the vehicle, overturned and slid into a 1999 Mercury in Chaffee, MO. Unfortunately in most motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist almost always sustains the worse injuries due to the fact that there is minimal outside protection. The motorcycle driver was airlifted to a hospital where he received treatment for serious injuries. The other driver was not injured.

The third accident, also on I-55, was a two-car crash caused when two vehicles, a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis and a 2005 Buick Rendezvous, attempted to change lanes. Instead, both collided and ultimately landed in the center median. The Mercury driver was treated for moderate injuries. The Buick driver did not suffer injury, but the passenger was airlifted to a hospital due to sustaining serious injuries.

Continue reading "Three Accidents in Southeast Missouri Injure Several People" »

According to a report on Fox 2 Now’s website, a man was killed in a head on collision in Brentwood, Missouri after stealing two cans of paint from the nearby Home Depot. Upon seeing a police officer near the department store, the man, heading south, made a u-turn and accelerated to high speeds despite the fact that police were not in pursuit of the vehicle. He then lost control of his Jaguar and crossed two lanes of southbound traffic before striking an SUV.

Neighbors said that they had known the crash to be a bad one, judging by the piercing sounds that were made. Police believe that the alleged thief is at fault for the crash that resulted in his death. The woman driving the SUV suffered minor injuries and possibly a broken toe. Fortunately, no one else was killed or severely injured.

Continue reading "Fatal Head On Collision Caused by Man Stealing Paint" »

A recent Paxil lawsuit that took place in Philadelphia gripped the attention of consumers and citizens throughout the United States. According to a philly.com article, this is the first Paxil lawsuit in the plaintiff’s favor; however, it remains uncertain as to how the jury’s distinction of negligence will affect future Paxil cases, especially considering that punitive damages were not awarded.

Based on the article, punitive damages are typically awarded when evidence supports that a company knew about problems with their product, ignored them, or covered them up in order to reap the benefits. Apparently, the jury said that Glaxo had been negligent in not accurately cautioning the pregnant woman’s doctor of the drug’s risk. If Glaxo’s behavior had been deemed outrageous, the family may have been awarded punitive damages as well.

As the first of approximately 600 similar cases against the makers of Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C., the jury found that the company was “negligent, but not outrageous” in contributing to heart problems in a 3-year-old whose mother took the anti-depressant drug while she was pregnant. As a result, the family was awarded a $2.5 million judgment that only included compensatory damages. This is considered an encouraging and big win by legal experts for the remaining plaintiffs in Paxil cases. According to the article, the 10-2 jury ruling reflects the decision that the child’s problems were linked to Paxil.

Continue reading "Paxil Case Results in $2.5 Million Judgment for Plaintiff" »

With so many different forms of pharmaceutical products and natural supplements available for purchase and use by consumers, it can often be overwhelming just deciding which product to trust, especially when it comes to oral contraceptives. Consumers usually rely on how a product is marketed when determining whether to use it. This decision is mostly based on individual preference in combination with the message provided by a commercial, billboard, or magazine advertisement.

It seems that oral contraceptives are some of the most competitive prescription pills out there. Consequently, such competition amongst drug manufacturers has been known to sometimes lead to false advertising and marketing misrepresentation on the part of manufacturers. At the forefront of this concern, the FDA issued a warning letter to Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of the oral contraceptive Yaz, in 2008 stating that their commercials, “Not Gonna Take It” and “Balloons”, are misleading due to widening the pill’s abilities, exaggerating the effectiveness of Yaz, and undermining the serious risks connected to the drug’s use.

While some considered Bayer’s marketing misrepresentation in misbranding Yaz in its TV ads to be an extreme breach of trust, others continued to use the oral contraceptive despite the risks it may pose. As experienced Missouri product liability attorneys, we know that we are not alone in considering it unacceptable for a major pharmaceutical manufacturer to encourage the use of a drug to help treat conditions other than those it has been approved for. By over-promising and minimizing the risks associated with a drug, a manufacturer puts thousands of innocent consumers in danger of suffering as a result.

Continue reading "Yaz Marketing Misrepresentation Puts Consumers in Danger" »

A 60-year-old man was seriously injured in a Missouri auto accident after he rear-ended a truck that had stopped because of an accident on the Interstate 44 near Marshfield, Missouri. According to an ABC news report, the injured victim was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. No one else seemed to have been injured in this two-vehicle crash.

Rear-end car accidents, statistically, are the least fatal type of car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end car accidents account for only six deaths per 1 million registered cars. However, these types of car accidents are far more common than others. About 2.5 million car accidents in the United States each year are rear-end collisions.

In most car accidents, it's very important to determine the cause and who was at fault. Who is at fault for a particular car accident can determine who may be held civilly liable or financially responsible for injuries and damages caused. Rear-end accidents can cause significant injuries including severe back and neck injuries which may require months of treatment and therapy. If your accident and injuries were the result of a negligent driver, you may be entitled to seek compensation to cover your medical costs, loss of earnings and other related damages.

Continue reading "Man Injured in Missouri Auto Accident" »

Two people were killed in a Missouri car accident after their vehicle collided with a train in Bates County, Fox News reports. Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said the victims - ages 49 and 43 - died when the train struck their vehicle as they crossed a stretch of tracks. Investigators are still talking to eyewitnesses about how exactly this fatal train-car collision occurred. The train's conductor told officials that the car's driver slowed down at the tracks, but didn't stop and continued to go forward. The Kansas City Southern train was traveling at a rate of 55 mph at the crossing. Officials say the lights and bells at the crossing were working, but there were no crossing arms at the intersection.

Each train accident is different and there are a number of factors that play a part in causation. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reports that there are about 3,000 train accidents in the United States each year. About one-third of these accidents are fatal. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency that investigates train accidents, about 60 percent of all railroad-crossing accidents that result in fatalities, occur at unprotected railroad crossings. Such crossings are common especially in the rural areas of Missouri. If they don't result in fatalities, auto accidents involving trains often result in serious injuries such as brain injuries, spinal injuries, quadriplegia or paraplegia.

Continue reading "Missouri Train versus Car Collision Leaves Two Dead" »

An article from latimes.com discusses a recent hospital error in Los Angeles that led to eight times the normal dose of radiation affecting hundreds of potential stroke patients who received CT brain scans. In an attempt to follow new protocol that was believed to provide doctors with more useful data in analyzing disruptions in the flow of blood to brain tissue, the specialized type of scan was altered in order to diagnose strokes. Apparently, the error occurred over a year ago, in February 2008, when the CT machines were reset to override the pre-programmed instructions that were originally programmed into the scanner to ensure its proper operation.
Officials at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center stated, “There was a misunderstanding about an embedded default setting applied by the machine…the use of this protocol resulted in higher than expected amount of radiation.”

The problem with the machine went unnoticed for 18 months until August 2009, at which point a stroke patient reported to the hospital that he had experienced significant hair loss after undergoing a scan. What is also shocking is that the machine was used for other kinds of scans as well; however, the reset error is said to have only affected potential stroke patients. After evaluating its records, the hospital discovered and contacted 206 patients who had received the radiation overdose. Many of these patients had experienced reddening of the skin as a result of the scan and approximately 40% had endured patchy hair loss.

Radiation exposure is a very serious issue and is a problem that no one ever expects to experience at a hospital that is supposed to provide a high standard of care to its patients. When medical professionals fail to uphold their duties in ensuring that no harm befalls a patient while he or she is being treated or cared for, incidents of medical negligence or malpractice may result in which an injured patient is entitled to seek compensatory damages for their injuries.

Although this incident of medical malpractice took place in California, similar acts of negligence are also known to occur in Missouri. A few common examples of Missouri medical malpractice claims involve those stemming-around medical professionals:

• Administering improper care


• Abandoning the patient


• Abusing the patient


• Being responsible for prescribed medication error


• Administering improper or delayed diagnosis


• Exhibiting negligence in performing surgical procedures


• Failing to obtain informed consent of the patient

Continue reading "Hospital Admits to Causing Radiation Overdoses" »

An article from madisonrecord.com discusses a recent auto accident case involving a couple that is seeking $200,000 after incurring lost wages of more than $50,000 apiece and medical costs of more than $50,000 apiece. According to the article, the couple was rear-ended by a driver on October 6, 2007 whom they claim was driving too fast at the time of the River Road Route 100 collision. The injured couple also claims that the driver was negligent in that he allowed his car to crash into the back of their vehicle because he failed to keep a proper lookout and did not try to swerve or stop to avoid the accident. As a result of the crash, one of the plaintiffs suffered severe and permanent back, neck, and left shoulder injuries, while the other plaintiff sustained back, neck, and shoulder injuries.

As this auto accident case demonstrates, the monetary expenses of catastrophic injuries and the subsequent cost of lost wages can greatly impact the financial stability of a family, especially if more than one family member was involved in a crash. It is not uncommon for injured vehicle accident victims to file claims against the negligent driver that was responsible for the collision taking place. However, such claims often require extensive investigation by specialized research teams that gather evidence to support the claim that the driver responsible for the accident exercised negligent or reckless driving behavior. Along with a thorough investigation being conducted, you may also require the legal counsel and representation of an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney in order to be successful in receiving the compensation that you deserve as a personal injury victim.

Continue reading "$200K for Injuries and Lost Wages Sought by Couple" »

Ford Motor Company issued its largest vehicle defect recall involving 4.5 million vehicles for faulty cruise control deactivation switches that have caused fires even when the vehicles were not in operation. According to a Reuters news report, the switches made by Texas Instruments have led to more than half a dozen recalls involving 14 million Ford vehicles over the last decade or so. Ford officials say that the recalled vehicles do not pose a significant safety risk and that they are just issuing the recall to reassure consumers and get rid of future safety concerns with regard to these defective switches.

If you own one of the recalled vehicles, Ford urges you not to park in garages or near homes. This auto product recall includes 1195-2003 Ford Windstars; 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesels; 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty Trucks; 1992-2003 Ford Econolines; 1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers; 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Rangers; and 1994 Ford F53 motor homes.

Continue reading "Ford Recalls 4.5 Million Vehicles Over Defective Switches that Pose Fire Danger" »

An Elkland, Missouri, woman sustained serious injuries in a car accident, according to the Marshfield Mail. The car crash occurred on Highway 38 three miles north of Elkland when an eastbound 2006 Saturn Ion driven by the 37-year-old woman went off the right side of the roadway. According to Missouri Highway Patrol officials, the woman then overcorrected causing the Saturn to then travel off the left side of the roadway and roll over. Officials also say that the woman was not wearing her seatbelt and that she was ejected from the vehicle. She suffered major injuries and was transported to a hospital in nearby Springfield, Missouri.

Rollover car accidents can result in extremely serious personal injury or even death because of the intensity and violence of the crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents cause about 10,000 traffic accident fatalities each year in the United States. That's about one-fourth of all traffic accident fatalities in the country, according to these statistics. People injured in rollover accidents also tend to suffer debilitating injury such as brain injuries and spinal cord injuries due to roof crush or seatbelt failure.

Continue reading "Missouri Woman Seriously Injured in Rollover Car Accident" »

Missouri nursing home and elder abuse attorneys have always been concerned about the escalating rates of nursing home abuse and neglect in the state. A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed that a Medicare program intended to evaluate the conditions of nursing homes in the United States has overlooked hundreds of facilities that provide substandard care. According to the news report, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has listed up to 13 nursing homes as "special focus facilities," which means that they are inspected more frequently because they received low grades for their living condition. However, a recent GAO report finds that Medicare and Medicaid still may have overlooked 580 nursing homes in this category.

The Senate Aging Committee is considering expanding the program to include facilities that are still underperforming, but have not been included in the special focus list. This is important because many consumers who are looking to place their loved ones in nursing homes are counting on Medicare and Medicaid's information to select a nursing home. However, many don't realize that the "approved" homes on the Nursing Home Compare list may not really provide quality care.

Continue reading "Many Nursing Homes Not Up To Standard, New Report Finds" »

A worker was injured in a mining accident in Bunker, Missouri by a small fall of ground. According to a KFVS news report, employees began administering first-aid immediately to the injured worker, who was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. The worker is expected to recover and did not suffer life-threatening injuries. An internal safety investigation is reportedly being conducted.

Workers who sustain injuries on the job in Missouri are entitled to fair compensation for their expenses and loss of wages. Most employers are required by state law to carry worker's compensation insurance for their employees. 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 you suffer a serious injury and become permanently disabled or unable to work, you may be entitled to additional compensation for your suffering and lost earnings. If a worker dies as a result of his injuries, then his family is entitled to receive these benefits as well.

Continue reading "Worker Injured in Missouri Mine Accident" »

Toyota Motor Corp., the manufacturer of automobiles that used to be synonymous with safety and reliability, has now issued a major defect recall for 3.8 million vehicles. According to an Associated Press news report, the automaker has recalled several of its Lexus and Toyota Corolla and Camry sedans for a defective floor mat that may slip and jam the accelerator. This auto product defect came to light after a fatal San Diego car accident in August that killed a California Highway Patrol officer and three members of his family.

Toyota is still working with federal officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find a remedy for this problem. Consumers who own these recalled vehicles are asked to remove the floor mat on the driver's side and not replace it. NHTSA officials say they have received reports of 102 incidents in which the accelerator may have become stuck. But it is not clear how many of these incidents led to crashes and how many of those crashes led to serious personal injury or deaths.

These are extremely serious car defects. It is not clear why Toyota did not address these complaints earlier. The company's president has issued an apology about these defects, but at the same time, Toyota has not been forthcoming about information involving the exact number of complaints, injuries or fatalities.

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls 3.8 Million Vehicles for Defective Floor Mats" »

A man sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident in Farmington, the Daily Journal reported. According to Farmington police officials, the motorcyclist was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. His injuries, however, are said to be non-life threatening. Police said a pickup truck driver pulled into the path of the motorcycle at Bray Road and Highway 221.

Missouri motorcycle accidents commonly occur when a car, truck or any other motor vehicle comes into contact with a motorcycle. The motorcycle rider usually loses balance, causing devastating personal injuries or death. Statistics show that the number-one cause of a motorcycle crash is when a car, truck, or semi driver fails to yield the right-of-way of the motorcyclist.

As attorneys who have represented numerous victims of motorcycle accidents in Missouri involving other vehicles, one of the common responses we hear is that the other motorist did not see the motorcycle. What typically happens at intersections is that motorists look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles or smaller vehicles. These accidents are common reminders to us that we need to be more aware of motorcyclists with whom we share the roadway.

Continue reading "Man Injured in Missouri Motorcycle Accident" »

A recent bus collision in St. Louis reported by ozarksfirst.com has left 3 people dead and 13 injured. Although bus accidents are more common than most Missourians would like to believe, this accident has an especially high number of injuries and casualties. With thousands of people utilizing public transportation throughout the State of Missouri, the safety of passengers should be a priority to bus operators. However, some bus accidents are caused by bus driver negligence or poor driving skills due to improper training.

According to the article, this particular bus accident was caused by inattentive driving. Apparently, the church bus was broadsided by a pickup truck, which then proceeded to hit yet another vehicle. The bus, meanwhile, crashed into multiple cars as a result. Although law enforcement did not release a statement regarding the driving status of the man in the pickup, a neighbor told reporters that the pickup driver had a revoked license and should not have been operating the vehicle in the first place.

As this incident demonstrates, the aftermath of a bus accident can often lead to detrimental consequences. As a bus passenger, you have particular legal rights if you are injured in an accident and wish to file a claim. However, the State of Missouri has stern laws pertaining to common carriers (public buses) and the compensation injured victims may be able to receive. This is why it may be in an injured bus passenger’s best interest to contact an experienced St. Louis bus accident attorney that has the legal skills and knowledge necessary to handle such cases.

Continue reading "St. Louis Church Bus Collision Kills 3, Injures 13" »

According to a recent stltoday.com article, it was reported that a motorcyclist lost his life in a traffic crash on Highway 367. According to Missouri Highway Patrol, the 41-year-old motorcyclist from St. Louis was traveling at a “high rate of speed” immediately before the crash. The motorist involved, a 62-year-old St. Louis man, was attempting to make a left hand turn onto Highway 367 while driving his 1995 Cadillac Seville. The motorcyclist, unable to bring his vehicle to a complete stop, began to skid until he eventually crashed into the driver’s side of the Cadillac. It was not reported whether or not the driver of the Cadillac was injured. The motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident.

While accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, most of those reasons usually stem from reckless driving practice of some kind. Traffic laws have been put into place in order to curb the number of accidents that occur, ultimately safeguarding motorists against injury and wrongful death. However, in instances where traffic laws are not followed, and an individual is injured, the negligent party responsible for the accident can be held liable for damages associated with the accident, including medical bills and other resulting accident costs. In the event that an individual is killed in a motor vehicle crash, the family of the victim can seek monetary compensation from the negligent party for costs associated with the accident, including funeral expenses.

Regardless of the situation, it is important to remember that the best course of action for an injured victim after any motorcycle accident in Missouri is to retain the services of a St. Louis motorcycle accident injury lawyer. An experienced attorney will examine the details surrounding your case to help attribute negligent action to responsible parties who caused the accident in the first place.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Speeds into Cadillac, St. Louis Man Killed" »

A car accident on the River Heritage Parkway could have ended fatally if not for the quick thinking of some nearby construction workers. A single car crash involving a 24-year-old man from Jerseyville took place near Dam Way and Lock, reports thetelegraph.com. The man’s vehicle crashed into a galvanized metal light standard when the man apparently fell asleep at the wheel. According to the report, the man had recently completed a 14-hour shift at his job, and remembered being sleepy one minute, and being pulled out of his flame-engulfed vehicle the next. There was no mentioning of whether or not drugs or alcohol were involved. The man was taken to Alton Memorial Hospital for treatment, and then transferred to Barnes-Jewish.

Luckily for the 24-year-old man, five nearby workers became aware of the crash, rushed to the scene, and extracted the near unconscious man from his vehicle only moments before the car became completely engulfed in flames. Though both vehicle doors were unable to be opened, one of the workers grabbed his crowbar from his own vehicle, and the five men were able to pry the passenger-side door open. It certainly didn’t hurt that two of the five men had firefighter experience and had received emergency training for just such a type of accident. Even though the men were able to pull the accident victim to safety, the Jerseyville man still suffered a concussion, a fractured pelvis, and possibly eternal bleeding and an ankle fracture. Reportedly, the man was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "Sleepy Driver Nearly Loses Life in Car Fire" »

With the new law on the horizon banning teens from texting while driving, what better way to inform teens of the new law than to spread the word via a mass text message sent by the Governor? According to a faircitynews.com story, the Governor sent about 6,000 text messages to Springfield teens informing them of the new law. Although it is debatable whether or not teens will respond amiably towards such a message, it is understandable that the State of Missouri considered it essential to contact teens. Distracted driving in the form of texting has contributed to far too many auto accidents.

Based on the report, one teen was about to start her car when she received the text message and then allegedly “blocked” the Governor’s number. Another teen who got the message said that he was parallel parking at the time and collided with an SUV in the process of reading and parking. It is a bit ironic that an accident, although small, took place while a teen received the Governor’s message warning about the new law banning teens from texting while driving. Although this new law focuses on teen drivers, adults too should certainly take notice and choose not to text or use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

It will be interesting to see how teens respond to the new law, and hopefully incidents of auto collisions involving teens will lower as a result. State officials claim that if teens do not adhere to the new ban, then a new program will be ready for implementation. Referred to as the Text-a-lizer, the new program would involve installing an application onto the mobile phones of teens. The application would then be able to detect whether or not a teen has been texting while driving. When the Text-a-lizer is activated, it will automatically turn the teen’s vehicle off, or lock out the ignition system.

Continue reading "Missouri Teens Informed of the Ban against Texting While Driving...Via Text" »

The first court challenge against a red-light camera ticket in Columbia concluded with a dismissal of the ticket on September 28, 2009, according to a columbiamissourian.com report. Apparently, this particular driver filed an affidavit and claimed that he was not the driver of the vehicle that was cited. According to the report, since two red-light cameras have been installed in Columbia on September 4th, 153 tickets have been issued. However, only 30 of those tickets have been paid and an additional affidavit has already been filed by another motorist.

Red-light cameras are installed for the purpose of raising motorist awareness of traffic laws and safety. The idea is that drivers are more inclined to stop instead of running a red-light when they know that a red-light camera may capture a picture of them. Although the City Council of Columbia is unsure at this point as to whether or not a change in the red-light camera system is required, some are concerned that the efforts being made to prevent accidents are being damaged by cases that challenge the effectiveness of the cameras.

As experienced Missouri auto accident lawyers, it is our hope that any glitches in the red-light camera system are corrected immediately. We also hope that the drivers who filed affidavits are in fact telling the truth. Running a red light is a serious issue, and is an example of reckless driving, which is a form of negligence that can lead to serious injury and even wrongful death of innocent people.

Continue reading "Are Red-Light Cameras Worth the Fuss?" »

Based on a ksdk.com article, the Illinois Department of Transportation declared on September 29, 2009 that the Martin Luther King. Jr. Bridge will be entirely closed for up to 12 days starting on October 12, 2009. A representative of Illinois’ Department of Transportation stated that the construction project was initiated by a recent road safety evaluation conducted on the bridge. While the bridge is off-limits to commuters in both Illinois and Missouri, the article stated that the following work will be done:

• A concrete barrier will be placed in the middle of the bridge to divide oncoming traffic.


• Guard rails will be redone.


• The bridge will be re-striped.


• Four lanes along the bridge will be rearranged into three lanes.

Although some residents greatly rely on the bridge as a part of their every day commute, developing a new itinerary is definitely worth the efforts that will be made to help reduce the risk of head-on collisions on the MLK Bridge. It is possible for the repaired bridge to open sooner than expected if weather conditions prove to be non-threatening. Taking note that the contractor of the operation gets a $50,000 bonus for each day the bridge opens early, let us hope that this incentive does not cause any work to be rushed and therefore improperly carried-out.

Continue reading "Road Safety Assessment Leads to MLK Bridge Construction Project" »

There’s nothing some people enjoy more than being out on the water in a boat, enjoying the sights and the company of friends. But what happens if someone is injured while on another person’s boat or even worse, goes missing from falling overboard? Most boat-owners and adventurous riders know that a boat’s owner and operator have the responsibility and legal duty to exercise a substantial degree of care to help keep passengers and other boaters safe from harm. When boating accidents occur, whether in the form of a sinking incident, a collision with another watercraft, or even a slip and fall accident onboard, severe injuries can result as a consequence.

In the most serious of boating accidents cases, like a recent incident in Mississippi, wrongful death can occur. According to a wkrg.com article, a boat’s fishing tower was too high to clear the Popps Ferry Bridge. As the boat attempted to pass underneath the bridge, the boat owner was hit and fell overboard as the tower was knocked down. It wasn’t until hours later that his body was found in Biloxi’s Back Bay. Four other passengers who were on the boat at the time of the accident did not suffer injuries and were rescued by passing boaters, according to the article.

Boating accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and in this particular case, the boat operator may not have been paying attention and failed to realize in time that the fishing tower would not make it under the bridge. Although this accident took place in Mississippi, driver inattention and reckless operation of boats can be some of the most common causes of boating accidents in the state of Missouri.

Continue reading "Body of Missing Boater Found after Accident at Bridge" »

A kansascity.com story reported that Missouri Governor Staff members claimed that they didn’t know about a dangerously high E. Coli contamination in the Lake of the Ozarks this last spring, when in fact, at least one Governor aide was aware of the bacterium presence as early as 24 hours after detection. According to an interview given to state Senate investigators during the week of September 14, 2009, the aide told a senior adviser on May 29th about the E. Coli contamination. The interview also revealed that the official did not want to make public the high E. coli levels before she had an analysis on why the levels were so high or until she could explain the situation more accurately.

This information is the complete opposite of what the governor’s staff has been telling the public since July. In denying the public the truth, these government officials put the well-being of swimmers and those who consume fish caught in the lake at risk of ingesting E. coli bacterium. Since July, the Governor’s staff has been telling the media that they did not know about the issue until at least June 23, according to the story.

Continue reading "Public Misinformed about Lake of the Ozarks E. Coli Contamination" »

The recent bust of a horrific dog fighting operation at a suburban Chicago day care has left many parents and members of the community shocked and outraged. According to a huffingtonpost.com article, a total of ten children were being watched when police arrived at the Maywood day care home. Three people were arrested and nine dogs were rescued. The article referred to the following statement of a Sheriff involved in the dog fighting bust: "Kids were playing on a swing set just 10 feet away from a vicious fighting dog and blood-stained floors…to be engaged in this sort of activity is disturbing enough, but to take a chance with anybody's children is reprehensible."

Although the day care owner has denied having any involvement with the dog fighting, one of the three people arrested is a relative of the day care owner. Being referred to as one of the “most gruesome” dog fighting operations that has ever been discovered, it is a miracle that no children have been injured due to a dog bite from the vicious fighting that took place on the premises of the day care center.

As disturbing as this incident is, and even though it is a bit out-of-the-ordinary, it is important for parents to be aware of such occurrences because the safety of their children could be similarly jeopardized. A parent or legal guardian should always research a prospective day care center and should strongly consider observing how the center operates before allowing their child to attend.

Continue reading "Suburban Day Care Discovered as Spot for Vicious Dog Fights" »

It may seem a bit out of the ordinary to Missouri residents to hear that a workers’ compensation board in Indiana is requiring an employer to cover an employee’s weight loss surgery. However, there are elements to the story that support such a decision. According to a usatoday.com report, the employee, who is a cook, suffered a painful back injury after being hit by a freezer door during a shift. The board concluded that the 380-pound employee’s back surgery would prove ineffective unless he underwent a weight loss procedure first.

Although it is true that the employer was overweight before he injured his back while at work, he gained more weight as a result of the injury. In addition to covering the cost of the back operation, the man’s employer will now have to pay for a lap-band weight reduction surgery that could cost $20,000 to $25,000. Needless to say, this case has raised alarm among businesses that may face such costly claims in the future. The decision also brings up the question of whether or not employers will resist hiring workers with health conditions that could potentially cost their companies a lot of money if a work accident happens to take place.

Employers are responsible for the safety and well-being of employees and are expected to create and maintain a safe working environment to help prevent injury or harm from plaguing workers at any time. When employers fail to uphold the responsibility of properly training employees or neglect to properly check the condition of working environments, serious consequences can result from work-related injuries.

Continue reading "An Employer Paying for a Worker's Weight Loss Surgery?" »

No one ever expects that tragedy will take its toll on our loved ones. Birth injuries can be some of the most challenging calamities for new parents to endure, with no mention of the physical or mental conditions the child will have to face for the rest of his or her life. These injuries are painful enough on their own, but knowing that a medical professional caused such a birth defect has the potential of adding even more grief.

According to the State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, approximately 1 in 33 infants in the U.S. are brought into this world with a birth defect and almost 6,000 babies die during their first 12 months. It was also noted that the medical costs to treat and provide care for such birth defects amount to around $2 billion a year.

Of course, parents want their child to receive proper and adequate care for a serious condition, whether it is a brain injury, spinal injury, or other birth defect or injury. And children who have suffered such catastrophic injuries deserve the highest standard of medical treatment. Fortunately, with the assistance of an experienced St. Louis birth defect attorney, compensation to help pay for such treatment may be obtained from negligent medical professionals who are responsible for causing the birth injury.

Continue reading "Missouri Birth Defects Can Devastate Families - You Don't Have to Feel Helpless" »

A total of four people were injured when a Toyota Tundra truck crossed the centerline on Missouri Route 52 and collided with a Chevrolet 1500 truck traveling in the opposite direction. The 51-year-old male driver of the Tundra was taken to Lake Regional Hospital, while the 25-year-old female driver of the Chevy 1500 was taken to the University of Missouri-Columbia. Passengers involved in the crash were also taken to medical facilities. Conditions of all drivers involved were not made available.

The newstribune.com article did mention one detail that all motorists should be made aware of. Only one of the passengers was wearing a seatbelt. While it has not been reported whether injuries sustained during this accident are life-threatening, it can certainly be speculated that not wearing a seatbelt increases the degree of a person’s injury.

Motor vehicle accidents on Missouri roads and highways can be devastating. If large trucks are involved, motorists must take advantage of every safety precaution they can in order to lessen the likelihood of severe injury. Reckless driving practices put all motorists on the road at risk of sustaining injury, and such careless behavior is representative of negligent action on the part of the at-fault driver. A skilled Missouri auto accident lawyer can help those injured in such incidents hold negligent drivers liable for their injuries and any property damage.

Continue reading "Two Trucks Collide, 4 MO Motorists Injured" »

According to recent reports, new legislation in Illinois will reverse a state law regarding how fast truck drivers are allowed to travel. The new law will reverse a previous law that prohibited truck drivers from traveling faster than 55 miles per hour. This new legislation raises the question of whether more truck accidents will occur if such large vehicles are allowed to drive at higher speeds. While passenger vehicles traveling at excessive speeds are certainly dangerous, semi-trucks and big-rigs doing so are certainly recipes for disaster.

Instances of truck accidents are certainly not new, and may in fact not end up being more problematic than they have been in the past, but it still seems counterintuitive for any state government to adopt legislation that permits any vehicle to travel at higher rates of speed. Faster speeds will ultimately lead to more instances of vehicular accident injury and increase the likelihood of wrongful death. AAA and other highway safety advocates argue that a uniform speed limit will only lead to deadlier traffic accidents. Truck drivers and higher truck speed limit advocates argue that the safest possible conditions for vehicular traffic must always dictate vehicles traveling at the same rate of speed, and that trucks that are forced to drive at a slower rate than passenger cars are nothing more than targets waiting to get hit.

Continue reading "IL Speed Limit Rise Could Increase MO Truck Accidents" »

It was recently reported by newstribune.com that a 35-year-old motorist was injured when his truck rolled over several times. The Gravois Mills man was traveling on Route RA in Camden County when he lost control of his 2004 Dodge 2500 truck. It was reported that the man was traveling at a high rate of speed and was unable to make a turn, forcing his vehicle off the road and causing it to overturn multiple times.

Thankfully, the man was treated for his injuries and was soon released from the hospital. It was also reported that the man was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, which could also help explain why he didn’t sustain serious injury. However, it should be noted that, while the man did take at least one safety precaution into account, he did not consider the tendency that large trucks have to rollover. In this particular incident, no other motorists were involved. However, all it takes is for one motorist driving a truck or other large vehicle to disregard vehicle limitations and cause an accident that is capable of affecting the lives of numerous other motorists.

When vehicles are more susceptible to rollover, motorists operating those vehicles are obligated to exercise safe driving practices. While it should be considered common sense that all motorists take not only their own safety into account at all times, but the safety of others as well, it is an all-too-often occurrence that reckless driver behavior results in injury, property damage, and, in the most tragic of cases, death.

Continue reading "Truck Rolls Over in Camden County One-Car Crash" »

An unusual story published on kmov.com details the story of a 17 year old who was injured in his school bus. Despite the fact that most school bus accidents that result in injuries involve collisions, this one involved assault. The student was physically attacked by both a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old onboard a bus heading to Belleville West High School on the morning of September 14, 2009. The two alleged attackers have been suspended from school for causing the victim to suffer bruises and cuts on his face; he was fortunate not to have suffered a more serious injury.

This bus attack has prompted the concern of many parents regarding the safety of their children when traveling to and from school on buses. The transportation company, First Student, which monitors buses for Belleville West and East, stated that the driver followed company policy when the attacks started. Until the case of the violent bus attack is resolved, the driver is on leave.

Although this incident did not involve a collision, bus accidents in Missouri and Illinois are responsible for many injuries on an annual basis, and in the most severe of cases, wrongful death. Drivers have the responsibility to exercise extreme caution when operating their vehicle, not only for their own safety, but for the safety of others on the road as well. In examining this specific bus incident, a collision could have resulted if the driver had been distracted by the attack on the bus and thus unable to pull over safely; however, fortunately, this was not the case.

Continue reading "Injury Sustained During School Bus Attack is an Uncommon Occurrence" »

Pedestrian accidents can cause some of the most serious injuries seen in auto accidents, posing a tremendous and unfortunate risk of wrongful death, especially when vehicles traveling at high speeds are involved. The impact of a pedestrian either hitting concrete, the vehicle itself, or any other object near or on the road or sidewalk, can be enough to inflict catastrophic head injuries, spinal injuries, and other severe injuries.

A recent pedestrian accident has sadly taken the life of an 83-year-old man in St. Louis. According to reports, the elderly man stepped in front of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old young man who was traveling on Virginia Avenue around noon on September 14, 2009. The elderly man hit the windshield of the car after being struck and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

It is not known at this time whether the teenage driver will be charged for the pedestrian’s death; however, police were reported as saying that they didn’t expect such charges to be filed. Fortunately, the driver stayed at the scene of the auto accident and cooperated with police, otherwise, circumstances for facing charges may have been different. Some may argue that one of the causes of this auto accident was driver inexperience in addition to other feasible factors.

Continue reading "St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Kills Elderly Man" »

According to a recent report, a single-vehicle car accident that occurred in Missouri, on Monday, July 27, 2009, along Interstate 44, claimed the life of a 23-year-old man from Dallas, Texas. The tragic death increased the number of 2009 auto accident fatalities in the Troop D area of Southwest Missouri to 59. What is staggering to imagine is that this calculation only relates to a portion of Missouri, thus leaving higher numbers of traffic deaths for the state.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the decedent lost control of his 1991 Voyager minivan when he was headed east on I-44. He was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle slid off the right side of the road and struck a tree, catching fire. It is not known at this time whether the victim was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Based on a 2007 traffic crash statistic report conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation for accidents that occurred on Missouri’s State Highway System, there were 14 total fatalities and 196 injuries resulting from auto accidents where the vehicle ran off the road. There are many factors such as dangerous road conditions, a stalled auto, an animal or object in the road, or threatening weather conditions, that can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle and be forced to leave the road. The families of victims killed in auto accidents would be well advised to seek counsel from a skilled St. Louis auto accident lawyer if they believe a negligent driver was responsible for the accident and wrongful death.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Marks 59th Fatality for 2009" »

St. Louis County’s upcoming election in November will determine whether or not a 0.1-cent sales tax will be implemented, which according to a recent report, would raise nearly $13.6 million a year to finance an upgraded program for advanced emergency communications systems. This money would also go towards equipment to determine the location of those in distress or those reporting an accident via cell phone, and an improved siren system for police and firefighter vehicles. Already putting efforts into action, supporters and organizers of the sales tax have created a campaign committee and have begun raising money.

Whether or not the program will receive enough votes is yet to be determined. After being involved in an accident, whether it is a car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, many drivers aren’t sure what their precise location is. This issue may be enough incentive to make citizens want the 28 emergency 911 centers in St. Louis County upgraded so that dispatches can easily determine the position of callers with cell phones.

The campaign’s slogan is, “If we cannot find you, we cannot save you.” For more information about the campaign and the program, visit www.citizensfore911.org.

Continue reading "St. Louis County Sales Tax for Emergency Communications Proposed to Make Response to Accidents More Acute" »

Assigning fault in an auto, motorcycle, truck, or car accident, can often be a challenging task. All drivers have the responsibility to operate their vehicle with the utmost care and caution. When accidents occur due to speeding or other reckless driving behavior, the consequences can be quite severe and altogether unfortunate.

A recent article reported that a motorcycle accident in St. Louis took place in front of Oakville High School; fortunately, no students were injured. However, the cyclist suffered serious injuries but was said to be in stable condition at the hospital where he is receiving treatment. According to officials, the motorcyclist was apparently speeding and passing vehicles along the shoulder right before he collided with a pick-up truck, which was making a legal turn. No one in the truck suffered injury. It has not yet been determined whether or not the motorcyclist will face charges.

Many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers other than the cyclist, mainly due to car and truck drivers not always checking their blind spots or rear view mirrors before changing lanes or merging. In the event that a motorcyclist suffers injuries as a direct result of another driver’s negligence, he or she may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical treatment, and other expenses associated with the injury.

Continue reading "Speeding Caused St. Louis Auto Collision Involving Motorcycle and Truck" »

According to a story on stltoday.com, a large church van overturned in an accident that left 16 people injured in Hollister, Missouri. Of the 16 injured passengers, 13 were treated and later released with only minor injuries. One accident victim was airlifted to a Springfield area hospital, while two other victims were driven to Springfield area hospitals. There is no update on the condition of the remaining three victims.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash, but suspect that slippery road conditions may have contributed to the incident. The auto accident in Missouri occurred at the bottom of a hill, and apparently resulted when the van crossed the center line, went off road, and then proceeded to crash into Kohler Creek. While inclement weather can certainly play a significant factor in causing a traffic accident, it is not the only danger that drivers of 15-passenger vans face.

Vans have a relatively high center of gravity to begin with, and their propensity for rolling over is considerably greater than nearly all over vehicles on the road. Factor in the shifting combined weight of passengers, especially since seatbelt usage may not be deemed a requirement by passengers, and the likelihood of a van rolling over is even greater. In any event, manufacturers of 15-passenger vans need to accept accountability for their shoddily designed vehicles.

Continue reading "Church Van Rollover Injures 16 in Hollister" »

A recent article reported that a 48-year-old woman riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle was killed in a Missouri motorcycle crash near Doniphan on Route 21. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the accident was caused by a deer in the road that was struck by the motorcycle, which consequently was forced off the road and overturned. The Harley-Davidson was being driven by the woman’s 51-year old husband, who was seriously injured and flown to a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee for treatment.

Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but being exposed on a bike makes a rider and passenger more vulnerable to the many dangers associated with a vehicle accident. No one can say if the accident above could have been prevented considering that the motorcyclist only had a short amount of time to react with the deer suddenly in the road. This incident is a reminder to all of us, motorcyclists, car owners, and truck drivers alike, that it only takes a second for some unforeseen hazard to pose a risk to us while traveling, which is why our undivided attention must be, at all times, on both the road and the vehicles that surround us.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s 2007 traffic crash statistics, there was a total of 1,395 motorcycle, scooter, and moped accidents in which there were 61 fatalities and 1,306 injuries. Injuries from a motorcycle collision may include broken bones, leg and arm fractures, brain injury, spinal injury, internal organ injury and damage, lacerations and bruises.

Continue reading "Eastern Missouri Motorcycle Accident Kills Woman" »

Carrollcountynews.com recently reported that a 75-year-old motorcyclist from Missouri was killed in Arkansas when his motorcycle collided head-on with a pickup truck. The accident occurred on Highway 23 when the 22-year-old driver of the truck crossed the centerline and struck the motorcycle. According to law enforcement officials, charges are pending against the truck driver who was injured in the crash.

Road conditions that day were dry, the motorcyclist was wearing his helmet, and even the driver of the truck was wearing his seatbelt. While the truck driver was injured after his vehicle rolled over, the motorcyclist lost his life. Tragically, it only takes one minor mistake for a life to be lost. While the outcome of the accident could have been prevented if the truck driver had simply remained in his traffic lane, it is an unfortunate fact that reckless driving habits take the lives of motorists throughout the U.S., Missouri included.

Motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to serious injury for the simple fact that they are not protected within the framing of an automobile. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that all motorists refrain from driving at excessive speeds. It is also important for motorists to take necessary precautions at intersections and safely proceed around bends in the road. Truck drivers in particular, being at the helm of large and powerful vehicles, need to exercise proper caution in order to prevent catastrophic accidents from occurring.

Continue reading "MO Motorcyclist Killed by Pickup in Head-On Collision" »

According to a recent report, on Wednesday, July 29, a 5-year-old boy crossing the street was struck and killed by a car going 10-15 mph. Apparently the young boy was in a hurry to catch up with some of his friends when he was hit. Police are ruling this incident an accident and the driver of the vehicle is not facing charges at this time. What concerns law enforcement, however, is why the young child was unsupervised in the first place. The pedestrian accident in Missouri occurred at 7:45 pm along Livingston Avenue in St. Ann.

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s 2007 traffic crash report indicates that there were 42 fatalities and 240 injures in pedestrian accidents in Missouri. That means that out of all the fatal traffic accidents in the state, 11.3% involved pedestrian deaths. On a more positive note however, the study reported that pedestrian fatalities decreased 18% during the one year period of 2007 to 2006.

Considering that 76% of pedestrian fatalities and 43.5% of pedestrian injuries in 2007 took place during the hours of darkness, both pedestrians and drivers have a serious responsibility to use extreme caution and awareness when traveling. If you are walking at night, remember to avoid wearing dark clothing and do not trust that a vehicle’s driver sees you.

Continue reading "Missouri Pedestrian Accident Kills 5 Year Old Boy" »

A ksmu.org story recently reported on Missouri’s 4th annual 340 Kayak and Boat Race, an event that provides a definite physical challenge for competitors who must be ready to face just about anything. It is expected that some participating rowers will drop out before the race reaches it end, partially due to the elements taking a harsh turn in the form of six foot waves, or fatigue and heat exhaustion settling in on weary competitors. According to the report, one competitor said he stopped racing because he was dehydrated and started to hallucinate.

The longest non-stop river race in the world began on Monday, August 3, 2009 and ended Friday, August 7, 2009. While making their journey across the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Charles, the competing kayakers are required to make designated stops at checkpoints to take a break and replenish supplies, and even risk being disqualified if they fail to be at the checkpoints at the required designated time.

Even experienced kayakers and boaters are not immune to the numerous dangers associated with recreational activity on the lakes of Missouri. As the intense 340 Kayak and Boat Race demonstrates, even those who spend months training for a physical event risk suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion, and the unpredictably of the water and weather.

Continue reading "Missouri 340 Kayak and Boat Race is an Extreme Competition with Real Risks" »

The fifth annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” reveals a vast amount of information regarding America’s 200 largest cities and their collision frequency to determine which cities have the safest drivers. According to an article, the news isn’t great for Illinois. One of the Allstate data sections related to cities with more than one million residents, which included Chicago, Illinois. The report stated that drivers are more likely than the national average to experience a collision in U.S. cities with a population above one million. Chicago was listed as 170th in this category, making drivers 37.6% more likely to be in a collision compared to the national average. Phoenix ranked highest in this category as the safest large city for commuters.

Senior vice president of Allstate’s Claim Organization reasons that human error is the biggest cause of accidents throughout the nation and that it is “vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel.” As personal injury attorneys who handle auto accident cases in Illinois and Missouri, we couldn’t agree more.

Continue reading "Safe Driving Tips from Allstate's Best Driver Report" »

Defective products can have quite devastating effects on trusting users, and these consequences are even more tragic regarding products that parents rely on for their infant’s use. The recent reports of Simplicity bassinets causing the death of two infants in two separate events are unnerving in that the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned against the risks of this product just a little over a year ago.

The risk associated with Simplicity bassinets has to do with metal bars that are separated a greater distance from each other than is permitted by federal requirements. Additionally, the bassinets can create risk of entrapment and death when the Velcro-fastened material over the metal bars is not accurately handled. These risks were the direct cause of death of a 6-month-old girl in Texas in January 2009 who became trapped between the exposed bars of the bassinet.

As a result of the above incident and the death of a 2-month-old girl in Georgia who was suffocated after becoming caught in the bassinet’s fabric in September 2008, all Simplicity bassinets that were manufactured before May 18, 2008 have been recalled in addition to some other bassinets that are sold under the Graco brand and some with a Winnie the Pooh design.
Despite the controversy over the death of innocent infants, another heated subject in relation to these defective products is the fact that too great of a time was allowed between the deaths and the recall’s second announcement. The chairmen of the safety commission stated the following in a report: "We want to step up in the future our education and advocacy so that consumers are better informed," she said.

Continue reading "Simplicity Bassinets Are Far From Harmless: Consumers Be Warned" »

An article in the LA Times brings some vital points to the forefront of consumer concern regarding recent food recalls due to salmonella, E. coli, and listeria contamination. In the last two months, certain products (romaine lettuce, cilantro, ground beef, Anaheim peppers, granola nut clusters, alfalfa sprouts and many nonfat dry milk featured products) listed on the FDA’s website have been recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. These recalls bring back unpleasant memories of the many peanut product recalls from earlier this year and leaves consumers wondering what is being done to monitor salmonella contamination.

The House passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act last month, which creates greater FDA regulatory powers to help improve the nation’s food supply by increased authority over recalls, regulation of how crops are raised and harvested, food manufacturer inspections, quarantine of a geographic area, warrantless searches of business records, and the ability to create a more effective way to trace food-borne illness. As of now, the FDA has introduced guidelines for the safety and protection of tomatoes, melons, and leafy greens against contamination. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is said to increase inspections of ground beef components to help protect consumers against E. coli contamination.

It is an unfortunate reality that food borne illnesses in Missouri and throughout the nation affect a large amount of people each year. What’s even more unfortunate is that proving the origin and cause of food borne illness can be extremely difficult.

Continue reading "Salmonella, E.Coli, and Listeria Food Products Contamination: What is Being Done to Prevent Food Borne Illness?" »

In a press release issued today, text messaging and driving may soon be banned in all states. It will be mandated that all states ban texting while driving if they want to receive highway funding. If they do not comply with the requirement to ban texting while driving, their funding will be withheld. So far 19 states have banned texting and driving. Texting has been linked to many serious Missouri car and truck accident cases. Experienced personal injury lawyers always explore the possibility of an at fault driver texting before a crash.

Illinois is the most recent state to prohibit texting while driving. The law was signed into effect on August 6 bringing the total of states that have banned text messaging while driving to 19. It is expected that Missouri will soon follow the lead of its neighboring state.

In St. Louis, Missouri a tractor trailer accident causing multiple fatalities on Highway 40 was allegedly caused because the semi truck driver was texting while he was driving and caused a chain reaction accident. Entire families were killed during this horrendous truck accident.

According to the Automobile Club of America, the risk of having a car accident increases by 50% for those who text message and drive at the same time. With 46% of new drivers surveyed saying they text and drive, teens are the largest group texting and driving, increasing the risk of cell phone auto accidents in Missouri and throughout the nation.

Continue reading "Texting and Driving Can Be a Deadly Combination" »

The following article from the News-Leader in Springfield, Missouri describes a two-vehicle crash resulting in two injuries and one fatality in Taney County.

This Missouri car accident happened a little after noon on August 9, on U.S. 160, about a mile east of Walnut Shade, Missouri. A 70 year old Highlandville, Missouri man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. It was reported that he was wearing his seat belt during the accident.

The driver of the other car involved in this Missouri car wreck was a 19 year old Forsyth, MO resident. He was taken immediately to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri with moderate injuries. He was also reportedly wearing a seat belt.

Additionally, a passenger was airlifted to St. John’s Hospital with serious injuries. The 16 year-old Reeds Spring, MO resident was reportedly not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. According to a report from the Highway Patrol, a 1995 Ford F-150 crossed the center line and hit a 2005 Chevrolet van head-on.

The Highway Patrol report says there were no apparent signs that alcohol was a factor. At the time of this article, it is unknown whether law enforcement authorities plan to charge anyone for causing the auto accident in Missouri that led to the unfortunate death.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Kills 70 Year Old Resident" »

A tour bus for the Christian rock band MercyMe, en route to Six Flags in Eureka, Missouri, near St. Louis, was recently involved in an accident resulting in fatalities. The bus collision took place in northeastern Indiana, killing two passengers and the 18 year old driver’s unborn baby. No one in the band was seriously injured.

The two passengers in the car, a male and female, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was in her third trimester of pregnancy and the baby died. The driver was hospitalized Saturday in critical condition, Officer Liza Thomas of Fort Wayne, Indiana police said.

Reports did not mention whether any passengers were wearing seatbelts.

According to Thomas, witnesses said the bus was going through a green light in the early hours of the morning at about 1:15 am on Saturday, August 8, when the car made a left turn in front of it.

Because of the driver’s condition, it has not been determined why she turned in front of the tour bus. It is unknown if she was trying to beat it through the intersection or just didn’t see it.

A photograph of the damaged bus was posted on the band’s website, depicting moderate crumpling to the front area of the vehicle. Six Flags issued a statement confirming the concert has been rescheduled for Sept. 5 and all concert tickets will be honored for the new date.

Continue reading "Tour Bus Accident Fatalities" »

A July 3 incident in an Arkansas County Jail has officials looking at safety strategies for preventing jailhouse suicides. New reports from TodaysTHV, an Arkansas online news article, say a 32-year-old inmate, a resident of Missouri, has been hospitalized for injuries relating to a suicide attempt in the Saline County Jail.

The report indicates there were three suicides in that particular jail over a period of one year. Incidents like this one lead to discussion of liability for all America's many inmates of prisons and jails across the country. Suicide is a serious problem among those who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails are places of specific detention and limitation of the individuals held there. Due to the very nature of that environment, cities and states have a special responsibility to prevent suicide attempts, self injury and injuries due to violent behavior by others.

Though some may downplay the significance of these kinds of situations, the reality is that incarceration is a “high risk” environment. Emotions run high in jails and prisons, and a vast variety of injury cases often result. Because of the arrangement and special interactions between guards, inmates and anyone else in a facility, these incidents often become more complex. Historically, there is a strong trend in avoidance of injury reports in a prison or jail. Today, advocates work to expose situations where those incarcerated are vulnerable to violent situations or situations that may trigger behavior such as a suicide attempt.

Continue reading "Jailhouse Risk Assessed After Missouri Resident Suicide Attempt in Arkansas Jail" »

A July 8 article in St. Louis Today indicates that the safety regulations of Missouri's day care centers are about to get a much-needed boost after nearly 20 years, with a 165 page document that outlines new standards for Missouri's estimated 2,300 day care centers across the state.

At issue, according to the reports, would be more advanced training for workers, better guidelines for environmental considerations and even smaller ratios providing more supervision to each child.

Missouri state officials say the change stems partially from incidents like one two years ago involving a sleeping infant who was left in a vehicle during a day trip. In this case, officials said tragedy was prevented by someone who spotted the baby, but the currently proposed regulations will make sure this kind of thing is not left up to chance in the future.

Those advocating stricter controls for Missouri day care centers have pointed to this kind of situation in urging the state to adopt greater regulation on how day care centers operate.

But not all of this is popular with those who own and run these businesses. Specifically, provisions that would require more staffing are under the spotlight. Many of Missouri's day care operations say they cannot afford to provide more staff than they currently use.

While the debate over the best way to regulate these kinds of businesses continues, the responsibility for child safety is in limbo. When tragic and unfortunate situations occur, parents are often left to sift through the facts and the mitigating factors to figure out where responsibility lies for an injury, or worse, a fatality involving one of their children.

Continue reading "Missouri Signs Day Care Law" »

According to recent reports, authorities in the state of Missouri are dealing with the breakup of a substantial dogfighting ring where law enforcement activity netted up to 350 dogs and 30 people across several states including Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee.

This Chicago Tribune story is just one of several reports originating online about the activity leading up to this series of raids, which has been called the largest in recent history.

As police and other law enforcement officers force the workers to deal with the aftermath of the situation and try to find homes for these dogs, a large question looms: what are the liabilities involved with handling all these animals, which have been bred or trained for ferocity? Concerns about the future handling of these animals include their passage through the law enforcement system, as well as any new homes they may find.

In any case dealing with dangerous dog breeds, there's always the concern of responsibility for any incidents where these conditioned animals injure their human handlers. Dogs confiscated from dogfights can tend to fall into a kind of “gray area”, making assessment all the more difficult. What's clear, though, is that certain dog breeds pose more of a general risk, and insurers, such as those providing homeowners insurance, reflect this in their policies.

Continue reading "Dogfighting Ring Busted: Animals Need Homes" »

A recent Missouri law adds to the already lengthy list of mandatory screenings for disease in newborns. KSMU News Radio reports in a story that a bill requiring checks for five “lysosomal” diseases was signed into law July 8.

The story also mentions a concrete example of a family ready to fight for the bill’s passage after losing an 11-month old son to what is called Krabbe disease, a lysosomal condition that can be prevented by an umbilical cord transfusion at birth. Child health advocates lead the charge in establishing checks for easily prevented illnesses that can prove fatal if undetected. As new parents are not medical experts, they depend on professional doctors to diagnose any specific conditions at birth so that they can be treated and prevented.

This recent bill offers a closer look at the general trend toward mandating checks for preventable disease in infants. Each state has its own requirements, with Missouri holding a leading position with mandatory screening for 67 diseases, according to an estimate from the KSMU story.

All of the differences in mandatory screening by state can lead to some complex cases where parents need to be able to find out exactly what the standards are for their situations according to the state of birth or the state of residence. When a family encounters a tragedy stemming from an undetected condition such as Krabbe or any other infant illness, the results can take a terrible emotional toll. Along with coping with bereavement, families are left to navigate an involved patchwork of state regulations on the behavior of medical networks facilitating births.

Continue reading "Missouri Adds Law Requiring Lysomal Disease Screening for Newborns" »

Motorcycle riders in Missouri now have a little more freedom. The Missouri Senate, in Jefferson City, recently voted to allow motorcycle riders over the age of 21 to ride without a helmet in some circumstances. The one caveat is that Missouri motorcyclists can’t be traveling on one of Missouri’s interstate highways.

Some Missouri residents view this as a huge victory, while others believe the interstate restriction is ridiculous. I am an avid motorcycle rider and enthusiast and I understand why some riders prefer no helmet. It certainly increases the feeling of freedom, but also increases the chance of injury.

Many Missouri residents argue that once someone turns a certain age, they should be able to make this decision by themselves, without government involvement. Motorcycle helmets have been mandatory in Missouri for many years.

People who support helmet laws often defend their belief by arguing Missouri has an obligation to keep people safe when they are involved in dangerous activities. Supporters of helmet laws also point to the many studies that have been done in regard to Missouri motorcycle accidents, helmets, and injuries.

About half the states require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Some states don’t require helmets, while others require helmets for younger riders.

Continue reading "New Missouri Motorcycle Helmet Law" »

An article reports that a Swansea man was killed and another man hospitalized for injuries he received when he was thrown from a vehicle in a car accident near Belleville recently. The man who was killed in the auto accident is reportedly a 79-year-old resident from Swansea who was driving a 2008 Buick LaCrosse when his car was struck head-on by a 1992 Dodge Ram conversion van. The van’s driver was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville and later airlifted to a St. Louis Hospital shortly after 10 in the morning. At the time the article was published, the condition of the van’s driver was unknown.

According to law enforcement authorities investigating the accident, the auto accident occurred on Illinois 161 near Shiloh Road and east of Southwestern Illinois College. The impact threw the van’s driver onto the road and emergency response personnel say that the 79-year-old victim died on impact. The St. Clair County Coroner arrived about 9:45 a.m. to officially pronounce the Buick’s driver deceased.

Accident reconstruction indicates that the Dodge van was westbound when it crossed the center line and struck the LaCrosse, causing the fatal car accident which closed Illinois 161 in both directions for several hours. At the time the article was published, the results of routine blood tests from the drivers were not yet known, and it is also unknown whether or not law enforcement authorities plan to charge the van’s driver for causing the car accident that led to the other man’s death.

Sadly, car accidents claim many lives in the St. Louis area each year and many more people’s lives are changed forever from injuries they receive in car accidents caused by drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, driving recklessly, or operating their vehicles in a negligent manner. Beyond the injuries that St. Louis car accident victims suffer, they must often also contend with catastrophically high medical bills from hospital stays, rehabilitative regimens, prescription medication and loss of income.

Continue reading "Swansea Man Killed in Belleville Car Accident" »

Charges were filed recently by the Cole County Prosecutor’s Office against an Elston woman whose dog is believed to have bitten a 5-year-old boy. This article about a Missouri dog bite incident in the News Tribune claims that the 19-year-old Elston woman has been charged with one count of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of misdemeanor animal abuse in connection with an incident which occurred on May 19, 2009.

The Cole County Sheriff’s Department said that the 5-year-old boy was released from the University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital after receiving treatment for a dog bite to the right side of his face. The child’s injury was described as a large cut from the bottom of his chin to near his right ear that required over 100 stitches to close.

The dog bite incident occurred around 8 p.m. while the boy was playing in the back yard of his home on Old Stage Road. The dog bite victim’s father claims that the boy was playing when a large brown Mastiff dog appeared and bit the child on his head. The dog’s owner told Cole County deputies that she was aware that her dog was running loose and knew of another incident this spring where her dog had bitten someone but wondered whether or not it had actually happened. After conducting an investigation, the Cole County Sheriff’s Department said that the same dog had bitten a 5-year-old girl riding her bicycle in March. The girl suffered two puncture wounds and the Missouri dog bite incident was witnessed by a member of her family.

Due to a miscommunication between the girl’s mother and the doctor who treated her wounds, the dog bite incident was never reported to law enforcement officials and investigated. A few days later, the girl’s grandmother spoke with a Cole County Animal Control officer about the dog bite incident and the officer informed the dog’s owner about her responsibilities to maintain control over the dog. The dog is also believed to have bitten a motorcycle rider although neither the rider nor a witness reported the dog bite incident to law enforcement authorities.

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Incident Injures 5 Year Old Boy" »

A Missouri motorcycle accident has resulted in injuries for a Columbia man hospitalized with undisclosed injuries. This recent article in the Columbia Tribune claims that the 25-year-old Columbia man was riding a 2007 Kawasaki which was westbound on Route F east of Route J when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle which turned into the motorcycle’s path. According to law enforcement officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the motorcycle accident occurred around 6:30 in the evening when an eastbound 2008 Chevrolet driven by a 47-year-old Columbia woman turned directly in front of the motorcycle.

The impact with the car threw the motorcycle’s rider some distance and he was taken to University Hospital in an ambulance where he was listed in fair condition. The Missouri motorcycle accident report did not say whether or not the motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet’s driver was wearing a safety belt and was apparently unharmed in the accident.

A vehicle of some kind which crosses into the path of a motorcycle is a frequent cause of Missouri motorcycle accidents and the drivers of these vehicles often claim that they did not see the motorcycle in the moments before the accident occurred. Sadly, many motorcycle accidents in Missouri and other states across the country result in the motorcycle rider being seriously injured or killed. With the exception of a helmet, motorcycle riders simply have little to protect them from an impact with a vehicle which outweighs their motorcycle by thousands of pounds.

Continue reading "Missouri Motorcycle Accident Injures Columbia Man" »

This article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that two St. Louis men caused a St. Louis car accident that claimed the life of a 48-year-old Dittmer man.

The two men—a 28-year-old and 21-year-old—were allegedly chasing a vehicle sometime on May 5, 2009, after a reported drug deal went awry in High Ridge. The two men reportedly fired weapons at a Jeep driven by a woman who had an adult male passenger and a 2-year-old child in the Jeep with her. Law enforcement officials with the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office say that after the shots were fired at the Jeep, the female driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle and struck a truck. The driver of the truck suffered fatal injuries in the accident.

The victim’s mother said that her son had just dropped off his 11-year-old son nearby in Festus and was heading home after treating his son to an evening at the movies. She said that the man was only two miles from his home when the accident occurred.

Continue reading "St. Louis Car Crash Kills Man" »

A female worker was killed recently while working on a concrete placement which was part of the Taum Sauk reservoir rebuilding project. An article claims that the 48-year-old woman was airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and died from the injuries she received in the Missouri workplace accident. At the time the article was published, law enforcement officials investigating the Missouri construction accident had not yet released the accident victim’s name, but said that she was employed by Ozark Constructors LLC at the time the accident occurred.

Ozark Constructors had been hired by the reservoir’s owner—AmerenUE—to rebuild the reservoir after a breach occurred in the reservoir, which released a wall of water down the side of a mountain and into Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park on December 14, 2005. St. Louis-based utility company AmerenUE prepared a written statement that said the safety of everyone at the Taum Sauk reservoir construction site was the company’s top concern. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and coworkers of the construction worker who died as a result of this morning’s tragic accident at the Taum Sauk upper reservoir rebuild site,” the utility said in its written statement.

Ozark Constructors said that its workers have logged over 2 million hours of work over 21 months at the construction site, but the company declined to provide additional information pending an investigation into the Missouri construction site accident conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Construction sites can be very dangerous workplaces with lots of heavy equipment being moved by large machinery, multistory scaffolding and other potentially hazardous conditions. The majority of construction companies make construction site safety a priority and spend a great deal of time and money ensuring that employees receive the training, safety measures, and qualified supervision to prevent Missouri wrongful death accidents and personal injury incidents. However, there are some construction companies that take shortcuts to save money and expose their workers to unnecessary risks, and far too many workers are killed and seriously injured each year in Missouri construction site accidents.

Continue reading "Missouri Construction Accident Kills Female Worker" »

This article which appeared recently in the Joplin Globe describes a car accident in Missouri which occurred near Carterville in August 2008 around a mile east of Carterville on Highway 171. The Joplin man was allegedly the driver of a Porsche that was racing a Ford Mustang and was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the Porsche which struck the rear of a Dodge Durango driven by a 33-year-old Carthage man. The accident report submitted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol claims that the collision caused the Durango to leave the roadway and overturn.

Other passengers in the Durango included the driver’s 28-year-old wife, an 8-year-old son, and 7-year-old daughter who all sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The 8-year-old sustained serious injuries, the mother’s injuries were described as moderate, and the 7-year-old daughter’s injuries were reportedly minor. An hour after the accident occurred, the Joplin man was given a breath test which indicted that his blood-alcohol content was 0.158 percent. In Missouri and every other state in the country, the legal limit for intoxication is 0.08 percent.

Racing on state highways at excessive speed could be considered reckless driving and operating a vehicle in a negligent manner. In addition, driving under the influence of alcohol can exacerbate charges of negligence and reckless driving. With three family members hurt and hospitalized due to the Missouri auto accident, the family in the Durango probably faces steep bills for their medical care.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Caused by Drunk Driver Injures Woman and Children" »

According to a report, two people suffered serious injuries in a Missouri boating accident on Lake Taneycomo recently. The driver claims that the boating accident occurred when he was distracted by a dog that was with the men on the boat. The Missouri Water Patrol said that three men and the dog were aboard the boat when the boat hit a log in the water. After hitting the log, the boat became airborne and struck a tree on the lake’s shore, ejecting the occupants from the boat.

The people injured in the Missouri boating accident were the boat’s driver, a 58-year-old Rockaway beach man, and a 59-year-old man from West Covina, California. The impact threw the 59-year-old man from the boat and a third passenger—age and address unknown—reported no injuries from the boating accident.

Missouri’s splendid lakes and other waterways make it a popular destination for boating enthusiasts from all over the country. However, some boat owners and operators overlook their responsibilities to exercise the highest degree of care to ensure that their passengers and the passengers of other boats are not injured in collisions with other boats or objects in the water.

If you or someone you care for has been killed or injured in a boating accident, the Missouri's experienced boating accident attorneys at St. Louis personal injury law firm Page Law may be able to help. With their legal counsel and assistance, the victims of boating accidents can receive the compensation they deserve to help with the costs of hospitalization, recuperation and other expenses. Call them today at 866-620-5757 to schedule a free consultation with their experienced Missouri boating accident lawyers. More information can be found at www.injuredclient.com.

According to this report in the Hannibal Courier-Post, the driver of a tractor-trailer faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with a St. Louis truck wrongful death accident that claimed the lives of two northeast Missouri residents last summer. The driver, a 49-year-old man from Muscle Shoals, Ala., allegedly plowed his truck into stopped traffic on Interstate 64/40 in July 2008. The resulting impact killed an 88-year-old Kahoka man and 55-year-old woman from Canton. The truck driver is currently being held in the St. Louis County Detention Center in Clayton on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

Accidents involving tractor-trailers are especially deadly as these large trucks often haul up to 80,000 pounds of freight. Smaller passenger vehicles simply cannot withstand the impact of this much weight traveling at any rate of speed, and the rates of death and catastrophic injury are much higher when a semitrailer truck is involved. The survivors of truck accidents in Missouri often face a steep and very expensive uphill climb to recovery with lengthy hospital stays, grueling physical rehabilitation regimens, and medical bills that quickly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a truck accident, the St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Page Law may be able to help. This St. Louis personal injury law firm has helped countless clients injured or killed in St. Louis auto accidents receive the compensation they deserve to offset steep medical expenses, and hold those responsible for the accident accountable for their actions. To speak with their experienced St. Louis truck accident attorneys, call them today at 866-620-5757. More detailed information can be found at www.truckaccidentlawgropup.com.

A recent report claims that two St. Louis men suffered serious injuries when their boat ran aground at Lake of the Ozarks. The Missouri Water Patrol said that a 45-year-old St. Charles man and a 45-year-old Smithton man were taken to Lake Regional Hospital with serious injuries after the Missouri boating accident at Twin Islands near Laurie. A 58-year-old Belleville man who was involved in the accident was also taken to the hospital to treat what were described as moderate injuries.

The investigation is still underway but early reports claim that the three men were aboard a runabout that left Horny Toad Cove and ran aground at Twin Islands. They called 911 and were met by emergency personnel when they returned to Horny Toad Cove.

Lake of the Ozarks and other waterways are marvelous places to relax, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. But sometimes the operators of boats and other watercraft forget their responsibilities or operate their craft in a negligent manner, and boating accidents injure over 8,000 and claim the lives of over 800 people in this country every year. Boat owners and boat operators have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care to prevent injuries to their passengers and the passengers of other watercrafts.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Missouri boating accident on Lake of the Ozarks or another waterway, the experienced St. Louis boating accident attorneys at Page Law may be able to help. The boating accident lawyers at St. Louis personal injury law firm, Page Law, have helped many victims of accidents involving boats, jet skis and other watercraft receive the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation with experienced Missouri boating accident lawyers, call them today at 866-620-5757. More information can be found at www.injuredclient.com.

In the case of a motorcyclist riding at night (in addition to the fact that racing and speeding are prohibited), the Department of Motor Vehicles has listed several tips to riding a motorcycle at night because it is harder for motorcyclists to see and be seen. The following are some safety tips to help prevent motorcycle accidents in St. Louis:

• Reduce Your Speed — Ride even slower than you would during the day — particularly on roads you don't know well. This will increase your chances of avoiding a hazard.


• Increase Distance — Distances are harder to judge at night than during the day. Your eyes rely upon shadows and light contrasts to determine how far away an object is and how fast it is coming. These contrasts are missing or distorted under artificial lights at night. Open up a three-second following distance or more. And allow more distance to pass and be passed.


• Use the Car Ahead — The headlights of the car ahead can give you a better view of the road than even your high beam can. Taillights bouncing up and down can alert you to bumps or rough pavement.


• Use Your High Beam — Get all the light you can. Use your high beam whenever you are not following or meeting a car. Be visible; wear reflective materials when riding at night.


• Be flexible about lane position -- Change to whatever portion of the lane is best able to help you see, be seen, and keep an adequate space cushion.

The call and consultation are free. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). Call me personally and I will answer all the questions and concerns you may have. There is no fee unless we recover for you.

If you don't want to call or you can't call, you can email me at john@pagecagle.com. I look forward to speaking with you and helping you through these trying times. You can also visit my website, www.MotorcycleInjuryLawGroup.com for more information.

Many Prempro pharmaceutical liability lawsuits have been filed against the makers of the defective drug, Wyeth, allegedly because the drug maker not only failed to adequately warn patients of severe side effects, but also heavily promoted the drug for conditions that weren’t approved by the FDA. A woman in Little Rock, Arkansas, who was diagnosed with breast cancer after taking Prempro for eight years, filed the first of many Prempro lawsuits. The woman was prescribed Prempro for the prevention of osteoporosis, however, this prescription medication ultimately led to her mastectomy.

Prempro, which is primarily prescribed to menopausal women hoping to ease symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, contains a combination of conjugated estrogens and progesterone. These female hormones are important for regulating menstruation and ovulation and are also shown to prevent osteoporosis. However, Prempro has caused several cases of personal injury to those using the drug, increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease and dementia to name a few.

Especially with long-term treatment, this medication can increase the risk of heart attacks, blood clots, strokes and being diagnosed with breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. Smokers and overweight individuals are at increasingly higher risks for developing these medical conditions from taking Prempro.

Despite all of these risks, Prempro is still one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for hormone replacement therapy. Thousands of women are prescribed Prempro every year, many of whom are not aware of the serious and debilitating risks that come along with taking this drug. If you or a loved one has experienced side effects from taking Prempro, or any other prescription drug, call Page Law, A Personal Injury Firm for a free consultation with a skilled St. Louis Prempro side effects attorney to learn about your legal options.

Call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information. You pay nothing unless you recover.

A three-vehicle auto accident in Missouri killed a 76-year-old woman from Camdenton and critically injured a 45-year-old woman from Richland. Both women were wearing their seatbelts. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the decedent, who was driving a 1990 Honda, stopped her car on Highway 5 to make a left turn onto Christopher Drive. A young man from Lebanon, MO, slammed into the rear of the decedent’s car, pushing the Honda into oncoming traffic.

A third person sustained severe injuries in the car accident. She was driving the opposite direction of the decedent on Highway 5 and struck the decedent’s vehicle head-on. The decedent was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene. The young man was alleged to have caused this Missouri car crash and was not wearing his seatbelt.

Allegedly the young driver failed to keep a proper lookout because he did not stop behind the decedent’s car while she was attempting to make a left turn. This could create liability on his behalf for the car accident and resulting damages. Car crashes occur every day and often result in multiple injuries and wrongful death in Missouri. Chain reactions usually occur when one car hits another and so on down the line, especially when cars are traveling at high speeds in high traffic areas.

Cautious driving is always advised, but a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence can’t always be avoided. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, it is important that you immediately seek a car crash lawyer to make sure your legal needs are represented. As a founding partner of Page Law, A Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, and as an experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer, I zealously represent my clients to make sure they are rightfully compensated for injuries. Call me for a free consultation at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.missouricaraccident.com for more information.

In Texas, a high school golf coach was badly injured after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck. He has been listed in critical condition, suffering from head injury, broken arms, legs, ribs, and a severe foot injury. The motorcycle accident allegedly occurred because the pickup driver failed to yield while merging onto the highway and did not see the motorcyclist. The motorcycle ran head-on into the driver’s side of the truck, causing significant external and internal injuries. The motorcyclist was not wearing his helmet, the pickup truck driver was not injured, and neither was speeding.

Helmet safety in relation to Missouri motorcycle injuries is always an issue of debate, as some states require helmet use where others do not, and some motorcyclists claim that helmets hinder their vision and hearing capabilities. The NHTSA sponsored a study of fifty motorcyclists of various ages and riding experiences to assess the abilities of motorcyclists wearing helmets. The study tests motorcyclists’ abilities:

1. To visually detect the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes before changing lanes; and


2. To detect traffic sounds when operating at normal highway speeds.

The hearing results showed there were no significant difference in riders’ ability to hear the auditory signals regardless of whether they were wearing a helmet or not. At higher speeds, wind noise obviously makes hearing more difficult in general, but the helmets did not affect hearing abilities. Overall, any possible drawbacks of helmet use are severely negated by the benefits in terms of the protection offered in the event of an accident.

Further, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of crash fatality by 37 percent. Helmets are most important in preventing brain injuries; NHTSA statistics indicate that in the event of a motorcycle accident in Missouri and throughout the nation, motorcyclists not wearing a helmet are three times more likely to suffer brain injuries. Further, 65% of fatally injured motorcycle riders were not wearing a helmet in states without all-rider helmet laws as compared with only 13% in states with such laws.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Helmet Vision and Hearing Study" »

A recent Missouri tractor trailer accident killed one person and has led to a personal injury lawsuit. Specifically, the family of the young man killed in this big rig crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The crash occurred while the decedent was driving on east on Martin Luther King Bridge, from Missouri into Illinois.

As the decedent was driving eastbound, the tractor trailer and another vehicle, rented from Enterprise Leasing Company, were driving west on the bridge. The driver of the Enterprise vehicle wanted to pass the tractor trailer, despite being in a no-passing zone. When the car tried to pass the tractor trailer, he allegedly pulled into the decedent’s eastbound lane and caused the collision with the vehicles.

The family of the decedent seeks compensation for deprivation of the decedent’s love, affection, society and support in addition to costs associated with the death itself. This Missouri wrongful death suit was filed against the driver of the vehicle for negligence and also against Enterprise Leasing Company because the family alleged negligent entrustment of the vehicle being leased to the allegedly reckless driver. The family claims that the actions of Enterprise combined with the negligent driver were the proximate causes of the injuries and death suffered.

The family seeks in excess of $200,000 in this Missouri personal injury action. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, call Page Law for a free consultation with a skilled St. Louis trucking accident attorney. We are happy to assess your legal rights and discuss your legal options with you.

Call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.injuredclient.com for more information. You pay nothing until you recover.

Fosamax is a prescription medication that is often used to treat or prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Fosamax changes the cycle of bone formation and breakdown by slowing down bone loss and increasing bone mass at the same time. Although the drug may prevent bone fractures, the drug also carries risks of serious Fosamax side effects.

Fosamax often causes bone loss in the jaw, which is called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis of the jaw results in jaw swelling, pain, gum infection and even tooth loss. Chances of getting this condition are increased in those treated with steroids, radiation and chemotherapy. Additionally, those with low blood calcium, a vitamin D deficiency, kidney disease or an ulcer may experience additional medical risks with taking Fosamax.

As awareness of these severe musculoskeletal drug injuries increased, many injured patients filed lawsuits against the makers of Fosamax, Merck. The FDA also issued warnings of the serious side effects associated with taking Fosamax, although some patients had already been injured by taking this drug. Recently, more information about Fosamax was released, alleging the drug also doubles a woman’s chances of developing atrial fibrillation, which is a chronic irregular heartbeat.

If you have taken Fosamax and have suffered any muscle, joint, bone or heart pain, call Page Law, a personal injury law firm to speak with an experienced St. Louis product liability attorney for free. Call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information. I am more than happy to discuss your case, answer any questions you may have and help determine your legal options.

A northeast Missouri family narrowly escaped serious injury when their van was struck by a train at a crossing recently. This story, which appeared in the Hannibal Courier-Post, said that a 24-year-old man, his four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son, were on their way home from a fishing trip around 11:15 in the morning on Route B when they were involved in a St. Louis train accident. The driver of the van said that he was talking on his cell phone as his van approached the train crossing and normally looks both ways before crossing train tracks, but failed to do so that morning.

The flashing lights and alarms were working properly at the intersection, but this crossing has no retractable crossing gates to prevent motorists from crossing when a train is approaching. The engineer on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train said that he saw the van and was sounding the train’s whistle as it approached the intersection but the driver of the van gave no indication that he saw the oncoming train. Law enforcement officials investigating the Missouri railroad accident found no skid marks near the train crossing and the van’s driver was cited for failure to yield, failure to register, and having no proof of insurance.

Both children were properly secured in their car seats and the family was able to get out of their mangled van without serious injuries, but the occupants of vehicles involved in train accidents are seldom so lucky. In most cases, the occupants of any type of vehicle that is struck by a train are either killed or suffer very serious injuries. These injuries can result in medical expenses that quickly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you or someone you care for has been involved in a St. Louis train accident, the experienced train accident attorneys at the St. Louis personal injury law firm Page Law may be able to help. After a case evaluation with their skilled St. Louis train accident lawyers, they will launch an immediate investigation into the accident and work hard to help you receive the compensation you deserve for your loss or injuries. To speak with the experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law, call them today at 866-620-5757. You can find more information by going to www.railroadaccidentlawgroup.com.

A recent report in The Record claims that a St. Clair County woman has filed a Missouri premises liability lawsuit against a grocery store and an ice company for injuries she received when she slipped on melted ice and fell. The injured woman filed the lawsuit in St. Clair County Court on May 1, 2009, in connection with the slip and fall accident which allegedly occurred on June 6, 2007. The complaint claims that ice had melted on the supermarket floor after an employee of the ice company had stocked bags of ice in a freezer, and ice cubes had dropped from one or more of the bags. The complaint also claims that the ice company employee and employees of the supermarket:

• Failed to mop up the melted ice
• Failed to display warning signs of the wet floor
• Failed to warn the woman of the presence of water on the floor
• Failed to adequately inspect the floor

The woman claims that the fall caused injuries to her neck, back, spine, arms, elbows, right shoulder, torso, knees, legs, right ankle and right foot, and strains to her right interior cruciate ligament and right posterior cruciate ligament. As a result of this slip and fall accident in Missouri, the woman claims that she incurred medical costs, the use and function of her injured body parts have been substantially impaired, and she has been unable to enjoy some of her favorite activities.

Slip and fall accidents often result in broken bones, deep bruising, back injuries, and other debilitating injuries. It is the responsibility of property owners to protect people who are lawfully on their property from injuries resulting from hazardous conditions that they knew about or should have known about.

If you or someone you care for has been injured in a St. Louis slip and fall accident, the premises liability attorneys at personal injury law firm Page Law may be able to help. They can help injured people hold property owners responsible for the negligence that caused the injuries and prevent others from being injured. Call the injury lawyers at Page Law today toll free at 866-620-5757 to schedule a free consultation with experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyers. You can find more information related to this topic at www.injuredclient.com.

It has been reported in stltoday.com story that the Missouri Legislature recently passed a bill that makes it illegal for anyone 21 years of age or younger to text while driving. The article claims that Illinois lawmakers are considering similar legislation in the very near future that will ban people of any age from composing or sending text messages, browsing the Internet, or downloading from a phone while driving a vehicle. The sponsor of the Missouri bill, Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, said that he has seen many people come close to Missouri car accidents because they were texting while driving.

Recent cases across the country where pedestrians and bicyclists died after being struck by drivers who were distracted by reading or composing texts spurred the legislation. "It's become so much a part of their life that they don't even think about it," said Illinois state Sen. Pam Althoff, R-Crystal Lake, a co-sponsor of the bipartisan bill in that state. “They need to understand that they're driving this 2,000-pound vehicle, and it could do significant damage as they're texting."

Personal communication devices represent another distraction for drivers, which make our roads more dangerous for other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Under the new Missouri legislation, if someone is struck and injured or killed by a vehicle driven by someone under 21 years old distracted by sending or reading text messages, the driver may face additional criminal charges for that act. This new legislation will also make it easier for proving negligence in a motor vehicle accident claim brought by the victim or victim’s family.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed by a driver texting while operating a motor vehicle, call the Missouri personal injury law firm, Page Law. These skilled St. Louis auto accident attorneys can help hold those responsible for the accident and help you receive the compensation you deserve for injuries and damage you have suffered. To schedule a free consultation with experienced Missouri personal injury attorneys, call Page Law today at 866-620-5757. You can find more information by visiting www.injuredclient.com.

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) requires its members to follow general maritime laws and practices regarding marine operations, maintenance, and safety.

The AWO's program requires that companies, who belong to their organization, comply with certain safety regulations and obtain a third party audit to verify compliance with those AWO guidelines. Such regulations include adequately training workers, providing adequate lighting, and keeping the barges free of debris or gravel. An employer's failure to do such can lead to a finding of “unseaworthy" or negligence.

Laws specific to the maritime industry, such as the Jones Act, govern marine workers' rights. The Jones Act is somewhat similar to workers' compensation laws (although they follow different paths in the legal system) because it provides injured marine workers with payment of lost wages and medical expenses after a work-related injury. It allows marine workers to obtain damages from their employers for negligence of the ship-owner, captain, or fellow crewmembers.

As a law firm with experienced Missouri maritime lawyers and personal injury attorneys, Page Law is happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have. If requested, we will immediately and aggressively take action on your behalf.

The call and consultation are free. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). Call me personally and I will answer all the questions and concerns you may have. There is no fee unless we recover for you.

If you don't want to call or you can't call, you can email me at john@pagecagle.com. I look forward to speaking with you and helping you through these trying times. You can also visit www.BargeAccidentLawGroup.com for more information.

Accutane is a prescription medication that is used to treat severe nodular acne. The medication is a form of vitamin A that reduces oil gland secretion to help clear skin of acne. However, Accutane also has serious side effects that can cause psychiatric disorders, increased risks of colon cancer and life-threatening birth defects.

Because of these severe medical risks, Accutane is only available to patients who pledge to be using two forms of birth control and who agree to undergo routine pregnancy testing. This testing is to prevent possible birth defects that affect a baby’s ears, eyes, skull, heart and brain. However, no procedures were or are implemented to protect against the myriad of other medical problems that may arise from taking the drug, which has lead to numerous Accutane product liability lawsuits.

Roche Pharmaceuticals, maker of Accutane, has come under scrutiny by the FDA because the drug maker did not adequately warn patients of the severe side effects besides birth defects, which include psychiatric side effects such as suicide and depression, an increased risk of colon cancer and central nervous systems complications to name a few.

Several multi-million dollar verdicts have come down against Roche Pharmaceuticals in cases where Accutane users, who took the medication to control acne, developed Crohn’s disease and ulceratative colitis. These defective product injury lawsuits primarily allege that the makers of Accutane knew about the side effects of the drug, which is primarily used by teenagers, but neglected to warn patients of these life-altering risks. To date, over 500 Accutane lawsuits have been filed and this number is expected to grow as Accutane awareness grows.

If you or a loved one has experienced medical complications after taking Accutane, contact Page Law, A Personal Injury Law Firm. For a free consultation with a skilled St. Louis personal injury attorney, call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information. You pay nothing unless you recover.

A Lincoln County car accident killed a Troy, Missouri woman recently. The Missouri car crash occurred on U.S. 61. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported that the 46-year-old decedent was traveling north on U.S. 61 in a pickup truck when another pickup truck tried to cross the highway.

When the second pickup tried to cross U.S. 61 at Cannonball Road, it collided into the driver’s side of the first pickup truck. The first pickup was pushed off of the right side of the highway and hit a road sign before flipping over and throwing the decedent from her truck. The decedent was not wearing her seat belt and was pronounced dead shortly after the accident.

The second truck also ran off the road and ended up in a ditch, although the second driver was wearing her seatbelt and only sustained minor injuries. No personal injury lawsuits have been filed yet. More information about this motor vehicle accident in Missouri can be found in the following article.

Car accidents like this occur every day and often cause serious injuries. If you or a loved one is injured in a car crash, it is crucial to seek medical attention for treatment and also contact a skilled St. Louis personal injury lawyer to represent your legal interests and make sure you are compensated for your injuries. Call Page Law for a free consultation. We aggressively represent injured clients every day.

Call Page Law, A Missouri Injury Law Firm, 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658) for a free consultation. You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information. You pay nothing unless you recover.

News reports releasing recent statistics about traffic accidents that are caused by “driving while texting” compare texting to being drunk while driving. Although most of the statistics were related to teenage drivers, who were inexperienced on the road, teenagers aren’t the only ones causing traffic accidents because they are negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout while driving.

In fact, a 30-year-old tractor trailer driver has recently been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving with serious bodily injury after his 18-wheeler caused a crash with a school bus. The truck crash, which occurred in Florida, has gained increased media attention, as it was caused by a negligent tractor trailer driver, who admits he was text messaging minutes before he rear-ended a school bus that was stopped on the road. The school bus burst into flames. This crash ultimately injured 11 children and killed a 13-year-old girl, who could not be pulled out from the flaming bus.

The tractor trailer driver turned himself in to authorities after the tractor trailer crash, accepting that he was distracted from the road and negligent in driving. Despite his remorse, the fact of the matter is that a young girl died and eleven others were injured because of a simple negligent action on the road that could have been prevented. Recent legislation in some states ban texting while driving, although Florida is not one of them. Despite the lack in particular legislation, texting while driving can still be used to show negligence and prove liability in personal injury claims stemming from a tractor trailer accident.

Injuries stemming from big rig crashes are often life-threatening and unfortunately fatal, as the above case shows. The damages that result from St. Louis big rig accident injuries range from broken bones, head trauma, brain damage, and death. Many of these injuries require life-long medical treatment and therapy.

Injuries sustained as a result of the negligence of a truck driver are compensable. As a founding partner of Page Law, A Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, I aggressively represent clients injured in tractor trailer accidents in Missouri on a daily basis. Call me for a free consultation to discuss your case at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also visit www.truckaccidentlawgroup.com for more information.

Paxil is a prescription medication that is often used to treat depression. The drug, which belongs to a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), aims to help mood problems by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain. Besides treating depression, Paxil has also been used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders to name a few.

However, Paxil has also been shown to have severe and serious side effects in addition to dangerous withdrawal symptoms, bringing up serious concern for product liability in Missouri and throughout the nation. Additionally the drug has been prescribed to children, despite the fact that it has proven to be ineffective with most young children and increases the risk of suicidal thoughts. Most often, suicidal thoughts are present in those younger than 24-years-old.

Paxil, which is manufactured by SmithKline Beecham, entered the US prescription market in 1992. Since this time, the dangerous drug has been shown to cause severe side effects such as violent behavior, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and a condition called akathisia, which is severe inner restlessness. As these symptoms appeared in many Paxil-users, many defective product injury and personal injury suits were filed against the makers of Paxil.

The FDA not only required Paxil to display new warning labels on the medication, but also created a plan that requires doctors prescribing Paxil to speak directly with their patients about the known risks that are associated with the drug. These warnings and implementations to protect Paxil consumers, however, have come too late in the case of many, whose lives have been drastically changed and limited by this drug.

If you or a loved one has experienced severe side effects from taking Paxil or any other prescription medication, don’t hesitate to call me for a free consultation. As a founding partner of Page//Cagle, a Missouri Injury Law Firm, I have aggressively represent clients to make sure they are compensated for their injuries.

You can call me 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information. You pay nothing unless you recover.

OzarksFirst.com reports in a story that efforts are underway in the Missouri House of Representatives that may improve the safety of waterways and lakes in the region. The Missouri Water Patrol is throwing their support behind House Bill 657.

House Bill 657 would require dock owners on lakes with at least 950 miles of shoreline to post the nearest 911 address to help emergency personnel locate people in trouble on Missouri’s lakes. Lakes administered or created by the Army Corps of Engineers would also fall under the new requirement to give assistance to those injured in a boating accident in Missouri.

If passed, the bill will take into effect January 2010. Supporters hope that the bill will shorten 911 response times by providing responders with accurate land addresses from which rescue efforts or other services can be launched.

The news of this legislation should be welcomed by boaters and outdoor enthusiasts who flock to the lakes of Missouri. Although cell phones are often carried by outdoor recreation buffs because of their supposed ability to broadcast location information when 911 calls are made from the phones, the differing levels of cell technology available in Missouri makes this method of location less than reliable. A KOMU news story reports that emergency responders may not be able to retrieve cell phone location information in two out of three 911 calls.

Going to a posted information format may be a cost effective and more reliable way for first responders to find those who need their help.

If you have any questions about boating accidents and premises liability, please contact the Missouri personal injury law firm of Page Law to discuss the matter with a highly experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney. Call 866-620-5757 for a case evaluation and to find out if your case qualifies you for compensation from negligent parties.

StJoeNews.net reports in an account that on April 5, 2009, a compact car driven by a 23-year-old Liberty woman rear ended a Missouri DOT truck. The accident occurred a few miles south of St. Joseph on I-29. The DOT truck was stopped in the passing lane of I-29 northbound with a warning directional arrow activated to signal motorists into the driving lane. The driver of the compact car suffered minor injuries from the auto accident in Missouri.

During spring, the Department of Transportation rushes to repair the toll that winter takes on Missouri’s roadways. As part of that repair effort, state workers often have to stop in one or more lanes of a roadway. Although the big orange trucks of the DOT carry warning lights to notify motorists that the vehicles are moving slowly or have stopped, obstructed sight lines or other situations can slow driver reaction time, creating the potential for dangerous accidents.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind Missouri motorists to be careful on the highways and interstates during the annual spring road repairs. Be cautious approaching hills, curves and other places where sight lines are restricted.

Over 40,000 people are killed each year on the nation’s highways. Don’t become another statistic. Stay alert behind the wheel and pay attention to the lights and warning signals on state vehicles.

If you have any questions about car accidents, truck accidents or workers compensation, please contact us at the Missouri personal injury law firm Page Law. We have handled numerous cases of individuals suffering catastrophic injuries caused by the negligence of someone else as well as helped families receive financial compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one. Call us today at 866-620-5757 to discuss your case with an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney.

According to this recent report, an Illinois man died from injuries he suffered in an accident at the Holcim, Inc., cement plant, Ste. Genevieve. The Ste. Genevieve County Coroner investigating the accident did not provide specific details about the nature of the accident, but it is not clear whether the cement plant employed the accident victim. He may have been working at the cement plant for an outside contractor when the workplace accident in Missouri occurred.

After the accident, emergency personnel transported the victim to a hospital in Festus and then airlifted to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where he died of his injuries. Law enforcement officials said that they are awaiting the autopsy results before determining any possible charges in the fatality.

Inadequate safety measures, poor supervision, insufficient safety training, or shortcuts taken to expedite completion of a project all can cause Missouri workplace accidents, often resulting in very serious injuries or even death. Workplace accident victims often must contend with catastrophic medical bills, loss of income, and insurance companies that may try to pressure them into signing documents that they do not fully understand.

If you or someone you care for sustained injuries in the course of employment in Missouri, you are entitled to fair compensation for your injuries and the resulting financial hardship. The experienced Missouri worker’s compensation attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Page Law will protect your rights throughout the claim with the employer’s insurance company. They will fully investigate the accident and see that you receive the financial compensation you deserve to offset steep medical bills and any additional costs resulting from the accident. To schedule a free consultation with skilled worker’s compensation lawyers in St. Louis at Page Law, call 866-620-5757 today.

The U.S. Supreme Court took a significant step forward in personal injury law on March 4, 2009 when deciding the case Wyeth v. Levine. In Wyeth v. Levine, a Vermont musician, Levine, brought action against Wyeth, the makers of Phenergen, because Levine developed gangrene after receiving an injection of the drug into her artery. The delivery technique used, known as an “IV push,” is not supposed to inject medication into patients’ arteries, although there is a known risk of such an outcome. In this case, an arterial injection led to Levine developing gangrene, which resulted in amputating her arm and ending her music career.

Both Wyeth and the FDA were aware of the risks associated with the “IV push” injection method, but did not prohibit this type of medication delivery. In fact, the FDA approved labeling for Phenergen, and simply warned against the IV push delivery technique. Levine claimed that the Phenergen label was inadequate, thus posing marketing misrepresentation, because it did not prohibit a harmful type of drug administration, but Wyeth countered that its use of the warning label complied with FDA regulations.

Basically in this case, Levine could use Vermont tort (injury) law to win her claim, but Wyeth was claiming that federal law, based on the FDA regulations, preempted the product liability claim. Meaning, because the federal and state law differed on the issue of warning label adequacy, Wyeth said federal law should be used over state law, and therefore, Levine did not have a claim against the drug manufacturers of Phenergen. However, the Supreme Court did not agree with this argument and upheld the Vermont verdict for the nearly $6.8 million dollars awarded to Levine.

Continue reading "Phenergen Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Paves Way for Liability" »

The Columbia Daily Tribune stated in a report that a Columbia motorcyclist suffered injuries in a Friday March 3, 2009, collision with a car. The motorcycle accident in Missouri happened after the cyclist turned on a main road after exiting a fast food restaurant parking lot. Once on the roadway, a sports coupe struck the cycle from behind.

According to the Daily Tribune, the cyclist was thrown off the bike and slid several yards on the pavement. Neither the driver nor the car’s passengers were injured in the accident. So far no other details are available on the rider’s condition.

This incident highlights the extra dangers that motorcyclists face when they share the roadways with automobiles and larger vehicles. Unlike a car, a motorcycle provides very little protection to its operator. A bump that would be a minor fender bender to another car can easily result in serious motorcycle accident injuries. Also adding to the danger is the high likelihood of being thrown from the motorcycle and skidding across the ground, causing lacerations and other soft tissue injuries.

The small size of a motorcycle relative to the other vehicles on the roadways makes it easy for the cycle to be hidden in a driver’s blind spots. Even if the rider is not in the blind spot of a vehicle, many motorists simply aren’t looking for motorcyclists.

If you have any questions about motorcycle accidents or personal injury law, please contact the skilled St. Louis personal injury law firm of Page Law. You may find it very helpful to discuss your motorcycle accident injury or wrongful death case with a highly experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident attorney. Call 866-620-5757 for a case evaluation.

Lederle, drug makers of a polio vaccine Orimune, were recently sued in New York after a 61-year-old Staten Island man contracted the debilitating disease.

The man, who once was a Wall Street executive, allegedly contracted Polio after his changing his daughter’s diaper shortly after she had received a live oral polio vaccine. The drug product liability lawsuit resulted in a $22.5 million dollar verdict for the man.

As reported by AP, the man alleged that the live vaccine passed through his daughter’s body in the 1970’s and exposed the man to the live virus. The oral polio vaccine, Orimune, was found to be unreasonably dangerous as an issue of product liability. The court found that Lederle also failed to warn consumers about the dangers and risks associated with the vaccine and found them liable for the man contracting the virus.

Continue reading "Polio Vaccine Orimune Manufacturers Lawsuit Results in $22.5 Million for Affected Man" »

A Missouri car accident on Interstate 70 recently killed a 51-year-old man. According to police, the 51-year-old, of Wright City, was killed because a negligent, drunk driver was traveling over 100 mph and collided into the decedent’s car.

The alleged facts of the case are as follows:
1. A 29-year-old was driving a Mustang on I-70, near Bryan road;
2. The Mustang driver was allegedly going at least 100 miles per hour in the center lane of traffic when he came up behind a tractor trailer;
3. He was traveling too fast to slow down and prevent hitting the tractor trailer, so he switched into the right lane;
4. Upon switching lanes, the Mustang struck the rear of the decedent’s car, throwing the decedent’s car off of the right side of I-70;
5. The decedent was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Mustang driver also sustained injuries in this car accident. His car ran off the left side of I-70 and hit a median wall. He fled the scene of the accident but was arrested shortly thereafter. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.27 an hour and a half after the wreck and was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of a drunk driving accident in Missouri.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident on Interstate 70 Kills Man" »

Between 2000 and 2006 alone, over 65,000 product liability lawsuits have been filed against prescription drug makers. This totals more lawsuits than in any other industry. Although there are no medications that are completely free from side effects, the dangers of Ortho Evra birth control patch have proved to be life altering and outweigh any potential benefits of the drug.

Most birth control prescriptions carry side effects such as mood swings and weight gain. However, in addition to these common uncomfortable side effects, Ortho Evra has been linked to potentially life-threatening conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis. Blood clots caused by Ortho Evra can lead to medical complications, including strokes, pulmonary embolisms and even death.

Despite the fact that most birth control pills do carry the risks of blood clots, many people using the Ortho Evra patch weren’t aware that using the patch instead of other birth control methods means serious medical conditions are three times more likely to occur. An experienced personal injury attorney in Missouri will be able to help determine whether you have a case against the drug manufacturer.

A 2004 study on birth control methods and the patch concluded that there was a 300 percent increase in both blood clots and cardiovascular complications in women who used the patch over the pill. In November 2005, the FDA issued a warning of this finding to consumers and also encouraged Johnson & Johnson to strengthen the drug’s warning label. .

Continue reading "Ortho Evra Dangerous Drug and Product Liability" »

A car veered onto a sidewalk, striking two Cahokia teens, killing one and injuring another as they were walking to a friend’s house. According to this report, an 18-year-old male and 17-year-old female were walking between the 700 and 800 blocks of Falling Springs Road near Cahokia around 7:50 in the evening when a car left the road and traveled along the sidewalk where it struck the 18-year-old male victim. Cahokia Police officials are still investigating the car accident in Illinois, but reports state that the vehicle dragged the male victim about 100 feet until the car hit a tree.

The female victim sustained bone fractures and received treatment at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis.

The male victim’s family has been unable to make funeral arrangements because they cannot afford to pay for the costs of a funeral. According to the report, a family friend established a trust for the funeral costs at a local bank.

Law enforcement officials have not issued any charges related to the car accident, but expect to after completion of a report from an accident reconstruction team investigating the incident. It is unknown whether the driver was ill, driving recklessly or under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but the evidence suggests that the driver was negligent in the operation of the vehicle.

Continue reading "Cahokia Car Accident Kills One Teenager, Another Wounded" »

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website says it is important to remember that the risk for injury is not necessarily gone when dangerous drug Levaquin or Cipro use is discontinued. Cases have been reported in which tendon problems occurred up to several months after individuals have stopped taking the medications.

Levaquin and Cipro are drugs prescribed by doctors to treat serious bacterial infections. Both medications just received a “black box” warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for issues of product liability. Although it is an FDA term, the “black box” warning is the strongest warning the FDA can give a drug short of an all out recall.

Both medications fall into a group of drugs known as quinolones that fight infections by targeting the infected area and eliminating or limiting the amount of bacteria present. By doing so the drugs assists the body in fighting off the infection. Levaquin is a third generation quinolone, which means that its antibacterial spectrum is wider than that of Cipro, yet both have been linked to tendon damage and ruptures with injuries particularly focusing on the Achilles tendon, the biceps, the rotator cuff (shoulder), as well as the hand and thumb.

If you are currently taking, or have taken, one of these drugs and experience pain, swelling, or the inflammation of a tendon or tendon rupture, immediately discontinue use of the medication and contact your health care professional right away. Then contact the top St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Page Law for a free consultation by calling 314.322.8515 or 1.800.500.4658.

A tractor trailer driver, who suffers from a medical condition that causes him to lose consciousness easily, recently caused a tractor trailer accident in Temple, Texas. Big rig crashes caused by driver medical complications, similar to this one, have led to increased demands from FMCSA regulations, requiring more rigorous routine medical checkups for CDL holders. Although FMCSA standards for medical checkups have recently been revised, statistics for accidents caused by tractor trailer drivers either taking medications while driving or experiencing medical complications while driving have still increased.

In this Texas tractor trailer accident, the 50-year-old truck driver lost consciousness and lost control of his commercial vehicle. The 18-wheeler continued traveling on I-35, hit a concrete embankment and went airborne for over 100 ft before crashing into a hotel. The big rig slammed into the Temple hotel, injuring hotel patrons and throwing hotel workers onto the ground.

Firefighters had to extricate the driver through the wreckage. The tractor trailer driver was injured and transported to the hospital. Luckily, none of the injuries suffered were life-threatening. Many tractor trailer accidents caused by medicated drivers and drivers experiencing complications from medical conditions end with more grim results.

Continue reading "Missouri Truck Accident Attorneys" »

Heparin, a blood thinner regularly used to prevent blood clots during medical procedures, has been linked to hundreds of severe adverse reactions and even cases of wrongful death. Reports of adverse side effects from Heparin reached an all time high of 150 reports in January 2009 alone, so Baxter, maker of Heparin, recently recalled specific types of this blood thinner.

Hemorrhages are also often a serious complication that can result from Heparin use and cause serious personal injury. Additionally thrombocytopenia has been reported to occur in Heparin patients and can lead to skin necrosis, gangrene, which can lead to extremity amputation, stroke, and even death. At this time, Heparin has been linked to at least four deaths.

Although countless patients have reported experiencing dangerous side effects associated with taking Heparin, the drug is still regularly administered because other blood thinners do not work as quickly as Heparin, nor can their administration be reversed as easily.

Continue reading "Heparin Dangerous Drug Linked to Severe Adverse Reactions, Caused 4 Deaths" »

Regardless of the hundreds of defective product lawsuits in Missouri and throughout the nation linking Prozac to suicidal and violent behavior, approximately 38 million people in over 100 countries take Prozac for a myriad of disorders and afflictions. While primarily prescribed to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic attacks, Prozac has even been approved to curve eating disorders.

Created by Eli Lilly and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, it is the only antidepressant approved to treat certain disorders in children, such as major depression disorder (MDD) and OCD in kids. Prozac is also used for several “off-label” purposes, such as to treat alcoholism, sleep problems, attention deficit disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Because of the substantial range of illnesses Prozac is used to remedy, it is no wonder why critics often call it the most over-prescribed drug in the world. Now Prozac users are experiencing drug injury in Missouri and across the U.S.

How It Words and Side Effects
Prozac works by inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin between neural connections in the brain, which leaves more serotonin available to transfer neural electrical messages more smoothly and effectively. Over-prescription, however, is not the only problem that has been associated with Prozac. The drug currently carries a black box warning regarding the risks and dangers of suicidal and violent behavior.

In 2001, a man reportedly committed suicide after taking Prozac for only 3 days. He eventually threw the pills away, but when his body was found 4 days later, high levels of fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac, were found in his blood. The lawsuit, brought by the family, alleged that Eli Lilly knew that some people have a hard time metabolizing the drug, yet concealed the information in order not to hinder sales, which resulted in the wrongful death of their son.

Additionally, multiple Prozac users have claimed that the drug made them commit violent acts. In one example, the “Prozac” defense was used by an insurance agent, in 2000, who robbed a bank and was subsequently acquitted because he had been prescribed Prozac and Xanax.

Continue reading "Prozac Product Liability Lawsuits" »

Bicyclists are gaining a significant presence on the road. With this presence, come increased risks of accidents with motor vehicles. In a recent New York personal injury lawsuit, a bicyclist filed suit against a truck driver for personal injuries after the truck driver collided into the bicyclist on the road.

In this case, evidence proved the truck driver was at fault for the bicycle accident. The truck turned left, failing to yield right-of-way to the bicyclist, who was prudently pedaling through a crosswalk with a walk signal in her favor. This accident caused two non-placed fractures near the bicyclist’s knee and also ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in that knee. X-rays along with other medical records and testimony from an orthopedic surgeon proved all of these severe injuries were directly caused by the accident. The jury found for the bicyclist. The Plaintiff was awarded $400,000 for the injuries, including medical bills, pain and suffering.

When a bicyclist is injured in a motor vehicle collision, the injured biker will typically seek to recover from the driver of the vehicle, as in the case above. However, under some circumstances, a biker can also seek damages from other persons who are legally responsible for the driver’s operation of the vehicle, such as a truck driver’s employer. Additionally, governmental entities can also be held liable in a bicycle accident lawsuit in St. Louis where maintenance of a road, or premises, is inadequate and unsafe, and manufacturers can be held liable in the case of a defective bike part.

Continue reading "Missouri Bicycle Accident Attorney " »

An Achilles tendon rupture is an extremely painful injury that happens when the Achilles tendon is torn from its positioning at the calf to the heel bone. Achilles tendon ruptures often require surgery, in addition to physical therapy and other ongoing rehabilitation efforts to regain normal ankle use.

Although Achilles tendon ruptures are not typically common injuries, a disturbing number of these tendon ruptures have occurred in conjunction with taking certain antibiotics, like Cipro and Levaquin. Cipro and Levaquin are both commonly prescribed antibiotics that are associated with increased risks in tendon injury and rupture. Of the reported tendon ruptures associated with dangerous drugs Levaquin and Cipro, 60 percent were attributed to using Levaquin and the most common tendon rupture was the Achilles tendon. An experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer will be able to help you with your Cipro or Levaquin lawsuit.

The manufacturers of these drugs failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks of tendon damage and injury, which has led to several personal injury lawsuits. The FDA now requires warnings about antibiotics that cause tendonitis and other severe forms of tendon injury, but these warnings are too late for some patients.

Continue reading "Defective Drugs, Cipro & Levaquin, Causing Achilles Tendon Rupture" »

A car accident victim recently appealed a judgment after she was not awarded damages for pain and suffering from two car accidents, although economic damages were awarded for medical bills. Medical records established the girl suffered head, neck, back and jaw injuries in two automobile accidents that were within the same year; thus, the Plaintiff alleges that the refusal to award damages for pain and suffering was not supported by the evidence.

The facts are as follows: Plaintiff’s car allegedly collided with Defendant 1’s car when Defendant 1 pulled out from a parking lot without looking. Plaintiff’s head whipped back and forth and hit the headrest. The next day, Plaintiff sought medical treatment for head, neck and back pain. Plaintiff saw a chiropractor and her primary care physician, and both diagnosed her with myofascial pain syndrome resulting from the car accident.

Seven months after the accident with Defendant 1, Plaintiff was a passenger in a stopped car that was rear-ended by Defendant 2. In this accident, Plaintiff’s neck was jolted back and forth, and the next day her head, neck and back pain increased. She sought medical treatment and noticed that her jaw was also in constant pain after the accident. She sought constant care for her injuries through dentists, doctors and physical therapists, to name a few.

Because of the increasing pain and complications arising with the injuries Plaintiff suffered through the car accidents, she sued Defendant 1 and Defendant 2 for said injuries. Plaintiff alleges that she suffers regularly from debilitating headaches and pains that impact her daily life choices as well as career choices and participation in social activities.

Plaintiff produced medical testimony at trial and the only medical matter disputed was the diagnosis of pain. Some doctors testified Plaintiff suffered from temporomandibular joint disorder (extreme jaw pain) and others diagnosed her with myofascial pain syndrome that occurs from soft tissue damage. Neither of the Defendants presented material to dispute the whether the accident caused Plaintiff’s injuries.

Continue reading "Car Accident Victim Awarded Medical Compensation" »

Death by lung cancer or suicide? Seems like a lofty subject and daunting outcome in either case, but for users of dangerous drug Chantix, who hoped to quit smoking, these two depressing choices could be the options they face. Chantix, a drug that has been prescribed to many seeking help in quitting smoking, has been shown to not only decrease nicotine addiction, but also to increase suicidal thoughts- a gamble most patients were not aware of before taking the drug.

After reports of Chantix causing suicide were released, several lawsuits ensued against Pfizer, maker of Chantix, because several patients killed themselves while using the drug. The widow of a man who killed himself while taking the drug brought the first of these lawsuits in July 2008 and several others have followed in taking the same action. An experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer will be able to help determine if you have a Chantix case.

The makers of prescription medications have a duty to make sure all of their products are reasonably safe for the intended use by consumers. Although all product liability issues are taken seriously, prescription medications present a stronger issue than other products. Most patients taking such drugs are under a doctor’s orders and the patient’s generally feel the drugs are safe.

The FDA required Chantix warn consumer of these psychological side effects in 2008, but for many patients it was already too late. If you are a loved one has been affected by the drug Chantix, call the skilled Missouri personal injury attorneys at PageCagle for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information.

A recent Missouri car crash killed four and critically injured two. As the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports, the Des Peres accident was caused by an off-duty Sunset Hills police officer, who was allegedly drunk. Police are considering filing manslaughter charges against the police officer, whose negligent actions killed four female college students. Civil cases have not yet been filed.

Although the Missouri State Highway Patrol will not definitively comment on whether or not the officer was drunk, they have confirmed that there are strong suspicions she was drunk at the time of the auto accident in Missouri. The 41-year-old police officer, from Kirkwood, is still in critical condition. Additionally, the police officer’s son is currently facing manslaughter charges because he drove while drunk and killed a passenger in his vehicle last year.

In this case, the police officer was driving her Mitsubishi Eclipse at 1:45 a.m. on Saturday when she crashed into a vehicle carrying five people. The police officer was driving the wrong way on the road when she crashed into the other vehicle, carrying graduate students from Eastern Illinois University. Those killed in the accident were all females under the age of 25, and the one survivor in the vehicle, a 27-year-old female, is listed in serious condition at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Crash Kills Four, Injures Two" »

With the recent “black box” warning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has applied to Levaquin and Cipro, it is important for those who are taking, or have taken the medications know the signs and symptoms of a possible medical problem. Although it is an FDA term, the “black box” warning is the strongest warning the FDA can give a drug short of an all out recall due to issues of product liability.

More than half (approximately 60%) of the tendon ruptures that were reported to the FDA were caused by the use of Levaquin. Additionally, although both medications have been linked to tendon ruptures in the rotary cuff, biceps, hands and thumbs, the Achilles tendon, the tendon that attaches the calf to the heel bone, has been the most prominent tendon to rupture.

An Achilles tendon rupture is an extremely painful injury that often requires extensive surgery to repair. In addition to undergoing the knife, months of rehabilitation and therapy are often both necessary in order to return to a point where the ankle is functional. It is also not uncommon for an individual who has ruptured an Achilles tendon to experience ongoing pain and tendon problems, even after undergoing surgery to mend the rupture.

Continue reading "Levaquin and Cipro: Signs and Symptoms of a Problem" »

Two people were injured in a rollover accident in Missouri on southbound Highway 63. According to this news report, one auto rear-ended another car. Authorities suspect one of the drivers was drunk at the time of this auto accident. So far they have not arrested the suspect or issued any summons. One of the cars went off the road and rolled over, while another hit a fence, the news report states. The Missouri car accident is still under investigation.

If you or someone you love has been struck and injured by a drunk driver in Missouri, then you are the victim of someone else's negligence. It is crucial that you know and understand your rights so that you and your skilled St. Louis DUI victim lawyer can effective pursue claims for injuries and damages resulting from the DUI auto accident. In the state of Missouri, it is illegal for drivers to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

The first action you need to take if you have been injured because of a drunk driving accident is to immediately seek medical treatment. Once you receive the medical care and attention you need, please contact a Missouri DUI victim attorney as soon as possible. A skilled St. Louis personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and determine which claims you may be able to pursue. Please call me, John Page, today to schedule your free consultation. It won't cost you anything. We don't charge any fees unless you get compensated for the personal injuries you suffered.

FDA’s Recent Actions…Black Box Warnings on Levaquin and Cipro: Antibiotics that Cause Tendon Damage and Rupture

On July 8, 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new warnings for Cipro, Levaquin, and other quinolone antibiotics, concerning the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon ruptures affiliated with the use of these drugs. The product liability evidence now shows that side effects of Levaquin and Cipro have and can leave patients incapacitated and requiring major surgery.

Levaquin and Cipro are drugs prescribed by doctors to treat serious bacterial infections. Both medications fall into a group of drugs known as quinolones that fight infections by targeting the infected area and eliminating or limiting the amount of bacteria present. By doing so the drugs assists the body in fighting off the infection. Levaquin is a third generation quinolone, which means that its antibacterial spectrum is wider than that of Cipro, yet both have been linked to tendon damage and ruptures in users with injuries particularly focusing on the Achilles tendon, the biceps, the rotator cuff (shoulder), as well as the hand and thumb.

Continue reading "FDA Issues Black Box Warnings on Levaquin and Cipro" »

A car accident lawsuit attempts to place fault on a state trooper. Allegedly, the trooper’s careless driving practices seriously injured two Fayetteville, Illinois residents on I-64. The injury suit claims that the state trooper was negligent for failing to keep a lookout and for failing to keep his vehicle under control in addition to speeding.

Allegedly, the plaintiffs were traveling west on I-64 when the trooper in route to another collision, crossed the median and crashed into the plaintiffs’ car. The injury suit claims the trooper was driving 126 miles per hour seconds before causing the collision.

It was reported that both plaintiffs were transported to the hospital and treated for injuries. One of the injured victims sustained injuries to her leg, which required surgery, in addition to later experiencing complications in giving birth, as she was in the third trimester of pregnancy when the accident occurred.

Continue reading "Illinois Car Accident Seriously Injures Pregnant Woman" »

The antibiotics Levaquin (Generic: levofloxacin) and Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) have recently been under the governmental microscope because of the disturbing number of reported serious side effects now on file with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, Levaquin and Cipro have been linked to tendon damage and ruptures with injuries particularly focusing on the Achilles tendon, the biceps, the rotator cuff (shoulder), as well as the hand and thumb.

Levaquin and Cipro are drugs prescribed by doctors to treat serious bacterial infections. Both medications fall into a group of drugs known as quinolones that fight infections by targeting the infected area and eliminating or limiting the amount of bacteria present. By doing so the drugs assists the body in fighting off the infection. Levaquin is a third generation quinolone, which means that its antibacterial spectrum is wider than that of Cipro, yet both have been linked to harming users and are in question of product liability.

If you are currently taking, or have taken, one of these drugs and experience pain, swelling, or the inflammation of a tendon or tendon rupture, immediately discontinue use of the medication and contact your health care professional right away. Then call the skilled St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law for a free consultation.

Two Granite City residents were both killed when a suspected drunk driver rear ended their car forcing it onto oncoming traffic in a recent drunk driving accident in Illinois on Route 111 near Pontoon Beach, according to a report from the St. Louis Dispatch. Another individual of Granite City was driving southbound on the two-lane highway when he struck the rear of the vehicle the two decedents were driving, officials said.

The impact of the collision pushed the auto transporting the two individuals into the path of a third vehicle. They died at the scene of the Illinois car accident, while four occupants of the third car were taken to an area hospital for treatment. The man who caused the accident was speeding at the time and has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Tragically, the woman killed in the accident was nearly five months pregnant.

An August 2008 report issued by the NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis estimates that of the 1,325 total fatalities in Missouri vehicle traffic crashes that occurred in 2007, 315 or 23.8 percent involved alcohol impaired drivers. In the United States, an estimated 12,998 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). These deaths constitute 31.7 percent of the 41,059 total traffic fatalities in 2007.

Continue reading "Madison County Multi-Vehicle Auto Accident Caused by Suspected DUI Driver" »

Recent analysis of a 2002 study conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) has revealed that short term exposure to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications are in fact linked to the development of breast cancer. In addition to the researchers previous findings, concluding that long-term exposure to HRT medications can and do have severe adverse effects, the new analysis is the first to warn of the dangers of short term exposure.

Although the original study was published in 2002, its findings and subsequent analysis still send shock waves through the medical community because despite the manufacturer’s original claims that long-term HRT use could actually provide cardiovascular benefits to women suffering from the side effects of menopause, women who use the drugs have become disproportionately ill when compared to non-users.

The study discovered so many dangerous side effects, in fact, that the research was actually terminated at least two years prior to the expected conclusion date because of concern for the health and safety of the women who were participating. The risks and exposure to personal injury simply outweighed the benefits.

Prempro is a popular HRT introduced by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in 1996. The medication was originally dispensed to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. The major problem is that upon the drug's introduction to the market, there had not been any large clinical trials to scientifically test and research its long term affects. The aforementioned study was the first to document that Prempro, and similar hormone related drugs, dramatically increased the risk of stroke, blood clots, heart attack and breast cancer.

Continue reading "Prempro, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer" »

According to a recent article in the whig.com, a single car rollover crash happened near Louisiana, MO. The driver’s car went off the road before hitting an embankment and overturning.

The car accident in Missouri occurred on 11274 Route B at Pike County Road 107 when the individual was headed east when she apparently overcorrected and lost control of her 2003 Ford Focus, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said. The woman was wearing her seat belt but suffered serious injuries as her Focus rolled over. She was transported to an area hospital.

In the United States, one of the main causes of fatalities in auto accidents is a rollover crash. Rollover car accidents in Missouri typically cause fatal or catastrophic injuries including brain and spinal cord damage that often require long term care. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that of the approximately 40,000 auto accidents that occur each year, rollover crashes account for 25 percent or 10,000 motor vehicle traffic crashes.

The news report does not provide details of what made the driver in this incident lose control of her vehicle. It is possible that there was a dangerous condition or a hazard on the roadway. It is also possible that the Focus had a preexisting mechanical condition or a product defect that contributed to the accident.

The skilled Missouri auto accident attorneys of Page Law specialize in personal injury cases caused by motor vehicle accidents. We have the resources to look into your case, determine all the facts and establish who or what should be held responsible for your suffering. As the victim, you deserve just compensation to pay for the damages, and offset medical bills including any long term costs, loss of pay and other expenses. Call our experienced personal injury lawyers in Missouri at Page Law today to schedule your free initial consultation so we can help secure the best result in your case.

“Death Jaw” is another name for jaw osteonecrosis (ONJ), a jaw bone decay disease that involves the breaking down and loss or “death” of the jaw bone. Recent research has linked instances of ONJ to Fosamax medication and other similar bisphosphonates. Although the exact nature of the relationship is unknown, medical providers agree that there is no definite way to treat ONJ and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple reports concluding that Fosamax is exercising misrepresentation of product and does not do a good enough job warning patients about the possibility of osteonecrosis and ONJ side effects.

Fosamax (Aldenodrate) belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates and was granted FDA approval in 1995. Bisphosphonates are used to improve bone density, by maintaining or increasing the volume of minerals and calcium within the bones. It is often taken to combat the bone density disease commonly referred to as osteoporosis. Fosamax is manufactured by Merck & Co., a pharmaceutical company that courts are currently holding legally responsible for the companies arthritis drug Vioxx because of the drugs correlation to patient heart attacks.

Continue reading "Defective Drug Fosamax Can Lead to “Dead Jaw”" »

An individual was killed in a rear end car collision in Missouri when he was struck by a suspected drunk driver, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. According to the account, the driver, a Wright City resident, was driving a 1990 Mercury Topaz eastbound on the I-70 and was in the right lane when another vehicle doing over 100 miles an hour hit the rear of the Topaz.

The Missouri auto accident happened near Bryan Road as one vehicle switched lanes to get past a tractor-trailer and then hit the other car. The impact of the collision from the speeding 1991 Mustang pushed the other car off of the freeway, Missouri Highway Patrol officials said. One individual ran away from the crash and was arrested later. That individual’s blood-alcohol content was approximately three times the legal limit of .08, investigators said. He has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and fleeing the scene of an drunk driving accident in Missouri.

According to Chapter 577 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, "a person commits the crime of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle … 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 …." In this case the intoxicated driver could face felony DUI charges also.

The experienced Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law are committed to handling your motor vehicle accident in a thorough professional manner. We know that even a low speed rear end car accident can result in serious injuries which may require long term treatment and care. Our skilled motor vehicle accident attorneys in St. Louis will dedicate 100 percent of their time and resources to getting you the compensation you deserve. Please contact our law firm to discuss your case and to better understand the legal rights and options that are available to you. Visit www.missouricaraccident.com for more information.

Drug and alcohol abuse play a major role in the number of automobile and truck accidents in Missouri and throughout the country every year. Because of this, truck companies are supposed to enforce a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for their truck drivers; however, accidents still occur while truck drivers are under the influence of one or both.

Commercial truck drivers can be under great deals of pressure and often have very strenuous schedules. These sorts of conditions can easily lead a trucker to employ controlled substances to assist him or her in fighting fatigue, the number one cause of St. Louis truck accidents as well as collisions across the nation. However, combating fatigue with drugs or alcohol is no solution. Using drugs or alcohol while driving a tractor trailer can lead to cloudy judgment and slower reflexes, both of which contribute to driver error.

In a study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, the Board concluded that one-third (33%) of all the truck drivers studied, who died in a highway accident had recently used drugs or alcohol, based upon the examination of their bodies after the accident. Of the one-third examined, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and other various stimulants, including amphetamines, were discovered in their systems.

Continue reading "Trucker Drug and Alcohol Abuse: The Real Facts" »

Since 2003, several cases of bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BON) have surfaced. Bisphosphonates, like Fosamax, Zometa and Aredia, are largely used to treat and prevent osteoporosis and cancer. However, these medications also carry risks of severe side effects, like osteonecrosis.

Osteonecrosis occurs when bones lose their blood supply and eventually die. Osteonecrosis of the jaw often causes pain, swelling, infection, loosening of the teeth, exposed bone and drainage. Early on, symptoms of this rare jaw disorder may not be apparent, but upon maturation of the disease pain will become increasingly severe and debilitating. St. Louis product liability lawsuits and legal claims related to Osteonocrosis are becoming more prevalent by users of Fosomax, Zometa, and Aredia.

Continue reading "Fosomax, Zometa and Aredia Medication Users Suing For Health Damages" »

In addition to fatigue and drug /alcohol abuse, faulty trucking equipment, specifically brakes, plays a major role in the amount of truck accidents in Missouri per year. Today, most tractor-trailers on the road employ an air braking system, opposed to the hydraulic braking system utilized by cars and non-commercial trucks. While the latter uses hydraulic brake fluid to engage the systems stopping power, the former utilizes high pressure air (hence the hiss you often hear from these vehicles when the brakes are released).

The current problem is that most of the tractor trailer air brake systems do not automatically adjust for wear, so unless they are diligently maintained, brake performance can seriously deteriorate. The simple truth is that most of the brake systems are not diligently maintained.

In a report published in 2005, by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), to determine the causes of, and contributing factors to, crashes involving commercial motor vehicles, the FMCSA concluded that brake failure and lack of adjustment had affected 41,000 trucks in the study, or approximately 30%. The study also noted that while brake problems where present for almost 30% of the trucks, only 5% of the passenger vehicles were found to have brake issues.

Continue reading "Tractor Trailer Accidents and Brake Problems…When Will They Ever STOP" »

The Jefferson City, Missouri News Tribune recently reported in a story about a motorcycle crash in Missouri. A 28-year-old motorcyclist, who was fleeing from police officers, allegedly caused this motorcycle accident. This injured motorcyclist is now facing formal charges for leading a police chase.

The Jefferson City, Missouri motorcyclist was traveling south on Big Horn Drive, near U.S. 50, when the accident occurred. After speeding and losing control of his bike in an attempt to flee from members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and a Cole County deputy, the man was unable to negotiate a turn and struck a curb. He was ejected from his motorcycle and was immediately taken to Capital Region Medical Center for medical treatment.

Continue reading "Missouri Motorcycle Accident Injures One During Police Chase" »

A 50-year-old Springfield, Missouri man recently sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident in Missouri on Route ZZ in Green County, MO. The accident, which occurred four miles south of Republic, allegedly occurred because the motorcyclist lost control and veered off of the right side of the road.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported the motorcyclist, riding a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle, ran into several trees with his bike after running off of the road, causing the moderate injuries.

The man was treated at St. John’s Hospital.

The Springfield News-Leader reported on this Missouri motorcycle crash. Additional Missouri motorcycle injury news reveals that many motorcyclists across the state are experiencing difficulty in controlling their bikes and regaining control after slipping on patches of ice now that the weather has changed.

Continue reading "Green County Motorcycle Accident Injures Man" »

A Missouri truck driver died in a single-vehicle accident after his truck ended up in a Lawrence County creek. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the 57-year-old man from Stotts City, Missouri was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck crash allegedly occurred on Farm Road 1040, near Stotts City.

The truck crash facts are as follows:

1. The man was allegedly driving his truck southbound on Farm Road 1040, when he ran off the road;

2. After running off the road, the truck hit an embankment and flipped over, sliding into a bridge;

3. The truck then ran into the creek where it was found.

Continue reading "Missouri Truck Driver Dies in Single-Vehicle Accident" »

A tractor trailer overturned on three cars in a recent Arkansas semi-truck crash. Two injured drivers were airlifted to the hospital for serious injuries; another driver and the tractor trailer driver walked away from the accident without injuries. The accident allegedly occurred because the tractor trailer driver lost control of his commercial vehicle while going downhill on U.S. 412. The tractor trailer driver swerved after going around a curve, ultimately colliding into three other vehicles.

The tractor trailer driver attempted to regain control of his weighty vehicle but was unable to manage the big rig and swerved into a Missouri truck driver; the trailer next struck another vehicle and pushed it into an engineering firm located off the road. Finally, the tractor trailer collided into one more automobile before coming to a stop. The Arkansas tractor trailer driver was cited for careless driving.

Arkansas averages around 2,000 large truck accidents per year, including tractor trailer crashes. Of these accidents, roughly 100 are fatal truck crashes and 800 result in injury. Most of these accidents are blamed on truck drivers for negligent actions, like the tractor trailer crash discussed above.

When a truck driver loses control of his/her vehicle and injures another driver, passenger or even pedestrian, a negligence claim will almost always be asserted. It is important to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately. Truck drivers, like all drivers on the road, are required to practice reasonably safe driving practices to avoid injurious truck accidents. When a truck driver breaches this duty of safe driving and causes an automobile accident resulting in injury or death, he/she will likely be found at fault and will be liable to those injured as a result of such negligence.

Continue reading "Missouri Truck Driver Involved In Arkansas Tractor Trailer Accident" »

A Missouri barge worker was recently killed near Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The 67-year old worker was cleaning an empty barge when he fell 20-25 feet into the uncovered rake barge. The man, who had been working with the barge company for three years, died on impact.

Currently, the barge company is investigating the Missouri barge accident. It is believed that an autopsy will uncover additional details relating to the man’s death. No Missouri barge accident lawsuits have been filed at this point.

Depending on the type of information discovered through the Missouri barge accident investigation, this accident may result in a Jones Act claim or wrongful death claim. The Jones Act, is a federal statute that details seamen’s rights, regulates water transport, and more specifically, restricts maritime commerce.

The Jones Act provides remedy for seamen injured through employment when employer negligence can be shown. In the case at hand, it would need to be proven that the decedent’s employer was negligent, which directly caused the injury suffered. The statute states, under 46 U.S.C. 688, et seq.: any sailor/seaman who shall suffer personal injury in the course of his employment may, at his election, maintain an action for damages at law, with the right to trial by jury, and in such action all statutes of the United States modifying or extending the common law right or remedy in cases of personal injury to railway employees shall apply.

Continue reading "Missouri Barge Accident Kills Man On-the-Job" »

Can you imagine giving a loved one a pill you thought was approved for dementia, when it wasn’t? Well many people felt this betrayal by Eli Lilly & Co., makers of the drug Zyprexa. The drug company marketed the anti-psychotic drug for unapproved use in high doses, for pediatric care and for dementia.

The company recently pleaded guilty to illegally marketing and is settling civil suits in hopes of ending further criminal investigation for $1.42 billion.

Zyprexa is approved to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, the drug carries with it a warning label, informing patients that death is a possible side effect of using the drug, especially in patients with dementia. More disturbing is the fact that Ely Lilly & Co. made efforts to market Zyprexa for treatment of dementia, including dementia related to Alzheimer’s, despite the fact that the drug was never approved for such use.

Continue reading "Zyprexa Drug Caught in Illegal Marketing" »

Cipro is an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Commonly, the drug is prescribed to treat the bladder, kidney, prostate, cervix, stomach, intestine, lung, sinus, bone, and skin. Cipro has been shown to be an effective medication for the treatment of bacterial infections. However, Cipro is part of a class of antibiotics known as Fluoroquinolones, which are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. If you have suffered a tendinitis or a tendon rupture after using Cipro, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately.

Specifically, many Cipro patients have ruptured their Achilles tendon, rotator cuff in the shoulder, biceps, hands and thumbs. The risk of these severe tendon side effects is increased in patients over 60 years of age, those taking corticosteroid drugs, and those with kidney, heart or lung transplants. Tendon ruptures and tears caused by Cipro often require extensive surgical repair, in addition to being extremely painful and incapacitating.

Continue reading "Cipro Medication Increases Risk of Tendinitis" »

The Springfield News-Leader recently reported on a Missouri tractor trailer crash. This semi truck crash reportedly took police over 8 hours to clean up.

The accident occurred while a semi truck was traveling north on U.S. 65. The large tractor trailer crashed on a section of the highway, which crosses over Catalpa Street, and ran into a bridge. Diesel fuel leaked from the damaged big rig, although nothing caught fire. The bridge involved in the collision was damaged, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is investigating possible structural damage.

Continue reading "Missouri Tractor Trailer Crash Makes a Mess" »

A 66-year-old man was killed this week in a tractor trailer crash in Lima, Ohio. The man was driving his van when a tractor trailer driver failed to stop at a stop sign and collided into the decedent’s van. The man was killed on impact and the tractor trailer driver was arrested for vehicular homicide.

Failure to yield to traffic signals proves driver negligence, as the driver failed to use the highest degree of care when he ran the stop sign. In this case, the tractor trailer driver’s action, or inaction, was allegedly the sole cause of this collision, making him and/or his employer liable for the truck accident. Driver negligence is the leading cause of all traffic accidents. Unfortunately, many crashes are fatal, like this one.

Two weeks prior to this tractor trailer crash in Ohio, another similar tractor trailer accident occurred in Florida. In Moore Haven, Florida, a tractor trailer driver failed to stop at a stop sign and ran into a van. In this crash six people were thrown from their vehicle and instantly killed. Additionally, 50 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled on the two-lane highway. As in the Ohio case above, the tractor trailer driver was at fault. Both the driver and his employer will most likely be held liable for the damages incurred pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Continue reading "Ohio and Florida Tractor Trailor Accidents Kill Innocent Victims" »

With floodwaters recently rising across the Midwest, barge accidents are occurring more frequently and are causing serious damage. Barge crashes often cause personal bodily injuries and property damage. When a barge accident occurs, it is most important to seek medical attention. After you seek medical attention, contact Page Law, an experienced reputable barge accident law firm to fight for your rights. An experienced personal injury lawyer will work with you side by side to get you the compensation you deserve.

Barge accidents create many potential hazardous conditions. Barges are dangerous by nature in the sense that tugboats carry them. Barges have no engines and thus have no directional control if they are accidentally freed from their tugboat. Barges can be extremely destructive, destroying anything in its path if released.

However, those most often harmed in barge accidents are barge employees. When a barge worker is injured in the course of employment, the Jones Act is the law that mandates resulting lawsuits. The Jones Act runs along the same lines as worker’s compensation claims; however the Jones Act requires that employer negligence be proven, and this law may also allow injured workers to receive more compensation.

Continue reading "Missouri Barge Accident Injures Man On-the-Job" »

A two-vehicle accident that happened recently on U.S. 60 at Greene County F has caused the death of a Sarcoxie woman. According to a report in the News-Leader, 64-year-old Phyllis Long died Monday from the serious injuries she suffered in the crash.

The accident occurred when Rebecca Sawyer, 61, of Brookline who was driving a 2003 Toyota sport utility vehicle was hit by a 1995 Buick driven by Carthage resident Florence Long, 69. Phyllis Long was a passenger in the Buick that had turned into the SUV’s path, Missouri Highway Patrol said. Florence Long and Sawyer, who were both said to be wearing their seat belts, were injured in this Missouri auto collision and taken to Springfield hospitals.

Continue reading "Greene County Auto Accident Turns Fatal" »

Prempro / Hormone Replacement Therapy

Women undergoing menopause are often prescribed hormone replacement therapy to ease symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. However, the benefits associated with hormone replacement therapies do not necessarily outweigh the serious risks and side effects these drugs may cause.

For example, Prempro is a commonly prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Prempro side effects include an increase the risk of cancer, strokes, heart attacks and blood clots in women. Other hormone replacement therapies that combine estrogen and progestin like Prempro include Femhrt, Ortho-Prefest and Premphase.

According to a study by the Women’s Health Initiative, all of these drugs can cause severe side effects that can be deadly for women. Despite these findings, millions of women are prescribed these medications every year. Studies show that when 6 million women were prescribed Prempro in 2002, these women experienced a 26% increase in breast cancer, a 29% increase in heart attacks and a 41% increase in strokes.

In sum, many women have been adversely affected by the hormone replacement therapies they were prescribed to ease a life change. Instead of aiding the transition, these drugs often created new life-threatening medical conditions for patients.

For information about the legal options you have after suffering injuries from Prempro or other combination hormone replacement therapies, call the Missouri product defect attorneys at Page Law for a free consultation. You can reach John Page at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email him at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information.

A few years ago, smokers across the nation were excited about a new drug that promised to help them quit smoking. The drug allegedly eased nicotine cravings with few side effects. However, after the drug Chantix was approved in May 2006, many people experienced extreme side effects ranging from memory loss and unusual behavior, to psychological problems that caused suicides and suicidal thoughts.

Pfizer, the maker of Chantix, never warned consumers about these possible Chantix psychiatric side effects and the harms that could be suffered by users. Instead, the company released information about how the drug blocked nicotine receptor sites in the brain and allowed smokers an easy way to quit without uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Most users did agree that they no longer cared about smoking, but many also felt overall feelings of ambivalence towards most things in life. Many people experienced moody tendencies and behavioral problems after using the drug. Some even suffered severe self-inflicted injuries and death as a result of suicide after taking Chantix.

In 2008 the FDA announced that warnings about these psychological side effects and the possible risk of suicide would be added to labels on the drug. However, many users had already suffered injury because of taking the drug and some users even reported that symptoms continued after they stopped taking Chantix. This has led to numerous Chantix pharmaceutical defect lawsuits because the makers of pharmaceuticals and all products have a duty to warn consumers about possible harms associated with using their products. The failure to do so can result in the company being liable for harms suffered by consumers of such products.

If you or a loved one has suffered harmful side effects from taking Chantix or any other medication, call the personal injury lawyers at Page || Cagle for a free consultation at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, ten people have died in Missouri car accidents recently. Nine of the ten people killed were not wearing their seatbelts. One of these fatal car accidents occurred in Camden County, Missouri. The accident occurred on Route A and killed a 21-year-old girl. The girl was a passenger in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, a 20-year-old Marine, was allegedly driving too fast at a curve and ran off the road. The car hit a fence and flipped over, partially throwing the girl from the vehicle. The driver of the car walked away without injuries, but was found drunk and arrested for several infractions. He was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Careless and Imprudent Driving, Minor in Possession of Alcohol and Involuntary Manslaughter.

Continue reading "Camden County Car Accident Claims Life of 21-Year-Old Passenger" »

A Missouri motorcycle crash in Boone County injured a 24-year-old motorcyclist. According to authorities the motorcyclist, who is from Columbia, Missouri, was thrown from his BMW motorcycle after he hit a mailbox on Route NN. Allegedly the man failed to negotiate a curve because he was speeding and skidded off the right side of the road.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the motorcyclist was driving too fast, and the speed coupled with the impact of hitting the mailbox threw the motorcyclist off of his bike. He was immediately transported to University Hospital for medical treatment.

Speeding often causes or contributes to motorcycle accidents. Speed also may increase the severity of injuries resulting in motorcycle traffic crashes. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, 80 percent of Missouri motorcycle crashes result in injury or death. Additionally, in 99 percent of fatal Missouri motorcycle crashes, the motorcyclist is killed. Reduced speeds can greatly reduce the likelihood of these motorcycle accidents and injuries.

In the event of a motorcycle injury, call Page Law, A Missouri Injury Law Firm, for a free consultation. As a motorcyclist, Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer and partner of Page Law, I am dedicated to aggressively and successfully representing injured motorcyclists. There are no fees unless you recover. You can reach me 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.MotorcycleInjuryLawGroup.com for more information.

A recent Missouri railroad accident killed a pedestrian. According to the Kansas City Star, the victim was caught on a railroad overpass when the train approached. Authorities say the man tried to outrun the train, but was unable to escape.

The accident occurred in Kansas City at East 51st Street near Noland Road. The train was an Amtrak passenger train. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, less than five percent of all railroad accidents throughout the United States from January to August of 2008 involved passenger trains.

However, trespassers, like the pedestrian in the Missouri railroad crash above, represent over 90 percent of railroad accident fatalities. Nationally, from January to August of 2008, railroad crashes have killed 330 trespassers and over 290 trespassers have been injured.

Continue reading "Fatal Missouri Railroad Accident Claims Life of Pedestrian" »

An injured Missouri truck driver was saved from a truck fire after an accident on Interstate 64. The man who saved the driver, and also allegedly caused the truck accident, was driving from Cape Girardeau to Columbia, Missouri. The man, who is a Mizzou employee, saw a two-car accident along the side of the highway; directing his attention away from the road and to the other accident, the man didn’t see a truck that was partly parked on a median near Highway 141.

He hit the truck going between 30 and 40 miles per hour, and a third car also rear-ended his vehicle. The third car that rear-ended him left the scene of the Missouri truck accident. Ironically enough, because the hit-and-run driver fled the scene, the Mizzou employee was able to reverse and move his car, which allowed him to save the injured truck driver from the flames.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch report details the events leading to both vehicles being totaled by the truck fire.

The injured truck driver was rushed to the hospital. West County EMS authorities say the man’s injuries would not have allowed him to escape his truck without assistance. Severe, life-altering injuries like this are frequently sustained in truck accidents, and injured victims often don’t know where to turn.

For experienced legal assistance and guidance on what to do after a truck crash, call an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer at Page Law, a Missouri Injury Firm for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless you recover. Our truck accident lawyers are experienced litigators and trial attorneys.

Call Page Law at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.TruckAccidentLawGroup.com, for more information.

Changing weather conditions often create compromising driving conditions. The Missouri State Highway Patrol recently investigated and responded to over 60 weather-related accidents in just one day. Dropping temperatures change road conditions quickly, from light snowfall to frozen roadways, creating perilous driving situations and causing car accidents.

The Rolla Daily News reported on several recent Missouri car accidents, caused, at least in part, by changing road conditions.

One of these weather-related Missouri motorcycle accidents killed a motorcyclist recently. The victim, a 52-year-old man, was riding his motorcycle when ice caused his bike to run off Highway 17. The motorcyclist crashed into a ditch, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Continue reading "Missouri Motorcycle and Auto Accidents Rise Sharply Amid Adverse Weather" »

A Missouri car accident left a police officer injured after she lost control of her vehicle. The Blue Springs officer was in route to assist other officers in a foot chase when she lost control of her car on South Outer Road. The officer was driving at high speeds when she hit a curb, and rolled the car over near Missouri 7.

The Kansas City Star reported, her car rolled down the embankment and rolled over twice. She was immediately taken to the hospital and treated for injuries.

Car accidents, like this one, regularly result from increased speeds and loss of control. The faster a car is going, the harder it is to control, and the more severe the damages in the event of a car accident.

Missouri car accident statistics, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol compilations, revealed that over 40% of all fatal Missouri automobile accidents in 2007 involved speeding. The majority of all Missouri car crashes, averaging over 15,000 per month, are speed-related. Because many of these accidents involve injuries, and even death, car accident lawsuits frequently arise.

Page || Cagle is a Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm that represents clients injured in car accidents, tractor trailer crashes and motorcycle accidents. For a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658).

You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information.

A recent Missouri semi truck accident, which caused another tractor trailer crash, injured three people. The large truck accidents occurred last Wednesday in Waynesville, Missouri. The first semi truck crash, on Interstate 44 near Big Piney River Bridge, occurred because the semi truck was jackknifing and crashed through median guard cables, pushing a car into a rock bluff.

The tractor trailer from the first large truck accident blocked both eastbound lanes of traffic on I-44, causing another Missouri tractor trailer crash. In the second large truck crash, a Freightliner trying to avoid the blockage on the interstate collided with another automobile.

Authorities say the woman driving the car involved in the second Waynesville auto accident moved to the shoulder of the road to avoid the previous crash when the Freightliner, also trying to avoid the first crash, slid on wet pavement, hit the first towed truck and caused it to strike the car. The Waynesville Daily Guide reported that the three individuals injured in the truck crashes, one of whom was 73 years old, were sent to a hospital in Rolla, Missouri for treatment.

If you or a loved one is injured in a truck crash call Page || Cagle, a St. Louis Personal Injury Law Firm, for a free consultation at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.TruckAccidentLawGroup.com for more information.

A motorcyclist was killed in a St. Louis County motorcycle accident after being thrown from his Harley Davidson recently. The 44-year-old man was killed in this single-vehicle accident on McDonnell Boulevard, near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the man was riding alone when his motorcycle ran off the side of McDonnell Boulevard near Harmon Lane, possibly because he lost control of the bike. The Harley struck a fence and the man was thrown off of his bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The specific cause of the accident is unknown.

Although the exact cause of this Missouri motorcycle crash is unknown, many similar accidents have occurred because motorcyclists lose control of their bikes when road conditions change, due to things such as debris, gravel on the road or potholes. Additionally, speed often plays a role in motorcycle crashes because not only is it easier to lose control while speeding, but also, it is more difficult to regain control when traveling faster.

Over a third of fatal motorcycle accidents every year are caused, at least in part, by speed. If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle crash, call Page Law, A St. Louis, MO Personal Injury Law Firm, for a free consultation. As a motorcyclist and Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer, I have aggressively represent injured clients, making sure they receive just compensation for their injuries.

You can reach me 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.MotorcycleInjuryLawGroup.com for more information.

A Missouri woman filed a personal injury claim after sustaining severe injuries in a St. Clair County car accident. The woman alleges injuries to her neck, back, shoulder, hip, and wrist. She is suing for injury against the driver of the vehicle, as well as his employer.

This Missouri car accident lawsuit alleges the Plaintiff was driving west on State Street, and the employee (defendant) was driving his truck in the same direction on the same street when he hit her. Allegedly, the driver of the truck traveled outside of his lane and hit the woman's car, causing her to not only sustain injuries but also to miss work. She sued for lost wages, medical costs and pain and suffering.

It is alleged that there is evidence of truck driver negligence in several respects:

1. That he was driving over the speed limit;
2. That he failed to drive with reasonable caution or carefully;
3. That he failed to stop or slow down before the collision; and
4. That he drove without a driver's license.

Continue reading "St. Clair County Truck Accident Puts Driver and Employer on Defense" »

The wife of a tractor trailer truck driver killed in an Alabama highway accident brought a wrongful death lawsuit against another truck driver. The truck accident was caused by the second truck hitting the decedent’s truck after it was laying idle on a roadway after rolling over. In this case, the decedent allegedly lost control of his tractor-trailer and his large truck swerved into the median, struck a road sign, went into a drainage ditch, and then traveled back up onto the highway while rolling over. The tractor trailer came to rest partially blocking the road. It is disputed whether he was fatally injured after the initial events.

The defendant truck driver was traveling on the roadway when he saw the decedent’s truck lying across the road. The defendant allegedly slammed on his breaks, but the large truck he was driving wasn’t able to stop in time. He collided into the decedent’s tractor trailer. At the time of the accident it is undisputed that the defendant was driving within the 70-mile-per hour speed limit and had his headlights on. He was not cited in the accident.

The decedent’s family filed a truck accident lawsuit against the other driver and the trucking company he worked for wrongful death. However, the evidence did not establish that the defendant colliding into the truck caused the decedents death. Also, it was found likely that the initial, single-vehicle crash, caused the decedent’s death. The court found the only evidence the plaintiff had to support that the second accident was the proximate cause of the death was through the testimony of an accident-reconstruction expert.

Continue reading "Wrongful Death Lawsuit Follows Fatal Truck Accident" »

Five Seriously Injured in Fatal Motorcycle Crash

A recent motorcycle accident killed two motorcyclists and seriously injured three others. In this motorcycle accident, a group of motorcyclists were riding together and were traveling southbound when a northbound automobile swerved on the road. The driver of the swerving vehicle was a 16-year-old girl. She overcorrected towards the left and into the group of motorcycles. The young girl hit one motorcycle, which caused the motorcycles following behind to react.

The first motorcycle hit was thrown off the roadway and landed in a ditch. Both the motorcyclist and its passenger were thrown from the bike and were killed at the motorcycle accident scene. Additionally, two motorcyclists behind the first bike reacted to the initial crash by skidding and sliding several feet on the highway before being thrown off of their bikes. These motorcyclists were immediately transported to the hospital, along with the young automobile driver, who also sustained severe injuries.

With more motorcycles on the road than ever, the number of motorcycle crashes and motorcycle injuries continues to rise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that the number of registered motorcycles has increased tremendously, but the percentage of fatalities per motorcycle has increased at a much greater rate. Statistics always indicate that automobile drivers are the leading cause of motorcycle crash injuries, as in the case above. Studies also point a finger of blame at speeding bikes and drivers without adequate training.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accident Kills 2, Injures 3" »

Statistics indicate that millions of Americans are involved in car accidents every year. It is important that you know what to do in the event of an automobile accident. The following tips will prepare you and make handling the aftermath of a car crash a little easier.

1. Always call the police and file a police report. Many car accident victims have lost deserved compensation because they have decided not to call the police and they didn’t have a formal police report made. It is important after a Missouri car accident to stay at the accident scene until emergency personnel arrive. If you are able, give an accurate description of the car accident and make sure you have the Missouri police officer’s name and that he/she has your version of the automobile accident.
2. After the crash, exchange information with others involved in the and those nearby the accident scene. You should always get the names, addresses, driver’s license number and insurance information from the other drivers involved in the car accident or truck accident. It is important that you get the same contact information from individuals near the accident scene, who witnessed the accident. If there ends up being a dispute over the sequence of events leading to the car crash, third party witnesses will be an important tool in providing information.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Tips" »

A Missouri car accident involving three vehicles on Highway 5 in Camden County, Missouri seriously injured four people. According to Missouri Highway Patrol, a man driving a Cadillac traveling northbound on Highway 5 rear-ended another vehicle, a Chevrolet. The Cadillac sent the Chevrolet across the centerline and into oncoming traffic. The Chevrolet then hit another vehicle head-on.

The four individuals seriously injured in the accident were between the ages of 72 and 89. They were all sent to the hospital and all are residents of Columbia, Missouri. The driver of the Cadillac was not injured, but the two occupants of the Chevrolet sustained moderate injuries, although both refused medical treatment at the scene of the accident. All injured parties were wearing seat belts.

This car accident on Route 5 likely resulted from the Cadillac driver’s negligence. When a car is rear-ended, like the Chevrolet, usually the driver who collided into the vehicle’s rear, will be found at fault for failure to drive cautiously and maintain an adequate distance between vehicles.

Continue reading "Camden County Car Crash Sends 4 to Hospital" »

Saint Charles, Missouri is the county seat of St. Charles County. In the early years of its statehood, Saint Charles served as capital of Missouri until Jefferson City was ready to assume the role. Saint Charles is arguably the starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition as it was the last established American city along the route and where Clark waited for Lewis to arrive from St. Louis. Much like any growing city, the inflow of new residents leads to an increase of cars on the road and an increase in auto and truck accidents.

The Saint Charles tractor trailer accident attorneys at Page//Cagle have represented those seriously injured in accidents for their entire careers. A large number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms because many law firms simply do not have the time or the resources needed to take on serious injury cases. Whether you were injured in a Saint Charles car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident the St. Charles County personal injury lawyers at Page//Cagle will provide the kind of expertise that’s needed to win serious auto accident cases and justly compensate the victims for their injuries.

As Saint Charles auto accident lawyers, Page//Cagle, a Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, we have been handling these cases our entire careers. We have successfully and aggressively represented clients injured in many types of vehicle accident cases.

To reach the Saint Charles motorcycle accident lawyers at Page//Cagle, 24 hours a day, call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page directly at john@pagecagle.com. The consultation is free and there is no fee unless we recover for you. We look forward to discussing your case and helping you through these difficult times.

Every morning kids in Missouri get onto the school bus to go to school. From Saint Louis to Kansas City, loving parents send their children off with a hug and kiss and trust the driver of the school bus to get their little ones to school safely.

On Thursday October 10, 2008, the unthinkable happened in Gray Ridge, Missouri. A school bus loaded with several school children, ages six to thirteen, failed to yield and was hit by an SUV. This Missouri bus accident is every parent’s nightmare. The SUV had 6 passengers that were all wearing seatbelts. They were seriously injured in the bus accident and five were transferred to the hospital by ambulance. The driver of the SUV was airlifted to Cape Girardeau, MO medical facility. The children on the school bus and the 43 year old driver sustained minor injuries. The Missouri school bus driver was treated at a nearby facility. The SUV is reported to be totaled and the bus has extensive damage.

Although the children seemed to be fine, it is important to recognize the fear the parents felt when they received a call informing them their child had been in a bus accident. It serves as a reminder that even big yellow busses are not immune to accidents and can cause a lot of damage.

I am a founding partner of the St. Louis personal injury law firm, Page//Cagle. As a Missouri personal injury attorney, I successfully and aggressively represent bus accident victims on a daily basis. If you have any questions or concerns involving a Missouri bus accident case or any other personal injury case, I am happy to discuss the facts with you and answer any concerns you may have. I offer free consultations and there is no fee unless you recover.

You can contact me 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.injuredclient.com for more information.

O’Fallon, Missouri is located in central Saint Charles County, Missouri. O’Fallon is one of the largest cities in Missouri and is currently in the midst of a population boom. During the 1830’s and inspired by Gottfried Duden’s Republic of the Western States of North America, many Germans settled in the O’Fallon area. Many rapidly growing cities, like O’Fallon, experience sudden rises in personal injuries as more people flood the area and require the assistance of an experienced personal injury law firm.

The O’Fallon car crash lawyers at Page Law have represented those seriously injured in accidents for their entire careers. We do not believe in simply taking and processing large amounts of cases; rather, we limit the number of cases we accept so that each and every client receives the proper personal attention they deserve. Whether you have a O’Fallon truck accident injury or were injured in a boating accident or railroad accident the Saint Charles County auto accident attorneys at Page Law will provide the kind of expert representation that wins cases and earns our clients the compensation they need.

The O’Fallon motorcycle accident attorneys at Page Law will be happy to discuss your case with you and answer any and all questions you may have. The consultation is always free.

We can be reached 24 hours a day at (314) 322-8515. There is no fee unless you recover for the serious personal injuries you sustained. If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page directly at john@pagecagle.com. We look forward to discussing your case and helping you through these very trying times.

Saint Joseph, Missouri is the county seat of Buchanan County, in northwestern Missouri. Saint Joseph is sometimes referred to, informally, as “St. Joe” and is often spelled “St. Joseph.” In its infancy, Saint Joseph was a last-stop for journeys into the “Wild West”, being one of the last supply points over the Missouri River. During the 1860’s, Saint Joseph was actually one of the endpoints of the Pony Express. Finally, Saint Joseph was where Jesse James was murdered in his home in 1882. As a small town on the fringes of the “Wild West”, Saint Joseph has a long standing familiarity with serious personal injuries.

The Saint Joseph auto accident attorneys at Page//Cagle have represented those seriously injured through the negligence of others for their entire careers. A significant number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms since many law firms are not set up to handle serious injury cases. The cases are expensive to prepare and extremely time consuming. Whether you were injured in an Saint Joseph truck accident, barge accident, or have a workers’ compensation claim, the Buchanan County truck accident attorneys at Page//Cagle will employ every possible resource to ensure a timely and successful resolution to your case.

As personal injury attorneys in Saint Joseph, we have been handling these types of cases our entire careers. We have successfully and aggressively represented clients injured in many different personal injury situations.

To reach the Saint Joseph motorcycle accident attorneys at Page//Cagle, 24 hours a day, call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page personally at john@pagecagle.com. We also provide free consultations in our office, at your home, or at any other location you choose. There is no fee unless we recover for you. Your case is important to us; we look forward to discussing your situation and helping you through these difficult times.

A teenage boy lost his life in a Rolla lawn mower accident when he was thrown from the vehicle. According to an article in The Rolla Daily News, 16-year-old Joshua Curt Frost who was riding the lawn mower, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two other people were riding in a trailer being towed by the lawn mower. One other boy was uninjured and 20-year-old Justin Cook suffered minor injuries.

Police said Frost was operating the MTD Yard Machine riding mower having just left a resident. He was traveling northbound on a downgrade section of County Road 2030 when the lawn mower missed a curve in the road and traveled off the side of the road, the article stated. Frost was ejected from the lawn mower as it fell down an embankment and struck a fence and several small trees.

In these types of accidents, it is very important to look at whether this was a case of a defective lawn mower. In this situation it is a good idea to have the lawn mower inspected for mechanical malfunctions, product defects and other evidence. It is also not clear from this news report whether Frost was on the job or running an errand for someone at the time of the accident.

Product defect lawsuits can be extremely complex because of the extent of investigation they warrant. They also usually involve quite a legal battle with large companies and product manufacturers. It takes a law firm with resources and wrongful death attorneys in Missouri with knowledge and experience to tackle these cases and obtain the best possible results for their clients. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed because of a defective product, please call me or e-mail me to discuss your case.

Springfield, Missouri is a city of over 150,000 residents in Greene County, Missouri. Like many cities in Missouri and surrounding regions, Springfield is the site of many notable historic events. The first of the infamous quick-draw gun dueling battles of the Old West took place in Springfield between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt Jr.

Additionally, Springfield was the site of two Civil War battles, both of which won by the Confederates, and a major rail stop during westward expansion. As a town that was practically forged in violence, Springfield is no stranger to serious and even fatal personal injuries.

Page Law personal injury attorneys in Springfield handle cases in which victims are seriously injured in accidents. A large number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms because many law firms simply do not have the time or the resources needed to take on serious injury cases. Whether you were injured in a Springfield car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident the Missouri vehicle accident attorneys at Page Law will provide the kind of expertise that’s needed to win serious auto accident cases and justly compensate the victims for their injuries.

As personal injury lawyers handling cases in Springfield, Page Law, a Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, has been handling these cases our entire careers. We have successfully and aggressively represented clients injured in many types of vehicle accident cases.

To reach the Springfield tractor trailer accident attorneys at Page//Cagle, 24 hours a day, call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). If you do not want to call or cannot call, you can email John Page directly at john@pagecagle.com. The consultation is free and there is no fee unless we recover for you. We look forward to discussing your case and helping you through these difficult times.

Independence, Missouri is situated in Jackson County, in western Missouri. It is known as the “Queen City of the Trails” for its historical role as the departure point for the Oregon Trail as well as the California and Santa Fe trails. It was also very important historically as the western-most point traversable by steam boat and thus became an important spot for the then-emerging fur trade.

Independence lost its local prestige as nearby Kansas City developed and expanded but remains the county seat for Jackson County. As a county seat, those injured in Jackson County may end up pleading their case in the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence and Page Law will be there to help.

The Independence car accident attorneys at Page Law have represented those seriously injured through the negligence of others for their entire careers. A significant number of the cases we handle are referred to us by other lawyers and law firms since many law firms are not set up to handle serious injury cases.

Continue reading "Independence Car Accident and Tractor Trailer Crash Lawyers" »

An injured citizen in Connecticut recently sued his township for personal injuries after a trip and fall accident. In this case the plaintiff fell into a moveable dumpster at the town waste transfer station while attempting to discard waste. The man suffered serious injuries from this incident that could have been prevented through routine maintenance in citizen common areas by the city.

The plaintiff claims he tripped and fell because of a broken and separated concrete block near the dumpster. As he approached the platform with trash in hand, he tripped across the concrete block, crashing into the dumpster. The plaintiff filed a claim against the township because the township has a responsibility to him and fellow citizens to make sure that safe premises are maintained throughout the town.

Municipalities owe a duty to their residents. Citizens should not have to tolerate unsafe premises; town common areas ranging from sidewalks to highways should be reasonably safe for travel when used and traveled in a normal (anticipated) manner. When such areas are not maintained in a reasonably safe manner, the city, essentially, is failing to uphold its duty; a breach of duty means the town can be held liable for injuries sustained.

Continue reading "Premises Liability Suit stems from Trip and Fall Accident" »

St. Louis, Missouri is by far the most well-known city in Missouri. The city goes by many nicknames, including “The Gateway City” and “Saint Louis.” The Gateway City’s namesake landmark, The Gateway Arch, is a symbol of the city itself and, including the park surrounding the Arch, also acts as a memorial for several important aspects of American history.

St. Louis is also the site of many national sports teams such as the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams. In a city that draws so many tourists and sports fans, auto accidents and injuries are inevitable.

The St. Louis car accident attorneys at Page Law have represented those seriously injured for their entire careers. We do not believe in simply taking and processing large amounts of cases; rather, we limit the number of cases we accept so that each and every client receives the proper personal attention they deserve.

Continue reading "St. Louis Truck Accident and Car Crash Attorneys" »

According to certain Missouri brain injury specialists, it is estimated that every 32 seconds, someone sustains a brain injury. Although every incident in which a brain injury is sustained is not in a motor vehicle accident, the numbers of brain injuries resulting from said accidents, and especially large truck crashes, are alarmingly high.

In 2006 alone, national statistics indicate there were close to 150,000 large truck accidents. Of those crashes, over 60,000 caused injuries and over 90,000 injuries were sustained, including brain injuries and spine injuries.

The lives of those who sustain injuries in a large truck accident are changed forever. A recent truck accident brain injury in Missouri will require in-home care for the duration of the woman’s life. The woman, who was a nurse, is a married mother of three who will no longer be able to care for her family and perform typical daily tasks. Unfortunately, such an outcome is not infrequent for those suffering from brain injuries.

Continue reading "Missouri Truck Accident Adds to Brain Injury Tally" »

The pharmaceutical company Baxter Healthcare, Inc. is facing suit in a personal injury claim over the drug Heparin in Illinois. A patient allegedly suffered a "near-fatal adverse reaction" to the drug and is seeking compensation for pain and medical bills. The plaintiff further seeks punitive damages, typically a larger award the court may grant when trying to punish the company and deter similar circumstances from arising in the future.

Baxter recalled doses of Heparin earlier this year after finding some of the multi-dose products caused harmful reactions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to further investigate the drug and found an ingredient in the drug was contaminated. The FDA found chemical alterations due to the contamination could cause adverse effects.

The FDA regularly updates important drug information and primarily makes sure to communicate information about all drugs that have the potential to alter the risk/benefit analysis, meaning that the drug could potentially be more harmful than helpful.

The drug safety issues the FDA makes a priority to publicly address include:

1. serious adverse drug experiences identified after a drug has been approved;
2. additional serious or frequent adverse drug experiences in a subgroup of patients; and
3. medication errors.

The factors the FDA uses to evaluate drug safety and public communication are:

1. reliability of the data;
2. magnitude of the risk;
3. seriousness of the event relative to the disease being treated;
4. plausibility of a causal relationship between the use of a drug and the adverse event;
5. extent of patient exposure;
6. potential to prevent or mitigate the risk in the patient population;
7. effect on clinical practice; and
8. disproportionate impact on particular populations.

As an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney, I am happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have. If requested, I will immediately and aggressively take action in your defense.

The call and consultation are free. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). Call me personally and I will answer all the questions and concerns you may have. There is no fee unless we recover for you.

If you don't want to call or you can't call, you can email me at john@pagecagle.com. I look forward to speaking with you and helping you through these trying times. You can also visit www.injuredclient.com for more information.

Senator Bill Stoufer of Napton has asked the Missouri state legislature to pass a bill adding comprehensive day rehabilitation services to the Medicaid program now called Missouri Healthnet. Stoufer, the husband of a brain injury victim, hopes his story will help influence the legislature to look favorably on the proposed bill.

Four years ago his wife suffered a traumatic brain injury. While she was being treated, the Stouffers got to know a high school girl who was left in a near-vegetative state for several months. With the help of early intervention and extensive rehabilitative services, she was able to get back to the point where she could function as a teenager.

Depending on the injury, a person often has to be retrained to do even the most routine things such as tying shoestrings or putting groceries into cabinets. Injured people currently get limited outpatient therapy from Missouri hospitals, but that service doesn’t last long and without the extra Medicaid funding, many families can’t afford continued rehab services that could help victims lead full, normal lives.

People like Senator Bill Stoufer are doing their best to make a difference for those who have suffered through a serious personal injury like brain trauma. However, the costs associated with the care that results from accidents that cause these injuries can be exorbitant. While it is important that our government’s social services have contingencies in place to help those without the means to pay for extended medical care, it isn’t something that a victim of an accident that results in a brain injury should count on.

Continue reading "Senator Seeks Funding to Help Brain Injury Victims" »