Spring is here already and summertime is just around the corner.  With the warm weather and the end of the school year near, children will most certainly head outdoors to play.  Families will gather outside to get their lawns ready for those summertime barbecues. What many don’t realize is that danger may lurk where you least expect it.  The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has compiled a list of the recent summertime products that have been recalled. 

It is extremely important for consumers to review the list below to see whether you and your family are at risk.  Being in the know and taking the necessary precautions can help prevent avoidable injuries from occurring.

Keep Your Family Safe from Defective Products:  Check Your Home for These Recalled Products

Outdoor Play Equipment:

*Adventure Playsets Wooden Swing Sets

The manufacturer along with the CPSC voluntarily recalled approximately 240,000 units of this product that were sold across the nation since 2005 in Walmart, Toys-R-Us, Mills, and Menards. Hundreds of complaints have been filed with one reported incidence of a fall.  The identified defect is the wood in the posts becomes weakened due to rotting.  This poses a hazard of falling.  Consumers are urged to stop using the swing sets and contact the Manufacturer, Adventure Playsets of Pittsburg, Kansas.  A free repair kit with instructions will be issued.

*Playsafe Dartmouth Swing Set

In cooperation with the CPSC, Pacific Cycle of Madison, Wisconsin voluntary recalled about 5,500 units of their metal swing sets that were sold exclusively at Toys-R-Us throughout 2011.  The sling style swing seats pose a risk of falling due to the premature cracking and splitting of the seats.  Owners are advised to stop using the swings and contact the company.  Free replacement seats will be issued.

*Slalom Glider

The Slalom Glider is a 6-foot high plastic curved slide that was manufactured in the United States by Landscape Structures Inc. of Delano, Minnesota.  About 900 units were sold across the nation to facilities requiring playground equipment as well as to schools between the years 2006 and 2011.   The slide does not have a platform on the top making the transition from the ladder to the slide dangerous.  Also, the slide lacks sides on the downward chute.  Both of these design flaws pose a hazard of falling.  There have been 16 reports of injuries including fractures and both external and internal bruising.  Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the equipment.  The company will replace the glider with a different piece of equipment, issue a refund, or give store credit towards a later purchase.

Children’s Toys:

*Disney Fairies Racing Trikes

Sold across the nation from July 2009 through December 2009 in Target stores, the plastic riding toy has small plastic rotating figures extending up from the handlebars.  If a child would fall on the figurines, a risk of getting lacerated exists.  Kiddieland Toys Limited headquartered in Scituate, Massachusetts, recalled about 12,000 trikes.  One report of a facial laceration was noted.  Consumers are advised to stop using the product and contact the company.  A new handlebar where the figures are enclosed will be distributed.  

*Build-A-Bear Inflatable Inner Tube

Consumers should stop using the Build-A-Bear swimwear set with inflatable inner tube due to a risk of strangulation.  An incident of a small child pulling the inner tube over her head was reported.  Build-A-Bear Workshop of St. Louis issued the voluntary recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada.  The product was sold nationwide in stores and online from April 2011 to August 2011.  The recall included 19,720 units in this country and 1,100 in Canada.  Consumers will receive a $5.00 coupon to be used in the store if they return the inner tube to the store.

Patio and Yard Items:

*Uni-O Portable Gas Grill

About 4,530 of the O-Grill portable gas grills were recalled due to a risk of fire and burn injuries.  The grill’s regulator has the potential to leak gas, which can ignite putting consumers at risk of serious injury.  The grills come in several different colors and have the words “O-Grill” on the grill lid.  The recalled models were sold from November 2008 through December 2010 at LL Bean, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillards, REI, Walgreens, and BBQD.  The manufacturer, Uni-O Industries Corporation of Xiamen, China, will issue a free replacement grill.

*Grass Trimmers

A voluntary recall of grass trimmers was made earlier this year and involved about 14,000 units in the United States and 3,600 units in Canada.  The American Honda Motor Company of Torrance, California manufactured the product that poses a risk of lacerations to the individual using the product as well as persons in the nearby vicinity.  A risk of the shaft cracking causing the attachment that has the cutting instruments on it to detach exists.  Although the company has not received any reports of injuries, 11 incidents of the shaft cracking or breaking have been noted.  The trimmers were sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers from 2006 to 2012.  Consumers need to contact the dealer for an appointment to have their grass trimmer examined and repaired if needed. 

*Gel Fuel

About 2.5 million bottles and cans of gel fuel have been recalled because of a hazard of fire and burns exist.  If the gel is poured into a firepot that is still ignited, it can splatter and ignite.  People and nearby objects are at risk of a potentially fatal injury.  The gel fuel, which is bottled under multiple names and distributed by numerous manufacturers, was sold in stores and online.  Many incidents have been reported with injuries consisting of 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd degree burns being included.  Consumers have been warned to stop using the products and return them to the retail stores.  Consumers can also contact a facility that specializes in dealing with hazardous waste disposal.  It is important to review all the specifics of this recall on the Consumer and Product Safety Commission’s website because of the many different manufacturers involved. 

Household Item:

*Ceiling Fans

Westinghouse Lighting Corporation of Philadelphia Pennsylvania recently announced a voluntary recall of approximately 7,000 ceiling fans.  Although the company has not been informed of any accidents or injuries, a risk of fire and shock is present for consumers.  The fans come packaged with two 60-watt light bulbs that exceed the maximum safe wattage.  Five different models are involved in the recall.  The products were sold across the country in hardware stores, home improvements retailers, home centers, and electrical supply stores.  In addition, the fans were sold online through the amazon website.  All products were sold from January 2011 through January 2012.  Consumers are advised to contact Westinghouse Lighting to obtain the correct wattage light bulbs.

Messa & Associates – Product Liability Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey

As New Jersey and Philadelphia product liability lawyers, we’ve represented hundreds of clients injured by household products. We encourage you to make sure that the products mentioned above are not in your garage, shed, or backyard.  These products, which are considered dangerous and defective, carry a risk of injury to you and your family.  We believe that the manufacturers of such products need to be held accountable.  If you or a loved one has been injured by using one of the recalled products mentioned above or any other defective product, contact the product liability attorneys at Messa & Associates.  We are experienced at handling all types of lawsuits involving defective products. We fight to protect our client’s rights and secure the financial compensation that is rightfully deserved.  To discuss a potential claim, contact one of our experienced Philadelphia product liability lawyers for a free and confidential consultation.  Call Messa & Associates at 1-877-MessaLaw (1-877-637-7252) or submit a free online inquiry.

Kawasaki Recalls 2,000 Defective Recreational Off-Road Vehicles

Kawasaki Motors Corporation headquartered in Irvine, California has issued a voluntary recall of about 2,000 Teryx recreational off-highway vehicles.  The vehicles, which were manufactured in the United States, were sold across the country from August 2011 through March 2012.  The recall was done in conjunction with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Consumers have been urged to discontinue using the product immediately.  The recall was prompted by a labeling error.

Labeling Error Poses a Risk of Injury or Death

The recalled vehicles were mislabeled as having a higher seating capacity than what is actually safe.  The deficient label is located in the glove compartment.  A risk of serious injury or even death is associated with operating the vehicle with more occupants than exceeds the maximum capacity.

Models listed under the official recall announcement are vehicles that are 2012 models.  They are:  Teryx 750 Fl 4×4, Teryx 750 Fl 4×4 LE, Teryx 750 Fl 750 4×4 LE SGE, and Teryx 750 Fl 4×4 Sport.  The recalled units come in red, green, silver, black, grey, and camouflage.  The model number can be found printed on the hood of the vehicles.  Replacement glove compartment covers with the correct labeled seating capacity will be issued from the company, and can be installed by the owner or at a dealership by appointment.  Although no injuries or deaths have yet to be reported, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is continuing to urge consumers to report any injuries or incidents associated with the vehicles. 

Messa & Associates – Product Liability Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey

As experienced Philadelphia product liability lawyers, we know that off-highway vehicles carry the risk of serious injury to their occupants in the event of an accident.  Many of these accidents can be linked to manufacturer defects and design flaws.  In most product liability cases, injuries could have been prevented if the manufacturers took more precautions.  We urge you to check your vehicle’s model number to determine if you are at risk for an injury. 

We have represented clients with all types of severe injuries related to recalled products as well as defective and dangerous products.  If you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident that was the result of using a recalled product, contact the Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Messa & Associates for a free and confidential consultation.  We can review the details of your case, protect your rights, and secure the financial compensation that you deserve.  Call us at 1-877-MessaLaw (1-877-637-7252) for an appointment or submit a free online inquiry.

A 39-year-old Colorado mother of two is paralyzed due to a misdiagnosis by her doctor. In 2006, she went to the emergency room because of a severe headache, dizziness and extremely high blood pressure. The emergency room doctor determined that she had a migraine, prescribed pain medication and sent her home. When she woke up the next morning, her headache was gone, but she had lost the ability to walk & talk. She was rushed back to the hospital and diagnosed with a life threatening brain bleed which resulted in a massive stroke. The stroke left her without the ability to use her right arm or bend her right knee. In 2011, a jury found the emergency room doctor negligent and awarded the woman a verdict in the amount of $3.9 million.

Misdiagnosis is Common, Yet Complex, Medical Malpractice Scenario

A medical misdiagnosis has potentially devastating results for patients and their families. Mistakes made by health care providers can cause a patient’s condition to get worse and sometimes even cost them their lives. Filing a medical malpractice suit is complicated and requires the guidance of experienced medical malpractice attorneys who are proficient in what must be proven in a medical malpractice lawsuit involving misdiagnosis.

Doctors are not held legally responsible for all diagnostic mistakes. Medical malpractice suits based on misdiagnosis must prove several things including whether or not the patient had a relationship with the doctor. It must also prove that the doctor neglected to provide skillful and competent treatment and that due to the doctor’s mistreatment, the patient was harmed. The evidence must include that another doctor, in a comparable area of expertise, under the same conditions, would have correctly diagnosed the patient’s illness or condition. Medical malpractice lawsuits based on misdiagnosis are extremely complex and require a team of lawyers with the knowledge and resources to handle the intricacies of this particular type of medical malpractice scenario.  

Messa & Associates – Medical Malpractice Lawyers Equipped to Successfully Handle Misdiagnosis Cases

Call the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates if you or a loved one has been the victim of misdiagnosis. Our skilled team of medical malpractice professionals, including lawyers, doctors and nurses, is experienced and dedicated to securing proper compensation for your personal injuries. Our medical malpractice lawyers have handled all types of medical negligence cases including medical errors resulting from misdiagnosis, negligent care, or substandard treatment. Call toll free today at 1-877-MessaLaw or contact us online.

Personal injury attorneys know that one of the biggest challenges for parents is preventing injuries to their children while they are travelling in a car. That is why the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys of Messa & Associates are happy to report that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new website to help parents in making the critical decision of which car seat to choose in order to help prevent an injury to their children.

The website explains child-safety-seat guidelines according to the most up-to-date regulation detailing when the best time is to advance children from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat, based on their age. It also gives additional information on moving a child to a booster seat and finally when to transition out of a booster seat into just a seat belt in the backseat of the car.

The NHTSA is responsible for regulating child-safety seats. The agency’s new website seeks to assist parents selecting and installing car seats. It also includes information on finding a child safety seat inspection location and other safety tips to help prevent injuries to children.

Personal Injury Attorneys: Motor Vehicle Accidents Can Cause Devastating Injuries to Children

It is important that infants and small children are restrained in automobiles since they can be seriously injured in car crashes. In fact, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in kids ages four to eight-years-old. In addition, unrestrained children are at increased risk of ejection or being struck by an airbag in the event of an accident. Children injured by car crashes often suffered serious, catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, burn injuries, back and neck injuries, amputations, fractured bones, internal injuries, or death.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving motor vehicle accidents causing injuries to children. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury attorneys and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If your child has suffered an injury as a result of a car crash, bus accident, truck accident, other motor vehicle accident or any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

This week is Brain Tumor Action Week. Each year, approximately 210,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which some cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, taking up space within the skull and interfering with normal brain activity. Brain tumors can damage by increasing pressure in the brain, by shifting the brain or pushing against the skull, and by invading and damaging nerves and healthy brain tissue.

Malignant brain tumors are considered cancer. Malignant tumors (brain cancer) are rapidly growing tumors that invade and destroy normal brain tissue. Benign tumors are not considered cancer, but can later develop into cancer.

According to the National Brain Tumor Society, some common signs of a brain tumor include: headaches, gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg, trouble with balance, sudden seizures, loss of vision or double vision (especially when associated with a headache), memory loss, hearing loss and speech difficulty.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Say Failure to Timely Diagnose and Treat a Brain Tumor Can Decrease Survival Chances

Diagnosis and timely treatment of a malignant brain tumor is extremely important in order to increase the likelihood of survival. Typically, brain tumors are diagnosed with a neurological examination, brain scans and/or an analysis of the brain tissue. Brain tumors can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, depending on the type and severity of the tumor. In some cases, less aggressive forms of a brain tumor, such as a benign tumor, may not require the same level of treatment as a malignant tumor. However, since some benign tumors can later become malignant, it is important to continually monitor the tumor.

An experienced and qualified team of medical professionals should always oversee the treatment of any brain tumor since failure to diagnose or treat a tumor can result in serious permanent injuries including loss of vision, hearing impairment, permanent brain injury or death. Brain tumors can also metastasize, or spread, throughout the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord. In rare cases, brain cancer can also spread to other parts of the body. If you feel that you are receiving substandard care for a brain tumor, you should immediately seek a second opinion from a qualified physician.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving medical malpractice cases resulting from delayed and failure to diagnose brain injuries. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice lawyers and medical experts are dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries as a result of a medical error in failing to diagnose or treat a brain tumor or any other type of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

A new study conducted by researchers from the Society of Automotive Engineers says failure to use turn signals is one of the leading causes of car accidents. According to the study, failure to use turn signals causes nearly two million motor vehicle accidents each year. That number is more than double the number of car accidents caused by distracted driving. Personal injury attorneys urge drivers to pay attention to this startling fact and be more attentive to their own turn signals.

Researchers reported that drivers across the country fail to use their turn signals nearly half of the time when changing lanes and fail to signal a quarter of the time when making a turn. This common practice increases the risks of car accidents because other drivers are not aware of what someone who is not using a turn signal may be doing.

Other common causes of motor vehicle accidents are speeding, driving under the influence, driver fatigue, poor weather conditions, aggressive driving and distracted driving which includes texting, talking on a mobile phone and adjusting the radio.

Personal Injury Attorneys Discuss What You Should Do If You Are Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident

• Call the police and have a police report completed
• Get the names, insurance and contact information of all parties involved and any witnesses on the scene
• If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and your vehicle*
• Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries
• Report the accident to your insurance company
• Write down as many details as you can remember about the accident as soon as possible so you don’t forget them as times passes
• Call Messa & Associates at 1-877-MessaLaw for assistance

*Caution: If conditions are unsafe and you feel you could be hurt by oncoming traffic or otherwise, do not risk your safety for pictures or other evidence.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling motor vehicle accident cases. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury attorneys and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If your child has suffered an injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident or any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

]]> http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/personal-injury-attorneys-turn-signals-accidents/feed/ 0 http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/medical-malpractice-attorneys-defensive-medicine-care-cost/ http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/medical-malpractice-attorneys-defensive-medicine-care-cost/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 18:46:34 +0000 messaauthor http://www.messalaw.com/?p=4001 Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Doctors Discuss the Cost of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits, Rising Health Care Costs at Conference

Doctors who attended a conference on avoidable care last month said medical malpractice is not a primary reason for increasing medical costs. Panel members at the conference addressed the rising costs of health care and discussed ways to help reduce expenses and provide better patient care. Medical malpractice attorneys from Messa & Associates reported on this fact earlier this year in a blog post entitled Medical Malpractice Lawyers and Litigation NOT Breaking the Bank.

Presenters at the conference pointed out that only a small portion of the estimated $2.5 trillion that the United States spends on health care each year is spent on medical malpractice cases. Of that amount, only about $10 billion goes towards payments to injured patients and administrative costs. An estimated $46 billion is spent trying to reduce the threat of litigation.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Physicians Order Unnecessary Tests Because They Fear Failure to Diagnose Lawsuits

Physicians at the conference also addressed the practice of “defensive medicine,” a type of medicine defined by unnecessary tests and procedures ordered in an in effort to avoid medical malpractice lawsuits. Some experts have opined that medical expenses have skyrocketed due to medical professionals who engage in “defensive medicine” in order to avoid being accused in a failure to diagnose lawsuit. Rather than investigate symptoms and attempt to properly diagnose and treat patients, critics say that some doctors will opt to order expensive tests that may not be needed.

However, one panelist attributed the practice of defensive medicine to fear of uncertainty and anxiety about getting something wrong and being blamed for it, rather than the fear of being sued. Still most agreed that a change in doctor’s practices could be helpful in improving the quality of health care while controlling costs.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases resulting from medical errors. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice attorneys and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries as a result of a medical error, failure to timely diagnose a condition, or any other type of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

]]> http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/medical-malpractice-attorneys-defensive-medicine-care-cost/feed/ 0 http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/personal-injury-lawyers-warn-parents-playground-slide-dangers/ http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/personal-injury-lawyers-warn-parents-playground-slide-dangers/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 21:14:51 +0000 messaauthor http://www.messalaw.com/?p=3998 Personal Injury Lawyers Warn Parents About Hidden Risk Causing Injuries to Children on Playground Slides

Orthopedic specialists have reported that a common injury to children results from toddlers riding down sliding boards while sitting on their parent’s lap. In fact, an 11-month study by Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., found that nearly 14 percent of pediatric leg fractures involved children riding down the slide with a parent. In every case where an injury occurred, the child was three years old or younger. Personal injury lawyers urge parents to heed this warning regarding child safety at the playground.

According to doctors, the injury to the child occurs when the child’s foot gets caught on the side of the slide. If the child is riding alone, he or she can just stop moving or twist around until it comes free. However, the force of the adult’s weight behind a child while sitting on an adult’s lap can cause the leg to break. Most parents think they are keeping their child safe by preventing a fall, but experts say it is actually better for the child to slide alone.

Experts say the fracture injury to children is completely preventable. Parents and caregivers just need to be made aware of the risk involved with riding the slide with their child.

Personal Injury Lawyers Give Tips for Avoiding Injury on Slides

The best option for parents is to allow children to slide by themselves while closely supervising them. For younger children, experts recommend placing the child on the slide at the halfway point with a parent standing next to the slide.

Parents can also remove their child’s shoes before riding down the slide with the child on their laps, if possible. Also, be sure the child’s legs do not come in contact with the sides of the sliding board.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving playground injuries and injuries to children. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury lawyers and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If your child has suffered an injury at a playground, daycare or has endured any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

]]> http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/personal-injury-lawyers-warn-parents-playground-slide-dangers/feed/ 0 http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/philadelphia-product-liability-attorneys-consumer-reports-medical-devices/ http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/philadelphia-product-liability-attorneys-consumer-reports-medical-devices/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 03:39:36 +0000 maria http://www.messalaw.com/?p=3992 Philadelphia Product Liability Attorneys: Consumer Reports on the Safety of Medical Devices

The Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Messa & Associates discovered a recent investigation released by Consumer Reports revealing that many medical device implants are sold with little safety testing, or no testing at all.  This report raises concerns for the safety of the millions of Americans living with implantable medical devices in their bodies. 

Under the current regulatory system, the manufacturers of a medical device simply pay a user fee of $4,000 and submit some required paperwork to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The manufacturers are then allowed to sell their product.  The investigation by Consumer Reports included an analysis of medical research and the FDA’s device-safety database.  Interviews with patients and doctors were also conducted.  The report raised several areas of concern.

Medical Devices Are Sold Without Testing

The first finding revealed is that medical devices are often not tested before they are released and sold on the market.  Essentially, without knowing it, patients that have a medical device implanted in them are helping to test the product.  Most likely, these people believe that the safety and effectiveness of the product had been tested beforehand.  Secondly, there is not a systematic process in place for the government or medical researchers to identify and explore problematic issues with a device.  Each implantable device does not have a unique serial number.  This makes it difficult for patients to be notified if a problem is identified.  Lastly, patients are left with limited abilities to protect themselves unless changes are made to the current system of regulating medical devices.

Four Common Medical Devices Resulting in Patient Injury and Complications

Metal Hip Implants: The FDA approved an artificial hip manufactured by DePuy without any clinical testing.  It was cleared through the agency’s policy on “substantial equivalence” meaning that this hip device was considered the same as and as safe as an earlier device.  These metal-on-metal hip implant devices began to fail at a significant rate within a few years rather than lasting the expected 15 years.  Crippling and debilitating injuries were reported as well as high levels of metal ions being detected in patient’s blood.  A worldwide recall had to be issued causing many patients to undergo revision surgeries.

Surgical Mesh:  Transvaginal mesh implants were used on hundreds of thousands of women having to undergo prolapse repair and bladder support surgery since the early 2000s.  Cases of adverse health consequences have been reported and multiple lawsuits have been filed.  A loophole in the law allowed this product to be grandfathered in without the need for any safety testing.

Lap-Bands:  Implantable lap-bands are utilized in patients struggling with obesity.  The product, which is manufactured and sold by Allergan, helps to constrict the size of the stomach thereby restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold at one time.  Over time, weight loss can be achieved.  These products generally require advanced safety testing in order to obtain approval from the FDA.  In this specific case, the lap-band was granted approval after only one clinical trial.  The study included 299 participants in whom 51 percent stated they had experienced nausea, vomiting, or both.  In addition, 25 percent of the study participants had to have the bands removed prior to the end of the three-year study due to complications or the failure to lose weight.

Cardiac Devices:  The three cardiac devices that were discovered to have significant problems are implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, vena cava filters, and automated external defibrillators.  More than 29,000 deaths and injuries have been reported to the FDA in association with these medical devices.

Recommendations From The Consumers Union To Increase Patient Safety

Since nearly 17% of American adults report having some type of implanted medical device, the concerns about the safety of these devices and the adequacy of the approval process overseen by the FDA is alarming.  Consumers Union, which is the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, believes that the medical device regulatory system that is in place does not protect patients from harm.  This group has recommended several changes to both the FDA and Congress.  It is recommended that implants and other medical devices should have to undergo the same rigorous testing that prescription drugs do.  The practice of grandfathering new implants and devices should be banned.  A “unique identifier system” similar to a serial number should be created so that patients could be notified when any recalls or safety issues arise as well as the creation of a national registry.  Finally, it was suggested that the manufacturer user fees be increased allowing the FDA to have additional financial funds to carry out their duties.

Messa & Associates – Product Liability Attorneys in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The product liability lawyers at Messa & Associates are appalled at the recent healthcare findings of the Consumer Reports investigation that American patient’s lives are in jeopardy when they have a medical device implanted in their bodies.  We support the initiatives outlined by the Consumers Union, and believe that the manufacturers of these defective and dangerous medical devices need to be held accountable. Our Philadelphia product liability attorneys are experienced at handling claims involving defective medical devices, and our extremely skilled team of personal injury lawyers and medical experts are dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your injuries.  We are committed to protecting the legal rights of those adversely affected by defective medical devices and dangerous pharmaceuticals.  If you believe that you or a loved one has been harmed by the implantation of a dangerous or defective medical device, contact our Philadelphia product liability attorneys for a free consultation.  Call Messa & Associates at 1-877-637-7252 or submit a free online inquiry.

 

 

]]> http://www.messalaw.com/2012/05/philadelphia-product-liability-attorneys-consumer-reports-medical-devices/feed/ 0 http://www.messalaw.com/2012/04/medical-malpractice-lawyers-shoulder-dystocia-guidelines/ http://www.messalaw.com/2012/04/medical-malpractice-lawyers-shoulder-dystocia-guidelines/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:59:45 +0000 messaauthor http://www.messalaw.com/?p=3988 Medical Malpractice Lawyers: RCOG Publishes Revised Guidelines on Shoulder Dystocia

Medical malpractice lawyers have recently learned that The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will require all maternity staff undergo additional training practiced on accurate models or mannequins to improve the effects on mothers and their babies who are born with shoulder dystocia.

Shoulder dystocia is when the baby’s head has been born but one or both of the shoulders becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone, preventing the birth of the baby’s body. The condition can cause additional birth injuries to the child, including brachial plexus injury (BPI), a fracture of the collar bone or arm or oxygen deprivation which can lead to brain injury resulting in severe disability or death.

In addition to birth injuries suffered by the baby, mothers are also a risk for injury caused by shoulder dystocia. Moms can suffer hemorrhage, uterine ruptures, severe lacerations or vaginal fistula, a condition in which a fistula (a hole) develops between either the rectum and the vagina or between the bladder and vagina.

According to the revised guidelines, additional shoulder dystocia training could help to reduce the preventable injury and ensure that maternity staff is capable of successfully handling an emergency situation. Researchers have reported a very low rate of hypoxic ischemic injury if the head-to-body delivery time is less than 5 minutes. Therefore, the quicker a shoulder dystocia delivery is managed, the less likely unnecessary additional trauma will occur.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Shoulder Dystocia is a Birth Injury that Requires Emergency Medical Attention

In cases when shoulder dystocia has presented during birth, physicians and medical staff must act quickly to avoid further complications or injury. In order to resolve shoulder dystocia and fit the baby’s shoulders through the mother’s pelvis, a series of maneuvers are necessary to successfully deliver the baby. In most cases, repositioning maneuvers will resolve the shoulder dystocia and retrigger active birth movement. However, it is important that the physician uses the correct maneuvers as quickly as possible, usually no more than five to six minutes, to reduce risks.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving birth and brain injuries. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice attorneys and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a birth injury, brain injury or any other type of personal injury as a result of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

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