Blog

Jan 22, 2016

A widely used class of stomach acid drugs called “Proton pump inhibitors” (PPIs) have been associated with an increased risk for chronic kidney disease, according to two population-based analyses published in JAMA Internal Medicine in January 2016. An estimated 15 million Americans take PPI drugs, which reduce the production of acid made by the stomach glands. These drugs are typically taken to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic or stomach ulcers, and damage to the lower...

Vaccine Encephalopathy

Jan 21, 2016

Encephalopathy is a medical emergency that requires hospitalization. It’s a life-threatening condition that’s traumatic not only for the victim, but also for the people who see it happen. Young children with acute encephalopathy may suffer a seizure or lose consciousness, or they may be unable to respond to their environment or even make eye contact with familiar people or things. Aside from the short- and long-term health problems and disabilities people may suffer as a result of vaccine induced...

The Potentially Deadly Effects of Second Impact Syndrome

Jan 21, 2016

Second impact syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal condition that can result after a second concussion occurs while the brain is still healing from a previous concussion. Second impact syndrome involves brain swelling and bleeding that leads to permanent brain damage or death. It can occur up to several weeks after a concussion diagnosis, according to an article by the University of Washington Medicine. Symptoms of second impact syndrome are similar to concussion symptoms, but...

What Is a Power Morcellator?

Jan 20, 2016

Power morcellators are made by multiple manufacturers, and provide a less-invasive option in gynecological surgeries. They are shaped much like a drill, and can be inserted into a woman’s lower abdomen through a tiny incision. Once inside, during hysterectomies or myomectomies, they work by rapidly spinning blades which shred, grab and/or and chop up organs and tissue for removal through small incisions. The tool has been used with increasing frequency for laparoscopic gynecological surgeries in...

Filing an Asbestos Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

Jan 19, 2016

Asbestos is a naturally mined mineral used for a multitude of industrial, commercial and residential purposes related to heat resistance and insulation for nearly 100 years. When airborne asbestos fibers reach a person’s lungs, they can cause scarring, fibrosis, and lung restriction and impairment. These fibers can result in the development of cancers including mesothelioma, which is virtually always fatal regardless of treatment. Overwhelming evidence shows that asbestos suppliers knew about the potentially deadly effects of...

What is a Negligent Security Lawsuit?

Jan 19, 2016

Owners of property and businesses have a duty to protect their customers and tenants on their premises from unreasonable dangers including criminal acts. An injured person is able to bring a negligent security suit based on the duty imposed on landowners and possessors of property to offer reasonable security measures and protect lawful visitors from foreseeable crimes of third parties. Negligent security assumes that the crime could have been prevented or at least made less likely...

Do Warning Labels Protect Kids From Unsafe Toys?

Jan 15, 2016

You stand in the toy store, shopping for a toddler. A toy label reads: Intended for Children Over Three Years of Age. It’s easy to assume the label means some children younger than three may lack the dexterity or intellectual development to use the toy. Unfortunately, consumers who have been misled in this way could be put in a devastating situation. Warning labels help protect toy manufacturers in injury-related lawsuits, especially when toys contain warnings about...

When a Flu Vaccine Allergic Reaction is Life-Threatening

Jan 14, 2016

Vaccines save lives and protect us from the spread of disease, especially during flu season. People are vaccinated every day without problems, but a serious vaccine injury can occur on very rare occasions. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening, whole-body reaction that can start minutes or hours after a person receives a vaccination. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate action. This rare but severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine — and numerous other vaccines — is often...

4 Ways Parents Can Protect Little Ones From Unsafe Toys

Jan 14, 2016

When a toy has undetected dangers, a child can sustain a serious injury in seconds. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has estimated that more than 250,000 toy-related injuries were treated in emergency departments and 11 deaths occurred because of dangerous toys in 2014. Below are a few tips to identify possible dangers before giving a toy to a child. An unforeseen manufacturing defect can also be the cause of a child’s toy-related...

What is Perinatal Hypoxia and is It a Preventable Birth Injury?

Jan 13, 2016

Perinatal hypoxia, meaning the lack of oxygen to an unborn child during labor and delivery, can occur if signs of certain complications during labor and/or delivery are not caught in time by medical staff. This dangerous oxygen deficiency in an infant can have life-threatening effects. The condition can cause long-term neurological complications that range from behavioral deficits to severe seizures and cerebral palsy, according to an article published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology. For...