InjuryBoard Mobile Archives

• FDA Official Recommends Antibiotic Withdrawal

  Staff Writer | July 23, 2006 2:19 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

  The 2004 approval of the antibiotic Ketek, is a "mistake," according to FDA safety official Dr. David Graham. Graham suggested immediate withdrawal of the controversial antibiotic, citing its toxicity and lack of adequate safety research. Over five million prescriptions have been written for Ketek, which has been linked to reports of liver damage, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and death.

• Medical Device Manufacturer Settles Kickback Charges

  Staff Writer | July 23, 2006 2:17 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  An unidentified whistleblower filed suit in Federal District Court against medical device manufacturer Medtronic. The suit claims the company's spinal-plant division gave doctors kickbacks to encourage the use of its products. The company settled the first of two similar lawsuits for $40M.

• Widespread Medication Errors Affect Millions

  Staff Writer | July 23, 2006 2:16 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Medical Malpractice

  The Institute of Medicine performed a research study that found approximately 1.5 million people are harmed from errors in prescribing, dispensing, and taking of medication. The report stated that errors could be prevented with improved prescription technology, disclosure of drug information, and packaging. Over $3.5 billion is spent treating drug-related injuries annually, according to report...

• Privacy Suit Against AT&T Still Stands

  Staff Writer | July 23, 2006 2:15 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  A lawsuit over AT&T's cooperation with a government surveillance program will still proceed after federal judge Vaughn Walker rejected the Bush administration's motion to dismiss. In a separate motion, AT&T argued that their government relationship exempted them from prosecution. Judge Walker also rejected that motion, adding that the rulings did not reflect his confirmation of the accusations.

• Alabama crewman dies in fall from rig

  Staff Writer | July 23, 2006 2:13 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Workplace Injuries

  Eighteen-year-old Benjamin Sutherland of Concord died Friday when he fell from the rigging of the Vineyard Haven schooner Alabama to the deck. Mr. Sunderland was in his first year as crew on the 90-foot passenger vessel. The Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office in Providence is investigating the accident.

• Growing Concern Over Abusive Debt Collection Tactics

  Staff Writer | July 11, 2006 2:22 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  Debt collection agencies often buy debt from established companies for only pennies on the dollar. There is growing concern among government regulators that these agencies are using aggressive and sometimes abusive tactics to collect debt even if they could not determine that the debt is valid. One couple sued a CA based collection agency after being harassed by a collector who also posed as a...

• Katrina Victims Demand Coverage From Insurers

  Staff Writer | July 11, 2006 2:21 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  A MS couple sued Nationwide Mutual for denying an uninvestigated claim involving damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. In this and thousands of other MS cases, Nationwide has blamed the damage on water and asserts the company has "fully complied with its obligations." The non-jury trial may pioneer future Katrina victims' payouts from other insurers denying similar coverage.

• Treatment of Allstate Claimants in Question

  Staff Writer | July 11, 2006 2:20 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  Trial lawyers allege that Allstate Insurance bullies policyholders with unreasonable ultimatums. The issue centers on a policy-handling scheme in which victims are given low-ball settlements or are forced to face costly, lengthy litigation. Allstate denies all charges but may face a $800M class action lawsuit.

• Study Finds Tylenol May Elevate Liver Enzyme Levels

  Staff Writer | July 05, 2006 10:38 AM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen, otherwise known as Tylenol, can elevate liver enzyme levels. This increase suggests the presence of disease according to the study. The lead author said an overdose of acetaminophen can lead to severe liver damage but noted that the drug has a "long track record of...