October 31, 2008

Report: More Marine Deaths From Motorcycle Crashes In Past 12 Months Than Iraq Combat

Motorcycle accidents during the past 12 months have killed more Marines than combat duty in Iraq, a new report says.

The alarming death rate has prompted military officials to call a meeting to address the issue. Since last November, 25 U.S. Marines have died in motorcycle crashes, compared to 20 Marines killed during fighting in Iraq. All but one of the motorcycle wrecks involved a so-called "sport bike," which can easily exceed 100 mph.

If you’re dealing with fallout from a motorcycle wreck, you should consider speaking with the experienced South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm. We have represented motorcycle crash victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959, and we know our clients are often at a difficult time in their lives. We can help our clients be fairly compensated for a serious motorcycle crash, including money to pay medical bills, repair costs, missed work and other financial costs the accident caused; compensation for a serious injury or permanent disability; and compensation for your pain and suffering.

For a confidential case evaluation, call us today at 1 866-410-5656.

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October 22, 2008

Infant Death Prompts Recall of More than 1.5 Million Cribs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the voluntary recall of about 1.5 million cribs following the death of an 8-month-old child.

Two separate drop side cribs made by Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, New York are involved in the recall notice.

The CPSC said 600,000 drop side cribs were being recalled because the crib’s drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged, causing an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers. An 8-month-old child suffocated when the drop side of his crib detached. CPSC also said there had been one child entrapment and one incident in which the drop side detached due to a disengaged spring peg.

The recall involves all Delta drop side cribs manufactured prior to 2006 that use “Crib Trigger Lock with Spring Peg” drop side hardware design. The recalled model numbers and country of origin include: 4340, 4343, 4520, 4600, 4620, 4624, 4625, 4629, 4660, 4665, 4720, 4750, 4751, 4850, 4855, 4857, 4880, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-2B, 4925-6, 4980, and 8605. The model number, country of origin and manufacture dates are located on top of the mattress support board. The recalled cribs have Delta’s name and address on the mattress support boards and Delta’s logo on the teether rail.

The cribs, made in China, were sold at major U.S. retailers from January 2000 through January 2007.

The recall notice can be found here.

The second recall involving 985,000 Delta Enterprise Drop Side Cribs is to replace missing safety pegs. Failure to use or install safety pegs can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers.

In addition to the death of an 8-month-old child, there have been two entrapments and nine disengagement incidents in cribs where the safety pegs were missing.

The recall involves all Delta cribs manufactured in Taiwan or Indonesia, with the “Crib Trigger Lock with Safety Peg” drop side hardware design. These model numbers and country of origin can be located on the mattress support board label: 4320, 4340, 4500, 4520, 4530, 4532, 4540, 4542, 4550, 4551, 4580, 4600, 4620, 4624 (production dates 01/06 thru 11/07), 4640, 4660, 4720, 4735, 4742, 4750 (production dates 01/95 thru 12/00), 4760, 4770, 4780, 4790, 4820, 4840, 4850, 4860, 4880, 4890, 4892, 4900, 4910, 4920, 4925-2, 4925-6, 4930, 4940, 4943, 4944, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4958, 4963, 4968, 4969, 4980.

The recalled cribs have date codes ranging from 1995 through December 2005 and one model (4624) was made in 2007. The model numbers are located on the top of the mattress support board.

The cribs, which were made in Taiwan and Indonesia, were sold at major retailers, including Walmart, Kmart and Target.com from January 1995 through September 2007 for about $100. These cribs have also been found to be sold secondhand. Cribs currently sold at retail are not involved.

The second recall notice is here.

The CPSC and Delta have urged parents and caregivers to immediately stop using cribs that are missing a safety peg on any leg of the crib and contact Delta to receive a free, easy-to-install repair kit. The kit will include safety pegs in a bold color and warning labels to be affixed to the mattress board. Consumers with cribs that have all safety pegs installed may continue to use the cribs; however, CPSC recommends that these consumers contact Delta for the repair kit for future assembly purposes. Call Delta toll-free at (800) 816-5304 or log on www.cribrecallcenter.com to order the free replacement kit.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a defective product, you have the right to ask the manufacturer for money to cover your medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering and any permanent disability or loss. In order to protect that right, you should speak with the experienced product injuries attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. We have more than 40 years of experience helping injured South Carolinians seek justice, and we’re committed to ensuring that you get the legal representation you need. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

October 16, 2008

Legal Experts Predict Increase In Lawsuits Over Heart Drug Trasylol

The drug Trasylol was used during open-heart surgery to reduce blood loss in thousands of patients. However, the FDA suspended sales of the drug in 2007 over a possible link to kidney failures, heart attacks and strokes.

Because so many heart surgery patients received Trasylol during the 14 years it was on the market, attorneys told legal newspaper Lawyers USA that litigation is likely to develop into a mass tort.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a dangerous pharmaceutical product like Trasylol, you should speak with an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney like the ones at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your case; protect your legal right to the courts; and stand by your side throughout the legal process. For a free consultation, call the Columbia SC Defective Drug Lawyers at Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656.

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October 9, 2008

Patient Awarded $9.8 Million For Malpractice During Heart Surgery

A Lexington, KY hairdresser who became paraplegic after a routine heart surgery has been awarded $9.89 million in the largest medical malpractice verdict ever in Fayette County.

The plaintiff had valve surgery in April 2006. The surgery took less than an hour and was successful, but medical experts testified that the surgeon misplaced a hose to a machine that pumps blood during the surgery, causing too much blood and oxygen to be pumped to her right hand -- and too little to her brain and thoracic spinal cord.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by the carelessness of a medical professional, you should speak with an experienced South Carolina medical malpractice attorney like the ones at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your case; protect your legal right to the courts; and stand by your side throughout the legal process. For a free consultation, call the Columbia SC Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656.

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