Modern consumer products and medical devices as well as prescription and over the counter drugs are useful in promoting both safety and good health and also treating and controlling many illnesses and injuries. Often these products help alleviate pain and suffering, sometimes even saving lives. For this we should all be thankful.

However, far too often the manufacturers and distributors – in a rush to market products – fail to adequately test their products or warn potential users of possible harmful or even fatal side effects and dangers. In so doing, these product manufacturers place huge profits ahead of your health and safety. Sadly in some instances the health and safety of your children are also adversely affected by their greed.

We are still taking cases involving:

  • Nursing home COVID outbreaks
  • Asbestos and mesothelioma
  • Ovarian, lung and other cancers involving talcum powder
  • Defective hernia mesh
  • Paragard IUD complications
  • Birth defects involving Zofran and Zoloft

The following commercial consumer products, medical devices and prescription/over the counter drugs are currently being considered for legal action by our law office. Click on a topic below, for more information:

Toxic Weed Killers

Paraquat® is one of the most popular herbicides in the country, but some farmers and agricultural workers believe the weed killer caused them to develop Parkinson’s Disease. Paraquat is sold under multiple trade names such as Gramoxone, Ortho- Paraquat, Para-SHOT, Parazone, Quick-Quat, Firestorm and Helmquat. If you or a loved one is or was a licensed applicator or worked for a licensed applicator of this herbicide and later developed Parkinson’s, you may have a claim.

In addition to Paraquat, thousands of people have filed lawsuits alleging popular weed killer Roundup® caused their non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Contact us if you believe you, too, may be affected.

Recalls

Royal Philips recently recalled several of its sleep apnea machines due to concerns that sound abatement foam within the machines may release toxic gasses and particles if the foam degrades. If inhaled, the dangerous toxins may cause health effects, including chronic respiratory issues and cancer.

Reach out to us if you have reason to believe a sleep apnea machine caused you or a loved one to develop complications.

For a list of recalled sleep apnea machines and/or to register for Royal Philips’ replacement and repair program, click here.

New Takata recalls continue to be announced. Affected manufacturers include BMW, Audi, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota. Hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths have been reported worldwide.

We are also reviewing reports of defective airbags that may fail to deploy in a wreck due to “electrical overstress.” NHTSA is investigating more than 12.3 million vehicles manufactured by Fiat Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi and Toyota.

NHTSA is also investigating more than 500,000 Nissan Rogue vehicles due to unprompted automatic emergency braking, alleged to have caused crashes and some injuries.

If you haven’t already, take time to visit SaferCar.gov and search your vehicle’s VIN for any vehicle defects to ensure your family’s safety.

Potentially Dangerous Medical Drugs & Devices

The FDA approved Xeljanz® and Xeljanz XR® (tofacitinib) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PSA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and ulcerative colitis (UC). A recent clinical trial, however, found elevated risks of side effects in people who took a 10 mg dosage twice a day, including deadly blood clots, heart problems, cancer or even death. Medications Olumiant® and RinvoqTM share mechanisms of action with Xeljanz and may also have dangerous side effects.

If you took Zantac, or a generic version in addition to the name-brand drug and were later diagnosed with prostate cancer (before age 65), or digestive tract cancers like stomach, bladder, kidney, pancreatic, esophageal, or colon cancer, you may have a claim.

Potential complications of the Multiple Sclerosis medication include serious inflammatory brain disorders causing fever, seizures, changes in behavior, confusion, disorientation and potentially death.

Some diabetes patients have developed aggressive pancreatic cancer after being prescribed and taking a class of diabetes medication known as incretin mimetics, including Victoza® (liraglutide).

Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitor medications may cause an increased risk of kidney failure, and possibly death. Medications include:

  • Invokana® (canagliflozin)
  • Invokamet® (canagliflozin and metformin)
  • Farxiga® (dapagliflozin)
  • Xigduo XR® (dapagliflozin and metformin extended-release)
  • Jardiance® (empagliflozin)
  • Glyxambi® (empagliflozin and linagliptin)
  • Synjardy® (empagliflozin and metformin)

Some patients have also suffered health effects due to over and/or underdosing of insulin caused by potentially defective Medtronic Insulin Pumps.

ELMIRON® Some patients, particularly women, who took Elmiron to treat their bladder pain, inflammation or interstitial cystitis later developed a novel eye disease that is sometimes misdiagnosed as age-related macular degeneration (among other misdiagnoses). If you developed permanent vision complications after taking Elmiron, you may have a claim. Elmiron-associated eye damage and complications may include:

  • Difficulty reading
  • Difficulty adapting to changes in light
  • Blurred vision (often centrally in the patient’s field of vision)
  • Dark spots in center of vision, blind spots or floaters
  • Straight lines appearing curved or squiggly
  • Muted, less vivid colors
  • Changes in the color of the eye

Dangerous Inclined Sleepers

Fisher-Price recently recalled its 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Glide Soother following four infant deaths. The toy company also recalled its 2-in-1 Soothe ‘n Play Glider. Inclined sleepers, gliders, soothers, rockers, and swings, can be dangerous because they can cause infants to suffocate in their sleep. If your baby or that of a loved one was harmed by a defective product, contact us.