PA Law Blogs

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

Jackie Fedeli — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:33:15 +0000

Two years after the creation of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was established to control the supply and demand of vaccines and to maintain an accessible and efficient system for individuals injured by vaccines to receive compensation.

The VICP is a no-fault alternative to the traditional tort system argued in civil or federal courts.

The Vaccine Injury Compensation program compensates individuals for vaccine related injuries, and their families for vaccine related deaths from vaccines which were administered on or after the date the program was established, October 1, 1988.

One of the most common vaccine linked injuries is Guillan-Barre Syndrome from administration of the flu vaccine. Anaphylaxis or Anaphylactic shock have been associated with a number of vaccines including DTaP, MMR, and Hepatitis B antigen-containing vaccines.

A complete list of covered vaccines and injuries can be found on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website. http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/vaccinetable.html

What OxyElite Pro and Jack3d Users Should Know About Two Potentially Dangerous Problems

Michael Monheit — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:14:45 +0000

You may want to take OxyElite Pro or Jack3d to promote weight loss or body building. However, before you take the supplement it is important to understand the potential risks. While different side effects to major organs have been reported as concerns, this post will deal with just two possible risks. Those risks include heart palpitations and rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis OxyElite Pro and Rhabdomyolysis Jack3d

If a Jack3d or OxyElite Pro user suffers rhabdomyolysis then he or she is suffering from the rapid breakdown of muscle. The primary goal of treatment is to make sure that the kidneys can still function. Fatality rates depend on a number of factors including finding the cause of the condition and stopping further damage from occurring.

Heart Palpitations OxyElite Pro and Heart Palpitations Jack3d

Users of OxyElite Pro or Jack3d may have the feeling that their hearts are racing or pounding. This is known as heart palpitations. Heart palpitations alone may not be dangerous, but if they occur in combination with loss of consciousness or other symptoms then they may be serious.

If you have any symptoms of rhabdomyolysis or if you experience heart palpitations then it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and to inform your doctor that you have been taking Jack3d or OxyElite Pro so that you can be treated appropriately.

Why is Actos Still on the Market?

Michael Monheit — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:12:53 +0000

If you have diabetes, or love someone with diabetes, then you have likely read an article, spoken with a doctor, or heard a news story about Actos that caught your attention and you likely have questions.

For example, you might hear the evening news and find yourself asking Actos causes what type of bladder cancer? The answer is a type of bladder cancer that is dangerous and may be life threatening.

You might read the newspaper and wonder why is Actos still on the market? The simple answer to that question is because the FDA has not recalled the drug and the drug manufacturer has not voluntarily withdrawn the drug from the United States market. Other countries, such as France and Germany, have taken Actos off the market.

Just because Actos is still on the market does not necessarily make it the right drug for you. If you have diabetes please talk to your doctor about which drug is right for you.

New England Journal of Medicine Says Fosamax May Do More Harm When Used Long-Term

Jackie Fedeli — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:22:46 +0000

Last Week, ABC News Reported on a Government Study featured in the New England Journal of Medicine on the long term-use of osteoporosis drugs. The study found that after using Bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax or Actonel for more than 5 years, women may be more at risk for suffering a femur fracture.

Dr. Richard Besser told Diane Sawyer that for some women Fosamax is a great drug. This may be a good treatment option for post-menopausal women who have sever osteoporosis but not for women younger woman with mild bone loss.

Either way, you should still consult with your doctor every three to five years, to make sure that the medication you are taking is still the right treatment for you.

For more information on Osteoporosis medications and femur fractures, please visit: http://www.anapolschwartz.com/practices/Fosamax/

Anapol Schwartz Attorney Nominated for PAJ Treasurer

Jackie Fedeli — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:45:20 +0000

Thomas Anapol, Co-Chair of Anapol Schwartz’s Mass Tort department has been nominated for Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice. Tom has served in various positions for the PAJ as a Board of Governor for the Association since 2005 and is its current chair of its Business Partners Committee.

Elections will be held during the first day of the PAJ Retreat in Hershey Pennsylvania at their Annual Meeting on June 28^th.

The PAJ will also elect a new Vice President and Secretary during the annual meeting, as well as PAJ Representatives, and LAWPAC Trustees.

For more information on the PAJ Retreat, Please visit: http://www.pajustice.org/temp/ts_3D33E3D4-BDB9-505B-DC13C274A76F87663D33E3E4-BDB9-505B-DC3D4DCF8606EA3E/3PageFlyer542012.pdf

Larry Coben Tells NY Times Recent Deaths May Help Build Case Against NFL

Jackie Fedeli — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:13:24 +0000

Three Weeks ago, sports fans were saddened by the tragic suicide of Ray Easterling, a former football player for the Atlanta Falcons. Two weeks later, football fans took another blow with the shocking death of former San Diego Chargers linebacker, Junior Seau by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Easterling was the one of the lead plaintiff’s in a case alleging that the NFL and the manufacturer of the helmets used, deliberately concealed information on the lasting impact of concussions. It was Easterling’s wish that his brain be studied and examined for a link between degenerative brain cells and football injuries. A recent NY Times Article announced that the family of Junior Seau would like to do the same.

Easterling and Seau will not be the first football players do donate their brains to science. In 2011, Dave Duerson, a former Chicago Bears Player who also took his own life with a gunshot wound to the chest, stated in his suicide note that he wanted to leave his brain to the study of football head injuries. Scientists determined that Duerson suffered from CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. CTE is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes with a history of repetitive brain trauma. Symptoms of CTE are known to be very similar to those exhibited by patients with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gherig’s disease. In fact, after studying a number brains of former players with ALS as their original cause of death, it was determined that they actually suffered from CTE, not ALS.

Anapol Schwartz Attorney, Larry Coben told the NY Times that he believes that the death of Seau could incline other players to join in the Multi-District Litigation. Coben says the players that have gotten involved in the Litigation have done so because they’re worried about their families and they believe that organizing together is the best way to address the issue.

Larry Coben has almost 40 year experience for litigating high profile brain and spinal cord injury cases, and focuses on helmet failure, crashworthiness, seat belt failure, seat back failure, failure of airbags to deploy, ejection and sudden acceleration.

Mass Tort Luncheon Designed for Non-Mass Tort Lawyers

Jackie Fedeli — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:38:45 +0000

The Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association will host its next Luncheon on May 16th titled ‘Finding The Mass Tort Case for Non-Mass Tort Lawyers” Anapol Schwartz Attorneys Thomas Anapol and Gregory Spizer will be presenting during this CLE and will cover such topics as:

Current & Emerging Mass Torts
Multi-District Litigation vs. State Consolidation
Controlling Statutes & Relevant Case Law
Dangers & Pitfalls of Drug & Device Litigation

Anapol Schwartz was named one of Philadelphia’s Top Mass Tort firms for 2011-2012.

Attendees will receive 1 substantive Law Credit. Lunch is also included.

For more information on attending this luncheon, please visit: http://www.philatla.org/PHL/

Send One of a Million Messages for Youth Traffic Safety

Jackie Fedeli — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:02:38 +0000

This Week, the National Organization for Youth Safety, (NOYS) kicked off Global Youth Traffic Safety Month by being part of the “Million Messages in May” campaign.

In honor of Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, “Million Messages in May” is capitalizing on the popularity of social networking sites, Facebook & Twitter, to get a million messages out to teens and young drivers throughout the world.

NOYS is joined in the initiative by WM Marketing, a cause related marketing company, Genesis Marketing and Consulting, a strong believe of marketing through relationship building, and a number star atheletes and actors.

Athletes enlisted in cause include: Nascar Driver, Tayler Malsom; NBA Players Chase Budinger, Stephen, Curry, Corey Maggette, Anthony Toliver and Nolan Smith; and Pro Skateborder Greg Lutzka. Also, ready to help were a list of television stars, Tatyana, Ali, Noah Munchk, Christa Orecchio, andBryton James of “The Young and the Restless”.

NOYS’ goal with the Million Messages in May Campaign is to raise awareness of Global Youth Traffic Safety Month and empower teens to develop and implement traffic safety projects that will not only provide peer to peer education, but also lead them to advocate for stronger teen driving safety laws.

For more information on NOYS or to get involved in Youth Safety, please visit: http://www.noys.com/default.aspx

Distracted Driving—Changing Teen Driving Behaviors Through Role Play Exercises

Michael Monheit — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:25:48 +0000

As part of the national effort to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving Anapol Schwartz attorneys have gone to local high schools to talk with students. Armed with the EndDD.org presentation developed by the Casey Feldman Foundation and the researchers at Philadelphia’s Children’s Hospital’s Center for Injury Research and Prevention, the Anapol Schwartz attorneys have found that many of the teens have been driven by distracted drivers and have feared for their safety, but often have not felt comfortable enough to speak up for their safety.

“That is why it is so important to give the students the experience of learning how to ask a distracted driver to stop using the cell phone or eating or doing a myriad of other activities that take the hands off the wheel and the eyes off the road,” said Joel Feldman, a partner at Anapol Schwartz. “The role play exercise we use with the EndDD.org presentations involves having a teacher play the role of a distracted driver, and a student the front seat passenger whose mission is to try to get the driver to stop driving distracted. Students and faculty enjoy the exercise and have said that it empowers the student by teaching them how to speak up, what to say and that the experience of being afraid when being driven by a distracted driver is not unique, but shared by most of the students.”

What is Whiplash?

Michael Monheit — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:41:15 +0000

The term whiplash is often used to describe something that happens very suddenly. However, whiplash is more than that. Whiplash is an injury that occurs suddenly. Often whiplash happens in rear end car accidents when a driver or passenger in the front car is suddenly hit from behind. The collision can cause a person’s head to suddenly move backward than forward.

The result can be significant neck pain. The neck pain may be treated with rest and over the counter pain relief. Some patients may require prescription drugs and physical therapy. While many car accident victims will recover fully from whiplash injuries, others will suffer from chronic neck pain.

If you suffer neck pain after a Pennsylvania car accident then it is important to talk to your doctor about your possible injuries and treatment.