Many of us keep plastic gas cans in our garage or storage sheds. Unfortunately, most plastic gas cans are made without a safety feature known as a flame arrestor. The lack of a flame arrestor on a plastic gas can creates a dangerous condition, which could result in the gas…
A study published recently in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society concluded that 1 out of 5 newly admitted nursing home residents falls within one month of their admission. The study also found that the higher the levels of staffing with certified nursing assistants (CNAs), the lesser the risk…
Ethicon, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and manufacturer of pelvic mesh products, advised the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week that it is recalling four of its mesh, pelvic floor repair products. Additionally, Ethicon is asking the FDA for 120 days to “cease commercialization” of…
The Boston Globe recently published a series on the overuse of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. Those of us who represent victims of abuse and neglect in nursing homes refer to this as a form of “chemical restraint.” Many nursing homes use antipsychotic drugs to control combative behavior and agitation…
Many of our readers may recall that DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, voluntarily recalled two models of its hip replacement products in August of 2010 because of high failure rates. Since the recall of the DePuy ASR devices, approximately 5,000 lawsuits have been filed against DePuy Orthopaedics…
Hospital acquired infections (HAI), also known as “healthcare-associated infections” or “nosocomial” infections, are infections that patients get while undergoing medical treatment in healthcare facilities. They are infections that are not present and without evidence of incubation at the time the patient is admitted to a healthcare facility. Most infections that…
As our population continues to age, most of us will eventually face the prospect of placing a loved one into institutional care. Traditionally that has meant a nursing home. In the last ten to fifteen years, however, the growth of the assisted living industry has created an alternative to nursing…
A Georgia judge struck a trucking company’s defense in a lawsuit after it was discovered that the trucking company had destroyed evidence. In the case captioned Alegria v. Howard and AAA Cooper Transportation, Inc., pending in the Superior Court of DeKalb County, Georgia, Judge Courtney L. Johnson ruled that AAA…
Manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and co-marketed in the United States by Eli Lilly and Company, Actos is a medication that is prescribed with diet changes and exercise to help regulate blood sugars for patients suffering from Type II diabetes. Prescribed in a daily 15 mg, 30 mg or…
As reported by the Idaho Press Tribune, eighteen year old Taylor Sauer was killed on January 14, 2012 when she rear ended a slow moving semi-trailer. Just minutes before the collision, she posted on her Facebook page “I can’t discuss this matter now. Driving and facebooking is not safe!” Idaho…