Tag: legal

How to Select Ortho Evra Lawyers and Attorneys

Selecting Ortho Evra Lawyer Drug Toxic Chemicals

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How to Select Ortho Evra Lawyers and Attorneys

Filing an Ortho Evra lawsuit on your own against a billion dollar drug manufacturer, Johnson and Johnson, and others in the chain of distribution, is an overwhelming task, which is why hiring an expereinced attorney is your best investment towards a successful claim. An experienced Ortho Evra lawyer can bring a lot to the table: (1) knows what parties can be sued; (2) knows the value of your claim and if it is worth pursuing in court; (3) is further up the learning curve than you in knowing effective trial tactics and settlement possibilities; (4) will know which court to file in, which judge or jury is more sympathetic, (5) knows the insurance industry, including which companies are less likely to settle claims in a given quarter or year, and which ones are most likely to settle, and (6) levels the playing field against equally skilled defense attorneys who can be extremely intimidating.

Suffered harm from Ortho Evra? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

If you act alone, you will put your case at great risk. Even though you are a novice, you will still be held to the same standards and the same deadlines as any attorney. It will take a great deal of research on your part to avoid making procedural errors and to master the nuances of your case with respect to the law. You will need to acquire detailed knowledge of testing and medical procedures. Chances are, your claim will have a better chance of success if you hire an experienced attorney to represent you.

Even if you think the case will be settled before going to trial, you will still need an Ortho Evra attorney for the negotiations. Defense attorneys and adjusters have no particular reason to take your case, or you, as a serious threat. While their negotiators may seem sweet and kind, they will likely get you to unwittingly say things you should not say, things that will hurt your case. An Ortho Evra attorney will discuss the unique aspects of your case with the defense attorneys in order to settle for more money.

When you hire an attorney to handle a pharmaceutical drug case, you generally will not have to pay any money in advance. Your attorney will likely work on a contingency basis, which means he or she takes a certain percentage of the award or settlement. If you lose, the attorney gets nothing. The standard contingency fee will vary from state to state and lawyer to lawyer, but typically ranges from 25% to 40% of the recovery. However, you can negotiate with the injury lawyer for a lower rate.

Suffered harm from Ortho Evra? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

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Ortho Evra Lawsuits Being Settled For Millions, Complaints Continue

Ortho Evra Lawsuits Settled For Millions Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Ortho Evra Lawsuits Being Settled For Millions, Complaints Continue

Lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson over its Ortho Evra birth control patch are being settled for millions of dollars. Legal analysts say that this trend should continue due to the company’s alleged withholding of information that the patch was more dangerous than advertised.
Too much estrogen
Lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson allege that the company knew about the dangers of the Ortho Evra, a once-a-week birth control patch that is advertised as being as safe as traditional daily use birth control pills to avoid pregnancy. In particular, the lawsuits allege that the patch caused deep-vein thrombosis, blood clots in the lungs and legs and pulmonary thrombosis which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. At this time, approximately 20 women, including one 17 year old, have died due to the alleged use of the product.
Settlements
Johnson & Johnson has spent nearly $70 million to settle hundreds of the lawsuits so far, according to Bloomberg News, and many more are pending. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 4,000 lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer. However, as the company continues to settle these lawsuits, more and more women are complaining about the product.
The following complaints were posted on the product review website, www.rateitall.com:
I am 25 years old, do not drink, do drugs, or smoke, and have used Ortho Evra since 2004. I recently suffered a pulmonary embolism as a result, with blood clots in both lungs which almost killed me. Had it not been for the extreme pain in trying to breathe or move, I wouldn’t have gone to the ER and would have died. PLEASE GET OFF THIS DRUG TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!
I would rate this patch a zero. Ladies stay clear away!!! It ruined my life. I tried it out because I thought it was great since I hated taking pills. I was on it for 2 months when I started getting very bad chest pains. One day my fiancée rushed me to the hospital, because my chest hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe and almost passed out. I screamed and cried in pain. When at the hospital, I found out through a CT of the chest that I had bi-lateral pulmonary embolisms in my lungs (blood clots) I was hospitalized for over a week.
I got SO SICK only a couple days after putting on the patch. I got extremely dizzy, nauseous, and weak. I was sweating and having trouble breathing. As soon as I took it off, my symptoms started clearing up within hours. I would never recommend it to anyone!
If you’ve been injured due to the Ortho Evra patch, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law to discuss your situation and options. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential. To speak with an experienced lawyer, please click here. We may be able to help.

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Filing an Ortho Evra Lawsuit and Litigation

Filing Ortho Evra Lawsuit Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Filing an Ortho Evra Lawsuit and Litigation

Finding an attorney experienced in Ortho Evra litigation and other similar pharmaceutical drug litigation is your first major step. An attorney who is well-schooled in drug litigation will know the parties who can be sued. Patients who claimed to have developed blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism, or other illnesses after using the Ortho Evra patch will most likely sue Ortho McNeil or Johnson and Johnson, the makers of the patch.

Suffered harm from Ortho Evra? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

Other potential entities in the distribution chain are the pharmaceutical sales representatives, the testing laboratories, or the pharmacists who fill the prescriptions. You may also have an Ortho Evra patch lawsuit against your health care physician. If you started using the Ortho Evra patch after November 11, 2005 and were not warned about the possibility of developing blood clots or other serious side effects due to the increased level of estrogen, your doctor may be liable for malpractice. Discuss this issue with an Ortho Evra attorney to see if your doctor shares liability with Ortho McNeil or Johnson and Johnson in your particular case.

Getting into the right court is also a consideration. An experienced injury attorney who handles Ortho Evra litigation knows the right forum, judge, and jury who are most sympathetic to your injury. Your Ortho Evra lawyer knows that cases tried in urban areas typically have higher verdicts than those in rural locations and may take that into consideration when filing your claim.

Ortho Evra lawsuits can be very complex, and there is a time period for taking actions (known as the statute of limitations). The limitations period varies by state and depends on the specific facts of each case. If you do not file within that time, you lose your right to sue and your right to recover any money for your injury.

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Ortho Evra Lawsuit – What Is It?

Ortho Evra Lawsuit Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Ortho Evra Lawsuit – What Is It?

Ortho Evra is a contraceptive patch used by approximately 4 million women since 2002, when it first went on sale. The patch contains estrogen at levels that are 60% higher than the pill and, as Ortho McNeil has itself disclosed, this higher level of estrogen poses a greater risk for blood clots and other serious side effects than previously disclosed to women who use it. Blood clots are an accepted risk of birth control pills because estrogen is a known blood coagulant. However, while Ortho McNeil maintains that the patch is as safe as the pill, FDA records show that before the patch was approved for release, the FDA had already noted that incidences of non-fatal blood clots caused by the patch were three times higher than that of the pill.

Suffered harm from Ortho Evra? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

FDA records show that seventeen patch users between the ages of 17 and 30 have suffered fatal heart attacks, blood clots, and possible strokes in the past two years. Dozens more were allegedly affected by the patch, but survived according to 16,000 drug reports filed with the FDA. On November 11, 2005, the FDA announced approval for updated labeling of the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch product. The new labels warns doctors and patients that the patch contains more estrogen than most birth control pills. This warning is important because higher levels of estrogen mean higher levels of risk. The FDA is, at this time, unwilling to ban the product.

Several lawsuits have been filed by families of women who died of or suffered from blood clots while using the patch. The family of a 14-year-old girl who died claim that she was the youngest victim of the patch. A suit by 10 women was filed in 2005, and in 2006 a suit by more than 40 women who claimed hundreds of other suits was filed.

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My credit report is really messed up right now. I’ve heard about companies that can help me to fix it quickly. Does this really work?

companies credit credit problems

My credit report is really messed up right now. I’ve heard about companies that can help me to fix it quickly. Does this really work?

There are indeed legitimate businesses out there that can help you clean up your credit record. Some will contact your creditors, try to consolidate your debts, and put together a repayment plan. They may be able to advise you on bankruptcy and whether your should consider it. Many are non-profit agencies who charge small or even no fees to provide credit counseling. You can locate agencies in your area under Credit & Debt Counseling Services in your yellow page directory. For more information on legitimate credit counselors go to National Foundation of Credit Counseling website.

None of these efforts will instantly repair bad credit. Only the passage of time and care on your part can repair past damage. Credit errors will be erased from your record in 7 years and bankruptcies in 10 years. A good track record in resolving problems and paying on time can improve your credit even more quickly than that.

Unfortunately, there are companies claiming instant cures that are actually scams. The signs of scam include:

Asking you to pay for credit repair services before you’ve received any services from them;
Not telling you what your legal rights are or what you can do for yourself without paying any fees;
Advising you not to contact a credit reporting bureau directly;
Advising you to create a new credit persona by using a new Employer Identification number instead of your Social Security number.

There are firms currently operating on the Internet that are selling “credit repair kits” for $20-130. The actions recommended in some of these materials are illegal (such as concealing your identity) and will only get you into more legal trouble and make your situation worse. Be careful and check out companies you work with thoroughly.

(Reviewed 10.31.2008)

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MRI Dye/Gadolinium Lawsuits: Attorney Provides Advice To Those Exposed

Mri Dye Lawsuits Drug Toxic Chemicals

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MRI Dye/Gadolinium Lawsuits: Attorney Provides Advice To Those Exposed

Gadolinium, the contrast dye used in MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and MRAs (magnetic resonance angiography) has been linked to a debilitating disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). We asked Dan Thornburgh, a Florida attorney whose practice focuses in drug and medical device litigation, for advice on what to do when you’ve been exposed to gadolinium.
Florida Attorney Dan Thornburgh
What should someone do if they’ve been exposed to gadolinium? Thornburgh told us:
If they’ve just been exposed but don’t have symptoms, I would advise them to consult with their doctor about any exposure that increases their risk. They should certainly be aware of the symptoms such as tightening of the skin, limited walking, contractures, reflection and tension problems. If someone with renal or kidney problems who was exposed to it starts to develop these symptoms, they should immediately contact their doctor as well as an experienced attorney.
Thornburgh says that the problem in some instances is that individuals may not know that they have renal insufficiency. He explained, “They may think they have a healthy kidney, but then start to develop these symptoms. There are tests that a doctor can do to determine if NSF is the condition causing these symptoms. Their doctor can determine if doing a punch biopsy is warranted to diagnose the condition.”
How an attorney can help
Thornburgh says an attorney can help in three ways. “First, we’ll do everything we can to make this process easy and fair for you and we will aggressively represent you against the manufacturer. The second would be that if you’ve been harmed by a manufacturer who caused your injury and knew or should have known that their product was going to hurt you, then you should let them know that this isn’t allowed and that you’re going to take a stance against a corporation who may have put profits before your safety and your health.”
Finally, an experienced drug litigation attorney will use a variety of experts to find out what caused your condition. Thornburgh’s firm will talk to nephrologists, epidemiologists and other folks that are familiar with the mechanism of action and how gadolinium can cause this condition.
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MRI Dye/Gadolinium Litigation Update – 4/14/09

Mri Dye Litigation Update Drug Toxic Chemicals

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MRI Dye/Gadolinium Litigation Update – 4/14/09

Dan Thornburgh, a Florida attorney whose practice focuses in drug and medical device litigation, recently sat down with us to provide an update on the nearly 400 hundred lawsuits currently filed against gadolinium manufacturers.
Most lawsuits currently in discovery process
Many of the lawsuits filed are currently in multi-district litigation, or MDL, a procedure which allows a judge to look at the similarities between cases filed throughout the nation. We asked Thornburgh to provide us with a status of the MDL. He said:
It’s currently making its way through the discovery process. Oftentimes what happens is that we have what I call generic discovery rather than case specific discovery. So, we’ll obtain expert witness depositions that were taken from both sides and those generally involve discussions of causation such as whether there is an increased risk, how this is happening and why people are being affected by it.
Incidentally, NSF (Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis) is caused by nothing other than gadolinium exposure. So, it’s not hard to argue that my client, whose been diagnosed with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, was caused by gadolinium exposure – because that’s the only thing that causes it.
There is some case specific discovery going on with the MDL as well and the whole thing is moving forward. What I mean by discovery is conducting interrogatories – which are questions that we get to send to the defendant. They answer or object to answering those questions and they do the same to us.
Discovery also involves requests for production of documents – which is another tool where we ask the defendant to produce documents responsive to a particular request. Finally, it also includes taking depositions – which is a process where we’re allowed to ask questions to directly to their witnesses and they’re allowed to ask our witnesses or plaintiff(s) questions.
Thornburgh says that all of these tools are used to flesh out and understand the facts on both sides and that fact finding process allows us to develop themes or theories and get ready for trial.
How has the FDA been involved?
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has been involved with gadolinium warnings. According to Thornburgh, “The FDA has reviewed the science and ultimately required a black box warning to be added. A black box warning is the most strict warning issued and it was added to gadolinium product labels. So, that’s the first thing you see now instead of having to dig through four pages of labels to find out what some of the risks may be. This is printed at the top of the label in a black box.”
Manufacturers’ deceptive practices
There have been several reports of drug manufacturers hiding clinical studies which produced unfavorable results. We asked Thornburgh whether he’s seen this happening in his practice. He told us, “Yes, some manufacturers do hide their studies. In addition, some, and I’m not referring to any one manufacturer specifically, hire what we call ghost writers. They pay doctors, who claim to be independent, a sum of money to write an article or do a study. Then, the company will actually write the study and the ghostwriter or doctor who was paid to do it will sign his or her name to it. It’s very deceptive and very concerning.”
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MRI Dye/Gadolinium Side Effects

Mri Dye Side Effects Drug Toxic Chemicals

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MRI Dye/Gadolinium Side Effects

Gadolinium is a contrast agent used to enhance the images on MRIs and MRAs. While there are several companies that manufacture gadolinium products, all of these products have the potential to lead to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) – a serious and potentially deadly side effect of gadolinium exposure. Dan Thornburgh, a Florida attorney whose practice focuses in drug and medical device litigation, provided more information in a recent interview.
What is gadolinium?
Gadolinium is a contrast agent used to enhance the images on MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and MRAs (magnetic resonance angiography), according to Thornburgh. “When a doctor orders an MRI to rule out or rule in certain conditions, they use a type of x-ray machine to enhance images. Gadolinium is a contrast agent used in these procedures to enhance those images. It’s a chemical or toxin that is not found in the human body.”
Who manufactures gadolinium?
There are several manufacturers, according to Thornburgh. “General Electric manufactures Omniscan, Bayer manufactures Magnivist, Tyco manufacturers OptiMark and Bracco manufactures both Multihance and Prohance.”
Potential deadly side effects
Thornburgh told us that gadolinium, when used in patients with certain health conditions such as kidney failure, kidney insufficiency and liver transplant cases, the toxic gadolinium doesn’t move through the body as fast as somebody with normal kidney functions. He explained:
As a result, some people have developed conditions called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). People with underlying kidney or liver disease are at an increased risk of developing this condition which can be life altering and can even result in death.
People with this condition develop sort of a woody hard skin, lesions on their body, dark patches on the body and have burning and itching sensations. The hardening process also causes contractures which can become so serious that individuals have a hard time moving, and in some cases, can’t ambulate at all.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. The lesions that develop on the skin can also develop in organs of the body and this can lead to organ failure. So some of the cases where we see people dying from the drug or from the condition have been from organ failure because it has moved to organs or due to falls because the contractures are so bad that their ability to move has become so limited that they fall and suffer a head injury.
No cure for NSF/NFD
There is no cure for NSF/NFD, according to Thornburgh. “NSF is a fairly new disease. There are no cures to my knowledge. There are treatments but they are limited and are really done to help alleviate the pain and the suffering that these people are going through.”
400 product liability lawsuits filed
There are approximately 400 product liability lawsuits currently pending against gadolinium manufacturers which allege that these companies knew about the risks, but failed to warn consumers. Thornburg said, “It’s terrible and again, we see the same problem in this drug as we do in all these cases. The companies who manufacture these products have a duty to find out what risks are associated with the product. Yet, they either find out what the risks are and don’t warn consumers about it or they do everything they can not to test for the risks.”
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Drug Warnings: Fosamax Side Effects and Risks

Fosamax Side Effects Risks Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Drug Warnings: Fosamax Side Effects and Risks

Merck’s drug Fosamax is used to increase bone density, but recent studies have indicated that it and other bisphosphonates may also cause Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), a condition where the tissue of the jaw bone dies and is unable to repair itself.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has known for a long time that Fosamax can cause irritation of the esophagus. The FDA issued a MedWatch alert about that in 1996. In September 2004, the FDA and Novartis, the manufacturer of another bisphosphonate, issued warnings to health professionals for another more serious problem, that there is a potential for ONJ in patients treated with bisphosphonates in chemotherapy. In 2004, the FDA found 139 bisphosphonate-related ONJ cases, mostly associated with two drugs Aredia and Zometa, but 12 cases were related to Fosamax, identifying ONJ as a possible Fosamax side effect.
Suffered harm from Fosamax? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.
By October 28, 2005, 1,600 cases of bisphosphonate-related ONJ had been reported to the FDA. In January 2005, the FDA asked Merck to change the label for the drug to include a Fosamax warning about ONJ. Critics claim that the “label” in question is actually a 22-page document that is sent to pharmacies. The warning, which appears on page 13, gives no real warning to consumers.

Check out the following articles for more information about Fosamax, filing a Fosamax lawsuit and finding a Fosamax attorney.

For more information about Fosamax, see Drug Overview: Fosamax Side Effects and Claims
For more information about Fosamax side effects, see Fosamax Side Effects – Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
For more information about Fosamax updates, see Fosamax Information and Warnings
If you would like to learn more about Fosamax lawsuits, see Fosamax Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers
To learn more about Fosamax attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring a Fosamax Attorney and Lawyer

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Fosamax Side Effects – Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)

Fosamax Side Effects Drug Toxic Chemicals

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Fosamax Side Effects – Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)

Fosamax, along with other bisphosphonates, can cause Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), also known as Dead Jaw. Fosamax’s action to prevent bone from repairing itself in the normal way can cause death of the tissue in the jawbone, and eventual disintegration of the bone itself. The first symptom of ONJ is often the exposure of discolored areas of the jawbone.
The primary risk factors for ONJ are:
1) Taking bisphosphonates, in IV form or by tablet, for a long period of time;
2) Using steroids with bisphosphonates;
3) A previous history of cancer, osteoporosis, or Paget’s disease;
4) Dental procedures such as extractions or dental implants.
Suffered harm from Fosamax? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.
People who take bisphosphonates intravenously as part of chemotherapy for cancer treatment are more likely to develop ONJ, at least in the short term. The damage from ONJ in those situations is usually so severe that the bone doesn’t recover. People who take bisphosphonates orally in products like Fosamax develop ONJ less frequently, though long-term use Fosamax may result in higher rates. When ONJ develops from the bisphosphonates taken orally can sometimes be treated and reversed. It’s important to be aware of ONJ as a possible Fosamax side effect.
You should always inform your dentist if you have taken bisphosphonates in any form, particularly if you need to have an invasive treatment like an extraction. It may be best to stop taking bisphosphonates before having those procedures. You should discuss this with your dentist. It’s also important to practice very careful oral hygiene, see your dentist regularly, and get help immediately if you have pain or any difficulty with your jawbone.
Check out the following articles for more information about Fosamax, filing a Fosamax lawsuit and finding a Fosamax attorney.
For more information about Fosamax, see Drug Overview: Fosamax Side Effects and Claims
To find out more about the FDA warning, see Fosamax Side Effects and Risks
For more information about Fosamax updates, see Fosamax Information and Warnings
If you would like to learn more about Fosamax lawsuits, see Fosamax Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers
To learn more about Fosamax attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring a Fosamax Attorney and Lawyer
Suffered harm from Fosamax? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.

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