Archive for May, 2010

RECALL: PediaCare Children’s Products

hfstaff May 30th, 2010

The FDA and Blacksmith brands have recalled four PediaCare products because they were manufactured by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, in the plant that made the now-recalled children’s liquid Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, and Zyrtec.  Recent FDA inspections found serious problems within the plant, and this current recall was issued as a safety precaution.

The specific items recalled are:

  • PediaCare Multi-Symptom Cold 4oz. UPC # 3 0045-0556-05 9
  • PediaCare Long Acting Cough 4oz. UPC# 3 0045-0465-04 7
  • PediaCare Decongestant 4oz. UPC# 3 0045-0554-04 8
  • PediaCare Allergy and Cold 4oz. UPC# 3 0045-0552-04 4

Consumers who have these products are advised to stop using them.

For more information, including phone numbers to call with questions, see the FDA announcement (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm214005.htm) or the Blacksmith announcement page.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Fayetteville Student Scores Big with Bicycle Safety Video

hfstaff May 27th, 2010

Promoting safety starts with good communication, a little creativity, and a video camera. Terrell Grice, a junior at Douglas Byrd High School, proved just that when he won the HensonFuerst Video Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest, which challenged area teens to produce videos about cycling safety.

“I wanted to show how commonly used excuses for improper bicycle riding can cause detrimental or dangerous results,” said Terrell, who hopes to attend New York Film Academy and pursue a career in filmmaking. “No matter how good an excuse is, it’s not going to keep you safe.”

“We’ve taken an active role in bicycle safety because we know how important it is,” said attorney David Henson. “But it’s so powerful when creative people like Terrell take the lead in getting the word out. All this year’s contestants should be applauded for their efforts.”

During a ceremony at Douglas Byrd High School on May 26, several members of HensonFuerst Law Firm presented Terrell with his prize, which included an Apple MacBook with professional movie-making software and local television placement of his PSA that will air in late May. A $500 donation also was given to Douglas Byrd High School.

“I work with a student film group called The TAG Crew, and we will use the new laptop to create music videos, public service announcements, educational bits, and more!” Terrell explained. “This new laptop will lift a great weight off of my shoulders.”

The contest resulted in many outstanding entries, and the firm included two honorable mention prizes for Jordan Adams of the Durham School of the Arts, and Frank Brechbiel of Sanderson High School. They each received $75 for their entries. Additionally, students who didn’t place in the contest each received $25 for their time and hard work.

Last year’s winner, Clay Allsopp, hasn’t rested since receiving his $1,500 prize. He invested his prize into creating iPhone apps, one of which has been named as one of the “Top 50 Family Games” and has been downloaded more than 100,000 times.

Watch all of the PSAs by visiting the HensonFuerst website at www.lawmed.com/contest.

Popularity: 16% [?]

North Carolina woman involved in several accidents

admin May 27th, 2010

A Rocky Mount woman driving a Dodge Charger along I-40 in North Carolina was involved in several accidents.

According to Star News Online, the driver of the Charger was charged with driving while impaired, hit and run, two counts of reckless driving and two counts of driving without a license.

One of the accidents closed the westbound lane of I-40 for about two hours.

Read more.

What concerns do you have about North Carolina drunk drivers? What consequences do you think someone should face if charged with driving under the influence in North Carolina?

If you or someone you know has been involved in a North Carolina auto accident, the North Carolina auto accident lawyers at HensonFuerst Attorneys can help.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Weight Loss Drug May Cause Severe Liver Injury

hfstaff May 26th, 2010

The weight loss drug orlistat is sold over-the-counter under the brand name Alli, and by prescription under the brand name Xenical. Today, the FDA announced a label change to inform consumers that taking these medications can, in rare instances, cause severe liver injury.

This is quite a different story from the relatively benign side effects reported when the drug was first approved. Back then, the “worst” side effects were flatulence and an inability to control stool, also known as incontinence. (from MedicineNet)

According to the FDA’s review, there have been dozens of cases of serious liver injury, and at least 6 cases of liver failure associated with use of either Xenical or Alli. Two patients died from liver failure, and three required liver transplantation.

The FDA is reluctant to say that the drug definitely caused these cases, saying that other factors might be involved… but these injuries were reported as “adverse events” that happened to people after they took orlistat.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

If you are taking orlistat, talk to your doctor about what the new labeling means for you. If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of liver injury, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately. These include:

  • itching
  • yellow eyes or skin
  • fever
  • weakness
  • vomiting
  • fatigue
  • dark urine
  • light-colored stools
  • loss of appetite

If you have any side effect of taking Xenical or Alli, you can report them to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by visiting http://www.FDA.gov/medwatch (and click on “How to Report).

Click here to read more: FAQs about Orlistat.

If you believe that you have developed liver injury as a result of taking Xenical or Alli, seek medical attention immediately. If you want to explore your legal options, don’t hesitate to call the lawyers of HensonFuerst. If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Inherent Unfairness of “Contributory Negligence”

hfstaff May 25th, 2010

If you are ever in a car wreck, there are three things we all expect to happen:

  1. That law enforcement and emergency services will arrive on the scene quickly;
  2. That you will receive the medical care you need to recover as fully as possible; and
  3. That the justice system will treat you fairly when it comes to recovering damages.

In 46 states, those expectations are likely to be met.  But not in our state. North Carolina maintains an antiquated and inherently unfair law (held over from old common law doctrine from England) called “contributory negligence.”

Contributory Negligence, or “Contrib” means that if you are in a car wreck, you must be completely free from fault in order to be able to make any recovery in a personal injury case. If the person who hit your car was 99% at fault–driving drunk, without a license, while texting–you cannot win a court case if you were even 1% at fault. You’ll get zip, zilch, nada. And it is extremely difficult to prove 100% of anything.

Most other states follow the law of “Comparative Fault,” which allows people to recover damages from those most responsible for causing a wreck. In the case of the texting drunk driver without a license, that person would easily be found to be responsible… and you would be able to recover damages.

LEARN MORE…ACT FOR FAIRNESS

Currently, there is a bill pending in the North Carolina legislature designed to change our system to a Comparative Fault system. The bipartisan House Bill HB 813 aims to move North Carolina into a modern era of fairness. But insurance lobbyists are trying to stop this change by distorting the facts. They say that premiums will go up… but that’s not what has been found in the 46 states that already have Comparative Fault–their insurance rates actually slow down. The insurance lobbyists are resorting to shameful scare tactics.

HensonFuerst encourages you to visit http://www.fairjusticenc.com/ to learn more.

Ask your representatives to support fairness by supporting HB 813. Ask them to be strong and to stand up against the lobbyists. Click here for a list of North Carolina representatives.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Toyota Sneaks In More Lexus Recalls

hfstaff May 24th, 2010

At midnight (EDT) on Saturday, May 21, 2010, Toyota announced the recall of nearly 4,000 additional Lexus vehicles. Way to duck the news cycle!

This latest recall affects late 2009 and some 2010 model year Lexus LS 460 and LS 600hL vehicles in the United States. The problem is with the VGRS system (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)–it is possible that the steering wheel could become temporarily off-centered, especially when making a tight U-turn, making quick change-of-direction turns, or when parallel parking the vehicle.

What to do if your steering wheel becomes off-centered

According to the FAQs provided by Toyota (the parent company of Lexus):

“If the driver notices an apparent steering wheel off-center condition when driving straight, he or she should carefully steer the vehicle and not make any sudden maneuvers.  Steering should be based on the vehicle direction of travel rather than the steering wheel position. The VGRS will correct the steering wheel off-center condition automatically (approximately 5 seconds).”

Seriously, though–a car that has steering issues after a sharp U-turn? Are there any other kinds of U-turns?  FYI, Toyota says that customers will begin receiving notification letters as soon as remedy parts are available.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: What the heck has been going on with Toyota safety engineers?  Several of us at HensonFuerst own Toyota vehicles, and it is beginning to feel like a gamble to drive to work everyday.

We will continue to investigate cases of injury caused by these an other faulty vehicles. If you have been injured in a car wreck, visit our auto page at www.lawmed.com. If you have question, HensonFuerst has answers.

Popularity: 19% [?]

HensonFuerst Cycling Team Saddles Up to Cure Diabetes

hfstaff May 24th, 2010

Diabetes is colorblind and ageless. Anyone at any time can be affected by this disease. In fact, more than 23 million Americans are living with diabetes, which is nearly 2.5 times North Carolina’s population. But unless you’ve experienced the effects of this disease firsthand, it’s nearly impossible to truly understand its devastating nature.

To aid in the fight against diabetes, the HensonFuerst Cycling Team will be joining 500 cyclists in the American Diabetes Association’s North Carolina Tour de Cure on June 5 and 6.

“The primary goal we share by joining in this venture is to raise money to find a cure for diabetes,” said attorney Thomas Henson, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 9. “I have always believed that with greater blessings comes greater responsibility. We do this so we can protect all children from hearing the same words I did when I was young: ‘Son, you have diabetes.’ Don’t underestimate the fear that one sentence can cause…or the power we have to stop this disease.”

In addition to being this year’s Tour chairman, Henson is serving as the captain of the HensonFuerst Cycling Team. Together, they raised more than $14,000 during last year’s event and were named one of the Top 100 Teams and Fund Raisers. This is the team’s fifth year to participate, and they hope to raise more funds than before; they have set an impressive goal of reaching $20,000, all of which will benefit those living with diabetes.

The HensonFuerst Cycling Team includes 22 cyclists, and they’re looking for more riders to join them, have fun, and enjoy the camaraderie of cycling.

About the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure
The Tour de Cure is the nation’s largest event to raise money to fight diabetes, and thousands of riders and teams have participated in the event since its inception in 1991. Last year, more than 40,000 cyclists raised almost $17 million to help prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

The North Carolina Tour de Cure begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 5 at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary, North Carolina, and includes a 150-mile ride for dedicated cyclists in addition to shorter family routes around Cary. (To see the full route, click here: Map My Ride)

The HensonFuerst Health Initiative
To recognize the importance of giving back, the firm established the HensonFuerst Health Initiative, a comprehensive plan that encompasses all of the law firm’s community service efforts. The initiative encourages everyone to prevent injuries, improve health and fitness, and aid organizations committed to bettering health and well-being.

About HensonFuerst
HensonFuerst, P.A., is a North Carolina-based law firm specializing in catastrophic injury, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and mass tort cases. For more than 30 years, the lawyers at HensonFuerst have represented those injured by the negligence of others. With successful multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements throughout the state of North Carolina, the team of 11 lawyers and 30 staff members at HensonFuerst offer considerable experience and resources for their clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.HensonFuerst.com.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Update on a Travesty: Police Captain Fired after DWI

hfstaff May 13th, 2010

According to WRAL.com, Highway Patrol Captain James Williams, Jr., was fired weeks after being pulled over and reported to be “extremely drunk.” This story caught our attention last month when it was reported that when Williams was pulled over, the police officers took him to a hotel instead of charging him.

Fortunately for the public, the two police officers who mishandled the DWI were also fired.

“We take these matters very seriously and will not tolerate this type of conduct,” Highway Patrol Commander Col. Randy Glover said in a statement. “The Highway Patrol is built upon the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism. We expect and demand that all employees, from troopers to supervisors, whether on duty or off duty, abide by the laws of our state and the rules of our organization.” (WRAL story)

We applaud this action. As a personal injury law firm, we meet victims of drunk drivers every day. What a sense of betrayal to think that those who are charged with keeping the public safe are endangering us, instead. It is clear that the investigation is not over–these were not the only personnel involved. HensonFuerst looks forward to hearing the final, just outcome.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Raleigh officer’s door clipped

admin May 13th, 2010

A passing car ripped off the door of a Raleigh police officer’s patrol car but did not injure the officer, according to WRAL.com.

The Raleigh police officer had pulled a vehicle over on Interstate 440 near the Glenwood Avenue exit in Raleigh and was exiting his patrol car when another vehicle drove by and clipped the door, ripping it off the Raleigh police officer’s car.

Read more.

What safety precautions should officers take when they’re on duty? Do you think Raleigh police officers are at higher risks for Raleigh auto accidents? What, if anything, do you think the man in the car that clipped the car door should be charged with?

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Raleigh auto accident, the Raleigh auto accident layers at HensonFuerst Attorneys can help.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Rocky Mount Fun Run for Charities

hfstaff May 13th, 2010

The 2nd Annual Rocky Mount Fun Run for Charities is this Saturday–May 15, 2010–and we are hoping to smash turn-out and fundraising records! Last year, there were more than 500 participants and we raised more than $253,000.

The Fun Run has two purposes: 1) to have fun (obviously!); and 2) to raise money for needy organizations that help improve the quality of life in Rocky Mount. There are four events: a sanctioned 10k race; a sanctioned 5k race; the Kid’s Dash (for children ages 6 and under); and a 1-Mile Walk on the sidewalks around the historic Falls Road neighborhood. The two races begin at 8:00 followed by an awards ceremony at 10:30.

Local musicians will play throughout the morning, and the MC will be a local celebrity–any guesses who?

To register for any of the races, or to donate to this worthy cause, visit the website at http://www.funrunrm.org/.

HensonFuerst is a proud supporter of this event, and many of our employees will participate.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Next »

 

FreeConsultation