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Archive for the ‘ Safety ’ Category

Apr

Join Oprah’s NO PHONE ZONE

HensonFuerst Attorneys support Oprah’s No Phone Zone–a pledge to help end distracted driving by committing to drive as responsibly as possible. This means:

1) NO TEXTING while driving, which is illegal in North Carolina anyway. As of December 1, 2009, it is unlawful to text while operating a vehicle, or to send or receive email.

2) Avoid using the phone while driving. It is illegal for all school bus drivers and all people under age 18 to use cell phone while operating a vehicle–no cell phone use at all.

3) If you must use a cell phone (and you are not under 18), safety guidelines suggest pulling over to the side of the road, OR use only a hands-free device.

Remember that when you use a cell phone, your brain becomes distracted. So even if you have both hands on the wheel, you may run into situations where your reaction time is slowed (or you make poor driving decisions) because you are using the phone.

To sign Oprah’s No Phone Zone pledge, visit her website here: Oprah’s NO PHONE ZONE!

HensonFuerst supports safe driving. As personal injury lawyers who deal with the aftermath of car wrecks, we know that even a split second of distraction can lead to tragedy. Make the safe driving pledge today!

Popularity: 21% [?]

Apr

URGENT: Graco Crib Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a voluntary recall of 217,000 Graco-brand cribs due to risk of infant suffocation, strangulation, and brain injury.

The cribs involved are LaJobi-manufactured Graco wood full-sized, “drop-side” cribs. A full list of model names and numbers can be found on the CPSC website here: Graco Crib Recall Information (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10212.html).

The cribs were sold in retail stores nationwide between February 2007 and March 2010.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact LaJobi to receive a free hardware retrofit kit that will immobilize the drop side. CPSC urges parents and caregivers to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

For additional information, contact LaJobi toll-free at (888) 842-2215 anytime, or visit LaJobi’s Web site.

There have been reports of at least six children falling when the drop side failed, and at least one child suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). If your child was injured by a Graco crib and you have questions about your options, call the compassionate lawyers of HensonFuerst. If you have questions, we have answers. Let us help you protect your child.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Apr

Does Toyota Enjoy Lingering Consumer Pain?

Yes, it has happened again. Toyota has recalled another car: the 2003 Sequoia SUV is being recalled for a problem with its vehicle stability control system. This recall comes a week after Toyota recalled 2010 models of the Lexus GX 460 because it also had stability control issues.

If your model Lexus or Toyota has not yet been recalled, consider yourself lucky. Chances are, you (like me) are unable to relax because you are waiting for the next trickle of bad news.

Come on, Toyota–tell us all the bad news right up front. Don’t you know that it is less painful to rip the bandage off in one fast tug?

If you have been injured in a car wreck due to a Toyota malfunction, call the lawyers at HensonFuerst. We’re here to help.

To read Toyota’s recall information, click here: Toyota recall page.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Apr

HensonFuerst PSA Contest Ready for Your Vote!

The 2010 HensonFuerst PSA (Public Service Announcement) Contest received a bunch of truly outstanding entries from local high school students. The theme of the year is Bicycle Safety.

We have 18 talented finalists. Please go to our voting page (http://www.lawmed.com/contest/vote.php) and submit your vote for the best. All entries are about 28 seconds long, so it will take less than 9 minutes to watch them all.

The winning PSA will be aired on local television, and the winner can choose a prize of a new Mac laptop with movie-making software or a $1,500.00 gift card to a local electronics store. The winner’s school will also receive a donation from HensonFuerst.

So, you can see that the stakes are high! You could help shape the career of a budding director. Vote today!

http://www.lawmed.com/contest/vote.php

Popularity: 15% [?]

Apr

A Truly Appalling Outcome for Drunk Driver

Quick Multiple Choice Quiz: What is the penalty if you are caught driving “extremely drunk” in Raleigh, NC?

A. You are arrested and your car is impounded.

B. Your license is suspended for at least one year.

C. You pay a fine, your insurance rates go up, and you could do time in jail.

D. The friendly police officer drives you to a hotel so you can sleep it off peacefully.

If it were you or me, the answer would be A and B and C. But according to an article in the Raleigh News & Observer, when an off-duty captain (captain!) with the N.C. Highway Patrol was stopped and found to be “extremely drunk,” he was given a ride to a local Best Western motel.

Awww. Wonder if he was tucked in, as well. They must have been BFFs, those two officers of the law. Or is it that everyone who is “on the job” is a BFF with everyone else in law enforcement? How many times has this happened in the past, but without recordings to back up the allegations?

Since this was discovered, Captain James Williams (the one caught driving drunk) had to surrender his badge, vehicle, and uniform while under investigation, which could take “a couple of weeks.”

What on earth could take “a couple weeks”… other than hoping that the public will forget about it? Why can’t this couldn’t be resolved in a day or two? There are telephone and radio traffic recordings, possibly breathalyzer tests, and a Best Western desk clerk to interview. Frankly, the act of driving the captain to the motel seems to be all the evidence needed–why else would that have happened?

At HensonFuerst, we fight hard against drunk drivers every day. We represent people whose lives have been shattered by people who drink and drive and crash. Now, we have to deal with buddy-buddy police officers who protect the drunk cop and put the public at risk. Being a police officer doesn’t convey special powers that allow someone to maneuver a 2000-lb weapon down our highways even while intoxicated.

We ask that there be swift resolution to this investigation, and that the details and outcome be made public. If the story is true, this type of preferential treatment is shameful, appalling, and chilling. We stand on the side of innocent people injured by drunk drivers. Where do the police stand?

Popularity: 20% [?]

Apr

Hospira Recall Involves Two NC Manufacturing Sites

It’s a case of twos: Two pharmaceuticals manufactured in two North Carolina plants have been recalled for a second time in six months due to contamination after equipment failure.

The products (both by Hospira, Inc.) are a numbing agent called Propofol, and an intravenous nutritional product called Liposyn–both sold only to doctors and hospitals. The drugs, which are manufactured in Rocky Mount and Clayton, NC, were recalled on November, 6, 2009… and again on April 16, 2010.

The problem in both recalls is the same: Stainless steel particulates made their way into the pharmaceuticals during the manufacturing process. According to a Hospira press release from the first recall (made available by the FDA):

“Since these particulate contaminants do not dissolve in blood they could potentially act as emboli and impede blood flow. Particulates may also cause mechanical damage to the body and may escalate damage through the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Restriction in blood supply to tissues could lead to stroke, respiratory failure, kidney failure, liver failure, heart attack and/or death.” [emphasis added]

After two inspections by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in early 2010, the FDA issued a warning letter to Hospira citing several inspection violations, with the conclusion that the manufacturing problems continued. This prompted the April 16, 2010, national recall.

According to a report on Raleigh’s WRAL website, Hospira officials said the company is still manufacturing the drugs at the Clayton facility and are waiting for approval from the Food and Drug Administration before further shipments.

If it’s true that they are continuing to manufacture the recalled products before receiving FDA approval, that’s pretty frightening. And potentially dangerous.

Although there have not yet been any reports of patients being harmed by the recalled products, that doesn’t mean that we’re in the clear. If you were a patient and received either of these products while in a hospital or under a doctor’s care, you probably have a lot of questions. If you are worried that you may have suffered harm after receiving Propofol or Liposyn in the past 8 months or so, call HensonFuerst Attorneys.

If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.

Popularity: 29% [?]

Apr

Treatment Center Kills Man with Lethal Drug Overdose

The Raleigh News & Observer reports that a man being treated in a state-run drug treatment center in Butner, NC, after staff members gave him a lethal dose of methadone.

The story took a frightening turn when we learned that there was no reason for the man to have been prescribed methadone in the first place. Methadone is used to treat heroin addiction…but the patient was not addicted to heroin.

Apparently, he survived a low dose of methadone, but a physician increased his dosage. As the victim lay unconscious in his bed, a nurse assumed he was sleeping and ignored this blatant symptom of overdose. The man was found bleeding and unconscious in a bathroom after midnight by another patient.

It raises so many questions: Where was the hospital staff while this man was suffering? Is it common to have patients missing from their beds at midnight, and not be searched for? Are there no checks and balances for physicians and nurses who seem to be running on auto-pilot? Do any of the staff of state-run hospitals care enough to give proper treatment to their patients?

HensonFuerst is outraged by this type of treatment. We devote our lives to helping people who have been injured in this way… but we would be thrilled if these types injuries and deaths never happened in the first place.

While the newspaper article said that it was unclear whether there would be any disciplinary action against the staff, it would be a travesty if no action were taken. Whatever happened to the oath of “do no harm”?

If you or one of your loved ones have been injured while in any medical care facility, call us. HensonFuerst is on your side.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Mar

Another Baby Product Recall!

It seems that baby products are having a hard time these days. Just days after Graco recalled over a million high chairs, there has been an announcement of another recall.

Today, the company Infantino recalled more than 1 million of its baby slings–specifically, the “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” models. These slings are like cushy, little baby hammocks that are worn by the mother, wrapping around her chest. The baby is nestled close to the mother, but frees up the mother’s hands. Tragically, it is possible for some babies to suffocate if the fabric sling covers their airway.

This recall follows a more general announcement earlier this month by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which warned about the general safety of sling-type carriers. The CPSC is investigating sling-related 14 infant deaths that happened over the last 20 years…and CPSC also says that 3 infant deaths have been attributed to Infantino slings.

For more information about the recall, go here: CPSC information page.

And read the full WRAL source story here: WRAL baby sling recall story.

If your child was injured by this or any other product and you’re not sure what to do, call lawyers at HensonFuerst, who are always available to talk with you about product safety issues. At HensonFuerst, if you have questions…we have answers!

Popularity: 22% [?]

Mar

FDA Warning about Zocor

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that taking the popular cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin may–in some cases and in some people–cause muscle damage. While this sounds relatively harmless, the damage sometimes progresses to a severe form called rhabdomyolysis. With this disease (often called “Rhabdo” for short), the damaged muscles release proteins into the blood, which has the potential to cause kidney damage, kidney failure, and death.

You heard right: Taking a drug to lower your cholesterol has the potential to cause death from kidney damage.

Simvastatin is sold under the brand name Zocor, and is paired with other drugs in Vytorin and Simcor.

Rhabdo is a rare but real threat. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, the risk of muscle damage is higher for people who take 80 milligram doses of Zocor… people of Chinese descent…and when simvastatin is combined with other drugs, including niacin and amiodarone (brand names Pacerone and Cordarone). For a full list of potentially dangerous drug combinations, see the LA Times article here.

If you currently take Zocor, do not stop taking the medication without first talking with your doctor. If you have muscle pain or concerns about your medication, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

And if you have been injured from Zocor or other medications, and want to talk with a lawyer, call us for a free consultation. At HensonFuerst, if you have questions, we have answers.

Popularity: 31% [?]

Mar

Massive Recall of Popular Baby High Chairs!

Today, the Consumer Safety Commission announced the recall of 1.2 million Graco high chairs. According to the notification posted on the Graco Baby website, the recall is for all Harmony™ Highchairs made between November 2003 and December 2009.

The problem is:

The screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly. This poses a fall hazard to children.

At least two dozen children have already been injured. The advice is that consumers should immediately stop using the Harmony™ high chair and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.

The repair kit can be ordered here: Graco Repair Kit. The exact models being recalled and additional information can be found here: Graco Recall site.

If you have questions about what to do if your child has been injured by Graco high chairs or any other baby product, contact one of the compassionate lawyers at HensonFuerst. If you have questions, we have answers.

Example of one of the recalled high chairs. (Other models look different)

Popularity: 25% [?]

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