DIY Beauty Treatment Explodes and Burns Customer

A woman was recently injured after using a Sally Hansen waxing product she bought over the counter. Numerous women use these at home treatments instead of going to a professional cosmetologist as they are more affordable and easy to do. Unfortunately, one woman suffered second degree burns from using the extra strength all over body wax.

The woman placed the treatment in the microwave and noticed that it began to bubble. She removed the container from the microwave and it exploded from the side of the container. The hot wax spewed and landed on the woman’s hand. The wax left a second degree burn on her thumb and minor burns on her hand.

The woman is a licensed cosmetologist and has had her experience with wax treatments. She reported never having a problem with a container before and believes that the Sally Hansen container should not be microwaveable. The wax container had a hole where it exploded.

Dangerous Products

Consumers who are using at home wax treatments should be aware of the possible dangers associated. Microwaves all have different heating capacities and may cause the wax to become too hot even when heated for the minimum time instructed. After heating a product, you should let it cool for a couple minutes before applying.

 In addition, manufacturers may be held responsible for lack of instruction and not testing their product thoroughly before releasing it onto the market. In the incident described above, the product exploded when the woman heated it at the instructed time. Manufacturers should warn consumers of potential incidents that may happen when used or used incorrectly. If injuries result from use of the product, the manufacturer may be held liable for the victim’s injuries and damages.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you have been injured due to use of a product, you should speak to a personal injury attorney regarding your injuries and legal options. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you earn the monetary compensation you deserve after suffering from the resulting injuries. Contact us today in order to protect your rights and well-being. 

Family Sues Toyota for Mother’s Death

A 59 year-old woman died while driving her Toyota Camry – one of the many vehicles were recalled for uncontrolled acceleration. Her family believes that the manufacturer is responsible for her death and is filing a lawsuit against the company.

Before the woman crashed her vehicle into the Sacramento River, she called her daughter and told her she could not stop the vehicle. The phone call took place shortly before the woman crashed and died. Unfortunately, by the time responders arrived at the scene the female was submerged under water in the back seat of her Camry.

According to the family’s attorney, their investigation illustrates that no brakes were applied at the time, which is consistent with brake failure.

Vehicle Recalls and Sustaining Injuries

While deaths caused by vehicle malfunctions may be rare, vehicle malfunctions do exist and may cause severe injury. While most vehicles are safe, manufacturers commonly make mistakes. Recently, several extremely popular vehicle manufacturers issued recalls due to defective airbags. Toyota has issued recalls previously because of their unintended acceleration and faulty power window switch which was seen as a fire hazard.

Unintended acceleration can cause severe danger. In one instance, a man was traveling at 80 MPH and could not stop his vehicle. He had to seek emergency help. Depending on the situation, the injuries can be serious – like in the event where the 59 year-old woman crashed into the river.

As a result, Toyota announced a $1.1 billion settlement to resolve lawsuits alleging the unintended acceleration.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

Manufacturers have a lawful duty and responsibility to provide products that are safe for public. Legally, all manufacturers can be held liable for products that should have been safe, but caused injury to consumers.

If you were recently injured in an accident caused by a vehicle malfunction, you should speak to a defective product attorney immediately. A defective product attorney will work to earn you monetary compensation for your physical pain and financial injuries. Do not be taken advantage of by a large corporation. If you have been injured, take legalrecourse and contact us today. 

Kellogg Company Recalls Special K Red Berries Cereal

The cereal company Kellogg recently issued a recall for 36,000 packages of its Special K Red Berries cereal. The company voluntary issued the recall as the cereal could possess tiny shards of glass fragments. The recall is for cereals with “use by” dates between November 30, 2013 and December 2, 2013 and is towards three different sized packages of the red berries cereal.

So far, no injuries have been reported, but this isn’t the first recall issued by the cereal company. In October 2012, the company recalled 2.8 million boxes of mini-wheats due to possible contamination of flexible metal mesh fragments. In 2009, the company recalled some of its Keebler crackers and cookies because of possible contamination of salmonella.

Defectively Manufactured Products

Around the world, numerous companies have produced defective products due to manufacturing errors. When this occurs and consumers are injured due to the product, the manufacturer can be held liable for wounds resulting from use of the item. Other examples of a manufacturing defect in a product include:

•          A child’s crib where the wall falls off
•          A tainted batch medicine containing a harmful substances
•          A car with a defective gas pedal

In all of these examples, the product was manufactured poorly causing it to not work properly and potentially causing severe injury to the consumer. When injury occurs, the injured consumer can seek damages from the manufacturer. Often times, injuries can result in medical treatment and expenses or cause the injured to take time off from work to heal. When this happens, it is imperative to take legal action and seek compensation for losses suffered.

Bond and Taylor Law Offices

If you were recently injured by a defective product, you should speak to a dangerous products attorney immediately. At the Bond andTaylor Law offices, a dangerous products attorney will work to earn you monetary compensation for the injuries suffered after use of the product. Do not hesitate to take action for your injuries. A manufacturer has a legal responsibility to provide a product that is completely safe for consumers. Contact us today to discuss your best options and protect your legal rights. 

Consumers Fear Injury over Tainted Food Products

Over the past month, there have been some disturbing claims of horsemeat used in European meat supplies that brands such as Burger King, Nestle, Tesco and Ikea have allegedly used for their meat products.  This begs the question, are we at danger for injury of tainted meat products from meat suppliers? In a recent statement, Ikea assured consumers that in their US stores, they only obtained meat from US suppliers.  But our European counterparts are apparently not so lucky, according to the European Union's evidence. 

This year, food safety has certainly come into focus.  As consumers, we have experienced a variety of health scares from various food safety concerns.  Whether it was tainted agricultural products or tainted meat products, consumers have faced injury due to a variety of infectious diseases.  

The Danger of Injury from Tainted Food Products

Whether tainted by foreign animal products or infectious diseases, consumers are vulnerable to injuries from consuming food or food products that are tainted.  Depending upon the nature of the food consumed, consumers could be injured in multiple ways, including:

• infectious disease
• bacterial infections
• loss of balance
• brain problems
• painful urination
• joint pains
• convulsions
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• death

If you've consumed tainted food products, you could be at risk for injury.  In some cases, this even leads to death.  If you have been injured severely due to consuming tainted products, call a skilled product liability attorney to gain the compensation you deserve. Don't take any chances with your health. Call a skilled product liability attorney today.

Study Cites Women More Likely to Experience Hip Implant Failure

Often, when elderly people fall and break a hip, people react as if this injury may be a death sentence.  The reason for this kind of alarm is that with reduced mobility, increased pain, and the risks for fixing the bones, an elderly person's health could very well suffer.  

Hip implant makers sought to remedy these fears, offering a sturdy hip replacement that could increase mobility and offer people a richer lifestyle. Of the approximately 400,000 Americans with hip implants, a new study cited in USA Today states women are 29% more likely to experience a failure in hip implants. This U.S. Food and Drug Administration funded research was recently published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, a highly prestigious medical journal. This research has prompted many consumers, particularly the elderly, to question whether or not they are at risk for injury due to a failed hip implant. 

The Danger for Injury that Hip Implants Pose to Consumers

There has been a marked increase in consumer attention to failing hip implants recently.  Specifically, thousands of consumers have sued a popular hip implant maker, Depuy, as a part of the Johnson & Johnson brand for alleged injuries and side effects from particular hip implants. The Depuy ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System have been voluntarily recalled by the company in response to alleged injuries. These alleged injuries include:

• grinding in the socket
• joint dislocation
• fragments of metal lodged in other organs and tissue
• organ damage
• tissue damage
• internal bleeding
• failure of the device
• pain and swelling
• tissue death
• fractures and broken bones
• parts coming loose inside your body

These devices hold high potential for painful injuries if they fail inside consumers' bodies.  The voluntary recall was intended to prevent further consumer injury.  If you have suffered an injury due to your hip implant, please call a skilled personal injury and product liability attorney today to discuss how you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries. 

Consumers with Type 2 Diabetes May Be at Risk Taking Actos Medication

Recently, the former Surgeon General of the United States declared that there is a silent killer among us, obesity.  Since 1980, the Surgeon General's office claims adult weights have more than doubled and children's weights have tripled.  This troubling risk factor is thought to be behind a huge explosion in Type 2 diabetes in America.

Type 2 diabetes used to be referred to as adult onset diabetes until children began exhibiting these signs due to growing obesity problems.  It is now more frequently referred to as lifestyle diabetes.  This growing concern has exploded across America, affecting huge groups of the population, but particularly affecting groups of African Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Latinos.  As a result, Americans have been exhibiting increased injuries allegedly due to treatments of this disease. 

The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

When a person exhibits symptoms of type 2 diabetes, it is the body signalling that it is not producing enough insulin or that the body has become resistant to insulin.  Insulin is used by the body to use glucose as energy.  When a person eats and cannot use the sugars in foods for energy, they start to exhibit troubling symptoms and complications which can worsen over time.

Complications and health problems often associated with Type 2 diabetes include the following:

• cataracts
• neuropathy, numbness of the feet
• skin infections
• hypertension, high blood pressure
• heart disease
• hearing loss
• depression
• loss of circulation, which can necessitate amputation

The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Often, unless a patient is willing to make significant lifestyle changes, they are forced to take what can be risky medications.  One  such medication is Actos, which has come under fire from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The FDA has declared patients who take Actos could be at an additional 40% increase in risk of bladder cancer.  This warning was based on thousands of reports from consumers who claimed that as a result of taking Actos, they became injured and developed bladder cancer.  

Actos was initially marketed as a safer alternative to Avandia, which has previously been linked to rising reports of heart attacks and other heart problems.  However, despite being marketed as a safer alternative, thousands of Americans began to report injuries to their doctors and the FDA.  As a result, these patients have begun to file lawsuits, which are now under multidistrict litigation.  To date, over 1,000 patients have filed suit alleging taking Actos injured them and gave them bladder cancer.

If you have been injured as the result of taking your Type 2 diabetes medication, Actos, you could possibly be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  You should speak to a skilled product liability attorney to determine whether or not you have a case.  Protect your health and speak with a product liability attorney so you can ensure you get the help you need.

Health Officials Warn OTC Study Aids Could Cause Injury

Growing up, I remember hitting the books and studying with such aids as coffee and unhealthy snacks like pizza to fuel me.  But these days, it appears students are turning to prescription drug use like the attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) drug Adderall, or even more dangerous, over the counter "dietary supplements" which are marketed to produce effects similar to that.  Students believe these drugs can help them stay up all night and study for their exams.  But health experts are warning against the use of these drugs, fearful that over the counter knock offs of this prescription drug could potentially injure unsuspecting consumers. 

What's the Danger?

Over the counter drugs labelled for sale as "dietary supplements" are not required to be regulated by health regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA.)  Because of this label, health officials are fearful drug makers will include the same powerful ingredients that are usually found in prescription drugs.  Unregulated, these could produce severe injuries in consumers.  In many instances, the knock off drugs of Adderall include many of the same active ingredients, including powerful amphetamines.  In over the counter supplements, consumers who pop these pills do not require screening for heart problems that might pose a problem.  And in fact, could injure themselves in the following ways, causing:

• chest pains
• shortness of breath
• irregular heart beats
• heart attack
• stroke
• death

These drugs could pose significant problems to consumers who may be unaware.  Given the massive popularity of the ADHD drug Adderall as a study aid, this off label use and the subsequent copycat "dietary supplements" are a growing concern for health officials.  

If You Have Been Injured

Over the years, consumers have reported a dizzying array of serious consequences due to "dietary supplements" with amphetamine components. This has ranged from burning holes into their hearts to strokes.  Consumers should realize that they could be at significant risk for injury. If you have taken these products and suffered an injury, you may be entitled to compensation. You should seek both medical treatment and the sage counsel of a skilled product liability lawyer who can help you. 

Consumers File Lawsuits Alleging Actos is Dangerous

As obesity rates rise in America, so too do health problems such as diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes, once very rarely seen in America, is now a common problem, and one in which we have a variety of medications to treat. One such treatment is Actos (pioglitazone) which is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and distributed in America by Eli Lilly.

Approximately 20% of the diabetes medication today is Actos (pioglitazone.)  As one of the most commonly prescribed medications, this drug has earned Takeda Pharmaceuticals over $5 billion in sales per year.  However, it has also been linked to some severe problems over the years.

The Alleged Dangers of Actos 

Since its introduction to the market in 1999, some researchers have been wary. Over the years, many reports have emerged that paint a grim picture of the drug.  Study after study has linked Actos (pioglitazone) to the following:

• bladder cancer
• heart failure 
• liver failure
• and even bone fractures.  

Studies such as Kaiser Permanente's 2008 decade long meta study concluded that taking Actos for a year or longer increased the risk of bladder cancer among patients.  This damning study was no isolated report, though.  Similar studies have emerged to allegedly confirm these suspicions such as France's Medicines Agency's 2006 to 2009 study, leading to their classification that this drug was dangerous. 

After enough of these reports have emerged, and enough consumers complained about allegedly unusual side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stepped in to issue a safety alert in June 2001 claiming there is as much as a 40% chance that taking Actos (pioglitazone) for a year or longer is related to developing bladder cancer.

Actos Litigation

To date, over 1,000 patients across America have lawyered up and filed lawsuits against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, alleging the manufacturer knew or should have known that this drug would cause bladder cancer.  These patients are claiming that their bladder cancer is a direct result of taking their prescribed Actos medication. 

If you have taken Actos and have similarly developed bladder cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your Actos injury.  Call an experienced product liability attorney today to discuss your rights. 

FDA Warns Consumers Metal Hip Implants are Causing Injury

To many elderly people, a slip and fall could cause serious injury.  In many cases, these elderly people break bones in their fall, including breaking their hip.  This is a traumatic injury which not only limits people's mobility, but can cause additional injuries.  To prevent additional injury and to preserve freedom and autonomy, many opt to receive a hip implant.

There are various kinds of hip implants, but recently, the most common hip implant has been metal hip implants.  These metal hip implants commonly act like a ball and a cup, aiding movement.  Approximately 1 in 3 joint replacement surgeries in the United States have utilized metal hip implants.  To date, that accounts for over 500,000 patients with metal hip implants. 

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a safety communication warning consumers of the danger for injury with metal hip implants.  Under their new expanded authority from Congress, the FDA is seeking to protect consumers from injury and close former loopholes that existed in the law. 

The Danger of Metal Hip Implants

According to the FDA, metal hip implants have been failing at alarming rates.  Thousands of consumers have experienced additional injury because their metal hip implants have been failing almost immediately after implantation.  These metal hip implant failures have injured patients, causing a need for more expensive surgery to take out and replace the item.  Unfortunately, many elderly patients are too fragile for major surgery like this.  

Doctors have reported these metal hip implants have not only failed in the joint, but they have additionally injured consumers when its metal debris is released as the joint moves.  These injuries have included: 

• bone damage
• severe tissue damage
• disability

How the FDA Seeks to Protect Consumers from Injury

The FDA is now pursuing regulations that would force metal hip manufacturers to produce data to support their claims of safety and effectiveness.  To date, these products have largely exploited a 1976 law which allowed manufacturers to introduce products for approval which are substantially similar to another product on the market.  Under this law, the FDA alleges manufacturers did a disservice to consumers by failing to do extended testing on device safety over the years.  

The FDA is seeking to make serious regulatory changes this year, and one of their first targets is the metal hip implants that are failing.  Until these devices are either recalled or modified safely, many consumers are still experiencing high rates of injury.  If you have been injured  by your metal hip implant, please call a skilled product liability attorney for help.  You may be eligible for compensation. Get the help that you need and deserve to protect your health. 

FDA Recommends Lowering Women's Ambien (Zolpidem) Dosages to Prevent Risk of Injury

America is one of the most frenetic countries in the world, or so you would believe. Millions of Americans suffer the effects of insomnia every year.  With increased stress, poorer diets, and increased responsibilities, it's no secret that people are feeling sleep deprived.  In a National Sleep Foundation poll, approximately 48% of Americans reported experiencing insomnia, 22% of which experience insomnia on a nightly basis.  

To combat insomnia, there are a variety of treatments out there, including the use of sleep aids such as the popular drug, Ambien.  Over 16 million Americans currently take Ambien per year.  This popular drug is also known as zolpidem, a hypnotic sedative that helps consumers fall asleep and stay asleep for more restful sleep.  

The Dangers Associated With Ambien (zolpidem)

Ambien has become quite the controversial drug.  Ambien sleep aids have been linked to a variety of strange parasomnia sleep activities.  These strange behaviors have led both consumers and federal regulators such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to question whether dosages should be changed to prevent these complications. 

The FDA recently published recommendations that women should lower their dosages of Ambien (zolpidem) by half.  This recommendation is intended to account for a slower absorption rate than their male counterparts.  Their studies concluded that women who had taken Ambien the night before could still have the drug active in their system 8 hours later and be a risk to others. 

Ambien has been identified as a risk factor for the following:

• sleep driving, including 700 reported driving accidents while "asleep" on Ambien
• sleep eating
• sleep walking
• death

A group of researchers at Scripps Health in San Diego identified that in 2010, hypnotic sleep aids like Ambien were the cause for nearly a half a million "excess deaths".  These researchers  found that sleep aid users were three times more likely to die than people who did not use sleep aids.

This evidence echoes a similar study in Sweden where researchers in 2009 found that frequent users of sleep aids were between 2 and 4.5 times more likely to die early depending upon their gender. 

If You Have Been Injured 

Over 70 million Americans take prescription sleep aids every year.  According to a growing body of evidence, Ambien (zolpidem) may be responsible for a host of alleged risky behaviors. If you have been injured as a result of taking Ambien, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  You should consult an experienced product liability attorney to determine whether or not you have a case.  When people are injured by products available on the market, it can be beneficial to report these injuries and to consult an attorney to determine the best course of action. 

Compounding Pharmacy Files for Bankruptcy Following Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

The New England Compounding Center (NECC) has filed for bankruptcy. Following a scandal which left them unlicensed and responsible for injuries to over 600 people, the company has shut its doors for good. To provide relief for the 39 people who died and 600 injured patients, the company intends to set up a fund to distribute funds evenly among injured patients rather than enduring litigation.

With between $1 million and $10 million in assets and an estimated $2 million in debts, the amount of relief the company is offering to patients appears to be quite small. With 39 lives cut tragically short by their tainted products, it seems unfathomable that patients would get so little.  Let's do the math here: assuming the company has $8 million to offer 600 patients in relief, that equals to a little over $13,000 per person. That's not enough to pay for hospital bills and expensive long term care let alone to compensate families for the loss of their loved ones.

The Dangers of Fungal Meningitis

To the over 600 patients who contracted fungal meningitis, these consumers were faced with a particularly dangerous and nasty disease that could cause the following:

• weakness
• loss of sensation
• abnormal body movements
• swelling in the brain
• hearing loss
• abnormal posture
• excessive blood clotting
• danger of strokes
• seizures
• gangrene of the limbs
• death

Fungal meningitis is treatable with long courses of antibiotics.  However, as was the case in this outbreak, patients faced significant resistance to the drugs and reoccurring outbreaks.  Patients did not experience a marked decrease in risk after treating their initial symptoms. 

If You Have Been Injured

If you suffered injuries at the hands of this compounding pharmacy, you should consult a skilled personal injury and product liability attorney to determine your next steps.  Patients may want to pursue another course of action and should discuss this with a skilled attorney instead of hastily accepting something. 

Report Claims a Child Dies Every 3 Weeks from Falling TV's

A new report today says a child dies every 3 weeks from a falling television.  Since 2000, approximately 200 children have died as a result of falling televisions.   According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 43,000 people are further injured per year by falling televisions, 18,000 of which are treated for their injuries. 

These statistics are astonishing and it begs the question whether or not parents are aware of the risk associated with falling televisions.  I'm also curious whether or not these statistics have risen or fallen as flat screens become increasingly popular in homes.  

When I grew up, we had huge behemoth sets that usually sat on little legs and were the size of your stove.  As televisions evolved, bigger became better.  Televisions were placed on stands, on bureaus, entertainment centers, and they were huge.  Today, televisions are sleek and light.  I just bought a new television a month ago that was so easy to carry and install on my wall that I was astonished. 

Consumer Product Safety Advice for Parents

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, even flat screens can be deadly if they fall on children.  And only 27% of parents have seen media reports that this is a danger to their child.  To help secure your child, the agency recommends the following:

• securing your television by anchoring it to the wall
• if you can't anchor the television, secure it on a low base
• remove articles from the top of the television that might cause it to topple or that might attract children who the television may topple onto

Parents should use common sense.  These products can outweigh children, and if perched precariously, could pose a significant risk to your child's health.

Protect Yourself

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, brackets are made incorrectly, mounts break, anchors are ineffective.  You've placed your trust into these devices to help keep your child safe and it didn't work.  You may want to call an experienced product liability attorney to discuss your rights.  You may be entitled to compensation for your loss or your child's injury, which may go a long way towards helping you with mounting bills.

New Study Claims Eating Healthy Can Improve Heart Health

This morning as I was reading the news, I came across a study, whose results should come as a surprise to no one.  A healthy diet can improve your health.  I'll pause for your shock to wear off.  But notably, the study claimed that when heart patients ate a healthy diet, they enjoyed better health benefits than medication. 

Heart patients who ate healthy diets enjoyed significant and traceable heart benefits.  This included:

• 35% reduction in death 
• 14% reduction in risk of heart attack
• 28% reduction of heart failure
• 19% reduction of stroke

Recommendations for a Healthy Heart

This study, conducted out of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, recommended a healthy diet rich in the following foods, among others: 

• fresh herbs instead of salts and spices 
• black beans with heart healthy folate, antioxidants, magnesium, and fiber
• red wine with healthy antioxidants
• salmon with omega-3's which may helpt to regulate heart beats
• tuna with similar omega- 3 power
• extra- virgin olive oil with both antioxidants and monosaturated fats
• walnuts, which can help to lower cholesterol and reduce artery inflammation
• almonds, which help to lower cholesterol and diabetes risk
• edamame which help to lower blood triglycerides 
• tofu, which is rich in many kinds of heart healthy fats, fibers, protein, you name it
• sweet potatoes, which are low in glycemic index 

Try asking your doctor for the full list.  There are many kinds of foods which can help you to attack heart disease.  Perhaps if people begin eating healthier, they can avoid the complications associated with many heart medications.

Heart Medications Can Have Severe Complications

It's no secret that there are a variety of medicines on the market which can hurt patients more than they could help them, depending upon the drug and the unique circumstances.  Among the drugs cited as dangerous is Pradaxa, an anti-coagulant blood thinner taken to prevent blood clots and stroke.  However, this drug does not have a reversal agent, making it extremely dangerous to someone who may fall and hit their head.  Potentially, patients could experience fatal bleed outs as a result.

If eating healthy could prevent the need for potentially deadly medications, shouldn't it at least be a consideration for heart patients?  For patients who have instead gone the route of medication, if you have suffered an injury as the result of your heart medication, you may be entitled to compensation.  Try calling a skilled product liability and personal injury attorney to discuss your case. 

Researchers Claim Bounce Houses Unsafe

Just when you thought you'd found a "safe" party attraction, bounce houses have come under recent fire.  According to a recent study in the Journal Pediatrics, bounce houses are proving to be quite dangerous to children.  Researchers analyzed data across the United States and determined a child was injured in a bounce house every 46 minutes nationally.

What is the Dangers Associated with Bounce Houses?

According to researchers, over the past decade, 65,000 child injuries are tied to bounce houses.  Of these injured children, approximately 31 are seen in the emergency room every day.  Children injured in bounce houses could face the following injuries:

• 43% falls
• 27% fractures
• 27% strains or sprains
• 20% head or neck injuries

A neck or a head injury could be fatal, or it could be paralyzing.  Children using bounce houses are at risk when they're jumping and banging into each other.  Sometimes these bounce houses are not inflated properly and they could fall down on the children, trapping them inside and risking asphyxiation.

Researchers are calling for guidelines on the use of bounce houses to ensure child safety.  Absent clear guidelines from the medical and public health community, researchers seem to expect these injuries to continue in a similar pattern. 

Keep Your Child Safe

Keep your child safe while using a bounce house by following simple guidelines.  Supervise the children at play in a bounce house.  Observe whether or not someone is rough housing and causing dangerous conditions.  Inspect the bounce house to determine whether it appears to be inflated properly and whether any objects are puncturing it. Limit the number of children at play in a bounce house and remind them of proper conduct.

If your child has been hurt at play in a bounce house, you could be entitled to compensation.  Obtain medical treatment for your child and then call a skilled personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a case. 

Fungal Meningitis Victims File Suit

Victims of the fungal meningitis outbreak have begun to file suit.  At least 43 cases have been filed across the United States on behalf of the victims of the fungal meningitis outbreak alleging the New England Compounding Center and its sister company Ameridose were negligent in their operations, causing victims' injuries. 

As cases begin, attorneys are arguing to freeze nearly $500 million in assets belonging to both companies and their corporate executives.  One such asset is a beach home recently featured in Rhode Island Monthly magazine.

How the Victims of Fungal Meningitis Were Injured

In October, patients began to develop fungal meningitis after receiving steroid injections to ease pain in their back.  Of the nearly 14,000 estimated patients who received these injections, 34 people have died and 494 people have fallen ill with fungal meningitis. 

Patients experienced flu like symptoms initially, which if left untreated could progress to gangrene and even death.  These symptoms included:

• fever
• body aches and stiff neck
• nausea and vomiting
• sensitivity to light
• altered mental awareness/ alertness
• swelling of brain tissue
• rapid breathing
• changes and severe drops in blood pressure
• hearing loss
• swelling of the blood vessels in the brain
• blood clots
• heart attack, seizure, stroke
• gangrene
• death

This was a severe infection that patients discovered could even come back and continue to cause them pain and grief.  Physicians fought hard to treat fungal meningitis and in some patients, there was little they could do.  The CDC estimates the higher the dose a patient received, the higher his or her risk of developing fungal meningitis.

If You Developed Fungal Meningitis from Tainted Steroids

If you were injured by the NECC's tainted steroids, you could be entitled to compensation.  You should consult a skilled attorney who will advise you how to protect your legal rights.  Patients who developed fungal meningitis were at serious risk for death and many fought a difficult and costly medical battle against the disease.  Patients are encouraged to seek out the advice of a skilled product liability and personal injury attorney to obtain the relief they need.

Are Flaming’ Hot Cheetoes Endangering Your Child?

According to a news report by ABC news, school officials in the school districts of California and New Mexico are waging war against Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Recently, schools have become more belligerent against junk foods on campus. The obesity rate in children in the U.S. has become a serious public health issue. In fact, according to a study done by the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research, nearly a third of youths are overweight or obese. That number includes over 23 million children and teenagers who are at least 60 pounds overweight.

To combat this, schools in California and New Mexico are fighting to remove junk food from their campuses. One particular Frito Lay product being challenged is Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Each bag of these chips contain 26 grams of fat and a quarter of one’s daily recommended salt intake.

The initial plan isn’t to ban the product entirely from school campuses. However, schools will be removing these options from cafeterias and vending machines.

If the student wants to bring in their own unhealthy snacks, they are of course allowed to do so. But the schools will not be selling these to students on campus.

The proposed ban of these Frito Lay products has brought to light the dangerous products that are often sold to children. Though Frito Lay has already stated that it takes committed actions not to market the products to children, other companies might not be so careful. If you believe your child has been endangered by a product, it is best to seek legal attention immediately.