The pharmaceutical industry is a billion-dollar industry, especially in the United States where there is a "magic pill" for almost anything, whether it is a cold or indigestion. This does not mean that medications are not necessary, however; there are many conditions, such as diabetes, that are managed with drugs.

Pharmaceutical companies, though they know people are counting on their products to make them feel better, are usually more focused on distributing and profiting from their drugs as soon as possible. In order to do so, drug manufacturers often fail to subject their products to sufficient and/or comprehensive safety tests or clinical trials. Drug manufacturers may also avoid labeling their products with information that may lead to decreased use. This seems to have been the case with the type 2 diabetes drug Actos.

Actos and Bladder Cancer

Actos, a pioglitazone-containing drug manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, became the go-to diabetes drug after Avandia was criticized for its heart problem risks. Actos, which helps regulate blood sugar along with proper diet and exercise, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999, though its preclinical carcinogenicity studies on male rats showed the development of bladder tumors. Actos did include a vague warning in the “Precautions” section of the label, but this did not require changes in prescription or warn patients of the increased risk of bladder cancer.

Relabeling Actos

A further study, conducted by the FDA and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, concluded that patients using Actos were indeed at an increased risk for bladder cancer. This study took 10 years. Although the FDA approved updated drug labels and physicians were advised on how to prescribe Actos and to whom, this does not help the patients who had been using Actos during the 10 years of the study, who perhaps should not have been taking it.

Obtaining the Compensation You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bladder cancer in Massachusetts as the result of your long-term use of Actos, you may have cause for legal action. Experienced and dedicated Massachusetts Actos bladder cancer attorneys can help you hold negligent pharmaceutical companies liable for their negligence.

Diabetes Drug Actos Conclusively Linked to Bladder Cancer is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A man was injured after a step collapsed at an entryway to an Orange County beach, which is popular among surfers, the afternoon of December 19, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the trip-and-fall accident occurred along San Clemente's El Portal beach access. A San Clemente marine safety officer stated that a stair slab gave way causing the man to slip. He suffered a hip injury as well as a possible minor head injury. The beach walkway has been closed while officials investigate the accident.

I wish the victim of this Orange County accident the very best for a complete and quick recovery from his injuries. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

What Caused This Injury Accident?

Based on this news report, the step collapsed while the man was using the stairway. There are several questions here. Was the staircase in question in a state of disrepair over a long period of time? Have others been injured at this location? Are there multiple steps that are about to fail or was there only a problem with this one step? Have complaints been filed by others regarding the safety of the location? Were signs posted warning about the potential dangers of using the walkway? I trust these questions and others are being asked by investigators in order determine fault and liability.

Premises Liability Claims

Property owners and managers have a legal obligation to provide reasonably safe conditions for their visitors. Those injured by a property owner's negligence can file what is known as a premises liability claim. Private properties - residential apartments for example - must be constructed to code, warning signs must be posted around hazardous areas, and complaints regarding potential dangers must be rectified. In accident cases involving a public property, the governing body in charge of maintaining the location may be held liable for injuries.

Liability Issues

In this particular incident, the injured victim would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the ongoing investigation and ensure that his legal rights and best interests are protected. In cases involving negligence, the at-fault party can be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related damages. In this case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the beach walkway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.

Man Injured after Trip-and-Fall on San Clemente Beach Stairway is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall for 2011 and 2012 model year Ford F-Series pickup trucks, which apparently have defective automatic transmission interlocks. NHTSA officials say the faulty transmission interlocks can be found in about 16,091 pickup trucks. Drivers can shift the trucks from "park" into rear without stepping on the brakes increasing the risk of car accidents or even injury to nearby pedestrians.

These auto defects are also in violation of federal safety standards. The recall affects the 2011 model year Ford F-150 pickup trucks and 2012 model year Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and heavy duty F-550 trucks, all manufactured last September. Ford will start notifying owners to bring their recalled trucks to dealerships. The affected brake shift interlock switches will be inspected and replaced at no cost to consumers.

Responsibility of Auto Makers

Based on this news report, it is not clear if there were any car accidents, injuries or fatalities reported as a result of these serious safety issues. When the transmission, shift lever, or braking proves defective in a vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. As the report points out, these defects can cause not only car accidents, but also pedestrian accidents and injuries.

Auto defects can occur during the design process, the manufacturing of the vehicle, or during assembly. Regardless of when or how the defect occurs, it is the automaker's responsibility to issue a prompt recall and ensure consumer safety. Automakers can be held liable for the injuries and damages their defective vehicles cause to drivers, passengers and others.

Contacting an Auto Defect Lawyer

After a car accident, it would be in the victims' best interests to preserve the vehicle in its current condition, unaltered, so it can be thoroughly examined for defects, malfunctions, and other evidence. Those injured as a result of a defective auto would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled auto products liability cases against large automakers. The best auto product defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Ford Recalls F-Series Pickup Trucks for Defective Transmission Locks is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

The manufacturer of a defective child seat, which caused several skull fractures and head injuries among young children, has made no effort to improve their products or make them safer, according to consumer safety advocates. A Reuters report states that despite facing several lawsuits from parents of injured children, South Africa-based Bumbo has done little to reconfigure these seats or make them safer.

Bumbo issued a defective product recall for the seats after 28 injuries were reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2007. Many of these injuries involved skull fractures. After the recall, the company place warning labels on the seats saying that they should not be used on elevated surfaces. Kevin and Lucy Ferrell filed a lawsuit on behalf of their son Colby. The 9-month-old suffered a skull fracture after he fell out of the seat. The couple had purchased the seat from Toys R Us.

Companies Knew about Defective Products

As part of the lawsuit, records were obtained from Bumbo that showed the company knew about the injuries and the potential for serious injury. There were about 300 reported incidents including many in other countries such as Great Britain. Bumbo maintains that its seats are safe when used as intended. Company representatives say that the seats should always be used on the floor and never at an elevation.

In addition to Bumbo, Toys R Us has also been named in lawsuits relating to these defective products, of knowingly selling a baby product that has caused injuries. In fact, one of the company's buyers is quoted saying under oath in the litigation that she had never seen an infant product like the Bumbo seats that came without a safety restraint. She testified as she did not think it was safe. The lawsuit filed by the Ferrells alleges that Toys R Us has a significant profit margin on the seats and has stocked these items and sold them, even disregarding concerns raised by those within the company about their safety.

Holding Corporations Accountable

As a California personal injury lawyer who represents victims injured by defective products, it is encouraging to see parents like the Ferrells not giving up. Although their son was seriously injured, they are now "evangelists for seatbelts" because they do not want to see it happen to other children. This is yet another outcome of of civil litigation. It is not always about the money. In fact, more often, it is about making sure that the victims are heard. It is about making sure that negligent corporations are questioned, challenged, and forced to change their unscrupulous ways. In this particular case, it seems to me that both Bumbo and Toys R Us put profits over the welfare of these young children – babies. I would be very interested to see if federal officials impose a fine on these corporations. My heart goes out to all the families that have been affected by these dangerous and defective products.

Manufacturer of Child Seats Put Profits before Child Safety, Lawsuit Alleges is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

The America College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Urogynecologic Society have issued a joint Committee Opinion stating that there is an "urgent need" for the development of a national registry to track outcomes for all current and future patients who receive vaginal mesh implants. There have been serious concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of these synthetic mesh products that are placed vaginally to treat a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Given the horrific side effects thousands of women are experiencing as a result of receiving these transvaginal mesh implants, these groups now recommend that use of these mesh implants should only be reserved for high-risk women "for whom the benefit may justify the risk."

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

What is pelvic organ prolapse? When the organs in the pelvis such as the uterus, bladder, urethra, small intestine and rectum, drop down and bulge into the vagina, that condition is known as a pelvic organ prolapse. POP can be caused by several factors including menopause, aging, intense physical activity, obesity, prior pelvic surgery, chronic coughing, and straining to have bowel movements. According to the American Urogynecologic Society, more than 350,000 women undergo surgery for this condition in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved the mesh implants for use in 2001.

Nightmarish Symptoms

However, the mesh implants led to a number of complications among the women who received them. Instead of improving women's lives, many women experienced horrendous symptoms including excruciating pain. In some women, the mesh cut into the vaginal lining causing infections and even nerve damage. Others could not sit down or urinate without a catheter. Some patients even had to be hospitalized or stop sexual intercourse because the symptoms had become so painful and unbearable. In July 2011, the FDA issued a safety alert warning consumers about the possible risks these defective products pose.

Recommendations by Professionals

The professional group's other recommendations include continuing the audit and review of outcomes, and establishing a registry for all current and future vaginal mesh implants; surgeon training for vaginal mesh placement specific to each device; patient counseling with regard to alternative options, risks and benefits of mesh implant surgery; and adopting new mesh products and devices only after they have been properly tested and their safety and efficacy have been established.

Seeking Compensation

If you or a loved one has suffered complications as a result of vaginal mesh implants, please contact a reputed California personal injury lawyer who has experience handling similar cases. You can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Professional Groups Issue Recommendations for Use of Vaginal Mesh is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued an auto defect recall for 2010-2011 model year Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans because of defective wheel studs. According to Consumer Reports, the vehicles involved in this recall may have defective wheel studs that can break and cause the wheels to separate from the cars, increasing the likelihood of a car crash. This problem could involve as many as 128,615 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan cars that are equipped with 17-inch steel wheels.

The affected vehicles were manufactured in April 2009 and from December 2009 to November 2010. Ford will start notifying owners this month. Owners are asked to bring in their vehicles to local dealers who will replace all of the cars' lug nuts, inspect and if necessary, replace the rear disc brakes, also at no charge to consumers.

Vehicle Recall Statistics

According to the New York Times, the auto industry recalled about 20.3 million vehicles in 2010. It was the fourth-largest number of vehicles recalled since NHTSA began keeping track in 1966. The highest point was in 2004 when 30.8 million vehicles were recalled. In contrast, about 16.6 million vehicles were recalled 2009. The 2010 numbers were significantly affected by Toyota recalls involving sudden or unintended acceleration issues.

Auto Product Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear how these wheel stud defects occurred. We do not know if it happened during the manufacturing or assembly process. Regardless of how it happened, these are dangerous defects that could result in serious injury or even fatal car accidents.

Victims of car accidents caused by defective autos would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases against large automakers. In such cases, the vehicles are the most important pieces of evidence. It is crucial that the victims or their families preserve the vehicles intact, so they can be thoroughly examined for product defects, malfunctions and other evidence.

Ford and Mercury Vehicles Recalled for Defective Wheel Studs is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A California food company has issued a recall for 6,141 cartons of cilantro in seven states over food poisoning concerns. According to an Associated Press news report, Salinas-based Pacific Cilantro recalled the herbs in seven states after U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors found salmonella in a sampling of the products. So far, no illnesses or fatalities have been reported. The recall has been issued in seven states including California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina and Missouri, as a precaution. Those who have these products in their homes are asked to return them. The herbs were grown by Salt River Farming in the Phoenix area.

Statistics Relating to Food Poisoning Cases

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are approximately1.4 million cases of salmonella food poisoning in the United States each year. Only 40,000 of those cases are actually reported. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that there are 5,000 instances of fatal food poisoning cases each year caused by a variety of defective products.

Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning

The symptoms of salmonella poisoning can be extremely painful and traumatic. The most common signs of salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramping or pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains and bloody stools. In many instances, salmonella infection could lead to several days of hospitalization. Salmonella infection may also, in certain cases, result in serious injuries or death. There are certain strains of salmonella that cannot even be treated with antibiotics. These infections often affect the very young, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems.

Compensation for Food Poisoning Victims

If you have become ill as a result of consuming these defective products, it would be in your best interests to isolate the food item and preserve it, so it can be tested in a lab for the presence of disease-causing germs or contaminants. In such cases where a negligent food producer or retailer may be involved, victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, diagnostic tests, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Victims of food poisoning would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will better advise them about their legal rights and options.

Cilantro Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall involving approximately 7,365 Nissan Rogue vehicles due to power steering issues. According to a report in Consumer News, the vehicle recall involves Rogue crossover vehicles manufactured from August 2010 to October 2010. The report states that the electric power steering circuit board was installed improperly. This manufacturing defect puts an additional strain on the circuit board, and could result in a sudden loss of power steering, if the board breaks.

Drivers who experience a loss of power steering could lose control of their vehicle. Owners of these potentially dangerous vehicles should receive instructions about the recall this month from Nissan. Drivers are encouraged to visit their local dealerships to have a new EPS control unit installed at no charge.

Steering Defects Can Lead to Car Accidents

Steering defects in vehicles can certainly lead to car accidents that can result in life-changing injuries, disabilities, and even death. I'm glad NHTSA has stepped in and issued a recall of these defective vehicles. As drivers, we count on a working power steering feature to help us effectively handle turns and control the car. Numerous people are killed and seriously injured in California and the rest of the country because of defective auto parts such as poorly manufactured power steering, defective tires, and faulty brakes. In any of these cases, the injured victim or their family would be well advised to preserve the damaged vehicle for a thorough inspection by an expert.

Auto Products Liability Issues

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a defectively manufactured or designed auto product, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled auto products liability cases against large automakers. In cases involving defective products, the manufacturer of the defective automobile or the faulty product can be held liable.

It is important to remember that less than 1 percent of personal injury law firms have the expertise and the resources to pursue auto defect cases. Not only are auto product defect cases expensive to pursue, but also auto makers, who are represented by high-powered legal defense teams, fight with every means to protect their reputation and their profits. The best auto product defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Nissan Rogue Recalled for Steering Issues is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

The Newport Beach personal injury law firm of BISNAR CHASE has filed two auto products liability lawsuits against Nissan on behalf of one plaintiff who was rendered a permanent paraplegic, and family members of another victim who was killed. Both were involved in California car accidents where Nissan's defective seatbacks collapsed and caused the catastrophic and fatal injuries. The defective car seats in the Nissan vehicles in which these victims were traveling were the primary cause of the catastrophic injury and fatality.

Victim Rendered Paraplegic

The first case involves Chatsworth resident Phillip Bloom the victim of a head-on collision on Route 18 in Victorville, California, in October 2009. In this case, Bloom was a rear seat passenger in a Nissan Xterra. The lawsuit, which was filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court, states that the Xterra's rear car seat cushion latching system and restraint system "catastrophically failed" and the seat snapped from the floor bracket. The defective car seatback caused Bloom's body to be violently tossed in the interior of the vehicle during the crash. He suffered major injuries including broken bones, abdominal injuries, and an L2 spinal fracture that led to permanent paraplegia.

Fatal Rear-End Collision

The second lawsuit involves an incident where the victim Brook David Boynton was killed in a rear-end collision. This fatal crash occurred on Route 73 near Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of his mother Johnella Boynton and Caitlyn Buckspan, the administrator of his estate, in Orange County Superior Court, states that the seat of Brook's 2004 Nissan Murano broke and collapsed backwards on impact. Boynton's body submarined out from underneath the shoulder and lap belts causing him to be forcefully ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

Holding Automakers Accountable

Brian Chase, lead attorney, auto defects expert, and partner at BISNAR CHASE, says both of these tragic car accidents and catastrophic injuries were caused by the defective car seats in Nissan vehicles. Chase points out that automakers and equipment manufacturers are putting profits before people and justifying cost-cutting measures at the expense of human safety.

As Chase puts it, this is an important and widespread issue "that warrants national attention." Innocent lives have been lost. We continue to see people's lives being turned upside down with catastrophic injuries. Phillip Bloom's life will never be the same again. Were a few hundred dollars saved by the auto maker worth this man's ability to live his life? Were these profits worth Brook Boynton's life? Absolutely not. Every member of the BISNAR CHASE team will fight hard for the rights of these innocent victims and their families.

BISNAR CHASE Files Two Lawsuits against Nissan over Defective Car Seats is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Honda Motor Company has issued an auto defect recall along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for about 126,000 Goldwing motorcycles because of possible brake defects. According to Consumer Reports, Honda has identified an issue with the motorcycles' secondary brake master cylinders that may cause the rear brakes to drag, increasing the risk of a collision. Riding a motorcycle with a rear brake that is stuck may also generate enough heat to pose a fire risk.

Honda has announced that this particular problem with the brakes affects GL1800 Goldwing motorcycles manufactured between the 2001 and 2012 model years. When the recall begins in January, Honda dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the secondary master cylinder free of charge.

Honda Recalls

This is the second recall for Honda in just one week. Recently, the Japanese auto maker issued its fifth recall of several vehicle models for defective airbags. These airbags, which explode with tremendous force and send out flying shards of metal and plastic, can seriously injure occupants. Two deaths and at least 20 car accidents had been reported as a result of these defective Honda airbags. Consumer advocates are calling for NHTSA to fine Honda for not issuing prompt recalls on these vehicles.

Was the Recall Delayed?

In the case of the Goldwing motorcycle recalls, it appears that the vehicles include 2001 models. Why weren't these motorcycles recalled earlier? Did Honda not get reports about these brake defects and fire hazards over the last decade? How many motorcyclists or passengers have been injured or killed as a result of these product defects or malfunctions? How many motorcycle accidents have occurred due to these brake defects or fires? It will certainly be interesting to find out if Honda issued a timely recall on these defective motorcycles.

Protecting Victims' Rights

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Honda Goldwing motorcycle accident, it would be in your best interests to keep the vehicle in its current state, unaltered, so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for evidence of product defects and malfunctions. Injured victims or their families would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled product liability cases against large automakers.

Honda Goldwing Motorcycles Recalled for Brake Defects is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers