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More Accounts of Cipro/Levaquin Side Effects

Jeff Rasansky — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:20:16 GMT

Last week we blogged about Cipro and Levequin, two antibiotics that have been known to cause some pretty bad side effects. The FDA released a statement on July 8, that requested black box warnings for these drugs. Talk about side effects! These drugs have been linked to a risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture!

I decided to dig around a bit and see if I could find any first-hand accounts of people who have taken these drugs and experienced the side effects. I was amazed at what I found:

I have taken Levaquin 500 mg tablets for 11 days (until 2 days ago) against pneumonia.

I have developed severe pain in my achilles tendons (mostly on the left side ). I can hardly walk in the morning. Not having had any problems before I could not figure whatever could be the reason for this problem, especially since I have been doing stretching exercises for years.

I was diagnosed in an emergency room with pneumonia after some mysterious symptoms that included blood pressure over 200 and pulse of 110 with sputum containing blood. I was given a prescription for Levaquin for the "pneumonia."

After two days, there was tremendous swelling of my right arm and left leg.

There was acute weakness and pain of the left Achilles tendon. My left leg bothers me to this day--about 8 months later.

I was in doubt about the pneumonia diagnosis to begin with, and still am. Doubly in doubt about the prescription, since I have never been allergic or had any reaction to drugs in 85 years.

I just finished taking Levaquin for 10 days for a sinus infection. After the 5th day I noticed extreme pain in my muscles through my entire body. I just finish my 10th pill 3 days ago and am still in extreme pain. I feel like I'm an 80 year old woman in a 34 year old's body.

I’m not sure if a “black box” warning will do anything for the pain these people have already experienced. What about you? Have you experienced any of these side effects with Cipro or Levaquin?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Outrage Over Anna School Bus Crash

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:05:14 GMT

Parents were outraged after 16 students were injured in an Anna school bus crash that occurred around 4 p.m. yesterday. Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell says that the district never received complaints about the driver of the bus, but some parents said they made several complaints BEFORE the crash ever occurred.

The bus was carrying 32 students when it hit a curb, careened through a parking lot and crashed into a telephone pole. 16 of the students were injured as a result.

According to some parents, the driver has been seen looking at notes while behind the wheel of the bus. One parent, Marloe Colombo, said she witnessed him doing just that on the same morning of the wreck. Colombo's duaghter was literally thrown out of the exit door of the bus during the crash.

The Anna Independent School District claims that they have not had prior complaints about this driver. The bus company, First Student, has a reputation for employing good drivers.

Anna police have not said whether the bus driver will be cited for the accident. However, that may not be enough. Several parents tried to notify the district of this driver's incompetence, and it seems their warnings fell on deaf ears. It sounds like the district was extremely negligent in this particular case, and, as a result, 16 kids were hurt--and could have been killed. This is simply not acceptable.

If someone you care about has been injured in an accident like this, please contact us. Simply fill out the free evaluation form to the right of the screen.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

MRI and MRA Contrast Dye containing Gadolinium can cause rare disease NSF/NSD

RLF Staff — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:04:29 GMT

A contrast is sometimes used in MRI ("magnetic resonance imaging") and always used in MRA ("magnetic resonance angiography"). These tests use powerful magnets and radio waves to make images of a patient's internal issues or blood vessels. During these procedures, a contrast dye is injected into the body to help detect any abnormalities. Unfortunately, MRI and MRA contrast dye containing the heavy metal gadolinium has been linked to a disease called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermotherapy (NFD. This is a serious, and life threatening medical condition. Often times, the disease process starts in the skin and spreads to other parts of the body and internal organs.

The disease may cause a patient's skin to change color - it may change from pink to orange to brown. The skin may become even woody. A patient may even notice that the skin will lose its hair and all color pigmentation.

Those patients who are more prone to develop the disease include those with previously known kidney disease. As such, a kidney transplant might be necessary to treat NSF/NFD.

Symptoms of NSF/NFD include

-Burning of the skin
-Hardening or tightening of the skin
-Swelling in extremities
-Red or dark patches on the skin
-Yellow spots on the whites of the eyes

-Difficulty moving hands, feet or legs

- Joint pain or stiffness in joints
-Muscle weakness

MRI/MRA Contrast Dyes containing Gadolinium

The brand names of MRI contrast dyes containing gadolinium include Omniscan, OptiMARK, Magnevist, MultiHance, and ProHance.

On May 23, the FDA required a Black Box Warning on all MRI contrast dyes containing gadolinium, warning caution in using them in people with impaired kidney function

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by RLF Staff

Dangerous Dental Drug Septocaine

Jeremi Young — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 10:09:07 GMT

Septocaine, an anesthesia used in routine dental procedures, may be a dangerous drug permanent paresthesia (numbness) and dysethesia (persistent pain) in patients. These symptoms are mild in most patients and may fade with time. But in other patients the side effects are permanent and debilitating

These problems typically occur when Septocaine is used for mandibular blocks, which involve injecting the drug to block pain in the lower jaw during dental procedures like a root canal.

A Texas jury recently found Septodont, the manufacturer of Septocaine, liable for misrepresenting the safety and effectiveness of the drug awarding over $300,000 to the patient for pain, suffering and medical costs.

For anyone who has ever had a root canal or even a toothache that wouldn't go away, it's not difficult to imagine how a jury might be angered by an irresponsible big pharmaceutical company that failed to disclose dangerous drug side-effects.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremi Young

Fast Food Health Concerns

RLF Staff — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 09:58:53 GMT

What do we not know about the fast food that we eat? When we run to places and grab a quick order to go, are we ruining our health?

A recent lawsuit was filed against KFC in an attempt to stop them from cooking with partially hydrogenated oil which is high in fact and switch to other types of cooking oils. While KFC does provide figures to the inquiring consumer in stores or online, the contention is that the information is not as accessible as the advertising promoting the product and therefore misleading. Michael Jacobsen, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (http://www.cspinet.org), states that Yum Brands Inc (the parent company of KFC) knows that other healthier cooking products are available and states that, "it recklessly puts its customers at risk of a Kentucky Fried Coronary."

The Food and Drug Administration (http://www.fda.gov) states that foods high in trans fat actually raise bad cholesterol. In fact, as of January 2006, the Nutrition Facts label on products must now carry a separate line listing out the total Trans Fat in the item. Learn more about Trans Fat at the FDA page at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/transfat.html.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by RLF Staff

Scheduled Execution of Bobby Wayne Woods Stopped

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:48:18 GMT

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stopped the scheduled execution of Bobby Wayne Woods due to claims that the 42 year old man is mentally retarded. Woods was scheduled to be executed in Huntsville today for the 1997 death of his ex-girlfriend's 11 year old daughter.

Woods claimed that he wasn't responsible for the young girl's death and blamed it on his cousin who ended up killing suicide. Woods was to be the second prisoner in the State of Texas this week to have been executed. Two more men are scheduled to be executed next week.

The appeal that Woods' lawyers filed cited IQ tests and records that showed Woods received failing grades in most of his special education classes when he was going to school. Woods has been proven to have severe deficiencies in reading and writing skills, understanding the concept of punishment and understanding that actions have consequences.

However, Woods made a statement to police at one time, saying that he had taken drugs before he went to his former girlfriend's house and he admitted to the abduction. DNA found on the murder weapon was traced back to Woods.

The fact that Woods' execution has been delayed brings quite a bit of media attention to a very hotly debated topic in today's world. Texas currently leads the nation in executions of inmates, with 13 already this year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Top 10 Worst Insurance Companies in the United States

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:16:35 GMT

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) has recently published a lengthy report detailing America's ten worst insurance companies. The majority of these companies are household names, each of which advertises as the best company and most customer friendly. The report provides damaging evidence to the contrary, that each company employs different tactics trying to take advantage of their policyholders. These companies are ruthless and will stop at nothing in their pursuit of profits, usually employing the slogan of &ldquo;profits over policyholders.

Several of these insurance companies, including Allstate, State Farm and Torchmark, employed the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. This consulting firm was hired to help the company raise their bottom line. Once employed, McKinsey helped each company establish a 'three D approach' for handling customers: delay, deny and defend. Insurance companies were taught to deny the claim, delay the payment and do anything to defend against the lawsuit. This approach taught insurance companies the value in using their litigation team to defend against lawsuits brought upon because of not paying claims.

Profits over policyholders is a slogan used by many of these insurance companies as an approach in handling their business. Basically, insurance companies should do anything possible to gain profits, even at the expense of their policyholders. Many of these companies identified their company goal as earning the maximum amount of return for their shareholders as possible.

Another tactic that many of these insurance companies employ is abandoning of their policyholders. Companies have identified policyholders in hurricane prone areas, Louisiana and Florida, to be more risky policies than others. Companies have become very stingy in their claim payments to policies in these regions evidenced by Hurricane Katrina.

One unfortunate lasting image of Hurricane Katrina involves State Farm and their deceptive ways in avoiding paying claims. An example involves the Nguyen family who lost their home in Hurricane Katrina and whose claim was denied by State Farm. State Farm&rsquo;s own engineers surveyed their damages and concluded the damage was caused by wind. Eye witnesses shared their account that another house was literally picked up and thrown into the Nguyen&rsquo;s home.

State Farm hired other engineers to come to a different conclusion, that the damage was caused by flooding, allowing them to deny the claim. Bob Cochran, a CEO of an engineering firm employed by State Farm to assess Hurricane Katrina damage, was told to alter reports that State Farm did not agree with. This led to ethical issues from Cochran's employees regarding State Farm's position.

We cannot overstate the importance of understanding each policy provision with regards to an insurance company. Many insurance companies trick their policyholders by adding complicated portions to their policies which confuse policyholders. Consultation with an attorney before signing anything not completely understood is highly advisable.

After reading this report, I am shocked by the practice of leading companies in the insurance industry. I want a company that is reliable and will handle my claim with honesty and speed. None of these insurance companies listed will do that. This report should alert consumers to the danger of working with insurance companies. Policyholders should be very cautious and understand exactly what they are covered for and not covered for.
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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Texas On-Track for Record Drownings in 2009

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:41:44 GMT

Every couple days, Texas is reporting a new drowning victim. So far this year, 50 children have died from drowning, a number nearing the record-high 82 deaths from last year. Last week alone, 7 child drowning incidents were reported. At the current pace, the record will surely be eclipsed.

These deaths pose the question of whether these incidents may be attributed to negligence or accidents. Although there is no exact definition in determining the difference, once can infer from the facts how the death was caused.

In determining the liability involved in drowning cases, one must first determine the premises liability law. Most states distinguish between a trespasser, licensee, and an invitee. A person’s ability to recover damages for an injury or drowning occurring on another property first requires a judge to determine which category you are placed into.

Also, many states and cities, including Dallas, have passed laws requiring property owners to build fences around their pool. These fences prevent children from accidentally wandering into the pool. Failure to build a fence in these states can result in liability, either negligence or strict liability. Many houses in Dallas either do not have a protective fence, or negligently forget to keep it locked. Simply putting up a fence or locking an existing one aids in preventing numerous drowning cases. Not having a safety fence can result in a negligence case brought upon you.

Another negligence issue involves improper supervision. Parents and facilities who leave children unsupervised, even for as little as couple minutes, are negligent in their supervision duties. It does not take much time for a child to drown; the shortest amount of time spent alone can have severe repercussions. Negligent pool owners are responsible if anyone is injured or drowns at their pool because of their failure to act carefully, reasonably, and a lack of caution.

Many cities enact laws requiring pool owners to take a much greater duty of care in protecting users of the pool. People who injure themselves because of a lack of warnings or an owner’s failure to take proper safety precautions increase the opportunity of filing lawsuits.

Parents should always be aware when children are swimming and not leave them unattended. Regardless of having multiple children around, parents should be close and watching to ensure the safety of all children. “Children should never be left unsupervised for any length of time in or around water, because the results can be devastating in a matter of minutes. If you can’t see them, you can’t save them,” said Sasha Rasco, the department's assistant commissioner for Child Care Licensing.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Why Hire a Dallas Motorcycle Wreck Attorney?

Jeff Rasansky — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:03:17 GMT

The number of motorcycle wrecks that occur on our nation’s highways every year is astounding. Motorcycle wrecks often end up causing greater injury and damages due to a motorcyclist’s lack of protection. Deaths in motorcycle accidents are many times more likely to occur than in passenger auto accidents. In 2003, 3,661 motorcycle drivers were killed and almost 70, 000 were injured in care wrecks. The Department of Transportation reports that the rate of automobile accidents has substantially gone down in almost every automobile category with the exception of motorcycle wrecks…these have gone up substantially since the early days of the new millennium.

There are several factors that may contribute to motorcycle accidents. Seventy five percent of all motorcycle crashes involve a passenger vehicle. Of these, two thirds are the result of a passenger car driver’s negligence, which often fails to yield the right of way to a motorcyclist. 50 percent of all motorcycle wrecks are the result of alcohol usage.

There are a number of steps that may be taken to reduce the risk of motorcycle accidents. These occur within the first five months and five hundred miles of a cyclists riding experience. In order to avoid motorcycle accidents, cyclists must by trained in the proper accident avoidance maneuvers. Riding school may also train riders be better at avoiding accidents.

The use of motorcycle helmets and other protective gear is absolutely important in reducing injury and accidental death from motorcycle wrecks. Research shows that helmets are 29 percent efficient in preventing death in motorcycle wrecks and 67 percent efficient in preventing serious brain and spinal cord injuries.

If you've been injured in a motorcycle wreck, contact a motorcycle accident attorney right away by filling out the free case evaluation form to the right of this screen.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

FDA To Seek Black-Box Warning on Cipro and Levaquin

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:41:05 GMT

The FDA has announced that it will be seeking to add black box warning to Cipro and Levaquin. Both are antibiotics that are used to treat bacterial infections. Apparently, each carries a risk of tendon rupture that needs to be addressed. Six months ago, the consumer group Public Citizen sued the FDA to require it to add the warnings to the drug packaging.

Reports of tendonitis and tendon rupture have been on the rise with the use of these drugs, which has prompted the FDA to ask drug companies to add the stronger labeling. Ruptures that have been associated to these drugs include Achilles tendon, shoulder, hand, biceps and thumbs. This risk is especially increased in older patients and those who have received organ transplants.

The FDA believes that the addition of this warning will strengthen the existing warning information already included in the prescribing information.

Other side effects of taking these medications include “seizures, hallucinations, depression, heart rhythm changes and intestine infection with diarrhea.”

The FDA also suggests that physicians “advise patients, at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling or inflammation—symptoms that typically precede tendon rupture and tendonitis—to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, to avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and to promptly contact their doctor about changing to a non-fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug.”

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky