Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyer

Pain Pumps Risk Joint Injury, Chondrolysis in Patients

Courtney Mills — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:26:31 GMT

Drug delivery via a pain pump allows chronic pain patients to receive measured doses of pain medication through a catheter directly to the area surrounding the spinal cord or surgical site. Pain pump drug delivery utilizes a small pump surgically implanted under the skin near the abdomen to control chronic pain symptoms in patients who have already tried unsuccessfully to control pain with other types of analgesics.

The pain pump is especially designed for patients who suffer from spinal cord injury, cancer pain, joint pain, leg pain from the sciatic nerves that is uncontrolled by surgery, and other degenerative diseases that cause persistent, chronic pain. The pain pump delivers anesthetics such as lidocaine in high volumes to the surgical site to control pain. The pump includes a reservoir of medication and is about the size of a hockey puck.

Many patients using the pain pump who have had surgery to shoulder joints suffer from an extremely painful condition known as chondrolysis. Chondrolysis is characterized by a disintegration of the cartilage around the joint area. Patients who receive high doses of lidocaine directly into the shoulder joint usually experience problems with the cartilage surrounding the joint area. The cartilage surrounding the joint disintegrates in many pain pump patients receiving drug delivery to the joints, resulting in an extremely painful condition. Patients should exercise caution and weigh the risks and benefits when undertaking pain pump therapy.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills

Weis Markets Recalls Weis Baker's Basket 18 Ct Fruit Miniatures and 2 lb Platters of Mini-Fruit Diamonds

Jenny Albano — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:00:31 GMT

Weis Markets, in conjunction with the CPSC, is recalling Weis Baker's Basket 18 Ct Fruit Miniatures and 2 lb Platters of Mini-Fruit Diamonds because of undeclared walnuts in the products. The two pound platters of Mini-Fruit Diamonds come in four varieties - Nut Diamond, Cheese Raspberry, Apricot and Mixed assortment. People who are allergic to walnuts could suffer severe allergic reactions if these products are consumed.

These products, which were sold in Weis Markets' Bakeries, have been removed from store shelves and destroyed. The 18-count Fruit miniatures come in clear plastic containers and the two pound Mini Fruit Diamonds are packaged in a platter with a clear top. The UPC and code dates are listed below.

The problem with the Weis Market's products was discovered after a customer contacted the company to complain. The recalled Fruit Miniatures and Mini-Fruit Diamonds were sold at Weis Markets including its Mr. Z's, King's and Scot's Lo-Cost units in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia.

The sell by date of the recalled product is 1/5/08 and the UPC Codes are:
UPC 210100-00000 18 Ct Fruit Miniatures
UPC 210112-00000 2 lb Fruit Miniature Platters

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Charlemagne Chocolatiers Recalls Charlemagne Dark Chocolate Organic Bars Due to Undeclared Ingredient

Jenny Albano — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:16:24 GMT

Charlemagne Chocolatiers of Belgium is recalling 5,000 units of its dark chocolate organic bars because the bars may contain undeclared milk protein. A consumer that eats these chocolate bars and is allergic to milk may have a severe allergic reaction that could result in adverse health risks or even death.

The chocolate bars were distributed in the U.S. in the following states: Michigan, California, New Jersey, New York and Maryland.

The following kinds of chocolate bars are being recalled:
- Charlemagne Dark with Coffee 50 gr.(1.75 oz.) (UPC= 5 425001 204038)
- Charlemagne Dark with Cinnamon 50 gr.(1.75 oz.) (UPC= 5 425001 204052)
- Charlemagne Dark with Orange 50 gr.(1.75 oz.) (UPC= 5 425001 204021)
- Charlemagne Dark with Green tea 50 gr.(1.75 oz.) (UPC= 5 425001 204045)
- Charlemagne Plain Dark with Belize Chocolate. 50 gr.(1.75 oz.) (UPC= 5 425001 204014)

The packaging on these products do not include milk protein in the list of ingredients and do not contain an allergen statement. So far no illnesses have been reported to the company from consumers in the U.S. The problem was discovered when the bars were tested for milk protein by the FDA after hearing about a recall in Canada.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Wegmans Food Market Recalls Food You Feel Good About Country Wheat Rolls

Jenny Albano — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:16:24 GMT

Wegmans Food Market Inc., in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling Food You Feel Good About Country Wheat Rolls because they may actually contain potato rolls ,which has a milk allergen that is not listed on the label. The recall includes 18 oz. wheat rolls with a best by date of October 10. The bread was produced on October 1 and would have been sold in stores on October 2 and October 3 in Wegmans Food Stores.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall of this product is of concern only to those individuals who have allergies to milk. Consumption may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction in persons with allergies to milk.

This product is only sold at Wegmans Food Markets in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

FDA Takes Action against Unapproved Hydrocodone Product Marketing

Courtney Mills — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:21:32 GMT

Federal regulators took the extraordinary step of announcing enforcement action against companies marketing unapproved prescription drug products containing hydrocodone, a widely abused opioid used primarily in concert with analgesics and over-the-counter cough suppressants.

The government has taken this action in the face of widespread popular abuse of hydrocodone formulations, as serious drug events, injury, and reports of death involving hydrocodone have dramatically risen over the past several years.

Industry groups for pharmaceuticals maintain that these hydrocodone cough syrups under fire are registered by the FDA but not vetted under the current approval process, and have been sold in pharmacies for decades. Nonetheless, companies marketing unapproved hydrocodone products have until year's end to stop marketing before action will be taken by government regulators.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills

Canadian Air Balloon Burns Up in Flames, 2 Dead

Courtney Mills — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:41:56 GMT

A mother and daughter perished over the weekend in a horrific hot air balloon accident about which shocked onlookers could do nothing but watch and hope for the best outcome.

12 passengers were ascending in a giant hot air balloon in the environs outside Vancouver, British Columbia, when something went tragically wrong with the balloon's operating mechanism. All the passengers and pilot had boarded the gondola and were ready for liftoff when a fire broke out overhead.

According to media reports, a piece of tubing then broke loose from the propane burner mechanism above the gondola and began spraying fire everywhere. Passengers then scrambled feverishly to get out of the gondola, as it was rising off the ground. All the passengers except for a woman and daughter were able to escape safely.

The pilot of the vessel girded himself against the fire blast to protect the passengers, and is reported to have sustained serious burn injuries.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Wrongful Death.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills

Maryland Girls Falls From Amusement Park Ride

Jenny Albano — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:02:48 GMT

A young girl fell from a ride called the Octopus at the Six Flags America amusement park on Friday, August 3. The Octopus is described by the park as a "mild thrill ride" that takes riders up and down and spins in circles.

Some witnesses say the girl, who's name and age have not been released, fell 25 feet from the amusement park ride. When the paramedics arrived the child was conscious. She suffered possible head, hip, and leg injuries and was flown to a local hospital.

The cause of the fall is under investigation. A spokesperson for the Six Flags America amusement park did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Property Owners' Liability.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Crocs Can Be Dangerous

Jenny Albano — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:36:59 GMT

Crocs, the popular bright rubber clogs that come in an array of colors and shape to you feet, can be dangerous.

There have been reports that children wearing the popular shoes have had their feet sucked into the sides of escalators. Some stores and malls have even put up signs warning people that if they are wearing Crocs they should be careful. The manufacturers of Crocs have designed a new tag to include escalator safety tips.

Recently, many hospitals have decided to ban Crocs from being worn by staff. The shoes, which are marketed to nurses, can be dangerous for hospital personnel because sharp objects like needles or scalpels can fall into the holes that are located on the top of the shoe.

Some hospitals are just banning the Crocs that have the holes in the top; Crocs or shoes like them that have solid tops are allowed.

These shoes are worn by many children, adults, and hospital personnel, and they should be aware of the hazards that come along with wearing them.

For more information on this subject, pease refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Nursing Homes

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:32:03 GMT

Two nursing homes have had wrongful death lawsuits filed against them for their alleged improper care and treatment of a former resident. The estate of the deceased woman have filed suit against Bethalto Care Center and Rosewood Care Center of Alton. Three doctors have also been named in the lawsuit.

Brown claims Bethalto failed in its duty to exercise ordinary care by failing to provide Theresa with proper hydration and nutritional support.
He also claims Bethalto failed to obtain proper and timely testing, monitoring, treatment and evaluation, failed to adequately and timely assess Theresa's condition, failed to keep her physicians advised of her condition, failed to protect her from pressure sores and failed to advocate for proper care.

She died on January 20, 2006 at Saint Anthony's Hospital. The estate is seeking $500,000 for pain and suffering to the victim and the loss of her to her family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Woman Dies in Baltimore Beltway Crash

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:13:53 GMT

A 46-year-old woman from Towson was killed in an accident on the Baltimore Beltway on Wednesday evening. She died from her injuries at St. Joseph Medical Center.

The victim

was driving east on the inner loop of the Baltimore Beltway between Dulaney Valley and Providence roads about 8 p.m. Wednesday when she lost control of a 2001 Toyota Highlander, state police said.
The car struck another vehicle and hit a barrier next to the fast lane, county police said.

The police are still investigating the accident to determine the cause. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident and would like to speak with an attorney, please use the contact form on the right.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann