Legal News & Consumer Rights

Pros and Cons of Uterine Morcellation—After Study Finds Cancer Risk

In a recent safety communication, the FDA discouraged the use of power morcellators for hysterectomies or the removal of uterine fibroids, because of a concern of cancer risk. Since then, health experts have been debating the pros and cons of this procedure, with many hospitals…

By NYC Contributor

/ 5 Jun 2014

Another Healthcare Industry Consolidation as Zimmer Announces Plans to Buy Biomet

On April 24, 2014 Zimmer Holdings Inc. said it would buy Biomet for $13.35 billion. The move will place Zimmer as the second-largest seller of orthopedic products next to Johnson & Johnson. The deal is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2015. …

By NYC Contributor

/ 4 Jun 2014

FDA Receives More than 50 Complaints about E-Cigarettes, Agency Proposes New Regulations

More e-cigarette users are complaining about injuries suffered after using the products. The FDA has received more than 50 reports from March 2013 through March 2014. These complaints include cardiovascular and respiratory issues, and burns including hospitalizations for the following: • Seizure • H

By NYC Contributor

/ 29 May 2014

Medical Errors Lead to Thousands of Preventable Deaths Yearly

Medical errors lead to thousands of deaths every year across the United States. The numbers are staggering at 440,000 per year, but they are preventable. These medical errors can happen due to a wrong diagnosis, being prescribed the wrong medication, surgical errors or infections that…

By NYC Contributor

/ 22 May 2014

Negligence Suit Filed Against FedEx after Deadly Bus Crash

A FedEx truck collided with a tour bus in Orland, California on April 10, 2014, killing 5 students, 3 adult chaperones, both drivers and leaving 34 others injured. The students were headed to visit Humboldt State University when the accident happened along Interstate 5. On…

By NYC Contributor

/ 20 May 2014

Lawsuit Filed Against Manufacturers of Power Morcellators

A procedure called “uterine morcellation” has allegedly caused serious injuries in some women, and now those women are fighting back. A number of new lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of electric or power morcellators. These surgical instruments are used to mince up tissues for…

By NYC Contributor

/ 9 May 2014

Florida Supreme Court Rules Med Mal Cap as Unconstitutional

In 2003, Florida lawmakers placed a cap on non-economic damages in wrongful death cases caused by medical negligence. Plaintiffs could recover only $500,000 or $1 million, depending on how many survivors were involved in the case. Now, in a landmark decision, the Florida Supreme Court…

By NYC Contributor

/ 7 May 2014

Toyota Hit With Another Class Action Lawsuit

After reaching a $1.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, Toyota has been hit with another class action lawsuit. The company had just put to rest the probe into its alleged mishandling of the sudden acceleration issues in its cars, when at the beginning…

By NYC Contributor

/ 2 May 2014

The Dangers of E-Cigarettes Spread to Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that there’s been a dramatic increase in poisonings related to e-cigarettes. According to their recent study, the number of calls to poison centers concerning the liquid nicotine used in these cigarettes increased from one a…

By NYC Contributor

/ 1 May 2014

Gasoline Cans & Safety: Avoiding a Disaster

It’s April and the weather is heating up in parts of the United States that were dealing with winter weather. More people will be outside and soon it will be time to tend to lawns and gardens. That also means mowing the law and possibly…

By NYC Contributor

/ 30 Apr 2014

Drones-Does the Future Hold Lurking Dangers Overhead?

In December 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would utilize six states to act as research sites for drones, or unmanned aircraft. Those states included New York, Texas, Virginia, North Dakota, Alaska and Nevada. For now, or at least until the end of…

By NYC Contributor

/ 29 Apr 2014

“Safe” Firepots and Fuel Gels?

It’s been nearly three years since the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with nine manufacturers, recalled millions of gel fuel products used in firepots, and now, the market has produced new, “safer” alternatives. But how safe are these alternatives, really? Do we still…

By NYC Contributor

/ 22 Apr 2014