DePuy UPDATE: Company Failing to Live Up to its Promise to Cover Costs
In August, DePuy recalled almost 100,000 hip replacement devices after it was discovered that almost 12% of surgeries resulted in complications or required second revision surgeries within 5 years of initial implantation. Despite claims from the company that they would cover reasonable costs, many recipients of DePuy hip implants now claim the manufacturer is failing [...]
DePuy Hip Replacement Recall Issued
At the end of August, DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., an operating company of Johnson & Johnson, voluntarily recalled its ASR XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. The Acetabular system was a traditional hip socket replacement, while the Hip Resurfacing System was a partial replacement system involving placing a metal cap on a patients [...]
Evenflo Car Seats Recalled
Almost 14,000 Evenflo car seats have been voluntarily recalled by the company as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Maestro booster seats manufactured by the company were recalled due to the results front impact crash testing performed by Consumer Reports. In some cases a crack caused the seat to break and in [...]
Darvon and Darvocet Linked to Heart Problems, Overdose
The prescription drugs Darvon and Darvocet have been pulled from the market after the active ingredient, propoxyphene, was linked to heart problems including heart arrhythmia, heart attacks, and sudden death. While both Darvocet and Darvon contain propoxyphene, Darvocet is a combination of propoxyphene and acetaminophen. According to the U.S. Drug Watchdog, a national consumer advocacy [...]
Radiation Treatment in Evanston, Illinois Hospital Puts Mother in Coma
An Illinois woman was left in a coma after receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). SRS is a highly complex form of intense radiation therapy that emits high, but concentrated doses of radiation to the brain to combat tiny tumors and other problems. The surgery was performed at Evanston hospital, which now, according to investigation, lacked the [...]
IL AG Issues Warning on Baby Crib Bumpers
The Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, has just issued a warning for all baby crib bumper pads used in cribs, bassinets, and any other sleeping place for infants because of the risk of suffocation or strangulation. Bumper pads are typically found in cribs where they are wrapped around and tied to the crib slats. Many [...]
Elderly Women More Likely to Receive Unnecessary Catheters
US researchers have found that more than any other demographic group, elderly women are more likely to receive catheters when doing so is unnecessary according to the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. The study focused on a Michigan hospital over 12 weeks at 532 instances of catheter insertions in emergency room [...]
Choosing a Quality Nursing Home for Your Loved Ones
Picking a nursing home is a stressful and emotional process. Its important when deciding on a facility to pick one that is a safe and nurturing environment. Illinois has the second highest number of poorly ranked nursing homes in the country behind Indiana. Elder abuse and neglect is a rampant problem in nursing homes across [...]
Actos and Avandia Increase Risk of Bone Fractures
Actos and Avandia, diabetes drugs also known as TZDs have been definitively linked to an increased risk of broken bones according to a new study from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. This past summer an FDA panel of experts voted to put new warning labels on Avandia because of its link to heart [...]
Avandia – Should it Stay or Should it Go?
The FDA held a panel this week to decide on whether Avandia, a diabetes drug effective in lowering blood sugar levels, should be restricted or taken off the market entirely due to risks to heart health. The maker of Avandia, GlaxoSmithKlein, claims Avandia is safe and that evidence of the risks has been exaggerated pointing [...]
Toy Guns Recalled After 2 Boys Choke on Darts
1.8 million toy dart guns have been recalled after the death of two boys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said a 9-year-old from Chicago and a 10-year-old from Milwaukee died from asphyxiation after the suction-cup darts became lodged in their throats. The CPSC stepped in after the toys manufacturer, Henry Gordy International, refused to [...]
200,000 Pumps Used in Hospitals Recalled – 5 Years after Defects Discovered
Baxter International Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of medical products, has been ordered to recall and destroy 200,000 of its Colleague brand pumps by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Baxters Colleague brand pump is a type of infusion pump found in hospitals. Infusion pumps are used to automatically deliver medicine, fluids, and nutrients [...]
Massive Recall for Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, and Zyrtec
Johnson & Johnson has recalled over 40 of its childrens Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl brands. Other medicines contained either the wrong amounts of active ingredients while the inactive ingredients didnt meet quality control standards. Over 40 customers had reported finding black specks in some medicines, but there is no information on what the black [...]
Safety Recalls Issued on Two Baby Crib Brands on Same Day
On April 29, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued recalls on two baby crib brands, Simplicity and Graco, due to defective parts. Parents or guardians with cribs in their homes should check their cribs brand and model number to see if this recall applies to them. These cribs pose a possible risk of [...]
Toyota Recall Becomes More Serious – Sales/Production Suspended
On Tuesday January 26, 2010, Toyota announced that not only was it recalling certain vehicles related to safety concerns regarding the acceleration of the vehicle, but now Toyota is halting production and sales of many of its most popular vehicles. Toyota initially claimed the floor mats could make a driver unable to stop the car. [...]
Toyota and Lexus Floor Mats Recalled
Recently Toyota announced the floor mats in several Toyota and Lexus vehicles have the potential to become trapped causing unexpected acceleration of the vehicle, which may lead to serious injuries or death. The recall effects the following vehicles, the 2007 – 2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 ES350, 2006-2010 IS250 [...]
Burr Oak Cemetery Investigation – How Could This Happen?
The investigation at the Burr Oak Cemetery has been going on for almost three weeks now and still many families are left without answers. Many are left with questions about how this could happen, but no one ready to answer. Family members took upon the difficult task that we all must take on one day [...]
Investigation at Burr Oak Cemetery Continues
As the seriousness of the offenses of the owners and workers of Burr Oak Cemetery continue to come to light, the State is taking steps to protect the families of the loved ones buried at Burr Oak Cemetery. On Monday, Dan Hynes, Illinois Comptroller, moved to freeze almost $6 million in funds that are under [...]
Loved Ones Missing at Burr Oak Cemetery
An investigation is being conducted at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois after it was revealed workers were digging up the remains of people and moving them to a mass grave so the burial plots could be resold. At this time it is believed at least 300 bodies were removed, but the number is [...]
Hydroxycut Recall Announced
The popular weight loss drug, Hydroxycut was recalled today. The FDA announced the recall after the product had been linked to several serious illnesses including liver failure, seizures, kidney failure, cardiac problems and other serious illnesses. There has been one reported death. Many consumers were shocked today when they learned about the recall of the [...]
Victoria’s Secret’s Bras Cause Severe Rashes
In the past several weeks I have received numerous calls and email inquiries from women in Chicago and around the country complaining of severe rashes they developed after wearing Victoria's Secret's bras. The rashes are a result of several different styles but mainly the complaints are from the following lines: Very Sexy, IPEX and Body [...]
Recall Planned for 200,000+ Nissan Vehicles
A recall is planned for November 2008 for 204,361 Nissan vehicles. Nissan is planning the recall because of a possible faulty passenger airbag. Nissan believes in approximately 1% of the recalled vehicles the passenger airbag will not deploy in an accident. The vehicles affected by the recall are 2007 and 2008 models. Specifically, Nissan is [...]
Hot Air Balloon Ride Kills 2, Injures Several
A hot air balloon ride turned disasters recently when the balloon caught on fire. The balloon was tethered to the ground initially but then was released into the air as the fire began to spread. Many of the passengers were able to jump out of the basket to safety, but not all were lucky. Two [...]
Problems With Gastric Bypass Lead to Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Frankie A. Crider filed a medical malpractice claim on August 7, 2007 after problems she experienced with her 2001 gastric bypass surgery. Crider complains of leaks after the surgery which had to be sutured and a burn in the distal gastric pouch. The problems from the surgery have led to an abdominal abscess and weight [...]
Illinois Passes Law For Screening Patients For Staph
Governor Blagojevich signed legislation making it a requirement for all Illinois hospitals to screen intensive care unit patients for staph or MRSA infections. Illinois is the first state to implement such a law, however, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have similar laws that will go into effect later this year. The law requires any patient testing [...]
Chicago Man Killed, 2 Injured in Early Morning Crash
A single vehicle accident left an 18 year old Chicago man dead early Tuesday morning. Another Chicago man and a woman from Janesville were reported to be injured in the accident. It is believed the man that survived was treated and released from the hospital, however, the condition of the woman is unknown at this [...]
Chicago Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed
Theresa Thorp recently filed a lawsuit against the Lemont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after her mother, Minnie Burger, died at the facility on May 14. Thorp alleges in her lawsuit that the facility failed to give Burger proper care that would have prevented her injuries and eventual death. Burger, who was 82, fell three days [...]
Should Doctors Apologize?
The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center thinks doctors should apologize to families and patients when mistakes are made. The Medical Center passed a disclosure policy last year where doctors apologize to patients and families when errors occur. Reports indicate that there were 40 acknowledged errors at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical [...]
Minneapolis Bridge Collapse, 7 Dead
The Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minnesota on Wednesday killing at least seven people. Many more are feared dead. Scores of people were also injured in the collapse. Video of the bridge shows the center collapse in just under four seconds, giving victims no time to escape. Cars fell into the river below and were [...]
Widow Receives $3 Million For Wrongful Death
Peter R. Williams died after his car was struck by a bus while he was waiting for a traffic light in Newport News. While Williams was waiting the bus made a left turn and struck his car. Williams was 41 years old at the time of his death. Peter Williams’ widow, JoAnn Williams, brought a [...]
