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Tarceva Receives New Warnings from FDA

Joe Saunders — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:08:00 GMT

Cancer drug Tarceva will have to add new warning labels because of serious side effects associated with the drug manufactured by Genentech and OSI Pharmaceutical, Inc. The side effects include skin problems, eye reactions, and punctures in the digestive tract. According to the FDA, some of the skin problems resemble those associated with Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Eye problems include corneal perforations and ulcers.

Tarceva has been approved to treat certain forms of lung and and pancreatic cancer.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chinese Drywall Homeowners Regret Signing Lennar Waiver

Joe Saunders — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:23:35 GMT

In a new twist to this southwest Florida Chinese drywall saga, homeowners are beginning to question the wisdom of signing waivers prepared by the home builder Lennar. Some homeowners whose property has been adversely affected by the odor and contamination of the Chinese drywall are concerned that the offer of help won't resolve the problems in their homes. While Lennar has agreed to remove the drywall in the affected homes, such things as wiring and the foul odor that still remains in these homes.

The homeowners are complaining that the "take it or leave it" waiver was signed under coercion. Some homeowners are beginning to notice such personal effects as art and jewelry have been adversely affected by the noxious gases from the Chinese drywall. However, the waiver doesn't cover any of these items, effectively giving Lennar immunity from any liability.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chinese Drywall Contamination Prompts Meeting Between US and China

Joe Saunders — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:50:17 GMT

Officials from the Consumer Products Safety Commission plan to meet with their Chinese counterparts and seek their assistance and cooperation in dealing with the Chinese drywall contamination problem that has plagued US homeowners. According to CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, Chinese officials have a duty to engage in finding solutions to the problem.

“All we’re asking is for them to realize that in the global economy everyone has to be responsible to the end user, the consumer. We’re asking them to participate in this in ways that are just and fair.”

Tons of contaminated Chinese drywall, also known as gypsum or wallboard have been imported into the US in order for contractors to keep up with the housing boom that took place earlier this decade. The contaminated drywall has cost significant damage to homes, particularly in the southern United States where the drywall has corroded electrical wiring and outlets.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chinese Drywall Class Action Lawsuit Deadline Looming Against Defendant Knauf

Joe Saunders — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:47:05 GMT

The class action lawsuit against one of the largest Chinese drywall defendants, Knauf Tianjin, has a very tight deadline for those to join the omnibus class action lawsuit, December 2, 2009. Knauf, one of the main importers of the Chinese drywall into the US, agreed to accept service in the United States. However, the December 2nd deadline will not allow any exceptions.

If you suspect you have a Chinese drywall problem in your home and you want to participate in the Chinese drywall class action lawsuit, you must call an attorney immediately. Failure to act promptly may result in the forfeiture of your legal rights concerning Chinese drywall problems.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against United Healthcare

Joe Saunders — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:41:18 GMT

Today, I filed a class action lawsuit against United Healthcare for misrepresentation and fraudulent marketing in violation of The Florida Medicare Supplement Act. The lawsuit states that the defendants, United Health Group, Inc. and United Healthcare of Florida Inc. enrolled Medicare recipients into their Medical Advantage HMO and PPO plans without obtaining their signatures and consent to enter into the insurance contract and without informing or advising them that enrollment into their HMO and PPO medicare advantage plans disenrolls them from their rightful benefits under the United States Medicare Program. These enrollees were also not informed that the Medicare Advantage Plans such as Secure Horizons and Complete Care provide limited or no skilled nursing home case while U.S. Medicare covers 100% of such care for 20 weeks. The company also failed to inform them that the UNITED plans have significant copayments and significantly more limited availability of physicians who will accept their plan than will accept medicare.
The suit also states that United Healthcare's marketing practices fradulently implie by names such as CompleteCare and SecureHorizons that the UNITED insurance policies provide equal or complete care when in fact they provide far less care that the Medicare coverage that they replace.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chinese Drywall Defects Affecting Southwest Florida Homes

Joe Saunders — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:46:35 GMT

During the housing boom of 2005-06, huge building contracts such as Lennar Homes and Aubuchon subcontracted their drywall needs to Chinese companies. It all looked good at the time. Prices were cheap and the drywall was readily available. Fast forward to 2009 and the deal doesn't look so sweet. On the contrary, it smells like sulfur. There was a good reason the drywall was so cheap. It was made from waste materials from scrubbers on coal-fired power plants and emitted a sulfur-like smell that's absolutely intolerable according to the southwest Florida homeowners unfortunate enough to have homes built with this drywall. The deleterious health effects are not known at this point. What is known is that fixing the problem will be extremely expensive. Replacing drywall means gutting the house and that doesn't guarantee a cure. If you want to add injury to insult, the defective drywall causes electrical problems.

This isn't the first time we've dealt with defective products from China. Remember, they're the same ones who brought us tainted heparin, contaminated baby formula, and defective, altered drugs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Time Running Out on Chinese Drywall Class Action Lawsuit

Joe Saunders — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:03:43 GMT

The deadline for inclusion in the Chinese drywall class lawsuit against defendant Knauf is only a few weeks away. If your home has been affected by Chinese drywall and you'd like to participate in the class action lawsuit, now is the time to contact a lawyer so that a home inspection can be scheduled to determine if the Chinese drywall in your home was manufactured by Knauf. Once this deadline passes, you may miss the opportunity to recover damages against the company for the damage to your home. Names of those affected by the Knauf Chinese drywall must be submitted no later than December 2, 2009.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Venice Bishop to Hold Two Masses for Sex Abuse Survivors

Joe Saunders — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:27:04 GMT

In keeping with April's designation as Child Abuse Prevention Month, Bishop Frank Dewane will offer two masses for sexual abuse survivors. Many bishops have done this throughout the country as part of the Bishop's Conference response to the sexual abuse scandal that has been rocking the Catholic Church since 2002.

While the masses are a gesture, what else will be done to respond to the survivors? Many who were victimized by a Catholic priest when they were young have never returned to church and frankly, aren't ready to do so-some will never do so. I'm hoping this is just one small aspect of an outreach program to victims. Those who've survived such a betrayal of trust and authority need and deserve much more than a mass or two. They need the church authorities, namely the bishop to stand with them on abuse issues. One major step in the right direction would be a real effort at transparency. Make public those secret documents that reveal the coverups, criminal behavior, and the lack of effort to reach out to victims. In some states like New York, the church is actively engaged in trying to stop victims efforts to pursue justice by lobbying against a bill called the Child Victims Act. This is decidedly unhelpful and sends surivors the wrong message.

In Minnesota, the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Diocese of Winona fought victims (and won) in court to keep the names of priest abusers secret. This isn't pastoral and it won't bring about healing. If the church wants to rid itself of this scandal it needs to try a healthy dose of transparency. Let victims heal. Stop trying to bar them from the courts. Until that time comes, survivors will perceive the church as protecting predators rather than healing survivors.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Pinellas Park Motorcyclist Killed in Crash on I-75

Joe Saunders — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:59:26 GMT

A 24 year old Pinellas Park motorcyclist was killed early this morning when his motorcycle veered into the path of a tractor trailer. The crash caused the motorcycle to split in two and catch on fire. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the early morning crash.

This is another Bay area motorcycle crash that has resulted in a fatality or serious injury. Serious motorcycle accidents are a recurring headline in the local news here with no end in sight. Recently enacted motorcycle safety programs have not stemmed the tide of death and injury in the accidents. Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the country for motorcyclists. Population, road congestion, and construction contribute to this sorry statistic. Other factors include driver (whether it's car or motorcycle) inattention, cyclists who don't wear a helmet, and speed.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Allstate Can't Sell New Auto Insurance Policies in Florida

Joe Saunders — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:20:04 GMT

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has suspended the license of Allstate Insurance Company from selling new auto insurance policies in the state of Florida because of their relationship with rating organizations such as AM Best and Hurricane modeling companies and industry trade groups. This is an unprecedented move in Florida and sends a clear warning to other auto insurance companies that the State is willing to act if companies fail to comply with the Office's investigation. The investigation began after the Florida Legislature passed legislation last year directing insurance companies to lower homeowners' policy premiums. The Office asked for documents from Allstate and the large insurance company refused to supply them. The suspension applies to Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co. and Allstate Property and Casualty Co., all of which sell auto insurance policies.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders