Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer

Will NY Child Victim Act Fail Because of Political Back Room Deals?

Joe Saunders — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:08:12 GMT

This morning, I received an alarming email about the NY Child Victim Act and those who'd try to thwart its passage. From the email, it appears there's a lot of political games being played in Albany that would kill the Child Victim Act and unfairly prevent childhood sex abuse victims from pursuing justice in court. Here's a link to the full story:

http://tiny.cc/OWzMK

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Texting While Driving Still Legal in Florida

Joe Saunders — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:00:47 GMT

While driving to work this morning I noticed a middle-aged man next to me in an SUV, smoking a cigarette in one hand, shaving with the other hand and still driving. By the way, he had a cell phone propped up between his shoulder and left ear to boot. All this behavior is still legal in Florida.

In spite of the rising number of Florida auto accidents caused by drivers engaged in texting or using cell phones, the Florida Legislature has done nothing to stop the dangerous behavior. Several bills were introduced in Florida this year but never made it out of committee. It seems there's just no political will to pass much needed legislation. There are advocacy groups behind such measures but they never receive the kind of political support necessary to usher a bill through committee and eventual passage.

In the meantime, we're all at risk and exposed to these dangerous drivers. Until it becomes illegal, Floridians will continue to be injured and killed as a result. You'd think they'd be a law against it. . .

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

Man's Best Friend is also a Bed Bug Hunter

Joe Saunders — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:48:24 GMT

Just when you thought dogs are the perfect pet, you discover they can be helpful in spotting those pesky bed bugs. Dogs are being trained to sniff out bed bugs and are actually quite good at finding bed bugs. There are even dog training schools in Florida to help rid our homes, hotels, motels, and dormitories of the blood-sucking insects.

Since chemicals that kill bed bugs also pose a health risk to humans, dogs are the next best thing.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

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

Internet Drug Ads Catch Attention of FDA

Joe Saunders — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:10:58 GMT

It was just a matter of time before large pharmaceutical companies began marketing their products on the Internet. With huge marketing budgets, drug companies have turned to the Internet to attract consumers. However, the FDA is attempting to crack down on these types of ads warning drug companies that they must comply with agency regulations concerning warnings, disclaimers, and truthful claims about the drugs themselves.

The FDA has issued warnings to the makers of Plavix and Tysabri regarding their Internet ads. In both cases, the ads fail to disclosed FDA required safety information. Rather, the slick ads provide a "click-through" to the drug companies' websites.

This is good news for consumer safety. Drugs and medical device marketing practices need to be as regulated on the Internet as they are in traditional media.

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

EPA Holds Bed Bug Summit

Joe Saunders — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:37:42 GMT

It sounds funny but it's really pretty serious. The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a two day meeting to discuss the growing problem of bed bugs. The problem had subsided since World War II, but there's now an alarming increase in the reporting of bed bug infestations in hotels, motels, hospitals, college dorms, and private residences.

The stubborn, hard to kill insects live in the dark climes of mattresses, sheets, sofas, and upholstered furniture. Many of the summit participants point to a dearth of chemical agents that kill bed bugs and their eggs. Bed bugs reproduce rapidly and once they gain a foothold, are extremely difficult to extinguish.

The EPA is not the only federal entity concerned with the bed bug problem. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C. plans to introduce legislation dubbed Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite Act, in order to find solutions to the growing public health concern.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Raptiva-Genentech's Psoriasis Drug is Recalled

Joe Saunders — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:04:17 GMT

Genentech's psoriasis drug, Raptiva has been voluntarily recalled due to several deaths related to use of the drug. Raptiva has been linked to a potentially fatal brain infection, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Raptiva is designed to lower the body's natural immune system in order to treat psoriasis. However, it also makes patients more susceptible to a virus that attacks the central nervous system once the body's T cells have been suppressed. Besides PML, the drug may lead to viral meningitis and invasive fungal disease.

The FDA reacted to Genentech's Raptiva recall by stating that healthcare professionals should no longer prescribe Raptiva to new patients. Current Raptiva patients should consult their doctor in order to determine an alternative method of treatment for psoriasis. The FDA had issued a black box warning in October 2008, months before it was known that 3 patients had died after using Raptiva for the past 3 years.

Since the recall is very recent, it is not known when Genentech officials knew of the link between the psoriasis drug and PML. What is known is 3 people are dead because of another harmful drug. In announcing the Raptiva recall, Genentech officals noted that the risks outweighed the benefits of the drug which prompted the recall. What an understatement! Three people have died, that's quite a risk.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Clergy Abuse Claims on the Rise

Joe Saunders — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:37:59 GMT

In spite of what the Catholic Church's public relations operation says, an independent study has said that priest abuse claims in the United States actually rose 16% over the same period last year. This in spite of the fact that 2 dioceses, Lincoln Nebraska and Baker Oregon refused to participate in the study. Interestingly, the study notes that 40% of the new claims cited abuse from clergy not previously reported as abusers.

This is especially important in light of efforts in NY where state legislators are considering the Child Victims Act. Many sex abuse advocates and NY victims are hopeful that the new legislation will pass with a Democratically controlled Legislature and a Governor who has publicly stated his support for the measure. The bill, if signed into law, would give sexual abuse survivors a one year window to seek justice in a courtroom. With 40% of new clergy being accused, such legislation would provide needed transparency and justice for those who suffered this terrible ordeal.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders