Yankee Candle Recall

The popular Yankee Candle company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have put out a joint statement regarding a recall for a line of Yankee Candle’s Luminous Collection, their newest line of candles.  There is a risk of consumers is apparently one of receiving a laceration injury due to the jars cracking when the candle is lit and heats up.  The affected candles include Yankee Candle’s Sea Salt & Coral, Blackberry & Sage, Apple Blossom & Melon, Sugarcane & Honey, Pine & Sandalwood, and Cinnamon & Cedar Luminous candles.  The company has instructed consumers to take their candles to their local Yankee Candle store for a full refund, and a free candle of your choice!

If you or a loved one has already experienced injuries from a Yankee Candle product, consult your medical provider and contact Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys to discuss your possible injury claim.  For a refund on the product recall, which is the more likely scenario with this product recall, ask for a full refund as explained above.

Breast Implants & Possible Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Back in 2011 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a possible link of breast implants to anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  Since that time, the World Health Organization has come out and concurred with he findings and research and data has continued.  Women who have had breast implants run the risk of developing a rare T-cell lymphoma and it is thought that the breast implants with textured surfaces have had a higher occurrence of the problem than those with smooth surfaces.  Since there is still not definitive knowledge on this subject, medical providers are receiving recommendations to monitor their patients with breast implants with routine care and support with awareness of the risk that appears to still be rare at the present time.  It is also recommended that consumers do their research prior to making the decision to undergo breast implant surgery, and for those individuals who opt to have it, it is important to follow medical instructions to the letter on how to monitor breast implants and notice any changes.  It is vital at this point that all cases of ALCL be reported so that governing medical bodies, researchers, medical providers, and makers of breast implants can stay abreast of the risks and developments of problems. 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a problem related to breast implants, or any medical device, drug, or other product, consult your medical provider and please contact  Inserra Kelley Sewell, Personal Injury Attorneys, to discuss your possible claim and entitlement to compensation for your damages.     

Polaris Sportsman 850 & 1000 ATV Recalls

Polaris has announced recalls involving its all-terrain vehicle models Sportsman 850 and Sportsman 1000 due to burn and fire hazards.  Both models run the risk that the right-side panel heat shield will melt, which could lead to fire risks and burns to riders.  The Sportsman 1000 model also poses the risk of exhaust leaks, fire risks, and burn injuries due to its exhaust springs at times stretching the exhaust seal.  Polaris has received complaints of a minimum of 793 problems with the ATV’s, with reports of warping, melting, and burned side panels, as well as 47 fires, and 4 burn injuries.  The recalled models come from 2015 and 2016, so it is vital to check the Polaris website at http://www.polaris.com/en-us/rider-support/off-road-recalls to enter a vehicle identification number, or call the company at 800-765-2747.     

If you or a loved one has already been injured due to problems with a Polaris Sportsman ATV, consult your medical provider and contact Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys to discuss your possible injury claim.     

Abilify and Impulse Control Like Gambling Addiction

The latest drug linked to problems for patient consumers is Aripiprazole, and anti-psychotic medication better known under the names of Abilify, Abilify Maintena, and Aristada.  The  U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come out with a warning that people taking the above drugs have had impulse-control issues, such as out-of-control desires for sex, shopping, binge eating, and gambling.   To make the link stronger to these drugs, people reporting problems with uncontrollable urges in these areas have found that the urges came to an abrupt end once doses of the prescribed drugs, including Abilify, were stopped or reduced.  The FDA insisted that new warnings be added with these drugs’ labels and medication guides that compulsive behaviors have been linked to them. 

The FDA says that both patients and caregivers, who notice excessive urges, should see their healthcare providers right away so as to hopefully stop or at least lessen the consequences of such uncontrollable urges, given that urges in any areas listed can cause very harmful results.  Medical and mental health professionals should be aware of, and ready to warn about, the uncontrollable urge side effects of these drugs when prescribing for patients with conditions such as Tourette’s, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autistic related irritability.  While these drugs can decrease hallucinations and other symptoms that come with these conditions, and help with things like disorganized thinking and mood regulation, the risks of compulsive, unbridled behaviors in the areas of sex, gambling, spending, and eating might make the risks outweigh the benefits.  It is important that the risks and benefits be weighed carefully by medical providers and patients/caregivers. 

If you or a loved one has already suffered the ill effects of compulsions taking Aripiprazole under any of its brand names or generic names, consult your medical and/or mental health provider and contact  Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys, to discuss whether you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.     

Tips from Snowplow Drivers on Driving Safe in Blizzard Conditions

Although we are getting a little closer all the time to Spring, we still have some winter left for 2017 and the possibilities of being stuck driving in blizzard conditions.  Fortunately, there are ways to drive as safe as is possible in such conditions with the advice of those out fighting the roads to help us stay safe, the snowplow driver.  The first thing these professional want us to know is that it is simply best if you do not drive at all!  This seems like simple logic, but in our fast-paced, demanding world there are unfortunately more and more unable to, or choosing not to, heed such advice.  Of course there are those like healthcare providers, public servants, first responders, and so on who simply have to get out there on those roads.  The snowplows can better do their jobs to get us out there again sooner, however, if we just let them have the roads to themselves. 

If you do find yourself as one of the unlucky ones out there during blizzard or any bad weather conditions, following too closely is just not advised.  Again, this seems like it would be common sense that every driver would know, but there are too many tailgating drivers who just cannot seem to help themselves driving in good or bad conditions.  It is wise to leave plenty of space in front of and behind you in slick and blizzard conditions, as stopping will not happen on a dime and could cost you your life or the lives of others.  It is wise to not only leave plenty of space, but to also drive much slower.  If you should find yourself sliding without the ability to stop, do not do the natural reaction and slam on those brakes or your car could lock up and/or fishtail. 

Another thing snowplow drivers want drivers out there in ill-advised conditions to know is that four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems do not mean vehicles will be able to stop or steer safely in icy or slushy conditions.  If you wonder, just look around at many of the vehicles seen in the ditches during icy or slushy conditions after barreling down the road with the operators having faith they are immune to anything with four-wheel or all-wheel drive!   It can also be helpful to have specialty winter tires, especially if living in areas prone to winter driving difficulties.  Although they can be a significant investment, they are an investment in safety and can be lifesaving. 

Finally, know that even snowplow drivers can find themselves the victims of wrecks when conditions get extremely bad, or when conditions such as black ice catch them unaware.  Watch out for snowplow drivers for both your own safety and theirs.  Inexperienced or careless drivers can hurt themselves or the professionals when out driving in blizzard conditions, so it is best to heed the warnings, road, and weather reports rather than gambling with your life or the lives of others. 

If you or a loved one has already been injured in a motor vehicle accident, whether caused by bad weather conditions or something else, do not hesitate to contact  Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys, experts in auto accident claims, to discuss your possible injury compensation.     

Rubber Toy Mold Concern

Parents be aware that a story by Good Housekeeping Magazine has brought out the possible mold dangers linked to rubber toys after mold was found inside  Sophie the Giraffe toy.  This toy has been popular with parents for teething infants.  Teething infants are usually drooling infants and after the rubber toys were cut open on a whim by a dentist who recommended the toy for teething, bad smelling, harmful black mold was found inside.   Enough drool had entered the inside of the toy to cause mold and cleaning instructions of using hot, soapy water to clean the toys are the answer from the makers of Sophie the Giraffe Toy.  The company’s spokesman did state that the toy should not be immersed in water for cleaning, as this could trap the water in and cause further mold problems.  They stated, in fact, that a damp cloth would be better than a soaking wet one or submersion. 

Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys, is concerned for your safety and will give warnings such as the above to help you and your loved ones be safe.  If your little one has been exposed to a mold problem such as the problem with the Sophie the Giraffe toy, or other rubber toys out there, be sure to consult your medical professional.      

Cuisinart Food Processor Recall for Blade Dangers

Conair, the manufacturer of Cuisinart Food Processors, has issued a voluntary recall of the food processor after receiving 69 reports as of December 13, 2016 of their owners discovering pieces of the blade in their food after using the processors.  Injuries received included 30 different reports of lacerations and tooth injuries in the mouth from consuming foods with broken blade pieces.  Apparently, over time, the metal blades are possibly prone to crack and eventually break so that metal pieces wind up in the unsuspecting eater’s food.  Cuisinart Food Processor owners can go to www.cuisinart.com and click on the tab for recalls or call 877-339-2534 to check for models and how to get replacement blades.  It is recommended by Conair that use of the affected Cuisinart Food Processors be completely stopped until a new blade has been provided free of charge.    

If you or a loved one has already been injured by a Cuisinart Food Processor, consult your medical provider and contact  Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys, to discuss your possible injury claim.    

Himalayan Salt Rock Safety Concerns

If you are an individual who strives for good health and holistic living, you may have jumped on the  Himalayan rock salt lamp trend.  These lamps have been touted to help with mood, allergy prevention, and air deodorizing.  However, thousands of these lamps have been recalled due to the possibility of overheating, fire hazards, and shock dangers.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that if you own a Himalayan rock salt lamp with the brand name Lumiere, you should check your product to see if it is one of the models with possibly faulty dimmer switches.  The model names under the brand name Lumiere include the Rock of Gibraltar Lamp, the Carnival of Lights, and the Basket of Rocks.  The Lumiere Himalayan rock salt lamps were sold between July, 2016 and November, 2016 at Michael’s stores and also on Amazon.  They can be returned for full refunds to Michaels.      

If you or a loved one has already been injured due to shock, overheating, or a fire caused by a Lumiere Himalayan salt rock lamp, consult your medical provider and contact  Inserra Kelley Sewell, personal injury attorneys, to discuss your possible injury claim.     

Ethicon’s Physiomesh Withdrawal

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In June of 2016 manufacturer, Ethicon, subsidiary of giant Johnson & Johnson, began to withdraw from the market the surgical mesh for hernias called Physiomesh. The product is a flexible composite mesh and it was found that revisions were needed in a large number of hernia repairs using Physiomesh. This market withdrawal was helpful in keeping the product from being used with patients in surgeries after the withdrawal, but was of no good for those already having surgery with Physiomesh and suffering consequences. In fact, it has been estimated that as of November, 2016 300,000 Physiomesh implants might have been placed after its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010!

Complications from Physiomesh have been alleged as infection within and also around the mesh once it’s implanted. This can cause abdominal abscesses, intestinal fistula, bowel obstruction, and possible other complications. Complications have required major surgery in patients, while not correcting the original pre-surgical diagnosis. There have been at least 650 Adverse Event Reports to the FDA with no real consequences to Ethicon. It is expected that this will result in a very large number of lawsuits and a motion for Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) to consolidate all of the cases and fight the giant Ethicon.

If you or a loved one has been injured by Physiomesh, or any medical device, drug, or other product, consult your medical provider and please contact Inserra Kelley Sewell, Personal Injury Attorneys, to discuss your potential justice and entitlement to compensation for your damages.

 

Proton Pump Inhibitor Lawsuits (Prilosec & Nexium)

adobestock_126826532-1As Inserra Kelley Sewell, Injury Attorneys has informed its readership in the past, there are a group of medications frequently used for heartburn and acid reflux that have come under fire for their dangers to your health.  Proton pump inhibitors (PPI), including Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Dexilant, and Prevacid, have been linked to possible dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart issues, and kidney damage.  These drugs contain Omeprazole that was intended to be a block against the body producing gastric acid.  Six plaintiffs who now have kidney damage as a result of this class of drugs very recently filed a motion for the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to create a new MDL 2757.  This motion would make it possible for dozens of plaintiffs across the United States to have their lawsuits brought together against the companies that manufacture these dangerous proton pump inhibitors.  These cases are just some of the fifteen actions that have been filed in the federal courts across the United States and they assert the plaintiffs have suffered kidney issues that include  acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and renal failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).   

The manufacturers that are the defendants in the kidney damage lawsuits resulting from PPIs include Takeda Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and the Procter & Gamble Co.  Given the fact the PPIs are used by the masses for heartburn, it would be wise for patients to discuss the pros versus the terrible cons involved with using these medications.  An alternative to the PPI is a histamine H2 receptor blocker.  One must be cautious with those as well, however, as there has been some smaller linkage of these alternatives to kidney and other problems.  Patients have seen vague symptomatology with the kidney injuries from the PPIs, including things like general fatigue, weakness, and nausea.  Therefore, it is vital that patients be educated on these drugs and consult their medical provider before using them. 

If you or a loved one has been harmed by the use of PPIs or other drugs, do not hesitate to contact the caring professional at Inserra Kelley Sewell for information as to whether you might have a claim to compensation.  This firm is able to answer your questions in regards to the latest Proton Pump Inhibitor lawsuits and MDL information.