Summer is here and it is time to plan the family vacation.  When we learn to drive a car, we learn basic vehicle safety.  We are told to check the oil, kick the tires and make sure our fluid levels are steady.  But what about what we cannot easily see?  A vehicle’s tires have been considered to be at the top of the list for safety features in a vehicle.  They help the vehicle maintain steering, stability, traction and, yes, even braking systems.  However, tires can and do fail.  Whether it is from a nail you picked up somewhere along your travels or from abrupt tire failure, this can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle with devastating consequences, especially at high speeds or on the interstate.  Tire defects can include inadequate tire design, poor manufacturing standards, insufficient tire bonding, use of old adhesives, improper cooking temperatures or even contamination during production, caused by moisture, sawdust, grease or rust.  When a tire fails, you may experience anything from tread separation to a tire blowout.  Tread separation occurs when a tire’s belts rip apart from each other.  A blowout can be caused by a puncture or cut to the sidewall of a tire or by a defective rim that cuts into the sidewall or causes the bead to break, ultimately slipping the tire off the rim.  Low air pressure can also cause a blowout.

There are warning signs, however.  If your vehicle experiences unusual shaking when you are driving, an unusual thumping or vibration, sudden pulling of the vehicle to one side (often referred to as “radial pulling”), or you notice uneven or excessive tread wear; you should have your tires checked.  You should adhere to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule for rotating, aligning and balancing your tires and between maintenance check to ensure your tires are properly inflated and not losing air pressure.  A common way to check your tire treat is by placing a penny between the tread grooves in the tire with Abraham Lincoln’s image facing upside down and forward.  If Lincoln’s hair is partially visible, it is time to replace your tires.  If his entire head is visible, you have lost most of your traction and should have your tires replaced immediately.

Unfortunately, a recent report by ABC News revealed that many recalled tires remain on the road today due to a badly flawed governmental recall system.  When you replace a tire, take note of the tire’s Department of Transportation (DOT) Tire Identification Number (TIN), imprinted on the sidewall of the tire.  The first 7 or 8 digits disclose information regarding the tire size and the manufacturer; while the last four digits reveal the week and year it was made.  You can also search for tire recalls on Safercar.gov.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also provides an avenue to sign up for updates on tire recalls on their website or by following the agency on Twitter or Facebook.

Driving on safe tires means you can keep yourself and your entire family safe while in your vehicle.  With a few minor precautions, you can make that summer family road trip safer and more enjoyable.

Low testosterone is a fairly common problem for many men after the age of thirty. As a man begins to lose testosterone, he can experience a number of serious health problems such as depression, a decreased libido, erections which are less pleasurable, low energy levels and decreased endurance. Testosterone gels or testosterone supplements are often a remedy to low testosterone, however physicians also prescribe prescription medications to alleviate symptoms. One such drug, Androgel, has recently been found to increase the risk of testosterone stroke and testosterone heart attack. Although Androgel warns of potential side effects in its literature and on its label, inclusive of high blood pressure, blood clots in the legs and other “serious problems” for persons with heart, kidney or liver disease, the actual risk of this drug includes testosterone death.

In November of 2013, the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article linking Androgel with testosterone death as well as other serious side effects. Prescriptions for low testosterone rose from 208 million in 2008 to over 432 million (including refills) in 2013. In 2011, testosterone therapy was a $1.6 billion business. Although the drug did enjoy some success in improving men’s sexual function, bone density, strength and lean muscle mass, as well as lowering cholesterol and insulin resistance, men who used the drug were found to be thirty percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke or die within a three-year period than men with low hormone levels who didn’t take supplements in the 2013 Journal of American Medical Association study. The men in this study averaged 60 years of age and most had other health problems.   In contrast, most studies funded by pharmaceutical companies concluded no increased risk of cardiovascular problems associated with testosterone drugs.

Whether you believe the Journal of American Medical Association study or the pharmaceutical company studies, five Androgel lawsuits have been filed in the Illinois federal court against the manufacturers AbbVie Inc., and Abbott Laboratories, Inc., claiming the actual risk of serious side effects associated with the drug were not disclosed and concealed by the manufacturers. One plaintiff claims he suffered a heart attack, as well as other physical and emotional damages after taking the drug. The five lawsuits were filed only days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed an investigation regarding the cardiovascular risks of the drug in an alert on January 31, 2014.

If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack or stroke after taking the drug Androgel, please contact an attorney who handles mass tort claims to have your claim evaluated.