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Mar

FDA Issues Warning For Counterfeit Versions Of Cancer Drug Avastin

March 8, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning concerning a counterfeit cancer drug that may be in some hospitals. According to a recent press release from the agency, 19 medical practices in the United States have received warning letters after purchasing the counterfeit versions of the cancer drug, Avastin, through foreign sources. The agency says that other facilities may have purchased the fake medications as well.

The FDA says that the counterfeit drugs are labeled Avastin, manufactured by Roche. Roche manufactures the drug outside the United States and is the sister company of Genentech, Inc., which manufactures it in the United States.

It was determined through testing that certain batches of the Roche version of Avastin didn’t contain the active ingredient bevacizumab, which means patients who took the counterfeit medications may not have received the treatments they needed.

Packages or vials may be counterfeit if they are:

labeled with Roche as the manufacturer,
or display batch numbers that start with B6010, B6011, or B86017.

The counterfeit drugs came from Quality Specialty Products (QSP), a foreign supplier that’s also known as Montana Health Care Solutions. Volunteer Distribution in Gainesboro, Tennessee is a distributor of QSP’s products. The FDA asks that medical staff with products from these suppliers contact them immediately.

The Virginia Drug Injury Attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm are here to help you if a medication you took caused you harm or injury.

Feb

Lawsuit Filed Against Lynchburg Bus Driver For Beating Boy

February 16, 2012

When we think of nursing home abuse, we imagine it happening to an elderly person at an assisted living facility. What we often fail to remember is that the same abuse and neglect can happen to our children in the company of others.

Take, for instance, a case reported by WSLS 10 News of an 11-year-old autistic boy from outside Lynchburg, Virginia, who was beaten last fall by a bus driver and her assistant while they were taking him home. Video footage from the bus shows the two women kicking and beating the child with a fly swatter that September afternoon. Upon investigation, Bedford County school officials fired the two women for their actions and turned the case over to police. Two months later, the women were convicted of misdemeanor assault and received 12-month reduced sentences.

Only recently, though, did the boy’s family file a lawsuit for the alleged abuse. Their lawsuit seeks $20 million in damages from the Bedford County Schools, along with an additional $500,000 in punitive damages to be collected from the two women.

On Wednesday of this week, an attorney for one of the women filed a response to the lawsuit claiming no wrongdoing on her part.

The Virginia Caregiver Abuse Attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm may be able to help answer some of your questions if your loved one has been caused physical or mental harm while in the care of another person.

Feb

Tassimo Coffee Makers Recalled After 140 Reports Of Burns

February 9, 2012

A home coffee and tea maker is being recalled after 140 reports of people being burned by the machine. According to reports from WSLS 10 News, the Tassimo single cup brewer has caused some victims second degree burns on the bodies.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall today in response to problems with the T Discs used to make the hot drinks. T Discs are plastic discs filled with coffee or tea that are inserted into Tassimo coffee makers to brew single cups of hot espresso drinks. The problems were reported with eight and 16-count packages of the discs with codes ending with 11213 through 12020. These identifying codes are printed on both the foil lid and side of the T Discs.

The injuries reported were by people who claim the T Discs became clogged. Once the brewer was clogged, victims say that the machine spewed hot liquids, coffee grinds, and tealeaves on their bodies.

While 140 reports have been made, 37 of those cases involved victims suffering second-degree burns.

The CPSC asks that owners stop use immediately and contact the company for a refund. They also ask that those who have accidents with the machine continue to report their injuries.

The Roanoke defective product lawyers with the Skolrood Law Firm are experienced in helping those who have been harmed by a faulty product get the compensation they need for their injuries.

Dec

Virginia Increases Premiums For Workers’ Compensation Insurance

December 15, 2011

With the Virginia State Corporation Committee announcing earlier this week that it had approved increases in premiums for workers’ compensation insurance, some believe it could lead to an increase in denials and disputes for legitimately hurt employees. WDBJ 7 News reported Sunday that the adjustment would take effect on April 1 of next year.

Virginia state law requires that employers provide employees with safe work environments at all times. That is why most employers in the state are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Workers’ compensation insurance covers the medical expenses and lost wages an employee endures from on-the-job injuries.

With payments increasing and profit margins for insurance providers shrinking, experts say that we can expect these companies to begin scrutinizing every penny they pay out to the injured, possibly even denying claims altogether.

The Virginia workers’ compensation attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm believe the key to filing a successful workers’ compensation claim is filing it in a timely manner. Unless your injury is an emergency, you should report it to your employer first. They will then direct you where to receive treatment. After treatment, you should file your workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. If there are any complexities involved in your case, you may need to consult a skilled worker’s compensation attorney to help.

Dec

Pulaski Man Fined In Connection With Hitting German Cyclist

December 8, 2011

According to WDBJ 7 News, a 46-year-old Marion, Virginia, driver of a commercial truck has been convicted and fined for reckless driving on a suspended license in Pulaski County General District Court Thursday for his part in the October 8th accident that left a German cyclist in a coma.

The 40-year-old German was on a 10-week cycling tour of the United States when he was hit by the truck at around 3:00 PM on Route 100. Reports stated that the 1998 Freightliner truck was traveling southbound at about 55 mph when he swerved to the right and struck the cyclist’s bicycle. The rider was thrown several feet onto an embankment and was later airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Troopers who responded to the scene stated that the truck driver failed to maintain control of his vehicle and did not have his eyes on the road at the time of the accident.

In court today, the truck driver was convicted on all charges, given a $500 fine and suspended 90-day jail sentence for the reckless driving charge, and a $100 fine for driving on a suspended license.

The German cyclist remains in a coma and will soon be flown home to Germany to continue treatment.

The Virginia brain injury lawyers with The Skolrood Law Firm urge drivers to be aware of their surroundings and share the road with bikers. If you have been injured in an accident no fault of your own, contact our experienced attorneys with questions regarding your case.

Dec

Government Warns Parents Bumper Pads In Cribs

December 1, 2011

Most parents think they are shielding their child from getting hurt when they put bumper pads in cribs. This protective layer of quilted and padded material lining a crib is believed to keep a baby from injuries caused by trapping limbs between slats on a crib and hitting their heads. According to the Chicago Tribune though, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now saying that the pads should not be used as they may present a hazard of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.

Investigations found old reports to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) alleging that bumper pads have been the cause of baby injuries. The group has failed to take a stance against the products use because of inconclusive data as to whether the bumper caused the child’s death or another factor. An investigative report uncovered nearly 30 cases of infant deaths suspected to be caused by bumper pads.

The CPSC has now changed its stance after finding that although the number of sudden infant death syndrome cases had declined in the last several years, the number of sleep-related deaths from asphyxia and entrapment have increased.

The Virginia Wrongful Death Attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm often handle cases where a family has lost a loved one due to a product malfunction. They believe manufacturers have a responsibility to release safe products onto the market. Contact us today by filling out a free initial consultation form if you have questions about the wrongful death of a loved one.

Nov

FDA and Smuckers Recall Peanut Butter Tainted With Salmonella

November 17, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in conjunction with J.M. Smucker Company, have announced the recall of thousands of 16-ounce jars of Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because of salmonella contamination. According to the press release issued by the organizations, the bacterium was discovered after random product testing was conducted.

This product was distributed to Virginia as well as: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Symptoms of salmonella include: Fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. In more serious cases, the infection can spread to the blood stream, resulting in arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. Severe infections can lead to death.

Those who have purchased the product with Production Code of 1037004 and 1308004, and/or Best-If-Used-By dates of August 3, 2012 or August 4, 2012 are urged to discard the product immediately and call the company at 1-888-550-9555 for a replacement coupon. The company may require proof of purchase. Customers with questions can contact the company to speak to a customer service representative at 1-888-550-9555 between Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

The Virginia Defective Product Lawyers with the Skolrood Law Firm understand the dangers that unsafe products pose to consumers and have experience fighting for the rights of foodborne illness and defective product victims. If you have been harmed because of an unsafe food product, contact us today!

Aug

Dump Truck Crash in Roanoke Causes Fuel Spill

August 18, 2011

A dump truck crash in Roanoke, Virginia, on Wednesday, August 17, caused a fuel spill on Old Mill Road.

The accident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when a 21-year-old Blacksburg, Virginia, resident was traveling down Old Mill Road in a dump truck that belongs to JPAC of Christiansburg.

According to WSLS, the driver ran off the right side of the road at the 6500 block, flipping the truck onto its side and rolling into a creek. The man, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not hurt, but the truck’s load of dirt and rock, as well as 10 gallons of diesel fuel, spilled into the creek along the roadside.

VDOT and HAZMAT teams were on the scene on Wednesday to manage clean-up. Old Rill Road was closed for about three hours.

The driver has been charged with failure to maintain control of his vehicle. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Read more.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Virginia auto accident, the Virginia auto accident lawyers at Skolrood Law Firm can help.

Dec

Icy roads contribute to Virginia auto accidents

December 16, 2010

Icy roads were the cause of two Virginia auto accidents that took place in the early morning hours, WUSA 9 reports.

One person was injured in one of the Virginia auto accidents when it crashed on Duke Street near Telegraph Road. One person was injured.

The other Virginia auto accident involved three vehicles on the Interstate 395 on-ramp on Duke Street. No injuries were reported.

Two die in Virginia auto accident

November 11, 2010

A man is being accused of killing a university professor and her son in a late-night Virginia auto accident.

According to wset.com, the man’s blood alcohol level at the time of the Virginia auto accident may have been between .14 and .19.

The man’s lawyers are saying that his vehicle may have had mechanical problems at the time of the Virginia auto accident.

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