South Carolina Personal Injury Law BlogRecently the federal judge overseeing the multi-district litigation involving claims by over 16,000 women that Johnson & Johnson’s talc based Baby Powder causes cancer ruled that the claimant’s experts were qualified and could testify in upcoming trials against Johnson & Johnson. That was great news. Then two weeks ago Johnson & Johnson announced it would stop selling its talc based Baby Powder. Once again more great news, but Johnson & Johnson still won’t admit that it’s talc based Baby Powder causes cancer.
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Three Dead from Infection at Greenville Health System
The Greenville Health System in Greenville, SC has reported three deaths and a total of fifteen people infected with an infection to which surgical patients were exposed. GHS says the infections are caused by an atypical mycobacterium. The hospital along with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control are working to identify the source of the infection, however they believe it is related to a piece of equipment which has been removed from use.
The hospital has said that this infection is not contagious to others, but there could be more undiscovered cases. In its statement GHS said, “Because of the organism’s long incubation period of as much as 60 days, some of the GHS patients did not show signs of infection until months after their surgeries. The first-recognized patient tested positive in March 2014. Patients who tested positive are being notified.”
How much car insurance do I need in South Carolina?
Under South Carolina law each car must have $25,000 in liability insurance coverage. Liability coverage only protects other drivers from your negligence. You cannot collect liability coverage on your car for injuries you receive. If you own a home or have other assets you should talk with your agent and consider raising your liability limits, because if you cause injuries to someone else and do not have enough liability coverage to compensate them for their injuries, your home and other assets could be at risk.
In South Carolina, every car must also have uninsured motorist coverage in the amount of $25,000. If an uninsured motorist hits you, you will be covered with up to $25,000 in insurance. You should consider raising the limits of that coverage.
GM IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES 31 CRASHES & 13 DEATHS
In February GM issued a massive recall of more than 2.6 million cars on models where it was suspected that faulty ignition switches were automatically turning off and preventing airbags from deploying. GM has known of the problem for over a decade and failed to take action until after 13 deaths occurred. In 2005 a Maryland woman died when her 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt crashed into a tree after an ignition switch shut down her car’s electrical system and the airbags failed to deploy. In 2012, GM identified four crashes and four corresponding fatlities (all involving 2004 Saturn Ions) along with six other injuries from four other crashes attributable to the defect. Congress is now investigating the long delay and silence by GM regarding the defect. iF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER BELIEVE YOU HAVE SUFFERED INJURIES IN A GM PRODUCT DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH OR AIRBAG FAILURE, WE CAN HELP. CALL PATRICK E. KNIE LAW OFFICES FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT 1-866-665-4995.
GM Recalls 1.6 Million Cars for Ignition Switch Defect
After coming under increasing criticism and pressure GM finally folded under intense pressure and recalled 1.6 million vehicles for a defect in the ignition switch which caused vehicles to shut down while being driven. The recall included six models – all from between 2003 and 2007 model years – including the 2005 – 2007 Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s; 2003-2007 Saturn Ions; 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHRs, and 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice and 2007 Saturn Sky models. Thirteen deaths have been linked to the ignition switch defect. Congress is now investigating whether GM concealed its knowledge on the defect. U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman was quoted as saying “the committee will examine whether GM knowingly allowed faulty and dangerous cars to remain on the road.” The Justice Department is also investigating whether GM broke any laws with its slow response to the problem. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU OR A LOVED YOU HAS SUFFERED HARM FROM A DEFECTIVE GM IGNITION SWITCH, WE CAN HELP. CALL PATRICK E. KNIE LAW OFFICES AT 1-866-665-4995 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
Blow the Whistle on Medicare or Medicaid Fraud
A federal law gives protection to those employees of hospitals, doctor’s offices and others who blow the whistle on those who are defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. While other private citizens can also blow the whistle, over 70% of all claims come from employees within the healthcare system. $35 billion has been recovered since 1987 when the law was toughened. The “False Claims Act” makes it unlawful to “knowing present or cause to be presented a false claim for payment or approval.” The False Claims Act (FCA) allows private individuals to bring actions to expose these offenders and, if successful the whistleblower can receive !5-30% of any amount recovered. Whistleblowers have received as much as several million dollars for helping to disclose dishonest healthcare providers. If a whisltle blower is retaliated against by an employer, the whistleblower can receive, in addition to his or her award, double damages plus attorney fees. IF YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE THAT A HOSPITAL, DOCTOR, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY OR MEDICAL DEVISE COMPANY IS OVERCHARGING, CONTACT PATRICK E. KNIE LAW OFFICES AT 1-866-665-4995 AND LET US HELP.
Merck Agrees to Pay $100 Million in NuvaRing Settlement
Merck may pay $100 million to settle thousands of lawsuits over the safety of its NuvaRing contraceptive as long as enough women agree to participate. The settlement may resolve as many as 3,800 cases in federal and state courts. The lawsuits alleged that Merck knew while selling the product that it posed a higher risk risk of heart-attacking blood clots than competing products. A New Jersey judge gave preliminary approval of the settlement, subject to 95% of the plaintiffs participating in the settlement. If you beleive you have been injured by a drug or medical device, we can help. Call1-866-665-4995 for a free consultation.
Amputations in the Workplace
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), amputations are some of the most serious and debilatating workplace injuries. Amputations happen most often when workers operate unguarded or inadequately safeguarded mechanical power presses, power press brakes, powered and non-powered conveyors, printing presses, roll-forming and roll bending machines, food slicers, meat grinders, meat cutting band saws, drill presses, and milling machines as well as shears, grinders,, and slitters. If you have been injured on the job or suffered a job related amputation we can help. Call the Law Offices of Patrick E. Knie toll free at 1-866-665-4995 for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Tire Defects
Tire defects are a major cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. While retreads are often viewed as a large problem, many of the pieces of tire we see along our roadways come from tires which have not been retreaded. Many “new” tires contain defects which are potential hazards to the driving public. Drivers should inspect their tires frequently for developing problems. Tire failure, particularly at high speeds can be life threatening the occupants of the vehicle with the defective tire and to other vehicles in close proximity. In addition to tire defects, tires in poor condition can cause life threatening cosequences as well. Large truck tires, because of their size, are very dangerous. Many trucking companies chose to use retreaded tires with the result that large portions of the retreads become delamenated either striking another vehicle or causing the nearby vehicles to take evasive action to avoid colliding with the tire. The National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA) has a website designed for consumer to report tire defects, check for complaints about specific tires, check for recalls, and check ongoing investigations at www.safercar.gov. IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED BY A DEFECTIVE TIRE THE LAW OFFICES OF PATRICK E. KNIE CAN HELP. CALL 1-866-665-4995 TOLL FREE OR EMAILING US AT pknie@knielaw.com FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
Pradaxa lawsuits
If you take Pradaxa, you may have important legal rights. Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) is a blood thinner prescribed to prevent stroke in patients with irregular heartbeats. Pradaxa has been prescribed to more than a million patients. Serious safety concerns have arisen about Pradaxa. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now reviewing the drug. There have been numerous reports of serious and fatal uncontrolled internal bleeding among patients prescribed Pradaxa. The FDA is investigating those reports. Pradaxa side effects include uncontrollable bleeding, unusual or unexpected bruising, coughing up blood, red or black stools, pink or brown urine, joint pain, and headaches or lightheadedness. Several hundred deaths have been attributed to Pradaxa. If you believe you have a Pradaxa claim call us toll free at 1-866-665-4995 for a free consultation.