As a patient, being a health advocate is important. As our world progresses so does technology and the advancement in the medical field. Companies are making products so quickly, so the product can be sold in stores. Often products have not been tested to ensure the product works correctly. This therefore leads to severe consequences. As patients and citizens we trust doctors and hospitals to care for us in a proper and safe manner. We also trust companies to produce products that are not harmful and work correctly, although more times than not this does not happen. From simple products that you receive from the convenience store to products that could save your life, need to work properly.

Jason Peters, a Philadelphia Eagles left tackle player ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2012. He was told to use a rolling walker after his surgery on his Achilles tendon. A rolling walker enabled Peters to still be mobile without putting pressure on his Achilles tendon. There are various amounts of rolling walkers, although the one Peters was using was one that he put one knee on while pedaling with the other leg. However, Peters walker broke below the handlebar while he was using it. This failure led to Peters re injuring his Achilles Tendon during the fall which resulted in another surgery on Peters Achilles tendon. The second surgery prevented Peters from returning for the 2012 season. The Roll-A-Bout walker is suppose to hold any person up to 500 pounds. Peters was 340 pounds which does not explain why the walker broke. The malfunction of the walker has not been stated but assumed that the walker was just broken. Peters was awarded $2 million in the lawsuit against the walker company.

Something simple as a walker can cause injuries that could have been prevented. However it is hard to ensure that a walker is working properly because we just assume that things similar to this are in proper condition. However if you or someone you know used a walker, be a health advocate and make sure it assembled properly. It is essential to triple check that all the parts are assembled correctly to prevent casualties from happening.

In addition to making sure walkers are in the best condition before use, as patients it is important to make certain prescribed drugs are suitable for you. One minor mishap could cause severe complications to you or a loved one. As patients we can prevent from horrible medical malpractice, defective medical device or a defective product. It is easy to check to make sure that what you are using is right for you. It is more of a hassle and life threatening to deal with the complications from not being proactive.

If you or a loved on has been hurt in a walker accidents please call for a free consultation. No one deserves to be hurt when it is out of their control.

Please call us for a free consultation.
Borchardt Law Firm represent clients in Texas in cases similar to this one. Feel free to give us a call.
Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
firm@attorneysmb.com
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
For easy access to blog updates, follow us on Twitter: @AttorneysMB

According to ABC News, Dr. Bruce Goldberger stated, “you could easily overdose or succumb to toxicity associated with the caffeine ingestion. You could mix it with alcohol in a social setting and also I’m troubled by its availability, potentially at home where young children can get a hold of it.” The FDA worries that due to the canisters packaging, brightly colored and a sleek look, AeroShot will attract mostly kids and teens, a target audience that is most vulnerable to overusing such products.

AeroShot was first released on the market last month in Massachusetts, New York and France. The product never required FDA review before being released on the market in the U.S. because it was sold as a dietary supplement. The FDA recently released a statement that the safety review will not only focus on whether the product is safe for consumption but also, will review if the product legally qualifies as a dietary supplement.
David Edwards, inventor of AeroShot, claims the product is safe and does not contain common additives used to boost the caffeine effect in most energy drinks. As we have seen over the years, energy drinks can have severe side effects and at times can cause fatal accidents. After the release of Four Loko, the FDA and the public are very cautious about products used to boost energy, especially if they are being mixed with alcohol.

The FDA will continue their investigation and promptly inform the public of any results they find. When considering taking any kind of energy booster, it is always best to make yourself fully aware of any side effects that could occur, whether it is the dosage or mixing it with alcohol, you should be cautious of all situations. If you or a loved one have taken something that ended in pain or even a fatal accident, and you feel you were not properly warned about the side effects, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. At Borchardt Law Firm, we have seen and dealt with several different types of cases, including multiple cases where the side effects were not accurately warned about. We feel the work we do will continue to further protect future generations of Texans. Feel free to give us a call.

Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
firm@attorneysmb.com
Burnett Building
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Sources:
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpps/health/fda-to-review-inhalable-caffeine-dpgapx-km-20120219_18079611

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/02/fda-to-investigate-safety-of-inhalable-caffeine/

Though Texas does not see snow that often, we get our fair share of rain, sleet and ice during the winter. If you must leave your house, be aware of these guidelines to help prevent you from getting into an accident.

• Before leaving your house, check your tire pressure and make sure your tires still contain enough tread to create traction on the road.
• Plan your route on main roads that have most likely already been driven on.
• Drive slowly; prepare to go under the speed limit. Give yourself at least double the amount of the time it normally takes you to get to your destination.
• You should allocate at least three times more space in between your car and the car in front of you.
• When preparing to stop gently pump your brakes, don’t slam on your breaks and hold them down – this could cause your vehicle to continuously slide.
• Keep your car in low gears to hold traction.
• Try to avoid all bridges and overpasses – they will most likely be the slickest.
• Keep your lights on, helping other cars see your vehicle.
• If you begin to hydroplane, grip your steering wheel to keep control and wait until you feel your tires contact the road.
• If storms become too severe, pull over but avoid parking under power lines, trees and other large objects that could fall on your car.

The best advice to take during winter storms is to avoid driving, however, we aren’t always able to do that. At Borchardt Law Firm we hope these guidelines will help keep drivers safe. Unfortunately, car accidents occur everyday across the state, at our law firm we strive to protect those who have been in an accident no matter what the cause of the accident was. Car accidents can be a confusing and difficult situation, especially when bad weather is involved. If you or someone you know has been in an accident and feel you should talk to a personal injury lawyer about any legal options you might have feel free to give us a call. We have seen and dealt with many car accident litigation’s and feel the work we do will continue to better protect future generations of Texans.

Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
firm@attorneysmb.com
Burnett Building
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Sources:

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2010/05_2010.pdf

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) continues to express concern about the potential side effects of Yaz birth control. Over the past few years health experts and the FDA have shown an increased apprehension over the once-a-day pill. Yaz, unlike older contraceptive pills, contains drospirenone, an ingredient that may be a leading factor in an increased risk in blood clots. Though all birth controls come with a risk of blood clots, studies have suggested that pills containing drospirenone slightly enhance that risk. Yaz, one of Bayers leading products, was approved in 2006. By 2008 it was the top selling birth control pill in the U.S. Due to its reputation of helping with acne and PMS symptoms millions of women became prescribed to the pill.

By 2009 Bayer’s sales for Yaz quickly began to fall. Several women filed complaints that Yaz was the leading factor in blood clots and that the Bayer did not properly inform their patients of this risk. Since then, sales of Yaz have decreased by almost 80 percent, creating a much higher threat of concern and a significant increase in lawsuits. Today, there is an estimated 4,000-6,000 patients suing Bayer for not being properly informed of the possibly severe side effects of Yaz. Blood clots can cause life threatening problems such as stroke and heart attack. There have also been reported cases of fatal blood clots. If it is a possibility that drospirenone increases the risk of what can be fatal blood clots, Bayer needs to immediately update all of Yaz’s labels to accurately inform their patients.

Though health experts still struggle to find clear evidence that drospirenone is the leading factor in an increase in blood clots the FDA panel of experts voted 21-5 that Bayer did not properly inform their patients of potential side effects. The labeling on each drug is not clearly stated and needs more detail when referring to impending severe side effects such as the increased risk of blood clots.

The FDA is still working to set an official deadline for Bayer to change all of Yaz’s labeling and predict the drug will continue to be on the shelves until clear evidence is found that drospirenone is the leading factor in blood clots. However, the FDA continues to advise all women taking birth control to consult their doctor for alternative options. Unfortunately, with most birth controls there are always risks that patients need to be aware of. If you feel that you or someone you know has suffered from side effects that were not properly warned about don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options. At Borchardt Law Firm we have seen and dealt with many defective prescription drug cases and feel the work we do will better protect future generations of Texans. Feel free to give us a call.

Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
Burnett Building
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
firm@attorneysmb.com
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/09/yaz-birth-control-risks-fda-warning_n_1138872.html

Know the warning signs of driving drowsy according to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

• The inability to recall the last few miles traveled
• Having disconnected or wandering thoughts
• Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
• Feeling as though your head is very heavy
• Drifting out of your driving lane, perhaps driving on the rumble strips
• Yawning repeatedly
• Accidentally tailgating other vehicles
• Missing traffic signs

Enough truck and car accidents happen every year, how can you avoid drowsy driving to prevent more truck and car accidents?

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has conducted a list of what they believe to be the six most important guidelines a driver can follow in hopes to prevent drowsy driving.

• Get a good night’s sleep: The amount needed varies from individual to individual, but sleep experts recommend between 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
• Plan to drive long trips with a companion: Passengers can help look for early warning signs of fatigue, and switching drivers may be helpful. Passengers should stay awake and monitor the driver’s condition.
• Take regular breaks: Schedule regular stops – every 100 miles or 2 hours, even if you don’t feel tired, and more often if you feel like you need it.
• Avoid alcohol and medications: If medications warn that they cause or may cause drowsiness, avoid taking them before driving. If you must take certain prescription medications that cause drowsiness, don’t drive immediately after taking them.
• You should never consume alcohol before driving in the first place, but it is especially important to realize that alcohol interacts with fatigue, increasing sleepiness. If you are already tired, even a small quantity of alcohol may exacerbate your sleepiness and increase your risk of crashing, even if your BAC is well below the legal limit for a DWI conviction.
• Consult your physician or a local sleep disorders center: If you suffer frequent daytime sleepiness, experience difficulty sleeping at night, and/or snore loudly on a regular basis, consult your physician or local sleep disorders center for a diagnosis and treatment.

(Read full article)

The road is a dangerous place; don’t let you or someone you know drive while drowsy. If you or a loved one have ever been in a truck or car accident don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options. At Borchardt Law Firm we have seen and dealt with all types of personal injury cases and feel the work we do will protect future generations of Texans. Feel free to give us a call.

Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
firm@attorneysmb.com
Burnett Building
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

On July 15, 2007 five high school cheerleaders in Western New York were killed in a car accident. Police pulled cell phone records which showed the driver had sent and received a text message just 38 seconds before 911 was called by a bystander to report the accident. Tragically, police can only assume that the distraction of texting was the main cause of the accident. Shortly after the accident more and more states began passing laws dealing with cell phone usage while driving. Stay up to date with the current Texas driving prohibitions. (read full story)

Texas Driving Prohibitions

• Ban on all cell phone (handheld and Hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone (handheld and Hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for bus drivers (Primary law)
• Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones
• In Texas: bus driver laws pertain to bus drivers with passengers age 17 and under. Novice drivers are defined as all drivers at the intermediate stage, first 12 months.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group. And 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving” (NHTSA).

Texas, trying to prevent more distracted driving car accidents, has enforced two new distracted driving laws. One bans teen drivers from using cell phones and text messaging devices while driving; the other prohibits all drivers from using handheld cell phones in school zones. These laws are now in effect across the state. Though, several Texas cities are taking distracted driving issues into their own hands. Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Amarillo, Galveston, El Paso, Missouri City and Stephenville are among the cities that have passed local distracted driving laws.

Don’t let yourself or a loved one become a victim of an injury or death instigated by a distracted driver. If you have been in an accident and believe the driver caused the wreck due to a distraction contact our law firm, Borchardt Law Firm, to discuss your legal options. We wish that no family has to ever experience a serious injury or the loss of a loved one from a car accident, but we also feel the work we do will continue to protect future generations of Texans. Feel free to give us a call.

Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
firm@attorneysmb.com
Burnett Building
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Sources:

• http://distraction.gov/stats-and-facts/index.html
• http://www.nhtsa.gov/
• http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3379012&page=1