Atlanta Injury Lawyers Blog

Published on: February 27, 2012

Large Number of Defibrillator Implants Not Recommended

A study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that as many as one in five patients (22%) have needlessly had heart implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) implanted against national guidelines. As a result, patients who needlessly received the implants had a considerably higher risk of experiencing complications; even resulting in in-hospital death. And these procedures are costly, unnecessarily wasting thousands of dollars in medical funds.

ICDs are usually implanted in patients with advanced heart failure in an effort to restore normal rhythm to the heart when it beats irregularly. Researchers have yet to find any advantage in implanting these devices in patients who have had a heart attack or who have undergone bypass surgery. Accordingly, national guidelines do not advise implanting defibrillators in patients who have been diagnosed with heart failure or who have short life expectancies.

Dr. Sana Al-Khatib of Duke Universities School of Medicine, the lead author of the study, alleges that some of the implants may have been appropriate; but a lot more were performed in spite of the research evidence. “It’s lack of knowledge. It’s ignorance. It’s not keeping track of the guidelines,” she explained to MSNBC.com. “And we may have some physicians who don’t agree with the guidelines or don’t think the guidelines apply to patients,” she continued.

Published on: February 27, 2012

A Word of Caution for Homeopathic Medicine Users

by Robert J. Fleming

The most recent edition of New Zealand Medical Journal Digest includes a discussion of medical doctors and a health psychologist talking about the negative side effects associated with the use of homeopathic remedies. The doctors in the article consider such treatments as arnica, colloidal silver, deer velvet, and a number of other treatments classified as homeopathic remedies to be a “waste of time and money,” and in some instances, harmful to the user.

As much as 95 percent of homeopathic products and hundreds of therapies are not backed by research or credible biologically, according to the doctors. Of these so-called remedies, the doctors expressly discussed arnica, deer velvet, the Lemonade Diet, magnets, propolis, rescue remedy, shark cartilage, and super doses of vitamin C for the treatment of cancer.

Some of these treatments, such as colloidal silver, which is advertised as aiding the immune system in the fight against cancer and HIV, could actually be dangerous. According to Dr. Holt, “Silver does have some anti-microbial actions, but not only is there no clinical evidence of an efficacy for these serious indications, products have been shown to contain widely variable amounts of silver and can cause argyria-dangerous and untreatable silver poisoning.”

According to drugwatch.com, consumers often make the assumption that because they are readily available, supplements must be safe. In and of themselves, that may be true, but when combined with drugs, supplements can cause serious adverse reactions. The FDA cites research that shows at least half of American adults regularly use dietary supplements, which are defined as “products taken by mouth that contain a dietary ingredient.” According to the agency, these include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs or botanicals. St. John’s wort, vitamin E, ginseng and Ginko biloba all have been touted for their ability to boost certain health aspects. Unfortunately, they also interact with various widely prescribed drugs and cause life-threatening reactions.
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Published on: February 27, 2012

Pradaxa Under the FDA’s Watchful Eye

by Robert J. Fleming

Pradaxa is a blood-thinner that is prescribed to many patients in Atlanta to lessen the chance of stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by heart valve trouble. It has only been available to patients for two years; however, the side effects associated with the use of Pradaxa have already caught the attention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

The latest studies suggest that Pradaxa use poses an increased risk to the heart. Though the blood-thinner is used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation patients to protect them against the possibility of stroke, the newest fear is that dabigatran can cause a Pradaxa Heart Attack. Seven studies have found a 33 percent increase in Pradaxa heart attacks or chest pain (angina) compared to patients using another drug, like warfarin, or a placebo.

Though the chance of a Pradaxa heart episode is small at 1.19 percent in contrast to .79 percent, even so it is a risk. Interestingly, the data used from the seven studies was gathered from clinical testing that encouraged the FDA to approve Pradaxa two years ago. The results of the meta-analysis have been published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Published on: February 27, 2012

Safety of NuvaRing and other Contraceptives in Question

by Robert J. Fleming

Safety, dependability, and ease of use are what most women look for in a contraceptive. However, numerous lawsuits have been filed against NuvaRing and other drug companies claiming that some forms of birth control are not as safe as women think they are.

Some lawsuits have been filed claiming that women have been seriously injured after using NuvaRing birth control. While other lawsuits have been filed claiming that young women have died after using the contraceptive. Other lawsuits claim that consumers were not amply cautioned about the increased danger linked with the birth control.

NuvaRing has a mixture of Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. A study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that the chance of having a cardiovascular episode was greater when woman used a contraceptive that contained 30 – 40 microgram of ehinyl estradiol, which NuvaRing has. Hormones in NuvaRing can also cause a user’s blood to clot easier. Blood clots that form in the legs can travel to the lungs and block vessel carrying blood to the lungs. Some are extremely critical of third and fourth generation forms of birth control because they believe that second generation forms of birth control are safer and just as effective. And they stress that Desogestrel is linked to a greater risk of venous thromboembolism, which can be fatal.

The FDA has begun listening to the fears and concerns over certain forms of birth control. At an advisory committee meeting this past December, the FDA listened to the testimony of parents of a 24-year-old woman who died. The parents believe their daughter developed a pulmonary embolism from using NuvaRing.
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Published on: February 27, 2012

Abilify Is Not As Effective As Once Thought

by Robert J. Fleming

A recent study that appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that drugs like Abilify might not effectively treat acute stress. What’s more, the side effects linked with Abilify may be more hazardous than deemed necessary. Problems with Abilify and pregnancy and Abilify for children are other concerns associated with its use. For this reason, women who take Abilify and intend on becoming pregnant or who are already expecting should talk over their options with their doctor.

Drugs that are used to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms have roughly the same rate of effectiveness as placebos but have serious side effects. The study examined the use of Risperdal in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication that is in the same class as Abilify and Seroquel. Thus, experts have concluded that the same results could be found with Abilify.

The researchers discovered that military veterans who were given Risperdal to treat post-traumatic stress disorder had a comparable rate of recovery to veterans who were given a placebo. After being treated for six months, about five percent of the veterans in the groups recovered and 10 – 20 percent experienced some improvement. Thus, researchers concluded that the treatment with medication did not significantly benefit these veterans.
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Published on: February 27, 2012

How to Find an Attorney in Atlanta

by Robert J. Fleming

Finding a competent attorney in Atlanta is a lot more difficult than turning on your television and choosing one from the countless commercials on morning television. When searching for an attorney, don’t expect to find one simply by reading an advertisement or looking one up in the Yellow Pages. And don’t assume that the best lawyers are the most popular. Selecting an attorney is not a popularity contest. Nevertheless, there are sound ways of choosing one that best suits your specific needs.

Always verify a malpractice attorney’s credentials to ensure that he/she has a good reputation. The Better Business Bureau can inform you of any complaints filed against an attorney and if and when the complaint was resolved. Ask for the names of previous clients from the lawyer you’re considering hiring. They will give you good insight as to what the attorney in question is really like. Then again, the most reliable recommendations are usually from your family members and friends.

Prior to your first meeting with a prospective attorney, make a note of important facts pertaining to your case to share with him or her. Include the names, addresses and phone numbers of every person linked to the case. Moreover, bring all papers associated with the case. Some lawyers may want to review these papers before meeting with you. And make sure to inquire about cases that the attorney has handled that are comparable to yours.

Find an attorney that you can trust. For that reason, be patient in trying to get to know as many different lawyers as you can. Ideally, you’d like the personality of the attorney you choose to be well–suited with your own personality. And though you may never attain the perfect client – attorney relationship, his/her ease of access, proficiency, and ability to understand you are most important.

Lawyer referral services are another source of information. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and only list the ones that have particular qualifications and experience. However, before choosing a lawyer referral service it is important to know what they’re qualifications are for an attorney to be included and how carefully they screen their lawyers.

You also can seek help through the Atlanta Bar Association. Tell them why you are looking for an attorney. They can help you find a lawyer that concentrates in your area of need. For example, you wouldn’t want an immigration lawyer to handle your personal injury case. It doesn’t matter how skillful they are in one area, it won’t qualify them in another area. Lawyers specialize in certain areas for a reason. Therefore, choose the one with the most experience and training in the area that you need.
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Published on: February 20, 2012

Dentist Investigated for Death of Second Child During Procedure

by Robert J. Fleming

Officers are investigating a dentist, after a 2nd child died while undergoing a procedure under his care.

This child, a 3-year-old boy, was undergoing a routine dental procedure at the dentist’s office. He was under anesthesia, and had been restrained in a pappoose. According to the child’s mother, during the procedure, the boy suddenly went limp, and stopped breathing. His lips became blue, and he was then rushed to hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The dentist had been suspended by the Board of Dentistry after the death of a 6-year-old child who also died while in his care. He was placed under probation after the suspension. In that case too, the child had been restrained in a pappoose, and was under local anesthesia during the procedure. That child also stopped breathing during the procedure. However, a medical examiner ruled that the child died due to natural causes, because the child suffered from cerebral palsy and several other medical conditions.
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Published on: February 17, 2012

Woman Dies after Contracting Legionnaires’ Disease in Dentist’s Office

by Robert J. Fleming

Among the many ways that a dentist or dental professional may be guilty of negligence is failing to ensure that treatment conditions in their clinic are 100% sanitary. An 82-year-old woman recently died after contracting Legionnaires’ Disease from a dentist’s office.

The 82-year-old woman had visited her dentist’s office for a routine procedure. A few days later, she fell ill, and died soon after. When health officials began investigating her illness, they found that during the time the disease was in incubation, she had left the house just twice, to visit her dentist’s office. They then inspected the water lines in the dentist’s office, and found that these were contaminated with the bacteria Legionella pneumophila that causes Legionnaires’ Disease.

This incident occurred under conditions that did not adequately protect the patient. Fortunately, water sanitation standards in the United States are much stricter than they have ever been and this should not be too much of a concern. The American Dental Association had convened a special task force in the 1990s that focused exclusively on infection prevention in dentist offices. The American Dental Association since then has made a number of recommendations to dentists to treat the water that is used in water lines to keep infection rates down. Obviously, a good development for patient care and well-being.
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Published on: February 13, 2012

FDA Investigating Sale of Handheld Dental X-Ray Units Online

by Robert J. Fleming

Most of the dental injuries that I come across as an Atlanta dental malpractice lawyer occur as a result of the negligence of dental professionals like technicians and dentists. However, sometimes injuries can also occur due to defective or malfunctioning dental equipment. The Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating the illegal sale of handheld dental x-ray units on the Internet.

According to the agency, dental professionals must be aware that these handheld dental x-ray units that are available online, may be potentially unsafe. The agency is not only concerned that the devices may not be as effective as those that are purchased from a retailer, but also that these devices may expose patients to harmful effects. For instance, the handheld devices may expose patients to potentially harmful radiation.

According to the Food and Drug Administration the handheld x-ray units were sold online, and were shipped to American consumers. The agency wants patients as well as dental professionals to know that these devices have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The devices do not meet the agency’s radiation safety requirements.
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Published on: January 24, 2012

Dentist Who Used Paper Clips in Treatment to be Sentenced

by Robert J. Fleming

I’ve been litigating malpractice cases for over 20 years, and I have to say that it doesn’t get much worse than this: using a stainless steel paperclip in place of a stainless steel post during a root canal treatment. A dentist who admits that he made such appalling substitutions in the course of dental treatment, is set to be sentenced.

Last week, the dentist pleaded guilty to a range of charges. He admits that he used part of a paperclip in place of stainless steel posts to support a root canal on a patient. Besides dental negligence, the negligent dentist faces several other charges. According to investigators, he fraudulently billed Medicaid by performing dental procedures and having other dentists in his practice bill it to Medicaid. In all, he allegedly defrauded Medicaid out of approximately $130,000 between August 2003 and June 2005. During this time, he had been prohibited from working on Medicaid patients.

The charges also included drug charges against him. He used to prescribe addictive painkillers like hydrocodone and Percocet to members of the staff. The staff would procure the medications and give some of them to him.
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