May 20, 2016 | Defective Drugs & Medical Devices , Mass Torts , Products Liability
The Bair Hugger blanket manufactured by 3M is a warming blanket used to warm anesthetized patients during surgery. It is often used during joint replacement surgeries including hip and knee replacements. The blanket is used to help regulate the body’s temperature and avoid hypothermia. Unfortunately the Bair Hugger warming device has been known to cause infections in patients due to bacteria in the air system. The bacteria circulates through the warming blanket and attacks open wounds on the body causing serious infections. These infections can be debilitating, and if not controlled, can cause death.
May 20, 2016 | Defective Drugs & Medical Devices , Mass Torts , Products Liability
Zofran is a prescription drug that works by blocking chemicals in the body that trigger nausea and vomiting. It is often prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Zofran has also been prescribed to many pregnant women for nausea, however, Zofran has not been approved for this use and may cause birth defects.
May 16, 2016 | Defective Drugs & Medical Devices , Mass Torts , Products Liability
Xaraleto, Eliquis and Pradaxa are blood thinning drugs that were approved recently by the FDA. They are used to treat and prevent blood clots as well as lower the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or a-fib. Prior to these drugs being brought to market, patients often used Coumadin (warfarin) as a blood thinning agent. Xarelto, Elquis and Pradaxa are marketed as a more convenient blood thinner than Coumadin because the patient is not tied to regular blood monitoring.
May 16, 2016 | Defective Drugs & Medical Devices , Mass Torts , Products Liability
Avelox, Cipro and Levaquin, also known as fluoroquinolones, are anti-biotics prescribed for various bacterial infections. Doctors often prescribe them for urinary tract infections, sinus infections and respiratory infections. While these prescription drugs may fight infection, they often are used as a first line defense when other antibiotics with less severe side effects are available. In August 2013, a warning was added to the labeling of fluoroquinolones. This warning included the dangers of the development of neuropathy as a result of ingestion. Neuropathy symptoms include pain, tingling and numbness and typically is irreversible. The manufacturers of fluoroquinolones failed to advise consumers of the potential for developing neuropathy and many patients have been battling neuropathy for years without knowing the cause.
May 16, 2016 | Defective Drugs & Medical Devices , Products Liability
Essure was first brought to market in November 2002 by Bayer HealthCare as an alternative to permanent sterilization in women. It was marketed as less invasive than other forms of permanent sterilization. The recovery time is less and the procedure is completed in the patient’s doctor’s office in as little as ten minutes.
April 20, 2016 | Class Actions , Disability Rights
Allegations have been brought against the Franchise Tax Board for failure to comply with ADA requirement. The FTB failed to provide communications to blind tax payers in a form they could access, such as braille or email. Instead, the FTB sent regular print mail, which consumers that are blind were unable to access.
April 16, 2016 | Class Actions , Employment Class Actions , Employment Law
An employer is required to follow certain laws when determining if an employee should be classified as an exempt or non-exempt employee. If employees are misclassified, they can lose wages they have a right to collect. In this wage and hour class action, it is alleged that CVS misclassified many employees and did not pay… Read more
April 13, 2016 | Class Actions
Arias Sanguinetti Stahle & Torrijos is pursuing a class action against Browning-Ferris Industries of California, Inc. arising from the company’s Sunshine Canyon Landfill. The landfill is placed in the middle of a canyon, thus creating a situation where odors that are not properly controlled are carried into the neighborhoods nearby, including the Granada Hills area. The… Read more
March 17, 2016 | Class Actions , Employment Class Actions , Employment Law
Claims have been brought against Dollar Tree in a wage and hour class action in the Central District of California for its failure to pay overtime. Employees have been misclassified by Dollar Tree keeping them from collecting their wages that they have lawfully earned. Dollar Tree has also failed to provide their California employees printed… Read more
March 3, 2016 | Class Actions , Consumer Protection
Central Mortgage has been named in a consumer class action for failure to pay property tax refunds in a case currently pending in the Superior Court of Los Angeles. The case alleges that Central Mortgage, a mortgage servicer, was required to return tax refunds from the county to the property tax owners. The refunds were… Read more
