Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer - Miscellaneous

CT Scans More Dangerous Than Previously Assumed

Susy Owen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:54:30 GMT

An article in the Wall Street Journal this week noted the dangers of radiation levels used for CT perfusion scans. According to a report published in the Archives of Internal medicine, the radiation danger is worse that previously thought.

The article was published shortly after news broke of an Alabama hospital added to a federal investigation involving patients who received a radiation overdose from a CT perfusion scan.

In addition to the Alabama hospital, three Los Angeles area hospitals are among those being investigated after patients reported symptoms such as hairloss, loss of balance and nausea. All patients who reported overdose symptoms received a CT scan screening for a stroke from a machine set at many times higher than necessary.

If you believe you are suffering from symptoms of severe radiation overdose, please call 866.654.4947 or visit us.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Alabama Hospital Added to Radiation Overdose Investigation

Susy Owen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:40:14 GMT

An Alabama woman is among those who received an overdose of radiation while undergoing a CT perfusion scan used to diagnose strokes. Becky Coudert, of Huntsville, AL, reported a ring of hairloss stretching from ear to ear as well as nausea, dizziness and blurred vision after undergoing the scan at Huntsville Hospital on September 8, 2009.

Coudert's attorney, Rick Patterson, of Owen, Patterson & Owen, believes that "this radiation overdose may have taken place over a period over several weeks. Which would lead us to conclude that other people were probably exposed or may have been exposed to the same problem."

Becky Coudert's hair has not grown back yet, and her concerns about the impact of a possible overdose of radiation still remain.

If you or someone you know believe that you have received an overdose of radiation please call 866.654.4947.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Radiation Overdose Prompts FDA to Issue Safety Warning

Susy Owen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:49:50 GMT

The FDA issued a safety warning after 206 patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles received eight times the necessary amount of radiation. The safety warning did not specifially name Cedars-Sinai.

The machine in question was reconfigured in February 2008 to increase the ability to see blood flow to the brain in the diagnosis of a stroke. The error was not recognized until August 2009 when a patient reported patchy hair loss.

"If patient doses are higher than the expected level, but not high enough to produce obvious signs of radiation injury, the problem may go undetected and unreported, putting patients at increased risk for long-term radiation effects," the safety notification added.

The FDA warned imaging facilities to review their protocols and carefully monitor the volume CT dose index and dose-length product during and after each patient's scan.

The California errors highlight an ongoing controversy over patients' increasing exposure to radiation, brought on by phenomenal growth in the number of CT procedures, said Jeff Brinker, MD, of Johns Hopkins. "This situation may reflect more widespread problems with CT quality assurance programs and may not be isolated to this particular facility or this imaging procedure (CT brain perfusion)," the FDA said.

If you or someone you know may have received a radiation overdose please visit us or call 866.654.4947.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Drunk Driving Deaths Down, Motorcycle Fatalities Rise

Susy Owen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:38:20 GMT

Drunk driving deaths in California dropped for a third straight year in 2008, the state Office of Traffic Safety said Thursday, but motorcycle fatalities continued a decade-long rise that mirrors national trends.

Overall, traffic deaths dropped by 14% in 2008, to 3,434, the state said, using figures released last month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Alcohol-related deaths accounted for slightly less than one-third of the total, and were down 9.1% — a slightly smaller decline than for the nation as a whole. Over three years, drunk driving deaths in California were down nearly 21%.

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow attributed the decline “to hard, innovative work in education, enforcement, engineering and emergency medical services.”

State officials expressed concern, however, over the increase in motorcycle fatalities, which rose 8.1% to 560. They have more than doubled since beginning to rise in 1998. The increase has been driven by a roughly similar rise in motorcycle ridership, although state officials also attribute the problem to a new generation of bigger, faster, more powerful bikes.

"Whereas every other category of vehicle deaths is going down, motorcycles are going up," said Chris Cochran, a spokesman for the Office of Traffic Safety. He said the rise in fatalities was especially noticeable among young men — who have "a lot of testosterone" and the bikes to match — and among men in their 50s and older who are returning to motorcycles after decades of not riding, and often choosing much larger bikes than they rode in their youth.

"We’re seeing the need for training with these new bikes," Cochran said, "and just training on handling a motorcycle in general."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

14 Freeway Reopens After Multi-vehicle Collision

Susy Owen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:51:09 GMT

According to California Highway Patrol, a multi-vehicle accident closed a portion of the northbound 14 Freeway north of Placerita Canyon Road. The number of vehicles has not yet been confirmed but the collision included at least one rollover.

All four lanes were reopened by 6:33am.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Vans International Foods Recall Wheat Free Pancakes

Susy Owen — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:47:51 GMT

Van’s International Foods is voluntarily recalling the following product: 12.4 ounce package of frozen Van’s Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes with the lot number listed below because they contain undeclared wheat, gluten, milk and egg in the product.

People who have allergies or sensitivities to wheat, gluten, milk or eggs may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The 118 cases of recalled Van’s Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes may have been distributed in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Idaho and Hawaii, through retail outlets that include but may not be limited to Whole Foods, Wegmans, Giant Carlisle, Sprouts and Martins. The distributors and the retail customers involved have been notified.

The product comes in a 12.4 ounce package which is beige with an orange stripe on the top and a triangular blue gluten-free call out in the upper right-hand corner with the lot number 200060629B1 located on the side flap of the box. The “Best if used by” date is March 30, 2010 also printed on the same flap.

Package UPC Description – Retail Label Weight Lot # Best if Used By Date
0-89947-60604-9 Van’s All Natural Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes, 12.4 ounce 200060629B1 March 30, 2010

The voluntary recall was initiated immediately after a packaging operator error, limited to one shift, was discovered. The company has immediately reinforced its Quality Assurance and Packaging procedures and believes that the problem was a one-time incident. Consumers who are allergic to or have sensitivity to wheat, gluten, milk or eggs, should not consume this product. Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or send the box top with the printed lot number to the address below to receive five free coupons for any Van’s waffle, pancake, or French toast stick product 12.4 ounce or smaller.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (303) 848-6013 or via email at customerservice@vansintl.com . The Food and Drug Administration has been notified of this voluntary recall.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Barr Laboratory Voluntarily Recalls 20mg Dextroamphetamine/Amphetamine Tablets

Susy Owen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:08:00 GMT

Barr Laboratories, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of Dextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate and Amphetamine Sulfate (Mixed Salts of a Single Entity Amphetamine Product) 20mg Tablets, 100 count bottles, lot number 311756. The affected lot may contain some tablets exceeding weight requirements which may lead to super-potent tablets.

Side effects of an excessive dose include cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric and gastrointestinal reactions such as: palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, headache, tremor, tic, dyskinesia, dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, insomnia, agitation, euphoria, mania, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, and decreased appetite.

The tablets are in the form of a peach colored oval, debossed with b/973 on one side and 2/0 on the other side. Barr distributed the affected lot between 06/11/09 and 06/16/09. Only lot 311756 is affected by this recall.

Customers should cease use and return the product to a pharmacy. Wholesalers and retailers should cease distribution and examine their inventory immediately.

Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product should also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088; by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178; by mail at MedWatch, HF-410, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Spices Recalled After Possible Salmonella Contamination

Susy Owen — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:41:00 GMT

Adams Extract and Spice, LLC. is announcing a voluntary recall of products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The products contain a specific lot of ground red pepper supplied by Van de Vries Spice Corporation, 9 Elkins Road, East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816 This lot of ground red pepper initially tested negative for salmonella. Subsequently, Adams Extract and Spice, LLC. has been informed that another sample drawn from the same lot has been confirmed positive for salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The following lots of specific products were distributed in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico through retail stores, mail order, internet sales and direct delivery.

Click here for a list of recalled products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Winnetka Boy Hit While Riding Bicycle

Susy Owen — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:32:00 GMT

A 9-year-old boy is being treated at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for serious injuries after a sport-utility vehicle hit him while he was riding his bicycle in Winnetka.

The unidentified boy was not wearing a helmet when he was struck about 8 p.m. Sunday in the 20300 block of Keswick Street, said Capt. Tina Haro of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The boy's bicycle was pinned underneath the SUV, said Det. Bill Bustos of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.

Neither speeding nor driving under the influence was considered a factor in the accident.

The boy was in serious condition Sunday night.

“We want to remind motorists to be on the lookout for children because it’s the summertime and more children will be out and about,” Bustos said.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen

Homeless man fatally hit by train in San Bernardino County

Susy Owen — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:50:00 GMT

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death this morning of a homeless man in Loma Linda, who was killed when a freight train struck him.

County coroner officials identified the man as 45-year-old Johnny Rogers, who was sitting on the tracks near Anderson Street and Stewart Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. when he was struck by a Union Pacific train, authorities said. Rogers was pronounced dead at the scene.

Engineers told deputies the train was traveling 20 to 25 mph and attempted to stop when they saw the man sitting on the tracks.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Susy Owen