In September 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated there may be a connection between Januvia, Janumet and acute pancreatitis, after receiving 88 reports of patients developing pancreatic disorders while taking the drugs, including hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis — potentially life-threatening conditions.

Januvia and Janumet, manufactured by Merck and Company, are type 2 diabetes drugs that use sitagliptin as their active ingredient, which the FDA is further investigating.

Finding a Janumet or Januvia Attorney

Patients who take Januvia or Janumet and develop pancreas disorders are eligible to file a claim and receive compensation. Acute pancreatitis and other conditions can cause patients to accumulate expensive medical bills, as well as require them to take off time from work to seek the appropriate treatment. These expenses and others are often covered by compensatory damages, which patients are awarded if they win their lawsuit.

The attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz have years of experience in filing defective drug claims against drug manufacturers or others who are held liable for the damages endured. Contact AWKO Law today at (888) 255-2956 to begin your journey toward rightful compensation.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its evaluation of new health products is under scrutiny after the agency admitted to an error that led to the approval of a potentially flawed medical device for injured knees.

On September 24, 2009, the FDA admitted the lapse in judgment, stating that they approved Menaflex knee patches, manufactured by ReGen Biologics Inc., despite scientific reviews that determined the device to be unsafe. Menaflex knee patches are collagen meniscus implants that generate new tissue growth in knee injury victims who have torn their meniscus.

Despite reports of frequent failure in the knee patch — failures that may necessitate secondary surgical procedures for users —  agency managers overruled the reports after receiving inquiries by four New Jersey legislators who had received campaign contributions from ReGen Biologics Inc.

In light of the situation, the FDA has agreed to re-evaluate Menaflex knee patches, and has invited the Institute of Medicine to review the process of medical device approval.

Filing a Menaflex Knee Patch Lawsuit

Patients who have undergone knee surgery as a result of Menaflex knee patch failure should contact the attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz to seek the compensation they deserve. Many patients who received the medical device required secondary procedures, severely interfering with their careers and social lives, as well as creating expensive medical bills. The attorneys of AWKO Law can help victims build a strong case against those liable to help victims earn compensation to offset the costs of medical bills, lost income, lost opportunities and pain and suffering. To learn more about filing a Menaflex lawsuit, contact AWKO Law at (888) 255-2956.

The Food and Drug Administration admitted that it mistakenly approved a patch for injured knees last year as a result of pressure exerted by members of Congress who received contributions from the manufacturer. Internal documents show that scientists at the FDA found the Menaflex, manufactured by ReGen Biologics Inc., unsafe yet still approved the device for sale.

Menaflex™ collagen meniscus implant (formerly CMI®) is a device designed to guide new tissue growth using the body’s own healing process in patients with an irreparable meniscus tear or loss of meniscus tissue. It provides a resorbable scaffold for the growth of new tissue in the meniscus. There are Menaflex devices designed specifically for use in the lateral meniscus and medial meniscus.

The firm of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz is investigating these claims.

AWKO receives additional case involving malfunction of a Curlin Medical PainSmart TM Infusion Pump. Fraught with uterine cancer, and left with approximately 1 to 2 years remaining in her life expectancy, patient was living at home and maintaining a relatively normal life: coherent; walking; shopping; enjoying her time with her husband; and living her last years at home and at peace. Patient was prescribed and fitted with the Curlin pump for Fentanyl infusion for breakout pain relief. Sadly, she was found slumped over her bed after an overdose caused by a defect in the pump which spontaneously overmedicated and died thereafter. AWKO is investigating this and other claims relating to the Curlin pump recall.

Overuse of certain denture creams has been linked with zinc toxicity, causing serious side effects. Although the majority of denture wearers have not experienced problems stemming from zinc-based creams, users of popular denture creams such as Fixodent (marketed by Procter & Gamble Co.) and PoliGrip (marketed by GlaxoSmithKline) have reported a variety of injuries ranging from blood disorders to nerve damage.

Zinc is commonly used in denture creams for its adhesive qualities; however, overuse can lead to diminished levels of copper in the body. Copper is an essential mineral that helps with the transport of oxygen and hormonal development. Copper deficiency can result in a host of health problems, including weakness and numbness in the arms and legs, difficulty walking, cognitive impairment, loss of balance and impaired memory.

Zinc denture cream manufacturers claim that their products are perfectly safe for use as directed. Denture cream is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which, as of yet, has not taken any action geared towards zinc toxicity.

Thus far, more than 25 lawsuits spanning 11 states have been filed against the manufacturers of denture creams with zinc. The lawsuits claim that Procter & Gamble Co. and GlaxoSmithKline do not adequately warn consumers about the risks associated with zinc-based denture creams. The product liability suits seek unspecified damages.

If you have been injured as a result of denture cream-related zinc toxicity, you many be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact AWKO Law today at (888) 255 – 2956 to learn more about how you can file a claim.

A leading antibacterial drug has come under increased scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration following reports of serious injuries to tendons and ligaments linked with its use. Levaquin (levofloxacin) manufactured by Ortho-McNeil/Janssen is an antibiotic known as a fluoroquinolone, a class of commonly used antibacterial drugs. Levaquin is a third generation fluoroquinolone, touted as an improvement and safer alternative to Cipro, an older, second generation fluoroquinolone.

Levaquin Black Box Warning
In light of the increased risks of tendon ruptures and ligament damage, the FDA has issued a black box warning, the most urgent and severe type of safety warning imposed by the agency. Public Citizen petitioned the FDA for nearly two years following reports of Levaquin tendon rupture risks and other fluoroquinolone-linked injuries.

Levaquin Tendon Ruptures
Tendon injuries most often result from some type of trauma or over-activity. Tendon tissue is located throughout the body; however, the most common tendon linked with fluoroquinolone-based rupture is the Achilles tendon. Reports indicate that the injury often occurred without pain or warning, suggesting a potential toxicity issue.

Typically, fluoroquinolone injury victims reported pain and swelling prior to rupture, leading experts to believe that injury may be avoidable in such instances by halting use of the drug. Levaquin tendon injuries have been shown to occur more frequently in patients over 60 years of age, taking steroids (corticosteroids) or those who have undergone a kidney, heart or lung transplant.

Most Levaquin side effects are injuries to the Achilles tendon, though there have been many reports of tendinitis and tendon rupture in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps and the thumb. Cases have also been reported which occurred up to several months after taking Levaquin.

Levaquin Lawsuits
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of using Levaquin, you may be entitled to compensation. Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure the safety and efficacy of their products before marketing them for public consumption. Failure to adequately measure a drug’s effects or alert doctors and consumers to any potential side effects is considered negligent and grounds for personal injury litigation.

The law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz boast some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers Pensacola, Florida has to offer. The lawyers and staff representing AWKO Law are experts in handling cases of negligence by large drug companies. They have successfully represented and obtained substantial compensation for a number of patients who have been harmed by drugs. Contact AWKO law today at (888) 255-2956 today to get more information regarding your rights as a Levaquin injury victim.

The lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz are available to help victims of hospital errors file claims and earn their rightful compensation. The National Academies’ Institute of Medicine has found that more than 400,000 victims are injured because of preventable drug errors, with a report by HealthGrades stating the number of hospital errors in the United States continues to rise.

To treat patients who have endured injury because of mistakes made by hospital staffs, AWKO Law lends their outstanding litigation services to help patients earn the compensation they deserve.

The spotlight on hospital errors follows a report of two pregnancy medication mistakes in a West Palm Beach hospital that led to a premature birth and two abortions. A Florida woman is filing a lawsuit against St. Mary’s Medical Center after being given labor-inducing Prostin by the nurses, instead of the doctor-prescribed progesterone, which caused her to give birth at five and a half months. Her child suffered severe brain damage and continues to be hospitalized.

The incident was within hours of another pregnancy medication mistake, which led to a woman losing two unborn twins. The hospital has stated the incidents are “an unfortunate error that occurred despite the safeguards we have in place.”

If you have endured harm because of hospital mistakes, contact AWKO Law today at (888) 255-2956 to learn how you can file a claim and earn compensation.

Victims who have endured harm and damages because of dangerous pool drains should contact the highly skilled legal team of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz. AWKO Law has years of experience filing personal injury claims and can help you recover compensation if you have been injured due to pool drains that fail to comply with legal regulations.

In August 2009, Florida television networks aired live pictures of a three-year-old child being vacuumed into a pool drain after her arm became trapped under a skimmer drain. Unable to breath, the child’s life was in peril. With the assistance of rescue workers, the child was freed, and she was immediately admitted to a hospital. She is one of the lucky ones.

The incident served as a reminder to the public of the dangers of pool drains. Swimming pool drownings represent the second highest cause of death in children under the age of 14. The dangers associated with faulty pool drains only serve to increase the potential for swimming pool accidents.

Several people are pushing for stricter legal regulations of pool drains. One such piece of legislation, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, calls for mandatory flat or dome-shaped drain covers for all pool and spa drains. Many believe that flat or dome-shaped drain covers prevent the vacuum effect in drains. Those who fail to use the aforementioned drain covers could be subject to litigation if injury occurs.

To learn more about filing a pool drain safety personal injury claim, contact AWKO Law today at (888) 255-2956 and begin your journey toward rightful compensation.