Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘lawsuit’

The makers of Paxil have settled almost 200 lawsuits in which the antidepressant is claimed to have caused birth defects.  The terms are being kept confidential.

 In the majority of the cases, infants were born with heart defects, the result of the mother taking Paxil while pregnant.  The most prominent case contended the child was born with no fewer than three cardiac defects, including a hole between the two chambers of his heart that disrupted the aorta.

 The news gets more disturbing.  It appears GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer, didn’t follow up with additional tests after initial animal testing indicated  the drug might cause problems.  In 1997, a memo from a company executive stated, “If neg, results can bury.”

 Plaintiffs have filed at least 600 cases alleging Paxil is to blame for congenital birth defects.  Paxil generates GSK nearly $3 billion in profits annually.

A South Florida physician is facing allegations his actions led to the death of a Weston, Florida teenager in 2003. 

 Dr. Sohail Punjwani who was admonished by the Food and Drug Administration for his methods in prescribing drugs is the target in the lawsuit.  His decision to prescribe an anti-psychotic drug not approved for adolescents has the deceased’s mother  placing blame.   The lawsuit claims that Punjwani’s care “deviated and departed from the prevailing professional standard of care exercised” by most physicians.

 But there’s more to the case than just that.  Pharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca which produces Seroquel, the drug Punjwani prescribed, was forced to pay a $520 million dollar settlement to state and federal agencies because of its marketing tactics.  The Department of Justice asserts that AstraZeneca encouraged medical practitioners to prescribe Seroquel for patients young and old for indications not approved by the FDA.

 Punjwani is expected to go to trial later this year.  All of the other parties and institutions named in this case have settled with the family. 

 If you believe you or a family member were harmed or injured as the result of negligent care by a doctor, keep in mind Florida has strict time limits in which a claim for medical negligence may be brought.  Do not delay in contacting a qualified Florida Child Medical Malpractice attorney to discuss your legal rights.

EVAC Ambulance Service has been found at fault for alleged injuries which occurred seven years ago to a Volusia County boy. 

 The morning of September 21, 2003, a woman experiencing premature labor pains went to Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach.  Doctors there conferred and decided to have her treated at Halifax Medical Center.  The ambulance however, transported the woman to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando.  Her infant, weighing 1.7 lbs. was born prematurely, 15 minutes into the trip.  The newborn allegedly suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain, leaving him with cerebral palsy.

 A spokesman for EVAC, was quoted saying, “EVAC paramedics have to care for the tragic consequences of illness and injury every day. We stand behind our paramedics and intend to appeal this verdict.”

 The Dodson Law Firm serves the rights of injured victims and those who have suffered due to medical negligence. Our Florida Medical Malpractice attorneys work on a contingency fee basis which means we do not collect a fee unless we win a successful settlement or verdict.  Call our office toll free @ 1-888-340-0840 for a free legal consultation.

Our Florida medical malpractice attorney

http://www.jwdodsonlaw.com/practice_areas/medical-malpractice-medical-negligence.cfm

Two years ago when a 15-year-old autistic boy came home his parents found him with a contusion on his forehead and a scrape on his nose.  What happened?  That’s the debate that is going on in an Orlando federal courthouse, according to a news article published by the Orlando Sentinel.

 Rosmarie and Lawrence Casto have filed a lawsuit against the Princeton Charter School alleging that the school physically abused their son, Christopher. 

Also alleged is the staff tackled, jumped and sat on Christopher — depriving him of breath — and held his face against the ground.

 Princeton House officials maintain that they did nothing wrong and that their staff responded to the teen’s behavior correctly.  “He was just being violent,” said Carol Tucker, executive director of the Princeton House. 

 Staff had to restrain Christopher because of potential injuries to other people, as well as property damage that could have been incurred, she said.  “We do the best we can under terrible situations,” she said.

 Christopher, the report states,  now lives in a group home, where he requires a strict routine and consistent care.

Stories like this inspire us all!  Last week, a 12-year-old boy, Danny Happy stood front and center at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.  He was being honored at the East-West Shrine Game.  Cameras followed his every move, the mayor shook his hand and introduced himself.  For Danny, being alive was indeed a special feat. 

 Just two years ago, he suffered burns over 95 percent of his body when a private plane crashed into his Sanford, Florida  home.  His little sister, 4-year-old Gabriela Dechat, like the neighbors next door, was killed. Since that time he has survived 42 surgeries and some unimaginable suffering. 

 The family’s lawyers settled the lawsuit with the plane’s owner, NASCAR.  It’s reported that the terms are enough to take care of all future surgeries.  It’s not known what future health concerns he might have as a result of the accident, since it is so rare for someone burned so badly to survive.

 Despite the enormous adversity, Danny maintains a positive outlook.  As the cameras circled around him he said, “Today I feel very alive.  I am very happy to be here.”

Read the entire article here.