Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Do You Need A Lawyer For A Failed Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacement Resulting In Injury?: Dallas Texas

An issue emerging around artificial hip replacements is of interest to any patient who has received a metal-on-metal device. A recent editorial in the Journal of Arthroplasty, a noted medical journal for orthopedic surgeons, has urged doctors to use metal-on-metal devices only with “great caution, if at all.”

The metal-on-metal devices are used in about one third of all hip replacement surgeries in the US each year, totaling a quarter million annually. The New York Times reports that some of America’s leading orthopedic surgeons have stopped or significantly reduced their use of the devices to reports of severe tissue and bone damage in some patients.

What’s more, metal-on-metal devices are beginning to fail far sooner than expected. Despite an expected life span of 15 years or more, some have required replacement surgery within a year or two.

Metal-on-metal are ball-and-socket devices fashioned from metals like cobalt and chromium. It was believed that the devices would be much more durable than previous implants. However, studies have found that when the devices break down prematurely, they sometimes generate metallic debris that absorbs into the body. The resulting inflammation can trigger pain, death of tissue in the hip joint and the loss of surrounding bone. The cause and scope of the issue remain unclear, but doctors have noted that replacement surgeries for metal-on-metal devices can be complex and that the absorption of metal debris into tissue or bloodstream can leave patients with lasting complications.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a Metal-On-Metal hip replacement, please contact our law firm if you need legal representation at 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com

Girl Sustains Severe Eye Injury From Defective Product Settles Case - Dallas, Texas

A 12-year-old girl who sustained a corneal laceration in an incident involving a broken dog leash received a $400,000 settlement. In 2008, the girl, listed as "D.W." in court documents, was walking her dog while using a "SlyDog" brand retractable leash imported by Worldwise Inc. and purchased at a Dollar General store owned by Dolgencorp of Texas. D.W.'s parents said she was injured when the metal hook that attached the leash to the dog's collar broke and snapped back, striking her in the eye. The parents blamed Worldwise and Dolgencorp, alleging they imported and marketed the leash without adequate warnings or guidelines for itss weight limit. The defendants argued that the leash including a warning to keep it out of the reach of children and that D.W.'s parents shouldn't have allowed their daughter to walk the dog unaccompanied.  

For more information about personal injury, go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or call 214-855-0034.

Woman Falsely Arrested in Wal-Mart Wins At Trial - Dallas, Texas

A woman who was arrested at a Wal-Mart when she tried to cash in $4,100 worth of money orders was awarded $8.2 million. In 2008, Nitra Gipson went to the Wal-Mart in Meyer Park. The store said the money orders were forged and had her arrested. The District Attorney of Harris County later discovered that the money orders were legitimate. Gipson spent two days in jail. She received $4.1 million for defamation and $4.1 million for false imprisonment.

If you need further information about fale arrest, go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or call 214-855-0034. 

FDA Revokes Use of Avastin For Breast Cancer Due to Danger of Injury - Dallas, Texas

The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration on Friday revoked the approval of the drug Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer, ruling in an emotional issue that pitted the hopes of some desperate patients against the statistics of clinical trials.

Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said that the drug was not helping breast cancer patients to live longer or control their tumors.

The commissioner, Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, said that the drug was not helping breast cancer patients to live longer or control their tumors, but did expose them to potentially serious side effects such as severe high blood pressure and hemorrhaging.

“This was a difficult decision,” Dr. Hamburg, said in a statement.  The F.D.A. “recognizes how hard it is for patients and their families to cope with metastatic breast cancer and how great a need there is for more effective treatments. But patients must have confidence that the drugs they take are both safe and effective for their intended use.

“After reviewing the available studies,” she continued, “it is clear that women who take Avastin for metastatic breast cancer risk potentially life-threatening side effects without proof that the use of Avastin will provide a benefit, in terms of delay in tumor growth, that would justify those risks. Nor is there evidence that use of Avastin will help them live longer or improve their quality of life.”

If you have a claim regarding Avastin, please call 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com or www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com

Toyota Issues Recall For Steering Problem That Could Cause An Accident - Dallas, Texas

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling about 550,000 vehicles worldwide — mostly in the United States — for problems that could make it harder to steer.

The recall affects 447,000 older vehicles in North America, and another 100,000 in other parts of the world.

The latest recall is due to the possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise or a warning signal to light up, the company's U.S. sales unit said in a press release. If the problem isn't corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley, making it suddenly more difficult to turn the steering wheel.

Toyota has received a total of 79 reports about the defect dating back to 2007, said Toyota spokesman Dion Corbett. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problems, he said.

In the United States, the automaker is recalling 283,000 Toyota brand cars:

• 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara
• 2004 Avalon
• 2006 Highlander HV

It's also recalling 137,000 Lexus vehicles:

• 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330
• 2006 RX400h

Toyota will mail owners a notification to make an appointment with an authorized dealer to have their car inspected once replacement parts have been produced in sufficient quantities.

For more information, call 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com or go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com

Teen Infected and Injured With E-Coli From Meat Wins At Trial - Dallas, Texas

A teenager recovered $653,843 for injuries she sustained after being infected with E. coli from a hamburger. In August 2007, Samantha Safranek, then 15, ate a hamburger from Topps Meat Co. that her mother bought from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Samantha became extremely ill and had to be admitted to a hospital. She was diagnosed with hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. She required peritoneal dialysis and claimed that she suffered permanent kidney damage. Tests revealed that the E. coli came from the Topps hamburgers and Wal-Mart Stores pulled the burgers from shelves. Wal-Mart and Topps admitted liability before trial. The jury awarded the family $748,460, but the court reduced the award based on a medical lien.

For more information about claims relating to e-coli, go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or call 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com

 

Do You Have Pain Or Injury From a Depuy Hip Replacement Device ASR XL? Dallas, Texas

Since it was introduced in 2003, DePuy has sold nearly 100,000 units of its ASR XL Acetabular Hip System, which was designed for younger and more active patients. Made of chromium and cobalt, the device consists of a cup that's implanted into the hip with a ball joint that connects to the leg.

Experts say, however, that if a surgeon doesn't get the cup inserted at just the right angle, the two parts can rub against each other. That can cause severe pain, and metal particles may shave off and get into the patient's tissue and bloodstream causing severe pain, and injury.

If you have had a Depuy Hip Replacement Device inserted and are having medical complications, please contact our firm at 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com

 

Patient Who Died In MRI Machine Wins At Medical Malpractice Trial - Dallas, Texas

A jury awarded $6.2 million to the estate of a man who died while in a hospital's MRI machine. In December 2002, Cory Fine, 41, returned to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics Inc. with breathing difficulties after undergoing gastric bypass surgery five days earlier. While undergoing an MRI, Fine died. Plaintiff's counsel argued that Fine died of a cardiac arrhythmia caused by low oxygen levels. He contended that having Fine lay down flat caused his organs to shift and resulted in dangerously lowered levels of oxygen. The hospital claimed that the MRI was done according to standard procedure and that it had Fine's oral consent. Defense counsel argued that Fine's death was caused by a rare reaction to the contrast dye used for the MRI.

For more information about medical malpractice, go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or call 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com

 

Worker Injured and Burned By Hydraulic Fluid Recovers For Pain - Dallas, Texas

 

A man who was severely burned by hydraulic fluid that sprayed from an asphalt paver agreed to a $6.25 million settlement. In 2008, Milton Dozier, then 65, was operating the Gehl Co. paver when the positive battery terminal ruptured, releasing hydraulic fluid from a pressurized line. Several years earlier, Conley Lott Nichols, an equipment retailer, had performed maintenance on the paving machine and installed a new Gehl controller. The retailer of the controller was S&H Equipment. The plaintiff sustained third-degree burns over 43 percent of his body and had to have his hand amputated. Within a year of filing suit, Conley paid $6 million, S&H paid $75,000 and Gehl paid a confidential amount.

For more information about burn injuries, go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or call 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com

 

Patient With Colon Perforated During Surgery Wins At Medical Malpractice Trial - Dallas, Texas

 

A jury awarded $1.55 million to a woman who underwent a colostomy as a result of a colon perforation that was attributed to gynecological surgery. The matter dates to February 2006, when Yolanda Ramirez underwent hysteroscopic surgery that involved the removal of polyps. Ramirez claimed that the surgeon, Lillian Berdichevsky, mishandled a cauterizing instrument and accidentally perforated her uterus and colon. The colon's perforation allowed the escape of fecal matter, leading to peritonitis that necessitated surgery and the temporary creation of a colostomy. Ramirez sued Berdichevsky, who contended that the colon perforation was something that occurred on its own, after the surgery, and absent negligence. The jury found otherwise.

For more information about medical malpractice in Texas, go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or call 214-855-0034 or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com

Oil Field Worker Paralyzed In Job Related Accident Recovers At Trial - Dallas, Texas

 

A jury awarded $7.1 million to a man who was paralyzed in an accident at a well on an oil field. In 2003, Manuel Zubia, then 54, was working as a rig operator when he was struck by a rod elevator because a hook unlatched. His family sued hook manufacturer J.P. Ratigan, alleging that it was defective. The plaintiff's engineering, metallurgy and petroleum experts testified that the defect in the hook's handle made it unreasonably dangerous. The defense maintained that the rod hook is a commonly used piece of oil field equipment and that it was the responsibility of the user to routinely inspect the rod hook for defects. Zubia can only move his head and one arm. His wife is his full-time care giver.

For more information about job related accidents, call 214-855-0034 or go to www.injurylawyerdallastexas.com or jonathan@theleblanclawfirm.com.