Harley-Davidson Recalls 308,000 Bikes

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall for 308,000 motorcycles to fix a switch problem that can cause failure of the brake lights, fluid leaks at the switch that could keep the rear brake from working properly and failure of the rear brakes.  Any of these problems could cause a crash resulting in serious injury or death.  So far, one motorcycle accident has been reported as a result of the defect.

The defect, caused by brake light switches being exposed to too much heat from the exhaust system, affects Touring, CVO Touring and Trike vehicles from the 2009 through 2012 model years.  The recall affects about 251,000 motorcycles in the U.S.

The Philadelphia personal injury and accident attorneys at Messa & Associates have successfully represented many victims of defective motor vehicles and motor vehicle component parts.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by one of the recalled Harley-Davidson motorcycles, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw or visit us at www.messalaw.com.

Parent Alert: Some Child Booster Seats Unsafe

A safety group has issued a report warning parents that half of the child booster seats it tested are unsafe and pose a potential risk to their children.  Booster seats are recommended for children ages 4-8 years old who have outgrown forward-facing child seats.  They are designed to raise kids up enough so adult-sized lap and shoulder belts safety belts fit them properly.  If seat belts aren't positioned properly, children can hit parts of the vehicle in a motor vehicle crash and be injured by the belts, which can slice into internal organs causing serious, catastrophic injury or death.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also named six boosters they think parents should avoid because they performed so poorly.  They are: the Evenflo’s Chase, Express, Generations 65 and Sightseer models and Cosco Safety 1st's All-in-One and Omega Elite.

Philadelphia personal injury firm Messa & Associates is experienced in handling product liability cases involving injuries to children as a result of products with manufacturing and design defects.  In addition to their research and knowledge, our attorneys work with highly regarded experts to prepare every case.  If your child has been seriously injured in an automobile accident while using a defective child booster seat, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw or visit us at www.messalaw.com.

$48 Million Verdict in Motrin Case

A 22-year-old man was awarded $48 million earlier this month by a California jury.  After taking Motrin for less than one week to get rid of aches and alleviate a fever in October 2005, the man developed a drug-induced reaction called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) which damaged his mucosal membranes, which protects the body from infections, and caused severe pulmonary damage, near-blindness, infertility, whole-body scarring and hypoxic brain injury.

The lawsuit accused McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, of failing to warn consumers of the risk for skin disease or other severe reactions associated with the use of Motrin.  The company also failed to alert consumers that if they experienced signs that indicated any adverse reactions to the drug, they should discontinue using it and seek immediate medical attention.

Messa & Associates is currently representing the family of a woman who at the age of 9 was given Children’s Motrin for a headache, stomach pains and fever.  She developed a rash on her cheeks but continued to take the Children’s Motrin for four days after the rash first appeared because of the lack of any warning labels on the bottle.  When she was finally hospitalized, she was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Vanishing Bile Duct syndrome (VBDS).  The woman also has suffered other severe injuries and was required to undergo a liver transplant as a result of liver failure.  In addition, her reproductive organs were scarred as a result of the SJS causing a loss of fertility and increasing her risk for cervical cancer.

Motrin, a trade name for ibuprofen, is used to reduce fever and mild pain.  In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered that labels be added to the bottles warning consumers about skin reddening, rashes and blisters as a result of using ibuprofen.

Our attorneys are available to handle cases involving skin disorders or other injuries related to Motrin or other ibuprofen products.  We have handled dozens of cases involving drugs and drug product injuries and obtained verdicts and settlements for victims suffering from these injuries.  If you or a loved one has used Motrin or any other ibuprofen product and suffered serious illness or death, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw or visit us at www.messalaw.com.

FDA Reviewing Vaginal Mesh

Surgical vaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse, or POP is being further investigated by a FDA panel.  The investigation is in part because nearly 300 lawsuits have been filed by women who have reported injuries including infection, organ perforation, urinary problems and mesh erosion as a result of having the mesh implanted.

The mesh supports pelvic floor tissues that weaken or stretch causing organs including the bladder, rectum or uterus to bulge into the vagina.  In August, a consumer group called for a recall of surgical mesh products made by Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific Corp.

Between 2008 and 2010, the FDA received 1,503 reports of injury, malfunction or death associated with pelvic organ prolapse surgery.  The mesh was approved quickly by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration using an abbreviated process known as 510(k).  Under the process, devices like the mesh implant can enter the market if manufacturers show they are “substantially equivalent” to others already for sale.

The attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving pharmaceutical and medical device injuries.  Our extremely skilled team of attorneys and medical experts are dedicated to ensuring your receive proper compensation for your injuries.  For more information or if you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a surgical mesh product, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw or visit us at www.messalaw.com.

Avastin for Eye Treatments Becoming a Concern

The cancer drug, Avastin, has been used by retina specialists nationwide to treat patients suffering from macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe vision loss in the elderly. 

However, three incidents this year in which a total of 21 patients lost some or all vision in the affected eye after injections of the drug have raised concerns about the eye treatment.

In Miami, 12 patients suffered eye infections from Streptococcus bacteria in July after receiving Avastin injections that came from the same compounding pharmacy and another four patients got Streptococcus infections at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Nashville earlier this year.  Additionally, five patients treated in August at a VA Hospital in Los Angeles lost all or most vision in the injected eye.  However, no infectious agent has been identified in this case.

Some patients get an Avastin injection, made by Genentech, as often as once a month.  Researchers are split on the risk of using Avastin for eye treatment saying that dividing a vial of Avastin meant for a single cancer patient into many tiny doses for the eye may also introduce a risk of microbial contamination.  The job of dividing the drug should be done under sterile conditions by a compounding pharmacy.  Additionally, medical professionals should not speak while handling the syringe as droplets from the mouths of doctors has also been found to be a source of infection.

Our attorneys are available to handle cases involving eye injuries related to use of the drug Avastin.  We have handled dozens of cases involving drugs and drug product injuries and obtained verdicts and settlements for victims suffering from these injuries.  If you or a loved one has used Avastin and suffered loss of vision or a related eye injury, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw or visit us at www.messalaw.com.