2016 - Feeney Law Firm

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Products Recalled by Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company Due to Listeria

December 1, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On October 11, 2016, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company out of Madison, WI issued a recall of select ice cream products that may be contaminated with Listeria. When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service.

MTR Sambar Powder Recalled by SHRI SHIVA Foods, Inc. Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

November 21, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On November 7, 2016, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that SHRI SHIVA Inc., of Long Island City, NY, issued a recall of MTR Sambar Powder because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service.

Smoked Salmon, Turbot & Butterfish Recalled by OLMA XXI Due to Listeria Contamination

November 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On November 4, 2016 OLMA-XXI, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY announced that a recall of its Premium Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Turbot, and Butterfish because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria.

Shell Eggs Voluntarily Recalled by Good Earth Egg Company throughout Midwest Due to Possible Salmonella

November 11, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On October 3, 2016, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the Good Earth Egg Company LLC of Bonne Terre, Missouri has issued a voluntary recall of its shell eggs that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service.

Nutricrush Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar Recalled by Nutrisystem Due to possible Listeria Contamination

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On October 11, 2016, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Nutrisystem Everyday, LLC, the retail division of Nutrisystem Inc. issued a voluntary recall of the Nutricrush Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bars that may be contaminated with Listeria.

Jury awards $70 million to woman who blamed J&J powder for cancer

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Talcum Powder Lawsuits

After only 3 hours of deliberations, a St. Louis jury awarded $70 million in compensation and punitive damages to a California woman who blamed her ovarian cancer on Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. This is the third straight trial Johnson & Johnson has lost over claims that its talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer. Earlier this year, juries awarded verdicts of $72 million and $55 million against the company in the first two talcum powder claims to go to trial. All three cases contended that J&J knew there was a risk of ovarian cancer linked to its Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products yet failed to warn customers of that risk. While the company plans to appeal the recent verdict, plaintiffs’ lawyers are hoping these two outcomes will motivate the company to try and settle the nearly 1,700 outstanding talc cases filed against J&J. The company denied any wrongdoing and stated that it takes questions about the safety of its products very seriously.

Vibriosis Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Vibriosis is a foodborne illness caused by eating food that is contaminated with vibrio bacteria. Typically people become infected by eating undercooked or raw seafood, such as shellfish (especially oysters). Vibrio bacteria are more prevalent between May and October when the water is warmer. About 80% of vibriosis infections happen during this time period.

Salmonella Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Salmonellosis is the illness caused by consuming food contaminated with Salmonella. Young children and older adults have a higher risk of being affected by Salmonella. Potential food sources for Salmonella outbreaks include eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, cheese, and contaminated raw fruits and vegetables.

Listeria Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems are primarily at risk of being affected by listeriosis.

E. coli Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

People who eat food contaminated with E. coli can become ill within 2-8 days, with the average being 3-4 days. Usually they will experience symptoms such as bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Most people will recover within a week, but some cases will be more severe and last longer.

Clostridium Perfringens Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

lostridium perfringens, or perfringens food poisoning, is one of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses in the United States. The illness is caused by eating foods contaminated with clostridium perfringens bacteria. Beef, poultry, gravies, and dried or pre-cooked foods are common sources of clostridium perfringens infections. Clostridium perfringens infection often occurs when foods are prepared in large quantities and kept warm for a long time before serving. Outbreaks often happen in institutions, such as hospitals, school cafeterias, prisons, and nursing homes, or at events with catered food.

Campylobacter Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Campylobacter is a common cause of diarrheal illness and is caused by the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni. The most frequent food sources causing campylobacter are raw and undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water.

Botulism Food Poisoning

November 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by the germ Clostridium botulinum. This toxin is extremely dangerous and can affect your nerves, cause paralysis, and even lead to death. Foodborne botulism is caused by eating foods that contain the botulinum toxin. The most frequent source of botulism is home-canned foods that have been prepared in an unsafe manner.

Cheese Products Voluntarily Recalled by Kuster’s in Multiple States Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

November 4, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On Oct. 12, 2016, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) announced that Kuster’s Inc. of Camden, MI issued a Voluntary Recall of 14,238 pounds of its shredded, sliced and cubed cheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the USDA Recall Classifications, a voluntary recall is issued when a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert. The FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service. The FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Shigellosis Food Poisoning

November 4, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Shigellosis is an intestinal disease caused by Shigella bacteria. Potential food sources for shigellosis outbreaks include raw produce, contaminated drinking water, uncooked foods and cooked foods that are not reheated after contact with an infected food handler.

Cyclosporiasis Food Poisoning

November 4, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite. Foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce (imported berries, lettuce, and basil). Symptoms usually start a week after consuming the contaminated food but can appear anywhere from 1-14 days after consumption.

Adams Farm Slaughterhouse Recalls Beef, Veal and Bison product due to possible E. Coli contamination

November 3, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On September 24, 2016 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) announced that Adams Farm Slaughterhouse LLC is recalling raw intact and non-intact Beef, Veal and Bison Products. Adams Farm Slaughterhouse LLC has issued a Class I Recall on these products due to the possibility of E. Coli contamination. A Class I recall poses a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Micro Greens from Whole Foods Recalled by Osage Gardens – Potential Salmonella Contamination

November 1, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On October 7, 2016, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Osage Gardens, Inc., from New Castle, CO., is recalling their 2oz. Micro Greens for potential salmonella contamination. The potentially contaminated products were distributed through Whole Food stores in Colorado and Kansas. The FDA has not provided a specific classification for this recall.

National Meat and Provisions Recalls Beef and Veal Products in Louisiana Due to Possible E. coli Contamination

October 31, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) announced that National Meat and Provisions issued a Class I recall of approximately 2,349 pounds of beef and veal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O26. According to the USDA Recall Classifications, a Class I recall is a “health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert – Costco Chicken Salad could be contaminated with Salmonella

October 31, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Food Poisoning Lawyer

On Oct 9, 2016 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert out of an abundance of caution due to concerns about illnesses caused by Salmonella that may be associated with a chicken salad product sold from Costco Store #1190, in Lynwood, Wash.

Supreme Court Asked to Reject NFL Concussion Settlement

October 3, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

Now a second group of former NFL players have petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to reject the $1 billion settlement agreement reached between former players and the NFL. The most recent group of players to petition the Supreme Court argue that the agreement treats current brain injuries differently than future injuries and is unfair to those who may be diagnosed with CTE in the future. Proponents of the settlement agreement have been given until November to file an opposition to the petition, meaning the justices may not make a decision until late this year. Unfortunately this means that any disbursements from the settlement agreement will be delayed until all appeals are exhausted.

NFL to Launch $100 Million Concussion Initiative

September 15, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

The NFL is launching a $100 million concussion initiative in the hopes of improving player safety. $60 million will go towards technological development, in part to try and improve helmets for players while the other $40 million will go to funding medical research on the effects of head injuries. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he thinks the new initiative will help make the game safer for the players. While Goodell says he knows there will be a degree of skepticism concerning the league’s efforts related to head injuries, he hopes that sharing the results of the initiative’s research with the public will show that the NFL is committed to player safety.

Potential for One More Appeal in NFL Concussion Case

September 15, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

In the latest NFL concussion news, lawyers representing the estate of former Denver Bronco running back Cookie Gilchrist have petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the appeal of the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement. This is the last chance to appeal for those who oppose the current settlement agreement. Gilchrist’s lawyers say the categories of retired players in the settlement are insufficient and that some players were not properly represented due to “inadequate discovery.” Even though August 30th was the deadline for asking the Supreme Court to hear the case, lawyers for two other groups of retired players were given an extension until September 19th to file an appeal. While there is only a small chance that the Supreme Court will agree to hear the appeal, no benefits can be distributed until all appeals are exhausted.

J&J’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals Under Fire Again in Risperdal Trial

July 20, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals came under fire again when a Philadelphia jury awarded $70 million to the family of a boy who developed breasts while taking the company’s antipsychotic drug Risperdal. Apparently the jury found that Janssen intentionally falsified, destroyed or concealed evidence in the case in reaching its decision. These allegations come after J&J and Janssen already paid over $2.2 billion back in 2013 to resolve civil and criminal investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice into its marketing of Risperdal and several other drugs. The $70 million verdict here dwarfs the next largest jury award in a Risperdal case which was $2.5 million. Perhaps this could be a sign that people are tired of J&J and Janssen putting its revenues ahead of the health and well-being of its consumers. This trend in jury awards could be particularly troubling for the company as J&J is still facing over 12,000 claims regarding Risperdal.

Jury Awards $70 Million in Risperdal Trial

July 20, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits

In early July, a jury in a Philadelphia courtroom awarded $70 million to the family of a boy who developed breasts after taking the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. The jury found that the maker of Risperdal, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, failed to warn the boy’s healthcare providers that there was a risk of gynecomastia (breast growth in men) with use of the drug. The boy’s lawyers say he developed gynecomastia at the age of five as a result of taking Risperdal. A Janssen spokeswoman said the $70 million award was “clearly excessive” and said the company plans on asking the court to review it.

IKEA Dresser and Chest Recall

June 30, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / IKEA Recall

As the father of a young child, I was devastated to hear about the tragic accidents which lead to the IKEA chest and dresser recall. A family’s home should always be a safe place and it is a shame that some companies continue to put their profits ahead of the safety of their customers. I commend the families and lawyers who took action against IKEA after the tragedy suffered by their families. Without these lawsuits being filed, these dangerous products may have continued to remain on the market, causing harm to more children.

IKEA Dresser & Chest Recall List

June 29, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / IKEA Recall

IKEA is recalling 29 million chests and dressers in the United States after reports of serious injuries and childhood deaths from dresser and chest tip-overs were reported. The full list of recalled dressers and chests can be found on this page.

Appellate Court Refuses to Hear Further Arguments

June 8, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

Since the Third Circuit Court of Appeals refused to hear further arguments for altering the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement, the only avenue left for players to challenge the agreement is the Supreme Court. While it is unlikely that the country’s highest court will agree to hear the case, former players certainly have the right to take their challenge as far as they can. However, it should be noted that funds cannot begin to be paid out until all appeals have been exhausted. This means that former players may have to wait even longer to receive money from the Settlement Agreement.

Court Denies Hearing Further Arguments on Approved NFL Settlement

June 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request by some former players to rehear arguments against the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement. A group of former players objected to the Settlement Agreement’s treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE, and asked a larger panel of judges to consider hearing further arguments. A one-page decision stated that a majority of Third Circuit Judges were not in favor of rehearing the case. Players hoping to alter the Settlement Agreement can petition the Supreme Court to hear their case, but it is unlikely that Court would do so. Unfortunately, until all appeals are exhausted, no money will be paid out on concussion claims

Jury awards $55 million to woman who blamed talc for cancer

May 4, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Talcum Powder Lawsuits

A St. Louis jury awarded a South Dakota woman who blamed her ovarian cancer on Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder $55 million in compensation and punitive damages. A little less than two months earlier in the same courthouse, the company lost a $72 million verdict to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer. Both cases contended that J&J knew the risk of ovarian cancer was linked to its Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products yet failed to warn customers of that risk. While the company plans to appeal the recent verdict, plaintiffs’ lawyers are hoping these two outcomes will motivate the company to try and settle the nearly 1,000 outstanding talc cases filed against J&J. The company denied any wrongdoing and stated that it takes questions about the safety og its products very seriously.

Former Players Request Rehearing on Concussion Settlement Approval

April 29, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

The lawyers for several retired NFL players requested the entire Third Circuit Court of Appeals rehear arguments against the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement. Last week a three-judge panel from the Third Circuit affirmed the approval of the agreement, however this group of players is now asking that a larger group of judges hear their argument. The retired players are still concerned with how chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is treated in the Agreement and would like to the court to hear further arguments. If the court does agree to rehear arguments, it will further delay getting payments to players in need since no money can be paid out until all appeals are exhausted.

Appellate Court Approves NFL Concussion Settlement

April 19, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s order approving the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement. While those challenging the agreement are displeased with today’s ruling, proponents of the agreement consider it a step in the right direction in getting much needed financial awards for retired players and their families who are suffering from neurological conditions due to their time playing in the league. This is an important aspect of today’s decision to consider as it may get drowned in the coming days by those who opposed the settlement agreement as it currently stands. As long as there are no further appeals, former players and their families can start applying for and receiving the benefits from the NFL. The reason this entire litigation was started in the first place was to get former players medical and financial benefits. Hopefully that is not lost on the small minority who are unhappy with today’s decision. Our goal from the stat has been to get as much assistance for those former players who are in need of help. Many former players are already suffering from various neurological conditions related to their time spent playing in the NFL, and many more will be diagnosed in the future. We believe the deal currently agreed to will do a lot to ease the financial burden many former players and their families are currently experiencing.

Appeals Court Upholds $1 Billion NFL Concussion Settlement

April 18, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld Federal District Court Judge Anita Brody’s Order approving the NFL Concussion Settlement. The appellate judges found the settlement “fair” and reasoned that it was “for the greater good of all players.” The three-judge panel sided with Judge Brody on almost all of the major questions before the court. Objectors to the settlement argued that it didn’t do enough for those who would be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the future but the appellate court said that the settlement’s treatment of the symptoms of CTE was “reasonable.”

Another Study Links Playing Football to Brain Trauma

April 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

We just added an additional page to our website concerning a new study done by the director of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology concerning what some say is the strongest link yet between playing football and trauma to the brain. One striking part of the study that stood out to me was that HALF of the former players in the study had serious problems with everyday functions like reasoning, problem solving, planning and attention. In addition, 45% experienced difficulty with learning and memory. These are tasks human beings are expected to perform all of the time without having to think twice. Because the NFL made the decision to hide the dangers of head injuries from their players, these men are struggling with things that most people take for granted. Some of them may say that had they known the risks they still would make the decision to play, but there was no decision for them to make. The NFL took that away from them when the league decided money was more important than players’ lives.

Scientists Reveal Strong Link Between Football and Brain Trauma

April 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

Dr. Frank Conidi, director of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology, recently presented a study at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Vancouver that reported some alarming results. Studying images from sophisticated MRI machines, Conidi analyzed the brains of 40 living former NFL players. What he found was that more than 40% of them showed evidence of abnormal brain structures.

J&J’s Baby Powder Problem

April 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Bloomberg released an investigatory report regarding the potential link between long term use of talcum powder in the genital area and ovarian cancer in women. J&J has been selling its Baby Powder for over 100 years, yet there had never been a discussion concerning ovarian cancer until a British study done in 1971 found talc particles “deeply embedded” in 10 of 13 ovarian tumors.

NFL Retirement Plan Denies Former Player Disability Benefits

April 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

With billions of dollars in annual revenues, why is the NFL seemingly “nickel and diming” its former players when they apply for disability benefits? 12-year NFL cornerback Charles Dimry is suing the NFL’s retirement plan for denying him disability benefits. Dimry says he suffered two major neck injuries while playing and had to have cervical fusion surgery in 2000 after his playing days were done. With the pain in his neck growing worse, Dimry was unable to “stand or sit for extended periods” and had to endure further surgeries.

NFL Taking Page from Big Tobacco Playbook?

March 25, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

An investigatory report published by the New York Times shreds the legitimacy of research papers produced by an NFL committee which downplayed the danger of head injuries. While the report chronicles the league’s use of faulty data in its reports (for example, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t report one concussion from 1996-2001, but I think Troy Aikman might disagree with that assessment,) even more interesting is the insight that the NFL shared a number of lobbyists, lawyers, and consultants with Big Tobacco. You might be asking yourself why a professional sport would be entangled with Big Tobacco. Without coming right out and admitting it, I think the Times is trying to get the readers to draw their own conclusion that the NFL borrowed Big Tobacco’s strategy of using questionable science to downplay the danger of its product. Depending on how you interpret the facts in the article, it certainly seems like the NFL could have learned a thing or two from Big Tobacco about dealing with a product crisis, but something tells me I doubt it was during a smoke break.

NFL’s Flawed Concussion Research

March 25, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

An investigative report done by the New York Times revealed the National Football League’s concussion research was far more flawed than was previously known and that a long relationship existed between the league and Big Tobacco. The report focuses on research done by a committee formed by the NFL in 1994. This committee released numerous research papers that downplayed the danger of head injuries. These research papers all stated the data used in them was a “full accounting of all concussions diagnosed by team physicians from 1996 through 2001.” The NFL stood by the legitimacy of these papers for the past dozen years and argued they were scientific evidence which proved that brain injuries did not cause long-term harm to players. However, information obtained by the Times’ reporters showed that more than 100 diagnosed concussions were left out of the league’s studies and that some teams failed to report even one concussion over this five year span. These omissions had the effect of skewing the NFL’s concussion rate lower than it actually was, making the game appear safer for players.

Cowboys Owner Says Not Enough Data to Link CTE to Football

March 24, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

On the heels of an NFL executive admitting that there is a link between football and degenerative brain disorders, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys made some comments that seemed to disagree with that assessment. Jerry Jones came out recently and said that he didn’t believe there was enough research or data to link the degenerative brain disease CTE to football. When pressed by a reporter to clarify his view, Jones stated “There’s no data that in any way creates a knowledge. There’s no way that you could have made a comment that there is an association and some type of assertion.”

Questioning the NFL CTE Admission

March 18, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

The NFL has spent decades trying to discredit evidence that showed a link between playing football and the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE. After years of denial, and untold millions of dollars in marketing to promote the safety of the game to parents of children who play the game, why would the league suddenly reverse course and admit there is a link between football and CTE? The most likely answer is to save itself money in future settlements.

NFL Executive Acknowledges Link to CTE

March 18, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

For years, the NFL has refuted evidence that there was a connection between football and the degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However, at a recent Congressional hearing involving experts on CTE, Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for health and safety policy, acknowledged that there is a link. Faced with evidence from Boston University Neuropathologist, Ann McKee, and asked whether or not there was a link between football and degenerative brain disorders like CTE, Miller’s response was “certainly, yes.” His response is a complete reversal for the NFL, which, up until this point, has been accused by former players of having hid the dangers of head injuries from them for years. Some likened Miller’s admission to twenty years ago when tobacco companies confessed that smoking can cause cancer and heart disease. Attorneys for former NFL players hope Miller’s statement will lead to compensation for all players diagnosed with CTE now and in the future, instead of just former players diagnosed before the current settlement was approved a year ago.

New Genetic Insights Into Mesothelioma

March 15, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Mesothelioma

A press release issued by Brigham and Women’s Hospital stated that a study done by physician-researchers from the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in collaboration with colleagues from Genentech, provides new genetic insights into diagnosing and treating patients with mesothelioma. Studies of other cancers have uncovered mutations which have allowed for a much more targeted approach to treatments. This recent study uncovered more than 2,500 alterations and 10 significantly mutated genes. These discoveries suggest that targeted therapies could be matched to an individual patient’s tumor. It is hopeful that these discoveries will aid in an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma and predict which patients will have poor or better treatment outcomes. Right now, the five year survival rate for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma is between five and ten percent. This study hopes to find ways to raise that number and reduce the mortality rate of mesothelioma.

Troubling Allegations in Risperdal Trial

March 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits

The most troubling aspect of a recent case decided against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) concerning its antipsychotic drug Risperdal is the allegation that the company deliberately withheld data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. An expert witness testified that J&J knew about the risk of gynecomastia associated with Risperdal but failed to show the complete extent to which young people may develop it when using the drug. This is troubling because it appears to be proof that the company is putting its bottom line ahead of the health and wellbeing of our country’s children. Apparently J&J decided its revenues were more important than the psychological trauma suffered by young men who took Risperdal and had their lives turned upside down when they began to develop breasts. These companies should be held liable for their actions and it was good to see a Philadelphia jury decide accordingly.

Jury Awards $2.5 Million in Risperdal Trial

March 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits

The Wall Street Journal reported that a Philadelphia jury held Johnson & Johnson (J&J) liable for failing to warn that its antipsychotic drug Risperdal could cause gynecomastia and ordered the company to pay $2.5 million in damages. The family of an autistic boy who took Risperdal between 2002 and 2006 and later developed size 46DD breasts brought the suit, claiming J&J hid the risks of male breast development with the use of Risperdal in young boys and men. While J&J settled a number of these claims over the past few years, this was the first one to go to trial where J&J was accused of hiding data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as prescribing doctors and parents. One law school professor from the University of Richmond commented that the verdict “doesn’t bode well for the company,” but cautioned that J&J would most likely want to see more jury verdicts before seriously considering settlement negotiations for the 1,200 similar lawsuits filed against the company. For its part, J&J said it would consider its options going forward, including a possible appeal of the verdict.

NFL Needs to do More after another CTE Diagnosis

February 12, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

When former Oakland Raider quarterback Ken Stabler died in July of 2015 after a battle with colon cancer, he and his family donated his brain and spinal cord to Boston University’s CTE Center. Sadly, Stabler is the most recent deceased NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE. During his playing days Stabler was nicknamed “the Snake” due to his ability to escape defenders. The article claims that there was no way he could escape CTE

Two-step Mesothelioma Treatment Raises Two Emotions

January 19, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Mesothelioma

After reading this article posted on our Mesothelioma & Asbestos page, I was elated that a potentially more effective way to treat mesothelioma with chemotherapy could be on the horizon. While the two-step method still has to be verified in human trials, there is hope that it will improve chemotherapy results and extend the lives of those diagnosed with mesothelioma. However, when I thought about the article a little more, that elation gave way to anger. I was upset at the lack of respect for human life asbestos companies exhibited in allowing their employees to continue to work with asbestos without warning them of the dangers. The companies were essentially sentencing thousands of their employees to death. It’s why we continue to fight hard for those affected by asbestos and mesothelioma.

Former NFL Players Screen “Concussion” Movie Together

January 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits

A couple of weeks before Christmas, Sports Illustrated brought 70 former NFL players together in Atlanta to watch a screening of the movie “Concussion.” The movie documents the story of pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu and his battle to bring to light his theory that the brain disease CTE is linked to repeated head traumas like those suffered on every play by NFL players. Numerous former players were brought to tears as scenes portraying some of their former colleagues played out on screen. Audible gasps could be heard in the theater when the ages of certain deceased former players were mentioned, none of whom were over the age of 51 at the time of death. Several of these former players are involved in the lawsuit claiming that the NFL hid the risks of concussions from them. One went as far as to say the NFL resembles the tobacco companies in how they tried to cover up the ramifications from head traumas.

New Drug Delivery Method May Help Mesothelioma Patients

January 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Mesothelioma

Doctors at Boston University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital say they may have found a more effective treatment method for mesothelioma patients. The new method would deliver the chemotherapy drugs directly into mesothelioma tumors. In the past, doctors have warned mesothelioma patients that the effectiveness of chemotherapy to treat their mesothelioma was limited at best. That was because very little of the injected chemotherapy drug made it into the actual mesothelioma tumor to destroy mesothelioma cells. However, doctors say they have had a much better result delivering the drugs into mesothelioma tumors with a two-step approach. This new two-step approach was successful on mesothelioma cells in the lab and in live mice. The doctors are hopeful that getting more of the chemotherapy into the mesothelioma tumors will improve the results in mesothelioma patients and extend survival.

Takata Airbag Recall List

January 13, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Faulty Product Recalls

Millions of vehicles have been recalled because they contain potentially defective Takata airbags. In the event of a crash, these defective airbag can explode, expelling metal fragments into the cabin of the car when deployed. View the list of vehicles we are investigating regarding defective Takata airbags…

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