Tor Hoerman Law Blog

Eric Terry Appointed to Board of Directors of the YMCA Edwardsville

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:52:26 MST

TorHoerman Law is proud to announce the appointment of Eric M. Terry to the Board of Directors of the Edwardsville YMCA.

Giving Back - One Cubs Win at a Time!

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:15:13 MST

The TorHoerman Law Donation Committee was inspired to action when we learned of a family member in need. Taylor Naggs-Aquino, a beautiful 4 ½ year old girl is the niece of one of our THL team members who was diagnosed with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (PCH), a very rare genetic disease. As they have done in the past, the THL Donation Committee jumped to action looking for creative ways to raise money for Taylor and came up with some fun activities revolving around one of our favorite days – the Cubs versus Cardinals home opener.

MICROWAVE LAVA CAKE IN A MUG

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:32:35 MST

Looking for a last minute simple, inexpensive gift? Make your friends a do-it-yourself microwave molten chocolate cake.

FDA Soon to Decide Fate of YAZ

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:18:32 MST

Since it hit the market in 2006, Yaz has been the "go to" birth control pill for women. This is the case despite the numerous occassions that Bayer has been under scrutiny with this drug

More Trouble For Diabetes Drugs

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:37:14 MST

Although Actos is currently in the spotlight, it is not the only diabetes drug to come under scrutiny. Avandia and Actos have both been linked to increased risks of harm. Read more here.

The Importance of Community in Chicago - Rogers Park/West Ridge HIstorical Society

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:52:00 MST

TorHoerman Law is a true believer in a strong local community and we are proud to support the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society in their vital role for this north side Chicago neighborhood.

Quick Tips to Keep Your Furry Friend Happy on Halloween

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:32:39 MST

Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! BARK BARK BARK! Trick-or-Treat! MEOW! Halloween trick-or-treaters can be stressful on your pet.

Honor Flight - A Day to Remember our WWII Veterans

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:16:16 MST

Honor Flight is a program that is dedicated to paying a small tribute to those who gave so much – a memorable, safe, and rewarding tour of honor – visit memorials honoring their service and sacrifice in Washington D.C..

This fall, TorHoerman Law is honored to recognize the service of one our own – Bob Weishaupt, a veteran and father to Sue Tanney, a member of our medical team.

McCarrell $25 million Accutane Verdict Upheld

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:39:13 MST

Read our Injury Board Blog for the story of the Andrew McCarrell's $25 million victory against Roche, the maker of the blockbuster acne drug, Accutane which a jury found to be the cause of Andrew's debilitating inflammatory bowel disease. Attached is the order filed on September 12, 2011 by Judge Higbee of the Superior Court of New Jersey upholding…

Brazilian Blow Off?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:40 MST

It appears that GIB LLC is going to fight the recently filed FDA warning regarding the safety of their Brazilian Blowout products with a public campaign asking stylists to write to the FDA requesting further review of the safety of these products.

Diabetics left Questioning - What Drug is worth the risk?

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:47:32 MST

Given the publicity over the health risks of the two most popular anti-diabetic drugs, diabetics are left with a difficult choice - are the anti-diabetic drugs worth the risk?

Christopher's Story

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:57:39 MST

Christopher was one of the lucky kids that was discovered after his overtired mother left him in the rear-facing car seat that he fell asleep in. Now, Christopher's mother is an advocate for child safety with kidsandcars.org. Read about Christopher's story and how kidsandcars.org is helping to make a difference.

Mesh is "Complete Torture"

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:02:47 MST

Mounting reports of injuries from the use of vaginal mesh prompted the FDA advisory panel to come out in favor of a more rigorous premarket approval process. A few women whose lives were significantly harmed as the result of vaginal mesh products testified at the panel hearing. Read their account of the "complete torture"…

Brazilian Blowout - Where are the Victims? Where is the Outrage?

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:55:51 MST

There are likely thousands of stylists that have been put at risk because of the actions of GIB LLC, the manufacturer of Brazilian Blowout, and though OSHA, Congress, the FDA and public interest groups have been vocal in their outrage, there have not been very many stylists speaking out against the company. Our Chicago-Land Injury Board Blog attempts…

Straighten Up Brazilian Blowout!

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:26:45 MST

The FDA wasted little time in taking action on a letter submitted to them in May from Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and others in Congress. As we describe in more detail at our ChicagoLand Blog at the Injury Board Blog Network - Brazilian Blowout, the company responsible for this "adulterated" product now has…

FDA Warns Brazilian Blowout - Straighten Up!

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:12:08 MST

The FDA issued a warning letter to GIB LLC, the CA manufacturer of Brazilian Blowout, giving them 15 days to correct their violations of the FDA Cosmetics Act.

Amvets Picnic Donation

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:22:56 MST

THL was very happy to donate two bicycles for the recent Amvets picnic.

FDA Acts on Vaginal Mesh Complications - Where are the Manufacturers?

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:20:15 MST

Manufacturers of the vaginal mesh products are in the best position to warn the public of the medical risks in using the products. Through our Injury Board Blog, we will continue to apply pressure to the manufacturers of the vaginal mesh products until they take steps to get women the information they need to make important decisions…

While the FDA Continues to Look Into Safety of Vaginal Mesh Products

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:57:12 MST

As the FDA plans for meetings regarding the safety of vaginal mesh, we continue to press the manufacturers for more public warnings. Every year 300,000 women choose to undergo surgery to correct their pelvic organ prolapse, and as we have learned through our daily conversations with women who have had life-altering complications, mesh erosion…

Our Lady Queen of Peace "Scrambling for a Difference" Golf Tournament

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:35:05 MST

THL is once again proud to support the mission trip of the OLQP Youth Group. We agree with Norm Frisch that "by supporting youth organziaiton of any sort is a 'pay it forward' action for the future of our youth." We are thrilled that Norm and Amy Frisch have taken on the mission to show the youth of today the true…

THL is proud to support the Civil Justice Foundation

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:55:09 MST

Along with a great group of lawyers, THL proudly donated money to support a great grassroots organization so it can continue to protect our civil justice system.

Women and Depression - Should SSRI's be an Option?

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:41:28 MST

Women who find themselves at crossroads in their life in terms of career and family often find themselves depressed and looking for help which often leads to the use of antidepressants. Unfortunately, women are not given all the information they need to make a proper risk/benefit analysis of using SSRI's during their child-bearing years.

Back To School Tips

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:32:08 MST

One of the major problems that children deal with going back to school is the risk of illness. It is important for parents to teach their children how to prevent getting sick, to know how to treat their child if they become sick, and to know how to prevent their child from getting others sick. Here is a list of quick tips

Are Your Child's Sack Lunches Safe?

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:14:26 MST

Sack lunches can help save money, can appease picky eaters and are often healither than cafeteria food. However, a newly released study questions the safety of perishable foods packed in sack lunches.

Kids Taught to Wash Hands Avoid Sick Days

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:53:35 MST

Turns out you should listen to mom and your teachers - A three-month study of students in Denmark proved that children who washed their hands properly were absent significantly less than those that did not.

Middle-Aged Women on SSRIs Face Increased Stroke Risk

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:43:26 MST

The UK Daily Mail is reporting that scientists have completed a study looking at the long-term effects of SSRIs on middle-aged women. The report concluded that middle-aged women who took Prozac or similar SSRIs are almost 40 percent more likely to suffer a stroke.

BP Oil Spill Victims Still Without Healthcare

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 09:43:35 MST

"It is time for us to provide the families of the Gulf Coast with the health care they deserve" - we applaud Kerry Kennedy in her efforts to obtain proper health care for the residents of the Gulf Coast effected by the BP Oil Spill.

Who is Monitoring the Safety of Vaginal Mesh Kits?

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:51:45 MST

If medical device companies are going to use this expedited regulatory process, they should have a greater responsibility to make sure the product they take to market is safe since it did not go through normal safety channels. Medical device companies stand to make a substantial profit off of devices like vaginal mesh kits that went through the expedited approval process. It is not unfair to expect these same companies to be responsible for the monitoring of these devices as they make their way through market and, subsequently, be held responsible if the device is later found to cause injury.

EPA Fails to Review Chemicals that Endanger Children

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:33:14 MST

The EPA has not demonstrated that it can achieve children's health goals with a voluntary program after their flawed program to report on the safety of chemicals on children failed. This according to a scathing report publishe by the Office of the Inspector General of the EPA at the end of July 2011.

SSRIs May Not be the Best Choice for Those over 65

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:24:15 MST

New research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that popular SSRIs such as Prozac and Effexor may not be the best choice for antidepressants for seniors. SSRIs are associated with more side effects than older antidepressants. The researchers suggest that antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants may be a better choice…

Doctor's hired to study safety of Medtronic's Infuse Bone Graft found to have significant financial ties to Company

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:55:58 MST

Doctors paid to study Medtronic's Infuse Bone Graft product were found to have significant financial ties to the company and came under fire for misrepresenting the safety of the product. Medtronic has now agreed to give $2.5 million for an independent review of the product.

Pfizer Finds New Ways to Squeeze Money Out of Lipitor

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:48:12 MST

Pfizer is due to lose its patent protection in November for Lipitor, the world’s highest selling drug, but already has a plan to continue raking in money from the cholesterol lowering drug. The drug company plans to market an over-the-counter version of Lipitor…

FDA Warns of Risk of Birth Defects With Chronic Diflucan Use

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:09:10 MST

The FDA is warning the public that treatment with chronic, high doses (400-800mg/day) of Diflucan (fluconazole) during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with a rare and distinct set of birth defects in infants. The FDA noted that the risk of birth defects does not appear to be associated with a single, low dose of Diflucan…

Medical Device Approval Process is Flawed

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:13:58 MST

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently called into question the process by which many medical devices are approved through the FDA. The FDA asked the IOM to review their process for approving “moderate-risk devices” which can include anything from contacts to pacemakers.

Generics Could Save You Money - But, At What Cost?

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:44:58 MST

In a short time you will find you are saving money on your prescription medicine, but be aware that it comes at a risk – generic drug manufacturers no longer have to warn consumers of newly discovered dangers associated with their drugs. While a manufacturer of a brand-name medication has a duty to warn the public of increased…

F.D.A. Warns About Multaq Safety

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:04:40 MST

FDA urging patients taking Multaq, a drug used to treat abnormal heart rythms, to speak with their physician. Further testing by the FDA has been halted as a result of a two-fold increase in death, stroke and heart failure has been discovered.

New Regulations Issued, More Confusion Results in Mammogram Timing Advice

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:01:10 MST

Changes to the recommended timing for mammograms leaves women confused.

Reports of Vaginal Mesh Injuries Mount

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:17:53 MST

As reports of injuries relating to vaginal mesh continue to mount, we are learning more details about the types of injuries this product is causing, and the lessons are alarming. VAGINAL MESH BACKGROUND Surgical Mesh is commonly used in pelvic floor surgery to treat both incontinence and prolapse. “Vaginal mesh kits”…

What the Reports of Vaginal Mesh Injuries Really Tell Us

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:23:38 MST

The number of complications related to transvaginal mesh and bladder slings are staggering with the numbers expected to rise. Tor Hoerman blogs at the Injury Board about how Adverse Event Reports (AERs) are an important tool for the FDA, but, injuries resulting from medical devices are ultimately the responsibility of the device manufacturers.…

Vaginal Mesh Implants get Updated Warning from the FDA

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:17:10 MST

Surgical mesh is a medical device that is generally used to repair weakened or damaged tissue (specifically in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI)). It is made from either porous synthetic material or biologic material. In 2008, the FDA issued a Public Health Notification stating that the issues with the use of synthetic…

Electronic Health Records? There's an app for that!

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:19:49 MST

About one out of five private practice physicians already have an iPad. Thenew iPad app DrChrono wants to put those iPads to use for patients. The new iPad application has numerous uses such as medical speech to text, paperless billing, customized clinical note forms, photos and videos, and an ePrescribing feature. Not only will…

Barbecue Safety Tips

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:28:03 MST

In time for the height of summer bbq season - avoid foodborne illness and food poisoning by using a few commons sense tips.

Changes Coming to Tamiflu Dosage

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:37:00 MST

This flu season, new lower dosage Tamiflu will soon be available. Be an active consumer and check out the proper dosage for yourself and your family!

Can "Food Deserts" in America Be Prevented?

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:45:24 MST

Recent studies point to a significant rise in obesity in most states in the U.S - Adult rates climbed across 16 states through the past year, with 12 states now having obesity rates above 30 per cent. One reason for this is the availability of fast food especially in areas defined as "food deserts “Researchers found that…

The FDA approved Mylan's Generic Version of Topamax today.

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:37:56 MST

Big Pharma Protections in the Crosshairs

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:05:23 MST

As negotiations to raise revenue in coordination with the debt ceiling debacle continue, profit protections for Big Pharma keep coming to the forefront of the discussion. Giving Medicare negotiating authority to bring down costs of drugs for Medicare beneficiaries is part of the solution proposed by Democrats. Chris Van Hollen,…

FDA Special Report Details Struggles of Imported Food Safety

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 07:44:28 MST

In an action highly unusual for the FDA, the agency has released a new "special report" on what it is up against as it tries to get a handle on the safety of imported foods.

Senator Grassley to Harvard Scientists - Show Me the Money

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:36:01 MST

Three child psychiatrists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School who pioneered the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in young children failed to disclose that they had accepted millions in fees from drug companies, according to an investigation concluded on Friday by Senator Charles Grassley and Mass General.

A New Study Now Links SSRIs to Autism in Children

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:15:02 MST

A new study adds Autism to the continuously growing list of injuries found to occur to infants when their mother takes the popular anti-depressant drug class SSRI (including Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, and Symbyax) while pregnant.

No Hot Dogs for the 4th of July?

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:50:23 MST

In honor of the traditional Fourth of July barbecues and, more personally, achieving a personal all time record for meals revolving around hot dogs, I've decided to finally read the studies that I've ignored for years - why is everyone so angry about the great American hot dog?

Senators Durbin and Blumenthal Introduce Legislation Designed to Protect Consumers of Dietary Supplements

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:37:27 MST

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced legislation that would ensure that consumers have the information they need to distinguish between products that are safe and others that contain potentially dangerous ingredients which haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Dietary…

DIabetes Cases Double to 347 MIllion

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:08:52 MST

Diabetes Cases Double to 347 Million The number of adults with diabetes has doubled world-wide over the last three-decades to nearly 350 million and has increased nearly threefold in the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal, a sign that the epidemic will impose an ever-greater cost burden on health systems.

First Bladder Cancer - Now Blindness? More trouble for Actos.

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:45:37 MST

People taking Actos, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co's best-selling diabetes treatment, have a 3 to 6 times increased risk of developing diabetic macular edema (DME), a condition in which the retina thickens and swells, according to a study of more than 100,000 people.

Women using epilepsy drugs have an increased risk of pregnancy and delivery complications.

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:27:43 MST

The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is reporting today that women using anti-epileptic drugs have an increased risk of pregnancy and delivery complications. The drugs studied in this analysis included Lamictal (lamotrigine), Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Depacon and Depakote (valproate). Source: Restaino Law Firm…

TorHoerman Law proudly supports KidsAndCars.org

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:16:02 MST

TorHoerman Law proudly supports KidsAndCars.org, a national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated to preventing injuries and death to children in or around motor vehicles. KidsAndCars.org has been pioneering a national prevention movement since 1996 by promoting the highest level of awareness among parents, caregivers, and the public…

"Hot Coffee" - A look at how one lawsuit catapulted tort reform in the U.S.

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:50:45 MST

Remember the McDonald's hot coffee case? If you do, its likely you remember that Stella Liebeck, the Albuquerque woman who spilled hot coffee on herself and ended up with third-degree burns. Most Americans only remember the first part of the lawsuit - the $2.7 million verdict. Why don't Americans know the rest?

Supreme Court makes it less safe for patients to take generic prescription drugs

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:09:26 MST

Does it make sense that a manufacturer of prescription drugs does not have to warn consumers of dangers that they learn about their drug, WHEN THEY LEARN OF THEM? Should they be able to hide behind regulation and the FDA, or a legal term called preemption, or should they simply do what all of us would do, and let people know the minute we learn…

Are your Pharmaceutical Records for Sale?

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:38:03 MST

The Supreme Court of the United States gave the pharmaceutical industry a big victory when it held that the purchasing of your prescription drug information is protected under free speech.

Settlement Calls Into Question Relationship Between Military Doctors and Pharmaceutical Companies

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:48:35 MST

The relationship between military physicians and pharmaceutical companies is coming under fire after the recent settlement between Novo Nordisk and the Justice Department. The Justice Department charged Novo Nordisk with illegally promoting their hemophilia drug, NovoSeven. The drug company was charged with promoting NovoSeven for unapproved…

Phantom Pharmacies

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:43:02 MST

Criminals are creating sham pharmacies in order to defraud Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance companies. Matching up stolen doctor ID numbers and patient insurance numbers, phantom pharmacies submit fake claims for reimbursement. Shimon Richmond, a Department of Health and Human Services field agent said, “These…

FDA Warns - Actos Linked to Increased Risk of Bladder Cancer

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:20:05 MST

June 15, 2011 - The FDA has issued a new warning of increased bladder cancer risk associated with the use of the diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone). This warning comes after a review of data from a five-year interim analysis of an ongoing study of Actos by the manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. The results show that although…

New FDA warnings about high doses of Zocor

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:52:33 MST

Time Magazine reports the FDA restricted high dosage use of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin (brand name Zocor produced by Merck) because of concerns over serious muscle issues. A similar problem was found in the drug Baycol, which was recalled in 2001. Some experts believe action should have been taken sooner to limit the dosage…

California Becomes First State to Regulate Diacetyl

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:05:35 MST

In December, 2010, California became the first state in the nation to implement a standard for working with the chemical food additive, diacetyl. Diacetyl is a chemical that is used in many different food flavorings. Those flavorings in turn are used widely across the food production industry. When inhaled, the vapors from diacetyl…

Illinois - Leading the Way in Education Reform

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:38:32 MST

Illinois skips the ugly fights and opts for grown up discussions during their education reform discussions.

We applaud the efforts of Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois legislature, the teacher's union and reform groups for avoiding the drama and thereby putting the children of Illinois at the forefront of these discussions.

Tribute to the Greatest Generation

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:09:39 MST

Word came from home that my 98-year young great Aunt Gert was nearing the end of her amazing life. There is no way to describe Gertrude Killgallon Crowley – ex-nun, Marine, teacher, blogger, democrat – in a paragraph (or even a book for that matter), except to say that an entire family rushed to her bedside in Oak Park, IL to partake…

Pfizer stops selling an arsenic-containing drug to promote chicken growth

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:24:21 MST

After trace amount of arsenic were found in chickens, Pfizer suspended its sale of the drug. 3-Nitro, also known as roxarsone, is intended to kill intestinal parasites and promote the chickens’ growth. Although the drug is make with organic arsenic, there is building evidence that organic arsenic can turn into inorganic arsenic. Inorganic…

New FDA Warnings about high doses of Zocor

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:16:38 MST

Concerns about a side effect of muscle problems, the FDA restricted high dosage use of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin (brand name Zocor produced by Merck). A similar problem was found in the drug Baycol, which was recalled in 2001. Some experts believe action should have been taken sooner to limit the dosage of Zocor. Dr.…

Are you taking too many meds?

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:00:05 MST

The case of Alesandra Rain is one too often repeated as a result of over medication and a lack of communication between specialists. She was prescribed sleeping pills, heart medication, and various anti-seizure medications. Eventually she was spending more than $900 a month, and taking 12 different types of medications. Alesandra…

North Carolina House Approves BIll Shielding Pharma Companies from Liability

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:55:25 MST

On Wednesday the North Carolina house voted to protect pharmaceutical companies from product liability for FDA approved drugs. The vote is part of a Republican plan to limit liability for North Carolina businesses. Now the only way a drug company will be held liable for their FDA approved defective products is if a judge or a jury…

FDA Warns Not to Feed Simply Thick to Premature Infants

Fri, 20 May 2011 13:27:57 MST

The FDA warns parents, caregivers and health care providers not to feed premature infants SimplyThick to infants born before 37 weeks gestation because it may case a life-threatening condition. SimplyThick is a brand of thickening agent – available to consumers and medical centers – to help manage swallowing difficulties. …

Brazilian Blowout under Fire by Congress

Thu, 19 May 2011 05:08:33 MST

We would like to applaud the efforts this week of several members of Congress, led by Jan Schakowsky, who have written a letter to the FDA asking them to suspend the sale of the popular hair product - Brazilian Blowout. Despite the manufacturers claims to the contrary, studies have shown that Brazilian Blowout contains unhealthy levels of formaldehyde…

Lazy Cakes, Kush Cakes, and Lulla Pies - Wake up, Congress, this isn't Willie Wonka's World...

Wed, 18 May 2011 08:40:33 MST

Melatonin-filled brownies such as Lazy Cakes, Kush Cakes and Lulla Pies have come to the attention of Congress and have prompted Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to write to the FDA that, because these cakes are marketed as dietary supplements, they do not require approval by the FDA for use as additives in food. Durbin asked the FDA to clarify its authority…

Group of Parents and Lawyers Urge Congress to review the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Tue, 10 May 2011 12:08:27 MST

During a press conference today, investigators from Pace Law School in New York, parents of autistic children and lawyers released their groundbreaking study that strongly suggests a link between vaccines and autism. Today, several remarkable families spoke out about their personal struggles starting with the vaccination of their healthy infants…

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) and SSRIs

Sun, 08 May 2011 09:04:43 MST

Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is a serious and life-threatening lung condition that occurs soon after the birth of a newborn. Infants born to mothers who took selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) after the 20th week of pregnancy are 6 times more likely to have PPHN, according to a February 2006 study in the New England…

Brazilian Blowout Gets Hazard Alert by OSHA

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:02:01 MST

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a Hazard Alert for anyone using or working with Brazilian Blowout hair straightening products.

Mixed Results for Roche Accutane Case

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:06:50 MST

After hearing evidence for more than six weeks, a seven-member jury awarded $2 million in damages to one Accutane plaintiff, but, two other plaintiff's in Greenblatt v. Hoffman-La Roche, including actor James Marshall, received nothing.

Join an Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:24:36 MST

Ulcerative colitis can be a challenge to live with — both physically and emotionally. Colitis symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, abdominal cramps, and an urgent need to have a bowel movement can cause a mix of feelings, including anxiety, fear, frustration, anger, and depression. Everyday Health offers a list of support groups that may help…

Excercising with Ulcerative Colitis

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:21:31 MST

If you are living with ulcerative colitis, regular exercise can help you stay healthy, as well as reduce stress, which helps you better cope when colitis flares occur. However, you may have to modify your exercise routine when symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps are active. Link to this Everyday Health article for excercising tips. …

Bayer announces study which clarifies the increased risk of blood clots when using the Pill

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:46:44 MST

Bayer announces the results of a large study which warns women about the increased of blood clots when using combination oral contraceptives like Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella. The two higher risk time frames are: during the first year of use, with the largest risk of blood clot occurring in the first six months. Increase risk when…

Johnson & Johnson's Quality Catastrophe

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:40:23 MST

In December 2010, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $1.1 million in punitive damages and $700,000 in compensatory damages to an 82-year-old man who suffered injuries as a result of the antibiotic Levaquin. The man suffered tendon damage after Johnson & Johnson failed to properly warn of the risk of this injury. There are currently…

Can Mom's Medicine Hurt the Baby?

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:19:54 MST

The list of medications that women shouldn't take in pregnancy keeps getting longer. Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration strengthened warnings that expectant mothers who take topiramate (brand name Topamax), for migraines or to control seizures, have an increased risk of giving birth to babies with cleft lips or cleft palates. ...But…

A Few Good Men in Hollywood stand up against Accutane

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:38:02 MST

The premature end of James Marshall’s career, blamed by the actor and musician on Roche Holding AG’s Accutane acne drug, was an “unbelievable tragedy,” former co-star Brian Dennehy said in court. Dennehy testified on March 10th that “It amazes me that something like this could have happened and could have had such a long-range…

Combo-pilling with Topamax

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:24:06 MST

Topamax, the drug known to cause severe birth defects, is rising in popularity as ½ of an unapproved drug pairing to help woman lose weight. Topamax is FDA approved to treat migraines and epilepsy, not weight loss.

Plaintiffs describe the severe pain they feel after using Accutane in New Jersey Court room

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:11:35 MST

During opening statements, the attorney representing James Marshall, a 44 year old actor best known for his part as U.S. Marine Louden Downey in the 1992 hit movie "A Few Good Men" and two other California residents (Kelley Andrews, a 29 year old account manager and Gillian Gaghan, a 34 year old nursing assistant), described the…

OSHA revises National Emphasis Program to focus on protecting workers from exposure to diacetyl and diacetyl substitutes.

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:01:09 MST

OSHA revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Microwave Popcorn Processing Plants. The purpose of this revised NEP is to minimize or eliminate worker exposure to the hazards associated with microwave popcorn manufacturing. Specifically, this Direction revises the previous Microwave Popcorn initiative by OSHA to reduce or eliminate…

Eric Terry selected for inclusion on the 2011 Illinois Rising Stars list

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:54:38 MST

We are very proud to announce that Eric Terry has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyer's 2011 Illinois Rising Stars list, an honor given to the top 2.5% of lawyers under 40 in Illinois. The Super Lawyer selection process is a comprehensive, good-faith and detailed attempt to produce a list of lawyers that have attained high peer recognition,…

CA Attorney General Targets Brazilian Blowout Over Chemical

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:07:10 MST

The CA attorney general's office filed a lawsuit today alleging that the company that makes the Brazilian Blowout hair-straightening product failed to warn consumers that its solution contains a cancer-causing chemical, despite company claims that it is "formaldeyhde-free." Read the CA report here.

Worker Alert!

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:54:47 MST

OSHA issues an alert to workers who breathe diacetyl on the job. Diacetyl is a chemical used to add flavor and aroma to food and other products. Workers who breathe diacetyl on the job have become disabled or have died from severe lung disease. Find the Worker Alert Here.

OSHA warns that even though a flavoring is considered safe to eat, it does not mean that the flavoring is safe to breathe or handle in occupational settings.

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:15:00 MST

October 14, 2010 - OSHA issues a Safety and Health Bulletin (SHIB) addressed to employers and workers involved in the manufacture of “flavorings.” According to OSHA, it is important to understand that although a flavoring is considered safe to eat, it does not mean that the flavoring is also safe to breathe or handle in occupational settings…

Covidien supports FDA labeling changes for gadolinium-based contrast agents for kidney disease.

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:49:15 MST

Covidien (NYSE:COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced it supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) labeling changes for gadolinium-based contrast agents for patients with acute kidney injury or chronic, severe kidney disease.

Wyeth's Ghost in the Medical Machine

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:14:57 MST

A study of documents unsealed in litigation against the pharmaceutical company Wyeth (WYE) show the drug giant paid ghostwriters to insert marketing messages into articles in medical journals, according to researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in a study published in PLoS Medicine. “Given the growing evidence that ghostwriting…

Federal Agencies Knew of Diacetyl Dangers and Kept Silent

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 09:21:56 MST

Federal regulatory agencies have known for years the dangers that diacetyl exposure creates among workers in factories where bags of microwave popcorn are tested. The only agency to have taken any action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has kept its study of the chemical's impact on consumers secret except for sharing it with…

Discovery Rule Exception in Hormone Replacement Cases Ruled A Jury Question

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:40:27 MST

In a decisions that restores 1,000 hormone replacement therapy mass tort cases to the Philadelphia Common Please Court's caseload, the state Superior Court said it is a question of fact, not a question of law, whether the plaintiffs could have known at the time of their diagnoses with breast cancer that the alleged cause of their cancer was their HRT prescriptions. Read more of this story here.

Roche, FDA Knew About Accutane Side Effects Before Approval

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:04:36 MST

A New Jersey Court of Appeals recently overturned the ruling in the Accutane lawsuit of a woman who suffered from serious gastrointestinal problems as a result of taking the severe acne medication. ..While the woman's case awaits retrial, a startling new fact was released during her trial that has put Accutane makers Hoffman-LaRoche in an even hotter…

Illinois Worker Wins $30 million verdict in diacetyl popcorn chemical lawsuit

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:53:51 MST

A jury in Chicago has awarded a $30.4 million verdict to a chemical-flavoring plant worker disabled by exposure to diacetyl, an ingredient in butter flavoring used at a Jasper popcorn plant where several workers claimed similar injury. See the entire story here.

FDA Panel Opposes Plan to Tighten Use of Painkillers

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:36:49 MST

An advisory committee for the Food and Drug Administration voted overwhelmingly on Friday to reject a plan proposed by the agency to reduce the misuse and abuse of long-acting painkillers like the drug OxyContin. Read the rest of the story here.

GE's Own Safety Team Urged Company to Restrict MRI Drug

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:45:49 MST

April 2, 2010 - Cook County Circuit Judge Dooling grants an order allowing for punitive damages against GE based on the evidence she reviewed with regards to Robbie Booker v. GE, one of the approximate 500 lawsuits filed by NSF patients against GE. Read the court order here.

New Jersey Superior Court links Roche's Accutane to IBD

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:28:56 MST

In another major courtroom verdict linking powerful acne medication Accutane with long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a nine-person New Jersey jury has found that pharmaceutical maker Hoffman-La Roche Inc. failed to provide an adequate warning of the possible condition to Andrew McCarrell's prescribing physician…

TorHoerman Law meets monetary goal for Oasis Women's Center

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:48:22 MST

The employee's of TorHoerman Law proudly raised in excess of $1,000 and specifically needed items for the women and children of Oasis Women's Center in Alton, IL. during the busy holiday season. The donation committee will proudly deliver these items on Monday, December 21st to Oasis. After visiting the center, it became clear that…

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Make Popcorn

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:43:41 MST

Although most popcorn makers claim to have removed Diacetyl from their microwave popcorn, it now appears that the "new, safer, butter substitutes" used in popcorn and other foods are, in some cases, at least as toxic as what they replaced.

Read the entire story here.

Double Trouble for Pfizer

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:16:33 MST

Two juries award more than $103 million to punish Pfizer unit, Wyeth Connie Barton and Donna Kendall both have something in common: they stood up to  one of the largest and most powerful drug companies in court – and won. Today, in  Philadelphia, PA, these two verdicts against Wyeth (a division of Pfizer) over its hormone therapy drugs (Premarin…

The Spectre Haunting GE

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:50:22 MST

Omniscan and comparable products contain the potentially toxic metal gadolinium. During MRIs, the metal helps physicians see the brain and other parts of the body. Healthy kidneys filter out gadolinium. But patients with severely impaired kidneys can become victims of NSF, according to the FDA. NSF starts with painful swelling in the legs and arms.…

How Three University Medical Centers Handled GE's Omniscan

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:57:38 MST

In 2006, Danish medical authorities began receiving reports that patients with serious kidney problems who underwent a magnetic resonance scan using Omniscan, an injected drug produced by GE Healthcare, had developed a rare, crippling and potentially fatal disease. GE Healthcare disputes that Omniscan causes the disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis,…

Selling Sickness: How Drug Ads Changed Health Care

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:28:08 MST

Today, drug companies spend $4 billion a year on ads to consumers. In 1997, the FDA rules governing pharmaceutical advertising changed, and now companies can name both the drug and what it's for, while only naming the most significant potential side effects. Then, the number of ads really exploded. The Nielsen Co. estimates that there's an average…

Health Concerns Over Popular Contraceptives

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:41:59 MST

The oral contraceptives Yaz and Yasmin are the top-selling pharmaceutical line for Bayer HealthCare, largely as a result of marketing that presents them as much more than mere pregnancy prevention. But recently, the Yaz line’s image has been clouded by concerns from some researchers, health advocates and plaintiffs’ lawyers. They say that…

Pfizer Pays $2.3 Billion to Settle Marketing Case

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:18:46 MST

In the largest fine ever levied for fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer Inc. will pay a $2.3 billion settlement over the company's illegal marketing of its now-withdrawn painkiller, Bextra. Read the NY Times article here.

Women Should Take Safest Birth-Control Pill, Researchers Say

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:23:44 MST

Doctors should prescribe the birth-control pills that are the least liekely to cause blood clots, according to a study of more than 3,000 women published today in the British Medical Journal. Oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and a low does of estrogen, such as Bayer's Microgynon 30, were associated with the lowest risk of blood…

TorHoerman Law Announces New Offices

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:47:15 MST

The staff and attorneys at TorHoerman Law LLC are excited to announce the opening of our new offices on July 1, 2009.

FDA Advises Consumers Not to Use Certain Zicam Products

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:36:26 MST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today advised consumers to stop using three products marketed over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell (anosmia). Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent. The products are: --Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel --Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs --Zicam Cold Remedy…

FDA requires new physician labels for Levaquin

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:41:57 MST

The FDA requires new safety information with the use of Levaquin, particularly the increased risks of tendonitis and tendon rupture. Read about the new requirements here.

Online Age Quiz Is a Window for Drug Makers

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:13:08 MST

While few people would fill out a detailed questionnaire about their health and hand it over to a drug company looking for suggestions for new medications, that is essentially what RealAge is doing. Read the full story here.

A Birth Control Pill That Promised Too Much

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:12:43 MST

The Food and Drug Administration and the attorneys general of 27 states have required Bayer to spend at least $20 million on an advertising campaign intendned to clarify deceptive consumer drug advertising for its top-selling oral contraception pill, Yaz. Regulatros say that the ads which aimed to make Yaz the "go-to…

Bayer Removes Remaining Stock of Trasylol

Wed, 14 May 2008 10:53:38 MST

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. has notified the FDA that the company will begin removing the remaining Trasylol stock from the U.S. market, most of which is in warehouses and hospital or physician's stock. Read Full FDA Announcement here.

Popcorn ingredient casues lung disease: U.S. Study

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:35:53 MST

Tests on mice show that diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can cause a condition known as lymphocytic bronchiolitis, said the team at the National Institute of Environemental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health.

The condition can lead to obliterative bronchiolitis -- or "popcorn lung" -- a rare and debilitating disease seen in workers at microwave popcorn packaging plants and at least one consumer.

Read the rest of the Reuters article here.

FDA Requests Marketing Suspension of Trasylol

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:04:10 MST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that, at the agency's request, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. has agreed to a marketing suspension of Trasylol, a drug used to control bleeding during heart surgery, pending detailed review of preliminary results from a Canadian study that suggested an increased risk for death. Read the full…

The FDA requests a "Black Box Warning" for the Manufacturers of Gadolinium

Wed, 23 May 2007 14:46:35 MST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers to include a new boxed warning on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents which are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)...

FDA Announces Discontinued Marketing of GI Drug, Zelnorm, for Safety Reasons

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:31:46 MST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested that Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation of East Hanover, New Jersey, voluntarily discontinue marketing of Zelnorm (tegaserod) based on the recently identified finding of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular adverse events (heart problems) associated with use of the drug. Novartis has agreed…