Monthly Archives: June 2010

Two Studies Suggest Diabetes Drug Avandia Increases Risk of Heart Problems

Written On June 30, 2010 By Bob Kraft

ABC World News (6/28, story 7, 2:20, Sawyer) reported, “Two major studies have found the medicine called Avandia [rosiglitazone] could create a significant new risk of heart attack and other serious problems.”
The Washington Post (6/29, Stein) reports that one study, “involving more than 35,500 people, found that Avandia significantly raises the chances of a heart attack.” [...]

Posted in Prescription Drug Claims

Pfizer to Withdraw Cancer Drug Mylotarg

Written On June 29, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Food and Drug Administration said Monday Pfizer Inc. is withdrawing its cancer drug Mylotarg from the U.S. market after a clinical study showed the drug wasn’t effective and had more safety problems. The Wall Street Journal detailed this story well. Here are excerpts:
Mylotarg, marketed by Wyeth until Pfizer bought the company last year, was [...]

Posted in Prescription Drug Claims, Product Liability or Medical Devices

Two Million More Baby Cribs Recalled

Written On June 29, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of more than two million baby cribs from seven manufacturers. The recall is to give the companies time to investigate entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards previously linked to drop-side cribs. The manufacturers will provide free repair kits to immobilize the drop sides of the cribs.
The recalls were [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Product Liability or Medical Devices

Featured Link – Alzheimer Statistics in Texas

Written On June 28, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Alzheimer’s Association has a Web page of statistics for Texas. It’s frightening how many cases are diagnosed each year. Here is a statement from the site:
In the United States, 5.3 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and a new individual is diagnosed with the disease every 70 seconds. Unless something is done, by [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

Featured Link – KnowYourStuff.org

Written On June 25, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Insurance Information Institute has set up a helpful Web site called Know Your Stuff. It provides an easy way to enter information about items in your home so in case of a loss you’ll be able to prove to your insurance company what you owned, and have some idea of what it cost. The [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Featured Link, Insurance Information

Friday Fun

Written On June 25, 2010 By Bob Kraft

I love this beer commercial:

Posted in Friday Fun

Experts Chosen to Probe Unintended Vehicle Acceleration

Written On June 24, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Detroit News ran a brief article about a panel of experts appointed to investigate unintended acceleration in vehicles. Here are excerpts:
The National Academy of Sciences said it had chosen a group of engineers, scientists and auto safety experts to examine unwanted acceleration and electronic systems in vehicles throughout the auto industry. The study, conducted at [...]

Posted in Product Liability or Medical Devices, Vehicle Law or News

A Prescription for Malpractice

Written On June 23, 2010 By Bob Kraft

An interesting editorial on possible solutions for the “medical malpractice crisis” was featured on the Web site of the New York Times Union. The short article mentions several experiments to be tried in New York City:
The search for a solution to the high cost of medical malpractice has long been like a murder mystery — [...]

Posted in Medical Malpractice, Tort Reform

Dispute Between Surgeon and Device Maker Shows Lack of Safety Measures

Written On June 22, 2010 By Bob Kraft

On the front page of its Sunday Business section, the New York Times described the falling out between Dr. Richard A. Berger, who “designed surgical tools and artificial joints for Zimmer Holdings,” and the company. The Times noted that this “breakup…highlights what experts say is a troubling situation for patients and doctors: when disputes arise about [...]

Posted in Medical Malpractice, Product Liability or Medical Devices

Veterans Affairs Wants To Be Advocate, Not Enemy

Written On June 21, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Veterans Affairs Department’s disability claims process can be a nightmare to negotiate, and in my opinion is a real insult to the men and women who have been injured in serving our country. There may be some hope for improvement though. I’ve noted previously that the application form has been reduced to a mere [...]

Posted in Veterans Benefits

Friday Fun

Written On June 18, 2010 By Bob Kraft

When CNN or a similar station interviews someone with employees in the background, I’m always tempted to watch the employees. Someone else did that, and look what they found — an employee checking out a pretty girl on the Internet! The naughty photos start at 1:05 into the video clip.

Posted in Friday Fun

Grants Aim to Reduce Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Written On June 18, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The Wall Street Journal reports that the federal government is ready to begin $25 million in grants, as promised by President Obama, that seek to reduce medical malpractice claims by a variety of methods. Here are excerpts from the article:
During last year’s health debate, Republicans criticized the president for not addressing the rising cost of [...]

Posted in Government, Medical Malpractice

Two Texas Auto Insurers Face Investigation Over Huge Number of Consumer Complaints

Written On June 17, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Finally, someone seems to have noticed the notoriously bad behavior of two of the worst auto insurance companies in Texas. The Dallas Morning News ran a lengthy story this week detailing the volume and variety of complaints the Texas Department of Insurance has received against Fred Loya and Old American County Mutual insurance companies. The [...]

Posted in Insurance Company or Government Misconduct, Insurance Information, Vehicle Law or News

Recognizing Symptoms of Dementia

Written On June 16, 2010 By Bob Kraft

This guest post is courtesy of the National Care Planning Council.
The Brown family reunion has always been an event everyone looks forward to. Family visits, games, stories and everyone’s favorite foods are always on the agenda. On the top of the menu is Grandmas Lemon Coconut Cake. Grandma always makes the traditional cake from her [...]

Posted in Disability

New VA Disability Form Now Available on VA Web Site

Written On June 15, 2010 By Bob Kraft

The new veterans disability form I mentioned earlier has now been officially debuted by the VA. You can read the VA press release to get more details.

Posted in Veterans Benefits

New VA Disability Form Available

Written On June 15, 2010 By Bob Kraft

There is a new form available for filing VA disability (more properly called compensation) claims. The new form is only six pages, in contrast with the earlier 23-page form. I don’t think the new one is on the VA Web site yet, but here’s a copy of it.

Posted in Veterans Benefits

Company Involved in G.M. Recall Said the Problem is Not Solved

Written On June 15, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Last week General Motors recalled more than one million vehicles because GM said a system that heated the windshield-washer fluid could cause fires. Now there is some new troubling information. Apparently the maker of the windshield-washer system, Micro-Heat, is claiming that it is not to blame for the defect, and further says that GM owners [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Product Liability or Medical Devices, Vehicle Law or News

Friday Fun

Written On June 14, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Yeah, yeah, it’s only Monday, but this is too cute not to share. Even if you didn’t watch the World Cup soccer game between England and the United States live, you’ve surely seen replays of the absolute gift the English goalie gave the U.S. team. Here’s another replay — in Legos!

Posted in Friday Fun

Blue Cross Blue Shield Sues Pfizer Over Drug Marketing and Illegal Kickbacks

Written On June 14, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, which is the largest health insurer in Texas, has filed suit in federal court in Texas against Pfizer Inc. for deceptive marketing of drugs and for illegal kickbacks to doctors.
The suit alleges that Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra, an anti-inflammatory drug, for several uses that the government had declined [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Prescription Drug Claims

Friday Fun

Written On June 11, 2010 By Bob Kraft

Bubble Spinner is a mindless little game that you can mess with when you’re on the phone. This one won’t win any awards, but it’s a pleasant diversion.

Posted in Friday Fun