| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, HIT AND RUN DRIVER, Uncategorized

Former NFL Star Lawrence Taylor Involved in South Florida Hit-and-Run

The Miami Herald reported this week that NFL legend Lawrence Taylor was arrested on Sunday night for leaving the scene of an auto accident in Miami-Dade. The 50-year-old former New York Giants pass rusher was released around 9:57 p.m. on $500 bond.

The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. on the Palmetto Expressway at Northwest 103rd Street when Taylor hit a 1984 Ford van, tearing off the front tire of his Cadillac Escalade and sending the van spinning in front of the Escalade. According to authorities, he drove about two miles on his axle before pulling off to the side of the road. Police spotted Taylor outside of his car on his cell phone. He told police that he thought he hit a guardrail.

 
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Taylor is an NFL Hall of Famer, known for his power and tenacity as a linebacker for the New York Giants. He has considered by many as one of the greatest defensive players of all time and is no stranger to the limelight. Taylor has acted in films such as The Waterboy and Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday, and recently competed in the eight season of ABC’s popular dance show Dancing with the Stars. He owns a house in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Though his successful career in the NFL was at times marred by admitted drug use and arrest for possession, Lt. James Durden of the Florida Highway Patrol said that Taylor showed no signs of impairment and was not given a sobriety test. Thankfully, no one was injured in the auto accident.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized

Ford’s New Seat Belt Technology Hopes Prevent Serious Injuries in Auto Accidents

South Florida drivers and motorists around the country can look forward to a new innovation in seat beat technology by Ford Motor Co. Ford will introduce a seat belt-mounted air bag in its 2011 Ford Explorer back seat and, according to Ford, will be the first automaker put this technology in mass production.

According to a recent article on Yahoo Auto, the air big fits in a pocket in the seat belt. The car sends a signal to release the bag, which inflates with cooler air and more safely as compared with front air bags. The air bags are particularly situated for the safety of children. A Ford engineer responsible for its development, which has been in the works for a decade, claims that the seat belt provides even distribution across the chest, providing less chance of injury and support to the head and neck.

 

 

The New York Times reported that along with the seat belt, Ford hopes to use this and other safety features to attract new customers. Ford also has developed MyKey, which allows parents to put restrictions on their teenage drivers, radar-enable cruise control and systems for hands-free mobile phone and audio operation.

However, Ford will have obstacles to overcome. In “Ford Defective Switch Recall to Add Over 4 Million Vehicles” we reported the automaker coming under fire due to a product defect in the cruise control switch of some of its vehicles. The New York Times also noted that a survey from Carmax showed that consumers rank safety fifth out of six factors they consider the most important when purchasing a vehicle. The Yahoo Auto report also noted that belt usage in the back seat is only at a 60 percent, while overall usage of seat belts is 83 percent.

Though Ford admits the technology is expensive, their hope is to make the seat belts available as an option particularly geared towards families with small children. The price may come down if the technology expands to Ford’s other vehicles. We hope that automakers continue to develop technology in driver safety to make cars safer for everyone.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized

Study: Bad Driving May be due to Genetics

Changing lanes without signaling, running red lights, driving too slow on I-95: those of us who drive every morning on the streets and highways of South Florida are familiar with these displays of bad driving. These are the very acts which lead to the many auto accidents we see every day on the way to work. However, a new study shows that the reason for such bad driving may partially lie in the variations of our genes.

According to the Sun Sentinel, a study from the University of California, Irvine, linked a gene variation among individuals, which gives them less of the brain protein related to memory retention, to performance levels in a driving simulation 20 percent worse than individuals with higher levels of the protein. However, the study noted that this was only one factor in bad driving, and that 1 in 3 people have the gene variant.

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The study, led by Dr. Steven Cramer, put 19 volunteers, ages 18 to 30, in a driving simulation. The results showed that drivers with the gene variant which limits the level of secretion of the protein brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) performed worse on the simulation and were not able to retain as much information about the simulation as the volunteers with higher levels of BDNF.

Dr. Cramer hopes that the study could help victims of auto accidents who suffer memory loss or brain trauma. However, others are hesitant to attribute bad driving to genetics.

Outside forces, such as failing to comply with the rules of the road, alcohol/substance abuse, rush-hour traffic and distractions are still the predominant causes of auto accidents, especially in busy South Florida cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Hopefully, however, more studies such as Dr. Cramer’s will continue to explore the inherent factors and ultimately point us toward solutions so that we can promote safe driving.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized

More Red Light Cameras in South Florida: Preventing Auto Accidents or Raising Money?

In August, we posted “Red Light Cameras: A Violation of Florida Law?” where we discussed the city of Pembroke Pines and its decision to install red light cameras at intersections. As we stated in the post, more and more cities in South Florida will be following the trend which many feel will prevent auto accidents.

This week, CBS 12 News in West Palm Beach reported that city officials decided that red light cameras will be used to encourage safe driving and monitor the streets. Currently, there is a 90-day probation period where only a warning will be issued to drivers. After that, drivers will receive a $125 fine in the mail, which officials say the money will go towards traffic programs. The civil infraction will not add points to your license.

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Much like in Pembroke Pines, there are drivers are on both sides of this issue. Peter Robbins, a public information officer with West Palm Beach, stated that accidents involving red light-running are the number one types of accidents in urban areas, and that studies show that the cameras help prevent those accidents.

Other drivers, however, see the cameras as an invasion of their privacy. They also question the legality of the cameras, saying that they are a violation of their constitutional rights and merely a way for cities to raise money. In “Red Light Cameras,” we discussed how traffic laws in Florida must be uniform across the state, that variations violate state law, and the legal concerns our governor had about using red light cameras. We also discussed how cities are getting around those concerns. Be that as it may, city officials, who are aware of the likelihood of a class action lawsuit, feel that the red light cameras will stand.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | PHARMACEUTICAL NELIGENCE, Uncategorized

Gardasil’s Lead Researcher Question’s Ability of Vaccination to Reduce Risk of Cervical Cancer

Earlier this month, Dr. Diane Harper stirred up discussion with her remarks about Gardasil, a vaccine manufactured by major pharmaceutical company Merck used to prevent the human papilloma virus (HPV) at the 4th International Public Conference on Vaccination. According to a report by The Bulletin, Dr. Harper, who was the lead researcher for Gardasil and Cervarix and is the director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Research Group at the University of Missouri, stated that the drugs will do little to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. She went further to say that despite the fact that the drugs were recommended for young girls, there have been no clinical trials for girls under the age of 15.

What was surprising was that while Dr. Harper was speaking at the conference to promote the vaccine, many of her statements casted doubt on the utility of the drugs. According to Gardasil, there are four types of HPV. HPV 16 and 18 cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, while HPV 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts cases. While Gardasil has been promoted as an effective against HPV, Dr. Harper stated that 70 percent of all HPV cases treat themselves within a year, and 90% after two years. Only half of the remaining 10 percent develop into cervical cancer. Dr. Harper went further, stating that the incidence of cervical in the U.S. is very low, with four out of five women with cervical cancer living in developing countries. She also revealed that while Merck followed a group of girls under 16 years of age, it did not follow them long enough to draw conclusions as to the sufficiency of the presence of HPV antibodies.

The subject of vaccinations has been a hot topic lately, and in this case, one that South Florida women should be mindful of. The Bulletin article noted that since Gardasil’s inception in 2006, 15,037 girls reported adverse effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), including lupus, paralysis, brain inflammation, and blood clots. The Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) stated that there have been 44 reported deaths.

When considering taking a vaccine or any kind of medication, it is important that you always gather as much information as possible. Talk to your physician about your concerns and the possible side effects of taking certain vaccinations or medications and pay attention to reports and studies, both positive and negative, on these medications.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | PHARMACEUTICAL NELIGENCE, Uncategorized

Pfizer’s Prempro Brings Attention to Pharmaceutical Reporting Issue

Pfizer, Inc. is under fire for a hormone-replacement drug produced by Wyerth, a company which it acquired earlier this year for $68 billion.

According to Daily Finance, a jury awarded a Philadelphia woman $3.75 million in compensatory damages and an undisclosed sum of punitive damages, finding a link between Pempro, a hormone drug taken for menopause treatment, and her breast cancer. The jury also found that Wyeth hid evidence of Pempro’s potential cancer risk. The woman took Pempro for five years before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Daily Finance stated that there are 9,000 more lawsuits pending across the U.S., with about 1,500 in Philadelphia alone.

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Stories such as this raises concerns for South Floridians and other consumers around the country. Can we trust that pharmaceutical companies will do business responsibly and ethically with the care and safety of its customers in mind without negligently putting a defective and potentially harmful product on the market? Booster Shots, from the Los Angeles Times’ Health Section, reported on French researches who conducted a study on 133 clinical trials which were published throughout 2006 in major medical journals. Besides finding that 55 percent of the studies were funded by for-profit companies, about 11% of the studies did not report on the adverse effects of their trials.

The researchers also found that some of the reporting was distorted. For example, 36 of the studies did not distinguish between severe and mild side effects. Sixteen studies only included the most severe side effects, while 17 reported only common side effects and another 63 did not report on withdrawals of volunteers from the studies. So while the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials was amended back in 2001 to emphasize the importance of reporting all adverse effects and events, the French researchers concluded that from their study, more needs to be done to rectify these inadequesies. Booster Shots noted an editorial accompanying the study by Dr. John Ioannidis of the University of Ioannina School of Medicine in Greece, who saw the under-reporting by the companies as their intent on “silencing the evidence” of the potential harm.
Read more “Pfizer’s Prempro Brings Attention to Pharmaceutical Reporting Issue”

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, AVIATION ACCIDENT, CELL PHONE USE, Uncategorized

Obama Administration Focusing on Distracted Driving, Flying Laws

By now, all of us have heard of and are following the story of the Northwest Airline pilots who earlier this month overshot their arrival to Minneapolis by 150 miles. The pilots notified investigators that they were distracted because they were using their laptops to organize crew schedules.

In a recent Sun Sentinel article, it reported that in light of the Northwest fiasco, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated that the Obama administration will now expand its efforts in distracted driving to flying. According to LaHood, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is considering whether a uniform ban on use of electronic devices such as laptops during flight is in order.

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As the article noted, lawmakers have expressed interest in tackling the issue of distracted driving. In September, LaHood held a summit on distracted driving, inviting researchers, regulators and other experts.

So what does this mean for South Florida drivers? We have already felt the effects of the push for banning electronic devices, as we noted in “South Florida City Bans Texting while Driving” and the Cell Phone Use section of our blog. With the White House concerned about the issue, we will likely see many changes which may have a dramatic effect on the litigation of auto accidents and aviation accidents in South Florida.

At the other side of the issue, however, is the concern for a driver’s autonomy and personal freedom while on the road. Our post entitled “Does Cell Phone Use Cause Florida Accidents?” recognized that this is a position which many people take on the electronic device issue.

Ultimately, we hope that as more developments in cell phone usage unfold, the determining factor in future legislation will be to maintain the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS, Uncategorized

Recall of Clothing Retailer’s Products Increases with Reports of More Deaths

Earlier in April, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that clothing retailer Blair recalled over 160,000 of their Chenille robes due to a flammability hazard. The robes were allegedly responsible for the deaths of six women.

In a new development, WalletPop.com reported last week that Blair is expanding the recall to 138,000 robes, tops and jackets after a total of nine women have died from wearing the products.

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So far, a majority of the deaths occurred to women while they were cooking. The CPSC attributes the malfunction due to the products’ failure to meet federal safety standards.

The CPSC also stated that the robes were manufactured by A-One Textile and Towel of Pakistan. The Los Angeles Times reported that the robes in the initial recall were labeled “100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan,” with the label item numbers 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115 and 3093116, and were sold between January 2003 and March 2009.

The addition to the recall presently includes items which were sold between 2000 and 2007. A list of the defective products can be found on the CPSC’s report from October 22. If you own any of these products, you should stop wearing them immediately. Blair is offering a full refund or a $50 gift card.

If you would like more information about the product recall, you can visit Blair’s website, or e-mail Blair at blairproductrecall@blair.com.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | ANIMAL AND DOG BITES, Uncategorized

Dog Attacks Miami-Dade Boy

A boy in the Miami-Dade county was injured after being attacked by a dog on Thursday, October 22. According to WFOR-Channel 4, the 10-year-old was attacked when he approached a Husky mix which was chained near its owner on Southwest 120th Court.

The South Florida boy was bitten on his side and on his arm, according to the Sun Sentinel. Thankfully, he was listed in good condition after being taken to Miami Children’s Hospital. The attack is under investigation.

Dog bite injuries occur frequently in South Florida. According to the Florida Department of Health, there were 18 fatal dog bites between 1999 and 2007. That same year, there were 638 hospitalizations due to non-fatal dog bites. Also, there were 16,890 emergency department visits due to dog bite injuries.

Though both owners and innocent bystanders take precautions to prevent injury, accidents do happen. Our law firm is qualified to handle dog bite cases. If you or someone you know has been injured from a dog bite, contact us at our offices with your questions and concerns.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS, Uncategorized

Product Recall Announced for Baby Food Sold at Toys R Us

In the wake of recalls of defective automobiles over the past two months, a company has announced the recall of a much different product: baby food. According to the Miami Herald, California-based company Plum Organics announced the recall of its carrot and apple portable baby food because there are concerns that some of the products may be contaminated with botulism.

The product can be found at Toys R Us stores throughout the country. South Floridian parents should be cautious about this latest product recall. Toys R Us has several locations throughout the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, and botulism is a serious condition. According to WrongDiagnosis.com, there were 154 cases of botulism reported in 1999, with 23 being food-borne, and 92 infant cases. Symptoms of botulism include dry mouth and throat, blurred vision, typical symptoms of food poisoning, vomiting, and many others. Complications can lead to paralysis and death.

 

 

The Miami Herald and AOL News reported that the products believed to be affected come in 4.22 ounce pouches, with a UPC code 890180001221 and a “best by” date of May 21, 2010. So far, there have been no reports of illness or injury from the defective product.

If your family or someone you know is affected by this recall please call our office regarding any of your questions or concerns.