Women across America are joining NuvaRing class action lawsuits in response to the adverse side effects of NuvaRing, the first plastic birth control ring approved by the FDA. Introduced in 2001 by the pharmaceutical companies Organon and Merck, some of the first NuvaRing lawsuits were filed in 2009, when women prescribed with the birth control began experiencing blood clots, as well as other severe complications from the dangerous drug.

The 2.5” ring is inserted into the vaginal canal and emits estrogen and progesterone directly into the blood stream, for 21 days of protection. The user removes the ring for 7 days, during her regular menstrual cycle. However, excessive amounts of progestin have been directly linked to blood clot complications, leading to amputations, pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs) and DVT (deep vein thrombosis), and in many cases, death. Women have also experienced stroke, heart attack, and permanent organ damage.

By the end of 2011, more than 700 women had filed suits, both class action and individual. NuvaRing lawyers are designing these suits to compensate victims for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, as well as offering compensation to victims’ families for funeral expenses, etc. Plaintiffs are also stating that the warnings in NuvaRing literature downplay the severity of the side effects. NuvaRing lawyers believe that Organon USA failed to acknowledge the increased level of hormone transference, and did not disclose enough information about the safety of the contraceptive to the FDA.

Even after a decade on the market, scientists on behalf of the company claim the direct effect of the synthetic progestin contained in NuvaRing remains unknown.

At Pulaski & Middleman we believe that any time the negligent actions on behalf of pharmaceutical companies result in the injury of patients – those whose negligence caused the injuries should be held accountable for their actions.

If you feel you have been harmed by the use of any pharmaceutical it is best to consult with your doctor first then contact a pharmaceutical malpractice attorney so that you are able to hold those accountable for their wrongdoing.

Don’t wait another day. Take action now.

As most are aware by now, the cruise ship Costa Concordia capsized off the shore of Italy last week. This catastrophic maritime disaster has led to the death of 11 people and the injuries of hundreds more. Twenty-four people are still unaccounted for.

The Costa Concordia cruise ship accident has resulted in a lot of questions about the nature and cause of the maritime disaster. One such speculated cause of the crash is that the captain’s negligent actions resulted in the injuries and deaths of hundreds of cruise passengers. Captain Francesco Schettino, 52, has been detained on suspicion of manslaughter and a judge is due to decide shortly whether he should remain in custody.

Costa Cruises issued a statement saying “preliminary indications are that there may have been significant human error on the part of the ship’s Master, Captain Francesco Schettino.” The statement added, “the route of the vessel appears to have been too close to the shore, and the captain’s judgment in handling the emergency appears to have not followed standard Costa procedures.”

According to the National Safe Boating Council 70% of all maritime accidents are a result of human error.

Thus, the cruise ship accident is being blamed on the captain’s “human error” because he changed the course of the ship towards an island which forced the cruise liner to crash into rocks off the island of Giglio. Evacuations were made after the cruise ship crashed and passengers and crew made their way to the safety of the island, but Schettino is also accused of leaving the ship well before everyone was evacuated. His explanation for this is that he was helping passengers get into life boats and tripped and fell into one.

The captain denies any negligence on his part.

In retrospect, cruise ship accidents are extremely rare however when they do occur they cause an immense amount of injuries to both passengers and maritime workers. A maritime injury occurs when a maritime worker (seaman) or passenger is injured while at sea. In order to establish a maritime injury claim the seaman or passenger must prove that it was a direct result of the negligence or condition of the vessel in which the injury occurred.

Any time negligent actions result in the injury of individuals those whose negligence caused the injuries should be held accountable for their actions. Don’t let the negligent parties get away with any injuries you or a loved one may have sustained while at sea.

You are entitled to make a maritime injury claim. The maritime lawyers at Pulaski & Middleman have been helping people just like you receive compensation for any maritime injuries they may have sustained as a result of the negligence of others. Don’t wait another day. Take action now.

Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride) is classified in a group of drugs called thiazolidinediones all of which are used to treat diabetes.

Actos has fast become one of the most popular drugs for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and has been taken by millions of people across the nation since it was introduced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals in 1999.

Unfortunately many of the millions who have taken Actos are now faced with other ailing conditions which were directly caused by use of the drug.

According to a warning issued by the FDA the drug Actos, used to treat Type 2 diabetes has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer especially in patients who have used the medication for more than year. In fact, researchers in the United States and Europe have now uncovered data indicating that the long-term use of Actos for more than a year can increase the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 40%.

While the product is still on the market the U.S. Drug and Food Administration have issued numerous warnings about the safety of the drug and other side effects that could be caused by its consumption.

Other Actos side effects include:
• Increased risk of congestive heart failure
• Increased risk of fractures

What If I Have Taken Actos?

Many people who have taken Actos and have developed bladder cancer may be unaware that the dug could be the cause. Actos lawyers currently are fighting to hold the manufacturer of the drug, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, responsible for any potentially life-threatening side effects Actos has caused in many of its users.

If you or someone you love has incurred any of the side effects caused by Actos you should not be burdened by any medical expenses or the loss of time, enjoyment and earnings associated with fighting Actos side effects because of the negligence of a dangerous drug company.

You are entitled to make an Actos lawsuit and the Actos lawyers of Pulaski & Middleman have helped thousands of people, just like you, hold Takeda Pharmaceuticals responsible for their negligence. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Act now.

A group of Johnson & Johnson shareholders accused the company’s directors of ignoring “red flags” foreshadowing product recalls and government probes of manufacturing defects and marketing practices.

The shareholders asked a Federal Judge to find that directors and top executives mismanaged the situation and force them to pay damages.  . Any money recovered would go to the company and not investors individually. They also want J&J to “improve its corporate governance and internal procedures,” according to a complaint filed Dec. 17 in federal court in Trenton, New Jersey.

Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest manufacturer of health-care products was forced to recall more than 40 types of different medicines this year because of contamination and incorrect labeling. U.S. lawmakers began investigating J&J after a recall of batches of children’s Tylenol in April forced the company to suspend operations at a Pennsylvania plant.

The probe uncovered the use of contractors to buy defective Motrin painkiller.

J&J also faces government investigations into whether it illegally marketed drugs and devices for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and paid kickbacks. On Dec. 17, shareholders amended their so-called derivative lawsuits that seek to force directors and officers to pay the company.

While J&J once set “the gold standard for integrity and excellence,” the directors’ “utter disregard for their fiduciary duties, including permitting and fostering a culture of systemic, calculated and widespread legal violations has destroyed J&J’s hard-earned reputation,” shareholders claim.