The Link between Statins and Diabetes

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In 2012, the FDA updated the labeling requirements for all statin drugs. They recommended monitoring patients’ liver functions and warned about the possibility of memory loss. In addition, they warned that statin drugs may increase the possibility of new-onset diabetes mellitus and worsen glycemic control in diabetic patients already taking statin drugs. Since then, individual clinical trials have been mixed but seem to suggest that patients who take statin drugs are 9% more likely to develop diabetes.

For the last decade, individual controlled trials have had conflicting results about diabetes and statin medications. The type of statin, the intensity of the therapy, and the age of the population that is studied can all contribute to the results of the trials. Intensive-dose statin therapy has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk more than other types of therapies, yet this appears to come with an increased risk of developing diabetes.

“Waters et al23 reported a higher risk of new diabetes with atorvastatin 80 mg than with placebo and a trend toward a higher risk with atorvastatin 80 mg than with atorvastatin 10 mg or simvastatin 20 mg.”

It is possible that statins merely cause diabetes in those patients who are already at a higher risk for developing diabetes. In one specific clinical trial, 77% of patients in the rosuvastatin group who developed diabetes had an impaired fasting glucose prior to taking the statin drugs. Therefore, these individuals were already at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

It is important for physicians and clinicians to weigh the pros and cons of statin drugs prior to prescribing them in patients who may be at a higher risk for developing new-onset diabetes. Statin drug treatment is associated with fewer deaths from coronary heart disease and cases of nonfatal myocardial infarction. In addition, statin drugs have been known to decrease the number of strokes, revascularization and hospitalization. Doctors must weigh these benefits against the risk of developing diabetes.

“A meta-analysis found a higher risk of new diabetes with high-dose statin therapy (8.8%) than with moderate-dose therapy (8.4%)”

The evidence seems to point to a real association between statin use and the development of new-onset diabetes, yet many questions remain unanswered. More research is needed to determine the real association between them and whether the benefits of statin drugs will continue to outweigh the risks of developing diabetes.

Statin Drugs Can Cause Numerous Complications

In addition to increasing your risk of developing diabetes, statin drugs have been associated with numerous side effects and complications, including:

  • Memory loss
  • Muscle soreness
  • Kidney damage
  • Kidney failure
  • Death

Dangerous Drug Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love has developed medical complications after taking a statin drug, it is important to discuss your legal options with an experienced attorney. At Phillips Law Firm, our drug recall attorneys have successfully represented numerous patients and their families across the nation. We can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 1-800-708-6000. Our dangerous drug lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

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J&J Mesh Failure Rate Exceeds 20 Percent

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As jury deliberations continue in Gross v. Gynecare Inc., one of the first vaginal mesh lawsuits to reach trial, the question remains: how could Johnson & Johnson accept a 27 percent failure rate in its Prolift implant?

In 2006, Linda Gross underwent surgery to correct pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The doctor used a Johnson & Johnson product, Gynecare Prolift, implanting the device into her pelvic wall through incisions in her vagina. The goal was to alleviate the POP symptoms Mrs. Gross was experiencing and allow her to return to her normal activities. The device was introduced by Johnson & Johnson in 2005 and according to Bloomberg News was touted as an “‘innovative and effective surgical option’ for weakened pelvic muscles.” However, the device was not FDA-approved at the time it was introduced or when it was implanted in Mrs. Gross. In fact, the device did not receive FDA approval until May 2008.

The first witness in the Gross v. Gynecare Inc. trial was a Johnson & Johnson official who testified last month that the company had identified and accepted a failure rate of 27 percent in the first year, six months before the product was first sold in 2005. While Johnson & Johnson continued to market the product, Mrs. Gross found herself joining the countless number of women who would experience the painful and debilitating side effects of Prolift failure. To date, Mrs. Gross has undergone 18 surgeries to correct the complications associated with the Prolift implant and is currently taking more than 20 pills a day to deal with chronic pain and other complications.

Mrs. Gross and her attorneys contend that Johnson & Johnson developed and marketed a defectively designed product; failed to warn Mrs. Gross of the potential side effects; and fraudulently misrepresented the safety and effectiveness of their product. Attorneys for Johnson & Johnson allege that Mrs. Gross was adequately warned about the possible complications from the surgery and she assumed the risks associated with the Prolift implant. While the jury will ultimately decide if Johnson & Johnson is legally responsible for the pain and trauma Mrs. Gross has suffered, it is hard to imagine that anyone would accept the risk of multiple corrective surgeries and a daily medication regime to treat a condition that was inconvenient and frustrating, but not debilitating.

For women across the country who are suffering from pelvic mesh failure and other complications, the verdict in the Gross v. Gynecare Inc. case will be extremely important. The first case often provides insight into how the other pending cases may be resolved. It is my sincere hope that Mrs. Gross prevails and sends the message that a 27 percent failure rate cannot be accepted in medical devices.

It is also important to note that Johnson & Johnson is no longer selling the Prolift mesh in the U.S. and it plans to end sales of Prolift and its other pelvic mesh products on a worldwide basis. In June 2012, the company claimed the decision was not a recall but was based on the commercial viability of the product. I imagine that commercial viability was certainly a concern with thousands of lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson relating to the failure of their pelvic mesh products.

Author Bio: H. Lee Thompson is the founder of The Thompson Law Firm.  Mr. Thompson, with over 30 years of experience, is dedicated to protecting the rights of clients in cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. For more information, please visit http://www.thethompsonlawfirm.com/.

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Mirena IUD Lawsuits Continue to Escalate

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When the Mirena IUD was approved for use by the FDA in 2000, it had already been used in Europe since the early 90’s. While this would seem to bode well for the contraceptive device, since its approval there have been more than 45,000 adverse side effects and complications reported. Some of these complications are severe and include device expulsion, device migration or dislocation, and vaginal hemorrhaging.

It is estimated that nearly 9% of American women who use contraception use an IUD to prevent pregnancy. While IUD manufacturers insist that IUDs offer a more convenient and reliable birth control option for many women, the real truth is that this convenience comes with many risks. One IUD in particular is marketed and manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and is known for its many dangerous side effects. This IUD is known as Mirena.

Mirena Side Effects and Complications Mirena has been known to cause numerous side effects and complications, including:

  • Device migration
  • Perforation of the uterine wall
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Device expulsion
  • Vaginal hemorrhaging
  • And more

Currently, Bayer Pharmaceuticals is facing numerous lawsuits across the country from women who claim that this IUD caused serious medical complications and injury. In addition, these lawsuits claim that Bayer misled the general public with deceptive marketing and continued to produce a product that was defective in nature. In addition, they failed to warn the general public of the dangers associated with using Mirena. While Bayer petitioned New Jersey’s Supreme Court to have these cases consolidated, the request was denied in January of 2013.

The FDA warned Bayer in a December 2009 letter that the company was in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for including false, misleading or misbranding information about their drug. They stated that Bayer made false claims about their IUD Mirena by stating that it would “increase levels of intimacy and romance”. They also stated that women who used their IUD would “look and feel great”. There is no evidence to support these false advertising claims. In fact, women who routinely use Mirena experience back pain, weight gain, breast pain, and acne.

National Mirena Lawsuit Lawyers If you or someone you love has been injured after using the defective IUD Mirena, it is important to consult with a Mirena lawsuit lawyer. Call the Mirena lawsuit lawyers at Phillips Law Firm today at 1-800-708-6000. Our Mirena lawsuit attorneys represent patients and victims, across the country, which have been injured after using a defective product or taking a dangerous drug. We are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

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Type 2 Diabetic Duo Januvia and Byetta May Increase Risk of Cancers

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Individuals with type 2 diabetes who have taken diabetic medications, such as Januvia or Byetta, may be at an increased risk for developing certain types of cancer, such as pancreatic or thyroid cancer. These drugs help control blood sugar levels and have been extremely successful in recent years because of the advantages they offer diabetics. Yet because they are new, these drugs may cause a slew of unknown side effects and complications.

In 2008 alone, the FDA received more than 30 reports of acute pancreatitis in Byetta patients. There were also 2 deaths and 4 hospitalizations due to pancreatic problems associated with the use of this diabetic drug. Patients who use Byetta or Januvia should pay close attention to signs of pancreatic problems, including:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Swollen or tender abdomen
  • Bowel changes

The drug manufacturers who make Byetta and Januvia continue to downplay the serious health risks associated with using their diabetic drugs, which include thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, liver cancer, and liver complications.

The Research against Byetta and Januvia

A recent study published in the journal Gastroenterology found that doctors reported 6x as many cases of pancreatitis in patients taking these two diabetes drugs. In addition, doctors reported 2.9 times as many cases of pancreatic cancer in patients taking Byetta and 2.7 times as many cases of pancreatic cancer in patients taking Januvia.  Researchers also found an increase in reported cases of thyroid cancer in patients taking Byetta.

While these statistics are alarming, they are still preliminary and point to the need for further research and testing. Doctors should also avoid prescribing these medications for patients with a family history of pancreatic or thyroid cancer and carefully weigh the risks before prescribing these medications to individuals with a history of pancreatitis.

Januvia and Byetta Lawsuit Attorneys

The dangerous drug attorneys at Phillips Law Firm represent individuals, across the United States, who have been injured due to a dangerous drug or defective medical product. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, or thyroid cancer after using the diabetic medications Januvia or Byetta it is important to retain the services of an experienced attorney immediately. Call Phillips Law Firm today at 1-800-708-6000. We can help you file a lawsuit against these giant pharmaceutical companies, call us today to discuss all of your legal options.

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Why YOU Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

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Washington workers who are injured on the job usually recover quickly and without difficulty. As such, the majority of workers never truly understand the workers’ compensation system or what benefits they are entitled to until they are seriously injured. For those employees who are seriously injured and unable to return to work quickly, the workers’ compensation system can seem confusing and difficult to navigate, especially as you are trying to recover from your injuries and support your family. It is often during this time that employees need to consult with an experienced Washington workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure that they are receiving all of the benefits to which they are entitled. In particular, it is crucial for protecting your job and ensuring that you are able to support your family through this difficult time.

There are many reasons why you might benefit from consulting with a Washington workers’ compensation lawyer. Some of these reasons include:

  • You have been refused benefits to which you are entitled
  • You are told to return to work before you are medically able
  • You are denied extended disability
  • You are denied permanent disability
  • You have lost your job due to injury
  • Your employer will not make reasonable accommodations for you to return to work
  • Your employer creates a specified position for you to return to work
  • And more

Washington employers are well aware of how the Washington compensation system works and how to maneuver around the laws and rules. They often create specific positions for injured workers in order to allow them to return to work. These positions are then terminated a few weeks later and the employee is left without a job and without workers’ compensation. An experienced Washington workers’ compensation lawyer can help to protect your rights against employers who are acting unethically or trying to avoid paying you what is rightfully yours.

When the Doctors are Wrong

There are times when a physician tells workers that they are ready to go back to work when they are not. These doctors are unfortunately more interested in preserving a good relationship with the employer and will likely send employees back before they are truly ready to return to work. If you feel that your injury is not completely healed or that your physician is sending you back to work prematurely, then it is critical that you hire an experienced Washington workers’ compensation lawyer immediately.

Washington Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in your Corner

If you have been injured while on the job in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, or anywhere in the State of Washington, call Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000. Our Washington workers’ compensation lawyers are available 24/7 to answer all of your questions, review your workers’ compensation case, and help you obtain all of the benefits to which you are entitled. Call us today for a free review of your case.

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Grizzly Bus Accident Kills 7; Bus Company May be to Blame

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On February 4th, a bus full of tourists was traveling down a mountain road from Big Bear, California when it slowly began to pick up speed. As the bus driver frantically pumped the brakes he made a terrifying discovery—the brakes had failed. Passengers immediately scrambled to call 911, teenage girls shrieked, and families cried and prayed. Suddenly, the bus rear-ended a Saturn sedan, flipped and slid down the road, and tossed passengers out of shattered windows. The scene looked like something straight out of an action movie, but to the passengers inside, it was all very real.

“Everything happened so fast. When the bus spun, everything flew, even the people.” — Gerardo Barrientos, passenger

When the bus wreckage was cleared, seven people were dead and 17 others were hospitalized in one of the worst bus accidents in recent months. Investigators quickly pointed fingers at the bus company, Scapadas Magicas LLC of National City, California whose record is less than perfect. In fact, their safety record recorded 22 safety violations in inspections in the last year—including brake, windshield, and tire problems. Even though the bus company recently received a “satisfactory” rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, their bus maintenance record is under scrutiny. At the moment, the National Transportation Safety Board has sent a special team to help investigators determine whether mechanical failure or driver error caused the grizzly bus accident.

In 2008 alone, over 24,000 people were injured in bus accidents across the United States according to statistics from the FMCSA. Even though safety experts and the FMCSA have focused their efforts on improving the safety standards of buses, injuries and fatalities still occur at an alarming rate. Bus accidents can be influenced by a number of factors including driver error, negligence of other drivers, weather conditions, poor road surfaces, and bus company negligence. A bus company in particular has a responsibility to ensure that their buses are adequately and properly maintained and that all safety inspections are performed. Improperly maintained buses can cause serious catastrophic accidents, such as the one that occurred in Big Bear earlier this month.

Washington Bus Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a bus accident, it is important to understand all of your legal rights. At Phillips Law Firm, our bus accident attorneys are skilled in obtaining the maximum compensation for all of our clients. If your bus accident was caused by the driver error or bus company negligence, we will work diligently to help you file a lawsuit against the responsible party. We represent injured clients in Seattle and throughout the State of Washington. Call us today at 1-800-708-6000.

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Evidence Continues to Mount Against DePuy During Trials

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The first trial for Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy ASR hip implant is underway and evidence suggests that the manufacturing giant did indeed know of the risks and complications associated with their metal-on-metal hip implant devices. In fact, a graphic PowerPoint presentation during the California trial pointed out that the company knew of these threats as early as 2007. This presentation was previously presented at a company conference where Johnson & Johnson specifically state that metal-on-metal public backlash was a “threat” to the company.

The presentation was offered as evidence that the pharmaceutical company did indeed know of the dangers associated with their metal-on-metal hip implants, yet chose not to inform the general public until 3 years later when DePuy issued a recall of its ASR XL total hip implant. This PowerPoint presentation was initially presented at a meeting of DePuy’s world-wide hip business team in 2007. Some of the slides presented during that meeting included slides that said “What scares us most in the year ahead? —Metal ion backlash” and “Negative publications on metal ions”. Unfortunately, at the end of the presentation DePuy also mentioned that the ASR XL metal-on-metal hip implant device was the device with the highest sales price of any other DePuy hip product and this may be the core reason why DePuy chose not to pull its defective hip implant from the market.

The Case Against DePuy

This California trial is the first to take place against the DePuy ASR XL metal-on-metal hip implant and it was expedited because the Plaintiff is dying of cancer. Loren Kransky is a 65-year-old prison guard who received the implant in 2007. 5 years later he was forced to have a revision because of the elevated Cobalt and Chromium in his blood, even though surgeons feared that he would not live through the surgery.

“I was convinced Mr. Kransky would die from toxicity if the hip weren’t removed.” –Dr. Trotsky, surgeon

DePuy Hip Recall Lawsuit Attorneys

At Phillips Law Firm, our national defective device attorneys understand the complexities surrounding multi-district litigation cases and defective medical products. We also know the pain and suffering that these devices have caused and will fight aggressively to ensure that all of our clients receive the compensation to which they are entitled. If you have been injured by a metal-on-metal hip implant, contact our offices to see if you qualify to file a lawsuit. Call us today at 1-800-708-6000. 

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NuvaRing MDL Trial Now Scheduled

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The US District Judge ordered that the first NuvaRing Multi-District Litigation bellwether trial will begin on July 8, 2013 (MDL 1964, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri). As of August 2012, there were more than 1,000 lawsuits that were consolidated in the NUvaRing multidistrict litigation. These lawsuits were brought on behalf of women who suffered horrible injuries due to the popular birth control device.

Since it first gained approval by the FDA in 2002, NuvaRing has been a popular birth control device for women across the country, and by 2007 more than 1.5 million women were using the NuvaRing worldwide. NuvaRing works by delivering a low-dose combination of estrogen and progestin through a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. Since it is only changed once a month, the NuvaRing was a popular choice for women who did not like taking oral contraceptives every day.

Unfortunately, these benefits came with some serious risk. According to the British Medical Journal, women who use vaginal rings, such as NuvaRing, are 6.5 times more likely to develop venous thrombosis compared to women of the same age who did not use them. This serious complication can also be deadly. In addition to venous thrombosis, NuvaRing has been linked to pulmonary clots, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, strokes, heart attacks, and death. Cigarette smoking increases this risk.

Women who have suffered pulmonary embolism, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, or other such complications after using NuvaRing should consult with a defective drug lawyer immediately. You may have a right to be compensated for your injury, pain, and suffering. Due to the specialized nature of federal MDL drug litigation cases, it is important that you only contact a drug lawsuit attorney who has experience handling NuvaRing lawsuits.

If you or someone you love has experienced complications after using the popular birth control NuvaRing, call Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000 immediately. Our NuvaRing lawsuit lawyers are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee. We have extensive experience representing clients in federal MDL drug litigation cases. Call our offices today!

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Workers’ Compensation FAQ

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If you are injured on the job, there may be many questions running through your mind. Who will pay for my medical expenses? Is this injury covered under workers’ compensation? How will I make ends meet if I am unable to work? An experienced Washington workers’ compensation lawyer can help answer those questions and fight for your right to be compensated for your injuries. To get you started, here are some answers to our most popular questions regarding workers’ compensation.

Q: Does my injury qualify me for workers’ compensation

A: In order for an injury to qualify for workers’ compensation, the injury must have been caused while you were working on the job or have been a direct result of your job duties. Common work-related injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries. Financial aid usually covers replacement income and medical expenses and can sometimes extend to the families of injured workers or to survivors of workers who are killed while on the job.

Q: What benefits am I eligible to receive?

A: In the State of Washington, workers’ compensation allows you to receive benefits for the following: replacement income, medical care expenses, and vocational rehabilitation expenses. There are a number of benefits to which you may be entitled to in each of those categories and an experienced Washington workers’ compensation lawyer can help you obtain all of the benefits to which you are entitled. For example: your injury may entitle you to a permanent partial impairment settlement or a loss of earning power benefit.

Q: If I am unable to work at all because of my injury, how much of my salary am I able to obtain?

A: If you are unable to work due to an injury you received or aggravated while on the job, you are eligible to receive 60% of your average wages; however, there are state minimums and maximums. This may mean that you will experience a significant income loss. An experienced Washington workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to obtain more money for your injuries and ensure that you receive all the money to which you are entitled.

If you have been injured while on the job in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, or anywhere in the State of Washington, call Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000. Our Washington workers’ compensation lawyers can answer all of your questions, review your case, and help you obtain all of the benefits to which you are entitled. Call us today for a free review of your case.

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Employers Demanding Facebook Passwords from Employees

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Employers across the United States have begun to cross the line in their search for employee information. While employers have been searching employees’ public Facebook profiles for years, many are now actually demanding that employees and potential hiring candidates share their passwords and access information to their Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. This directly infringes on an employee’s private life and can have unforeseen legal ramifications.

The ACLU and Facebook Strike Back at Employers

Catherine Crump, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, recently stated that the ACLU is not taking this kind of “snooping” lightly. They believe that it is an “invasion of privacy” for private employers to demand this type of social media access from their employees.

In 2012, Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer addressed this growing concern on Facebook’s privacy page and reiterated that requesting or soliciting another user’s password or information is a violation of Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

Six States Enact Facebook Legislation

Now, states have taken it upon themselves to protect the online privacy of their residents. California, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Michigan are six states who recently enacted legislation to prevent employers from demanding Facebook passwords and online information from their employees or from potential hiring candidates. Other states have also begun to introduce such legislation in the past year. In April 2012, Washington Sen. Steve Hobbs sponsored legislation known as the “Facebook Bill”. This bill would make it “illegal for any employer to request a password or related account information for the purpose of gaining access to any social networking site maintained by a current or prospective employee”.

Inappropriate Access to Facebook May Increase Likelihood of Discrimination Claims

Currently it is illegal for any employer to ask an employee or a potential hiring candidate about their age, race, or sexual orientation. Inappropriate access to an employee’s Facebook page could reveal this type of sensitive information. In turn, this may lead to discrimination based firings and unexpected employee discrimination lawsuits.

Washington Employee Discrimination Based on Social Media Sites

If you or someone you love was fired or has been harassed at work after an employer viewed your Facebook site or other social media site, you may have cause to file a discrimination claim. Employee discrimination should not be taken lightly and firing someone for their age, sexual orientation, race, or religion is against the law.

The Washington employee discrimination attorneys at Phillips Law Firm are available 24/7 to meet with you and review your case. Call us today at 1-800-708-6000. We represent employees in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, or anywhere in the State of Washington who believe that their rights have been violated. Call us today.

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