Miscellaneous | InjuryBoard Roanoke

I cannot express how unfair and biased mandatory arbitration is for American consumers! It seems that every purchase order for a TV, refrigerator, used car, or other product contains language which prevents you (the consumer) from holding the seller/manufacturer responsible for their defective products through our legal system. Instead of filing a lawsuit and having your claim heard by a jury...

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Last week the New York Times published an article about surgeons who had conducted clinical research leading to the Food and Drug Administration's approval of Prodisc, an artificial spinal disk for the lower back. It appears that doctors at about half of the 17 research centers involved in the research stood to profit if the Prodisc was approved, according to confidential information from a...

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My wife and I have two sons - the oldest is a sophomore in college and the youngest a junior in high school. The oldest is enjoying college and is doing a good job academically. He seems to have adjusted to "college life" (whatever that means) and has joined a fraternity. Fraternity's can be a very positive part of college life but it can also spell trouble!First, let me say I was a...

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Well...what did you expect? Big Pharma doesn't pay doctors thousands of dollars and provide them with free trips, lunches, and dinners and expect nothing in return. I just assumed the only thing Big Pharma wanted in return was for the doctors to prescribe their drugs whether or not those drugs where the best and least expensive medication to treat the doctors' patients. But...it appears Big...

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Sure you have heard about them...the Stella Awards! The awards are named after that lady who recovered millions of dollars from McDonald's after spilling coffee in her lap! The award draws needed attention to the thousands of frivilous lawsuits filed every year by unscruptulous plaintiffs and their greedy lawyers! But, do you know the real truth? I bet not!The "Stella Awards" is a collection...

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I rarely read Jane Brody's syndicated column from the New York Times but a recent article caught my attention. The article was entitled, "A Basic Hospital To-Do List Saves Lives of Patients." Being a medical malpractice attorney who represents victims of medical negligence...this title caught my eye!The article suggested five simple steps in dealing with patients with a central venous catheter...

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This morning the Wall Street Journal reports ("Eli Lilly Sales Exceed Forecast By PETER LOFTUS)"Eli Lilly & Co. reported that fourth-quarter profit soared, as increased sales of drugs for mental illness and cancer helped boost revenue above expectations.""For now, Lilly seems to be free of some of the problems that are plaguing other pharmaceutical companies, such as generic competition for top...

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Anyone hear the news this morning - VA Hospital in Illinois my have caused 19 deaths and 36 injuries.. I wish I was surprised. I am not. Here in Southwest Virginia, there is a VA hospital - where we have learned a practicing surgeon is performing surgeries, after local hospital denied priviliges due to substance abuse. Don't our VETs deserve better? Shouldn't they return home to the best medical...

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Big Pharma is at it again! Do you or a family member take a doctor prescribed antidepressant? We are talking about Zoloft, Serzone, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Effexor, Celexa, Lexapro, and Prozac among others. It appears the pharmaceutical industry has been misleading not only consumers but also the doctors who prescribe these drugs!The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that the...

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Caffeine Increases Risk of Miscarriage, Study Finds Its all over the news - I suggest a quick glance at the Washington Post Article - "Caffeine consumption by pregnant women can significantly increase the risk of miscarriage, according to new research. The study, involving more than 1,000 pregnant California women, provides the most convincing evidence to date of such a link, the researchers...

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We hear comments all the time from elders who believe that Medicare will pay for nursing home care. These same people are shocked to learn the reality is far different than what they assumed to be true!Medicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. Medicare covers up to 100 days of "skilled nursing care" per illness, but there are a number of requirements that must be met before the...

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Medicare announced last summer that it would no longer pay for the extra cost of treating bedsores (decubitus ulcers), falls and six other preventable injuries and infections that occur when a patient is in the hospital. These changes start in October of this year. Next year Medicare will extend its "no pay" program to hospital acquired infections (think MRSA), blood clots in legs and lungs,...

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Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, I hope we call all agree that our federal government has the obligation to make sure our products and foods are safe. If you disagree, please stop reading right here as what I am about to write will surely make you mad!Effective consumer protection in America has been lacking at both the federal and state levels for years. Don't believe...

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Been to the Emergency Room lately? Was it an actual emergency? How long did you wait?Article in Houston Chronical today, claims Wait times at the ER are ticking upward. Researchers say patient care is at risk as crowding causes many to just leave."Emergency room wait times across the country increased 36 percent between 1997 and 2004, according to a Harvard study published today. And anecdotal...

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This news should not come as a surprise to our readers. The Consumer Federation of America's insurance director, J. Robert Hunter, said insurance companies have enjoyed robust profits and contained losses largely by "methodically overcharging consumers, cutting back on coverage, underpaying claims and getting taxpayers to pick up some of the tab for risks the insurers should cover." A study...

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