>INFORMATION: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuits

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential CO poisoning lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who have been diagnosed with injuries as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide. Unfortunately, CO leaks often result in prolonged exposure because the gas is not detected and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for a common cold or flu. The longer a person is exposed to carbon monoxide gas leaks, the greater the risk that they will be left with serious long-term injuries or die.

A recent reminder released by the Health Canada stresses the importance of the use of CO detectors in homes, in addition to the importance of upkeep on homes and appliances that can emit carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide detectors are often the only way to detect CO emissions before they reach dangerous levels and cause injury or death. Health Canada recommends the following safety tips:

• Make sure that CO detectors are certified by an accredited safety organization.
• Install CO detectors in the hallways outside of every sleeping area in the home.
• Ensure CO detectors are not covered by furniture or drapes.
• Regularly test CO detectors to make sure they are functioning properly, and regularly replace batteries in battery-powered detectors according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have fuel-burning heating equipment vents, chimneys and other exhaust structures inspected annually by qualified technicians to ensure proper ventilation.
• Inspect vents for dryers, furnaces and wood-burning or gas stoves during and after snow storms to make certain the exhaust vents are not blocked by snow.
• Never operate generators or portable fuel-burning camping equipment indoors. In addition, never burn charcoal indoors or in a garage or tent unless it is specifically designed for indoor use.
• Do not idle vehicles or run gas-powered equipment in garages, particularly when the door is closed.
• Do not use gas appliances such as ovens or clothes dryers to heat your home.

If a CO detector emits a warning, you should leave your home immediately and seek fresh air, only then attempting to contact emergency services. You should not return to your home until the source of the carbon monoxide has been identified by a professional who can assure you that the leak has been eliminated.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ATTORNEYS

The toxic tort attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. review potential carbon monoxide lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who have experienced injuries as a result of a carbon monoxide leak caused by the negligence of another person, such as a landlord, manufacturer, repair company or other entity.

To review a potential claim with our carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Lawyers for Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

The Mesothelioma Awareness Day has been organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, targeting local communities and radio stations across the country. The heart of the campaign will be radio airplay of music by Warren Zevon, who died of mesothelioma in September 2003. Zevon is best known for the single “Werewolves of London.” Songs by Zevon will be followed by a 20-second spot to raise awareness of mesothelioma and its causes.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which get into the body through inhalation or consumption. The cancer attacks the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. Because it has a latency period of between 20 to 40 years between exposure and diagnosis, it is often at an advanced stage by the time it is detected. The median survival time following a mesothelioma diagnosis is under one year.

Every year, about thousands of Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is warning that there is likely to be an increase of mesothelioma cancer in upcoming years in New York and New Orleans. The organization estimates that 400,000 tons of asbestos was released when the World Trade Center collapsed during the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and a large amount of asbestos was likely released in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck.

According to a report released earlier this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of asbestos deaths each year from malignant mesothelioma continues to rise each year. Between 1999 and 2005, there were 18,068 mesothelioma deaths. While the annual death rate in the United States has remained stable at around 14 per million, the number of mesothelioma deaths increased from 2,482 in 1999 to 2,704 in 2005. The CDC indicated that the number of deaths from mesothelioma could peak next year, and hopefully return to background levels by 2055.

Asbestos was frequently used in a variety of manufacturing and construction processes throughout the last hundred years. Asbestos use peaked in 1973, before the toxic substance was banned from certain uses in 1982. However, it is still in place as insulation in many older buildings, ships and other structures, and is still used in some manufacturing processes in the U.S. and abroad in various forms.

The Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who suffer the serious and potentially fatal skin reaction, which can be caused as a side effect of several different medications. Although the drug’s label has indicated that Intelence side effects may cause skin reactions, the severity of the problems was not adequately conveyed, leading to a strengthening of the warning last week.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are conditions where the skin literally burns from the inside out. The problems usually surface as a rash or blistering of the skin and mouth, with symptoms like:

• Rash, blisters or red spots on the skin
• Blisters in the mouth, eyes, ears, nose or genital area
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Fever or flu-like symptoms

In approximately 5 to 15% of severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome cases, the skin reactions result in death. In more severe cases, where lesions cover about a third of the body, it is referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

According to a MedWatch alert posted about the potential Intelence side effects:

There have been postmarketing reports of cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and erthema multiforma, as well as hypersensitivity reactions characterized by rash, constitutional findings, and sometimes organ dysfunction, including hepatic (liver) failure. Intelenece therapy should be immediately discontinued when signs and symptoms of severe skin or hypersensitivity reactions develop.

INTELENCE STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME LAWSUITS

Intelence (etravirine) is a newer HIV medication that was approved by the FDA in January 2008. It is manufactured by a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, Tibotec Therapeutics.

As a result of Johnson & Johnson’s failure to properly warn about the potential Stevens-Johnson syndrome side effects of Intelence when the medication was first introduced, some consumers may have suffered severe skin reactions that could have been avoided.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are evaluating whether users who suffered severe cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis may be entitled to compensation through an Intelence lawsuit. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

Lead poisoning occurs when there is an increased intake of lead into the body, which is most commonly caused by toxic lead paint that is still present in many homes throughout Baltimore City and other metropolitan areas.

Although lead paint was banned thirty years ago in 1978, poorly maintained rental homes or older buildings may still have flaking paint that young children could suck on or ingest, causing elevated lead blood levels. Young children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning injuries, as their developing brains could be harmed by the toxic chemicals.

Lead poisoning at high levels is most commonly associated with cognitive injuries, developmental problems, brain damage, seizures, mental retardation, coma or death. However, new research suggests that even the presence of low levels of lead in the blood during early years of growth and development can cause problems.

According to a study presented at the American Physiological Society annual meeting in New Orleans last week, “even low levels of lead could have a profound impact on the health of a child.” It could adversely affect a child’s cardiovascular response to stress and may even be linked to incidences of high blood pressure later in life.

LEAD POISONING ATTORNEYS

For children who have suffered severe injuries as a result of lead poisoning, our attorneys may be able to obtain financial compensation. To review a potential claim, request a free consultation.

Asbestos is no longer mined in the United States and most uses have been banned since the 1980s. However, it remains in thousands of buildings and homes throughout the country. The CDC estimates that approximately 1.3 million construction workers and general industry workers continue to be exposed to asbestos.

According to an editorial note attached to the CDC mesothelioma report:

Despite regulatory actions and the sharp decline in use of asbestos, potential exposure to asbestos continues, but most deaths from mesothelioma in the United States derive from exposures decades ago. Because mesothelioma manifests 20–40 years after first exposure, the number of mesothelioma deaths will likely peak by 2010. The analysis described in this report indicates that the annual number of mesothelioma deaths is still increasing, and future cases will continue to reflect the extensive past use of asbestos. New cases also might result through occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos during remediation and demolition of existing asbestos in buildings if controls are insufficient to protect workers and the surrounding community.

Some of the interesting mesothelioma statistics from the CDC report include:

• A total of 18,068 malignant mesothelioma deaths were reported between 1999 and 2005.
• Over 80% of the deaths (14,591) involved men diagnosed with mesothelioma
• Over 95% of the deaths (17,180) involved whites diagnosed with mesothelioma
• The greatest number of mesothelioma deaths occurred among those 75 years or older
• The six states with the highest mesothelioma death rates were Maine, Wyoming, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington
• The number of mesothelioma deaths increased 8.9% between 1999 and 2005, from 2,482 in 1999 to 2,704 in 2005, despite the fact that the annual death rate in the United States remained stable at around 14 per million people.

MESOTHELIOMA WRONGFUL DEATH LAWYERS

The mesothelioma lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. review potential asbestos lawsuits throughout the United States on behalf of people diagnosed with any asbestos-related disease. To review a potential claim for your family on behalf of someone diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or another related disease, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>Find out if you have a Chinese Drywall Lawsuit

Unfortunately, there is no simple way to determine if you have defective Chinese drywall. If you are able to get to a location where the back of the sheetrock can be viewed, finding a marking that indicates it is “Made in China” is the most definitive method. The defective drywall may contain markings such as:

• “CHINA”
• “MADE IN CHINA”, or
• “KNAUF- TIANJIN” which designates the specific manufacturer

Viewing the back of the drywall will often require the homeowner to enter the attic or crawl space and pull back the insulation. However, some of the drywall may have no discernible markings or it is possible that only a portion of the drywall used to construct the home was made in China.

Many homes constructed with Chinese drywall have developed unpleasant odors, ranging from sulfurous rotten egg smells to chemical or dirt-like odors. However, homeowners who live in the homes often become immune to the smell after a period of time, and it may not even be apparent to them anymore.

Other methods of detecting Chinese drywall involve looking for visible signs of premature copper corrosion caused by the sulfur gases emitted by the drywall under certain circumstances. This is usually indicated by a black or sooty coating on copper pipe leading to the air handling unit in a garage or other mechanical closet of the home. It could also appear on un-insulated copper wiring, such as electrical outlets, in-wall speaker wire or other wiring that appears blackened at the exposed ends.

Another Chinese drywall problem that has confirmed the presence of the defective drywall in many homes is documented failure of the air conditioner evaporator coil, which causes the premature failure of relatively new air conditioning units. The air conditioner coil will appear blackened inside the air handler unit, as opposed to normal corrosion on the coils which appears as a blue/green, dark orange or dark red rust color.

CHINESE DRYWALL ATTORNEYS

If you, a friend or family member own a home which has exhibited any of these signs, our attorneys can help determine whether financial compensation may be available through a Chinese drywall lawsuit.

Unfortunately, in most cases it is necessary for every piece of drywall in the home to be replaced and in some cases the sulfur compounds may have penetrated the wood structure of the home. The financial damages caused by the defective drywall from China can be devastating for a family, in addition to potential health problems that could be linked to the corrosive gases.

To have a case reviewed by our Chinese drywall attorneys, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

The Chinese drywall attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits on behalf of homeowners who have homes that were built with the bad drywall. Millions of pounds of defective drywall were imported into the United States between 2002 and 2007, after a shortage of U.S.-made drywall was caused by a housing boom and construction surge following the 2005 hurricanes.

The Chinese drywall problems have been linked to the presence of strontium sulfide and elemental sulfur, which could generate hydrogen sulfide, corbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide when exposed to high relative humidity or heat. These gases can produce a strong smell of rotten eggs, corrode electrical wiring and copper throughout the home, and destroy air conditioners and other appliances.

Serious health problems have also been linked to the toxic drywall, including:

• Respiratory Irritation
• Headaches
• Eye Irritation
• Nose Bleeds
• Coughing
• Difficulty Breathing

Most of the reported Chinese drywall issues have surfaced in the southeast, where humid and moist conditions exist. However, homeowners throughout the United States may have the defective drywall, even if they have not yet experienced problems. Problems have been discovered so far in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and California.

CHINESE DRYWALL ATTORNEYS

Chinese drywall imported into the United States could cause billions of dollars in damages for homeowners. The manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, builders and others who were in a position to prevent the problems, should be held responsible for their share of the damages they caused.

To speak with one of our Chinese drywall attorneys and find out if you and your family may be entitled to financial compensation, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Since 1929, over 600,000 asbestos lawsuits have been filed against more than 6,000 different defendants over the development of mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. It is one of the largest and longest-running mass torts in U.S. history, with the total payouts estimated to exceed $200 billion one day.

A growing number of lawsuits are being filed by those who were not directly exposed to asbestos by working around the toxic substances, but by living in the same house as those who came into direct contact.

Wives who have washed the clothing of their husbands, children who were held by their parents after arriving home from work covered in the fibers, and other similar situations have resulted in successful lawsuits for compensation against the manufacturers of asbestos and products that contain asbestos.

SPOUSE AND CHILDREN ASBESTOS LAWYERS

The asbestos lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential claims throughout the United States for mesothelioma caused by either direct or indirect exposure to asbestos.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases are often not diagnosed until years have passed from exposure. Therefore, it is important to have any potential claim reviewed as soon as possible after a diagnosis to make sure that your family’s rights are protected.

To have an attorney review your potential case to determine whether compensation may be available for your family, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>REVIEW A CLAIM WITH OUR DEFECTIVE DRYWALL LAWYERS<<

Between 2004 and 2007, thousands of homes throughout the United States may have been built with bad Chinese drywall that was made from waste material, known as fly ash residue.

Homeowners throughout Florida, Louisiana and other southern states have reported that their new homes suddenly began to smell of spoiled eggs as a result of high levels of sulfur compounds in the drywall. The problems have been most noticeable in states with high humidity, but the bad drywall could have been installed in a number of other states.

If a home is found to have defective drywall from China, it may be necessary to complete gut the entire home to remove every piece of the bad drywall and replace it. However, in some cases, the smell of the sulfur could have entered the wooden structure of the home, requiring even more extensive repairs.

The sulfur compounds in the drywall have also been found to corrode air conditioning units and copper wiring throughout the home. In many situations, homeowners first signs of problems with the drywall will be the blackening of pipes, faucets and silver jewelry, as well as the repeated failure of their air conditioning systems.

A number of homeowners have also complained about respiratory problems and other health issues, like insomnia, nosebleeds, headaches and eye irritation while living in the homes.

DEFECTIVE DRYWALL RECALL LAWYERS

The Chinese Drywall Lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for homeowners throughout the United States. If you suspect that your home may contain bad drywall, financial compensation may be available from the manufacturer, distributor, supplier and/or home builder. To find out if you may qualify for a Chinese drywall lawsuit, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Lead Paint Lawsuits

According to the Maryland Daily Record, Kelly Green, who is now a teenage, suffered lead poisoning as a result of eating paint chips that were flaking off of the wall at a house the family rented in Northeast Baltimore when she was a toddler. The family alleged that Kelly’s mental and physical conditions, as well as her IQ were affected by the lead poisoning.

Following a 2007 trial, a Baltimore City Jury awarded $2.3 million. Although the jury of six people determined that this was the amount that provided fair compensation, the judge reduced the verdict to $515,000 under the Maryland damages cap.

On appeal, the family is challenging the application of the Maryland limitation on damages in their lead paint lawsuit. They are arguing that the cap only applies to Maryland personal injury lawsuits arising from a defendant’s negligence of tortious activities, not to claims like theirs which was brought under the Consumer Protection Act.

The Daily Record article indicates that the Court of Appeals judges appeared to be critical of the Green family’s position.

Most Maryland injury lawyers disagree with the rationale and purpose behind the damages cap, as they have seen the impact it has when plaintiffs are denied the compensation they should be entitled to receive. However, given prior decisions by the Court of Appeals, it would be a surprising result if they find that claims brought under the Consumer Protection Act are not subject to the statutory cap.

MARYLAND LEAD PAINT ATTORNEYS

The Maryland lead paint attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential cases for children who have been diagnosed with elevated lead blood levels. Many poorly maintained rental properties, particularly in Baltimore City, contain lead paint which is flaking off of the walls due to the landlords failure to properly take care of their property. Eating, sucking or inhaling lead paint chips can cause serious injuries, including:

• Nervous System Injury
• Brain Damage
• Seizures or Convulsions
• Growth or Mental Retardation
• Coma or Death

To review a potential Maryland lead paint lawsuit on behalf of yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

Revlimid (lenalidomide) was introduced in December 2005 and has been approved for treatment of a bone-marrow disorder and multiple myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer. It is manufactured by Celgene Corp. and has been used by about 60,000 people.

In the Summer 2008 issue of the FDA Drug Safety Newsletter, the agency outlines postmarket reports of Revlimid users developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which are severe skin reactions caused by a number of different medications.

SJS and TENS are debilitating conditions which literally cause the skin to burn from the inside out. It often results in the need for treatment in a burn unit and it can be fatal in severe cases. Symptoms of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis could include:

• Rash, Blisters or Red Spots on Skin
• Blisters in the Mouth, Eyes, Ears, Nose or Genital Area
• Swelling of the Eyelids
• Fever or Flu-Like Symptoms

REVLIMID STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME LAWSUITS

The Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential Revlimid lawsuits for individuals diagnosed with a severe skin reaction caused by Revlimid side effects. If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with SJS or TENS after taking Revlimid, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Lawsuits

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, also known as SJS, is a rare but serious medical condition which is caused by an allergic reaction to several different drugs. It causes inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, literally causing the skin to burn from the inside out. It often requires treatment in a hospital burn unit, and it is fatal in many cases.

The Children’s Motrin lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Supreme Court, claiming that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn about the potential Stevens Johnson Syndrome side effects. The young girl was blinded by the development of blisters and sever swelling of the eyelids. However, following a six week trial, the jury found that insufficient evidence was presented to directly link Children’s Motrin to the injury.

While many medications have been associated with SJS, some of the most commonly associated drugs are antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfas, anti-inflammatory pain medications, such as Bextra and Celebrex, and anti-convulsants, such as Trileptal, Carbatrol, Tegretol and Equetro. SJS has also been associated with the anti-sleep medication Provigil, and the anti-smoking drug Chantix.

STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME ATTORNEYS

The product liability attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who have developed this devastating and life-threatening condition. Many medications which could cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or a similar skin reaction known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS), do not contain adequate warnings about the potential side effect.

If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

A study was recently published in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine which followed the results of children exposed to lead over the past 25 years. Researchers at University of Cincinnati in Ohio collected data from pregnant mothers and children living in homes containing lead paint between 1979 and 1984. Two decades later, researchers located 250 of the children, who were between 19 and 24 years old, and found that 55% of those exposed to lead in the womb and throughout early childhood had been arrested in adulthood.

In a separate study in the same journal, researchers found that those with high lead levels as a result of exposure could suffer permanent brain damage. MRI scans found that over 1% of brain matter could be missing, and most often it is the frontal grey matter, responsible for mood and decision regulation.

Lead paint is the biggest source of lead poisoning or elevated lead blood levels for children. Although the paint was banned in 1978, due to its prior widespread use, it is often still present in homes, and could be flaking off of the walls in poorly maintained homes.

LEAD POISONING LAWSUITS

The lead poisoning lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals diagnosed with elevated lead levels as a result of exposure to flaking paint chips in rental homes where they lived as children. If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with lead poisoning, request a free consultation.

>>INFORMATION: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits

Carbamazepin therapies are approved to treat epilepsy, as well as bipolar disorder and nerve pain.  The drugs already carry a warning which applies to all patients about the rare but severe skin reactions.  However, the new warnings will be featured more prominently on the label and include specific information about an increased risk for those with Asian ancestry.

Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) cause the skin to literally burn from the inside out.  The conditions could be caused by a side effect of several different medications, including the epilepsy drugs.

Symptoms of SJS and TENS include the development of skin blisters, rashes, lesions, fever and itching.  Blisters could also develop in the mouth, eyes, nose or genitals.  In many cases, individuals who experience the skin reaction require treatment in a hospital burn care unit, and the condition can be fatal in approximately 5% to 15% of the severe occurrences.

The information about the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Carbamazepine, Carbatrol, Equetro and Tegretol side effects will be moved to a “black box” warning which is more prominently displayed at the top of the labels.  The warning will also indicate that individuals with an Asian ancestry should receive a genetic test before starting treatment.

While the Stevens Johnson Syndrome risk exists for all new users of the epilepsy drugs, among Asian populations the risk is estimated to be about 10 times higher.  There is a strong association between the development of the skin reaction and an inherited variant gene, HLA-B* 1502, which is found in some people of Asian ancestry. 

The presence of the gene can be identified by a blood test, so the FDA is recommending that doctors give patients with Asian ancestry a genetic test before starting treatment.  According to the FDA, the following figures should be considered:

• Approximately 10-15% of individuals from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan may carry the gene
• Approximately 2% to 4% of individuals from South Asia, including India, could have the gene
• Less than 1% of individuals from Japan and Korea appear to carry the gene.

EPILEPSY DRUG STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME LAWSUITS

The Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential lawsuits for any individuals who have been diagnosed with SJS or TENS.  The epilepsy drugs marketed as generic carbamaepine, Carbatrol, Tegretol and Equetro have been directly associated with an increased risk of the serious skin reaction, and the manufacturers have failed to adequately warn about the problem, especially for those with Asian ancestry. 

If you, a friend or family member have experienced symptoms of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, request a free lawsuit consultation and claim evaluation.