vioxx lawsuit

Johnson & Johnson seeks home court advantage in Tylenol liver damage lawsuits

The 14 lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey contend its popular pain reliever, Tylenol, caused severe liver damage and that the company failed to warn consumers about the dangers. The cases were filed separately in Atlantic County, but J&J’s law firm has recently asked they be centralized under one judge, that a new judge be assigned and the courthouse changed.
The firm’s location of preference: New Brunswick, home of Johnson & Johnson.

In his application to the state administrative director of the courts, J&J attorney David Abernathy argued that moving the claims to Middlesex County “provides the prudent venue for centralized management of the Tylenol Liver Litigation.”
The courthouse is near a transportation hub and more centrally located than Atlantic County, he said. Abernathy, a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath, also represents J&J subsidiary McNeil-PPC in the case, which manufactures Tylenol.
Abernathy’s application is notable because it provides a window into J&J’s strategy, legal experts and attorneys said.
“It’s a lot easier to say a different venue would be more appropriate than saying you can’t get a fair hearing in a particular court,” said Annemarie MacAvoy, an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School and a former federal prosecutor. “It’s very difficult to get a judge off of a case. You can’t change a judge just because you may not like him or her.”
For seeking a new judge, Abernathy argued that the assigned Superior Court judge on the case, Carol Higbee, already has several large-scale liability claims on her docket. All of those cases are in their early stages, he said. Judge Higbee has overseen numerous so-called “multicounty ligitation” cases involving large numbers of claims associated with a single drug or medical device. Higbee was one of the judges who oversaw Merck’s nationwide $4.85 billion settlement related to thousands of claims from its arthritis drug, Vioxx.
Superior Court Judge Jessica Mayer in Middlesex is Abernathy’s choice to handle the Tylenol cases. Mayer has led “several complex product liability litigations” that include Merk’s Propecia, J&J’s antipsychotic drug Risperdal and Branchburg-based Lifecell Corp.’s tissue graft, AlloDerm.
Henry Klingeman, a defense attorney and former deputy U.S. attorney in New Jersey, said attempting to move the cases and centralize them in the same court is a common sense approach to streamline what will be a complicated litigation. The request to switch the cases to J&J’s backyard, however, is a calculated but understandable tactic, he added.
“A corporate party like J&J is a big local employer and benefactor and provides a positive image in the area,” Klingeman said. “That can all be used to an advantage when picking a jury.”
In his application, Abernathy opposed what he called “blatant forum shopping” on the part of one plaintiff, who lives in Hunterdon County but filed her lawsuit in Atlantic County. When reached by phone at his Philadelphia law office, Abernathy declined to comment on pending litigation.
Seeger Weiss LLP of Newark, the firm representing all 14 Tylenol plaintiffs in New Jersey, has a Monday deadline to comment or object to Abernathy’s application. Christopher Seeger, the lead plaintiffs attorney, helped negotiate the massive Vioxx settlement in 2007. He did not respond to several requests for comment.
Mayer and Higbee are among the four judges in New Jersey selected to exclusively manage multicounty litigation cases. Those cases remain separate but are handled by the same judge and share a similar set of legal issues.

Dealing with Healthcare-Related Lawsuits with the Help of the Optio Group

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/07/2013 -- It has always been difficult for victims of medical malpractice and damages brought about by certain drugs to deal with the situation. Aside from the fact that they may have been physically hurt by such cases, they may not feel enough assistance for them as they go through the legal processes in order to achieve justice. The Optio Group, however, provides them with hope as it guarantees that the right steps are taken order to win class action suits or to accomplish a lawsuit settlement with the concerned parties. Apparently, there is always a need for specialists when it comes to dealing with healthcare-related issues. The Optio Group is made up of such specialists.

It is the common belief that lawsuits are the fields of expertise of lawyers and other legal professionals. However, when it comes to cases such as medical malpractice or a class action settlement, it is already necessary for people in the medical profession to step in and to make an effort in resolving these. This is what the Optio Group has in mind when it started. The company was built in 2001 and, since then, has been keeping its services available to lawyers, medical facility administrators, and patients. Through the years it has been improving its medical and legal skills as it takes efforts in resolving lawsuits brought about by personal injury and medical malpractice.

What makes the Optio Group more reliable is the fact that its personnel have been working in this particular field for more than 10 years already. With such length of experience, it is expected that its staff has the capability of achieving success in lawsuits and class action suits. Clients who wish to acquire the services of the company do not have to worry over the possibility of not having enough personnel to assist them. This is because at any given time, the Optio Group has at its disposal about 150 doctors and nurses who are ready to provide objective support.

The Optio Group does not only provide direct services to the patients and their families, it also serves nurses and healthcare professionals. Oftentimes, cases of medical malpractice occur because the healthcare providers may not be aware of the legal implications of their actions. This is the reason why the Optio Group also extends its hand in helping nurses and doctors to learn how to avoid possible lawsuits by carefully implementing measures in patient safety and care all the time. According to nurses, they have been able to prevent themselves from being burdened with lawsuits after they have sought the assistance of the said company.

People victimized by medical malpractice and related cases may have the option of seeking help from a law firm. However, such option may be more expensive and it may not be as effective as the services provided by the Optio Group. When it comes to healthcare-related lawsuits, it is not just the best lawyers that are needed but also the assistance of individuals who are actually part of the healthcare system.

New Rutgers AD was named in sex discrimination lawsuit in 2008

The allegations against Hermann have raised questions about whether the Newark, New Jersey, university properly vetted Hermann before hiring her.

But Christie told New Jersey 101.5 radio that he spoke with the university's president and board chairman about the allegations and that he would not second-guess Rutgers' hiring of Hermann.

"I told them I had questions, and I was going to get answers to those questions," he said on the radio station's weekly "Ask the Governor" show on Tuesday. "I have gotten answers to those questions."

Rutgers, meanwhile, went on the defensive Tuesday, releasing a list of names and contacts for supporters of Hermann. It also put out a statement that said she was on the "original list of candidates" assembled by a search firm for the position.

"Julie also was among the group of candidates considered at each step of the search process from the beginning," the statement said.

Hermann was named in a 2008 lawsuit filed by Mary Banker, an assistant track and field coach, who alleged she was the victim of sex discrimination by the head coach and then fired after she complained to Hermann and the university's human resources department, according to documents.

Banker alleged in the complaint that when she told Hermann about the discrimination, which included offensive comments, she was praised.

"We're lucky to have you," Hermann allegedly said in an e-mail, according to court documents.

A jury in Kentucky awarded Banker $300,000 in damages and lost wages, but it was overturned by an appeals court. Banker's attorney is appealing the ruling to the Kentucky Supreme Court, according to court documents.

Hermann did not return a telephone call from CNN seeking comment.

The University of Louisville, in state Supreme Court court filings, defended the firing, saying the evidence showed Banker was "an abysmal coach and recruiter."

Word of the Louisville lawsuit followed news first reported Sunday by a New Jersey newspaper, The Star-Ledger, that a group of former volleyball players at Tennessee accused Hermann of "mental cruelty."

In a letter written in 1997 and obtained by the newspaper, members of the team purportedly claimed that Hermann called players "whores, alcoholics and learning disabled."

Verbal abuse from Hermann became so intense, they claimed, that the team banded together to write the letter, calling the situation "irreconcilable." After the team presented the letter to Hermann, she chose to stop coaching them, according to the newspaper's report.

One former Tennessee volleyball player defended Hermann in a statement of support, which was released by Rutgers.

"You were tough no doubt but I knew you cared and I went from being a kid with a bad attitude who thought I was God's gift to athletics to the captain of my team," wrote Sonya Thomas, who played for Tennessee from 1992 to 1995.

(CNN) -- The woman hired to turn around Rutgers University's troubled athletic program came under renewed fire Tuesday after news emerged she was named in a sex discrimination lawsuit at the University of Louisville, according to court documents obtained Tuesday.

The revelation that Julie Hermann was at the center of a discrimination lawsuit while working at the University of Louisville, according to the documents, came just days after a report that a group of University of Tennessee volleyball players accused her of verbal abuse when she coached them in the 1990s.

Hermann's appointment as Rutgers athletic director came more than a month after a video of a Rutgers coach hurling basketballs and yelling homophobic slurs prompted the coach's firing, the resignation of the school's athletic director and sharp criticism from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

"It is a new day," Hermann told reporters after being appointed. "(The problem) is already fixed, and there is no one that doesn't agree about how we treat young people with respect and dignity and build trust."

"Your intensity helped me be mentally tough and it was exactly what I needed. None of it was abusive, mean spirited or demeaning."

In a written statement released Monday, Hermann said her former students' comments are "heartbreaking." She denied the allegations of abuse and vowed to push ahead in her new role.

"I was never notified of the reported letter outlining the concerns of some former athletes. However, I am truly sorry that some were disappointed during my tenure as coach," she said. "For sure, I was an intense coach, but there is a vast difference between high intensity and abusive behavior."

Hermann said her commitment to students' success has been firm throughout her career.

Rutgers University President Robert L. Barchi said Monday that he stands by the school's choice.

"Rutgers was deliberative at every stage of this process," he said in a written statement. "Over the course of the search, Julie's record established her as a proven leader in athletics administration with a strong commitment to academic success as well as athletic excellence, and a strong commitment to the well-being of student athletes."

A University of Tennessee spokeswoman declined to comment.

Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz backed Hermann, his boss over the last six years.

While he couldn't speak about what may or may not have happened at Tennessee, Walz said that in their time together at Louisville, he found Hermman to be "a very good administrator who always put the student athletes' well-being first, no matter what situation it was."

The Cardinals coach said he didn't see the uproar over Hermann coming, given his observations of her with him and his players. He credits her with helping put a solid system in place, so student athletes were in good hands from their first day on campus through to their graduation.

"(In) the six years that I had with her, she was very competent at what she does, how she handles situations, and how she treats the student athletes," Walz said.

Merck to pay at least $21.8 million to settle Vioxx lawsuits in Canada

Eight years after more than 1,000 Canadians launched a class action lawsuit claiming Vioxx boosted the risk of cardiac problems, pharmaceutical giant Merck has agreed to pay between $21.8 and $36.8 million to
settle the case. Merck maintains it did no wrong.

Until Merck pulled Vioxx from drugstore shelves, Canadians with rheumatoid arthritis flocked to it to ease their suffering since it was approved for use in 1999. But research in 2004 suggested that continuous use of the drug increased the risk of serious heart attacks and strokes – side effects that Health Canada knew about by 2002, according to its website. Merck paid $4.85 billion to settle Vioxx lawsuits in the U.S. – more than 130 times the maximum amount it will pay here. Although the payment is a fraction of what Americans received, it’s a “good” result for a pharmaceutical case and one of the largest pharmaceutical settlements in Canadian history, said Siskinds LLP lawyer Matt Baer, who worked on the case. “It was a hotly contested litigation,” Baer said. “It’s not an unusually long time for this type of case.” Not only did the lawyers have to get approval to file a class action suit (Merck argued that because everyone’s health is different, the lawsuits should have been separate), but there were also 18 different law firms working on the case. One firm is Saskatchewan did not cooperate, Baer said, which prolonged the lawsuit. If the case continued in court, the complainants might have ended up with nothing like the Australians who lost an appeal in a similar suit, Baer said. The Americans received more money because of the way their health care system works, he explained – the settlements would have covered hospital bills as well. Their legal system also allows for much higher damage awards. The settlement, which has not yet been approved in court, includes about $10 million in legal fees and costs. Individuals who experienced cardiac problems after prolonged use of the drug – or their spouses and children – could be eligible for their portion of the money.

How to Choose a Lawyer: Referral Attorneys

When choosing an attorney, there are actually a number of important factors to be able to consider. This article is targeted on one: is usually the attorney you might have called a "referral attorney"? Referral attorneys are usually law firm who publicize to attract clients, nonetheless do not represent purchasers themselves. Instead, some people forward the client up on a different attorney. A regular referral attorney takes a rate for a percent from the entire recovery.

Is my personal attorney a referral attorney?

This is really a straightforward query to be able to solution - merely consult them. A referral attorney will always, from several point, ought to disclose of which they will certainly not be the primary lawyer in your case. They will eventually end up being forwarding everyone upon to be able to another lawyer. Generally, if your attorney at law will be promoting on television or maybe includes run ads seeking victims associated with injuries due to a particular product (Vioxx cases, asbestos or perhaps mesothelioma cases, diet drug cases, or even other class actions lawsuits), then they will be probably a new referral attorney.

Will it price me more money if I have contacted a new referral attorney?

Generally, no. The normal settlement between a referral attorney and this particular legal practitioner focusing on the situation scholarships the actual referral attorney some sort of percentage with the real lawyer's fee. Instead of coming coming from the actual client, the cash hails from this legal representative who eventually is a attorney about the case. However, you should make sure until this is actually precisely what your exact arrangement is. A typical contingent rate circumstance costs your customer 1 / 3rd in the recovery. If you could have called a referral attorney, consult what exactly this ultimate percentage will be.

Why also utilize a referral attorney at law in the event that I'm visiting someone else anyway?

If you know a strong lawyer who will be an expert inside arena or even who is handling that sorts of case, you can find typically not any reason to. However, many people include hardly any information regarding your legal industry. They just aren't able to find the right law firm on their own. A referral law firm generally exclusively creates funds in the event you win, so he can have a strong inducement to forwards your own case to be able to a competent lawyer. Just ensure that you aren't becoming charged more for your referral - it is not valued at having to pay additional for getting it, especially mainly because several attorneys will be keen for you to point you for you to skilled lawyer for your minimize themselves.

Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis - What You Don't Know Could Be Costing You More Than You Think!

Living with rheumatoid arthritis is usually seriously quite hard precisely as it can be alongside intense ache as well as discomfort. What will be their powerful treatment protocols and the possibilities aspect effects? Find out the particular qualified truth within this article.

Living having rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms is not a new content predicament because it will involve loads of problems plus aches. The pain heightens using the severeness on the condition. Therefore, it is necessary that you simply possess a good diagnosis well in time, will stay will take the perfect motion in addition to treatment system since possible.

Although relief from rheumatoid arthritis will not be found, you will discover numerous remedies which are available. They all chiefly work that will table inflammation, precisely as it is usually among the root factors behind rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment methods

The followi ng varieties of remedy approaches are generally prescribed pertaining to all those coping with rheumatoid arthritis --

1) Prescription primarily based Cox-2 inhibitors -- these kinds of do the job by simply inhibiting the particular steps involving Cox-2 enzyme in the body, which are accountable for making redness along with infuriating the particular symptoms involving rheumatoid arthritis. Cox-2 inhibitors will be identified intended for his or her deadly side effects.

For example, Vioxx had been a well known Cox-2 inhibitors manufacturer made by Merck. It ended up being removed in the industry as a result of its fatal part effects just like coronary heart strike in addition to stroke, which were documented simply by tens of thousands associated with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms patients. In fact, many lawsuits tend to be nonetheless awaiting towards them until finally today.
2) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -- the usual anti-inflammatory over the counter prescription drugs for example aspirin plus ibuprofen consist of this category. They work for your quick software with inflammation, they usually produce effective problems relief. But while taken for much time periods of time and within excessive doses, they might cause uncomfortable side effects such as stomach problems, gastrointestinal blood loss plus ulcers.

3) Corticosteroids -- ffortunately they are a simple yet effective indicates associated with fighting inflammation, nevertheless there're recommended just for limited time thanks to their possibilities aspect effects just like excess fat gain, bruising, eye issues similar to cataract, high blood pressure, diabetes, thinning belonging to the bone fragments which might cause osteoporosis, etc.

Due in order to the serious unwanted effects on the aforementioned treatment methods; some may definitely not be the very best alternate options if you are managing rheumatoid arthritis. Natural remedies for instance which regarding having omega-3 using supplements from the diet plan include tested a lot more useful plus healthier type connected with healing for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms patients.

Omega-3 fatty acids tend to be effective natural anti-inflammatory. They enhance the neural along with aerobic health, sharpen this memory and supercharge concentration, and offer much more general health benefits. Unfortunately, with the modern times usual Western diet plan happens to be very lacking in these kinds of crucial omega a few fatty acids.

Here is really a phrase involving extreme care though; Omega three efas may also be natural blood thinners. So, although you may are generally acquiring blood thinner and more fit medicine just like aspirin, you then should seek the advice of your medical professional before you decide to use omega-3 dietary s upplements pertaining to alleviating the particular signs and symptoms regarding rheumatoid arthritis.

A many facts have been located which omega-3 efas properly be an aid to defeat the signs or symptoms connected with individuals people coping with rheumatoid arthritis. They easily lessen this tenderness in joints, minimize inflammation, reduce daybreak stiffness and even minimize the requirement with getting prescription established drugs with the reason for soreness relief around rheumatoid arthritis.

Omega-3 efas are essential nutritional value which might be recommended by the entire body regardless because of its crucial functions, wellness as well as well-being. Purified Fish oil in addition to it's supplements tend to be on the list of most effective solutions of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA.

The green lipped mussel associated with New Zealand is also a great awesome source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is rather effective around low ering synovial stiffness in addition to pain while in the signs connected with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well as being utilized together with perch oil to form the most beneficial omega 3 vitamin supplements regarding remedy of individuals managing rheumatoid arthritis.

Pain Relief For Rheumatoid Arthritis - Discover Secrets For Pain Free Joints In The Next 10 Minutes!

Pain comfort regarding rheumatoid arthritis is a matter with really serious concern. So, do you know the helpful styles of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms drug therapy? What tend to be his or her unintended effects and also unique precautions? Find out the skilled answers to all these crucial doubts in this article.

Rheumatoid rheumatoid arthritis causes plenty associated with problems as well as discomfort within the existence belonging to the person who's going to be affected by it. Pain reduction regarding rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms is usually a critical problem because above 2.5 million men and women suffer from this feared disease while in the United States alone.

Although herpes virus based rheumatoid osteoarthritis drug remedy works with regard to problems comfort within the brief term, you'll find it is prone to the chance involving a variety of unwanted side effects -- which may be lethal at times.

As an increasing number of investigation is usually becoming taken on as well as the side effects of arthritis rheumatoid meds therapy are coming into light, individuals are these days searching for safer, more favourable in addition to natural remedies to overpower redness also to achieve treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

These are generally a few of the popular treatments pertaining to rheumatoid rheumatoid arthritis --

1) Cox-2 inhibitors -- they're a popular kind of rheumatoid osteo-arthritis meds remedies that do the job simply by obstructing an enzyme referred to as Cox-2 within our body, that is in charge of inflammation. They will be authorized through the FDA, but include acquired a lot of harmful click plus press consideration because of their adverse side effects.
For example, Vioxx can be a brand name with Cox-2 inhibitor manufactured by means of Merck. It had been taken off the industry on account of many documented cases associated with cerebrovascular accident along with cardiovascular system episode with persons affected by rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a large number of lawsuits are usually continue to unfinished versus it.

So, although they may be powerful within agony alleviation pertaining to rheumatoid arthritis, some people also bring danger connected with significant unwanted effects with health.

2) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescriptions (NSAIDs) -- they are usually very popular amongst people while short-term treatment with alleviation with regard to rheumatoid arthritis. Aspirin and ibuprofen are available in this category. They lessen inflammation and still provide pain relief. But, they could cause significant unintended effects for example stomach problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers in addition to heart problems, if they tend to be ingested for long stretches of your respective throughout higher doses.

3) Corticosteroids -- this is the sort of medication treatments to get rheumatoid arthritis as well as helps to reduce inflammation. They endure from side effects for example high blood pressure, diabetes, bodyweight gain, thinning of this bone fragments that prospects for you to brittle bones and also a lot more. This 's the reason why health experts advise using these regarding simple cycles only.

4) Natural treatments -- using omega-3 essential fatty acids is actually considered one of the most effective means of pain relief pertaining to rheumatoid arthritis. They have excellent anti-inflammatory houses and they are in addition very useful intended for a superb health like health associated with heart, brain, the disgestive system system, skin, outlets in addition to hair.

Research has shown which having omega -3 vitamin supplements will help to lessen tenderness around joints, reduce inflammation, minimize daybreak tightness in addition to reduces the requirement connected with utilizing additional rheumatoid arthritis symptoms medication counseling for problems relief.

Purified Fish oil supplements tend to be a strong exceptional source of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA along with EPA. They can offer a simple yet effective plus extended expression soreness relief for rheumatoid arthritis naturally. Omega-3 by using supplements becomes more and more significant inside the Western world, as their diet program can be remarkably lacking while in the important Omega 3s.

However, for those who are employing prescription established blood leaner medicines just like aspirin, anyone have to check with a family doctor when you apply omega-3 fish oil dietary supplements in treatment intended for rheumatoid arthritis. This is usually for the reason that Omega 3 essential fat ty acids along with perch petrol usually are organic blood vessels thinners and have anti-coagulant properties. So, make sure you keep away from the particular intake associated with lots of kinds of continue thinners as it could cause serious part effects.