Anthony Alameida was an engineer / firefighter employed by the Los Angles City Fire Department since 1986. In a complaint against the Fire Department, Alameida alleged that he suffered sexual and religious harassment that began in 2006, after he filed a lawsuit against the Catholic Church over sexual abuse he suffered from a priest. After one of his coworkers learned that he had filed the lawsuit, several coworkers began mocking him. They used explicit, derogatory religious and sexual terms. When Alameida complained to his superiors, they failed to adequately address or halt the abuse.

Alameida complained to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2007, which determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that Alameida’s coworkers and superiors had violated the law. Sexual harassment and religious harassment are all violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The investigation also found that Alameida had suffered retaliatory discipline for participating in another EEOC investigation.

By agreeing to settle the case administratively, the Los Angeles City Fire Department can avoid future litigation. The Fire Department will be conducting anti-harassment training in all of its fire stations in Los Angeles. There are 103 neighborhood fire stations in Los Angeles, which employs over 3,500 uniformed personnel.

“By working with the EEOC this way, the Department is sending a message that no further civil rights abuses will be tolerated — a key responsibility of all employers,” said Olophius Perry, district director for the EEOC’s Los Angeles district office, in a statement.

Alameida had filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Archdiocese. In 2007, the Archdiocese agreed to settle a claim brought by 508 victims of abuse. The settlement was the biggest in history — $660 million. Most of the victims were paid more than $1 million each to settle their claim against the church. Some of the sexual abuse claims dated back to the 1940s. Records indicated that priests who had sexually abused children were simply moved to other churches. Other priests believed they could be rehabilitated, so many were given training. Nationwide, the Diocese has paid out around $2 billion to settle sexual abuse cases. In February 2004, a report commissioned by the Church said more than 4,000 Roman Catholic priests had been accused of sexually abusing children in the last 50 years.

What You Can Do & How an Advil Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Advil induced birth defect injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a baby with a birth defect caused by this medication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free Advil lawsuit consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Advil Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Advil Overview

Advil is a medication used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, reduction of fever, and several chronic arthritic conditions. The active ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen, a type of anti-inflammatory drug that has been available in the U.S. since 1974. Advil is manufactured by Pfizer and has been available since 1984.

Advil and other NSAIDs work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are necessary for pain, fever, and inflammation. By blocking these enzymes, Advil and other NSAIDs reduce pain and fever. As a class of medications, NSAIDs are some of the most popularly used medications in the world. You probably have at least one NSAID floating around in your medicine cabinet — aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen are some of the most common NSAIDs. These medications have a long history of use, so many people may believe that they are always safe to use. Unfortunately, recent research suggests that NSAIDs and Advil during pregnancy may increase the risk of having a baby with a birth defect.

Advil and Pregnancy

What birth defects have been linked to Advil?

• Clubfoot: This occurs when the baby is born with one or both feet turned inward and downward at a sharp angle. Though it looks like this condition is caused by the way a baby develops in the womb, it is actually caused by abnormal development of the calf muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a baby’s foot. About half of cases involve both the baby’s feet, called “bilateral clubfoot.” Modern treatment has greatly improved, and children rarely undergo extensive surgery. In the Ponseti method, the baby’s foot is gradually stretched and casted into position. Usually, by the time the child is learning how to walk, the birth defect has been corrected.
• Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS): Children born to mothers who took an NSAID were three times more likely to suffer from ABS. This condition is thought to arise when there are ruptures to the amniotic sac, which is the sac that surrounds a developing baby in the womb. Fibrous bands of the sac float around in the amniotic fluid, and a developing baby can become entangled. The severity of ABS depends on what part of the baby is entangled and how tightly the bands are constricting the child. In severe cases, the child may suffer amputations caused by constricted bands.
• Spina Bifida: This birth defect was 60% more likely to occur in children born to mothers who took an NSAID during pregnancy. Though most babies with spina bifida actually have no disability, in severe cases, children are born with paralysis and incontinence and they must use a wheelchair. Severe spina bifida occurs when the neural tube that normally protects the spinal cord fails to close during the first few weeks of fetal development. Damage to the exposed spinal cord cannot be cured.
• Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia: These exceptionally rare birth defects are three times more likely to occur to children whose mothers took an NSAID during pregnancy. They may occur in just one eye or both eyes. Anophthalmia is the condition of being born with no eye tissue, leaving the child irreparably blind. Microphthalmia occurs when the child’s eyes are significantly smaller than usual.
• Cleft Lip and Palate: These orofacial clefts were 30-80% more likely in children whose mothers took an NSAID during pregnancy. Babies born with clefts often have problems eating, sucking, and swallowing. In severe cases, babies must undergo multiple-stage surgeries to improve their facial appearance and improve their ability to eat normally.

Scientific Study of NSAIDs, Advil and Pregnancy

In December 2011, the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published the results of a study that found a link between painkillers and birth defects. The researchers analyzed data on more than 20,000 women and looked for links between painkillers and 29 different birth defects. The good news is, most birth defects were not linked at all. Unfortunately, a few birth defects were linked to the maternal use of painkillers, and these birth defects were severe, debilitating, and sometimes deadly.

The conclusions of the study were based on information from 15,000 women whose babies had birth defects. The mothers all participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention study. The researchers analyzed this data, and compared it to data from 5,500 women whose babies had no birth defects. The researchers found that the maternal use of painkillers early in pregnancy increased the risk of having a baby with clubfoot, anophtalmia, microphthalmia, spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate, and amniotic band syndrome.

The researchers concluded that women who are pregnant should talk to their doctor about safe painkillers to take during pregnancy.

Do I have an Advil Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Advil induced birth defect injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a child with a birth defect after taking Advil, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Advil Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

What You Can Do & How an Arthrotec Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Arthrotec birth defect injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had had a child with a birth defect after taking this medication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free Arthrotec lawsuit consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Arthrotec Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Arthrotec Overview

Arthrotec is an arthritis medication that is actually a combination of two drugs: diclofenac and misoprostol. Diclofenac is an NSAID anti-inflammatory medication, and misoprostol helps protect a user’s gastrointestinal tract. Arthrotec is commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, two inflammatory conditions that cause chronic pain, tenderness, stiffness, and swelling of the delicate lining between the joints.

Diclofenac belongs to a class of medications known as “Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs” or NSAIDs for short. This class of medications includes aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, making them the most commonly used medications in the world. Millions of people use these medications to treat mild to moderate pain, inflammation, reduce fever, and more. Unfortunately, the chronic use of these medications has been linked to stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems. Because arthritis is a chronic condition, many people who were taking an NSAID as a treatment were suffering from gastrointestinal problems. As a solution, the makers of Arthrotec combined diclofenac with another drug, misoprostol.

Diclofenac inhibits enzymes in the body that are involved in pain and inflammation. These enzymes also help protect the lining of the stomach and promote clotting. Misoprostol is a synthetic enzyme that stimulates the stomach to produce mucus, which protects the lining of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract.

Arthrotec and Pregnancy

Unfortunately, new research has emerged that has found a link between the maternal use of NSAIDs (such as Arthrotec) and an increased risk of several severe, debilitating birth defects. Researchers now recommend that women who are pregnant avoid taking all NSAID painkillers while they are pregnant, and talk to their doctor about alternative painkillers that are less risky to an unborn baby.

The following birth defects were linked to the maternal use of NSAIDs:

• Clubfoot: This is a birth defect that can affect one foot or both feet. Clubfoot is diagnosed in a physical examination when the baby is born. The foot is turned inward or downward at the ankle, resembling a club. One treatment option involves gradually stretching and casting the foot. A typical regimen of stretching, casting, and wearing a brace will last three years. Ideally, the child will have a normal foot by the time he or she is learning how to walk.
• Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS): The severity of ABS varies greatly. ABS may cause no problems, or it can cause amputations, deformities, miscarriage, and death. On its own, ABS is not a birth defect, but rather a complication that occurs during fetal development. It is thought to occur due to a partial rupture in the amniotic sac that causes bands of the sac to separate. Fibrous bands float in the amniotic fluid and can entangle a developing baby.
• Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate: These birth defects are 30-80% more likely to occur in babies born to mothers who took an NSAID, such as Arthrotec, during pregnancy. They can cause serious problems eating, sucking, and swallowing, and can lead to severe nutritional deficits if they are not managed properly. Fortunately, advancements in modern surgery have greatly improved the outcome for children born with cleft lip or cleft palate.
• Anophthalmia / Microphthalmia: When a baby is born with no eyes, this condition is called anophthalmia. When a baby is born with abnormally small eyes that are almost always blind or nearly blind, this is called microphthalmia. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. There is no cure for either of these conditions. Advancements in modern surgery can improve the facial appearance of a baby born with one of these conditions, and may include fitting the child with a prosthetic eye. The risk of anophthalmia and microphthalmia increases by a three-fold rate when mothers take NSAIDs during pregnancy.
• Spina Bifida: The risk of spina bifida was 60% higher in babies born to women who took an NSAID, such as Arthrotec, during pregnancy. Many children who are born with spina bifida have some level or paralysis and will need to use a wheelchair or other assistive device. In the most severe cases of spina bifida, the child is born with severe paralysis of the legs and may also be incontinent. Spina bifida is caused by the abnormal development of the neural tube, which normally protects and covers the spinal cord. If there is an opening in the neural tube, the spinal cord can become permanently damaged.

Scientific Studies of Arthrotec and Birth Defects

The researchers who found the link between common NSAIDs and the aforementioned birth defects announced the results of their study in December 2011 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They were pleased to report that the maternal use of medications does not increase the risk of most birth defects. However, a few rare birth defects were more likely when a woman took an NSAID during pregnancy. The risk was greatest when she took the medications early in pregnancy.

The researchers analyzed the following data: information on 15,000 women who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention study, compared with information on 5,500 women whose babies had no birth defects.

The researchers looked for links between the maternal use of painkillers and 29 different birth defects. Of these 29 birth defects, 7 birth defects were associated. However, because these birth defects were exceptionally rare, even a three-fold increase in the rate of these birth defects translates to relatively few cases. Even so, the researchers concluded that women who are pregnant should avoid using NSAIDs, including Arthrotec, during pregnancy until more conclusive research is conducted.

Do I have an Arthrotec Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Arthrotec birth defect cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a baby with a birth defect after taking this medication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Arthrotec Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

What You Can Do & How a Vioxx Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Vioxx induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a baby with a birth defect caused by Vioxx, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free Vioxx lawsuit consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Vioxx Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Vioxx Overview

Vioxx was withdrawn from the U.S. market in September 2004 after it was shown that long-term use could increase a user’s risk of a deadly or debilitating heart attack or stroke. If you took Vioxx while you were pregnant and your baby had a birth defect, you may still have time to file a Vioxx lawsuit and receive compensation for your baby’s injuries.

Vioxx (rofecoxib) is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain in adults, and painful menstrual cycles. It belongs to a new class of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs for short). It is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, which means that it selectively inhibits a protein that is involved in the body’s inflammation and pain response. Other COX-2 selective NSAIDS include Celebrex and Bextra. These medications are closely related to non-selective NSAIDs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen.

NSAIDs are some of the most popular, widely-used medications in the world, and you probably have at least one in your medicine cabinet. Unfortunately, new research has recently discovered that there may be a link between NSAIDs taken during pregnancy and a variety of severe, life-threatening birth defects.

Vioxx and Pregnancy

In December 2011, new research emerged that linked the maternal use of NSAIDs, including Vioxx, to several serious birth defects.

• Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS): This complication occurs when parts of the amniotic sac separate, entangle the developing baby, and cause constricting rings around fingers, arms, or legs. The severity of ABS depends on the part of the baby that is entangled and how tightly it is wrapped in the bands. Severe cases can cause amputation of body parts. ABS is also thought to cause miscarriages, and is highly associated with other birth defects. ABS is three times more likely to occur in babies born to mothers who took an NSAID during pregnancy.
• Clubfoot: This birth defect develops while the baby is in the womb and is present at birth. It is visually apparent as soon as the baby is born. One or both feet are turned inward at a sharp angle at the ankle, so the baby’s foot resembles a club. The foot may also be turned downward. It occurs when parts of the calf muscle, ligaments, and tendons are shorter than normal, and is not caused by the position of the baby in the womb. It can be treated with surgery or gradual stretching of the foot into a normal position.
• Anopthalmia and Microphthalmia: These are rare but severe birth defects affecting the eyes, and they are three times more likely to occur in babies born to women who took an NSAID during pregnancy. Though the terms “anophthalmia” and “microphthalmia” are often used interchangeably, they refer to separate conditions. A baby with anophthalmia has no eyes, whereas a baby with microphthalmia has abnormally small eyes. Sometimes, babies with microphthalmia have some rudimentary vision, though they always have some impairment. Most children born with these conditions are blind.
• Spina Bifida: This severe, debilitating birth defect is almost always associated with some level of paralysis. The rate of spina bifida is 60% higher in babies born to mothers who took an NSAID during pregnancy. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs within the first few weeks of fetal development, when the neural tube is closing to protect the spinal cord. A baby born with spina bifida may have an opening at the base of his or her skull, where the spinal cord is exposed to the elements. This exposure almost always causes severe, irreparable damage to the spinal cord, which results in permanent paralysis.
• Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate: The rate of oral clefts and facial clefts increased by 30-80% when mothers took an NSAID while pregnant. A “cleft lip” is a birth defect that occurs when the flesh on the upper lip fails to fuse together. There may be a wide separation or just a small notch in the upper lip. In severe cases, the cleft lip extends into the baby’s nose. Surgical repair of a cleft lip may need to be done in several stages as the child ages. Cleft palate and cleft lip may occur independently or together. Cleft palate affects the roof of the baby’s mouth, and may cause severe problems with eating, sucking, and swallowing. Fortunately, these birth defects can be treated very successfully through modern surgical techniques.

Scientific Studies of Vioxx and Birth Defects

Researchers announced the link between NSAIDs and birth defects in December 2011. They cautioned that the risk of having a baby with one of these birth defects is still very small, but women who are pregnant should probably avoid all NSAIDs until more research can explore the possible link more thoroughly.

The researchers looked for links between maternal use of medications and 29 different birth defects. Most of the birth defects were not associated with any medications. Some were, however. The researchers compared the use of painkillers among 15,000 women whose babies had birth defects, versus 5,500 women whose babies had no defects. Though the results of the study do not prove that there is a conclusive link, the researchers say that they are a warning sign.

Do I have a Vioxx Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Vioxx birth defect cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a baby with a birth defect that may have been caused by Vioxx, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Vioxx Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

What You Can Do & How a Motrin Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Motrin induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a child with a birth defect caused by this medication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free Motrin lawsuit consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Motrin Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Motrin Overview

Motrin is the prescription-strength brand-name version of one of the most popular painkilling medications in the world: ibuprofen. It is regularly used by millions of people worldwide for the treatment of mild or moderate pain, inflammation, and to reduce fever. It belongs to a class of drugs called “Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs” or NSAIDs for short. You probably have at least one NSAID in your medicine cabinet: aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen all belong to this popular group of painkillers.

Motrin is prescription-strength ibuprofen, and doctors usually prescribe this medication to treat pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These painful conditions are caused when there are problems with the delicate lining between a person’s joints. Motrin can help reduce a the body’s inflammation response to alleviate pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, recent research has found a link between Motrin and other NSAIDs and several severe, life-threatening birth defects. The researchers are now warning women not to take Motrin or other NSAIDs during pregnancy.

Motrin and Pregnancy

New research has found that there is a slightly increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect when pregnant women took an NSAID, such as Motrin, during pregnancy. The risk is greatest when these women took an NSAID during the first trimester of pregnancy, though there may be risks to an unborn baby if the medication is taken at any time during pregnancy.

The following birth defects have been linked to Motrin and other NSAIDs:

• Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS): ABS is not actually a birth defect, but it can cause a baby to be born without fingers or limbs. ABS is actually a complication that occurs during fetal development. Normally, during fetal development, a baby is surrounded by the amniotic sac. When ABS occurs, parts of this sac detach and form bands, which can then entangle a developing baby. If ABS is not corrected early, a baby can become strangled by the bands, leading to the amputation of fingers or limbs. ABS is 60% more likely to occur in babies born to mothers who took an NSAID during pregnancy.
• Clubfoot: This condition is named after the shape of a baby’s foot when it is born. The foot is turned inward at a sharp angle at the baby’s ankle, resembling a club. The condition is readily treatable — surgery may be an option, though many parents choose a less-invasive, gradual stretching of the baby’s foot. New techniques have been developed using bands and casts to gradually correct the child’s foot position. If the condition is not treated, the child will often have serious impediments when he or she begins learning how to walk.
• Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia: These are birth defects affecting the eye. Both cause blindness and are incurable. Normally, these birth defects are exceptionally rare. But when mothers took an NSAID during pregnancy, the risk of these birth defects increased by a three-fold rate. Anophthalmia is a serious condition in which the baby is born without eyes. Microphthalmia is also a serious condition, and occurs when the baby is born with abnormally small eyes.

• Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate: Oral / facial clefts are some of the most common birth defects that occur in the United States. When the baby is developing in the womb, these birth defects occur when the flesh in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth fails to fuse together. A baby with cleft lip may have just a small notch, or a wide gap that extends into the nose. Similarly, a baby with cleft palate may have a cleft that involves only the hard palate, or both the hard palate and the soft palate. For both cleft lip and cleft palate, the infant often has serious problems eating, swallowing, and forming suction on its mother’s breast. For this reason, babies with clefts are at risk of nutritional deficiencies. Cleft lip and cleft palate were 30-80% more likely to occur when the mother took an NSAID during pregnancy.
• Spina Bifida: This is a severe, life-threatening, and often debilitating birth defect that occurs when the baby is developing in the womb. Normally, in the first few weeks of fetal development, the neural tube closes and protects the spinal cord. In a baby with spina bifida, the neural tube fails to close and the spinal cord is exposed to amniotic fluid in the womb. This causes severe, permanent damage to the spinal cord. Babies with spina bifida often have some level of paralysis. Spina bifida was 60% more likely to occur in babies born to mothers who took an NSAID.

What is the problem with Motrin?

In December 2011, researchers announced the results of a study of more than 20,000 women. The researchers found a link between the maternal use of NSAIDs, such as Motrin, and several several severe birth defects. The researchers looked at data from 15,000 women who had a baby with a birth defect, and compared the data to 5,500 women whose babies had no defects. The researchers then looked for links between the maternal use of medications and more than 29 different birth defects. Though the vast majority of birth defects were not correlated with the maternal use of medications, a few were. This analysis led the researchers to conclude that women should avoid all NSAIDs during pregnancy, and talk to their doctor about what painkillers would be safe to use instead.

Do I have a Motrin Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Motrin induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a baby with a birth defect after taking Motrin, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Motrin Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

What You Can Do & How a Cataflam Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Cataflam induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a baby with a birth defect caused by this medication, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free Cataflam lawsuit consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Cataflam Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Cataflam Overview

Cataflam is primarily a medication used to treat pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is the brand name of the medication “diclofenac.” Cataflam is one brand-name version of diclofenac. Other brand-name versions of diclofenac include: Cambia, Voltaren, Voltarol, and Zipsor. The arthritis medication Arthrotec also contains a combination of diclofenac and another medication.

Cataflam and diclofenac belong to a class of medications known as NSAIDs, which is short for “Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.” You probably have at least one NSAID in your medicine cabinet — this class of drugs are some of the most popular, widely-used medications in existence. Other NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen. Most people use these medications for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. These medications are also useful to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, which is why many people with arthritis take an NSAID.

Unfortunately, new research has found a link between Cataflam and other NSAIDs and some serious, life-threatening birth defects.

Cataflam and Pregnancy

Doctors now recommend that pregnant women avoid taking Cataflam while pregnant, because this medication may slightly increase your risk of having a baby with a birth defect. It has also been linked to serious complications during labor and delivery. The following birth defects have been linked to Cataflam:

• Amniotic band syndrome: This rare but serious complication was 60% more likely to occur when the mother took an NSAID during pregnancy. It is not actually a birth defect, but rather a complication that occurs while the baby is developing in the womb. Parts of the amniotic sac separate, forming bands, which then become tangled around a developing baby. In severe cases, the bands can strangle the baby, and cause the amputation of parts of the infant’s body.
• Clubfoot: This birth defect occurs when a baby’s foot does not form properly. When the baby is born, its foot (or both feet) turn sharply inward at the ankle. This syndrome is called “clubfoot” because the baby’s foot resembles a club. Treatment may involve surgery to correct the tendons and ligaments. If the syndrome is not too severe, the foot may be gradually stretched into the correct position. If the condition is not corrected, it can lead to complications when the baby is beginning to learn how to walk.
• Anophthalmia / Microphthalmia: These are two eye defects that cause a baby to be born blind, and they are not correctible. In anophthalmia, the baby is born without any eyes. In microphthalmia, the baby is born with eyes that are too small to see. These two rare conditions were three times more likely to occur when the mother took an NSAID, such as Cataflam, during pregnancy.
• Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate: These two birth defects are some of the most common birth defects that occur in babies, and they vary widely in severity and treatment. A cleft lip occurs when the flesh of the upper lip does not fuse during fetal development, causing a separation. Sometimes it is just a small notch; other times it is a wide separation that extends into the nose. Cleft palate is a condition in which the roof of the baby’s mouth (involving the hard and/or soft palate) is separated. Cleft palate often causes problems with eating, sucking, and swallowing. Cleft lip and cleft palate were 30-80% more likely to occur when the baby’s mother took an NSAID during pregnancy.
• Spina Bifida: This is a serious, potentially life-threatening birth defect that is often associated with paralysis and other serious complications. Spina bifida was 60% more likely to occur to babies whose mothers took Cataflam or another NSAID during pregnancy. This birth defect occurs during fetal development, when the neural tube fails to close, and there is an abnormal opening at the base of the baby’s skull. The neural tube normally covers and protects the spinal cord. A baby with spina bifida often suffers irreparable damage to the spinal cord, which can cause severe paralysis.

What is the problem with Cataflam?

In December 2011, researchers announced the results of a study of the link between NSAIDs and birth defects. Though the majority of the birth defects the researchers studied were not linked to NSAIDs, a few severe birth defects were associated. The researchers looked at information from 15,000 women who had a baby with a birth defect, and they compared with information to 5,500 women who had a baby without a birth defect. The researchers found that the maternal use of NSAIDs, particularly during the first trimester, was linked to a few severe birth defects. They warned that this does not prove the painkillers are to blame, but it should should serve as a warning to pregnant women. They recommended that women consult their physician before taking any painkillers while pregnant, and they should probably avoid all NSAIDs until more studies are conducted.

Do I have a Cataflam Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Cataflam induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has had a child with a birth defect after taking Cataflam, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Cataflam Lawsuit Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

What You Can Do & How a Wingspan Brain Stent Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Wingspan Brain Stent induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by this medical device, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free Wingspan Brain Stent lawsuit consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Wingspan Brain Stent Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Wingspan Brain Stent Overview

The Wingspan Brain Stent System with Gateway PTA Catheter is a medical device used to open brain blood vessels in patients who have recently had a stroke caused by a narrowing of the brain blood vessels. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, every year at least 55,000 strokes are cased by blockages in the small blood vessels in the brain.

Medical stents already exist for people at risk of blockages in the heart. It was hoped that a similar, smaller device would work for people at risk of blockages in the brain. The Wingspan Brain Stent system is a wire mesh tube that is designed to be used in the small, delicate blood vessels in the brain. It is much smaller than stents that are used in the heart.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration initially approved the device in 2005. It is approved for use in patients who have had at least one stroke and are at risk of having another stroke.

What is the problem with Wingspan Brain Stent System?

The device was approved on the basis of a humanitarian exception, which did not require stringent safety data or solid evidence that the device could prevent strokes. The manufacturer conducted a 45-person trial that lacked a control group to compare whether the brain stents were safer or more effective than other methods.

After the medical device was approved, surgeons used it on thousands of people who were at high risk of suffering a stroke.

In April 2011 — more than six years after the brain stent system started being used on people — the first controlled study was performed on 450 patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: one group received brain stents, and the other group received aggressive treatment with drugs and lifestyle changes. The study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The study was aborted prematurely after researchers found that patients treated with the brain stent had a 2.5-fold increased risk of suffering a stroke or dying within 30 days of surgery. They found that almost 15% of the brain stent patients suffered strokes in the first 30 days, compared with 6% of the people on medical therapy.

Humanitarian Device Exemption

A Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) is a device that is intended to be used to treat, prevent, or diagnose a disease that affects fewer than 4,000 people in the United States every year.

A device approved under the Humanitarian exception is not required to contain the results of a scientifically valid clinical investigation demonstrating that the device is effective for its intended purpose. However, the application must sufficiently show that the device does not pose an unreasonable risk to patients, and the benefits of its use outweigh its risks.

FDA Under Scrutiny for Approving Dangerous Medical Devices

In November 2011, an expert panel at the Institute of Medicine recommended that the FDA overhaul its medical device review process after it failed to establish the safety of less-risky medical devices. The FDA has come under intense scrutiny regarding several medical devices that were later found to be more dangerous than expected (including brain stents, Lap Band, defective hip implants, and transvaginal mesh).

House Democrats have recently called for Congressional hearing regarding Johnson & Johnson’s transvaginal mesh, Allergan’s Lap Band.

Do I have a Wingspan Brain Stent Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Wingspan Brain Stent induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by the Wingspan Brain Stent, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Wingspan Stent System Lawsuit Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

The doctors originally voiced their concerns in 2007 over 12 radiological devices whose effectiveness was not proven and could pose health risks to millions of people.

• Three devices risked missing signs of breast cancer
• One device risked missing signs of osteoporosis, leading to unnecessary treatments
• One ultrasound machine could malfunction and harm an unborn baby
• Several devices for colon cancer screening could accidentally use a much higher dose of radiation, giving cancer to otherwise health patients
• One device that searched for signs of breast cancer. Although doctors, scientists, and their middle-managers recommended against approval, a senior manager approved the device in 2008.

The six doctors and scientists have filed a lawsuit against the FDA in U.S. District Court, based on information they collected under the Freedom of Information Act.

The doctors and scientists worked together in an office and were responsible for reviewing medical devices used for cancer screening and more. Their lawsuit against the FDA accuses the administration of monitoring their personal emails for two years. In January 2009, the FDA intercepted emails between Congressional staffers and the men, including draft versions of a whistle-blower lawsuit.

They were using government computers for personal communications. When they logged on to the government computers, they were met with a prominent warning alert box that clearly said “you have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communications,” and “for any lawful government purpose, the government may monitor, intercept, and search and seize any communication or data.”

The doctors and scientists who filed the lawsuit contend that their actions were lawful. Indeed, they have a legal right to voice their concerns to Congress or journalists.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general, which oversees the FDA operations, found no evidence of criminal misconduct and is not pursuing an investigation against the doctors and scientists.

The lawsuit brings to light just how far this federal agency is willing to go to monitor and surveil its employees. The agency took snapshots of the employees’ computer screens, showing documents and emails, and stored the information.

The news of this lawsuit comes at a time when the FDA is under intense Congressional scrutiny regarding the safety of medical devices. In January 2012, House Democrats began calling for a Congressional Hearing on Johnson & Johnson’s transvaginal mesh and Allergan’s Lap Band. The FDA is under scrutiny regarding several medical products:

• Transvaginal mesh: The companies selling the medical products did not conduct pre-market or post-market safety studies, a lawful exception under the FDA’s 501(k) program. After the products were sold, many people experienced serious complications. The FDA is considering re-classifying the devices.
• DePuy Hip implants: Sold as “custom” devices to avoid safety testing. After people received the implants, they were found to have a high rate of failure.
• Lap-Band: Studies found that 1/3 of patients experience a serious complication, and 40% fail to lose weight with the device.
• Brain Stents: Used to open blocked arteries during cardiac surgery. Patients with the device were found to have twice the rate of strokes and death compared to patients without the stents.

The U.S. Congress has until October 2012 to decide whether they will authorize funding to the FDA review of medical products.

“The committee should hold hearings to examine whether FDA device regulation has been ineffective in protecting the public from dangerous medical devices like the Lap-Band and intravaginal mesh,” Democrats said in a letter to the Republicans. “We need to understand the safety of devices on the market, the tactics device manufacturers and others use to market these devices, and the extent to which these tactics may increase risks.”

How do I contact a Lawyer for a Defective Medical Device Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting medical device induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or experienced a side effect caused by a medical device, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

The woman was abused by a man named Danny Dorosky Sr., a paroled child rapist. Dorosky was released from prison in 1989 after raping two children. The man allegedly befriended the girl’s family and was allowed to live with them. Dorosky started abusing the girl in 1990, when she was 10 years old, and continued abusing her for three more years.

When the girl’s school officials reported that she might be a sexual abuse victim, the Department of Social and Health Services’ Child Protective Services failed to follow-up or adequately protect her from Dorosky.

Dorosky was already on parole for raping two chilren in the 1980s. When he was released, his Parole Board order required intensive management and supervision. One requirement was that Dorosky undergo lie detector tests every 90 days as one way to ensure that he was not in contact with any children. The Department of Corrections never followed up on this requirement.

When the girl’s father contacted law enforcement, police officers arrested Dorosky. He was convicted of child molestation and rape.

The woman who filed the child sexual abuse lawsuit in Washington State says that she buried her awareness of what had happened to her as a child until recently. The memories resurfaced when her own daughter turned 10. She looked up Danny Dorosky’s court records and hired a lawyer who specialized in child sexual abuse. If state employees had acted appropriately to determine whether Dorosky was in contact with children, they could have easily discovered that he was living with a 10 year-old girl, and stopped the abuse.

She hopes that, in the future, Washington State agencies will be more likely to monitor known child rapists who are free in the community. Raping or molesting a child is a crime that has a high likelihood of re-offense. If people who have been convicted of these crimes ever re-enter society, it is imperative that they be monitored. Often, pedophiles will spend many years cultivating their relationships with future victims, grooming them for future abuse. They carefully tend their image as someone who is trustworthy around children, granting them unsupervised access with children.

Danny Dorosky died in 2004.

A lawyer for the woman says that the Department of Corrections and Child Protective Services both had opportunities to protect the woman from sexual abuse, but they both failed over and over again. Though the woman has been awarded $2.35 million in her case, she now seeks an apology from the State.

How do I contact a Lawyer for a Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting child sexual abuse cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been the victim of child sexual abuse, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Sexual Abuse Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

The FTC accuses the men of running fake news sites. When prospective customers were lured onto the sites, they appeared to be objective journalism. Some articles appeared to be written by reporters who were skeptical of the Acai weight-loss claims, but once they tried the product, they experienced miraculous weight-loss without altering their diet or lifestyle.

All six websites have since been taken off the internet.

The companies behind the marketing scheme also spent millions of dollars to buy ad space on reputable sites. When people clicked on the ads, they were taken to the company’s fake “news sites,” where interested customers could then click on commercial sites to buy the Acai weight-loss products. The supplements cost between $70-100 for a supply of diet pills.

Most of the FTC judgment against the men involved in the scheme will be suspended when the agency receives personal financial assets. Because the men violated federal law, they will be required to pay around $500,000 to the FTC. The men who agreed to settle are: Ricardo Jose Labra in Michigan; Zachary S. Graham in Minnesota; Tanner Garrett Vaughn in Washington State; Thou Lee in Minnesota; Carles Dunlevy in Pennsylvania; and Michael Volozin in New York.

The settlement will also require that if the men operate any more “news sites” in the future, they must make it clear when their commercial messages are advertisements so consumers are not misled into believing that they are reading objective journalism on the internet. The men will also be banned from making misleading claims regarding health products and the benefits of dietary supplements.

The action against the individuals involved in the “news sites” follows FTC action against Central Coast Nutraceuticals, which sold Acai berry weight-loss supplements. The company offered “free trials,” but it was nearly impossible not to pay full price once a consumer provided billing information. The Better Business Bureau was flooded with complaints from consumers who had been victims of the scam. An $80 million judgment against Central Coast was suspended when the CEO was forced to pay $1.5 million in person assets to a fund where consumers could then get a refund.

What is Acai?

Acai berries are a dark purple fruit found on a 60-foot species of palm from Central and South America. Some believe that the fruit may have beneficial health properties. However, there is no scientific evidence that the products can help a person lose weight. In fact, there is no scientific evidence linking the acai berry to any health claims, though the products are marketed to treat everything from diabetes to sexual dysfunction.

The Acai products were marketed as “Oprah’s favorite diet secret!” In 2004, there were only four Acai berry products. In 2008, the number had skyrocketed to 53. Profits from acai products exceeded $106 million in 2008. Though the berry does contain antioxidents (molecules that can slow damage caused by the oxidation of other substances in the body) there is no scientific evidence linking the products to weight loss, wrinkle reduction, detoxification, and more. Many of the advertisements claimed Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray advocated acai products, but the women did not endorse the advertisements.

There have only been a few small studies of the Acai berry in humans. One study involved 12 fasting volunteers who consumed one serving of Acai juice or pulp. The patients showed a short-term increase in the antioxidant capacity of the volunteers’ blood. The study only looked at the immediate effect of consuming Acai.

The 12-person sample size in the study was small, and it would be hard to make a valid long-term health claim (like weight loss or improved health) based on this short-term outcome.

How do I contact a Lawyer for an Acai Berry Consumer Fraud Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Acai Berry consumer fraud cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been the victim of consumer fraud regarding Acai berry products, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Consumer Fraud Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.