United States of America

On this page, our national medical malpractice lawyers will look at malpractice cases involving failure to diagnose or delays in diagnosing cancer. Failure to diagnose cancer is one of the most common types of medical malpractice claims in the U.S.

This page will look at what plaintiffs need to show in order to bring a successful case for failing to diagnose cancer. We will also look at the settlement value of these cases.


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In a recent study, researchers found that the drug methotrexate may increase the risk for skin cancer as well as other adverse side effects such as gastrointestinal complications and lung problems.

What is methotrexate?

Methotrexate-based drugs are immunosuppressants that help treat various medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis  rheumatoid arthritis, and severe psoriasis. It functions by interfering with the growth of rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, and by modulating the immune system, reducing inflammation and immune response.

Jury Verdict Research found that the median money damage award in vehicle accident cases in Arizona is $16,929. Plaintiffs win money damages in 53 percent of cases that go to trial.

JVR also breaks down the type of accident: rear-end accidents accounted for 27 percent of the total number of plaintiff verdicts; intersection accidents accounted for 13 percent; turning collisions accounted for 12 percent; truck accidents accounted for 11 percent; chain reaction collisions accounted for 9 percent. All other liabilities made up 8 percent or less of the total.

I’m not sure why truck accidents were given their own category in these type of accidents. But this Arizona verdict data is interesting, and I think reflects the relative proportions of the different types of vehicle accidents nationally.

This page was written in nine years ago but it has 2024 updates in it.  We talk about a lot related to Depakote, including the link it could have to autism.

Depakote

Depakote is not exactly a new drug considering that it was approved by the FDA back in 1978. Since then, it has been approved to treat epileptic seizures and convulsions. The drug soon found itself on the FDA’s radar, prompting them to issue a Black Box warning alerting both patients and doctors of the potential birth defects that the drug may cause. A few years later the FDA specifically warned patients about the possibility of neural tube defects, heart defects, and craniofacial birth defects, while also warning about suicidal thoughts and actions associated with Depakote use. Still, the drug was making too much money for Abbott to voluntarily recall.

A 2010 study really put the nail in the coffin for the drug, confirming that the risk of spina bifida increased nearly twelve-fold for children of women who were taking Depakote at the time of pregnancy. And in 2011 the FDA issued another warning, claiming that there was a correlation between Depakote and diminished cognitive abilities. The warning suggested that children born to mothers who were on the drug also have lower IQs.

The drug was a huge cash cow for AbbVie and Abbott Laboratories, generating around $1.5 billion in sales each year. But considering how closely Depakote was linked to birth defects and other conditions, it is likely that the verdict, in this case, will not be AbbVie’s last for the drug. Millions of people were prescribed Depakote. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done.

The Problem with Depakote

Depakote is a known human teratogen.  Plaintiffs’ lawyers allege that it is associated with a number of congenital malformations and cognitive deficits.  Possible harmful effects include heart defects,  hydrocephalus, craniofacial defects, spinal Bifida, microcephaly, heart defects, limb, and digital defects, urogenital defects, cleft lip and palate,  decreased IQ, mental retardation, and developmental delay.

When do these injuries happen?  Early in the pregnancy.  These malformations generally occur in the first nine weeks of gestation.  Depakote specifically affects cells and neurons, including those which develop the brain, face, and limbs. The thumbs are completely formed by sixteen weeks, but the absolute dysmorphia occurs in the first nine weeks.

After years on the market, the FDA required Abbott to include a “Boxed Warning” alerting doctors and patients – most notably, mothers and women of childbearing age who might become pregnant – of the risk of birth defects as a result of Depakote use. There are also risks on the box now about hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis. These are serious and potentially fatal conditions.

Depakote lawsuits that involve birth defects such as spina bifida, craniofacial defects, cardiovascular malformations, and similar malformations in young children whose moms were taking Depakote when they were pregnant.

A Verdict

A Missouri jury awarded $15,ooo,ooo to the family of a girl who was born with spina bifida, finding that the drug Depakote led to her condition. Specifically, the suit alleged that AbbVie, who also manufactures drugs like AndroGel, failed to sufficiently warn pregnant mothers who were on the drug about the risk of birth defects.

This specific lawsuit was a product liability action brought by a 12-year-old girl and her family after she experienced health problems throughout her entire life. They alleged that AbbVie failed to adequately warn pregnant women about the correlation between Depakote and birth defects. The $15,000,000 verdict is comprised of compensatory damages for the girl’s medical care (which will be required throughout her entire life), along with pain and suffering, and other costs. There is actually a possibility that AbbVie could be responsible for paying millions more in punitive damages in the second phase of the trial that will determine whether AbbVie recklessly endangered the lives of unborn children.

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In the U.S., we have 2 different levels of courts: federal courts and state courts. This page will attempt to explain the difference between federal and state courts.

State Courts

State courts are courts of very general jurisdiction. They have the authority to hear and decide almost any legal issue within the general purview of the state’s authority — which is basically everything. Anything that is governed by state statutory law (as opposed to federal law) is within the authority and jurisdiction of state courts. This includes everything from criminal offenses, divorce, estates, and more.

IVC filters have been linked to an increased risk of fracture which can cause serious injury or death.  The Bard IVC cases have settled do the focus here is on Cordis and Cook IVC filter cases.

The IVC filter lawsuits have been going on for a long time, too long.  Our lawyers frequently get calls from people who are frustrated that their lawyer has “done nothing” to advance their case toward settlement. Our attorneys also get calls from victims who cannot find a lawyer. This page gives you information if you have filed an IVC filter lawsuit or are thinking of filing such a claim.

Our lawyers are not taking new claims. But we do update this page to keep victims informed about the litigation because there is so little current information out there for victims.

Product liability lawsuits are being filed alleging that the popular baby formula Similac caused premature infants to develop a serious gastrointestinal infection called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Our national product liability and mass tort firm is seeking potential Similac lawsuits against the formula manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories Inc., for failure to warn about the risks of NEC associated with Similac.

If you bring a successful baby formula NEC lawsuit, you could receive significant financial compensation.  Our attorneys offer a free online consultation. You can also call us at 800-553-8082.

I’ve struggled to find good numbers in Maine for personal injury verdicts in personal injury cases. I found some data that indicates that the average jury verdict in Maine is a little over $27,000 in personal injury case generally and $15,000. But these statistics are pretty old.

In a slightly more recent study, there were 222 personal injury verdicts in Maine in which the Plaintiff prevailed. These verdicts totaled about $45 million which comes about to an average that is approximately $200,000. What good is this data? Probably not much because the verdicts are self-reporting, which means lawyers eager to publish their successes – both plaintiffs’ and defendants’ lawyers – are unduly represented.

So, ultimately, I don’t have much to tell you about Maine verdicts.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition that is accompanied by changes in muscle tone and posture, both at rest and with voluntary activity. It is usually diagnosed before the age of three and is the result of brain damage.  There is no question that medical malpractice practice causes many cases of cerebral palsy.  In these cases, the child’s cerebral palsy is usually caused by mistakes made during the birthing process.

There are many different types of cerebral palsy. Neurologic classifications of cerebral palsy include spastic (pyramidal) cerebral palsy, dyskinetic (extrapyramidal) cerebral palsy, and mixed types. Spastic cerebral palsy disorders tend to be the most commonly occurring and account for approximately 75% of children affected.

No matter what the type of cerebral palsy, as everyone reading knows, it can come with various other health issues, like seizures, muscle and bone problems, learning disabilities, trouble eating, and difficulties with seeing, hearing, and speaking.

Unfortunately, sexual abuse of minors by sports coaches has become a common occurrence. Victims of sexual abuse by a coach can file civil lawsuits against both the coach and the sports league or responsible organization. On this page, we will look at the basics of a sports coach sex abuse lawsuit.

Our national sex abuse lawyers are accepting sports coach sexual abuse lawsuits across the country. Contact us today at 800-553-8082 if you have been a victim.

Coach Sexual Abuse

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