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Sunday, February 28, 2010

What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Raleigh/ Durham, North Carolina

Your life can be changed forever in a few short seconds if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident. What happens immediately following your accident may help you recover from your accident more quickly and hold those responsible legally liable.

In the event you are involved in a motor vehicle accident some advice to try to remember is to first and foremost seek medical attention even if you do not think you have been injured. Some injury’s symptoms, such as whiplash injuries, take hours or days to surface and can leave you with a life-long disability if left unattended for an extended period of time.

Notify the police so there is an official police report of your accident which may be useful to you in the future in case of a lawsuit. Make sure you obtain vehicle and contact information from all individuals involved in the accident and try to obtain any witness information as well.

It would be very helpful if you could take pictures of the accident that can provide actual photographic evidence of the accident and prevailing conditions of the road and weather at the time that may prove to be of assistance to an accident reconstruction expert.

The motor vehicle accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have many years experience in handling all manner of motor vehicle accident claims and work with experts in every legal and medical field to ensure their clients get the best legal representation available.

If you live in the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina area and you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, please contact The Cochran Firm today to learn how you can protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you need to face the challenges that face you in the future.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:26 AM

Wrongful Death in Mobile, Alabama

A death in the family is a heartbreaking event. A death in the family caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness is heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend and deal with. A wrongful death is a legal term that defines a death due to the negligence or recklessness of another.

A wrongful death claim does not seek to punish the individual responsible for the wrongful death, but seeks financial compensation for the family of the deceased for their losses. Financial compensation for a wrongful death is meant to recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, medical and hospital costs, pain and suffering, loss of income and anticipated earnings, loss of inheritance and benefits and loss of companionship.

A wrongful death can result from a motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, a surgical error, a defective consumer product, nursing home abuse and neglect, a criminal assault or a construction accident.

The wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm will evaluate your claim and make certain you have the best legal representation possible to ensure a successful and just outcome so you can face the challenges ahead with a secure financial future.

If you have lost a family member to a wrongful death, please contact the Mobile, Alabama area office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a no cost to your confidential consultation to learn how to proceed with your wrongful death claim.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:07 AM

Surgical Medical Malpractice in Jackson, Mississippi

Medical mistakes that take place during surgery can happen when a doctor, nurse, anesthesiologist or other member of the surgical team fails in their duty to provide an acceptable standard of care for their patient. A recent report issued by The Institute of Medicine reveals that upwards of ninety-five thousand deaths in the nation’s hospitals can be attributed to medical and surgical mistakes.

A surgical mistake can include the wrong surgical procedure being performed, the wrong surgical site being operated on, medical instruments used during surgery being left inside the patient, organ puncture, unnecessary or unwarranted surgery, delayed or prolonged surgery, anesthesia problems, or a failure to react in a timely manner to problems that arise during or after surgery.

Some of the most common surgical procedures that are at risk for surgical mistakes include a hysterectomy, gall bladder surgery, appendicitis, back surgery, bariatric surgeries including lap band and stomach-stapling procedures and cosmetic surgical procedures.

Since surgical medical malpractice claims are complex and difficult to prove, it is important to contact The Cochran Firm without delay so we can evaluate your surgical medical malpractice claim and determine what compensation you deserve.

If you have been a victim of a surgical mistake in the Jackson, Mississippi area, please contact The Cochran Firm today to discuss your options with an experienced surgical medical malpractice attorney who can protect your legal rights and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:02 AM

Police Brutality in Chicago, Illinois

Police brutality refers to the inappropriate use of excessive force in a situation involving the police and citizens that can include physical, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse. Police brutality or misconduct can include false arrest, intimidation, racial profiling, political repression, surveillance abuse, sexual harassment and police corruption.

Every citizen has the right to expect law enforcement to obey the laws of the constitution and not use police brutality tactics against them or against even those who may be accused of a crime. The majority of victims of police misconduct and brutality are minorities or the so-called working class. A routine traffic stop should not be a matter of life or death for Chicagoans, but in some instances it is exactly that.

When the police abuse their power and cause harm to an individual, the victim can file a police brutality lawsuit. The Cochran Firm has a long standing tradition of civil rights advocacy and is well known for its excellent record of obtaining justice and financial compensation for their clients for insults and injuries incurred by police misconduct or brutality.

If you live in the Chicago, Illinois or surrounding area and you or someone you care about has been the victim of police misconduct or brutality, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a no cost to you confidential consultation with the leader in civil rights advocacy to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 7:33 AM

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Traumatic Brain Injury in Sacramento, California

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually the result of a sudden and violent blow to the head from an automobile accident injury, a fall, a job-related injury, a criminal assault or a sports-related injury.

Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury, also known as a concussion, may include a brief period of unconsciousness, headache, mild confusion and dizziness, blurred vision and some difficulty concentrating for a short time. However, symptoms of a severe traumatic brain injury include a persistent headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, weakness of the extremities, loss of coordination, profound confusion and agitation and the inability to awaken.

A severe traumatic brain injury requires immediate emergency hospitalization and intensive care. The effects of a traumatic brain injury are physically and emotionally challenging and life-altering as well as life-threatening. Victims of a traumatic brain injury will require months and years of emotional, physical and financial support. The traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm are very experienced in handling the complex legal and medical issues involved in a case of traumatic brain injury.

If you live in the Sacramento, California area and you or someone you care about has suffered a traumatic brain injury, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with our attorneys to protect your legal rights and find out if you are entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:29 AM

Defective Consumer Products in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Product liability laws are in place to compensate consumers who have been injured or killed by the use of a defective product while holding the manufacturer and distributor of the defective product legally responsible.

Defective or dangerous consumer products have a history of causing devastating injuries and deaths to thousands of innocent people each year, including infants and children. Defective products have caused severe burns, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, debilitating illnesses and fatalities.

Some common defective consumer products have included toys, cribs, strollers, seatbelts, tires, smoke detectors, pet foods, medical devices, cars, drugs and household appliances. The list of defective consumer products includes thousands of items we use in our everyday lives that put us all at risk for injury and death.

Damages for injuries suffered by consumers while using a defective product include payment for your pain and suffering, lost income, medical expenses, disability and disfigurement, rehabilitation costs and in the event of a wrongful death, funeral and burial expenses and damages to the survivors and beneficiaries of the deceased.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed because of a defective product, you should know the product liability attorneys at The Cochran Firm have years of experience working together as a team so you can benefit from their expertise while they work to protect your legal rights and ensure you obtain the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.

If you have been victimized by a defective consumer product, please contact the Minneapolis, Minnesota office of The Cochran Firm today.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:24 AM

Wrongful Death in Huntsville, Alabama

Wrongful death is a legal term used to describe the death of an individual brought about by the negligence or willful actions of another individual. A wrongful death entitles the survivors and beneficiaries to financial compensation for their loss.

Some examples of a wrongful death are those caused by a motor vehicle accident, a criminal assault, a work-related injury, medical malpractice, a death in a nursing home, or a death caused by a defective product or drug.

Discovering if the death of a loved one was caused by the negligence or willful actions of another individual requires investigation and the knowledge and experience of an attorney with many years successfully litigating wrongful death claims like those at The Cochran Firm. A wrongful death attorney familiar with the laws and statutes of the state of Alabama will handle your claim efficiently and without delay.

Financial compensation for the survivors and beneficiaries may include damages for medical, funeral and burial costs, payment for the deceased’s pain and suffering prior to death, the loss of financial support for the survivors and loss of future earning potential of the victim.

The experienced wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm in Huntsville, Alabama are dedicated to assisting those suffering the loss of a loved one. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to protect your legal rights at this sad time in your life and to ensure those responsible for your loss are held legally and financially responsible.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 7:57 AM

Automobile Accidents and DUI in Birmingham, Alabama

Automobile accidents caused by drivers operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medications (DUI) are responsible for the death of an American every thirty minutes of every day.

Substances that affect your coordination impair or distort your vision, and slow normal reaction times when behind the wheel such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin or prescription medications such as sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and other depressants cause many motor vehicle accidents that are responsible for serious injuries and deaths.

Alcohol and drug impaired drivers make a choice to drive under the influence that impacts the lives of countless innocent people every day. Car accident-related fatalities of one in five young people under the age of fourteen can be attributed to alcohol and drugs as a causative factor.

The trauma sustained in an automobile accident involving alcohol or drugs is often devastating to the spinal cord or head because along with the alcohol and drugs, excessive speed and head-on collisions are typically implicated. Victims of impaired drivers suffer a physical, emotional and financial toll that demands financial compensation for their suffering.

The automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have years of experience handling DUI cases for their clients and will work diligently for you to protect your legal rights and obtain the justice and financial compensation you deserve to help you cope with the challenges you may face in the future.

If you have been victimized by an alcohol or drug impaired driver, please contact the Birmingham, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 7:28 AM

Friday, February 26, 2010

US DoJ Files Charges against Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific's Guidant division was charged on Thursday by the US Department of Justice for reportedly not fully disclosing problems with implantable heart defibrillators. These misdemeanor charges come three months after Boston Scientific and the Department of Justice reached a nearly $300 million agreement to settle an investigation into the Guidant defibrillators. Both the DoJ and Boston Scientific claim the latest charges are part of the settlement and that a plea agreement has already been signed, and will be filed later on.

Guidant discovered in 2002 that one of its models, the Ventak Prizm 2 DR, was defective. The device arced, keeping it from responding correctly when a patient suffered an irregular heart rhythm. Though the design was changed, Guidant admitted that the safety and effectiveness of the device was not affected. In 2004, there were problems with two other Guidant devices. The DoJ says that a patient's death that year was the result of a short circuit in their heart device.

Guidant allegedly knew that the instructions responding to a short circuit were misleading and false. They sent out a product update after this, but Guidant broke the law by not notifying the FDA about the change within ten days.

Class I recalls were then issued for all three Guidant devices in June 2005. This is the most serious type of recall since there is a reasonable chance that the defective device can cause serious injury or death.

Boston Scientific acquired Guidant in 2006, beating out Johnson & Johnson.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a defective medical device, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Cochran Firm for an initial case consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:41 AM

Automobile Accidents due to Defective Vehicles in Atlanta, Georgia

Automobiles with defects that have provoked lawsuits recently have included, but are not limited to gas pedals that stick or are responsible for unwanted acceleration, fuel system defects that cause fires and explosions, wiring and electronic defects that cause multiple problems, brake failures, faulty airbags and vehicle rollovers.

Vehicles with defective parts or a defective design can result in accidents, injuries and fatalities. The individuals legally responsible for damages include the car manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, the distributor of the defective vehicle parts and the car dealership.

The legal issues of liability are complex when an injury or wrongful death is caused by a defective vehicle or defective car part. The experienced defective vehicle attorneys at The Cochran Firm will guarantee you receive excellent legal representation and fair compensation from those responsible for your injuries. An important point to remember is that your vehicle is considered evidence and must be treated as such to be examined by an expert who will be asked to testify to their findings at trial. You have no case if your vehicle evidence is lost to mishandling or ineffective examination.

If you live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and you or someone you love was injured or killed in an accident caused by a defective vehicle or defective car part, please contact the highly skilled attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to protect your legal rights and the interests of those you love.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 7:19 AM

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Trains Collide in Belgium, Killing 18 and Injuring 55

Two trains collided head-on in the town of Halle; at the time of this writing, the cause of the collision is still unknown. It was snowing at the time of the crash but not a great deal of snow was coming down. It took about 30 minutes for rescue crews to arrive at the horrific scene; some passengers did not even know there had been a head-on crash.

The collision occurred during the morning rush hour.

Nine years ago, eight people died in a train collision in Belgium. It was suggested that the cause of the crash was a language issue between a French-speaking signalman and a Flemish-speaking one.

Monday's train collision is one of the deadliest train accidents in Europe.

If you have suffered or if a loved one has been killed in a train accident anywhere in the United States, the experienced train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help.

posted by Tiffany at 4:53 PM

Two Killed in Snowy Highway Auto Accident

A 35-year-old mother and her 10-year-old son were killed in an auto accident on a snowy highway in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. The father was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The auto accident occurred heading eastbound on Interstate 80 late in the afternoon. The woman's SUV lost control in the snowy conditions and went down an embankment. The mother and her son died at the scene of the accident. Two others were in the accident, including an infant. They were taken to the hospital for treatment, but there is no update on their condition.

Snowy weather and winter driving conditions often increase the likelihood of an auto accident, making highway driving much more dangerous during this time of the year. It is important to reduce your speed on snowy and icy roads, especially when visibility is poor. Also, by driving more defensively, you will be better able to react to the hazardous conditions on the road, such as skidding vehicles and collisions.

If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by the negligence of another driver, the experienced auto accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Please contact
our auto accident attorneys today to schedule your initial consultation. The Cochran Firm serves clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:52 AM

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Poultry Companies Sued Over Waste Disposal

Oklahoma has sued 14 poultry companies in both Oklahoma and Arkansas over pollution of the Illinois river watershed. That watershed is shared by the two states and Oklahoma’s attorney general, one Drew Edmondson, claims that phosphorous from poultry litter runoff has stimulated the growth of algae, depleted oxygen and could kill certain types of fish.

Green is Good?

As a college student, he says, he was able to stand in the Illinois river up to his chest and see his toes.

  • "I've seen it change," Edmondson says. "It's nice to have green land. It's not so nice to have green rivers."

Green land is what poultry farmer Gene Pharr claims credit for, saying that the chicken droppings that were spread in the Ozarks have created a lush green area; and further, of course, that the poultry industry has brought a lot of prosperity to northwestern Arkansas.

If the poultry industry is targeted by attorneys who put chicken waste on the same level as industrial solvents or pesticides, says Pharr, “We could see the loss of this industry to this country.” Pharr has 125,000 chickens, which is a fraction of the area’s $2 billion industry.

Poultry Partners

The poultry farmers have joined together in a group called Poultry Partners to help each other. The lawsuit was filed June 13 and seeks money to clean up the river. Plaintiff lawyers are from a South Carolina firm that filed lawsuits against tobacco companies.

  • "The poultry industry is not the tobacco industry, and poultry litter is not a hazardous waste," says Janet Wilkerson of Peterson Farms, a spokeswoman for the companies.

The Arkansas farmers are asking why, instead of suing them, Oklahoma doesn’t seek more regulations. In their view, any money available should be spent on better ways to use poultry waste, such as in generating electricity or composting.

The lawsuit has been creating bad feelings between the two states. According to the lawsuit, Oklahoma has 508 chicken farms in the Illinois river watershed whereas Arkansas has 2,363. Between them, they are adding phosphorous waste equivalent to what 10.7 million residents would add per year. Defendant lawyers claim that the water pollution is caused by twelve wastewater treatment plants in the area and by runoff from local cattle waste.

Edmondson is targeting the chicken companies, rather than the farmers, for money to finance a cleanup. However, one Bev Saunders, who, with her husband, raises broiling chickens in Oklahoma, says:

  • "If the companies don't survive, we don't survive. If we don't survive, it could have a drastic impact on America's food supply."

There are many lawsuits nationwide over perceived harm done by farmers, such as the odor from hog farms and the waste from dairy farms. This suit will play itself out, like all lawsuits, and no doubt, somehow, the Illinois river will end up being clean again.

If you have been hurt by the way someone else maintains their property, you could have a valid premises liability claim. To learn more about your legal position, please contact our office for a free case review.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 3:30 PM

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

FDA May Consider Avandia a Defective Drug, Remove It from Market

A little more than a week after the announcement of a Harvard University study on the risks of Avandia, The New York
Times is reporting that the FDA plans to consider removing the popular but potentially deadly diabetes drug from the market. The Times cites confidential reports by a number of doctors that recommend the drug be removed from the market, reports that say as many as 300 heart failures a month could be prevented by switching people to a different diabetes drug, Actos. One report definitively recommends that "Rosiglitazone [the active ingredient in Avandia] should be removed from the market." The reports stress that the drug offers no real benefits for the increased risk, making it an unnecessarily dangerous drug.

However, the agency is not in complete agreement. Apparently, there is an internal battle in the agency over the safety of Avandia, despite the mounting evidence of Avandia's heart attack risk. To resolve the dispute, FDA scientists have scheduled a meeting for later this year to make recommendations about the drug.

Pressure may be mounting for the agency to do something. Yesterday, the US Senate issued the results of its two-year investigation into the conduct of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the drug company that manufactures and markets Avandia. The damning report says that GSK tried to intimidate scientists and deliberately misrepresent medical data to protect the profitability of the blockbuster drug, whose worldwide sales peaked at $3.2 billion in 2006. Concurrently, the FDA issued its own statement, stressing that guidelines for the drug's use have not changed and that people should not stop taking Avandia without first talking to their doctors.

GSK denies that it has ever tried to intimidate scientists, saying instead that it "welcomes and supports open and independent scientific debate about its products," and adds that 164 independent clinical trials have failed to find an association between Avandia and heart attacks. However, as new studies continue to pile up, they all seem to point to one conclusion: Avandia increases the risk of heart attacks, something the US Senate says GSK knew and tried to suppress.

If you have been injured by a pharmaceutical drug like Avandia, you are facing a tough battle against a multibillion-dollar, multinational corporation like GlaxoSmithKline. You can improve your odds of success by working with a nationwide network of lawyers that has significant resources and experience with pharmaceutical injury lawsuits. The Cochran Firm is such a law firm, and we are dedicated to fighting for you. For a free case evaluation, please call or email us today.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:29 AM

Monday, February 22, 2010

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is a term used to describe errors that occur in a medical setting that result in injury or death to the patient. Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is harmed by a health care professional who fails to competently perform his/her duties.

Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in this country after heart disease and cancer. According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 250,000 people die each year in the United States due to the consequences of medical malpractice.

Examples of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice may take many forms and can include but not be limited to the following:

Unnecessary surgery
Medication errors
Infections contracted in hospital
Improper treatment
Misdiagnoses
Birth injury

When an illness or injury compels you to seek medical advice, you assume the years of training and experience healthcare professionals possess will result in good care and treatment. However, errors and mistakes are possible and do happen. Damage or harm can occur if you are the victim of negligence or medical malpractice.

Misdiagnoses

Breast cancer, lung cancer, colo-rectal cancer, heart attack, and appendicitis are the top five diseases or conditions involved in medical malpractice lawsuits. Misdiagnosis is the leading allegation in these cases. Misdiagnosis causes a delay in treatment; therefore, a poor prognosis and even death can result.
Compensation in medical malpractice cases can include damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses and quality of life. If the medical malpractice results in death, the family and heirs can also receive compensation.

To receive compensation, the patient or family must demonstrate the medical malpractice caused damages and the damages can be assessed a value. Every case is different, and the amount of damages must be determined by a case by case basis.

Regardless of where you live in the United States, the experienced and compassionate medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm, with offices nationwide, have the resources to fight your case and get you the justice and compensation you deserve following the medical mistake that resulted in your suffering or the suffering of a loved one.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:45 AM

Friday, February 19, 2010

FDA Calls for Warning Label on Four Asthma Drugs

In an effort to lower risks and complications that lead to hospitalization or death for asthma sufferers, the Food and Drug Administration has called for limits to four of these drugs. The manufacturers for Advair, Foradil, Serevent, and Symbicort must now add warning labels to their product on these long-lasting bronchial drugs.

The asthma medication contains long-acting beta agonists, called LABAs, as well as inhaled corticosteroids. The FDA has urged physicians to move away from LABAs and use only corticosteroids or other asthma-relieving medication on their patients. If patients cannot control their asthma in any other way, they should use LABAs for the shortest amount of time possible. The FDA states LABAs should never be used to treat asthma alone in adults and children. The agency states that around 95% of LABA users combine products to treat their asthma.

In addition to treating the asthma of millions of people, LABAs are also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial spasms due to exercise.

Clinical trials show that LABAs carry an increased risk of actually aggravating asthma symptoms. They relax bronchial muscles to allow more air flow, and provide immediate relief to asthma sufferers. However, they do not address the underlying inflammation, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.

While the FDA has told manufacturers to add warning labels, they do not advocate pulling LABAs. Instead, they say the products are useful, but a conservative approach should be used to treat America's nearly 23 million asthma sufferers.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective pharmaceutical, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:41 AM

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Colleague Alleges Murtha Death Attributed to Surgical Error

A longtime friend of former Pennsylvania Congressman, John Murtha, alleges that Murtha's large intestine was damaged during gallbladder surgery; the complication, according to Representative Bob Brady from Pennsylvania, led Murtha to be hospitalized. The surgery had been performed a few days earlier at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Murtha, a longtime Congressman and critic of the war in Iraq, passed away at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. Brady said Murtha had an infection with a fever when he was admitted on January 31, 2010; he died February 8, 2010.

Approximately 30% of all gall bladder surgeries are performed laparoscopically (known as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy), and this procedure is one of the most oft-performed surgeries in the U.S. However, as with any surgery, there are risks and complications can arise during and after surgery, leading to further injury and even death. If you have been a victim or a loved one has died due to a surgical error, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Although no medical malpractice claim has been formally made in this case, there are thousands of these cases in the United States each year. According to surgerymalpractice.com, a staggering 225,000 people die each year due to medical errors, making medical negligence the third leading cause of death in American adults after heart disease and cancer.

If you feel you may have a valid medical malpractice claim, please contact the experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm today; we have offices nationwide and surely have one near you. In Pennsylvania, we have an office in Philadelphia.

posted by Tiffany at 2:07 PM

Couple Killed in Drunk Driving Auto Accident

A 19-year-old girl killed two people in a drunk driving auto accident just outside of Las Vegas. The crash occurred on Tuesday at about noon.

When police arrived at the scene, they noticed the driver had a strong smell of alcohol on her breath and bloodshot eyes. The girl's speech was slurred, and she could not perform standard field sobriety tests. When tested, her blood alcohol content was .267, more than three times the legal limit.

Prior to the fatal auto accident, the girl was involved in a hit-and-run with another vehicle. That vehicle's driver followed her while he notified the police. He said she appeared to be falling asleep at the wheel, and she was crossing over lane lines and hit a median. She eventually crashed into an SUV, killing both people in the vehicle. One victim was ejected from the SUV, and the other had to be pulled out by firefighters.

If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, the attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Please contact our auto accident lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:28 AM

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Jury Awards $25 Million to Accutane User

Back in 1995, one Andrew McCarrell, aged 23 at the time, began using Accutane, a drug for acne. He became ill and had to have five surgeries, one of which, in 1996, was to remove his colon. He had developed inflammatory bowel disease. Before he began taking Accutane, he was a college football player in robust health.

What is Accutane?

Accutane (Isotretinoin) is made by the Swiss pharmaceutical company, Roche Holding AG. It is a form of Vitamin A designed to reduce the amount of oil produced by the skin’s oil glands and to help the skin renew itself. Accutane is usually used for severe acne after other medications have failed to be effective. For most users, Accutane is highly effective and no further acne treatment is needed.

The company began selling Accutane in 1982 and over 13 million people began using it immediately. It can only be obtained by registering in a special program called iPLEDGE, where you sign statements saying that you understand Accutane’s dangers and that you agree to use birth control while you are on Accutane. Accutane can cause major birth defects and should not be taken by a pregnant woman. Pregnancy testing is required by the iPLEDGE program.

The Risks of Accutane

Accutane has been connected to birth defects and depression and more recently with a rare but very painful skin condition called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). In SJS, the top skin layer dies and peels off, exposing the person to a severe risk of infection. The patient must be hospitalized in a burn unit for treatment. SJS is fatal in about three percent of cases.

Since Accutane works by inhibiting oil gland production, skin and mucous membranes over the entire body are affected. That gives rise to many side effects such as:

  • Dry and itching skin
  • Eye irritation
  • Decreased night vision
  • Increased sensitivity to the sun’s rays
  • Dry nose and lips
  • Intestinal and urinary problems

Most of the side effects are minor but in McCarrell’s case, the intestinal problems became major. He won a jury award in 2007 for $2.62 million but an appeals court overturned it and ordered a new trial.

The Sixth Accutane Jury Award

Yesterday, McCarrell won $25 million. He is the sixth Accutane user to win a jury award on the basis that Roche failed to warn users of the drug’s dangers (although one award, for $7.2 million has been overturned). Roche is facing about 1,000 other lawsuits and withdrew Accutane from the market in 2009.

McCarrell’s nine jurors deliberated for 3.5 hours to arrive at their decision. They also awarded McCarrell $159,000 to cover his past medical expenses. The jurors were not unanimous about whether Roche had failed to provide adequate warnings. Two of them regarded the warnings as adequate.

“It was all about the wording on the label,” said juror Vince Packer. “It didn’t give a clear-cut explanation as to what you can get by taking this drug. That’s my issue -- was it properly labeled?”

No doubt the labeling issue will be central in the remaining 1,000 or so lawsuits that remain to be tried.

If you have been harmed by a defective drug – whether defective in its medical effects or its labeling – you may have a valid claim. Please contact us if you would like to schedule a free case review. Our offices are nationwide for your convenience.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 10:09 AM

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Addressing a Flaw in Product Liability Law

Every year tens of thousands of Americans are killed by defective consumer products. Once a defective product becomes known to the manufacturer and marketer, they are supposed to initiate a recall. Unfortunately, recalls are not one hundred percent effective (at best, recalls tend to be about 70% effective and many are only 30% effective). Even after a recall has been initiated many people continue to be injured or killed by a recalled defective product. In fact, some people buy products new after a recall of that product, not knowing the product is actually defective.

No one should buy a product that is known to be defective. Retailers have a responsibility to protect consumers by getting recalled items off their shelves, but currently they have no legal liability to enforce that responsibility. Under current product liability law, retailers are protected from lawsuits over defective products, even after that product has been recalled, which means that they have nothing to lose in continuing to sell defective products.

In many ways, protecting retailers makes sense. They are middlemen and cannot be expected to understand the working of every product they sell. But they can and should be expected to pay attention to product recalls. One of the main problems limiting the effectiveness of product recalls is that the manufacturer does not have contact with end consumers, but lines of communication always exist between manufacturers and retailers, and most retailers play an important part in product recalls. Those who fail to their customers should bear some legal responsibility.

Changing this flaw in the product liability law may be a long time coming. In the meantime, The Cochran Firm is prepared to seek compensation for your defective product injury from those who have legal liability, the manufacturers. Please call or email us today for a free consultation.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:29 AM

Monday, February 15, 2010

Trains Collide in Belgium, Killing 18 and Injuring 55

Two trains collided head-on in the town of Halle; at the time of this writing, the cause of the collision is still unknown. It was snowing at the time of the crash but not a great deal of snow was coming down. It took about 30 minutes for rescue crews to arrive at the horrific scene; some passengers did not even know there had been a head-on crash.

The collision occurred during the morning rush hour.

Nine years ago, eight people died in a train collision in Belgium. It was suggested that the cause of the crash was a language issue between a French-speaking signalman and a Flemish-speaking one.

Monday’s train collision is one of the deadliest train accidents in Europe.

If you have suffered or if a loved one has been killed in a train accident anywhere in the United States, please contact the experienced train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm; we can help.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:48 AM

Friday, February 12, 2010

Toyota in Process of Fixing Gas Pedal Defect

Toyota has found a solution to the sticking gas pedal defect that caused millions of its most popular vehicles to be recalled; the nation's number one seller, the Camry, was included in the massive recall. The solution involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a way that eliminates friction that caused the accelerators to stick. Replacement parts are being shipped to dealers and employees will be working around the clock to fix the defective vehicles. Owners of the defective vehicles will be contacted as early as this week and will be told when to bring their vehicle in for repairs. Toyota will cover all costs to fix the defect.

The repair, which involves installing a steel reinforcement bar into the accelerator pedal assembly to reduce surface tension and prevent friction, only takes about thirty minutes. Dealerships will be open seven days a week, extended hours to get all vehicles fixed in a timely manner.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a defect in a vehicle or some other product, please contact the defective product attorneys at The Cochran Firm, with offices nationwide, today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.

posted by Tiffany at 3:49 PM

Tennessee Juvenile Detention Center Settles Wrongful Death Claim for $10.5 Million

The Chad Youth Enhancement Center in Ashland, Tennessee recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the mother of Manny Leach, a Philadelphia teenager who died while residing in the juvenile detention center. Leach's death resulted from an incident where two guards allegedly used an inappropriate choke hold while attempting to restrain him.

Leach was the second teenager to die at Chad. The juvenile detention center has been criticized by officials from several states due to numerous incidents where treatment of residents was deemed overly harsh. Leach's lawyers claimed that Chad has a history of using excessive force in restraining residents, failing to comply with state reporting requirements for injured residents, and improperly screening, training, and disciplining its employees. The lawsuit also claims that the two men responsible for Leach's death, Randall Rae and Milton Francis, should never have been hired, were never adequately trained, and should have been disciplined or terminated for previous incidents.

During the incident resulting in Leach's death, Rae threw the teenager to the ground, pinned his arms behind his back, and started choking him. Eventually, Francis arrived at the scene and assisted in restraining Leach. By the time a nurse arrived, Leach was not breathing and had no pulse. The entire incident was documented on a surveillance camera.

While a medical examiner ruled Leach's death a homicide, a Tennessee grand jury failed to bring charges against Rae and Francis.

Chad agreed to settle for $10.5 million before the case went to trial. However, there was no admission of liability as part of the settlement agreement.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of the negligent actions of another, please contact
the wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 10:05 AM

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Security Guards Did Nothing to Stop Seattle Bus Tunnel Beating

Four people robbed and beat a 15-year-old girl last month in a bus tunnel in Seattle, Washington while three unarmed security guards did nothing to stop it. The whole incident was caught on surveillance video, and shows the victim on the ground as she is repeatedly kicked in the head.

It's maddening enough that the three security guards did nothing, but even more so that they were actually following orders. As the girl sought out protection from the guards during the attack, she figured they'd help her. According to the guards' orders, their job is simply to "observe and report" to police. While police did show up, they came after the robbery and attack.

Fight Began as Menacing Elsewhere

The entire incident actually began in a nearby Macy's. Police saw the beginning of events unfold there, and kicked out the alleged robbers and the victim. The victim reports she even asked the officers to escort her to the bus tunnel, but the officers refused. When she went to the tunnel and sought out the guards, she was followed by the group, jumped, beaten and robbed. The victim says she lost consciousness during the attack, but refused going to a doctor for treatment.

One of the four people arrested, an 18-year-old man, claims the situation began when the victim pepper sprayed another person in his group earlier in the evening.

A Seattle police spokesman states that if the officers realized what was going to happen, they would have put the girl in a cab and paid for her to safely get home. A King County Sheriff's deputy said the guards not only followed their training, but were right in doing so. He states, "It was a violent fight, and they were outnumbered by this pack of people 3 to 1."

Four attackers versus three guards with police backup counts as "outnumbered" in Seattle?

Contracted Security Guards

The security guards are employees of Olympic Security Services, Inc., which has a contract with Metro Transit and the King County Sheriff's Office. Their duties are to help customers, report suspicious objects, equipment problems, and disruptive behavior. After this, the company is revising its contract to add when it is appropriate for their employees to intervene. Other options may be to hire armed guards.

The main attacker, a juvenile girl, faces over two years in juvenile detention. An 18-year-old faced 36 to 48 months in prison, and two 20-year-olds face 31 to 41 months in prison.

It is assumed by the public that security guards are there to do more than watch and report when things go wrong. In this case, there may have been a want on the security guards' part to intervene, but they were not allowed. Still, if these people can't save a 15-year-old girl from being severely beaten, what good are they?

If you or a loved one has been assaulted in a public place that should be safe, please contact the premises liability attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:26 AM

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Colleague Alleges Murtha Death Attributed to Surgical Error

A longtime friend of former Pennsylvania Congressman, John Murtha, alleges that Murtha’s large intestine was damaged during gallbladder surgery; the complication, according to Representative Bob Brady from Pennsylvania, led Murtha to be hospitalized. The surgery had been performed a few days earlier at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Murtha, a longtime Congressman and critic of the war in Iraq, passed away at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. Brady said Murtha had an infection with a fever when he was admitted on January 31, 2010; he died February 8, 2010.

Approximately 30% of all gall bladder surgeries are performed laparoscopically (known as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy), and this procedure is one of the most oft-performed surgeries in the U.S. However, as with any surgery, there are risks and complications can arise during and after surgery, leading to further injury and even death. If you have been a victim or a loved one has died due to a surgical error, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Although no medical malpractice claim has been formally made in this case, there are thousands of these cases in the United States each year. According to surgerymalpractice.com, a staggering 225,000 people die each year due to medical errors, making medical negligence the third leading cause of death in American adults after heart disease and cancer.

If you feel you may have a valid medical malpractice claim, please contact the experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm today; we have offices nationwide and surely have one near you. In Pennsylvania, we have an office in Philadelphia.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 7:49 AM

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Truck Crash Kills Driver, up to 100 Animals North of Miami

Late Monday night, a driver heading south on US 27 in Broward County lost control of his semi truck carrying sheep, pigs, goats, and chickens. The truck then jackknifed across the highway and stalled. Instead of setting up reflective triangles, the driver either left the scene of the accident or attempted to signal other drivers with a flashlight (reports are contradictory). When another truck came south, it either did not see the truck or the signal or was unable to stop. It struck the truck and trailer in a deadly truck accident unlike anything seen in Broward County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The driver of the second truck and dozens of animals were killed. Dozens more animals were wounded. Truck parts and wounded animals lay strewn across southbound US 27. As emergency crews arrived, the surviving animals cried out in pain and confusion. Those that could still move were running around randomly. Groups of animals headed north and south. Some escaped into the everglades, and could be heard bleating overnight. Emergency crews, animal control, and volunteers helped to gather the animals. Some were placed in a temporary corral until they could be removed to a nearby farm. In addition to those killed immediately, many were badly wounded and had to be euthanized. Overall, as many as 100 animals may have died at the scene. Animal bodies were heaped alongside the road, which remained closed through the morning. Most escaped animals are believed to have been caught, but drivers are still urged to use caution.

This deadly truck accident could have been prevented. There is no information as to why the first truck driver lost control of his truck and entered a jackknife. Why did this driver not protect the area with reflective triangles, trying instead to use a flashlight to warn the oncoming driver? Some reports indicated that the driver was transporting animals to his own farm, and that he may have been a less experienced truck driver. His inexperience may have contributed to the jackknife and his questionable measures to alert the oncoming truck.

If you lost a loved one in a truck accident that could have been prevented, the lawyers of the Miami, Florida office of The Cochran Firm can help. Please contact us today for a free initial consultation.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 12:26 PM

Monday, February 8, 2010

Avandia, Actos, and Heart Attacks

Avandia and Actos are both drugs for treating type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Avandia is offered by the British company GlaxoSmithKline and Actos is offered by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. with Eli Lilly & Co. They have both been found to increase the risk of heart failure and in 2007, the FDA required them to have a black box warning to that effect. A black box warning is the strongest FDA warning.

They belong to a class of diabetes drugs (called thiazolidinediones or glitazones) that work by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Another drug in this class was Rezulin, which was withdrawn from the market in 2000 for causing liver disease fatalities.

In 2007, The Avandia and Actos companies separately issued warnings that their drugs can also increase the risk of broken bones in women.

A Harvard Study

The American Diabetes Association is planning to publish a study done recently by a group of Harvard researchers. The study covered the years from 2000 to 2006 and focused on the medical records of 26,375 diabetic patients who took Avandia. They were all patients at Boston area clinics and hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

The study compared this group with another group in the same time period who took Actos. Researchers were looking for reports of heart attack (myocardial infarction) and they found such reports nearly twice as often for patients on Avandia as for those on Actos.

Separate and Similar Studies

  1. In a separate study done by GlaxoSmithKline and i3 Drug Safety (a drug safety firm), researchers found that the risk of heart attack among Avandia users is increased by 35 percent to 41 percent over that for Actos users. This study used the medical records of 47,501 patients for each of the two drugs and covered the years 2000 to 2007. It will be published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics shortly.
  2. In 2003, the Mayo Clinic published the results of their Actos and Avandia study. This was a much smaller study but it involved live patients. The six patients had type 2 diabetes and took either Actos or Avandia. They all went to an emergency room complaining of congestive heart failure symptoms (shortness of breath, weight gain, swollen feet) and four of them also had chronic kidney trouble.

As a result of this study, The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association have issued guidelines for use of the glitazone group of drugs. They are warning the public that if you have mild heart disease or any kidney problems and you take any of these drugs, you may have increased risk of developing congestive heart failure.

About 13,000 people have filed claims against GlaxoSmithKline after using Avandia and suffering a heart attack. An unknown number have also filed against Eli Lilly and Takeda. However, the FDA has so far refused to order these drugs withdrawn from the market.

If you have been harmed by a defective drug and are wondering whether you might have a valid legal claim against the drug manufacturer, please contact our law firm today. Our lawyers work out of offices nationwide and we will be happy to schedule a free case review for you.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 12:13 PM

Friday, February 5, 2010

Harvard Study Confirms Avandia’s Risk of Heart Attacks

A group of Harvard researchers recently released a study to be published by the American Diabetes Association that lends support to the mounting allegations against the drug Avandia. The study, which analyzed clinical care data from 26,375 diabetes patients between 2000 and 2006, found that diabetic patients taking Avandia suffered more than twice as many heart attacks as patients taking other diabetes medications.

This figure is higher than the study sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical company that produces Avandia. The GlaxoSmithKline study revealed that Avandia users have a 35-41% greater likelihood of suffering a heart attack compared with users of other diabetes medications.

The Harvard study provides compelling evidence that taking Avandia does in fact place a patient at a greater risk for heart attacks. Yet surprisingly, Avandia has not been taken off the market.

More than 13,000 Avandia users have filed pharmaceutical injury lawsuits against the company after suffering heart attacks and other serious injuries caused by taking the dangerous drug. The lawsuits claim that GlaxoSmithKline failed to adequately warn patients of the increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of taking Avandia, the defective drug lawyers at The Cochran Firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. The Cochran Firm serves clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 10:02 AM

Thursday, February 4, 2010

2010 Toyota Prius Added to Defective Auto List

Earlier this week, Toyota announced that over seven million vehicles were affected by the defective gas pedal situation. Now, the auto company has announced that the 2010 Prius has problems of its own. Rather than the gas pedal, the Prius has problems with its antilock braking system. Consumers report trouble braking on uneven or slick surfaces, even at low speed, which increases the likelihood of an accident. So far, no one has reported an accident due to brake malfunctions.

The Prius, touted as the flagship vehicle for Toyota, has a waiting list of interested consumers for the green technology and advanced engineering. The Prius, according to an auto industry analyst and Prius owner, should be the company's "gold standard;" the vehicle that will probably one of the top vehicles purchased globally into the foreseeable future. However, it has joined Toyota's other models in the defective automobile category until this problem can be cleared up.

The Prius brake problem is not part of the mounting problem with the gas pedal. While that defective part was manufactured in the US, the brake pedal for the Prius is manufactured in Japan. As of this writing, there are less than 150 reported problems with the brakes.

There are virtually no reports of trouble with the brakes on 2004-2009 Prius models. One reason may be because the 2010 Prius has a new kind of regenerative brake system. Regenerative braking uses energy from the wheels to recharge the vehicle's battery. Hybrid vehicles, including the Prius, use a variety of electronic systems that combine conventional brake pads with regenerative braking, but stopping the vehicle uses brake pads more than the regenerative system.

The braking problem with the Prius, as well as the gas pedal problem on eight other models put Toyota in a position where it must defend its safety record, once one of the safest records around.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to a defective part, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 7:38 AM

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

NTSB Reports Pilot Error to Blame for Fatal Commuter Airplane Accident

In a rare blunt assessment, the National Transportation Safety Board said the pilot was to blame for the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 on February 12 of last year, killing 50 people, including one on the ground. Investigators said that the pilot responded "with startle and confusion," wasting crucial seconds before acting. Then, when the pilot acted, he acted inappropriately, worsening the situation and dooming the plane. In addition, the copilot did not either call out the situation to alert the pilot to appropriate action or perform appropriate action to override the pilot to prevent the aviation accident.

Investigators agreed that the crash of Flight 3407, owned and operated by Colgan Air, Inc., was caused by a stall, and to correct a stall the pilot should have pushed the control column forward, while calling out "stall," but instead he pulled back. The copilot also did not call out the stall, and she did not push the control column forward, overriding the pilot. Investigators say the pilot had 27 seconds between when the stall warning occurred and the plane's recorders stopped, probably on impact.

Investigators said that the pilot and copilot were too casual and relaxed about the flight, and maintained a constant stream of dialogue, in violation of aviation's general consensus on a "sterile cockpit" where conversation is kept to a minimum. One of the investigators said, "It was as if the flight was just a means for the captain to conduct a conversation with this young first officer." Investigators blamed this constant conversation for reducing the awareness of the pilots to the plane's situation. The conversation made them slow to respond and led them to squander vital seconds before responding to the situation.

In addition, it was revealed that the pilot had previously had problems with the exact situation that led to the crash of Flight 3407. Before joining Colgan, the pilot had failed three pilot tests, although he only disclosed one on his application. In addition, he had failed two similar tests during his career at Colgan. His performance on these failed tests indicated that he had trouble with landing stalls, the situation that occurred and led to the crash of Flight 3407. Colgan argues that because the pilot concealed two failed tests on his application, they did not have sufficient prior knowledge of the pilot's poor performance. Three failed flight tests seem sufficient rationale for a pilot to be removed from rotation for retraining until he can pass a test.

People who lost loved ones in the crash of Flight 3407 say that the Federal Aviation Administration maintains two separate standards of safety: one for the major carriers, and another for regional carriers, who carry as much as 25% of all passengers in the United States. They say that regional airlines like Colgan should not be allowed to operate as wildcatters, skirting safety rules to cut corners and costs to improve profits.

NTSB board members expressed concern about "bottom feeders" in the airline industry that do not actually adopt the safety protocols. Instead announcing an intent to adopt protocols, file plans, and have a good safety plan in principal or on paper, but never actually implemented. Small carriers balk at the expense of safety equipment, since it diminishes their profits to equip many small planes.

If you lost a loved one in this or another airline accident, your wrongful death lawsuit can help draw attention to the full costs of violating safety protocols. The Cochran Firm stands ready to represent you in action against all those who could have and should have done something to prevent the accident. Please contact us today for a free initial consultation.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 2:02 PM

Automobile Accidents at Intersections in San Jose, California

Typically, automobile accidents at intersections involve left-turning vehicles that are attempting to cross on-coming traffic, the failure to yield the right of way or the failure to obey stop signs or traffic lights. Failure to yield the right of way, driving through a stop sign or ignoring a traffic signal at an intersection is responsible for almost 45% of all fatal automobile accidents.

Obscured stop signs, faded or missing stop signs and malfunctioning traffic lights, along with faulty intersection design are responsible for motor vehicle accidents at intersections also. The experienced California automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have road design engineers, accident investigators and experts in many fields available to assist in the determination of possible negligence on the part of municipalities for an accident at an intersection.

Automobile accidents at intersections often result in devastating injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severed limbs, broken bones and massive soft tissue trauma. You should be financially compensated for any expenses caused by someone else’s negligence due to your injuries, such as medical and long term care expenses, the loss of income, your pain and suffering, and in the case of a wrongful death, the survivors are entitled to damages for their losses also.

If you or someone you love was injured or killed at a dangerous intersection in the San Jose, California area, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a private consultation at no cost to you to protect your legal rights and to learn how to proceed with your case.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:50 AM

Rear End Car Collisions in Memphis, Tennessee

Rear end car collisions have become the most common type of car accident since the introduction of the cell phone, with over 2.5 million rear end collisions every year in the United States.

A rear end car collision often results in serious physical injury to the occupants of the automobile that is struck due to an injury commonly known as whiplash. Whiplash is the result of a sudden, violent involuntary forward and backward motion of the head and neck, which causes soft tissue trauma to the muscles and ligaments of the neck that results in pain, swelling, stiffness, headache, nausea, numbness and loss of balance.

Whiplash injuries can range from mild symptoms to severe, life-changing disabling pain. If left untreated, this condition can be responsible for months and years of debilitating pain and suffering.

The experienced rear end car collision attorneys at The Cochran Firm work together as a team so clients can benefit from the level of skill and knowledge available to them. If you have suffered because of someone else's negligence and inattention, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries.

If you live in the Memphis, Tennessee area, please contact The Cochran Firm today if you or someone you love was injured in a rear end car collision to protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you deserve from the law firm that cares.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:09 AM

Truck Accidents in Dothan, Alabama

Every day commuting back and forth to work or driving to a doctor's appointment, grocery shopping or dropping your children off at school is stressful enough, but when you add the danger inherent in a tired truck driver speeding to meet a deadline in an overloaded, poorly maintained, 40 ton truck in the lane next to you, the stress level rises to new heights.

If you are ever involved in an accident with a truck, protect your rights by gathering as much information about the accident as possible, and notify your own insurance company without delay; a delay in notifying your own insurance company may affect your claim. Do not allow the trucking company or insurance adjuster to choose your physician; you have the absolute right to choose your own doctor, and do not sign anything without the advice of your own legal representative.

Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters on the payroll whose main goal is to protect the trucking company in the event of an accident and limit their financial and legal responsibility.

If you have been injured in an Alabama truck accident you can benefit from the experience of the truck accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm who will be aggressive in protecting your legal right, and willing to do everything they can to give you the legal representation and personal attention you deserve.

If you live in the Dothan, Alabama area, and you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident with a truck, please contact The Cochran Firm today and learn how we can help you recover financial compensation for your injuries and losses without delay.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 10:41 AM

Monday, February 1, 2010

Product Liability in San Francisco/Oakland, California

Many products we use every day have the potential to be harmful or defective and can cause serious injuries to us, our children and our grandchildren. Anyone involved in the design, manufacture, distribution or sale of a defective product is subject to a product liability claim for injuries and losses suffered as a result of its' use.

Dangerous or defective products can be found all around us in household appliances that may cause a fire, children's toys that are made of toxic materials or cause choking hazards, defective or malfunctioning smoke detectors, faulty tires that cause horrific car accidents, defective car seat belts and air bags, pet products and defective drugs and over-the-counter medications.

The Cochran Firm has the resources necessary to investigate how a product could have been responsible for your injuries or the wrongful death of a family member. You should be able to recover financial compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, reimbursement of lost wages and any other injury-related costs you incur due to the consequences of using a defective product.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a product that failed, the product liability attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help. Please contact The Cochran Firm located in Oakland, California today to schedule an appointment so we can put our experienced team to work for you.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:47 AM

Police Brutality in New Orleans, Louisiana

No one should be above the law, especially those we entrust with the authority to serve and protect our communities. New Orleans and other cities in Louisiana have a reputation for police misconduct, the use of excessive force and wrongful arrests. After years of turning a blind eye to police abuse and misconduct, lawmakers and the general public will no longer tolerate the excesses of an abusive police force.

Although the use of reasonable force by police officers in the execution of their duties to protect and defend is warranted, there have been documented cases of police misconduct in some instances. Many people have been injured by police misconduct and brutality due to improper training, poor screening of those seeking jobs on the police force and inadequate supervision of police officers.

Police misconduct can take many forms including sexual harassment, physical abuse, the use of excessive force, improper use of restraints resulting in serious injury or death, intimidation and corruption.

The attorneys at The Cochran Firm aggressively pursue financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and any other physical and emotional damages incurred as a result of police misconduct and have been at the forefront of civil rights advocacy for years.

If you live in the New Orleans, Louisiana area and you or someone you love has been the victim of police misconduct, please contact The Cochran Firm today to protect you rights and learn how to proceed with your case.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:33 AM

Train Accidents in Los Angeles, California

Train travel is thought to be safer than plane or automobile travel by many people, especially those who are afraid to fly and think highways are dangerous places. The record high gasoline prices in California are causing the residents of the Los Angeles area to consider train travel as their primary mode of transportation.

Unfortunately, train accidents are more common than we are led to believe and are caused by driver distraction, excessive speed, lack of adequate training and equipment failures. In the state of California, over 48% of all train accidents are caused by human error.

A train accident can result in catastrophic injuries such as, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis, amputations, burns, broken bones and wrongful death.

If you have been injured in a train accident in the Los Angeles area, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation from those responsible for your injuries. The Los Angeles train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm will investigate the circumstances of your train accident and assist you in recovering financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs and any other accident related expenses you may incur.

Please contact the Los Angeles, California office of The Cochran Firm today if you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident to protect your legal rights and hold those responsible for your injuries legally and financially accountable.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:07 AM

Police Brutality in Detroit, Michigan

Oppressed groups in this country know and understand the dangers of police misconduct and police brutality. The city of Detroit, Michigan has dealt with police misconduct, police brutality and overzealous law enforcement for years. Civil rights violations are a serious problem and encompass not only police misconduct and police brutality, but charges of unlawful search and seizure, false arrest and false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and excessive fines and bail.

Interactions between the police and citizens are typically anxiety and stress filled and therefore, dangerous. Police officers are trained to make certain they are safe when making arrests, investigating crime scenes, performing traffic stops or pursuing suspected perpetrators of crimes. While the threat of force and the occasional use of force are understandably necessary at times in the performance of police duties, it is well documented that the use of excessive force is responsible for many instances of police misconduct and brutality.

A claim of police misconduct or brutality may involve injuries suffered due to the use of excessive force during an arrest, a case of mistaken identity or false arrest, malicious prosecution, or a motor vehicle accident caused by a police pursuit.

The experienced attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the knowledge and understanding of what is required to investigate and litigate police misconduct or police brutality claims and will do whatever is necessary to protect the legal rights of their clients.

If you live in the Detroit, Michigan area and have been the victim of police brutality or misconduct, please contact The Cochran Firm today to protect your legal rights and hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 10:36 AM

Toyota in Process of Fixing Gas Pedal Defect

Toyota has found a solution to the sticking gas pedal defect that caused millions of its most popular vehicles to be recalled; the nation’s number one seller, the Camry, was included in the massive recall. The solution involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a way that eliminates the friction that caused the accelerators to stick. Replacement parts are being shipped to dealers all over the U.S. and Europe, and employees will be working around the clock to fix the defective vehicles. Owners of the defective vehicles will be contacted as early as this week and will be told when to bring their vehicle in for repairs. Toyota will cover all costs to fix the defect.

The repair, which involves installing a steel reinforcement bar into the accelerator pedal assembly to reduce surface tension and prevent friction, only takes about thirty minutes. Dealerships will be open seven days a week, with extended hours, to get all vehicles fixed in a timely manner.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a defect in a vehicle or some other product, please contact the defective product attorneys at The Cochran Firm, with offices nationwide, today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:46 AM

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The Cochran Firm handles Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense claims for clients throughout the United States of America. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship.Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.

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