Most people can tell you we all lose bone density as we age, resulting in fragile bones that easily break in our old age. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, women generally, and those who are post menopausal, are at an increase risk for osteoporosis. It seemed, therefore, something needed to be done to help prevent bone density loss.In March 1995 Merck decided to do...
Dr. Robert Stokes was a Grand Rapids dermatologist who had been serving the community for many years until recently. However, his career was halted recently after it was determined he was defrauding the government, as well as insurance companies, out of nearly two million dollars in fraudulent medical services. In addition to health care fraud, Dr. Stokes also reused medical equipment, such as...
The Lansing State Journal recently reported that Patrick Cavanaugh was only 39 years old when he died about two weeks after being admitted to Sparrow Hospital. His chief complaints upon admission were shortness of breath, weakness and a fever that lasted ten days.Cavanaugh was a construction worker and died from a fungal infection, histoplasmosis, to which he had been previously exposed while...
Parents have yet another problem to add to their ever-growing list of concerns for their children's safety. Defective toy products - supposedly designed to entertain and educate children - pose an enormous health risk that many parents may not suspect. These poorly-made playthings put innocent and vulnerable children in jeopardy. Two recent announcements illustrate this threat to Michigan...
According to Michigan law, Attorney General Mike Cox can only provide legal assistance to the State, the Governor, and the Legislature. In addition to this general rule, the Attorney General of Michigan can also investigate and prosecute claims of fraud against individual or groups of Michigan consumers. However, if you have a claim against a drug company, don't look to Mike Cox for help.If...
Dennis Quaid appeared on 60 Minutes on March 16, 2008, to talk about the near death of his twin children who were given a dose of heparin one thousand (1000) times greater than they should have received. Quaid's children were in the hospital being treated for a staph infection when they were given ten thousand (10,000) units of heparin, rather than the ten (10) units they were supposed to...
Michigan drivers should be on the lookout for a new type of traffic signal: the flashing yellow left-turn arrow. The new signal will eventually replace all current flashing red left-turn signals. Many of the new signals are already installed, and unprepared drivers may be caught off guard and become confused about who has the right of way at an intersection.The Michigan Department of...
A jury in California returned a verdict in favor of two doctors, a radiologist and cardiologist, who provided treatment to John Ritter prior to his death. John Ritter died in 2003 following a torn aorta while filming a television show. The lawsuit alleged the torn aorta should have been discovered prior to his death during a radiological exam. Additionally, a claim was made against the...
Sport utility vehicles have revolutionized the roadways. With their higher stance and substantial proportions, they provide many drivers with peace of mind amid often chaotic traffic conditions. Recently released SUV crash test results, however, suggest that beneath their rugged-looking exteriors, many SUVs are not as safe as they could be.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a...
Late last month the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the drug manufacturer Baxter International would be recalling all of its remaining Heparin products. Earlier in February, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory warning doctors and other health care providers not to use Baxter Heparin products. According to the FDA, there have been hundreds of reports of serious side...