Product Liability

Roundup Cancer Concerns Spike after $289 Million Verdict

November 2, 2018 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Grimes Teich Anderson is reviewing claims focusing on potential cases for people regularly exposed to Roundup as part of their work, such as landscapers, lawn and garden workers, and golf course maintenance personnel who sprayed Roundup for ground maintenance.

A jury in Superior Court of California in San Francisco deliberated for three days before ordering agricultural giant Monsanto to pay $289 million in damages to a former school groundskeeper who claimed his cancer was caused by the company’s weed killers, such as Roundup, The New York Times reported on August 10, 2018. According to the Times, the case of 46-year-old Dewayne Johnson was the first lawsuit to go to trial alleging that Roundup and other glyphosate-based weed killers cause cancer.

Bloomberg reported that Johnson “mixed and sprayed hundreds of gallons of Roundup,” and his exposure included incidents in which he was “soaked from head to toe” in the herbicide. Johnson worked for the Benicia Unified School District and was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. He was given six months to live by his oncologist in July 2017 after chemotherapy and other treatments.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Could Pose Serious Risks to Men’s Health

March 9, 2018 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Many products are advertised and promoted to men to boost their testosterone levels. While testosterone therapy may sound appealing for its promised increase of testosterone in older men, there are numerous downsides to the treatment that can have moderate to severe and potentially long-term lasting effects.

An article titled “The Risk of Testosterone Replacement in Men” published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information reported that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) “has been linked with prostate cancer” and advised that such therapy should be taken with caution. The occurrence of polycythemia, or elevated red blood cell count, is also increased for those who undergo TRT. Finally, the article reported that men who seek the treatment are found to suffer more frequently from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Don’t Put Danger Under the Tree: Toys to Avoid This Christmas

December 12, 2017 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

If you are shopping for a Christmas gift for a child this holiday season, remember that safety should be a top priority. While toys may appear to be safe, some are not properly labeled or tested and may pose serious health risks.

Fortunately, watchdog groups like the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) have taken the time to research the most popular toys this year. They recently released their “Trouble in Toyland” report, warning consumers about potentially dangerous toys and other gifts for kids.

Over the past three decades, U.S. PIRG reports have led to more than 150 recalls of potentially dangerous toys, and its public awareness campaigns have helped lawmakers and consumers alike realize the dangers of these defective products. For 2017, the group’s attention focused on the newest and biggest threats that these products pose to children today, including: Continue Reading

New Report Shows Women Face Unique Injury Risks at Work

November 15, 2017 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Workplace injuries can be devastating for anyone, regardless of gender. But a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that while women have historically received fewer workplace injuries than men, the types of on-the-job injuries can be quite different for females.

According to the recently released data, men accounted for 4,836 workplace fatalities in 2015. By contrast, 344 women died on the job during the same period. The leading cause of job-related deaths for both genders is the same – transportation accidents that occur by road, air, water or railway.

Then the numbers begin to diverge, where the second most common cause of workplace deaths death for women is by violence and other injuries by persons or animals. By contrast, the second leading cause for men are caused by slip, trip, and fall mishaps.

IVC Filters Pose Health Risks, Victims Could Recover Compensation

July 27, 2017 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Following a major medical operation, you may have had an inferior vena cava filter (IVC filter) inserted into your chest. This filter is inserted in a patient’s inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.

In theory, this medical device was designed to help reduce the risk of dangerous post-operative blood clots. Yet, tragically IVC filters have proven to be dangerous and defective medical devices. Indeed, more than two dozen deaths have been directly linked to IVC filters, as reported by NBC News.

The FDA Recommends the Removal of IVC Filters

Could Cars That ‘Talk to Each Other’ Reduce Crashes?

March 7, 2017 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced a proposed rule that would enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication for all new light-duty vehicles. The proposed rule aims to prevent car accidents by letting vehicles communicate with each other.

This idea was first floated by the NHTSA nearly 3 years ago. If put into effect by 2019 as proposed, it would start phasing in the new rule in 2021, with 2023 set as the deadline for compliance.

How V2V Technology Works

V2V technology uses dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) to allow vehicles within about 1,000 feet of each other to exchange information about location, direction and speed. That info is sent 10 times per second, and vehicles with V2V can use that information to warn the driver about safety hazards.

If a vehicle has automated driving features, it can also use the V2V information to adapt its speed, direction, or braking in order to avoid crashes.

Could Candles Pose a Safety Risk for Your Family This Holiday Season?

December 21, 2016 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

During Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, many people use candles to commemorate the holidays and decorate for the season. Lighting candles is fun a tradition and sets the mood for your holiday festivities, but it is important that certain precautions are taken so that your holidays do not end in injury or tragedy.

Home Fires

According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2009 to 2013, fire departments in the U.S. responded to 9,300 home structure fires started by candles. Those fires resulted in the deaths of 86 people, numerous injuries, and hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage.

Is Talc Safe? Manufacturers Say Yes, But Juries Disagree

December 12, 2016 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Serious questions have been raised about the safety of talc. The latest scientific research strongly suggests a link between talcum powder use and ovarian cancer.

If you believe that you or a family member has been a victim of talc-related ovarian cancer, you need to contact an experienced drug and product injury lawyer at Grimes Teich Anderson LLP as soon as possible. Our lawyers can comprehensively review your case and help you determine what to do next.

Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer: Recent Developments

Exploding E-Cigarettes May Cause Injuries

August 31, 2016 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

There has been a dramatic increase in the use of e-cigarettes in the past few years. According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12.6 percent of American adults report that they have tried e-cigarettes.

Currently, 3.7 percent of adults report that they use e-cigarettes more than once per week. This means that there are now 9 million adults vaping on a regular basis, this includes many people in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

This should be good news, after all, e-cigarettes are supposed to be a safer alternative to smoking. However, recent events have raised very serious concerns about the safety of these devices.

Fatal Alligator Attack at Disney Highlights Safety Risks at Amusement Parks

August 10, 2016 | by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

The tragic death of a two-year-old boy from Nebraska in the water by Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel as the result of an alligator attack may have some families considering their own safety when they make plans for outings in similar places.

Amusement parks, with their sprawling spaces, various features and terrains, and day-long and sometimes week-long guests, are responsible for the enormous task of keeping their premises safe, secure, and as hazard-free as possible for their guests. That is not an easy task, and at times companies fail to adequately address safety hazards.