The product subject to recall is:
12-lb packages containing 8 24-ounce bags of “H-E-B FULLY COOKED LEAN BURGERS” [...]]]> AdvancePierre Foods, Inc., an Orange City, Iowa, establishment, is recalling approximately 10,668 pounds of beef patty products that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The product subject to recall is:
12-lb packages containing 8 24-ounce bags of “H-E-B FULLY COOKED LEAN BURGERS” with the H-E-B item code “100538” and “EST. 2568” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on June 7, 2011 and distributed to H-E-B stores in San Antonio, Texas.

The problem was discovered through a consumer complaint brought to the attention of H-E-B, one of AdvancePierre Foods’ retail customers. The consumer noted metal fragments found on the outer surface of a ready-to-eat beef patty product. The problem may have occurred due to production equipment problems associated with a char-marker that caused a metal surface to overheat and shed small flakes on to the product. FSIS has not received any consumer complaints or reports of injury at this time. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of this product should contact a physician. Because of the potential metal content, FSIS urges consumers to not use a microwave oven to prepare this product.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

POP occurs when a pelvic organ, such as the [...]]]> As you may already know, the FDA has issued a Safety Communication bulletin this month regarding surgical mesh used to repair Pelvic Organ Prolapse (“POP”). Our firm is currently accepting these cases. In order to better inform you of this issue, please read the details below.

POP occurs when a pelvic organ, such as the bladder, uterus, and/or rectum, drops (prolapses) from its normal spot in the lower belly of a woman. The drop occurs because the muscles retaining these organs become weak or stretched due to age and/or childbirth. The organ drop can cause issues in the functionality of the organ and/or other organs surrounding it.

Between 30-50% of women will experience POP in their lifetime.

POP repair surgery is typically performed transvaginally. The surgery treats POP by supporting the muscles retaining the organs. The support can be created with or without mesh.

Over the last three years, the FDA has received thousands of adverse event reports concerning surgical mesh used specifically for POP repair surgery. A large number of these adverse events involved mesh erosion. Over time, the mesh will erode into certain pelvic organs of a woman, typically the vagina. The erosion can cause severe pain, irritation, infection, urinary problems, bleedings, and scarring. Usually the only treatment for the erosion is subsequent painful surgery to remove the mesh.

Over 300,000 POP repair surgeries are performed each year – one-third of them use the mesh. Despite this large number, after a thorough review of 15 years of scientific literature, the FDA could not find any benefit to the patient in placing the mesh as compared to not placing it. Regardless of this lack of benefit, the manufacturers have unveiled tremendous marketing campaigns to push their products to be used.

In almost all car, bike or motorcycle accidents, it is important to be able to prove who carries the car accident [...]]]> This article by FindLaw has valuable information about the concept of fault in an automobile accident.  Fault is one of the most important aspects of a successful insurance claim.

In almost all car, bike or motorcycle accidents, it is important to be able to prove who carries the car accident liability. In other words: who made the mistake or was negligent.

It may be obvious to all parties involved who was at fault in an accident, but just saying so is often not enough for insurance companies. You can make a stronger argument to your insurance provider if you can support your side of the story with evidence or “official” support. What follows is a short list of things that can be used to make your argument.

Police Reports

Police do not always come to the scene of an accident, but if they do, the police officer will probably have to make some sort of official police report about the accident. Police officers generally show up to accidents that involve injuries, but they often stop at non-injury accidents as well. If they do show up at your accident, be sure to ask the officer how to get a copy of the police report once it is filed.

Sometimes police officers do not show up to the scene of an accident at all, though. In cities and places where police resources are slim, it is often left up to the parties to the accident to report it to the police station closest to the accident. After filing a police report this way, investigators may pick up your report and conduct their own inquiries. You can obtain copies of these reports in much the same way as mentioned above.

Police reports are really just the written recollections and thoughts of the police officer that studied the accident. These reports often contain great evidence about car accident liability, such as the police officer’s opinion that one car must have been speeding based on the officer’s observations about the length of the skid-marks on the pavement. In addition, police officers will also often indicate whether or not they issued any traffic tickets at the scene of an accident.

No matter how much detail the police report contains, it can be one of the most important pieces of evidence that you present to your can insurance company. Insurance companies may drag their feet about issuing car accident liability reports without first obtaining a copy of the official police report.

Come visit The Crim Law Firm’s Free Accident Report website.  We will provide you with a free police accident report for your auto accident and if you choose, we can provide legal advice on the any possible case you may have for damages.

“FDA continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigating a possible link between SimplyThick and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants as early indications have suggested. FDA issued a press release [...]]]> UPDATE: June 5, 2011

Simply Thick Recalled, FDA Continues to Investigate Necrotizing Enterocolitis and SimplyThick

“FDA continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigating a possible link between SimplyThick and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants as early indications have suggested. FDA issued a press release on May 20. On June 4, SimplyThick voluntarily recalled its thickening gel product manufactured at its Stone Mountain, GA plant. Product manufactured at other facilities remains on the market. SimplyThick’s recall of this product is a result of the company’s failure to ensure that harmful bacteria of possible public health significance were destroyed in the manufacturing process at that manufacturing plant. Product manufactured at other facilities remains on the market. At this time, there is not a confirmed link between SimplyThick and NEC in premature infants, though the investigation continues. 
”

The Crim Law Firm will be closely monitoring the progress of this recall.  Please contact us if you need more information if you have been affected by this product.  Call us toll-free at (800) 807-9370

“New data suggest that the drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft [...]]]> Released March 4, 2011

FDA: Risk of oral birth defects in children born to mothers taking topiramate

“New data suggest that the drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication during pregnancy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said today.

Before prescribing topiramate, approved to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy, health care professionals should warn patients of childbearing age about the potential hazard to the fetus if a woman becomes pregnant while using the drug.

“Health care professionals should carefully consider the benefits and risks of topiramate when prescribing it to women of childbearing age,” said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Alternative medications that have a lower risk of birth defects should be considered.”

Based on the data, topiramate will have a stronger warning in its prescribing information (labeling). The pregnancy category will be changed to Pregnancy Category D. This means that there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on human data, but the potential benefits of the drug in pregnant women may outweigh the risks in certain situations. The FDA previously designated the drug as Pregnancy Category C because of the lack of human data.

Before starting topiramate, pregnant women and women of childbearing potential should discuss other treatment options with their health care professional. Women taking topiramate should tell their health care professional immediately if they are planning to or become pregnant. Patients taking topiramate should not stop taking it unless told to do so by their health care professional.”

The Crim Law Firm represents women who have had children with these birth defects as a result of taking Topamax during their pregnancy.  We are here to help you.  Please contact us for a free consultation and we will discuss with you all your options in regards to topamax causing birth defects in your child.  Don’t hesitate, we have attorneys on hand that will help.  Call toll-free at (800) 807-9360 or submit your information online.