Author: James Sabatini

James Sabatini is a Connecticut trial lawyers practicing personal injury law.

About James Sabatini

James Sabatini is a Connecticut trial lawyers practicing personal injury law.

Here are my most recent posts

Trasylol May Increase Risk of Kidney Failure, Heart Failure and Stroke

Trasylol? is a drug manufactured and distributed by Bayer and used during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery often called a “CABG” procedure. It is used to control bleeding and minimize the need for blood transfusions. Recent studies suggest that Trasylol? causes, among other things, an increase in the risk of serious kidney damage, resulting in dialysis or even death.On January 26, 2006 a study done by Dennis Mangano, MD and published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that Trasylol? was associated with a doubling in risk of kidney failure requiring dialysis among patients undergoing complex coronary artery surgery or primary surgery. The study also concluded that replacing Trasylol? with one of two safe generic drugs would annually prevent as many as 11,050 dialysis complications, save $1 billion in healthcare (dialysis) costs, and reduce drug costs by $250 million. Another study published in the journal Transfusion also suggested that Trasylol? administration increased the risk for renal dysfunction or failure.

In February 2006, Bayer issued a “Dear Dr. Letter” to U.S. Healthcare Professionals notifying them of the results of the two studies and of the review of the studies by the FDA. Bayer specifically stated, “Bayer supports these actions by the FDA. We have been working and will continue to work closely with the FDA and other regulatory authorities in countries where Trasylol? is marketed to address questions regarding product safety. We share the company’s data on Trasylol? with regulatory authorities on an ongoing basis and welcome their evaluation of these published reports.”

In its Stockholders’ Newsletter First Quarter 2006, Bayer acknowledged that two separate studies reported a possible link between the use of Trasylol? and severe renal dysfunction or cardiovascular or cerebrovascular problems in patients treated with this drug. Bayer further stated that the studies were being evaluated by the FDA and the EMEA.

On September 21, 2006, the FDA held a public meeting of the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee to discuss the safety and overall risk-benefit profile for Trasylol?. During that meeting, the committee discussed the findings from the two published observational studies.

Then, on September 27, 2006, the FDA learned of another study actually conducted by Bayer. The newly discovered studies reported that use of Trasylol? may increase the chance for death, serious kidney damage, congestive heart failure and strokes. On September 29, 2006, the FDA announced that Bayer had failed to reveal the results of the study. Consequently, the FDA released a public health advisory stating that the undisclosed study demonstrated the “use of Trasylol? may increase the chance for death, serious kidney damage, congestive heart failure and strokes.”

Contact us if you believe you have suffered kidney failure, heart failure or stroke after receiving Trasylol.

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Laparoscopic Gall Bladder Surgerical Errors

When someone is diagnosed with having gallstones or disease of the gall bladder, it is usually necessary to remove the gall bladder. The most common method now used is laparoscopic gall bladder removal or what is now as a laparoscopic cholycystectomy. During a laparoscopic cholycystectomy, a surgeon and an assistant use a laparoscopic instrument inserted through small holes in the abdomen to remove the gall bladder. The procedure for a laparoscopic gall bladder is no different than an open laparotomy. The gall bladder needs to be identified, as well as the structures leading into it, which are the cystic duct and cystic artery. Once those structures are identified, they are clipped and transected and the gall bladder is removed. Errors can occur during a laparoscopic gall bladder removal when the cystic duct and cystic artery are not properly identified and there are inadvertent injuries to the common bile duct or the common hepatic duct. These structures are adjacent to the cystic duct and lead into the liver and stomach. If these structures are clipped and transected, serious injuries can occur such as the bile from the liver being unable to drain, causing jaundice and pain. Injuries to the common hepatic duct and common bile duct which occur during laparoscopic gall bladder surgery are usually the result of negligence.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents

How many traffic related accidents occur each year?
Statistics on car accidents indicate that annually there are over 6 million motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles in the United States alone. In addition, the Federal government estimates that there were at least 10 million unreported accidents.

How many people are injured in these accidents?
In 2000 over 3.2 million people were injured on our Nation’s roadways.

How many were killed?
Unfortunately, over 40,000 people died in traffic related accidents during 2000. In fact, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 6 and 33. 90% of all transportation related fatalities are associated with cars, trucks and motorcycles.

What is the monetary cost associated with all of these accidents?
The Federal government estimates that automobile and motorcycle accidents cost society over $150 billion each year.

What should I do if I am involved in a traffic accident?
First and foremost, seek medical attention if warranted. Once your well-being and that of your fellow accident victims have been evaluated and stabilized, you should collect important information from those involved in the accident. Such information includes, but is not limited to, driver’s license numbers and vehicle registration information along with the names and addresses of vehicle passengers and bystanders who may have witnessed the accident. Also, make sure to record the names of any emergency personnel such as police officers or paramedics who respond to the scene. In addition, pay close attention to the behavior of those involved. Does anyone seem intoxicated? Do the victims appear injured? What type of damage have the vehicles sustained? Are there any unusual facts or circumstances surrounding the accident? For instance, what is the weather like? Fog? Rain? Snow? Was traffic heavy or light? In general, while it may be difficult to stay focused in such a stressful situation, writing down your observations of the accident scene may help you prevail in any lawsuit that results from the accident.

Should I contact an attorney if I have been seriously injured in an automobile accident?
Yes.? To protect your rights and to ensure that you are fairly and justly compensated for your injuries and losses, it is crucial that you contact us.?

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Children’s Toys with Magnets Pose Hazards

Toys with small, removable parts, continue to pose hazards to children. Last month, Mega Brands, Inc., the maker of “Magnetix” building sets, recalled nearly 4 million of the toys. The recall was an expansion of an original recall of some of the sets, in March 2006. The building sets include magnets that are easily removed, and easily swallowed. To date, at least one death and more than 25 serious injuries, including aspiration injuries, to children, are known to be attributed to the Magnetix building sets. Although the company is still manufacturing and selling the toy, it has changed the design, so that the potentially lethal magnets are not so easily removed by children. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is behind the recall, and reports that Mega Brands, Inc. is cooperating with the Commission.? The common injury from the ingestion of a magnet is the perforation of the intestines which if it not surgically repaired can lead to death.

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Fatal Car Accident in Ledyard

One person was killed in a collision involving three vehicles on Route 12 in Ledyard?Tuesday afternoon, and that section of road is expected to be closed for hours. It happened around 2:15 p.m., police said. The two of the cars hit head on.? The details of the fatal crash are unknown at this time

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