Birmingham Legal Blog

FDA bans mesh implants: The stories that led to the action

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Friday, April 19, 2019.

Pain. Infection. Bleeding. Urinary problems. These sound like symptoms of a medical issue for which you may seek treatment. Instead, these are the complications that hundreds of thousands of women have suffered as the result of their medical treatment.

We are talking about the vaginal mesh implants medical providers used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP). These implants proved to be dangerous, resulting in more than 100,000 lawsuits over the past couple of decades. On Tuesday, April 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered manufacturers to stop selling the product.

Truck driver 'mistakes' often prove devastating for others

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

You know the feeling, driving next to a massive semi barreling 70 mph down the highway. You can feel the force of the vehicle as it contorts the wind around it, and it is unnerving. It can make you think, "all it would take is one false move by the driver... "

The feeling may be fleeting as you continue with your day, but your initial fear is well founded. In 2017 alone, there were 4,237 fatal crashes involving large trucks. In those collisions, 91% resulted in one fatality, and 82% percent of the time, it was those in the passenger vehicle. What were the most common false moves truck drivers made?

Is it possible to reduce bicycle accidents?

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Monday, April 8, 2019.

Now that warmer weather is here, we can expect to see more bicycles on the roads. To reduce the chances of an accident, drivers must be aware of cyclists and take precautions to keep them safe.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 840 cyclists died in traffic accidents in 2016. What can be done about this? Following a few simple rules may help.

Should cars monitor your behavior behind the wheel?

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Privacy is already an increasing concern in the U.S. Surveillance cameras alone capture our movements when we are walking, shopping and driving. And now, some vehicles will have the technology to observe our driving habits from inside our cars.

Automaker Volvo recently announced that it will install interior cameras to watch driver behavior by monitoring the driver’s eye movements. If the driver engages in dangerous behavior, someone from the vehicle’s on-call assistance program will call the driver. Volvo plans to have the cameras in its vehicles by 2020.

What are some of the common risk factors during birth?

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

The birth of a child is the most highly-anticipated day in most peoples’ lives. When something goes wrong, an entire family can be heartbroken.

Birth injuries can leave a child with lifelong injuries and medical needs. In the worst cases, the injury may be fatal to the baby or mother.

Deaths from construction falls are preventable

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Friday, March 15, 2019.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls remain the most common cause of construction worker deaths. Data from 2017 reveals that out of 971 construction deaths, 366 were due to falls to a lower level of the structure.

You have the right to a safe workplace

Blood pressure and heart failure medicine recall expanded

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

When our doctor prescribes medication, we trust that it will not only help our condition, but that it will be safe to take. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When medications are defective or dangerous, they can cause additional illness or injury to people who already have a serious medical condition.

In July 2018, certain blood pressure and heart failure medications called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were recalled due to contamination of potential carcinogens. The recall includes ARB medications containing valsartan, losartan and irbesartan. These medications may be contaminated by impurities, including the potential carcinogens N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA).

Poor roads and bridges make driving in Alabama dangerous

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

Deteriorating roads and bridges in our state are costing residents a surprising amount: $5.3 billion per year, according to transportation research group Trip. And the financial costs are only part of the problem for Alabama residents. The state has a vehicle accident fatality rate on metro and rural roadways that is higher than many other states, which may be due in part to the poor condition of its roads.

The issues are widespread

What can you expect when recovering from a concussion?

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

People who suffer a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury often think these are just minor injuries that don't need much recovery time. And while every person is different, it is important to treat yourself with care after any brain injury - even a mild one.

Take it easy on yourself

Trucking accidents are more complex than car crashes

On behalf of of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

Most people think all vehicle accidents are the same, but that is not true. Any accident involving a commercial truck has special considerations you and your lawyer must take into account. If you have been injured or lost a family member in a trucking accident, you must be aware of the differences between passenger vehicle crashes and truck accidents.

Trucks are governed by federal law