Bualz Research Specializes in Product Liability

Product liability claims arise when a defectively designed or manufactured product injures someone. The product might be defective because of the way that it was designed. Or it might be defective because the manufacturer made a mistake during the manufacturing process. Every product is different. In order to properly handle a product liability case, a lawyer must be willing to spend the time and energy necessary to research the product, understand the design of the product, understand the nature of the defect in the product
and effectively explain the defect to a jury.

At SK&C, we devote the time and resources that these claims demand. A few of our
product liability cases include crashworthiness of vehicles and defective seatbelt restraints, gymnastics equipment, hair replacement products and hunting equipment.

We also regularly represent the victims of defective drugs, medical devices and medical procedures. For example, we have represented over one hundred women who received defective silicone breast implants. In the last year, a variety of defective drugs and medical devices have been linked to serious health problems. Below we have summarized some of the most important alerts and warnings. We are now accepting cases for investigation that involve the following drugs or devices.

Childhood Vaccines and Autism

For years, manufacturers of vaccines used to immunize children have added Thimerosal as a preservative. Thimerosal contains mercury, and it is known that increased levels of mercury in the body may cause brain damage. Recent medical studies have found a possible link between autistic disorders in some children and mercury exposure from childhood vaccines that contained Thimerosal.

Many children may have been injured as a result of vaccines that contained Thimerosal. Families may be eligible for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program or perhaps from civil lawsuits against the vaccine manufacturers. If your child has been diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), we would be happy to investigate whether you may have a claim.

Prempro/Hormone Replacement Therapy

Prempro is a brand name prescription drug used in hormone replacement therapy. On July 9, 2002, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) stopped a long term study of 16,600-patients three years early because the risks of taking Prempro outweighed its benefits. NIH reported that study participants taking Prempro were found to have an increased risk of invasive breast cancer compared to women taking a placebo (sugar pill). Increases in coronary heart disease, stroke and pulmonary embolism were also found.

Cytotec Warning

Cytotec, a drug manufactured by GD Searle that has been approved by the FDA for preventing ulcers in people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, has been used by OB/GYNs to induce labor. This off-label use has been reported to result in occasional disastrous consequences for mother and baby, including a ruptured uterus during labor and delivery, which can result in the death of the mother and/or the baby.

Johns Hopkins Hospital Bronchoscope

In the spring of 2002, Johns Hopkins Hospital discovered a serious problem with a piece of equipment used on hundreds of patients. The equipment is called a bronchoscope and is used by doctors to examine the inside of a patient's lung. The bronchoscope is believed to have exposed some patients to a potentially life-threatening bacteria. The equipment has been recalled by the manufacturer. Johns Hopkins is contacting patients who may have that may have been affected.

Diet Drug Fen-Phen

Cases involving heart damage caused by the use of the diet combination drug Fen-Phen are ongoing. Fen-Phen has been associated with primary pulmonary hypertension and heart valve disease. If you or someone you know has suffered heart damage as a result of taking Fen Phen, please call us to discuss your legal rights.

Baycol Drug Alert

On August 8, 2001, Bayer Pharmaceuticals withdrew its cholesterol lowering drug BAYCOL from the market because of its toxic side effects. FDA officials reported that 31 people in the United States had died of the complication of severe muscle breakdown. Symptoms of BAYCOL toxicity include muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise, fever, dark urine, nausea and vomiting.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from these drugs or medical devices, of if you have been injured by a defective product, please contact us.