Asbestos Secondary Exposure Claims

Many families along the Houston Ship Channel were supported by workers that were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers. Many of these workers unknowingly brought asbestos fibers and asbestos dust home exposing their wives and families to toxic dust fibers that were inhaled. This secondary exposure has led to many secondary exposure claims. These secondary exposure claims are becoming more common in Texas especially along the Houston Ship Channel area as more and more wives and widows of asbestos workers are now coming down with mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases. If you are the spouse or family member of an asbestos worker and are experiencing severe symptoms including shortness of breath, coughing up blood, night sweats, swelling of the face, weight gain or loss, persistent chronic cough, you may want to be screened for asbestos diseases.

Please follow this link for more information on Secondary Asbestos Exposure Claims

Asbestos Product Dumping

In addition to domestic exposure, some companies have taken asbestos products that cannot be sold in the United States and have sold the product in other countries. This product dumping of dangerous asbestos insulation, asbestos block, and other asbestos products can cause serious problems including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other health problems. Texas companies that dump dangerous products in other countries and cause significant harm can sometimes be brought into the Texas courts to answer for their wrongful dumping and be made to pay money compensation for their wrongful acts.

For more information on Asbestos Product Dumping and Asbestos Products, go to the following web page.

Asbestos Products and Mesothelioma Claims

Today despite OSHA regulations it is estimated that 1.3 million United States employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Employees are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials) and during automotive brake and clutch repair work.

Asbestos may also be found in Cement Pipes, Elevator Brake Shoes, Cement Wallboard, HVAC Duct Insulation, Cement Siding Boiler Insulation, Asphalt Floor Tile, Breaching Insulation, Vinyl Floor Tile, Ductwork, Flexible Fabric Connections, Vinyl Sheet Flooring, Cooling Towers, Flooring Backing, Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.), Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.), Heating and Electrical Ducts, Acoustical Plaster Electrical Panel Partitions, Decorative Plaster, Electrical Cloth, Textured Paints/Coatings, Electric Wiring Insulation, Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels, Chalkboards, Spray-Applied Insulation, Roofing Shingles, Blown-in Insulation, Roofing Felt Fireproofing, Materials Base, Flashing Taping Compounds (thermal), Thermal Paper Products, Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations), Fire Doors High Temperature Gaskets, Caulking/Putties, Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops, Adhesives, Laboratory Gloves, Wallboard, Fire Blankets, Joint Compounds, Fire Curtains, Vinyl Wall Coverings, Elevator Equipment, Panels Spackling Compounds, Automotive Parts, Elevator Equipment Panels, Ductwork, Electrical Panel Partitions, Electrical Cloth, Cooling towers, and Chalkboards.

Asbestos Exposure can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers that can be fatal. For more information on asbestos products and asbestos exposure claims, go to the following web page:

http://www.texaslawyers.com/coomer/asbestosproductsanduse.htm

Boat, Jet Ski, & Water Craft Accidents

Every year negligent, careless, and drunk boat & water craft operators cause boating accidents that kill and seriously injure a large number of Texans. In many of these boating accidents, alcohol and young inexperienced operators are the cause of the accidents. In the Texas Hill County, Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Lake LBJ, Lake Buchanan, Canyon Lake, Inks Lake, Town Lake, Medina Lake, and Granger Lake are some of the major places for water recreation and where accidents occur. Many of these accidents are actually covered by insurance and people seriously injured by careless, inexperienced, or intoxicated boat & jet ski operators may have a potential claim for compensation.

For more information on boating accident claims, jet ski accident claims, & other water craft claims follow the below link

Automobile Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers

Texas drunk drivers cause thousands of automobile accidents which kill and injure thousands of Texans each year. Under Texas law, a driver is considered drunk or under the influence if they do not have the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body or if they have a blood alcohol concentration of over .08. It is against Texas law for drunk drivers to operate motor vehicles, water craft, or air craft.

For more information on Drunk Driver Automobile Accident Claims follow this link

Defense Base Act

Blackwater, Halliburton, Kellogg, CACI, Brown & Root (KBR), Bechtel, and Dyncorp are all American companies that contract with the U.S. Government to work in foreign countries. Many of these overseas jobs can be high risk and carried out in dangerous conditions. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed while working for a United States Government contractor please contact attorney Jason S. Coomer to determine what time limits may apply to your possible claim.

http://www.texaslawyers.com/coomer
jsc@texaslawyers.com
1-866-474-1477 toll free

Advanced Medical Optics Voluntarily Recalls Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and their patients who wear soft contact lenses about a voluntary recall of Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics of Santa Ana, Ca.

The company is taking this action as a precaution because of reports of a rare, but serious, eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by a parasite. The link between the solution and the infection was identified as a result of an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Consumers who wear soft contact lenses should stop using the solution, discard all partially-used or unopened bottles and replace their lenses and storage container.

"We believe the company acted responsibly in taking this voluntary action and support their decision to be proactive in the interest of public health," said Daniel Schultz, M.D., director of FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "FDA and CDC are working closely with the company to collect additional information and we will continue to alert consumers and advise them as more information becomes available."

Acanthamoeba keratitis may lead to vision loss with some patients requiring a corneal transplant. The infection primarily affects otherwise healthy people who wear contact lenses.

Consumers should ask their doctor about choosing an appropriate alternative cleaning/disinfecting product and seek immediate treatment if they have symptoms of eye infection as early diagnosis is important for effective treatment. The symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis can be very similar to those of other more common eye infections and may include eye pain or redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, sensation of something in the eye or excessive tearing but Acanthamoeba is more difficult to treat.

It is estimated that Acanthamoeba keratitis infections occur in approximately 2 out of every 1 million contact lens users in the United States each year. However, in a multi-state investigation to evaluate a recent increase in Acanthamoeba keratitis cases, CDC determined that the risk of developing AK was at least seven times greater for those consumers who used Complete MoisturePlus solution versus those who did not. Additional information regarding the CDC results is available at the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm56d526a1.htm.

"The ongoing CDC investigation is a collaborative effort," said Michael Beach, M.D., a Division of Parasitic Diseases team leader with CDC. "We are working with FDA, state, territory, university, and clinical partners in an effort to further understand whether usage or contamination of this solution led to these Acanthamoeba infections."

All contact lens users should closely adhere to the following measures to help prevent eye infections:

• Remove contact lenses before any activity involving contact with water, including showering, using a hot tub, or swimming.
• Wash hands with soap and water and dry them before handling contact lenses.
• Clean contact lenses according to manufacturer guidelines and instructions from an eye care professional.
• Use fresh cleaning or disinfecting solution each time lenses are cleaned and stored. Never reuse or top off old solution.
• Never use saline solution and rewetting drops to disinfect lenses. Neither solution is an effective or approved disinfectant.
• Schedule regular eye exams with your eye care professional
• Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care professional.
• Store lenses in a proper storage case.
• Storage cases should be irrigated with sterile contact lens solution (never use tap water) and left open to dry after each use.
• Replace storage cases at least once every three months.

FDA and CDC want to gather information related to Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens users. Report adverse events related to these products to MedWatch, the FDA's voluntary reporting program: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm; Phone: (800) 332-1088; Fax: (800) 332-0178; Mail: MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20852-9787.

Consumers who believe they are in possession of the recalled product may call the company at 1-888-899-9183.

Additional information about Acanthamoeba infection is available from the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/acanthamoeba/index.htm.

Chemical Burn Claims

Chemical burns have become more common as the types of chemicals we use continue to increase. They occur when a person's body is exposed to strong acids or alkalids. Common household chemicals include paint thinner, bleach, boric acid, and plumbing decloggers. Other acids and alkalids are commonly used in many work places and can cause serious chemical burns. It is important to follow safety instructions and be aware of dangerous chemicals in work places, storage areas, and around the home.

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Serious Burn and Fire Claims

Third Degree burns are the most serious type of burns and involve all layers of the skin and can include burned fat, muscle and even bone. These burns at first can be painless as the body can be in shock and nerves in the area can be destroyed. However, third degree burns are the worst type of burns and can result in death. Burned areas of the body may appear charred black or dry and white. For third degree burns, immediately call for emergency medical assistance. Until an emergency unit arrives it might be helpful to follow these steps:

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OxyContin, Illegal Promotion by Manufacturer May Cause Health Risks for Consumers

05/10/2007 - FDA informed healthcare professionals of criminal charges and civil liabilities brought against Purdue Frederick in connection with several illegal schemes to promote, market and sell OxyContin, a powerful prescription pain reliever that the company produces. The manufacturer's sales force was trained to make false claims about the product to healthcare professionals, thereby, misbranding OxyContin by illegally promoting the drug as being less addictive, less subject to abuse, and less likely to cause tolerance and withdrawal than other pain medications. These practices falsely promote the product and may cause health risks for consumers.

For more information please follow the links below.
http://www.texaslawyers.com/coomer/
http://www.texaslawyers.com/fda_medwatch.htm