U.S. Safety Board Urges Cellphone Ban for Drivers
On December 13, 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a recommendation to ban all cellphone use while driving. The New York Times published an article concerning the recent recommendation.
As Doctors Use More Devices, Potential for Distraction Grows
On December 14, 2011, the New York Times published an article on the emerging problem of “distracted doctoring”, a term describing the negative consequences of doctors having electronic devices, such as computers, tablets and cell phones, readily available when tending to patients.
Texas agency OKs rule requiring drillers to disclose chemicals used in fracking
On December 14, 2011, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published an article regarding the Texas Railroad Commission’s recent passage of a rule that requires oil & gas companies disclose the chemicals and water volumes used in their hydraulic fracturing of wells, a process that is also known as “fracking.”
Bill Would Require More Monitoring of Implants
On December 14, 2011, the New York Times published an article regarding the recent legislation presented to the U.S. Senate that would require manufacturers track the post-approval performance of artificial hips and other medical implants. The bill is in response to recent criticism of the F.D.A.’s 510(k) process, which allows for the approval of a […]
New Models of Implants Not Better, Study Finds
On December 22, 2011, the New York Times published an article concerning a recent study indicating that newer models of hip and knee replacements did not function any better than older and less expensive hip and knee devices.
Actos Products Liability Litigation Update
An Actos Products Liability Litigation consent order was signed on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by the Honorable Robert G. James, Chief Judge of the Western District of Louisiana. The order transfers actions involving Actos Products Liability Litigation to the Honorable Rebecca F. Doherty in the Western District of Louisiana.
2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Texas
In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a research note providing statistics and analysis of motor vehicle crashes that took place in the country in 2010. The research note included specific crash statistics on Texas. The statistics indicated a reduction in the number of crash fatalities from […]
2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes: National Overview
In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a research note providing statistics and analyses of motor vehicle crashes that took place in the country in 2010. The research note includes statistics on numerous categories, such as fatality rates, injury rates, and crash type.
The High Cost of Failing Artificial Hips
On December 27, 2011, the New York Times published an article regarding the financial cost of recent recalls and problems associated with all-metal hip replacements. According to medical and legal experts, the recent failure of metal-on-metal hip replacements may cost insurers and patients billions of dollars in the future.
DePuy ASR MDL Litigation Update
A DePuy ASR amended case management order was signed on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by the Honorable David Katz, the judge overseeing the federal multidistrict litigation against DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson regarding the recalled DePuy Orthopaedics ASR hip replacement devices.