- M. Brandon Smith | March 31, 2007 11:12 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsCraig Fineza, 43, is now right where he should be after causing a three car accident and then leaving the scene: Jail. Fineza was reportedly driving a Dodge Ram when he rear ended a Chevy Blazer being operated by another motorist. The impact from the accident forced the Blazer into the opposite lane of travel where it was then struck by a Food Windstar van. Fineza, then left the scene of the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 31, 2007 11:02 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThe sale of Zelnorm, (tegaserod maleate) approved in 2002 for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, has recently been suspended by its manufacturer, Novartis, after the drug has been linked to a significant number of cardiovascular risks. This decision was made after the United State Food and Drug Administration found the drug can lead to increased occurrences of heart attack,...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 31, 2007 10:37 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsThanh Van Nguyen, 36, was recently involved in a one car DUI accident after loosing control of his vehicle. According to the Georgia State Patrol, Nguyen over corrected his Ford Explorer causing injuries to both himself and his 12 year old male passenger. Both occupants were subsequently treated for their injures and released from Colquitt Regional Medical Center after the vehicle reportedly...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 31, 2007 5:36 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA car traveling down the wrong lane of travel on I-85 has left one person dead and 20 others injured. The driver of the vehicle was killed and pronounced dead at the scene. The injured occupants on the Greyhound bus were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Many of the bus' occupants had to crawl out of the window to escape the accident. The bus crash occurred around 3:00 a.m. and it is not...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 31, 2007 2:47 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsYesterday morning, paramedics and other emergency personnel responded quickly to the scene of an accident where a bus and another car were involved in an auto accident. The car, according to authorities, unknowingly ran into the back of the commuter bus near King and Church street in Clayton County. Numerous people on the bus were treated for injuries sustained in the bus accident but there has...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 31, 2007 2:34 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsInitially the contaminated pet food recall focused on wet food that consisted of "cuts and gravy" produced by Menu Foods, Inc. Now the recall has been extended to a least one brand of dry dog and cat food called Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food. That food, along with those manufactured and put into the stream of commerce by Menu Foods allegedly contains melamine, a product used in Asia as...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 30, 2007 3:18 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsA recent recall on more than a 100 brands of "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food has now been linked to a chemical used to make plastics: melamine. Melamine, after numerous tests by the United States Food and Drug Administration, has been definitively identified in the corpuses of both dogs and cats alike. Since the pet food recall issued by Menu Foods, Inc., and the FDA it has been reported...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 30, 2007 2:48 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThe United States Food and Drug Administration has issued a public health announcement concerning the withdrawal of Permax (Pergolide) from the market due to a link of increased heart valve damage in its consumers. The advisory indicates two new studies showed patient's with Parkinson' Disease, who ingested pergolide, were at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems than those who did...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 30, 2007 12:09 AM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseThe final stage in the bed sore classification system is stage 4. In a stage 4 bed sore, the most serious and advanced stage, almost all skin has been lost in the affected area and a very deep wound has occurred. The would itself has extended through the muscles, tendons, organs, and/or bones. Stage 4 bed sores, also termed decubitus ulcers, almost always require surgical intervention to remove...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 30, 2007 12:05 AM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseA stage 3 bedsore is typically denoted by a serious break down of the skin in which the wound itself protrudes all levels of the skin including the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and the dermis (inner most or deep part of the skin). A stage 3 bed sore usually involves a crater like wound where immense tissue damage and infection has occurred. A stage 3 bed sore demands prompt attention...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 29, 2007 11:44 PM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseAs previously noted, bed sores or pressure sores as they are often called, are classified in one of four stages. A stage 2 bed sore is usually denotes that some form of skin loss has occurred and presents as an open would in the skin. A stage two bed sore is typically described as a blister or abrasion in the skin that has become infected due to prolonged pressure on that specific part of the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 29, 2007 11:35 PM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseBed sores are generally defined by one of four stages. A stage 1 bed sore is the most common form of bed sore and can be usually be resolved by relieving the pressure on the affected area. A stage 1 bed sore usually appears as a red or pink area on the skin that remains that color even when pressed with a finger or hand. The skin is still completely intact, but is generally painful, itchy or...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 29, 2007 11:11 PM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseBed sores, in most all cases, are preventable. Bed sores only arise after the blood supply is cut off on a specific part of the body for an extended period of time. Because bed sores only occur when the proper measures and treatments have not been followed, no one should develop a bedsore, especially a nursing home or hospital patient. In order to prevent a bed sore, the following things at a...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 28, 2007 10:47 PM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseA bed sore is an area of skin and tissue that has been damaged due to prolonged pressure on a specific area of the body. A bed sore is an area of skin and tissue that has been damaged due to prolonged pressure on a specific area of the body. Typically bed sores, or pressure sores as they are sometimes called, result in situations where a person is in a seated or still position for an extended...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 27, 2007 9:57 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsIn the latest Vioxx trial, a Madison County jury found in favor of Merck & Co. after deliberating for more than 6 hours over the course of two days. The jury members rejected Patty Schwaller widower's claim that Merck & Co. was to blame for his wife's sudden death linked to cardiovascular side effects. In siding with Merck, the jury concluded that Vioxx was not a "proximate cause" in the death...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 27, 2007 1:32 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsJoy Day, the Mayor of Jonesboro, Georgia, came home to find his house in a much different state than the way he left it earlier this yesterday morning. The reason for this drastic change has been attributed to an unnamed 17-year old driver that was involved in a high speed chase with authorities earlier in the day. The driver reportedly stole the vehicle he was in and upon being chased by the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 26, 2007 9:52 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsAfter speaking with many, many people concerning the recent pet food recall issued by Menu Foods, Inc., one thing is very clear: The FDA has no idea how widespread this contaminated pet food problem has become. As of Friday, the FDA had confirmed only 16 deaths linked to the pet food, all of which suffered from renal failure. As our Antelope Valley Personal Injury Lawyer, Rick Patterson,...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 26, 2007 8:56 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA recent three car accident injured four and left one man dead after he failed to yield the right of way in Athens, Georgia. Grover Wayne Reynolds, 50, was taken to Georgia Medical Center after pulling out in front of a Jeep Liberty being driven by Elizabeth Rosalea Watts, 21, of Augusta. A GMC box truck then stuck Reynolds vehicle after it was forced into the GMC truck's lane of traffic. Other...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 26, 2007 8:43 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter returning from spring break, a fatal car wreck occurred on Friday after Daniel Sa lost control of his vehicle on I-85. The auto accident resulted in the death of Sa's passenger, Matthew Wayne Prather, 20, after the vehicle flipped over numerous times. The car wreck occurred in Opelika, Alabama after the two were returning from Panama City beach. Sa was also seriously injured in the auto...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 25, 2007 9:05 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsThree Bryan County High School students' lost their lives after a tragic car accident occurred on Georgia 119 in Bryan County. The girls, two of which were sisters, were reportedly on their way to school when the driver lost control of his vehicle and veered into the oncoming lane of traffic. An on coming truck slammed into their vehicle after not being able to stop. Tragically, all three girls...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 25, 2007 9:57 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsDoctor Randy Martin of Channel 2 news recently gave some great advice on the effects of salmonella and more importantly, how to avoid contracting it. With the recent peanut butter recall, salmonella has been in the headlines quite often recently and people should be aware of its initial stages and warning signs. As with most all food borne illnesses, salmonella poisoning often causes severe...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 25, 2007 1:53 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsBefore you go out and buy a new Ford motor Co. Super Duty pickup truck you need to be aware of a recent recall on the trucks concerning a fire hazard in their tailpipes. The voluntary recall by Ford motor Co. includes some 37,400 trucks in the F-Series built by Navistar International Corporation. According to Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis, over 8,000 of the trucks effected have already been sold to...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 24, 2007 9:27 AM |
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Medical MalpracticeImagine you are a 19-year-old teenager in your freshman year of college and you are experiencing chronic back pain. Imagine that you are told you should have a rather normal back surgery in order to correct the problem. You are reluctant to have the surgery at first, after all no one likes surgery, but get convinced by your doctors that it is a good idea. You walk into the surgery but you never...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 24, 2007 1:23 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsRotaTeq, a vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., that received FDA approval in February of 2006, is currently being investigated for a connection to a condition called intussusception. Intussusception is a very serious and life threatening condition that causes the intestines to twist and form blockages. It is a fairly rare condition, but more than 28 cases have been reported lately in various...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 24, 2007 12:56 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsA tragic head on car crash ends in the death of a South Carolina couple and serious injuries to a pair of Tennessee residents. The accident occurred on Interstate 75 yesterday afternoon when Fredia Greene, 63, lost control of her vehicle and veered into the other lane of traffic. Greene and her husband were pronounced dead at the scene and the other men were treated at the University of...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 24, 2007 12:45 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsIn many households around the United States peanut butter was a common food product that could be found in most every kitchen cabinet and /or cupboard. But has that now changed forever? Will the recent peanut butter outbreak mark the end of a childhood staple? That is the precise question posed in a recent ABCNEWS article in which the peanut butter recall is discussed. Only time will tell the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 24, 2007 12:16 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThe recent pet food contamination outbreak now has thousands of pet owners concerned about the health of their animals. The recall that has affected thousands of dogs and cats alike, has been attributed to causing renal and organ failure which usually ends in death. The surprising aspect is that the recall contains many high end brands of pet food manufactured and distributed by the mega pet...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 23, 2007 11:38 PM |
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MiscellaneousMany times those uninformed about the personal injury litigation process can become frustrated about the length of time involved in getting their personal injury claim resolved. It is a conversation I have all too often but in doing so I realize how important it is to give my client the overall picture of the process right from the beginning-at the initial consultation. I have found when you...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 23, 2007 11:32 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThe nationwide pet food recall has now been linked to an ingredient often used as Rat Poison according to agriculture officials. The voluntary recall issued by Menu Foods, a Canadian based company and manufacturer, has been a hot topic of controversy in the last week or so after causing the death of hundreds, if not thousands, of pets all over the United States. The FDA is still investigating...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 22, 2007 11:22 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn conducting an investigative search on a DUI Accident Case I am currently working on I came across the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website that discusses the effects and consequences of driving while drunk or while impaired. It is sobering information no matter how you look at it. One particular section of interest, Vehicular Homicide and the Impaired Driver, discuses the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 22, 2007 10:57 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsDUI driver, Jesus Trevino, caused a big power outage Wednesday night in Gainesville after he slammed his vehicle into a power pole near Gordon Avenue and Parker Street. The DUI accident occurred 10:15 p.m. after Trevino lost control of his vehicle. According to officials, power in a three block area was out until 12:30 or so. Fortunately no one else was involved in the DUI accident but it was...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 22, 2007 10:39 PM |
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Property Owner's Liability (Slip & Fall)The drowning of a 17-year-old boy who died at a local park is now under investigation in Elmore County. The drowning which occurred earlier this week happened at the Goldstar Park in Alabama. Witnesses indicated the teenager was seen swinging on a rope into the water shortly prior to his death but never surfaced again after doing so. Although the name of this young man has not yet been released,...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 22, 2007 10:26 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn a tragic accident a 2-year old boy was recently killed by a school bus after the child ran in front it as the bus pulled off. Cole Ford, deceased, was said to be standing near the stopped bus shortly prior to the accident when the bus started move. When it did, Ford ran in front of it and suffered life ending injuries. At this time it is not known what caused the child to chase after the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 21, 2007 6:50 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA 15-month old child was struck and killed earlier today after a family member backed over her in a SUV. Authorities at this point have determined this was a tragic accident but are not sure if charges will be filled in connection with the pedestrian accident. The accident occurred at the girl's home on Red Cloud Road around 3 p.m. earlier today. The mother of the 15-month old girl tried to...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 19, 2007 1:27 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThe law firm of Childers, Buck, & Schlueter, LLP (Atlanta, Georgia), is currently investigating property damage claims relating to the recent Menu Foods, Inc., pet food recall which has lead to the serious injury and/or death of hundreds of dogs and cats all over the nation. Based on the numerous comments to our previous posting concerning the pet food recall, many owners are now becoming aware...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 19, 2007 12:05 AM |
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MiscellaneousHave you been injured while on the job in Georgia? If so, you might be entitled to workers' compensation benefits for the injuries you sustained. While Georgia does not provide for complete payment of all lost wages under the Georgia Workers' Compensation Act, it does among other things require 100% of the medical expenses to be paid on an injured worker's behalf so long as they only seek...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 18, 2007 8:26 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsDo you own a Dodge Durango? If so you ought to be aware of a potential fire hazard that can exist in a number of the vehicles relating to the wiring mechanism associated with their manufacture. This investigation involves a woman who owned a Dodge Durango that caught fire and completely destroyed the entire the vehicle without warning or other ascertainable cause. Dodge recently recalled a...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 18, 2007 8:08 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA Coweta County woman delivering newspapers was tragically struck and killed after another driver crashed into her vehicle while attempting an improper pass. The fatal accident, which occurred earlier this morning on Highway 16, forced Teresa Morrison's vehicle into the ditch upon impact. Morrison was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene while her nine year old daughter, Rachel Morrison,...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 18, 2007 4:20 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThe Plaintiff's side of the case has been concluded in Madison County where the family of Patricia Schwaller has alleged that Vioxx contributed to and caused the 52-year-olds death. It was shown in the Plaintiff's case in chief that Schwaller, who died in 2003, did not have a history of heart attacks, strokes or other symptoms of congestive heart disease prior to her use of Merck & Co.'s Vioxx....
- M. Brandon Smith | March 18, 2007 12:25 PM |
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Nursing Home & Elder AbuseDeciding whether to place a family member or a loved one in a nursing home or long term care facility can be a very stressful time if you do not know where to find all the information you need to make the best possible decision. Many people simply rely on what other people say and think about specific nursing homes when making their decision to place a loved one there. While this may be a good...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 17, 2007 11:01 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter causing the death of Joseph Calvin Huckaby, 17, of Perry on November 5, 2006 in a single car DUI accident, the responsible DUI driver now faces serious criminal charges for his reckless actions. Ronald Alan Sinyard Jr., who was only 20 at the time of the accident, now faces three counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of DUI and a number of other charges in connection with the fatal...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 17, 2007 10:52 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsIf you currently take Ambien,Butisol Sodium, Carbrital, Dalmane, Doral, Halcion, Lunesta, Placidyl, Prosom, Restoril, Rozerem, Seconal, and/or Sonata you ought to be aware of a recent concern issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration relating to their use in connection with some very serious side effects. The drugs listed above are commonly prescribed to millions of consumers to address...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 17, 2007 7:55 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter losing control of her vehicle and slamming it into a tree, a Greenville mother was tragically killed recently on Georgia Highway 18. Pereatha Hall, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident after suffering internal chest trauma in the auto accident. According to authorities, she was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the auto accident. Her 10 year old daughter was however...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 17, 2007 5:10 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter crashing her vehicle into the underpass of Georgia loop 10 on College Station Road in Athens, a drunken driver now faces serious charges after one of her passengers had to be rushed to the intensive care unit at Athens Regional Medical Center. Sarah Catherine Madsen, has been charged with DUI, underage consumption, failure to maintain lane, and serious injury by a motor vehicle. According...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 17, 2007 2:06 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter causing a fatal car accident, the fate of a Norcross High School student is now in the hands of local authorities. Bryce Dykes, 18, was driving his Jeep Cherokee on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard when his vehicle slammed into the back of a Nissan Altima being driven by Michael Zhu. Zhu's passenger, Lind Lin of Roswell was immediately taken to Atlanta Medical Center but subsequently died as...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 16, 2007 10:04 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsTwo female drivers were recently released from an Atlanta hospital yesterday after a two car wreck that occurred on Highway 278 earlier this week. Rhonda Paschal of Temple, was cited for failure to yield the right of way and stated to have caused the serious auto accident. The two women had to be air lifted via helicopters to Grady Memorial Hospital after the wreck due to the nature of their...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 16, 2007 9:38 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsMenu Foods', one of the nation's largest manufacturers of dog and cat food, has issued a nationwide recall on its "cuts and gravy" style pet food after being linked to kidney failure in many animals. The pet food recall, which is estimated to include more than 60 million containers, was distributed to Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway, and other similar stores on Friday after more than 10 pets died from...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 16, 2007 9:13 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsThese days just because you are not out on the roads does not mean you are safe from being involved in an auto accident-just ask the Sarasty family. Andy Sarasty and his three children where in the home asleep when all of a sudden a truck slammed into the bedroom wall of their home early Friday morning. Andy, the father of the residence, said his four year old son was trapped under the truck...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 15, 2007 1:32 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA fatal car wreck has lead to the death of three people and caused serious injures for two others after a van rear-ended a log truck in southeast Georgia today. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the driver of the state Department of Human Resources' van slammed into the back of the log truck that was stopped at a 4-way intersection at Highway 252 and Indian Trail. Eyewitnesses noted the van...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 14, 2007 1:48 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn a tragic situation, a 4-year-old girl, Johnnie Collins, was recently killed after her father accidentally ran over her in his pickup truck in Goose Creek, South Carolina. According to authorities, the father, Dirk Collins, was moving his truck in preparation of other family members coming over to the residence for a family event. Although it is believed the pedestrian accident was a complete...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 13, 2007 11:37 PM |
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Wrongful DeathEveryone knows construction sites can be very dangerous if the proper attention and precautions are not taken. The incident that took place Richland Creek Road in Buford, Georgia where a Gwinnett County man was crushed to death at his work site is just the latest tragic example. According to authorities and OSHA officials investigating the construction site, a 63-year-old man was crushed to...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 12, 2007 11:26 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsJack Landskroner, a Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyer and our InjuryBoard partner from Ohio, recently posted a blog about a very important topic to keep in mind when dealing with personal injury claims: the statute of limitations. As Jack correctly points out, there is generally a very limited time frame for some who has been injured to file a claim in all states. For instance, in Georgia, a...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 12, 2007 11:02 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter drunk driver ran a stop sign and crashed his vehicle into her home, a Bulloch County woman, though happy to be alive, is now without a home. Jamie Crunkelton, the former homeowner, said the 28-year-old dui driver, Russell Christopher Daughtry, slammed into her home around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning and forced the residence several feet off its foundation. The Georgia State Patrol, who...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 12, 2007 10:57 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsAfter a car accident that left one passenger dead and two others injured, a 15-year-old teenager may very well face vehicular homicide charges according to Clayton County police. The teenager was said to have pulled out in front of an oncoming truck on Georgia 42 near Stockbridge. Herbert Conselya of Atlanta, was killed as a result of the auto collision and the other two passengers were treated...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 12, 2007 6:24 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsAn Atlantic City jury returned a plaintiff's verdict today against Merck & Co. to the tune of $47.5 million after its arthritis drug Vioxx lead to an Idaho postal worker's heart attack. $20 of the $47.5 million was awarded for compensatory damages and the remaining $27.5 million was awarded as punitive damages in order to punish Merck & Co. for their failure to warn about the cardiovascular...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 12, 2007 1:27 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsAfter distribution to Florida, Georgia, and New York, a large olive recall has been initiated after determining they may be linked to a possible fatal contamination of clostridium botulinum. The recall includes 25-ounce jars of "Cerignola Olives" manufactured by the Florida based food processor Flora Foods. The contaminated jars of olives, shown as "LOT .G080" on jars label, were discovered...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 11, 2007 6:58 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsDaimlerChrysler recently had a $50 million dollar punitive verdict rendered against them by a Los Angeles jury after failing to warn and fix a known vehicle defect in many of its vehicles. Plaintiff, Richard Mraz suffered fatal head injuries when his unoccupied and parked 1992 Dodge Dakota truck slipped into reverse and ran over him. The design and product defect was known by the Detroit Auto...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 11, 2007 6:38 PM |
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Mass Transit (Airline, Cruise Ship, Train, Bus)Is your airport a safe one or did it make the Forbes.com 10 most dangerous airports list? The answer just might surprise you depending on your response. The report listed North Las Vegas as the most dangerous airport in the United States followed by Charlotte Douglas International, Long Beach (California), Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Los Angeles International, Boston-Logan...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 11, 2007 5:02 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsI recently came across an atricle that discusses some great tips to promote safer drivers on our State's roadways and highways. The article featured in AutoTrader.com and authored by Janet Braunstein, lists 9 things every driver should do, not do and/or things everyone should be aware of. Tips and advice like this can be invaluable in minimazing the number of auto accidents casued and/or...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 11, 2007 1:07 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsFellow InjuryBoard member Ward Merdes, our Fairbanks Alaska partner, recently discussed an important and all too often over looked situation which deals with single vehicle accidents. As Ward correctly points out, your insurance carrier is not likely to inform you that the other passengers in a vehicle (even family members) may have a claim against the driver of the vehicle if he did...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 11, 2007 12:36 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn a previous post concerning a possible highway design defect that contributed to the fatal Bluffton University bus accident that left 7 dead and numerous others seriously injured, it was noted this was not the first time that a serious car wreck had occurred on Atlanta's Northside Drive exit on I-75. For the first time publicly, Atlanta police have released reports of at least three other...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 10, 2007 11:50 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsThe United States Food and Drug Administration has recently expanded its previous recall on contaminated peanut butter that was manufactured by ConAgra in its Sylvester, Georgia food plant. The contaminated lots of peanut butter, consisting of both Peter Pan and Great Value brands, bear the prefix of 2111 on its lid and have been definitively show to contain salmonella. The previous recall went...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 10, 2007 1:33 AM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsDo you or a loved one use an anemia drug? If so, you ought to be aware of a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning associated with the use of prescription anemia drugs that can cause an increased risk of death or other serious side effects linked to cancer or kidney disease. The drugs, commonly sold as Procrit, Epogen and Aranesp, are designed to increase red blood cell counts and...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 09, 2007 5:28 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsGrady Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Denise Simpson, said freshman pitcher Zach Arend, of the Bluffton University baseball team, died today as a result of the injuries he sustained in the tragic bus crash that occurred a week ago today. Arend suffered injuries to his brain, chest, lungs and pelvis as a result of the bus accident and had been fighting for his life ever since his arrival at Grady....
- M. Brandon Smith | March 08, 2007 8:38 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThe mandate of a black box warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concerning many antidepressant medications over the last few years has sparked a debate among many scholars as to whether the mandate has caused an increase in teenage suicide. The warning, which informed doctors of a potential risk of increased suicidal thoughts among its users, was ordered by the FDA in 2004 on...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 08, 2007 8:06 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsWhile working to extend Cherokee County Airport runway, a Hall County man was killed and another was injured after a dump truck ran over the men on a work site. The fatal dump truck accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. today while the two men were reportedly taking soil samples at the top of a steep hill. The truck driver allegedly did not see the men as it topped the hill and subsequently struck...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 08, 2007 7:38 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsPrompted by anticipated legal action from the crash victims, the State of Georgia has now decided to start its own investigation in the fatal bus accident that left 6 people dead and many others seriously wounded. Initially, the Georgia Department of Transportation stated that it was not going to take any corrective action or make any changes to the Northside Drive exit on I-75 until the federal...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 08, 2007 7:23 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsJames Grandey, the 29-year-old coach of the Bluffton University baseball team, is now reported to be in fair condition after his involvement in the fatal Atlanta bus crash that left 6 others dead and dozens injured. Grandey has been at Piedmont Hospital since early Friday morning on March 2, 2007 when the horrific and tragic bus accident occurred at the Northside exit on I-75. Grandey underwent...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 08, 2007 7:11 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA former star on Prison Break, a Fox drama series television show, Lane Garrison, has recently been charged felony vehicular manslaughter and DUI after his vehicle slammed into a tree killing his 17 year-old passenger. Garrison, in the television series, played the part of David "Tweener" Apolskis who was killed off the show last season. According to authorities, Garrison had a blood alcohol...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 07, 2007 8:55 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsDue to elevated levels of iron in 12 different lots, Bausch and Lomb has issued a limited recall on its ReNu MultiPlus lens care solution. The affected lots are said to have been manufactured in Greenville, South Carolina. Over 1 million of the bottles from 9 of the 12 lots were distributed in the United States alone. The affected lots include:GC6030, GC6037, GC6038, GC6045, GC6048, GC6052,...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 06, 2007 9:23 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last Friday that it no longer intends to publish a public list of potentially dangerous prescription drugs that was going to warn the consuming public of potential safety concerns and risks. The idea was discussed and proposed by the FDA after the withdrawal of Merck & Co.'s arthritis drug Vioxx in 2004. Instead now the FDA has decided it will only...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 05, 2007 11:38 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsFord has issued a nationwide recall relating to many of its vehicles after discovering a common cruise control defects in them that can cause the vehicle to catch on fire. The effected vehicles in this recall are 2000-2002 Excursions, 1994-1996 Econoline vans, 1994-2002 F-250 through F-550 F-Super Duty trucks and 1998 Explorers and Mountaineers. If you own one of these vehicles you are urged to...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 05, 2007 11:24 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsAccording to Greenville South Carolina authorities, the driver of a tractor trailer that struck a man in a wheel chair could face felony charges after causing the man's death. According to eyewitnesses, John Wesley Holtzclaw, a sixty nine year old man, was operating his wheel chair on the side walk when the tractor trailer hit the man and drug him down the road. The driver was initially cited...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 05, 2007 11:11 PM |
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Property Owner's Liability (Slip & Fall)Students at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School were forced to evacuate their school earlier today after an unknown agent caused many to experience problems breathing and very itching skin. Seventeen students had to hospitalized at five different hospitals including North Fulton County for their complications relating to the unknown agent. The local a HazMat team was called to help evacuate the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 05, 2007 8:48 PM |
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MiscellaneousIf you have ever thought there was an insurance crisis going on and that insurers where losing so much money to all those "frivolous lawsuits" being filed, you need to look no further than to the Chicago Tribune wherein it discusses State Farm's projected profits of over $5.3 billion, yes billion, for the 2006 fiscal year. If there are so many of these frivolus lawsuits being filed, how can...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 05, 2007 6:30 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsDo you use or rely on a medical devices or equipment for your medication, oxygen or for some other necessary reason? If so, you ought to read this warning published by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration over concerns that specific devices might cause adverse events due to the upcoming Daylight Savings Time change. Although the FDA is not certain which devices or equipment may be affected, it...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 05, 2007 3:14 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsThe National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Kitty Higgins has recently said that there were no mechanical problems with the tour bus that was carrying a college baseball team from Ohio which tragically crashed in Atlanta, Georgia early Friday morning. In the initial stages of the fatal Atlanta bus accident that left 6 dead and numerous others seriously injured, the bus itself was the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 04, 2007 5:23 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsDespite a federal investigation launched by the National Transportation Safety Board, Georgia's Department of Transportation said they have no immediate plans to close, change or alter in any way the Northside exit ramp where six people lost their lives in a fatal Atlanta bus accident that was carrying a college baseball team from Bluffton University in Ohio. The Georgia DOT has said they plan...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 04, 2007 4:49 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsJack Landskroner, a fellow InjuryBoard partner and Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyer recently brought up an important aspect concerning the Atlanta Georgia bus accident that resulted in six deaths and dozens of other injuries: Highway Design Defects. His post questioning a possible highway design defect as a contributing factor in the Atlanta bus accident is apparently well founded due to the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 04, 2007 2:53 PM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel has set out to review Arcoxia, Merck & Co. Inc.'s replacement pain reliever drug for Vioxx which was recalled back in 2004. In a meeting set for April 12, 2007, the panel expects to discuss the safety and effectiveness of Arcoxia which is being heavily pushed by Merck for FDA approval. Of note worthy concern, Arcoxia, like Vioxx and Bextra, is a cox-2...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 04, 2007 12:12 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsAJ Ramthun, one of the Bluffton University baseball players involved the fatal bus accident yesterday, gives his chilling tale and heart felt view of the situation. Ramthun, like most of the team members, was asleep at the time of the accident. He remembers waking up as the bus struck the concrete wall on the Northside Drive exit off I-75 in Atlanta, Georgia. Ramthun suffered a broken collar...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 04, 2007 6:34 AM |
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FDA & Prescription DrugsIn the latest New Jersey Vioxx trial, the jurors rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Frederick "Mike" Humeston, who took Vioxx prior to his death. In this bifurcated preceding designed only to address Merck's potential liability, the New Jersey state court jury found that Merck & Company failed to warn about the dangers associated with Vioxx in causing cardiovascular risks and...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 04, 2007 1:05 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsPedestrian accidents unquestionably yield some of the most serious and deadly injuries one can be exposed too in an accident. When the human body is stuck by a moving vehicle it does not take long to realize the serious implications that can arise. Inevitabley, medical bills atart accumulating and time off from work results after a pedestrian accident. Children too are often involved in...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 03, 2007 11:25 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsOur law firm of Childers, Buck, & Schlueter, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, along with our co-counsel firm the Law Offices of Eric H. Weinberg, of New Brunswick, NJ, has filed what is believed to the be the first peanut butter contamination lawsuit in the State of Georgia on February 22, 2007. The Georgia peanut butter lawsuit was filed in the State Court of Gwinnett County. This individual peant...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 03, 2007 9:16 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn the aftermath of the recent Atlanta Georgia bus crash on I-75 involving the Bluffton University baseball team, many organizations and people in and around Atlanta, Georgia are lending a hand to those players and families who were involved. "We are looking to help in any way we can," said James Rissler, pastor of the Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship, who has been in touch with Bluffton University...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 03, 2007 8:07 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn a recent auto accident, two men lost their lives in a fiery car crash after the driver of the vehicle missed his turn and caused the vehicle to wreck. The auto accident occurred on U.S. Highway 31 near Atmore. The two men, Keith Dewayne Anderson and Darwin Eugene Robinson were pronounced dead on the scene. Anderson was said to be the driver of the vehicle, while Robinson was riding as a...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 03, 2007 2:27 AM |
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Mass Transit (Airline, Cruise Ship, Train, Bus)A Georgia helicopter pilot recently died and seriously wounded his passenger after the helicopter suddenly fell from the air. The aviation accident occurred near Highway 81 close to the Walton and Barrow County line. Eye witnesses say they saw the helicopter hovering around in the area shortly prior to its crash. The passenger was sent to Grady Memorial Hospital via Life Flight. The extent of...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 03, 2007 2:04 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsIn the aftermath of a horrifying and tragic tale, Timothy Kay, an Alpharetta native and Bluffton University baseball player gives his version of events that transpired in a deadly bus accident yesterday afternoon on I-75 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kay, the team's ace pitcher, was one of the few that walked away from the bus accident with only minor cuts and scrapes. In all, 6 people died in the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 02, 2007 4:31 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsA college baseball team from the state of Ohio was involved in a very serious bus accident which has left 6 dead and dozens of others injured. The accident occurred on Atlanta Georgia's highway I-75 at the Northside Drive exit. The bus was traveling in the HOV lane and crashed through a retaining wall shortly before descending down onto the southbound lane of traffic below. Law enforcement said...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 02, 2007 8:51 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsHave you been injured by a drunk or impaired driver through no fault of your own? Do you have medical bills pilling up that need to be taken care of? Do you have lost wages from missed work as a result of a DUI accident? If so, I as a Georgia DUI lawyer can help you get the justice you deserve. Do not let careless individuals that choose to drive drunk and endanger the lives of others off the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 02, 2007 4:35 AM |
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Automobile AccidentsGeorgia Governor Sonny Perdue is a big proponent for the so called "Super Speeder" legislation that was recently introduced into the Georgia General Assembly. The legislation is designed to reduce traumatic automobile accidents in Georgia by imposing stiff fines for those who chose to travel at excessive speeds on the state's highways and roadways. As defined in the bill, anyone traveling in...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 8:50 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsDo you eat desert, candy, and/or ice cream? If so, you might want to check out the latest warning issued by the U.S Food and Drug Administration because inspectors now believe the peanut butter contamination might have already spread to many other tasty treats. According to the warning, the recall may now need to be extended to peanut butter desert toppings and various ice cream manufacturers....
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 8:35 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsIn a recent battery recall involving ThinkPad laptop computers, at least one person is said to have suffered injuries as a result of the batteries overheating. The fire hazard associated with these batteries, caused Sony and Lenovo to recall thousands of batteries which includes the part number FRU P/N 92P1131. At least one person thus far suffered minor eye irritation after catching fire during...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 8:12 PM |
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Property Owner's Liability (Slip & Fall)Matilynn Williams, a ten year old girl from Tuscaloosa County was recently attacked by two pit bulls on her way to her bus. Matilynn was taken to DCH Regional medical Center where she received numerous stitches for her injuries. The even more appalling part of this dog bite story is that her older brother was attacked by these same two pit bulls just a week before this dangerous dog attack....
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 7:51 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsChino Cadahia, the Atlanta Braves new bench coach was involved in an auto accident today after a negligent driver ran a red light and slammed into the passenger side of Cadahia's vehicle. Cadahia was attempting to turn left at an intersection when his vehicle was suddenly struck and flipped onto it roof. Terry Pendleton, the Atlanta Braves hitting couch arrived on the scene shortly after the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 4:32 PM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsAfter conducting an intensive investigation in ConAgra's Sylvester, Georgia processing plant, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first time officially suggested the salmonella contamination likely took place prior to the product reaching consumers. In evaluating and testing numerous jars of contaminated peanut butter from consumers last week, the FDA confirmed that the...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 1:11 PM |
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Automobile AccidentsWith mottos like "Delay, Deny, Defend" it is no wonder why some many people have turned to the justice system to seek redress for their unexpected and problematic injuries that were suffered through no fault of their own. When insurance companies employ such unethical tactics no one benefits-no one expect the insurance company that is... If you for a minute think some of the larger insurance...
- M. Brandon Smith | March 01, 2007 1:36 AM |
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Defective & Dangerous ProductsIn a Vioxx trial that is expected to last four to six weeks in Madison County, opening arguments were given yesterday by both sides in the first Midwest trial over the controversial drug. The plaintiff's attorney who represents the surviving husband of Pattie Schwaller told the jurors that Merck & Co. as the manufacturer of Vioxx chose to put profits over people and as a result contributed to...