According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, falling and fighting are the top causes of eye injuries requiring hospitalization. As the number one cause, falling was responsible for more than 8,425 hospitalizations over a 10-year period. Fights came in at a close second, resulting in nearly 8,000 hospitalizations. During that…
An incident with a Red line commuter train in Quincy Thursday morning could have been tragic. The train traveled multiple stops without an operator, before it was forced to a stop by MBTA operations personnel. According to witnesses, the operator got off the train to check a problem in Braintree,…
As parents, we fear for the safety and well-being of our children every day. When teen-age children approach driving age, that fear increases substantially. Considering that young people are more likely to die in a car crash than from any other illness or injury, this fear is certainly understandable. However,…
In the age of smartphones and hand-held devices, just about everyone knows the dangers of distracted driving. But what about distracted cycling? Several cities across the country have already banned cyclists from using hand-held devices, and multiple states have banned wearing earplugs or using headphones while riding. Contact a Boston…
Winter weather cannot be avoided in Boston, and snowy or icy conditions make driving exceedingly hazardous. In total, motor vehicle crashes accounted for 2.3 million injuries and 32,675 fatalities on U.S. roadways in 2014 alone. Considering that more than one-quarter of those accidents were weather-related, it is wise to utilize…
Consumer watchdog World Against Toys Causing Harm has released its report for the most dangerous toys of 2015, and holiday shoppers should take note. WATCH estimates that 46% of people will buy their holiday gifts (including toys) online and must be vigilant about how safe—or unsafe—they are. Among those on…
Yaz, a popular and aggressively marketed oral contraceptive sold by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceutical, Inc., is linked to thousands of injuries and deaths. The once-a-day birth control pill may cause several potentially life-threatening side effects, including heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and even sudden death. More than 16,000 lawsuits have been filed,…
Diane Ponte, an ex-paralegal for France-based pharmaceutical company Sanofi, claimed last year that the company had paid $30 million in alleged kickbacks to promote its diabetes drugs. Only a year earlier, Sanofi agreed to settle with the U.S. federal government for $100 million in a lawsuit alleging similar fraudulent activity.…
Winter in Massachusetts can be harsh. Snow and ice can make roads and walkways dangerously slick. Property owners have a duty to take reasonable care when maintaining these areas, but multiple factors can influence this responsibility. For example, some property owners live out of state and pay a plow company…
Talcum powder has been used for feminine hygiene, and as a baby care product, for decades. Its name comes from the mineral from which it is derived; talc is composed of silicon, magnesium, and oxygen. Talcum powder is popular for its ability to absorb moisture and reduce friction, which prevents…