Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

May 8, 2014

GE, Foster Wheeler Named in Asbestos Lawsuit

General Electric and Foster Wheeler have been named in a lawsuit against the corporate giants filed by Henry and Teresa Haley. The suit against Henry Haley’s former employers alleges that Mr. Haley came in contact with Asbestos, a known carcinogen, while working for GE and Foster Wheeler, causing severe health complications later in life. Haley handled the potentially dangerous material while working for both companies and now suffers from several medical conditions including Asbestosis, other lung damage, and cancer.

Asbestos, while a naturally occurring mineral, is now known to be a carcinogen with the potential to cause a wide range of serious health complications. The material is fireproof and an excellent insulator, making it a popular choice in construction and industrial work until the 1970s. However, the tiny hook-like fibers in the material can claw onto the lungs, leading to Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and other cancers. Unfortunately, it may take years before any symptoms of the diseases begin to appear, complicating treatment and detection.
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May 7, 2014

Former Student Files Massachusetts Sex Abuse Case, Says Teacher Gave Him Pain Pills For Favors

by Altman & Altman

A 23-year-old man is suing his former Spanish teacher for Massachusetts sexual abuse. The plaintiff, identified only as “John Doe,” says that Emily Parks, who used to be the principal at Westwood High School, and the school committee failed to protect him from Ashworth’s sexual advances.

According to the Massachusetts personal injury case, Ashworth, who is from Needham, became Doe’s Spanish teacher when he was a sophomore. Because he has a debilitating skin disorder, Doe was a special education student and often used a wheelchair.

He claims that Ashworth “groomed” him for the abuse by paying extra attention to him and giving him a higher grade. She became his study adviser and spent time with him outside class.

May 6, 2014

Equipment Failure Caused Ringling Brothers Circus Accident, Say Investigators

by Altman & Altman

According to state investigators, a metal clip that was supposed to hold 10,000 pounds in weight is the cause of a circus injury accident that sent Ringling Brothers performs plunging at least 20 feet to the ground during a performance. Eight female acrobats and one dancer sustained numerous fractures and other injuries, including internal injuries and head injuries. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is replacing all the metal clips in its show as a cautionary measure.

The 4-inch clip is called a carabinder. The fastener was used to support a frame that suspended the aerialists above ground as a human chandelier during a sequence known as the Medeiros Hair-Hang Act. Now, investigators want to know how and why the fastener failed. The rigging used weighed just 1,500 pounds.

It is possible that the clip, in use by the circus since September, became weak over time. However, human error may have been a factor too. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration is also investigating the fall accident.

May 6, 2014

Needham, MA Teen Injured in Hit-And-Run Days before Prom

by Altman & Altman

Seventeen-year-old Kailey Wasserman sits in her living room with tears streaming past a large scrape on her chin, one of many peppering her bruised body. Wasserman is understandably upset. She was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run as she was jogging in Needham. The driver left her bruised and bleeding on the ground and sped off with nary a thought about the injured teen he or she could have killed.

Kailey Wasserman faces WBZ TV cameras and opens her mouth to where her smile should be. Instead, she is missing two teeth and another is rendered to a fraction of what it used to be. The Boston Globe and WBZ report that in addition to her teeth, Kailey suffered a painful injury to her elbow and cuts and bruises all over her body.

According to authorities, the accident occurred at the intersection of High Rock Street and Marked Tree Road. Kailey explains that the driver blew through a stop sign and hit her, never stopping to see if she was okay. She was hit hard, rolling over the hood of the oncoming car and hitting her face on the pavement when she came to rest.
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April 30, 2014

Student Says She Was Victim of Massachusetts Sexual Assault at Curry College in Milton

by Altman & Altman

A female student at Curry College says she was the victim of a Massachusetts sex crime that took place on campus. The incident allegedly occurred in a dorm building. Her assailant has not been identified but police are investigating the matter.

Curry College is just one of a number of Massachusetts schools in the media spotlight because of sexual assaults on college campuses. Just this week the US Department of Investigation announced that it is investigating 55 colleges and schools to determine whether they illegally handled complaints involving sexual harassment and violence. Schools in this state that are part of the probe: Boston University, Amherst College, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, Emerson College, Harvard College and Harvard University-Law School.

Already, the Department of Education has said that Tufts University did not comply with rules about how to deal with sexual assault. Meantime, both Emerson College and Harvard University are accused of creating hostile environments for sexual assault victims.

April 30, 2014

Elderly Woman Struck By MBTA Commuter Rail Train

by Altman & Altman

An elderly Framingham woman was seriously injured when she was struck by a commuter rail train in downtown Framingham earlier this week.

The woman was struck by an inbound train near the Framingham rail station and it is still unclear as to how or why the accident occurred. The woman was medflighted to a Boston-area hospital for treatment of serious injuries and she is expected to make a full recovery.

MBTA ACCIDENTS

Whether you are someone who utilizes public transit on a daily basis or only occasionally, there is always a risk of injury as the result of human error (such as an operator’s behavior), equipment failure, as well as unsafe conditions on commuting premises. Unsafe conditions can be present in a number of locations, including at bus and train stations, on station platforms, on stairways and stairwells, and on entryways, and exits.
When these types of accidents occur, victims inevitably wonder what their next step should be along with recovery from their injuries. Common concerns may include payment for medical bills, compensation for lost wages because an injury prevents a normal work schedule, property damage, pain and suffering, and long-term care and disability.

No matter what the specific details of your incident, the attorneys at the law offices at Altman & Altman have the knowledge and experience to assist clients in filing a claim against the parties responsible for their injuries and help them achieve the financial compensation they deserve and are entitled to. In addition to assisting clients receive financial relief, we also connect clients with some of the most respected and knowledgeable health professionals to ensure that they receive the highest level of care available.
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April 30, 2014

Tufts University and Harvard University Face Government Scrutiny for Sexual Assault Cases

by Altman & Altman

Tufts University and Harvard University are facing harsh criticism from government officials for their procedures of handling sex assault cases on their campuses.

On Monday the U.S. Department of Education found that Tufts University has not been complying with federal rules on how colleges should address sexual assaults, and stated that the university needs to do more “to ensure the safety of more than 10,000 students” at the school. The case stems from a complaint filed in 2010 by a woman who accused Tufts mishandled her sexual assault allegations. According to a federal investigation, Tufts waited nearly six months before it launched its own investigation of the woman’s complaint, and did not offer the victim appropriate options; including offering to have her move out of the dormitory where she and the accused lived and still requiring the young woman to attend a leadership class alongside her assailant or else face removal from the program.

According to WCVB.com, a Tufts spokesperson said that the school has been working closely with the Department of Education and is “shocked it has been declared out of compliance with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination and affects education funding.” The school is at risk of losing its federal funding if it does not reach an agreement with the education department’s Office of Civil Rights.

On Tuesday of this week, a White House task force on sexual assault is expected to recommend that schools identify trained, confidential victim’s advocates and conduct surveys to better gauge the frequency of sexual assault on their campuses Harvard University is also facing scrutiny after federal investigators launched separate investigations against the Ivy League school as well as dozens of other schools for allegedly creating hostile environments for sexual assault victims.
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April 30, 2014

Use This Simple Tool to Get the Most out of Your Personal Injury Case

by Altman & Altman

The aftermath of an accident can be completely overwhelming. Victims are shuffled to multiple doctors’ appointments, physical therapy sessions, and attorney consultations all while trying to recover from the emotional and physical effects of potentially serious injuries. One minute, your life is carrying on as planned, the next, an accident thrusts all of this upon you. It can be extremely difficult to navigate the medical terminology, insurance claims, and financial issues without any help. Enlisting the assistance of a Massachusetts personal injury attorney is advised in these cases, learn more about that here

With everything that is going on around them, details surrounding the actual symptoms can begin to get foggy for the victim, and defendants and insurance companies will take every opportunity to take advantage of that. A simple solution to the problem is to keep a journal. Writing a detailed account of your injuries, how you are feeling, and general notes about the accident every day is a low-tech but ultimately effective tool for bolstering your claim. A daily journal easily monitors progress and set-backs and eliminates worry of forgetting any important details amid the chaos.
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April 29, 2014

Recalled Dehumidifier Manufacturer Ignored Early Warnings from Suppliers

by Altman & Altman

It is not often that a homeowner panics when he or she thinks they left the refrigerator on. Many household appliances are meant to operate quietly and continuously while residents go about their day. A dehumidifier hums softly in a dark, damp corner of the house often while a family is asleep. Consumers trust this relatively simple device to be safe without putting too much thought into the machine when it is in use. However, recent developments in a large-scale dehumidifier recall may force homeowners to reconsider an appliance once thought to be completely safe.

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Dehumidifiers manufactured by the Chinese company Gree Electric Appliances Inc. are being recalled due to their tendency to catch on fire. Though no serious injuries have been reported yet, numerous fires and property damage reports are starting to pour in. The purpose of the device is to remove water and moisture from the air in damp places, and they are usually left on all day unattended. The appliance, which is manufactured by Gree but sold under many different names, was originally tested and endorsed by Consumer Reports. Upon hearing of the widespread issues with the product, the trusted magazine quickly de-listed it and recalled its ratings.
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April 25, 2014

Stroke Victim Awarded $14M in Medical Malpractice Case Against Doctor Who Prescribed Yasmin Birth Control

by Altman & Altman

A Chicago woman was awarded $14 million in a medical malpractice case against her doctor after she suffered a severe stroke two weeks after starting the birth control Yasmin.

Mariola Zapalski, 37, was prescribed the controversial contraceptive pill by Dr. Zbigniew Aniol in 2007 to control irregular bleeding. 13 days later, she had a stroke which caused profound brain damage, causing her to become partially paralyzed and wheelchair bound. Zapalski now requires around-the-clock care by her husband, who is now unable to work.

A four woman, eight man jury reached the verdict on April 18 after a two-week trial before Cook County Circuit Judge Edward Washington II. The jury determined that the defendant, Dr. Aniol’s choice to prescribe the medication to Zapalski ultimately led to her life-long debilitating injury. Zapalski’s attorney Bradley Cosgrove said he hopes the “verdict will send a message to other health care providers to be very careful in prescribing this medication that can be very dangerous.”

ABOUT YASMIN

Yasmin, which is manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has been widely criticized for years by medical professionals because of its severe adverse side effects which among those side effects include a high risk of stroke in young women. Despite the controversy and known risks, Yasmin and YAZ continue to thrive in the pharmaceutical marketplace. In fact, in 2011 Bayer’s contraceptive medications generated $1.1 billion collectively making them the drug maker’s biggest selling drugs-Yasmin ranked as the No. 4 oral contraceptive in the United States.

In April 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered Bayer and other contraceptive makers to strengthen blood-clot warnings on their products. The FDA issued a safety review update last year for Yasmin and other birth control drugs containing drospirenone, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring female hormone progesterone. Medications with drospirenone have been found to triple the risk of blood clots.

As of March 2012, nearly 12,000 lawsuits have been brought against Bayer alleging that numerous contraceptive drugs, including Yasmin, enhance the risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE)) and gallbladder problems. Ocella, which is the generic version of Yasmin, is also associated with serious side effects, some of which have been found to be fatal. Lawsuits also allege that the company failed to adequately warn patients and medical professionals of increased risk of serious side effects associated with the use of Yasmin and Yaz as compared to safer oral contraceptives.

All of the oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and the new “fourth generation” progestin drospirenone (DRSP) have been linked to:

• Blood Clots • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary Embolism • Gallbladder Disease • Stroke • Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA)
• Heart Attack • Myocardial Infarction • Death Continue reading