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| Good Afternoon,
One of the goals we have set this year is to communicate more effectively with our colleagues, and to accomplish that, we have created a
newsletter. You can easily respond to this letter by clicking on the Contact Us: at the bottom of this column.
We hope you enjoy our first newsletter.
Sincerely
Tom Edwards Eric Ragatz |
You may have seen us in the news ...
 Eric Ragatz (second from right) and Tom Edwards (right) announced at a press conference
they filedsix lawsuits against Memorial Hospital.
E&R Represents 6 Clients Bringing Lawsuits Against Memorial, Prompting Us To Hold A Press Conference In February
Six of our clients developed bedsores and one developed bedsores and blindness while they were patients at Memorial Hospital between March 2007 and December 2008.
In February we filed six separate lawsuits against Memorial Hospital, seeking payment of millions of dollars in medical bills, pain, suffering and recovery from "never events" they incurred while at the hospital.
"For the first time we have seen bedsores in every hospital in this community, but the most have been at Memorial," said Tom Edwards, senior partner at Edwards & Ragatz. "Bedsores are preventable with the basics of care: food, water and turning the patient."
The patients represented in the lawsuits include men and women ranging in age from 42 to 82. They all contracted injurious bedsores while at the hospital, three of the patients while they were in the intensive care unit.
"Bedsores are caused by neglect to provide adequate care," said Eric Ragatz, senior partner at Edwards & Ragatz. "They are very painful and it is horrendous to watch a loved one suffer from these wounds."
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Web advertising rules suspended If you're not sure your Web site will meet the new Florida Bar advertising rules, you have until July 1 to figure it out. The Florida Supreme Court agreed with the Florida Bar Board of Governors to suspend the rules until that date, according to a story in the March 1 The Florida Bar News.
Questions about the new advertising rules may be directed to the Florida Bar's Lawyer Advertising Department at 850.561.5780. |
Drugs On The FDA's List
Recalls or warnings have been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Avandia, Hydroxycut, Levaquin and Heparin, because of serious adverse events and, in some cases, deaths.
Avandia, used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes, has severe side effects that include congestive heart failure, heart attack and hand and foot fractures. It has been required by the FDA to carry a black box warning.
The FDA warned consumers last year to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., because the products have been associated with a number of serious liver injuries. The FDA received 23 reports of health problems, including jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, liver damage and other health problems.
Lavaquin, an antibiotic in the class called fluroquinolone, has been mandated to carry a black box warning. The drug has been linked to tendon damage and ruptures in the Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, biceps, hand and thumb.
Heparin was recalled by the FDA because several serious adverse events and deaths have been reported with its use.
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"Equal Justice Under Law"
-- Quote on the western facade of the U.S. Supreme Court
"Justice the Guardian
-- Quote on the eastern facade of
the U.S. Supreme Court |
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C. Leigh Wilhite J.D., R.N.
C. Leigh Wilhite joined our firm in January as one of our litigation attorneys. Ms. Wilhite will practice in the areas of personal injury, medical negligence, nursing home negligence, product liability and complex civil litigation.
She has eight years experience in the areas of civil litigation, insurance defense, professional malpractice defense and representation of health care providers before their licensing boards. |
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| Do you have a legal question?
Florida Bar members can call the Florida Bar Ethics Hotline at 800.235.8619 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with questions about professional conduct and compliance with Bar rules.
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2010 Product Recalls
1.5 million* Graco Passage™, Alano™ and Spree™ strollers and travel systems are being recalled by Graco Children's Products Inc. The stroller's canopy hinge poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard.
Tylenol, Motrin & St. Joseph's aspirin -- The recall includes regular and extra-strength Tylenol, children's Tylenol, eight-hour Tylenol, Tylenol arthritis, Tylenol PM, children's Motrin, Motrin IB, Benadryl, Rolaids, Simply Sleep and St. Joseph's aspirin. The full list is available on www.mcneilproductrecall.com.
951,000* home improvement books are recalled by Oxmoor House Inc. The books contain technical diagram and wiring instruction errors that could lead to incorrect installation or repair of electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock or fire hazard. For more information, call (866) 696-7602.
Dorel Asia SRL is recalling 635,000* Dorel Asia cribs. The drop side hardware can fall and cause the drop side to detach from the crib, creating a space that could entrap, suffocate or strangle an infant or toddler.
204,000* "Big Rex and Friends" cloth books are recalled by St. Martin's Press LLC. A red plastic dot sewn into the book contains high levels of lead.
*Numbers are approximate
Source: www.cpsc.gov Web site |
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Areas of Practice
Nursing Home Neglect
Car and Truck Accidents
Medical Malpractice
Insurance and Coverage Litigation
Product Liability
Construction Site Accidents
Business Litigation
"Balancing The Scales Of Justice -- For Those Who Need It Most"
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| Contact Us:
501 Riverside Ave., Suite 601 Phone: 904.399.1609
Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Toll Free: 800.366.1609
Fax: 904.399.1615
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