Americans for Insurance Reform released a new study earlier this week showing how the insurance industry periodically manufactures crises to boost profits. The study, titled "Repeat Offenders: How The Insurance Industry Manufactures Crises And Harms America" shows that property and casualty insurers work together to create periods of crisis, known as "hard markets". The industry often uses these … [Read more...]
FDA Adds New Warning to Multaq
December 20, 2011 By
Multaq (dronedarone) is a widely-prescribed drug for patients with heart arrhythmias.Yesterday, the FDA announced a new warning about risks associated with Multaq.You can read the entire FDA warning <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm283933.htm">here</a>. A study found that in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, use of Multaq doubles the risk of stroke, heart … [Read more...]
Grand Jury Says ALF Reform is Overdue
December 19, 2011 By
The most recent installment of the Miami Herald's investigation "Neglected to Death" shows that a recent Miami Dade grand jury has demanded tough reforms on Assisted Living Facility (ALF) regulation in Florida. The grand jury's report laid the bulk of the blame on Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for failing in their role as the state's primary enforcer of ALF regulations. … [Read more...]
Texting While Driving Ban Recommended
December 19, 2011 By
If you glance around while you are in traffic these days, it can sometimes seem like half the drivers on the road are talking on a cellphone or sending text messages. It has become disturbingly common, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recommended a nationwide ban on texting while driving. Texting, emailing, or dialing a telephone are extremely distracting and … [Read more...]
Starbucks Gift Cards Are Bad For Consumers Rights
December 8, 2011 By
Earlier this week several consumer advocate groups banded together to ask Starbucks to respect the rights of consumers. The massive coffee retailer recently added forced arbitration clauses and class-action bans to the terms of service on their pre-paid gift cards. These type of policies limit consumers' access to our court system, and such policies fly in the face of Starbucks' long history of … [Read more...]
Actos and Bladder Cancer
December 7, 2011 By
Bloomberg News reported this week that there may be as many as 10,000 lawsuits forthcoming against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the popular diabetes drug Actos. The plaintiffs allege that Actos use for prolonged periods has resulted in bladder cancer. Earlier this year, Takeda pulled Actos from the market in Germany and France, citing the increased cancer risk. No such steps have … [Read more...]
Instant Soup Cups Pose Real Danger
December 7, 2011 By
Doctors in burn units around the country report treating severe burns several times a week which were caused by instant soup cups. The soup cups in question are usually noodles in broth, served in styrofoam cups which the consumer either microwaves or fills with already-boiling water. NPR reported earlier this week that they called 12 hospital burn units around the country, and 8 out of 12 of them … [Read more...]
Prevent Christmas Season Fires
December 3, 2011 By
Christmas season means trees, lights and decorations that get us in the Christmas spirit. What you may not know is that certain dangers accompany these beautiful accoutrements of the holidays. One real danger is fire. At CGWC-The Florida Firm, we have seen our share of tragedy from accidental fires from incidents on the job, in apartment complexes, and homes. Unfortunately, the Christmas season is … [Read more...]
