The deterioration of your hip joint can cause pain, discomfort, and problems with mobility.  If you have hip problems that do not respond to more conservative forms of treatment such as physical therapy, you physician may recommend that you have hip replacement surgery.  One type of hip replacement device is known as a “metal-on-metal” hip implant, in which the ball and socket of the implant are both made of metal.

Earlier this year, the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration issued a Safety Communication regard metal-on-metal hip implants. Because of the construction of these devices, the metal ball and the metal socket slide against one another when a person moves. Because of this friction, metal can be released into the areas surrounding the joint as well as into the bloodstream. Some of the problems that can occur as a result of faulty hip replacement devices include:

If you have experienced any of these or other problems with your Biomet hip replacement device you may be entitled to substantial compensation. In order to determine whether you have a claim, you should contact the law firm of Makarem & Associates today for a free initial consultation. If you have a claim against Biomet, you may be able to recover money damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Other damages

Contact Makarem & Associates for a Free Consultation

The law firm of Makarem & Associates is currently representing clients who have suffered injury due to treatment with Biomet hip replacement devices. Working together with the Lanier Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping injured people recover and are committed to getting the highest possible settlement or award in each case we take. Ron Makarem has successfully represented plaintiffs in several product liability cases, recently obtaining a $1.5 million settlement for a product Olympic athlete. To schedule a free consultation, contact our office today at (310) 312-0299 or via email at info@makaremlaw.com.

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What is Infuse Bone Graft?

The Medtronic Infuse Bone graft is a new type of bone graft device that uses a naturally occurring protein as well as a carrier to deliver the protein. The protein used is an engineered version of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) that the body produces naturally to help regulate the how bones grow and heal. The natural carrier is made from bovine collagen that both releases the protein over time and provides a framework onto which the new bone grows, ultimately being replaced by the bone.

Infuse Bone Graft Side Effects

Although the Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft was only approved by the FDA for a few specific uses, Medtronic and its representatives allegedly encouraged off-label use to treat other, non-approved conditions. When used for these off-label uses, Infuse Bone Graft has been linked to serious complications, some of which may require additional surgery. Some of the side effects associated with Infuse Bone Graft include:

Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft Lawsuits

Due to the fact that Medtronic allegedly failed to disclose the potential risks of its Infuse Bone Graft to the medical community and patients, people who have been developed complications may be entitled to significant compensation. A person who has been injured by a bone graft procedure could potentially recover for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of consortium, or other damages. The law firm of Makarem & Associates is currently evaluating potential cases to determine whether people could have a claim for injuries caused by Infuse Bone Graft.

Contact Makarem & Associates For a Consultation

Makarem & Associates is a civil litigation law firm committed to representing the injured. Working together with The Lanier Law Firm, we provide individualized representation to each client and are committed to obtaining the best possible result in each case we handle. Ron Makarem is a seasoned product liability attorney, who recently achieved a $1.5 million settlement for a prominent Olympic athlete injured in a product liability case. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact us today at (310) 312-0299 or via email at info@makaremlaw.com.

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In recent years, many problems with the anti-depressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been the subject of many lawsuits, alleging serious and potentially life threatening life effects. In particular, the use of SSRIs by pregnant women has been linked to an increase of certain birth defects in their newborns. If you or a loved one took SSRIs during pregnancy and had a child that was born with a congenital birth defect, you may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation. The law office of Makarem & Associates is currently evaluating cases for clients that may have claims as a result of injuries caused by SSRIs and is available for free consultations.

What are SSRIs?

SSRIs are a class of anti-depressant drugs that are thought to work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into the brain, thus elevating mood. They are used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  The following are names of commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants:

• Paxil
• Prozac
• Luvox
• Lexapro
• Celexa
• Zoloft

SSRI Side Effects

Several recent studies have linked the use of SSRIs in pregnant women to serious birth defects in their newborn.  In order to determine whether you or your child is suffering from side effects related to the use of SSRIs, you should have your case reviewed by an experienced SSRI attorney. If your child has suffered from any type of birth defect that you believe may be linked to the use of SSRIs during pregnancy, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of income, or punitive damages. Some of the most commonly reported complications in newborns exposed to SSRIs include:

Contact Makarem & Associates For a Free Consultation

Injuries caused by SSRIs can lead to serious complications, some of which may require long term care and treatment.  If you took an SSRI while pregnant and your child is suffering from a birth defect, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the antidepressant you were taking. The law firm of Makarem & Associates is dedicated to helping individuals injured by SSRI antidepresent drugs recover. Working with The Lanier Law Firm, we are committed to obtaining the highest possible settlement or award for each client we represent. In order to schedule a free consultation, contact our office today at 310.312.0299 or via email at info@makaremlaw.com.

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The German pharmaceutical giant Bayer has agreed to settle 3,490 claims related to the injuries caused by the use of the prescription drug Yaz, which is also sold under the trade name Beyaz. According to the company’s 2012 third quarter stockholder’s newsletter, Bayer was facing around 12,400 lawsuits regarding Yasmin/Yaz as of October 15^th, 2012. The company further reported that it had settled about 3,490 Yaz lawsuits, with the settlements totaling around $750 million. In addition, the company is only settling domestic claims for deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, injuries that are involved in around 3,800 of the still-pending lawsuits.

Yaz is an oral contraceptive drug that is used to prevent pregnancy, and is also used to treat moderate acne in women over 14 who have had their first menstrual period.  Yaz is a combination of two drugs, the synthetic hormone drospirenone and the semi-synthetic hormone ethinylestradiol. These drugs have been linked to an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which are collectively known as venous thromboembolism.

Risks Associated with Yaz

Deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein and occurs predominantly in the legs. It can cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, warmness, and engorged veins near the skin. When the clot detaches from and travels to the lungs, the resulting condition is pulmonary embolism, which occurs when the clot blocks the main artery to the lung. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism include difficulty breathing, chest pain when inhaling, palpitations, rapid breathing, coughing, blue lips or fingers, or collapse. In serious cases, pulmonary embolism and its complications can be fatal.

According to a study by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the risk of venous thrombembolic events was 93% higher for women who had taken drugs made with drospirenone for three months or less and 290% higher for women who had been taking them for seven to twelve months.

Do You Need Help With Your Yaz Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has taken Yaz or Yasmin and have suffered an injury due to deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism you may be entitled to substantial compensation. The law office of Makarem & Associates is comprised of experienced defective drug attorneys who specialize in representing women in their Yaz lawsuit who have suffered injury as a result of taking Yaz. The long term effects of taking these contraceptives is still being determined, and it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles Yaz attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. To set up a consultation with one of our defective drug lawyers, please contact us today by phone at 310.312.0299 or via email at info@makaremlaw.com

Source: http://www.stockholders-newsletter-q3-2012.bayer.com/

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Wage and hour violations occur when an employer does not comply with state and federal regulations regarding paying employees or giving them sufficient breaks or time off. Wage and hour settlements and awards can be substantial, depending on the facts of the case and the type of violations alleged. Some of the types of employer action that can lead to wage and hour violations include:

• Unpaid overtime
• Failure to Meet Minimum Wage Requirements
• Misclassified Employees
• Failure to Provide Pay Stubs

The increase in number of wage and hour lawsuits filed has continued to increase, and the settlements and awards have also continued to increase. For example, Wal-Mart settled 39 consolidated wage and hour class action lawsuits for $85 million. More than 3 million employees were affected by the litigation, which was regarding the retail giant’s payment and scheduling policies.

In a more recent case, two Wells-Fargo bankers sued the company alleging that they were required to work unpaid overtime hours to meet quotas. According to an article in the Charlotte Observer, such wage and hour lawsuits have increased as a result of the economic downturn. According to the same report, in the 12-month period ending last March, 7,064 wage and hour lawsuits were filed, a record high. Industry observers posit that large numbers of displaced workers are a direct cause of the trend, along with employers being less likely to take on traditional salaried employees.

Another issue related to wage and hour litigation is that of unpaid internships. Employers who offer such internships are required to comply with federal and state law that regulate unpaid internships, and can be held liable if they do not comply. You can learn more about the rules governing unpaid internship in our article here.

The law office of Makarem & Associates is comprised of skilled Los Angeles wage & hour attorneys who are committed to getting the highest possible settlement or award for their clients. When employers violate federal or state wage and hour regulations, they are liable to their employees for damages and the recovery can often be substantial. If you or your co-workers believe that your employer has violated wage and hour laws, you should have your case reviewed by an experienced wage and hour lawyer. To schedule a consultation with one of our wage and hour attorneys, call Makarem & Associates today at 310.312.0299 or email us at info@makaremlaw.com.

Sources:

• http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/plaintiff_lawyers_earn_up_to_28m_in_risky_wal-mart_wage_hour_litigation/
• http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/article.asp?articleid=129638
• http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/11/23/3682312/bank-cases-illustrate-rise-in.html

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