All Topics

• FDA Names Contaminant in Heparin

  Rick Patterson | March 19, 2008 4:31 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  The United States health regulators have been able to identify the heparin contaminant. The culprit, over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate, was added during the manufacturing process in China. As previously reported on this site, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is slow to say this contaminant caused the deaths of 19 people who were using heparin, since they were already very ill. Although,...

• Rise in Defective Nusery Products

  Rick Patterson | March 12, 2008 6:09 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a rise in injuries due to nursery products. In fact, these various injuries sent more than 65,000 children to the ER in 2006. The increase in infant injuries is substantial. At this time, it is unknown what has caused such a sharp increase. Deaths for which coroners listed Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a cause were excluded. Additionally, no...

• Court Refuses to Hold Homeowners Liable for Accidents

  Rick Patterson | March 09, 2008 5:47 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  In the case of Padilla v. Rodas, the Los Angeles' 2nd District Court of Appeal refused to hold homeowners liable for accidents involving children when the parents are on the premises at the time of the incident. " Justice Robert Mallano wrote, "even when the parents are also present on the premises, a burden that is beyond all reasonable expectation of both homeowners and their guests." This was...

• Sikh Fights for Right to Ride Bike with Turban

  Rick Patterson | March 05, 2008 6:24 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  Should a Sikh be permitted to lawfully ride a motorcycle without a helmet due to the fact that it won't fit over a turban. Consider the fact that the turban is a tenant of his religion. That is a questions before the Canadian courts. Baljinder Badesha, 39, of Brampton is the first to challenge Ontario's motorcycle helmet. Although, it is certainly not the first time the law has been challenged...

• Dietary Supplements Recalled

  Rick Patterson | March 02, 2008 6:20 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  Palo Alto Labs, are voluntarily conducting a nationwide recall of two of their products known as Aspire36 and Aspire Lite. After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the products contained Aildenafil and Dimethyl sildenafil thione (sulfoaildenafil) a purported analog of Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction (ED). This may pose a threat as it may...

• Dog Bites on the Rise in Raleigh

  Rick Patterson | February 22, 2008 3:08 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  Dog bites are a concern in many cities. Many people feel the current laws do little to protect the public at large. Raleigh, North Carolina is no exception. Raleigh residents in particular have reason for concern, as there has been a steady increase in reported dog bites in their town. In 2007, there were 367 bites reported, which was a 56 percent increase over 2000, and the numbers are still...

• FDA Issues Heparin Warning

  Rick Patterson | February 19, 2008 3:24 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding heparin. At this time, Baxter Healthcare Corporation has stopped manufacturing multiple-dose vials of the blood-thinning drug. And not a moment too soon. In addition to the well-published reports of hospital staff mixing up the look-alike viles of heparin with disastrous results, there have also been reports of serious...

• Long-term Care in Nursing Homes

  Rick Patterson | February 14, 2008 4:41 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  An overhaul of Tennessee's state services to the elderly and disabled may not be in the too distant future. A long-term care study committee will be drafting recommendations to overhaul the current system. The state could pay Tennesseans to take care of relatives and friends rather than sending them to nursing homes. "Govenor Phil Bredesen said he will work with lawmakers to "fundamentally...

• Pit Bull Fights off Master's Would-be Attacker

  Rick Patterson | February 10, 2008 4:28 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  One would think that it would be a pretty safe bet that a would-be attacker would shy away from attacking a dog owner when she is in the company of her pit bull. One would think. Last Thursday in Troutdale, Oregon, a man attacked a 19-year-old woman when her pit bull came to her rescue. The pit bull bit the attacker who swiftly left the scene and the woman. The man responsible for the attack is...

• Trucker Arrested for DUI after he Kills another Driver

  Rick Patterson | February 07, 2008 4:24 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  While driving a truck in Frankfort, Kentucky last Wednesday night, Paul George Neto of Decatur, Alabama killed 41-year-old Leslye Robertson.The driver was charged with murder; DUI; possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and marijuana. Nato caused the head-on collision , when his truck swerved into the opposite lane of U.S. 421. His victim died after Neto's truck pushed the van she...