Finley Attends Ala Constitution Convention

Karlos Finley of Moore& Wolfe recently attended the Mock Constitution Convention sponsored by the Alabama Citizens For Constitutional Reform Foundation (ACCR) at the Marriott Legends Conference Center in Prattville, Alabama. The Honorable Albert Brewer and The Honorable Gorman Houston served as Convention Deans. Karlos served as a delegate for House District 97. 105 citizens representing each of Alabama’s House Districts convened to discuss drafting a new State Constitution that would replace the current one which was drafted and ratified at the Constitution Convention of 1901. The issues that got the most attention were the state’s tax structure (Property v. Sales), home rule, education funding, racist language contained within the current constitution, and the cost of amending the current constitution close to 800 times. State Representative Demetrius Newton spoke to the group about the proposed House Resolution (HJR-91) that is before the legislature now. It would allow the citizens of Alabama to vote on allowing a Constitutional Convention to be held in order to replace the 1901 document. "A Constitutional Convention is our best chance to adequately address all of the issues that our current constitution has.", expressed Mr. Newton. The documentary "It’s a Thick Book", was shown and given a standing ovation. It is available for viewing, along with Alabama’s 1901 Constitution at the ACCR website, http://www.constitutionalreform.org./ The group will meet again in the State’s Capital on April 25-26, 2009 for a second session to build on the work of this session. The Delegates will unveil the final product of the Mock Convention on August 27, 2009.

Dangerous Drugs and Medical Devices

The following drugs and/or medical devices have been linked to injuries and/or death of patients. Many are now the subject of mass tort actions. If you think you may have a claim, please contact our office and we can help you locate the primary attorneys and law firms handling these claims and cases: mcw2@moore-wolfe.com

Accutane - (isotretinoin) used as an acne treatment but has shown to have side effects of depression, suicidal thoughts/actions, birth defects and may cause inflammatory bowel disease resulting in severe permanent complications.

Bextra - (valbecoxib) used as a treatment for mild to severe arthritis (osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis) and other chronic pain. Bextra has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, gastrointestinal problems and Steven Johnson syndrome, a potentially fatal skin condition. Drug recalled in April 2005.

Boniva - ibandronate sodium tablet taken once-a-month to treat or prevent osteoporosis. Boniva, a bisphosonate, the family of drugs shown to cause osteonecrosis (death) of the jaw bone.

Digitek - (digoxin tablets) used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and other heart-related problems. In April 2008, healthcare professionals were notified of a recall of all strengths of Digitek due to the possibility that the tablets may contain twice the approved level of the active ingredient. Digitalis toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure and cardiac instability.

Fosamax - (alendronate sodium) used for bone pain, fractures and bone loss. Side effects linked to Fosamax have been; osteoneocrosis of the jaw (dead jawbone), muscle & joint pain, headaches, abdominal problems, eye discomfort or skin rash.

Gadolinium - serves as a contrasting agent within the patient's body during MRI or MRA. Gadolinium became popular with the medical community because it aided doctors in seeing the patient's internal structures more clearly. Prolonged exposure to gladolinium can result in the development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF - a.k.a., Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy or NFD.) The results of these disorders lead to thick, coarse, hard skin, severely restricting the movement of joints.

Ketek - (telithromycin) in the class of drugs called ketolide antibiotics and is used for treating bacterial infections of the sinuses and lungs. Associated side effects have been, liver damage, liver disease, liver failure and hepatitis.

Kugel Mesh Patch - designed to make hernia operations easier and to reduce post-op surgical pain. Problems started to surface in 2002 shortly after the introduction of the large and x-large models of the hernia mesh patch. The flexible plastic "memory recoil ring" is prone to breakage causing injury to internal organs & tissue, bowel perforations, bowel obstructions and chronic enteric fistulas.

Ortho Evra - transdermal system birth control, better known as "The Patch." In November 2005, FDA warned that the patch exposes women to higher levels of estrogen than most birth control pills and puts the user at an increased risk for blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.

Paxil - (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - SSRI) used as a treatment for depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This drug is linked with suicidal behavior, violent behavior and a rare birth defect (if taken at 20 weeks of a pregnancy or later) called persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN).

Prisma Dialysis - a type of kidney dialysis system with built-in alarms that alert the user of potential fluid imbalance that has occurred during the course of the dialysis treatment. If these alarms are missed, ignored or unresolved, excessive fluid may be removed from the patient resulting in serious injury or death.

Quinine - typically used to treat malaria, quinine was also used for the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps. In 1994, the FDA banned the use of quinine as a night-time leg cramp treatment, but, in spite of the ban, several pharmaceutical companies that manufactured the drug continued to promote, market and sell quinine as a treatment for nocturnal leg cramps. Use of quinine for treating leg cramps can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, renal failure, blindness, hearing loss, and quinine related blood disorders.

ReNu - ReNu with MoistureLoc® Solution is a saline solution used with contact lenses. The makers of this solution issued a recall in April 2006 because the solution was linked with a serious fungal eye infection, Fusarium keratitis. This infection is an inflammation of the eye's cornea and, if not properly treated, can lead to blindness.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - (SJS) usually results from a drug-related allergic reaction. SJS symptoms are characterized by facial swelling, tongue swelling, hives, skin pain, red or purple rash that spreads, blisters on the skin (especially mucous membranes, nose, mouth & eyes) and shedding (sloughing) of skin.

Tequin - (gatifloxacin) used to treat lung, sinus and other bacterial infections and is linked to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which can lead to seizure, coma or death. The maker of Tequin stopped selling the drug as of April 27, 2006.Trasylol - (aprotinin) used to help reduce blood loss during heart bypass surgery. Use of the drug is now linked with an increased risk of kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and death.

Viagra - (sildenafil) used for impotency and erectile dysfunction. Viagra has been linked to vision problems, blindness and deadly nitrate interaction.

Vioxx - (rofecoxib) prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain. Side effects have been gastrointestinal problems, heart attacks, strokes and death. Vioxx was recalled in September 2004.

Zelnorm - (tegaserod maleate) for short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation. Sales of Zelnorm were suspended in March 2007 after reports of adverse side effects such as, heart attack and stroke. As of April 2008, Zelnorm is now further restricted to treating only the sickest patients who have IBS.