The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

Protection Against Faulty Pharmaceutical Products

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:53:00 +0000

Pharmaceutical companies have a duty to the public: take all possible steps to ensure the safety of their products, and take action in case of any question.

Pfizer Inc. recently discontinued a phase III liver cancer study of a drug, Sutent, owing to safety issues. It was reported that patients using the medicine suffered a high incidence of serious adverse effects.

"The disappointing outcome of this trial challenges all of us to work harder to understand the complex biology of this disease," Mace Rothenburg, head of clinical development for Pfizer’s oncology unit, said in a statement.

In March, Pfizer reported disappointing results from two phase III studies of Sutent for use with advanced breast cancer. The drug is already approved for treatment of advanced kidney cancer, and had world sales of $964 million in 2009. Pfizer is testing the drug against a wide range of cancers.

Defective products of any kind are of concern to the public, and by one estimate injure more than 1 million Americans a year. However, the possible damage caused by a pharmaceutical injury is of particular concern in our age, when so many drugs are prescribed. The average citizen is hardly able to decide independently whether a drug is safe, and severe personal injury can result from a faulty drug.

At The Cochran Firm, our product liability attorneys are determined to take every step in protecting our clients. If you think that you may have sustained injury from a defective pharmaceutical product, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation at any of our nationwide offices.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Birmingham, Alabama

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:46:00 +0000

Slip and fall accidents are common occurrences that take place frequently, usually as a result of unsafe conditions or negligent maintenance on someone else’s property and are known in the legal community as premises liability cases.

Slip and fall injuries can be negligible, but are often severe, resulting in great pain and suffering for the victim, requiring substantial medical care and treatment, the loss of the ability to work and the possibility of confronting a permanent disability.

Slip and fall accidents are responsible for over sixteen thousand deaths annually in those over sixty-five years old. Slip and fall accidents can be the result of a slippery floor in a restaurant, a poorly lit stairway in a parking garage or a cracked walkway outside a department store or shopping mall.

The experienced slip and fall attorneys at The Cochran Firm have been protecting the legal rights of seriously injured slip and fall accident victims throughout the state of Alabama for many years and have recovered substantial settlements for our injured clients.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered for medical expenses, lost wages, long term medical care and rehabilitation and any other expenses incurred as a result of your injury.

Please contact the slip and fall accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today if you reside in the Birmingham, Alabama area and have been injured on someone else’s property to protect your legal rights and learn how to receive compensation for your injuries.

Train Accidents in Sacramento, California

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Trains are an economically effective means of moving goods, including hazardous materials, across the country. In the event of a derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials, a spill could cause a catastrophe to a community, people and the surrounding environment.

Startling statistics reveal there is a train derailment or collision every ninety minutes somewhere in the United States., and there are approximately three thousand train accidents annually causing one thousand deaths.

Common types of train accidents include collisions with another train, derailments, collisions with other types of vehicles, mechanical failures, inadequately maintained tracks and equipment, and operator negligence. Injuries sustained in a train accident are usually devastating and may include spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, amputation of limbs, severe burns, multiple broken bones and deaths.

The train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have been protecting the rights of train accident victims throughout the Sacramento, California area for years. We are aggressive in our efforts to ensure a successful outcome for your case by investigating and evaluating every detail of the incident to determine where the legal responsibility for your accident lies.

If you were injured in a train accident in the Sacramento, California area, please contact the experienced train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a consultation and set a plan of action into motion to get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Police Brutality in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:32:00 +0000

Police brutality or misconduct is a grave civil rights violation. You may feel powerless when confronted with police brutality, but you have the right to seek financial compensation and justice for your injuries and hold the offending police officer accountable for actions that tarnish fellow police officers as well.

Police brutality is the unlawful use of excessive force, threats, physical and verbal abuse, unjustified shootings, choking, fatal beatings, misuse of pepper spray or stun guns, sexual assault, racial profiling, false arrest, corruption and bribes.

Most police officers do serve and protect the citizens of their communities to the best of their ability, while some officers abuse their power. In some cases physical force is justified in order to restrain a suspect or to protect the police officers and others from serious bodily harm, but there are instances when some police officers cross the line and abuse their authority.

The police brutality attorneys at The Cochran Firm are committed to providing effective legal representation to those who have been victims of unlawful police actions. The police brutality attorneys at the Cochran Firm have a proud tradition of civil rights advocacy and will address police brutality wherever and whenever it occurs.

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of police misconduct or brutality, please contact the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania location of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with our police brutality attorneys to protect your legal rights.

FDA Claims Pfizer Failed to Fix Problems in Testing Procedures

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:55:00 +0000

The FDA has recently issued a warning letter to Pfizer, informing them that they are not properly monitoring physicians testing an experimental medication. Pfizer has experienced problems with their testing protocol since 2006, resulting in overdoses for more than two dozen patients participating in the trial.

According to a Pfizer spokeswoman, the drug being studied is called Geodon. It is being tested for use with children who have bipolar disorder.

In 2006, 26 patients participating in clinical trials of the drug received an overdose. Three more patients overdosed in 2007. When the FDA inspected Pfizer's testing in July 2009, they found the pharmaceutical company was still not following its own safety guidelines for the testing of this drug. In particular, clinical investigators were not being made aware of new dosing issues that would arise.

Pfizer responded to the 2009 FDA complaint, but according to the FDA's most recent warning letter, the pharmaceutical company did not clearly outline the steps they would take to prevent future problems during clinical testing. Pfizer has 15 business days to submit a plan for correcting these problems to the FDA.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of taking a dangerous drug, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. The experienced defective drug attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the resources and experience needed to take on pharmaceutical companies who sacrifice the safety of patients in favor of increased profits.

Please contact our defective drug attorneys today to schedule your free initial consultation. The Cochran Firm serves clients nationwide.

Rear End Collision Automobile Accidents in Tuskegee, Alabama

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Low speed rear end collisions usually result in minor damage to the vehicles involved, but can still result in serious bodily injury to the occupants. There are over two and one-half million rear end collisions reported annually across the United States making them the most frequent type of car accident.

Modern automobile design has improved the safety of cars involved in this type of collision so that the bumper systems usually absorb most of the force of a low speed impact, but there are times when the human bodies in the automobile absorb most of the impact instead. The result in some rear end collisions is that the occupants of the automobile may suffer a "whiplash" injury, which is caused by a sudden, violent, involuntary whipping back and forth motion of the head and neck.

Whiplash injuries consist of trauma to the soft tissues of the muscles and ligaments of the neck and can result in intense pain, swelling, stiffness, headache, nausea, numbness of the extremities and dizziness. The symptoms of a whiplash injury are not always present immediately after the collision, but may present themselves twenty-four to forty-eight hours later. Failure to seek medical attention for this type of injury can lead to months and years of debilitating pain and disability.

The automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have many years of experience in handling rear end collision car accidents and feel you deserve to be financially compensated for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income and any other costs incurred due to your injuries.

Please contact the rear end collision attorneys at The Cochran Firm today if you were injured in an accident in the Tuskegee, Alabama area today to protect your legal rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

Automobile Accidents in New Orleans, Louisiana

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:30:00 +0000

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), millions of Americans are involved in automobile accidents every year in the United States and these automobile accidents are the leading cause of catastrophic injuries and death for those aged three to thirty-three. Those sixty-five and older are another high risk group for injuries and deaths caused by automobile accidents.

The most common causes of automobile accidents involved driver error, mechanical failure, hazardous road conditions and dangerous weather conditions. Driver error encompasses driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, including prescription medications, speeding, texting and cell phone use while driving, and aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating. Mechanical failures have been the focus of millions of recalled vehicles recently and have included malfunctioning gas pedals, brakes, defective tires and electronic systems.

The experienced automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm employ experts in the forensic sciences and medicine when litigating accident claims for our clients, along with accident reconstruction specialists to ensure our clients have the best legal representation possible to prove liability and maximize financial compensation.

If you live in New Orleans, Louisiana or the surrounding area and have been involved in an automobile accident, please contact the experienced automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to learn how to proceed with your claim and get the financial compensation you deserve.

How Lawyers Are Making Cars Safer

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:56:00 +0000

Auto safety is much in the news these days. One company, Toyota, recently agreed to pay the largest fine ever levied on a carmaker by this country for failing to report properly a problem with a defective product, in this case gas pedals.

A just-released report by the American Association of Justice shows that trial lawyers, ever since the 1960s, have played a crucial role in promoting vehicle safety. By pursuing cases of defective automobile design, for example, they have helped implement safety standards, bring other defects to light, and ensured that safety issues are not shoved to the back seat.

From tires to gas tanks to seat belts, the report gives instances of willful negligence where carmakers designed products that proved to be unsafe and failed to improve them until forced to do so in the courts. The consequences of such behavior have included auto accidents, wrongful death, and many other tragedies.

"By holding manufacturers accountable, the civil justice system will continue to spur safety innovations, as it has done for half a century," concludes the report, "Driven to Safety: How Litigation Spurred Auto Safety Innovations."

At The Cochran Firm, we are proud of our role in promoting automobile safety and are determined to continue pursuing it. If you are interested in free consultation about a possible case at any of our nationwide offices, we invite you to contact us.

Wrongful Death in San Jose, California

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:12:00 +0000

A wrongful death is a death that has occurred due to the negligence, recklessness or wrongful actions of another individual. A wrongful death may happen as a result of medical malpractice, a work-related injury, a defective product, an accident or be the result of an intentional act of violence. When negligence, recklessness or willful acts cause the death of a loved one, the loss is even harder to accept. In addition to the overwhelming feelings of pain, grief and loss, family members must cope with a future without their loved one.

In the case of a wrongful death, the survivors may be able to recover damages for hospital and medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, reimbursement for lost future financial support and compensation for the loss of companionship, love and moral support of the deceased.

The compassionate wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm are experienced and dedicated and also understand the scope of the loss of a family member and what it takes to secure the futures of those left behind. While your loss can never be fully compensated, our goal is to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and provide fair and just compensation for the survivors.

If you live in San Jose, California or the surrounding area and a family member has been the victim of a wrongful death, please contact the experienced wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm today.

Surgical Medical Malpractice in Washington, D.C.

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:28:00 +0000

Surgical medical malpractice or surgical errors are responsible for an unusually high number of deaths in the United States annually. Surgical medical malpractice occurs when a surgeon or other member of the surgical team or healthcare facility where the surgery took place failed to provide an accepted standard of care and treatment which resulted in injury or even death.

Studies reveal that 50% of all medical malpractice allegations involve surgical procedures either during pre-operative care, during surgery or post-operatively. Surgical procedures most frequently involved in surgical malpractice allegations involve cosmetic surgery, LASIK eye surgery, gastric bypass surgery and orthopedic or back surgeries.

Financial compensation for victims of surgical medical malpractice may include damages for medical expenses, loss of present and future income, pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life. In the tragic event the surgical error resulted in a death, the family members may also be eligible for financial compensation for their loss.

The surgical medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm strongly believe victims of surgical errors deserve to be fully compensated for the losses they suffer do to the negligence of others they have entrusted with their care. Our surgical medical malpractice attorneys will work diligently to ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve.

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and you have been a victim of surgical medical malpractice, please contact the surgical medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to make certain your legal rights are protected and begin the process of making your life whole and well once again.

Spinal Cord Injuries in San Francisco/Oakland, California

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:10:00 +0000

The primary cause of spinal cord injuries, one of the most devastating and life-altering injuries known, is automobile accidents. Falls, sports-related injuries and violence are also major causes of injuries to the spinal cord.

Trauma to nerves carrying sensory and motor sensation to and from your brain deprives you of feeling and movement. Damage to the spinal cord is almost always a life-changing event. One of the cruelest ironies of a spinal cord injury is that people in the prime of their lives are most frequently the victims. Males between the ages of sixteen and thirty years of age, account for 82% of new spinal cord injuries each year.

Any severe blow can cause a spinal cord injury. A fall from a ladder at a work site, or a defective car seat belt that fails can result in a spinal cord injury. The extent of the injury depends on the level of the spinal cord injured.

The experienced spinal cord injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the expertise and background to grasp the complexities and nuances of cases involving the spinal cord and have a history of helping our clients recover financial compensation for their losses and for their future medical care and treatment which can last a lifetime and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you live in the San Francisco/Oakland, California area and you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury, please contact the spinal cord injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to learn how to secure financial compensation for a lifetime of care so you can concentrate on healing and improving your quality of life.

Medical Malpractice in Miami, Florida

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Many people are suffering today from the negligent or careless treatment they experienced at the hands of healthcare providers they trusted.

In the state of Florida, medical malpractice or medical negligence is considered to be the failure of a healthcare provider to act in accordance with the accepted standard of care in the medical community. What this means to all of us is a doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider must be held legally responsible for doing harm to patients if they act in a careless or negligent way.

Over the years the medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm have litigated a variety of medical malpractice and medical negligence cases and we have recovered millions of dollars in damages for devastated Florida families. The complexities of proving a healthcare provider was negligent requires investigation, knowledge of the medical facts involved and the resources available to the highly skilled team of medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm.

Please contact the highly skilled medical malpractice attorneys at the Miami, Florida location of The Cochran Firm if you have been a victim of medical malpractice or negligence to learn how we can recover damages for your injuries and pain and suffering and make sure the future ahead is secure for you and your family despite the harm done to you.

Oil Rig Explosion Off Coast of Louisiana

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:47:00 +0000

At the time of this writing, several people were critically injured and at least 11 are still missing following an oil rig explosion Tuesday, April 20, 2010 on an oil rig platform off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig was carrying approximately 126 people; most them escaped to safety following the blast.

According to reports, the oil rig platform is about 52 miles southeast of Venice. The following day (today), smoke and fire could still be seen, and the fire is spreading. The explosion occurred on the rig, MODU Deepwater Horizon, which is owned by Transocean Ltd. The rig is 396 feet in length and 256 feet in width and was built in 2001 by Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard, which is in South Korea. Eight burn victims had to be airlifted to a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

At this time, the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.

If you have lost a loved one due to a maritime injury, you need a qualified, experienced maritime lawyer to help you fight to get the compensation you deserve. Maritime employers and their insurance companies have teams of lawyers; you need a strong team of lawyers, too.

With offices nationwide, and around the Gulf Coast, The Cochran Firm can meet with you to hear the details of your case and advise you of how to proceed. Please contact us today.

Molestation Goes Beyond Medical Malpractice

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:46:00 +0000

All of us want to protect our children from molestation and other sex crimes. When a medical practitioner is accused of such crimes, the mind reels.

Dr. Earl Bradley, a Delaware pediatrician, was indicted recently on 58 counts of rape and other sexual offenses on 24 girls who had been his patients from 1999 to 2009. Bradley, 56, previously pleaded not guilty to 471 felony counts involving 102 girls and one boy.

His practice was based in Delaware, but he also has medical licenses in three other states. Officials in those states have been contacted.

The attorney general of Delaware said that the charges are based on "video and digital evidence" taken from Bradley's home and medical practice in December, when he was arrested. A review of the case is planned for next month.

Anyone, child or adult, receiving medical treatment deserves a full investigation when a suspected violation of medical ethics occurs. The Cochran Firm is able to provide counsel in such circumstances.

It is also true that any professional accused of an ethical infraction does well to seek legal advice as soon as possible, and that the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven remains in effect. In extraordinary cases, our criminal defense lawyers are ready to represent your interests in federal and state court.

Our attorneys at The Cochran Firm are ready to help you pursue a possible case, or to help you mount a defense. Please contact us by phone or e-mail at any of our nationwide offices.

Premises Liability in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Premises liability is a legal term that refers to property owners' obligation to provide a reasonably safe environment for guests, customers and passersby.

Some examples of how premises liability injuries may occur include falls caused by accumulations of ice and snow on sidewalks and paths, accidents at job-sites, injuries caused by poor building maintenance or lighting, children's accidents on playgrounds or recreational facilities, swimming pool accidents, dog bites, or criminal assaults due to negligent security practices at shopping malls.

A factor in the determination of legal responsibility for your injury is whether or not the property owner was aware of the hazardous condition and failed to correct it, or should have been aware of the hazardous condition. The victim of an accident on someone else's property may suffer a traumatic brain injury from a fall, broken bones or be left with life-changing disabilities that require a lifetime of medical care and treatment.

The premises liability attorneys at The Cochran Firm have extensive experience in evaluating and investigating the facts behind premises liability claims for our clients and have been successful in the past in securing financial compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, income losses and pain and suffering.

Please contact the experienced premises liability attorneys at The Cochran Firm today if you have suffered injuries on someone else’s property in the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina area and let our attorneys help you regain the quality of life you enjoyed before your injuries.

Defective Tires in Memphis, Tennessee

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:24:00 +0000

Defective tires are responsible for thousands of traffic accidents, injuries and deaths every year in the United States. Recent recalls of defective tires have involved several tire manufacturers including Firestone, Cooper, Goodyear, Dunlop and Continental General, among others.

Defective tires can cause tread separation, belt adhesion failures, blowouts and tire or rim explosions. Some tires are manufactured with inherent problems like poor adhesion or lack of adhesion which both lead to tread or belt separation. Other tires are manufactured properly, but are warehoused too long causing chemical aging that leads to blowouts and tread or belt separation as well.

The aftermath of a motor vehicle accident caused by a defective tire can be painful and expensive. Extensive personal injuries and the ensuing medical and psychological costs may be able to be recovered to some extent. The experienced defective tire attorneys at The Cochran Firm will help you recover your lost income, pay your medical expenses, attempt to reimburse you for your pain and suffering and give you the legal guidance needed to secure your future and the futures of those you love.

If you live in the Memphis, Tennessee area and you have experienced the devastating outcome of an accident caused by defective tires, please contact the experienced defective tire attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to learn how to protect your legal rights and secure the financial compensation you deserve.

What Will You Do if a Pet Attacks?

noreply@blogger.com (Richard) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:06:00 +0000

Most of us love pets, our own and those of friends and neighbors. But sometimes even the most affectionate pet can turn vicious suddenly and inflict major medical damage.

A Mississippi woman visiting a friend this month experienced the terror of being attacked by his pit bull. In a 30-second attack, the dog caused severe injuries to Tanya Barnes, who was rushed to a clinic by ambulance.

“She is extremely fortunate to be alive,” said plastic surgeon Rick Pecunia of Hattiesburg Clinic. “The nature of this type of injury is such that a couple of centimeters … either way could make the story a lot different.”

Pecunia added that Barnes has already been through two surgeries and might have to undergo several more. The offending pit bull, meanwhile, is being held by the local sheriff’s department.

When pets turn vicious, anyone nearby can suffer severe personal injuries. Time spent in a hospital can cause lost wages. And in addition to medical issues, the injured may also suffer general damages such as pain, anguish, and emotional distress.

Few people ever expect to be attacked by a pet, much less think about what to do if they are. If such a tragedy happens to you or to a family member, you probably can benefit from talking with attorneys who are knowledgeable in the personal injury field. At The Cochran Firm, with offices nationwide, our attorneys will be pleased to use their experience for your benefit. Please contact us for a free consultation.

Automobile Accidents in Norfolk/Portsmouth, Virginia

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Victims of automobile accidents are confronted with medical bills, lost income and possible life-long disabilities as a result of their injuries. Injuries sustained in an automobile accident such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones or massive tissue trauma, have an impact on your quality of life that can never be returned to the way it was before you were injured. That is why recovering financial compensation for your injuries and losses is an important part of your healing process.

At times, a person's injuries are not always obvious immediately following a car accident. Head trauma or whip lash injuries often are asymptomatic for days following your accident. Do not agree to any settlement options before you see a doctor or talk to your attorney, and avoid discussions with insurance claims adjusters who will pressure you to agree to their conditions.

The experienced automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm are aware of every tactic used by insurance companies to avoid paying what is fair and reasonable in automobile accident cases. Our car accident attorneys will build your case on facts and evidence and recover the financial compensation you deserve.

If you live in the Norfolk/Portsmouth, Virginia area and you or someone you love was injured in an automobile accident, please contact the automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a discussion of your case and get the financial compensation you deserve for the injuries you have suffered.

Defective Drugs in Los Angeles, California

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:23:00 +0000

Usually, prescription medications are miracles of modern science. Over the years, however, many drugs have harmed instead of helped those who were prescribed some medications although they were taken as directed by the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Drugs for arthritis, for lowering cholesterol levels, diet drugs, anti-depressants, vaccines and oral contraceptives are only a few of the categories of prescription medications that have been responsible for injuries and deaths perpetrated on an unsuspecting public. Defective drugs have caused liver and kidney damage, heart damage, pulmonary dysfunction, stroke and heart attacks.

The law cannot turn back the clock and undo the harm that was done, but the law can help victims of defective drugs and their families recover damages to help cover the financial costs incurred as a result of their injuries.

The defective drug attorneys at The Cochran Firm have many years experience in product liability litigation and a well-deserved reputation for the successful litigation and negotiation of claims against drug manufacturers because our top priority is the welfare of our clients.

If you live in the Los Angeles, California area and you or someone you love has been the victim of a defective drug, please contact the defective drug attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule an evaluation and investigation of the facts of your case so you can obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

Birth Injuries in New York, New York

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:03:00 +0000

When a doctor, nurse, midwife, anesthesiologist or healthcare facility fails in their obligation to provide adequate care during labor and deliver, or the prenatal and postnatal periods, and the result is a devastating birth injury, the entire family is confronted with a situation they never envisioned.

The tragic outcome of a medical error at this critical time can never be undone, but financial compensation to assist a family struggling to meet the needs of their injured child is available. A medical error during this particular time can cost hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars, in order to cope with the life-long effects of a birth injury. Birth injuries can mean multiple surgeries, a lifetime of nursing care, recurring medical conditions, limited expectations and other issues that may arise during the infants' lifetime.

The birth injury lawyers at The Cochran Firm are committed to ensuring families get the financial compensation they need to pay for medical bills, nursing care, occupational and physical therapists, medications, durable medical equipment and electronic devises that help them cope with the overwhelming requirements of children with birth injuries.

If you live in the New York area and you suspect medical errors before, during or after the birth of your child caused your child to suffer a birth related injury, please contact the experienced birth injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to make sure your child's needs are taken care of now, and in the future, even after you are no longer there to provide that care.

Bus Accidents in Detroit, Michigan

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:21:00 +0000

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of individuals are injured or killed in bus crashes every year in this country. Several types of buses that can be involved in accidents are those used in public transportation, school buses, charter buses and vacation tour buses.

The current economic situation in this country has increased bus ridership and as a result, the number of bus accidents causing serious injuries and deaths. Bus accidents typically result from driver negligence, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective vehicles, speeding, dangerous or hazardous roadways or weather conditions, and inadequate maintenance of equipment.

The laws governing bus accidents are very complex because they usually involve multiple victims and corporations. Individuals injured in bus accidents have the legal right to receive financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and any other expenses they incur because of the accident.

The bus accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have a long history of being able to combine our legal and technical knowledge to explain these complex laws to juries and never lose sight of our ultimate goal of getting our clients the financial compensation they need and deserve.

Please contact the experienced bus accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm's Detroit, Michigan location if you or someone you care about was injured or killed in an accident involving a bus to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

Birth Injuries in Mobile, Alabama

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Most babies are born healthy during an uneventful labor and delivery. Sadly, birth complications occur in a small number, and if not handled appropriately, this leads to severe birth defects and birth injuries. Birth injuries may include, but not be limited to, cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injury and brain damage causing developmental delays.

A birth injury can be caused by the failure to treat the mother's high blood pressure, the failure to respond to fetal distress, failure to perform an emergency C-section, oxygen deprivation, and injuries caused by vacuum extraction or forceps deliveries.

A birth injury not only injures the child, but hurts the parents, siblings and extended family as well. The physical, emotional and financial toll for families include the cost of providing specialized medical care, rehabilitation services, physical and occupational therapy, special education and nursing care for a special needs child, while adjusting their expectations and dreams for that child.
The birth injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm work with medical experts to investigate every aspect of birth injury cases to identify the causes of the injury, including medical or nursing errors.

If your child was harmed during the birthing process in Mobile, Alabama or the surrounding area, please contact The Cochran Firm today so our experienced birth injury attorneys can recover financial compensation for the losses suffered as a result of your child’s birth injury.

Defective Consumer Products in Las Vegas, Nevada

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Defective consumer products can cause serious injuries and even death. Product liability laws are designed to help those who have been harmed by a defective consumer product by holding manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers legally liable for the injuries and deaths their defective products have caused.

Defective consumer products have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, amputations, severe burns, debilitating illnesses, permanent disabilities and fatalities. Some common defective consumer products include, but are not limited to, baby slings, strollers, cribs, tires, airbags, automobiles and automobile parts, toys, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and even pet foods.

The defective consumer product attorneys at The Cochran Firm will obtain the maximum financial compensation possible through our efforts and perseverance for our clients injured or killed by a defective consumer product. We will recover damages for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, your lost wages and lost possible future earning potential because you unknowingly used a defective product. There is a time limit involved in filing a defective consumer product claim and they vary from state to state.

If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area and you have been a victim of a defective consumer product, please contact The Cochran Firm today so our defective consumer product attorneys can protect your legal rights and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Traumatic Brain Injury in Minneapolis, Minnesota

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:59:00 +0000

When your brain is injured by a sudden impact to your head, the consequences can be catastrophic and irreversible. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in permanent physical, mental and emotional damage.

The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can be immediate or develop slowly and may include seizures, persistent vomiting, debilitating headache, blurred vision, amnesia, paralysis, personality changes and even death. Victims of a traumatic brain injury often need a lifetime of constant medical care and treatment if they survive the injury.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), half of all traumatic brain injuries result from traffic accidents. Whiplash, a sudden distortion of the neck most commonly seen in car accidents, can cause a traumatic brain injury. Other incidents that can cause traumatic brain injuries are falls, swimming and diving accidents, construction site accidents and criminal assaults.

When a traumatic brain injury occurs due to someone else's negligence or willful actions, the traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the experience and knowledge to understand and present medical issues and the legal skills to represent our clients interests effectively and successfully.

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else's negligence in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, please contact the traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss what options are available to you to ensure you receive the financial compensation you need and deserve.

Traumatic Brain Injury in Houston, Texas

birwin@cochranfirm.com (Benjamin A. Irwin) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:17:00 +0000

A traumatic brain injury is usually caused by a sudden, violent blow to the head during a car accident, a fall, a sport-related or job-related injury or a criminal assault. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause permanent disability or death and places young men aged fifteen to twenty-four years of age at the highest risk. Over fifty thousand people succumb to traumatic brain injuries every year in the United States.

Victims of severe traumatic brain injuries require emergency medical treatment and hospitalization, and may require months and years of long term medical care. The symptoms of a severe traumatic brain injury include debilitating headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, extremity weakness, loss of coordination, paralysis, profound confusion and possible amnesia. In addition, the psychological effects of a traumatic brain injury can be deep and life-changing as well.

Individuals suffering traumatic brain injuries may require physical, emotional and financial support for an extended period with the costs spiraling into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The experienced traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm are well aware the victims of TBI need specialized legal representation to deal with the complex litigation involved surrounding a brain injured client.

Please contact the experienced traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm today if you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury in the Houston, Texas area to learn how our attorneys can help you get the financial compensation you need to secure your future care and treatment and quality of life.