The Lyon Firm

Welcome To The Lyon Firm

The Lyon Firm is dedicated to compassionate and aggressive legal representation on behalf of patients and consumers nationwide. Although the majority of the practice consists of medical malpractice, pharmaceutical, medical device and life sciences litigation, Mr. Lyon handles many other types of cases.

The Lyon Firm has a dynamic and growing practice and is working with many other law firms around the country to improve America's public health through civil action.

The Lyon Firm works closely with Lopez McHugh, LLC, investigating and litigating cases nationwide.

The Lyon Firm is pleased to announce its new location in the Cook, Portune and Logothetis historical building. The Firm is nationally renown for labor and employment law. The new location has presented new opportunities for both firms to blend their respective experience in labor law and product liability issues. The Lyon Firm looks forward to a long term relationship with Cook, Portune, and Logothetis and extends its appreciation for the invitation to work together.

If you or a loved one have questions about one of the litigations we are investigating or feel you have a case that fits within one of the listed practice areas, the Lyon Firm would be pleased to answer any of your questions.

You can be assured that you will speak with Mr. Lyon directly about your case.

Featured Case

Gadolimium (MRI/CT Contrast Dye)
Many patients who undergo common diagnostics procedures such as MRIs and CT scans are unknowingly exposed to a dangerous metal, gadolinium, which is present in the dye that is injected to improve the imagery.
For patients without compromised kidney function, the dye and metal are moved through the body within 24 hours and has no effect. However, for patients with kidneys which are compromised to any degree, the dye and metal can linger in the body and the metal can become lodged in the tissues and organs.

MRI Injuries and Side Effects
Exposure to gadolinium for high risk patients can lead to a potentially fatal disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Patients with NSF develop a thickening of the skin, connective tissues, and organs, which restricts their ability to move and properly function. At this time, NSF is only caused by expose to gadolinium, and there is no current cure.

FDA Requests Boxed Warning for MRI/CT Contrast Agents
In May, 2007, the FDA updated its previous warning from December 2006, and requested manufacturers to include a new black box warning of all gadolinium based constrast agents.

The requested warning would state that patients with severe kidney insufficiency who receive gadolinium-based agents are at risk for developing a debilitating, and a potentially fatal disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). In addition, it would state that patients just before or just after liver transplantation, or those with chronic liver disease, are also at risk for developing NSF if they are experiencing kidney insufficiency of any severity.

Manufacturers Identified for MRI Injuries
The five manufactures in the United States are :

• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine),
• Ominiscan (gadodiamide); OptiMARK (gadoversetamide);
• MultiHance;(gadobenate dimeglumine);and
• Prohance (gadoteridol).

Omniscan was the most commonly reported agent, when a specific agent was identified, followed by Magnevist and OptiMARK.

Diagnosing NSF
If you suspect that you have been exposed to gadolinium and have suffered the skin rash, thickening discussed above, please contact our office immediately. Our office is working diligently with other firms and reputable experts around the country to properly evaluate each case. In order to determine whether you have NSF, it is necessary to obtain a “punch biopsy”. Mr. Lyon will personally discuss these issues with you and work with you and your health care providers to have the biopsy reviewed by one of the country’s foremost experts on this disease. For more information see the attached documents.

Related Documents

• Letter To Doctor
• Healthcare Provider Letter
• FDA Information (link)
• Additional FDA Information (link)

News You Can Use

"More Bad Law in Michigan!"
A federal district court in Michigan held that a helicopter's common law negligence claim against an airport authority was pre-empted by the Federal Aviation Act. See, McMahon Helicopter Servc., Inc., v. U.S., 2006 WL 2130625.

Under the courts analysis, the height and placement of the pole met established federal standards and any claim different than or in addition to� those standards is pre-empted.

"A Big One For the Good Guys!"
Recently the Judge in the Medtronic MDL ruled that the common law claims were not pre-empted by the FDA approval process. This result was a product of exceptional legal work by firms across the county. On behalf of our clients, The Lyon Firm offers its sincerest gratitude to couns who obtained this outstanding result that will help protect all of our rights.