The Lyon Firm is dedicated to compassionate and aggressive legal representation on behalf of patients and consumers. 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.
Joseph Lyon is rated the highest possible score of 10/10 by AVVO, the national lawyer rating system, for his experience and ethics. Mr. Lyon works locally as well as nationally with many of the countries top law firms on mass tort projects and individual cases. He has been involved in multiple seven figure settlements on behalf of individuals and has participated in common benefit work in national litigations that has helped thousands of consumers nationwide. Mr. Lyon has a hands on approach to his practice, and you can be assured you will have his personal involvement throughout your case.
BREAKING PRODUCT SAFETY NEWS
HYDROXYCUT RECALLED DUE TO LIVER DAMAGE, AND POSSIBLE KIDNEY FAILURE
The FDA with the cooperation of the manufacturer has issued a nationwide recall of Hydroxycut dietary supplements due to serious reports of liver damage, rhabdomyolisis (a serious condition that can cause kidney failure), and cardiovascular injuries. One death from liver damage has been reported.
The products have been on the market since 2001, and many individuals and physicians may just now draw the connection between past injuries and the use of hydroxycut. Although reports of liver damage were recognized as early as 2001, it was thought that the injuries may be related to Ephedra. However, Hydroxycut became Ephedra free in 2004 and the reports of liver damage continued suggesting that a different ingredient is responsible for the injuries.
It should also be noted that the FDA has not determined which ingredient or combination of ingredients may be responsible for the Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity. Notwithstanding, the FDA has been clear in its formal report noting that "it is very likely that exposure to Hydroxycut can cause idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity... [and] Hydroxycut presents a severe life threatening hazard to some users."
The Lyon Firm is accepting and reviewing cases nationwide related to Hydroxycut injuries. Please see www.hydroxycutliverinjurylawyer.com for more information.
RAW ALFALFA SPROUTS LINKED TO SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION
The FDA issued a warning and advised consumers not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts due to potential Salmonella serotype Saintpaul contamination. The investigation indicates that the source of the contamination may be the seeds for alfalfa sprouts. Thirty one cases have been identified at this point but the exposure and adverse events are expected to be much higher. Persons at high risk include the elderly, young children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as meningitis and bone infections.
FIGHTING LEAD POISONING IN CINCINNATI
The Cincinnati Health Department is taking a more proactive approach with local officials requesting a resolution requiring landowners to provide "Lead Safe Housing". Although lead pain was banned in 1978, many of the older buildings in Cincinnati still contain lead paint, where children can come into contact with the paint chips or dust. The resolution is focused solely on buildings that provide housing to children under the age of six, who are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Currently, there is little financial or legal consequences for landlords to address the hazards of lead paint. In addition to housing, the Cincinnati Health Department is requesting an ordinance that day care centers obtain environmental and lead evaluations before they are licensed. The Lyon Firm is reviewing local cases on behalf of families exposed to lead pain.
FDA CLASS I RECALL: Arrow International Aortic Balloon PumpCatheters
A Recall was initiated due to serious concerns with Arrow International 30cc, 40cc and 50cc Intra Aortic Balloon pump catheters, which are part of the Intra-Aortic Pump System. The defect is in the connector of the pump tubing assembly which may result in failure of the system leading to organ failure and death. Systemic and cerebral thromboembolism are also associated risks.
PESTACHIO RECALL DUE TO SALMONELLA
Numerous companies have voluntarily recalled pestachio products following the expanded recall by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. in Terra Bella California.
OHIO SALMONELLA OUTBREAK
Peanut Butter Recall
The FDA has reported that it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and public health officials in many states to investigate an ongoing, multi-state outbreak of human infections due to Salmonella serotype Typhimurium. Peanut butter is the source. King Nut and Peanut Corporation of America have taken action to withdraw its peanut butter products from the marketplace. Several deaths have been reported linked to the outbreak.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recentyly determined that Peanut Corp. of America, based in Lynchburg, VA is the source of the Salmonella outbreak. Many of the infected people had eaten pre-packaged crackers sold under Kellog Co.'s Austin and Keebler brands. Product samples tested in Minnesota and Conneticut tested positive for Salmonella.
The FDA has advised consumers to avoid eating any foods with peanut butter unless they know it is not linked to Peanut Corp. Capital Hill has again criticized the FDA and is looking to this outbreak as yet another example of the need to modernize food safety laws.
After further investigation of a manufacturing plant in Beakley Georgia, the FDA has concluded that Peanut Corp. of America violated multiple federal standards for cleanliness. At this time, 501 people have been affected by the contaminated peanut butter and at least eight deaths are related to salmonella infections.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee held hearings on the Salmonella outbreak on February 11th to discuss the various violations and specific reports that mold and roaches were discovered in the affected plants.
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD HALTED
DUE TO INABILITY TO PROTECT HUMAN
SUBJECTS PARTICIPATING IN CLINICAL TRIALS
The FDA Announced that Coast IRB, LLC of Colorado Springs has agreed to suspend its operations in clincial trial oversight due concerns with the ability to protect the individuals in the trials. The problems may have compromised 300 active human research studies conducted by 3,000 clinical invesitgators.Federal law requires that clinical research involving human subjects and FDA regulated products (drugs, medical devices, biologics) must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB is a panel of physicians, scientists and sometimes non-scientists responsible for setting protocol and reviewing the research to protect the subjects should adverse events become evident.
The FDA has determined through undercover investigation that Coast IRB has violated numerous laws and regulations failing to perform adequate reviews of certain studies. The failure of an IRB to follow federal law and regulations can compromise the study and expose participants to adverse events.
