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Does Actos Cause Bladder Cancer?

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Diabetes is a worldwide problem caused due to metabolic disorder. Stomach converts food to glucose which is then broken down by insulin. When insulin is resistant or inadequate, there is an increase in the blood sugar levels. This results in Diabetes Type II. ACTOS is a medication used in the treatment of Type II Diabetes. Pioglitazone hydrochloride, the chemical name of ACTOS is an odorless white crystalline powder. It is available in a tablet form. ACTOS can also be used in combination with insulin.

Physiology of ACTOS:

ACTOS is used to lower blood sugar levels. It helps the body to utilize the insulin produced efficiently and stops the liver from making more sugar. This helps the sugar to move from the bloodstream to other parts of the body. There is no build –up of sugar in the bloodstream, thus lowering the blood sugar levels.

Dosage and Use of ACTOS:

ACTOS is a pill available as 15mg, 30mg and 45mg. The recommended dose is one 15mg or 30mg tablet daily. It is recommended only to patients without congestive heart failure and must be taken as prescribed by a doctor or a physician.

This is an oral medication that can be taken with or without food. Medication must be taken regularly and at the same time daily. Blood sugar must be monitored regularly. Your dosage and treatment may be changed by your doctor or physician as per your results. ACTOS takes around 2 to3 months to show its affect. The therapy also includes exercise, healthy diet, weight control and regular health check-ups.

ACTOS is stored at 25°C (77°F) in air tight containers and kept away from sunlight, moisture and humidity.

Side-Effects of ACTOS:

You will require immediate medical attention if you show any of the following side effects

Stomach aches
Swelling or increased weight gain
Blurred vision
Painful urination/blood in urine
Nausea
Jaundice
Increased thirst, hunger and urination
Chest pain
Fatigue
Wheezing

Some of the less serious side effects of ACTOS are:

Colds
Headaches
Back aches
Tooth decays
Muscle pain
Weight gain

Some people are allergic to Pioglitazone. Some of the allergic reactions seen are hives, wheezing, swelling in lips, face or tongue and dizziness. Allergic reaction will require immediate medical attention.

Precaution:

Congestive Heart Failure: ACTOS is known to cause water retention. This leads to edema and in severe cases may lead to congestive heart diseases.

Hepatitis: Liver diseases have been reported in patients taking ACTOS. There is no supporting evidence for this. Patients with abnormal liver tests must not take ACTOS.

Fractures: During a study it was seen that female patients under ACTOS medication have shown some nonvertebral fractures. The risk of fractures must be considered before administering ACTOS.

Urinary Bladder Tumor: A carcinogenicity research has shown tumors in the urinary bladder of male rats. Further studies have shown urinary bladder tumors in patients taking ACTOS. The studies are still ongoing and there are no conclusive data to prove ACTOS as a tumor promoter.

Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is a medical term for blood sugar levels lower than normal. ACTOS has caused hypoglycemia in few patients. Always keep some source of sugar with you if you are taking ACTOS.

Ovulation: Women on ACTOS therapy has shown to ovulate. They are at an increased risk of pregnancy.

Pregnancy: Animal studies have shown reduction in fetal weight, delayed development, and implantation failure when medicated with ACTOS. There is no evidence of its impact on human beings, but it is best avoided during pregnancy to avoid possible risk to the fetus

Nursing mothers: As all the other drugs, ACTOS is also secreted in milk. ACTOS can cause potential adverse events in nursing infants, it is best to avoid it.

Alcohol: Alcohol lowers blood sugar levels. Taking alcohol during an ACTOS medication cycle can have adverse effects.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a group of medication used to treat Diabetes mellitus type II. Investigations on the use of TZDs are being conducted. The main side effect of TDZs is edema or water retention. Some of the other side effects of TZDs are hepatitis and potential liver failure, Heart failure, plaques and coronary heart diseases.

FAQS

How should I take ACTOS?

You should take the medication as prescribed by the doctor or physician. Avoid self medication. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Check for signs for hypoglycemia. ACTOS can be taken with or without food.

What happens if you miss a dose?

The missed dose should be taken immediately. If you remember to take the dose closer to the next dose time, skip one tablet. Do not overmedicate.

What happens when I overdose?

You need medical attention if you have had an overdose of ACTOS. Check for signs of hypoglycemia such as fatigue, blurred vision, sweating, tremors, stomach ache, dizziness and allergic reactions.

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Understanding The Variety Of Personal Injury Matters

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

When speaking about personal injury, most people associate this with injury that arises in the course of an accident either on the road or in the workplace or even at a medical facility. However in actual fact, there are numerous types of personal injury matters and it may be possible to seek legal recourse and compensation if you have sustained personal injury as a consequence of any of the following.

The obvious circumstances are personal injury arising from a vehicular accident. There are also injuries that may arise as a consequence of a fall and this can happen in a store or other public place. If the cause of the fall is through the fault of the owner of the premises or the person in control of the premises, then you may be able to seek compensation. A fairly common example of this is if you slip and fall on a wet floor, and the owner of the premises or his employees have failed to put up notices about the wet floor, then you may be able to be compensated for the injuries sustained. Therefore the safety of a premises including pubic and private property is relevant.

Another fairly common area of claims under personal injury is medical malpractice. This not only arises with reference to the treatments that have been received that have resulted in mistakes made by medical personnel but also include cases of misdiagnosis. In both these instances, there is a risk of greater personal injury or the provision of inadequate or wrong medical treatment. If you have suffered personal injury as a consequence of this, you should seek the advice of a legal professional as soon as possible. While many law firms can handle matters of medical malpractice, this is a specialist area of law and it would ideal to consult a personal injury lawyer or attorney for advice.

If you have been intentionally hurt, this is classified as assault and can be a criminal matter. However in addition to that there is a possibility that you may bring civil proceedings against them for negligence. This can occur regardless of whether the person intended to hurt you or not, with the point being that you were hurt by their actions. Similarly, in circumstances where an individual owns a pet and the pet attacks you causing personal injury, you would be able to bring a civil lawsuit against the owner of the pet for the injury caused to you. This means that you will be able to claim damages for any medical treatment that you required as well as for any pain and suffering arising as a consequence of the injuries sustained.

The other area where it is possible to bring a civil lawsuit for negligence is in the context of injuries arising as a consequence of the use of a defective product. In the eyes of the law, all products must be fit for purpose and if it turns out that this is not the case, you may recover damages through the court.

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California Boat Accidents Lawyer Says Are Declining

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Whether they are out cruising in a powerboat or paddling in a kayak, California boaters have more than 3,000 miles of gorgeous coastline where they can enjoy fishing, swimming and cruising with their friends and families. There are also dozens of lakes where recreational and commercial boaters can enjoy the fresh air and great outdoors.

However just as drivers on our roadways must stay alert, so too are boaters responsible for their actions on the water, boat accident lawyers say. There are roughly 2.6 million boats in California — including nearly one million motorized and 1.6 million non-motorized vessels — that share the water with one another, according to the most recent statistics compiled by the California Department of Boating and Waterways.

The most recent statistics reported by the Coast Guard show that 672 people died in boating accidents in 2010, down 9% from the previous year where nearly 800 people died across the United States. Life jackets could have saved many of those lives. Roughly 75% of those deaths were due to drowning and 90% of those victims drowned because they were not wearing a life vest.

“Boat accidents are often a tragedy that could have been avoided if passengers were equipped with life jackets,” said Emery Ledger, boat accident lawyer at Ledger & Associates in Newport Beach.

Additionally, there were 3,358 injuries resulting from boating accidents in 2009 and an estimated $36 million in property damage that same year.

The United States Coast Guard describes a boating accident as that which not only involves damage to a vessel, but is also any incident involving a passenger that is injured or killed, missing or suspected missing.

One of the biggest causes of boating accidents is also one of the top causes of auto accidents. We’ve all heard the term “Driving Under the Influence,” but on the waterways it’s referred to as “Boating Under the Influence.” Statistics show that drinking and driving is responsible for roughly one third of all reported boating accidents and all states impose fines and jail penalties on those caught breaking the law.

Lack of experience can be a serious danger to those onboard a boat. Drivers should not venture out into waters they are unfamiliar with especially if they are untrained or inexperienced.

Weather is one of the other main reasons boaters have accidents. Rain, severe winds lightening can all contribute to a driver’s ability to maintain a boat on the waterways. Lightening can strike a boat and electrocute those on board, damage navigation equipment and

Other injuries sustained by occupants of boats includes the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the boat’s engine exhaust that can cause injuries or death.

If you or a loved one is involved in a boating accident you may wonder if you have a claim against another boater you believe is at fault or at the driver of the boat if you were a passenger. An experienced boat accident lawyer will explain to you that the law requires those operating boats in our waterways to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of passengers and other boaters. However, if a driver does not act in a safe manner, they may be liable for injuries caused to others resulting from their actions.

Under California law, the owner of a boat who is involved in an accident that causes injuries to its passengers or other boats and property damage is required to file an accident report with the United States Coast Guard. Incidents involving personal injury or death are required to be filed within 48 hours of the accident. Reports of property damages are given a 10-day window, but any accident that goes unreported is considered a crime.

The boat accident lawyers at Ledger & Associates will help you navigate the legal system and investigate your accident to determine if you have a case against another boater or the driver of a boat who may be responsible for your injuries or losses.

Call us today at 1-800-300-0001 for a free consultation with an experienced boat accident lawyer.

Posted in Attorney-Lawyer, Auto Accident Lawyer, boat accident lawyer, car accident attorney, car accident lawyer, maritime lawyer, Personal Injury, Product Liability Lawyer, Wrongful Death Lawyer | Comments Off

Car Accident Lawyer Explains Settlement Tactics

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Sometimes clients involved in a personal injury lawsuit are given an offer by the defense team to settle a filed court case before a trial commences.

This may sound like a great idea to some clients, but to those with major injuries or wrongful death claims it may sound like the defendant is trying to take the easy way out. But what you may not know is this is a strategic move on the part of the defense. That’s because if your car accident lawyer declines the pretrial offer and takes your case to trial, you are expected to win more than the defense offered to settle the case or face penalties for declining what the court deems a reasonable offer.

This is known as a 998 offer under California law (Code of Civil Procedure Sec. 998). It’s not a new law — it’s been around since 1851, but it’s one that many clients may not have heard of before.

Let’s say for example that you are the plaintiff in a lawsuit and the defendant makes an offer to settle the case for $15,000, but you decline to accept the offer. After going to trial, the court awards you any amount less than the $15,000 for your case. Now you are on the hook for the defendant’s legal costs incurred from the date they made you the offer as well as legal costs including attorney’s fees for your own court costs from that date on. Given that attorney’s fees and court costs can run thousands of dollars, you may end up with nothing for your case even if you won it. The court may also decide to award the defense reasonable expert witness fees incurred during trial. The prevailing party, however, may still recover attorney’s fees for work on the case prior to the 998 offer if it is stipulated in a contract or in applicable laws that they be awarded.

The 998 offer, however, is a two-way street. At Ledger & Associates, we only handle the cases of plaintiffs, but we too could send out 998 offers to the defense requesting that they settle a case. Should the defense decline our 998 offer, and our client wins more than they asked for, the defense are also on the hook for legal expenses and expert witness fees to our clients from the date of our 998 offer.

The courts created the 998 offer in an effort to encourage parties to settle and free up its docket of cases. Only realistically reasonable offers made in writing, made anytime up to 10 days before trial commences, and those that specifically cite Sec. 998 are eligible under the law.

So if you are involved in a dispute with another motorist there are many considerations that an expert car accident lawyer has to address in representing you in a case. Personal injury lawyers such as Ledger & Associates want to see you prevail and win a settlement so that you can move on with your life and pay your medical bills.

Call 1-800-300-0001 for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer at Ledger & Associates and we can help you navigate the legal system and get you the compensation you deserve.

Posted in Attorney-Lawyer, Auto Accident Lawyer, car accident attorney, car accident lawyer, Pedestiran Accident Attorney, Personal Injury, Product Liability Lawyer, Wrongful Death Lawyer | Comments Off

Car Accident Lawyer Emery Ledger Talks Off-Road Vehicles

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Recreational vehicles – such as off-road bikes and ATVs — are extremely popular these days. These fast-moving, action-packed bikes and quads are particularly popular among young men between the ages of 20 to 50 years old. The adrenaline rush of riding a motorized vehicle off road is certainly a big draw, but it can also be very dangerous. Sales of All-Terrain Vehicles were up this year over last year showing that the popularity continues to rise in this market. However, as the enthusiasm for off-road vehicles continues to rise, so too does the likelihood of having an accident on one of them.

Many times riders of these types of recreational vehicles are too busy having fun to notice others around them and that can lead to disaster. ATVs are susceptible to roll-over accidents that can crush drivers or passengers, especially young people who are smaller. When an accident happens off-road the victim may be far away from the nearest hospital or emergency room. Serious injuries need immediate attention and too often someone could die on route to the ER.

Nationally, hospital emergency rooms report receiving more than 131,900 people who are injured in accidents and 376 who were killed as a result of an ATV accident in 2009. Nearly 25% of those injured were children under the age of 16 years old and 61 children were killed. Too often people are killed in the most serious accidents involving these vehicles. Here in California, we are known for having the most incidents of injuries and fatalities in the country.

A year ago, a 12-year-old boy died after he crashed the ATV he was riding into a fence. His two passengers – both 11 years old — were both rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Just two years ago, a 10-year-old Rialto, California boy also died after a fall from a Polaris ATV. Sadly these young people were just out having fun with their families.

Although many of these accidents take place due to driver error, there have also been numerous recalls of various brands of recreational vehicles over the years such as the Kawasaki, Honda, Arctic Cat, Polaris and Baja Motorsports. Some recent recalls include mechanical defects that affected the steering of the Polaris Sportsman ATVs in the years 2009-2010 and steering issues on the 2010 Can-Am Outlander and Renegade ATVs.

No matter what the reason for your accident it’s important to take safeguards to protect you and your family from being hurt in an accident. Here in California, drivers of ATVs and all motorized vehicles are required to wear a helmet at all times. Studies have shown that drivers of these vehicles who have been formally trained are safer than those who do not have safety training. Many injuries can be avoided when drivers and passengers wear protective gear such as helmets, gloves, chest protection and specially-designed clothing.

If you are injured or if you have lost a loved one in an accident involving an ATV or other off-road vehicle you may have options to consider if someone else is at fault for the accident. A personal injury specialist such as the car accident lawyers at Ledger & Associates can help you determine whether you have a case. Medical bills can be very expensive if you are hurt in one of these types of accidents. Many times riders have broken bones from being crushed or burns from these vehicles.

Car accident lawyers at Newport Beach-based Ledger & Associates specialize in personal injury cases for many different types of accidents including those on the road such as car accidents, motorcycle, truck, train, airplane, etc., as well as those off-road. Just give us a call for a free consultation to determine whether you have a case against another motorist at 1-800-300-0001. For more information visit our website at www.ledgerlaw.com.

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Navigating the Legal Process for Boating Accident Victims

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Taking a cruise in beautiful Newport Beach harbor may be a pleasant way to enjoy a weekend in Southern California, but sometimes this leisure activity can end in tragedy if the operator of the boat collides with another vessel. Drivers of private boats are often out relaxing and not paying attention to other boaters so this scenario happens far too often.

Whether you are out taking a commercial boat ride on a ferry, riding with friends on a yacht or cruising to Catalina Island, the owner of the vessel you ride in has to ensure the safety of passengers at all times.

Owners of ships or boats owe a duty of care to passengers who ride in them and may be responsible if you are injured or a family member is killed as a result of their negligence. A personal injury lawyer will be able to explain how the laws that govern our waterways work.

Sometimes the accident may be attributed to mechanical malfunctions or weather conditions that may lead to a boat capsizing. There have been many incidents over the years where there were insufficient life preservers available for passengers or drivers ignored weather reports and carelessly took out passengers into harm’s way. It’s up to an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a case of negligence and in some cases you may be eligible for damages for pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

Recreational activities such as parasailing, waterskiing, kayaking and jet skiing are among the many ways in which someone can be injured or killed in our lakes and ocean. Hit and run incidents are not just something that happens on our roadways, but many times someone enjoying these activities is killed and the boat driver just speeds off.

Some of the same factors that affect victims of car accidents also affect those who are victims of boating accidents. Speed and alcohol are among the top reasons people are hurt or killed in a boating accident. Two years ago, the driver of a small boat whose two passengers were both killed in Huntington Beach was suspected of drinking and driving above the 5 mph speed limit in the harbor. The victims filed wrongful death lawsuits and the case is still pending.

A Personal Injury lawyer who understands Maritime law can be the best way to resolve your claim if you are injured and need to file a lawsuit.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a marine accident and you need a personal Injury lawyer to help you navigate the legal system the attorneys at Ledger & Associates can help you. Our expert legal advice can help you get compensation to pay your medical bills, reimburse you for time lost at work and get your life back to normal.

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Personal Injury Lawsuits Cover a Number of Plaintiff Injuries

Friday, September 16th, 2011

It is not uncommon for people to believe that personal injury lawsuits only deal with motor vehicle accidents or negligent slip-and-fall cases. However, personal injury lawyers are commonly involved in any number of causes of action against defendants responsible for the injuries of another. Personal injury does not only regard physical injuries but emotional, mental and financial injuries as well. Personal injury lawyers also can handle cases involving damages to the reputation or integrity of the plaintiff even if he or she is not physically injured. If you feel you have been injured in any way, whether physical or financial, visit us at our Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm located at: 811 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90017.

Personal injury lawyers often handle what is known as a class action lawsuit on behalf of a large number of plaintiffs. California civil procedure laws require that a judge must certify a group of plaintiffs as a class before they can proceed as such. In order to qualify as a class, the plaintiffs must be similarly, if not identically, situated. This means they must be suffering from identical injuries caused by the same defendant and occurring within the same time frame. Class actions are common against manufacturers of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals as their use is often widespread across the nation. Class actions support judicial economy and efficiency by requiring just one trial as opposed to hundreds.

Class actions can be filed for any number of reasons. In a recent California class action lawsuit, personal injury lawyers are claiming that a certain brand of coffee was mis-labeled to represent it is grown in Hawaii when, in fact, is not grown there. This type of action may, at first blush, seem to have nothing to do with personal injuries. However, this class action represents an area of tort law prohibiting unlawful trade practices and deceptive marketing- conduct which induces consumers to buy products and lose their money when they find out the labeling is incorrect or false.

Personal injury lawyers can handle any type of claim. The lawyers at our Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm are no exception and would love to meet with you to discuss your claim. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer with experience and knowledge about any type of personal injury action, contact us today.