As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Your Accident Having an accident is a terrifying experience, especially when injuries are involved. Police, ambulances, and hospitals are typical parts of the process, multiplying the confusion and fear of the victim. It is imperative for the injured victim to have a clear understanding of how to handle…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Stents Can Be Unneccesary! A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Baltimore-area St. Joseph Medical Center that recently informed more than 350 patients that they may have received unnecessary heart stents. St. Joseph is regarded as one of the primary cardiac care facilities in the region. It…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Standing in Your Clients’ Shoes It seems that many lawyers have forgotten that their job is to do everything that the clients would do for themselves if they could. Clients hire lawyers because clients believe that law school and experience has given the attorney an ability they do…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Roman Shade Cords Kills Boy On November 10, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hanover Direct Inc. recalled about 495,000 Roman shades and 28,500 roller/roll-up blinds after receiving a report of a boy who died by hanging from the product’s cord. Selling these dangerous products renders…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Rollerblades with Loose Frames Recalled On November 9, 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Rollerblade USA recalled around 29,000 Spark and Spitfire rollerblades because of loose wheels or frames. Rollerblade USA received reports of loose bolts in new skates. Loose wheels and frames can cause users to…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Maclaren Recalls Strollers Because of Child Finger Amputations When you have a baby, the last thing you want to think about is whether the stroller you purchased is safe – especially whether or not your Maclaren stroller will injure or even cut off your child’s finger. Like most…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Lap Band Erosion The Lap Band is a device that fits around the top of your stomach. The Lap-Band procedure involves surgically placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach, which reduces the opening to the stomach. The inner liner of the gastric band…

As Published By ALAN S. RIPKA, ESQUIRE Justice Unjust “Still, I’m willing to look at other ideas to bring down costs, including one that Republicans suggested last year: medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits,” President Obama recently commented on tort reform in his State of the Union address. “Reform” means pushing injured victims…

January 16. Ambulances meet US Airways Flight 1041 arriving in Charlotte from St. Thomas. Eight passengers receive medical treatment at the airport. Seven crew members are rushed to the hospital. “Headaches, confusion, some disorientation, dizziness, nausea. These are some of the symptoms that they’ve described,” says Judith Murawski, the Association of Flight Attendants’ industrial hygienist….