Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy hip replacements have been on the market for years.  People have received these implants to better their mobility and live a fuller life.  On Thursday, August 26, 2010, Johnson & Johnson made a public announcement to notify patients of their DePuy hip replacement recall. 

The two models that were included in the recall were the ASR XL Acetabular system and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System.  Both systems could cause permanent damage to bone, muscle and nerves if installed.

For a number of patients the recall was long overdue.  For more than two years, Johnson & Johnson has received complaints about their defective hip replacements.  Some victims of the defective product suffered agonizing pain and were forced to undergo corrective surgery.  

Approximately 93,000 hip replacement devices have been implanted worldwide.  It is estimated that one third of those were implanted in the United States.  As early as 2008, patients have been issuing complaints to the F.D.A. 

Those who have undergone surgery and are experiencing pain from the DePuy hip replacement may have a claim for compensation.  To find out what your options are it is best to consult with an experienced DuPuy lawyers who can give you expert guidance.  The top DePuy recall lawyers will usually offer free consultations and a no win no fee guarantee.

The State of Michigan imposes limits to recovery for medical malpractice cases. No matter how seriously injured you are, there is a maximum recovery you can obtain for non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, and similar damages. This amount increases slightly every year. There is no limit to the amount that you can receive for your economic losses, like lost earnings, medical expenses, and future similar expenses for your lifetime.

Michigan was one of the first states to pass such a law. Despite being unfair and unjust, it has been held constitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court. It is not surprising that the majority of judges on the court that determined that the law is constitutional were appointed to their position because of insurance company money and lobbyists from the medical profession. The law is ridiculous because it puts limits on cases brought by Michigan malpractice victims with the most serious injuries and does nothing to reduce the number filings of so called “frivolous cases.”

The Michigan medical malpractice lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire have recently added content to our online library.  There are now articles on several additional childhood illnesses.  I encourage all parents reading this to take a moment to educate themselves on these illnesses so they can recognize their child’s symptoms and watch their doctors’ performance.  Up to nearly 4% of patients suffer additional injury from some form of medical malpractice each year, yet most of these do not know enough about their medical condition and the proper course of treatment to recognize the malpractice as it occurs.  Do not let your child be part of this statistic!

Click on the titles of each article to learn more:

• Jaundice
• Hyperbilirubinemia
• Chronic ear infection
• Chronic bronchitis
• Mental retardation or mental disability
• Brain-Damaged Infants

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Chronic Bronchitis can be a very serious condition that affects children.  Chronic bronchitis is persistent or repeated episodes of bronchitis.  When bronchitis lasts three months or more, it is termed chronic bronchitis.  Chronic bronchitis is also apparent when a child has bronchitis for most of the days in a three month period for two years in a row and when other lung diseases or conditions have been excluded.

Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis

• Cough
• Vomiting or spitting out mucus
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or constriction of the breathing tubes
• Disability
• Lips or skin turning blue
• Swelling of feet and other extremities
• Heart failure

 Because of the severe health consequences, it is imperative that a doctor recognize and treat chronic bronchitis promptly and properly.  There are a number of tests that can be performed to recognize chronic bronchitis, and your pediatrician or specialist should be familiar with them.  In addition, while there are a number of causes of chronic bronchitis, the symptoms are fairly easy to recognize. 

If your child is further injured because a doctor failed to test for, diagnose, or treat chronic bronchitis, you may have a valid claim for medical malpractice. 

If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook” by clicking on the book title.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.   

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Chronic ear infections, also known as chronic otitis media, are the result of persistent infections or inflammations of the middle ear that keep coming back.  This can be caused by fluid that is trapped behind the eardrum. 

The primary cause of chronic ear infections is blockage of the Eustachian tube from allergies, multiple ear infections, ear trauma, or swelling of the adenoids. 

This medical condition is more severe when the middle ear is actually infected (due to bacteria or a virus) rather than merely inflamed.  This could result in damage to the eardrum or rupture if the fluid is not eventually drained. 

Ear pain is a well known consequence of an ear infection, but the consequences of chronic otitis media can be much more severe.  Especially when the middle ear is actually infected, the possible consequences can include:

• Pus-like drainage from the ear
• Development of cysts
• Infection of one or more skull bones
• Facial Paralysis
• Inflammation around the brain
• Permanent hearing loss, whether partial or total deafness.

Although these more severe consequences are relatively rare when compared to the number of ear infections that are treated each year, it is obviously important to reduce the risk of their developing to the extent possible.  Pediatricians are trained to perform a number of relatively simple tests to ensure chronic ear infections do not develop into a severe problem.  These tests include visual exams of the ear canal, cultures of any drainage, x-rays or CT scans, and hearing tests. 

In many cases the treatment for chronic ear infection is as simple as prescribing antibiotics, although it should be noted that a child may have to take antibiotics for a longer period depending on the severity and number of ear infections he or she has had.  In other cases, surgery is necessary to drain the ear canals or repair a damaged eardrum. 

When a doctor negligently fails to diagnose chronic otitis media or fails to prescribe a proper treatment and the patient suffers further damage because of that error, the child may have a valid medical malpractice claim.  An experienced Michigan medical malpractice lawyer can help evaluate the case. 

If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook” by clicking on the book title.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.