Audrina Patridge, one of the stars of MTV’s reality show “The Hills,” reported an alledged stalking last month to Los Angeles police. Twenty-four-year-old Zachary Loring appeared at her home numerous times and also gave her a packet of letters and drawings, including an illustration of a woman being strangled.
Loring first appeared at Patridge’s home on August 26 and returned over a period of several days. He was arrested on August 30 and released from custody a day later. A judge subsequently granted Patridge a restraining order against the alleged stalker. However, the order was served to Loring while he was in jail yet again, after being arrested a week later on unrelated charges – two outstanding warrants that were issued when he failed to appear at court-ordered anger management classes.
Loring has since been released again, under the condition that he finishes the classes as ordered. Out of jail, he can now go wherever he likes – as long as it is at least 100 feet away from Patridge.
However, Patridge has had more trouble recently than just Loring. Another man, 18-year-old Nicholas Prugo, was recently arrested on suspicion of burglary, in connection with break-ins at the home of Patridge as well as actress Lindsey Lohan.
Patridge’s attorney has noted that she is traveling temporarily, as she fears for her safety in LA. This may be understandable, as stalking has been a persistent problem in Hollywood. In fact, California was the first state to criminalize stalking in 1990 after a number of high-profile cases. The most well-known of these is the 1989 murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer by an obsessed fan who stalked her for three years leading up to her untimely death.
Every state now lists stalking as a crime. A government report released earlier this year estimates that approximately 14 out of 1000 adults is a victim of stalking – over 3 million during a 12-month period.
Lawsuits are mounting as consumers who have been using denture cream for years, or even decades, are being diagnosed with severely debilitating neurological disorders. PoliGrip lawyers have already filed several individual and class action lawsuits against the large drug corporation GlaxoSmithKline, makers of the Super PoliGrip product line. Unfortunately, users of their major competitor Fixodent, from Proctor & Gamble, are being diagnosed with painful diseases and maladies as well. Although the companies have reaffirmed that their products are safe for daily use, some believe that they may lead many people to spend the rest of their lives in constant pain, unable to walk or hold objects in their hands.
Victims of denture cream injury allege that both GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble failed consumers in several ways by:
* Not adequately warning customers about potential risks * Not adequately examining the dangers associated with regular use over time * Not properly labeling products about the existence of metallic ingredients
Even though they still claim that proper use is not dangerous, both companies have responded to these accusations on their websites, and have agreed to create packaging and labeling that warns users about possible risks associated with what they call “overuse.” They claim that their lines of denture cream adhesive are only dangerous if too much paste is applied to the dentures.
The problem is that many people cannot afford to purchase dental prosthetics that fit properly. Since they have less money to spend on their teeth, they have older, worn dentures that slip or slide around in the mouth when they talk or eat. The cheapest solution to the problem is to use a thicker layer of denture adhesive. Some victims have used up to three tubes of product per week for years, thinking that it was a safe, cheap alternative to an expensive new oral corrective device.
But none of the victims thought for a moment that using their dental bonding agent would eventually lead to a painful denture cream side effect. In fact, The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t even require the companies to label their packaging to warn users that regular use may eventually cause illness.
This is especially troubling since a 2008 study published in the Journal of Neurology positively linked zinc, a major ingredient of the adhesives, to the PoliGrip nerve damage and Fixodent side effects.
Fixodent denture cream, as well as in Super PoliGrip, includes zinc as a major ingredient for two reasons. First, it is a binding agent, so it helps hold dentures in place. But it also contains odor-controlling properties, which is excellent for maintaining fresh breath for users.
The study published in the Journal of Neurology shows that zinc can seep from the paste into the gums, where it is absorbed into the blood stream. It is important to note that the human body needs zinc. However, the amount required is very small and can be obtained readily from a proper diet. This amount, when kept in proper balance, helps keep the immune system operating effectively.
But too much of anything in the body has negative effects, and regular use of the denture creams may allow too much of the metal into the body, causing zinc toxicity. Obvious symptoms include:
- Numbness in extremities, especially legs - Tingling in extremities, especially legs - Loss of balance - Loss of feeling or sensation - Unexplained pain anywhere in the body - Decreased or shrunken walking stride - Increased falling or stumbling - Loss of strength in legs or feet
Over time, as the substance accumulates in the body, victims start to show signs of a zinc overdose, which includes the neurological problems listed above.
Although it can be effectively treated if caught early, zinc poisoning can be a life-long battle with pain for discomfort. The symptoms vary in severity, with some people saying it feels like they are wearing an invisible glove or sock, while others spend the rest of their lives in wheelchairs, unable to walk.
Either way, if your doctor determines that you are exhibiting the symptoms above, and that they may be the result of using denture cream, contact a lawyer immediately. You may be able to pursue a personal or class action lawsuit against the company that made your dental adhesive.
Two decades ago, the world watched as rescuers worked for days to free 18-month old Jessica McClure (from then known as “Baby Jessica”) from the bottom of a well. At the time, CNN was a relatively new news outlet, and their around-the-clock coverage of the event contributed to the market niche that the network formed for itself. However, the “media circus” of the event also prompted some criticism.
Now, twenty-two years later almost to the day, the world watched again, fearing for the life of a six-year-old boy as a giant balloon floated for fifty miles – only to discover that the “Balloon Boy,” as the media dubbed him, was not actually inside. The sheriff in Larimer County, Colorado where the family lives has since called the incident a “hoax,” alleging that the entire event was staged. It turns out that the family may have learned something from Baby Jessica and similar situations that followed – that a child in trouble is a very good way to get media attention. In fact, a researcher has come forward stating that he helped the boy’s parents develop a plan for a reality TV show earlier this year, a plan that may have included “drumming up media interest” with a launched weather balloon.
The sheriff stated in a press conference on Sunday that he expects to file charges in the case. So what legal trouble could the family be in if the allegations of a hoax are true? The potential charges mentioned include conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and attempting to influence a public servant. These are all felonies, though the sheriff also says that he will recommend a charge of filing a false police report, a misdemeanor.
Both of the felony charges would be somewhat unusual applications of the laws; for example, contributing to the delinquency of a minor typically involves situations like keeping a child out of school or allowing a child to be involved in the sale or use of drugs. If the allegations of a hoax are proven true, should the family face criminal charges? What about restitution to the government for the expense of a rescue attempt? After all, it was more than just the public who were “taken for a ride” in this situation; the authorities may have been as well.Both of the felony charges would be somewhat unusual applications of the laws; for example, contributing to the delinquency of a minor typically involves situations like keeping a child out of school or allowing a child to be involved in the sale or use of drugs. If the allegations of a hoax are proven true, should the family face criminal charges? What about restitution to the government for the expense of a rescue attempt? After all, it was more than just the public who were “taken for a ride” in this situation; the authorities may have been as well.
With the growth of online social networks has come a barrage of new ways to communicate with friends – or even enemies. One such method is a feature on the social networking site Facebook called a “poke.” Receiving a poke from another Facebook user is both a simplistic and ambiguous message, as it conveys no other information than that it was sent.
However, simplistic or not, this is still a form of communication – which means that it is very likely enough to violate a restraining order. A Tennessee woman recently learned this lesson the hard way when she was arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection when she sent a Facebook poke.
Of course, the order of protection itself is fairly unambiguous, stipulating “no telephoning, contacting or otherwise communicating with the petitioner.” As cyberstalking is becoming an increasingly prominent problem, not only with respect to strangers but also in domestic violence cases, judges are often quick to remind respondents that this includes electronic communication as well – no texts, no emails, and apparently, no pokes.
In Tennessee, violating an order of protection is a Class A misdemeanor, which means that the maximum jail sentence is 11 months and 29 days; it also carries a possible fine of up to $2,500.
Did the Tennessee woman in question realize that a “poke” would violate the order of protection? Perhaps this case is a reminder that changing technology can quickly affect legal issues; the number of ways that we are “otherwise communicating” with each other seems to increase every day. Bookmark and Share.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on August 24 that it is investigating reports of liver damage among patients taking orlistat, a popular weight loss drug marketed as prescription Xenical and the over-the-counter Alli.
Though orlistat in its prescription form appeared in 1999, Alli became the first non-prescription drug approved in America to treat obesity in 2007. The difference between the two versions is dosage – 120 milligrams versus 60 milligrams. Though diet drugs are becoming increasingly popular, some doctors have noted that the benefits of this particular one may be rather modest – a weight loss of perhaps ten pounds in conjunction with diet and exercise.
The FDA has so far received 32 reports of adverse liver effects in patients taking the drug in the past ten years, including instances of jaundice, weakness, and stomach pain. There is not yet any definite link between orlistat and these symptoms, and the FDA has not recommended that patients taking either Xenical or Alli should discontinue use – but did note that anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a doctor.
Diet drugs and supplements have proven to be a persistent problem for the FDA, and a persistent presence in the legal community. Earlier this summer, the recall of Hydroxycut was also prompted by concerns about liver damage, and of course, lawsuits over fen-phen are still ongoing. There have already been tens of thousands of cases concerning the now-banned diet drug, including a one billion dollar award for one plaintiff. Will Xenical and Alli prompt similar lawsuits? Only time will tell.
After two months of speculation about the circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson’s death, the Los Angeles county coroner has ruled it a homicide. An anonymous law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the ruling was based on the discovery of a combination of anesthetic propofol and sedatives in the pop star’s system.
The finding could result in criminal charges for Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, who had been caring for Jackson in a Los Angeles mansion at the time of his death.
An affadavit used to outline probable cause for search warrants for the offices of doctors who may have treated Jackson detailed a timeline of drugs administered to him before his death. It listed at least five doctors and a nurse practitioner, all of whom had recently treated him.
Some are speculating that Dr. Murray could be charged with involuntary manslaughter. This crime carries a maximum sentence of four years under California law. The statute defines “manslaughter” as “the involuntary killing of a human being without malice.” To be “involuntary,” the act must occur either during a lawful act or during an unlawful act that does not amount to a felony. Typically it would involve negligence of some sort, “without due caution or circumspection.”
However, it is unclear at this point whether Jackson’s death can be attributed to a single night or the single doctor’s actions, or whether the potential negligence of multiple physicians over a period of time could be to blame.
Over 2 million people in the United States each year take Reglan, a drug commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that for patients using Reglan, tardive dyskinesia (TD) could be a potential danger. This debilitating movement disorder has prompted a number of Reglan lawsuits since the FDA advisory in March 2009.
The medicine is composed of metoclopramide, a dopamine receptor antagonist, as well as an antiemetic. It has been used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders like heartburn and diabetic gastric stasis since its introduction in 1982. It has also been prescribed to those suffering from gastroparesis, or partial paralysis of the stomach. In this disorder, food is slowed significantly in the digestive track, causing a variety of side effects such as heartburn, upper abdomen pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
However, despite the FDA’s warning, many people are still unaware of the potential metoclopramide side effects, since various versions of the prescription are still available. The agency has noted that occurrence of TD is “directly related to the length of time a patient is taking metoclopramide and the number of doses taken." The director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Janet Woodcock, advised that "chronic use of metoclopramide therapy should be avoided in all but rare cases where the benefit is believed to outweigh the risk.” Older women appear to be at increased risk, as well as those with these pre-existing conditions:
Reglan-induced tardive dyskinesia can be a debilitating disease with no known cure. It presents with a variety of symptoms, but most sufferers report:
• Repetitive, involuntary movements of the arms and legs • Lip smacking and other mouth and lip movements • Rapid blinking • Diminished movement of the fingers
These movement problems primarily affect the mouth and face, including frequent and uncontrollable biting motions with the jaw and puffing up of the cheeks. While involuntary motion typically begins as mild, it can become more severe over time. These difficult symptoms often cause mental, as well as physical stress and strain. TD most commonly occurs when the medication has been taken for longer than 12 weeks.
Particularly troubling is the fact that the drug is sometimes prescribed to infants who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux. This condition can be very painful, and prevent them from getting the nutrition that they need to grow. However, the FDA has not approved metoclopramide for use in children, and unfortunately, there has already been reported cases of infant tardive dyskinesia. Because the signs are already difficult to recognize, it often remains undiagnosed in babies.
Additionally, approximately .2% of people who take neuroleptics contract neuroleptic malignant syndrome. This disease typically progresses from muscular rigidity to high fever and instability of the autonomic nervous system, including irregular blood pressure, cognitive problems, marked agitation and restlessness, delirium, and coma. These signs may be mistaken for mental illness and go undiagnosed – but without treatment, the disease can be fatal.
The FDA now requires that the label and Reglan information include a “black box” warning. This type of alert is named for the black border that surrounds the notice, and indicates that medical studies have shown that the drug carries a significant risk of serious or life-threatening adverse effects. This is the strongest warning that the agency can require.
It should be noted that some Reglan side effects are minor and generally no cause for concern. These include decreased energy, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, restlessness, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. However, the side effects of Reglan can also be more severe, and anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. These include severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing or skin irritation, confusion, abnormal thinking, unusual weight gain, sudden and increased sweating, shortness of breath, hallucinations, loss of bladder control, decreased sexual ability, changes in heart beat or heart rhythms, seizures, mental and mood changes such as increased depression or anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
TD can also been known to occur in conjunction with a variety of other antipsychotic drugs and neuroleptics such as Thorazine (Chlorpromazine), Clozaril (Clozapine), Haldol (Haloperidol), Seroquel (Quetiapine), Loxitane / Loxapac (Loxapine), Mellaril (Thioridazine), Navane (Thiothixine), Prolixin / Modecate (Fluphenazine), Piportil (Pipotiazine), Trilafon (Perphenazine), Orap (Pimozide), Stelazine (Trifluoperazine), Risperdal (Risperidone), Serentil (Mesoridazine), and Zyprexa (Olanzapine). There are also related non-neuroleptics, including Prozac (Fluoxetine), Zoloft (Sertraline), Nardil (Phenelzine), Elavil (Amitriptyline), Asendin (Amoxapine), Sinequan (Doxepine), and Tofranil (Imipramine).
Since the March 2009 Reglan warning, many of those who have been negatively impacted by this drug have sought legal assistance. Finding a lawyer with experience is essential, and a directory like LegalTube can help connect you to a Reglan law firm that will be able to assess whether your case fits the profile of metoclopramide lawsuits. If you are looking for information about Reglan and tardive dyskinesia, browsing these articles will help you learn more.
When Hydroxycut appeared on the market, it was proclaimed a miracle weight loss product--but could it have done more harm than good?
The reformulated “herbal” supplement replaced the original Hydroxycut ephedra diet pills, which were pulled from the market when the FDA banned the drug. The manufacturer, Iovate Health Sciences, released multiple versions of the new formula to the public, including Hydroxycut Hardcore, which was marketed to bodybuilders.
Despite the favorable Hydroxycut reviews, the product’s reincarnation may not have been much of an improvement with respect to potential health problems, and the FDA issued a health advisory in May of 2009. Liver damage was among the most troubling reports in the warning, including the supplement’s connection to the death of a 19-year-old man. Immediately following the warning, Iovate conducted a massive recall.
While the health complications varied from person to person in the report, symptoms included cardiovascular problems, seizures, insomnia, and rhabdomyolysis, a disease that causes the degeneration of skeletal muscle. Some men and women also cited dangerously low levels of liver enzymes and, as a result of rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure. While Hydroxycut supplements always listed possible side effects--increased sweating, high blood pressure, loss of appetite, and restlessness--the severe reactions in some consumers were far more dangerous, and were not listed as potential side effects. When deciding whether to buy Hydroxycut, many consumers were asking themselves, “Does Hydroxycut work?” but perhaps the more appropriate question would be, "Could it harm me?"
After the recall, Iovate and the FDA have sought to isolate a culprit among the many ingredients in Hydroxycut weight loss pills, but as of yet have been unsuccessful. The many formulas contained a wide variety of herbal extracts, purported fat burners and metabolism boosters (popular among bodybuilders as MuscleTech Hydroxycut), as well as nutrition supplements. One notable ingredient that has been considered closely by the FDA, however, is hydroxycitric acid.
Just months after the ban, Iovate released a new version called Hydroxycut Advanced, which was marketed similarly, but contains none of the ingredients in the banned version. Some consumers have already reported strange side effects, including depression, insomnia, and acute anxiety after using the product.
The product has also been at the center of a series of lawsuits filed by some of the many millions of consumers who had used it over the seven-year run. While only a small percentage of men and women experienced such severe results, the reactions for some were catastrophic, compromising their health for years to come. These individuals have sought compensation for the injuries they received, and with the help of seasoned lawyers and firms, have been able to bring the company to justice.
If you or someone you love has suffered Hydroxycut side effects, it is important that you seek help. First, in order to treat the problem at hand, you should visit your health care practitioner. Their diagnoses and treatment are central to any possible lawsuits.
You have many choices when looking for legal help, and it can seem overwhelming. Using a resource like LegalTube allows you to compare the many liability lawsuit firms available to help you as you seek compensation. Once you find a law firm, they can determine if your case relates to any pending, current, or past investigations. With their help, you may be able to receive compensation for your healthcare costs.
LegalTube is the only legal directory where finding a lawyer or the answers to your law-related questions is as easy as channel surfing. It’s a way to connect attorneys and potential clients by offering “face time” in the comfort of your living room. We take the headache out of finding a lawyer—no more endless appointments, no more consultation fees, no more time wasted pouring through the Yellow Pages, and most importantly, no more taking the risk of picking a lawyer at random. Needing legal advice is stressful enough already—it’s no time for a blind date!
On LegalTube, not only can you search by location and area of practice to find the perfect attorney for your needs, but you can get answers to common questions and find out more about important legal topics. And it’s as easy as watching TV! You don’t have to read anymore dry legalese; instead, watch and listen as a knowledgeable attorney explains it to you. When you’re searching for an attorney, don’t wait until you go to their office to decide if it’s a match; watch the video instead!
LegalTube is the easiest, friendliest resource on the web for finding the lawyer of your dreams. And while you’re here, be sure to check out our “arresting entertainment” channels. The law doesn’t have to be a headache; sometimes it can even be fun!
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Audrina Patridge, one of the stars of MTV’s reality show “The Hills,” reported an alledged stalking last month to Los Angeles police. Twenty-four-year-old Zachary Loring appeared at her home numerous times and also gave her a packet of letters and drawings, including an illustration of a woman being strangled.
Lawsuits are mounting as consumers who have been using denture cream for years, or even decades, are being diagnosed with severely debilitating neurological disorders. 
