Texas Personal Injury Lawyers

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News and Updates

Hurricane Ike Insurance Claims

Southeast Texans face a new hurricane season every June through October. Hurricane Ike was devastating to many of us, causing significant property damage and loss. Most of us have already had contact with our insurers. Ken Lewis of Bush Lewis, PLLC, and Scott Renick of the Law Offices of Scott Renick have spent their entire legal careers practicing in Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Chambers, Jasper, Newton, Galveston and surrounding counties. They successfully handled over 100 Hurricane Rita claims. Based on their experience and knowledge of the law, they have prepared a booklet for your use in dealing with your insurance company on your Hurricane Ike claims. Please call us at (409) 835-3521 or send an email to ken.l@bushlewis.com on the Bush Lewis website contact page to have us mail a free copy of "When A Hurricane Strikes" or stop by the Bush Lewis, PLLC offices at 595 Orleans, Suite 500, in the San Jacinto Building in Beaumont or Scott Renick's office at 3590 Delaware, Suite 311 in Beaumont to get your free copy. There is no obligation.

Ken Lewis and Scott Renick have teamed up to handle Hurricane Ike claims together to bring their combined experience to these important claims. Call us at either office for a free appointment to see if we can help you. Your insurance policy and Texas law give you important rights in dealing with your insurance company after a hurricane. It is up to you to enforce those rights. Please get a copy of our free booklet so that you will understand those rights.

Heparin Alert

On April 15, 2008, the FDA announced that the blood thinner heparin may have been intentionally contaminated to reduce cost of the drug. Heparin has been associated with several deaths and allergic reactions recently. In early April 2008, the FDA reported that there has been a substantial increase in the number of people who have died while taking heparin. Heparin is manufactured by Baxter International and is commonly used before certain types of surgery and during hemodialysis as a blood clot preventative. FDA findings indicate there have been 103 heparin-associated deaths since January 1, 2007, and 91 of these were reported to the FDA on or ofter January 1, 2008. Baxter and the FDA recalled several dosage types of heparin in February 2008 after receiving reports of adverse reactions including breathing difficulty, vomiting, excess sweating and a rapid decline in blood pressure. Baxter then expanded the recall to include all remaining lots of its multi-dose, single dose, and flush products. Bush Lewis lawyers are actively seeking heparin cases that resulted in death or injury of individuals who were administered heparin.

Duragesic Pain Patch Recall

Johnson & Johnson's Alza Corporation recalled some its Duragesic patches containing the painkiller fentanyl on February 13, 2008, saying manufacturing defects may lead to fatal overdoses. This is the fifth recall of some version of the patches since 1994. The FDA issued a July 2005 warning after 120 patients died using the patches. The current recall is for patches releasing 25 micrograms of fentanyl per hour. Bush Lewis lawyers are currently investigating cases of patient deaths while using Duragesic pain patches.

Paxil & Birth Defects

Ken Lewis has been handling drug and drug device cases since the swine flu vaccine and Dalkon Shield birth control device litigation in the 1970's. He is currently investigating cases involving birth defects in children born during or after a mother's use of the popular anti-depressant Paxil, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch

Johnson & Johnson recently released a study of its own Ortho Evra birth control patch which showed the patch created a greater risk of blood clot- related injuries than birth control pills. In January 2008, the FDA required a third significant update to Ortho Evra label warnings. Bush Lewis lawyers are reviewing cases of stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis occurring in women while using this birth control patch.

Pain Pump Shoulder Injury

A study published in the July 3, 2007, American Journal of Sports Medicine concluded: "Use of intra-articular pain pump catheters eluting [releasing] bupivacaine with epinephrine appear highly associated with postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intra-articular pain pump catheters, especially those eluding bupivacaine with epinephrine, should be avoided until further investigation." This device is a type of pain pump catheter implanted temporarily in the shoulder following arthroscopic shoulder surgery that may be linked to a painful, debilitating condition involving loss of cartilage and known as glenohumeral chondrolysis. Symptoms may include unusual pain, stiffness or other problems. Bush Lewis lawyers are currently investigating these possible claims.

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