Boston’s “Big Dig” at Center of Another Lawsuit

The “Big Dig” is a massive public works project in Boston that rerouted one of the city’s major traffic arteries to a 3.5-mile underground tunnel. Since its inception, the project has been plagued by quality concerns and safety issues. The latest round of claims centers on the handrails that line an above-ground thoroughfare that is part of the project. In recent years, seven motorists have died in fatal crashes that have involved the pedestrian railings, including an on-duty motorcycle cop, State Trooper Vincent Cila.

In many of the incidents, the guardrails have been linked to disproportionately severe injuries, including dismemberment. Now, a lawsuit filed by Cila’s widow claims that the design of the rails is defective and may pose an inherent risk to drivers. A final determination is still pending in the case.

Has a defective design issue harmed you or a loved one? If so, we can help you assess your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

First Wave of Lawsuits Filed in Toyota Recall Incident

In a massive recall that has shaken the global automotive market to its core, carmaker Toyota recently stopped selling eight of its most popular North American models, and has also recalled more than 8 million existing vehicles for repairs. The issue at hand is a problem with the vehicles’ pedals and/or floor mats that can potentially lead to unintended acceleration.

Across the United States, lawsuits are already being filed linking Toyota’s defective components to recent deaths, injuries, and damages. According to some industry experts, the dollar amount of Toyota’s liability in the matter could run into the billions. Affected consumers have already begun to petition for class-action status in the case, allowing groups of Toyota owners to band together to file a lawsuit.

Have you or a loved one been harmed by a defective product? You need the advice of a qualified team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Settlement Reached in Defective Crib Suit Against Wal-Mart

In 2007, West Boca, Florida resident Constance Bergey found her two-year-old daughter, Serenity, dead in her crib. The toddler’s head had become stuck between a crib railing and the mattress of the crib, which was produced by the manufacturer Simplicity Inc. and marketed domestically by retail giant Wal-Mart.

Following the incident, Bergey filed suit against both Wal-Mart and the crib manufacturer. The suit claimed that a dangerous defect in the product’s design had contributed to the incident. Although it was recently announced that a settlement between the parties had been reached, some of the specific details of the agreement were not provided.

Have you or a loved one been harmed by a defective product design? If so, you need the advice of an experienced team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Ohio Woman’s Swine Flu Death Resulted from Substandard Care, Suit Claims

The swine flu epidemic that first reached the United States in the spring of 2009 has claimed more than 11,000 lives to date. However, in one case in Ohio, a recent lawsuit asserts that it was shoddy medical treatment, not the illness itself, that was responsible for the death of 20-year-old Kelsey Young, who was pregnant at the time that she contracted the H1N1 virus.

The patient was treated for the symptoms of swine flu at Dublin Methodist Hospital, where medical personnel failed to follow the protocols for treatment set forth by the Centers for Disease Control. After being sent home and experiencing worsening symptoms, Young sought treatment at a different area hospital, where her baby was delivered shortly before Young passed away from the virus.

Has your family been impacted by substandard medical care? If so, you need the assistance of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Popular Acne Drug at Center of Injury Lawsuit

Accutane is one of the most widely used prescription drugs for skin problems such as acne. However, in recent years, lawsuits have linked the popular drug with a number of serious side effects, including depression, digestive problems, bowel damage, and birth defects.

In one recent case, plaintiff Andrew McCarrell of Birmingham, Alabama was awarded more than $25 million in damages by a New Jersey jury. McCarrell claimed that his long-term use of Accutane resulted in the development of inflammatory bowel disease, a painful digestive condition that had significantly diminished his quality of life. McCarrell underwent five different bouts of surgery to try to improve his condition, and eventually had his entire colon removed.

Roche, the parent company that manufactures Accutane, is facing close to 1,000 lawsuits related to the potentially harmful side effects of the drug.

Have you or a loved one been injured by an unsafe product or device? If so, we can help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Apple Hit with Defective Product Lawsuit that Targets iPod's Earbud Design

Those ubiquitous white earphones that seem to be everywhere you look these days are the focus of a defective product lawsuit that was recently filed against computer industry giant Apple. A class-action case claims that the unique "pod" design of the earphones could be linked to possible hearing loss, because they place the source of the sound much closer to the ear's delicate inner workings than other headphone designs do. In addition, the lack of a safe maximum volume control has been cited in the case as possible negligence in the design. At the current juncture, it is unclear whether and when the case will move forward.

If you or your family member has been injured by a defective product, we can help you assess your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us directly at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Pole-Dancing Injury Prompts Lawsuit against New York Gym

Manhattan resident, Sue Ann Wee, was eager to try out aerobic striptease, a hot new form of exercise that is sweeping the nation's trendy gyms and fitness centers. However, her first experience in a pole-dancing class left the would-be dancer seriously injured. While learning a routine at a class in a New York-area Crunch fitness center, Wee slid off a pole and seriously injured her upper torso and shoulders. In the personal injury lawsuit she subsequently filed against the gym, Wee levels a number of charges against the owners and operators of the facility, including a lack of proper safety equipment and inadequate supervision and instruction.

If you or a loved one has sustained injury due to another's negligence or lack of supervision, we're here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us directly at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us within 24 hours.