Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Chrysler Group LLC, formed when Chrysler LLC reorganized under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last spring, changed its stance on lawsuits filed by or on behalf of drivers and passengers who were injured in pre-bankruptcy Chrysler model vehicles. The new Chrysler says it will now assume accountability for the older cars and trucks. The old Chrysler faced 160 lawsuits filed by people injured in defective Chrysler vehicles – lawsuits that the company originally intended to leave behind in bankruptcy court.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding the public to check their personal supply of long-acting insulin Levemir made by Novo Nordisk Inc., because less than 2 percent of the stolen vials have been recovered and are likely still being distributed. Evidence suggests that the stolen insulin was not stored and handled properly and may be dangerous to those who use it. The FDA has received several reports of patients who suffered an adverse events due to poor control of glucose levels after using a vial from one of the stolen lots.

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“A solid and growing body of studies shows that texting, conversing on hand-held phones or even chatting hands-free … make us dangerous drivers, as likely to get into an accident as if we were legally drunk,” says a Los Angeles Times editorial published last week. Many states and municipalities have tackled the scourge of cell phone-talking drivers with legislation aimed at reducing the rising tide of cell-phone related driving accidents, but what to do with cell phone-texting drivers?

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Thirty-eight drugs have new labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlining new BOXED WARNINGS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS and/or ADVERSE REACTIONS, according to the FDA’s MedWatch July 2009 Drug Safety Labeling Changes posting.

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Concerns over brake problems in extremely cold temperatures with some Toyota vehicles has promoted Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., the U.S. division of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp., and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to voluntarily recall about 95,700 Toyota and Scion vehicles.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a series of vertical blind and window shade recalls after the death of three children and near-strangulation injuries of several others.

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A type of syringe used to deliver insulin to patients with diabetes has been recalled by the manufacturer because they may pose a risk to patients, according to a notice issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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Reports of serious liver injury following the use of a popular weight loss drug, available by prescription and OTC, has prompted the Food and Drug Association (FDA) to investigate.  The drug in question, orlistat, is marketed in the U.S. as the prescription product Xenical and as the OTC product Alli. Both products are used for obesity management in conjunction with a reduced caloric diet and to reduce the risk of regaining weight after prior weight loss.

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The adorable “Hungry” creature that stars in Weight Watchers’ latest marketing campaign has brought new meaning to the term hunger pangs. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, along with Weight Watchers, are recalling the orange and furry Hungry Figures as well as the matching Hungry Magnets after reports that Weight Watchers employees found sewing needles in the stuffing of two of the Hungry Figures.  No injuries were reported.

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Hospira Inc. is recalling some medical devices because of faulty electrical cords that carry a potential risk of electrical shock, delay in setup and therapy, interruption of therapy, device failure and fires which may also occur in an oxygen-rich environment. Depending on the device and the therapy, these failures may lead to serious injury or death.

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