Drug Injury Lawyer Blog

Perhaps the most troubling part of a recent study published yesterday in the Archives of Internal Medicine, which estimates that 48,000 people died in 2006 after developing deadly infections while in the hospital, was that many of the deaths involved healthy people who had minor procedures. Sepsis and pneumonia were the two most prevalent infections, accounting for one-third of the 1.7 million that American patients pick up every year while in the hospital, but the figure may be even higher according to the Study. And while certainly many hospital-acquired infections are unavoidable, many of the infections occur because of a lack of proper infection control. This is a serious and growing problem that some hospitals have addressed but many have not.

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In an attempt to drive down health care costs, insurance companies are utilizing what is commonly called "Step Therapy". Step Therapy, also called Step Protocol, forces patients to try the least expensive drug for a particular condition first to see if it is effective. If that drug is not effective, then the insurer will approve payment for the next least expensive drug and so on. From allergy and heartburn medications, to blood pressure medications, to medications for pain, New Jersey doctors and patients continue to be denied and denied again when it comes to Step Therapy.

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Consumers have paid upwards of $100 for cables whose performance is equal to a standard $10 six-foot HDMI cable. Many electronic stores and manufacturers have made claims that these “premium” cables outperform standard cables. However, many well respected third party reviewers, such as cnet.com contend that this isn’t necessarily the case. “Do you really need to spend that much money on a single HDMI cable? Absolutely not – those cables are a rip-off” says CNET. “And despite what salesman and manufacturers might tell you, there’s no meaningful difference between the $10 cable and the $50 cable.”

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Have you looked at your cable bill and found that you are paying $5, $6, and even $10 a month to rent a cable box from your service provider? Ever wonder why you cannot simply purchase your cable box or rent a cheaper box from another company? Many consumers are limited in subscribing to certain cable companies; however, numerous cable companies take advantage of consumers by charging $60 or more EACH year to rent a set-top box that should cost no more than a DVD player to buy.

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Any printer or all-in one (print-copy-fax) machine purchased within the last few years comes with its own software to install on your computer. This software includes updates regarding the amount of ink or toner remaining in the cartridge and provides reminders and warnings to replace your ink or toner cartridge as soon as a certain level is reached. However, recent tests have found that these indicators are requiring consumers to change or replace their cartridges before it is truly necessary, thereby wasting ink, toner, and consumers' money.

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As we reported here in May, the NY Attorney General filed suit against two debt consolidation firms in New York alleging fraudulent and deceptive business practices. Namely, the companies reportedly charge exorbitant consolidation fees while failing to ever eliminate any of the customer's debt. The result for the customer is greater debt and a damaged credit score. Following up on this growing trend last night, ABC News attempted to get answers to the questions that many consumers would like to know. However, the VP of operations for Credit Solutation of America claimed to be ignorant on many issues.

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Going green is great – just don’t get scammed in the process.

On Monday, July 27, 2009, the Obama Administration’s Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) – affectionately dubbed “Cash-for-Clunkers” – went into effect. The program incentivizes consumers to purchase newer, fuel-efficient cars by offering cash vouchers in exchange for gas-gazzling trade-ins.

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Billed as the modern alternative to traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes – or “e-cigarettes” – may be harmful after all, according to a recent FDA News Release.

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In a marketplace increasingly populated by environmentally conscious consumers, companies have been adapting by offering “greener” products. Unfortunately, many companies are misrepresenting or exaggerating the eco-friendly nature of their wares, a form of false advertising that has become known as “greenwashing.”

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