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October 2018 888-497-9061 |DisabilityDenials.com
A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W , L L P
Consequences of Defective Medical Devices The Controversy Surrounding IVC Filters
While most may do that, the defective design, marketing, and manufacturing of these specific filters has been at the center of controversy and litigation over their association with serious health consequences and even death. Retrievable IVC filters are designed to remain in the body for a short period of time and must be removed when the risk of pulmonary embolism diminishes. If not removed in a timely manner, these filters can cause serious health problems. An IVC filter can tilt, causing it to move out of position. This can result in migration or movement of the filter in the vena cava toward vital organs. Many publications have documented the implications of long-term filter implantation because of the poor retrieval rates and cite the many potential complications that exist because of the filters. There are still a lot of unknowns regarding the safety of this device. If you or someone you know has had one of these devices, know you can pursue litigation. Don’t wait to seek legal help. There is a limited time period for you to seek justice, so reach out to our firm today. Our experienced legal team is here to help. -Marc Whitehead W e H ave M oved ! Find us at 403 Heights Blvd Houston, TX 77007
In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shared the mortality caused by certain inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, specifically those manufactured by Bard and Cook. Lawsuits against the manufacturers and medical providers of the filters began to rise in number. Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Judicial Panel formed multidistrict litigations (MDLs) against Bard and Cook. Since then, litigation has been pursued by many of those affected. For those who aren’t familiar, an IVC filter is a small medical device inserted into the inferior vena cava, a large blood vessel that brings blood from the lower half of the body into the heart. These filters are designed to catch blood clots and prevent them from traveling into the lungs.
We are lucky to live in an age when technology has given us access to more options than ever, including in the realm of health care. These advancements allow physicians to save lives and treat conditions they previously couldn’t treat. Sometimes, advances in technology come with scary risks. When it comes to medical devices, most are safe and do exactly what they’re supposed to do. But every now and then, some defective devices are made accessible to the public. Whether it’s a manufacturing defect, a design defect, or both, the manufacturer can fail to disclose just how dangerous the product can be. Defective medical devices can cause serious harm and even death.
A N ational D isability L aw F irm • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIMS • LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIMS
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VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS
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ERISA & EMPLOYEE BENEFIT CLAIMS
• PHARMACEUTICAL & MEDICAL DEVICE INJURY
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As the head of our Social Security department, Anthony Vessel has a serious role with a lot of responsibility, but this doesn’t prevent him from focusing on what’s important. When asked about his job, Anthony says, “I enjoy the fact that all of my efforts — all the fighting I do for my clients — are helping people who really need it. It’s gratifying to know, and it’s what motivates me: knowing my work is giving necessary access to health care, to a means for people to survive.” His dedication and drive, coupled with his compassion and empathy for clients, makes working with Anthony a great experience. Anthony first joined our firm as a law clerk to Marc during law school, and he says, “I really liked what we were doing.” The team aspect and mission made coming aboard as an attorney an easy decision. “I believe in what we do, and I get along well with Marc and our team. We complement each other and see eye-to-eye. We’re a tight-knit group, and there’s a strong team aspect. We all pitch in,” Anthony says. Anthony acknowledges how powerful it can be when a client receives the benefits they need. Sometimes a thank-you doesn’t convey what an incredible, life-changing moment it is. When words fail to do it justice, Anthony notes, “I always like getting paid in hugs.” Outside of work, Anthony stays active with a number of sports and outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and biking. He picked up soccer during law school and is still on a team with some of his law school friends. What keeps him so motivated to move? His clients. Anthony explains, “Seeing a lot of my clients who used to be really active get sidelined by their impairments puts it into perspective. I don’t want to be an able-bodied person who sits around all day.”Anthony also enjoys listening to music and catching live concerts, like the recent Electric Light Orchestra concert he saw with his father in August. The Head of Our Social Security Department Shares What He Loves About His Job How Anthony Excels in His Role
3 True Crime Shows You Have to See There’s a genre of entertainment that many Americans are afraid to admit is their secret obsession. It’s as if you’re hiding a secret that you desperately want to confess, but you’re afraid of the judgment and concerned looks from your friends. Then one day, you muster the courage to casually mention a docu-series you watched — hoping for absolution but concerned the jury won’t understand — and the floodgates open. Suddenly your closest friends and family have passionate opinions on the justice system and can tell you they know exactly who murdered who and how. Deep down inside, everyone loves a good mystery. Here are three of the best. ‘Making a Murderer’ Directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos take viewers through an experience that feels like the most maddening game of ping pong ever played — in any given episode, your view may bounce from one polarizing opinion to another. After watching 10 mind- bending episodes of Steven Avery and his attorneys going back and forth during the trial, you’ll have questions that demand answers. So many, in fact, that Netflix has confirmed the production of a second season and a spin-off series titled “Convicting a Murderer.” ‘The Jinx’ Forty years of conflicting reports on three murders make for one compelling HBO series. Robert Durst goes under the spotlight after speaking for the first time about the death of three people connected to him. A web of lies, convolution, and gritty storytelling comes to one bone-chilling conclusion that will make your jaw drop. ‘The Staircase’ Did Michael Peterson kill his wife? Did the American justice system tear apart the dream it so righteously attempts to protect? What is considered fact in a murder trial? These are just a few of the questions you’ll contemplate as you go on a 16-year journey told over 13 gripping episodes. Questionable expert testimony and crime scene evidence are juxtaposed with a competent defense team and a convincing defendant, making for a story that begs viewers to take sides. In the end, the only fact you’ll know to be true is that you can’t trust your intuition.
Beef Grades Decoded Understanding USDA Beef Guidelines
These aren’t great options for steak, but if you’re making a stew, you can’t go wrong with Select.
If you’ve ever purchased a cut of beef or strolled past the meat counter at your local grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the different grades of beef. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has guidelines for the meat sold in stores across the country. Before the meat is sold, it receives a grade. As a shopper, it can be difficult to understand what these grades really mean. Here’s how the grades break down: USDA Prime: If you want a high-quality cut of beef, you should get USDA Prime. These cuts of meat tend to be more expensive, but for the price, you get a tender, flavorful, well-marbled cut of meat. For a fantastic steak, you should reach for Prime. USDA Choice: A lot of people purchase USDA Choice when they want a good cut of beef but don’t want or cannot afford to pay the USDA Prime price. These cuts generally have less marbling, but they are still fairly high quality. When you just want to throw a few steaks or burgers on the grill, Choice will serve you well. USDA Select: This grade of meat is decent quality, but it doesn’t have the level of marbling found in Prime and Choice cuts. Because of this, Select cuts are usually less tender and flavorful.
Standard and Commercial: These cuts of beef don’t always make it to the supermarket, but when they do, they’re often priced lower. They also have limited marbling, which can mean a tougher texture with less flavor. Keep in mind that these cuts are not often labeled anywhere on the packaging, so if you see beef packaging that lacks a grade, it may be a lower-grade cut. Utility, Cutter, and Canner: Many people never encounter these grades at the supermarket. These are cut from very lean, older cattle and are usually sold directly to food manufacturers to make processed meat products, such as hot dogs. These grades are also used in dog food.
Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese Ingredients Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
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8 ounces ham, thinly sliced 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
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8 slices of bread (Pullman works best)
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano- Reggiano)
1/4 cup apricot preserves
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Directions
1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan.
2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread.
3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side.
Puzzle Time!
5. Cut in half and serve.
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403 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007 888-497-9061 | DisabilityDenials.com A National Disability Law Firm Inside This issue
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1. 2.
When Medical Devices Fail
Get to Know Our Team What Do USDA Beef Grades Really Mean?
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True Crime Makes for Gripping TV Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese
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The Surprising Origins of Trick-or-Treating
Why There Are Kids on Your Porch Asking for Candy
The History of Trick-or-Treating
leaking into our world, young men donned flowing white costumes and black masks — a great disguise when ghosts were about.
As Halloween looms and you load up your grocery cart with candy, you may ask yourself, “Why do I provide these spooky gremlins with a sugar high every Oct. 31, anyway?” Well, when your doorbell starts ringing around 6 p.m. this All Hallows’ Eve, you can thank the Celts for this tradition of candy and costumes. Halloween itself is a kind of mishmash of four different cultural festivals of old: two Roman fêtes, which commemorated the dead and the goddess of fruit and trees (not at the same time); the Celtic Samuin or Samhain, a new year’s party thrown at the end of our summer; and the Catholic All Saint’s Day, designed to replace Samuin and divorce it from its pagan origins. Long before there were young’uns on your porch dressed as Thanos with candy-filled pillowcases in hand, the Celts believed that Samuin marked an overlapping of the realms of the living and the dead. To trick the spirits
The Catholic Church was never a big fan of these pagan traditions, so they renamed it “All Saints’ Day” and gussied it up in religious garb. By the 11th century, people were dressing up as saints, angels, and the occasional demon instead of spirits. Eventually, costumed children started tearing through town begging for food and money and singing a song or prayer in return — a practice called “souling.” But when did they start dressing up as Minions? Starting in the 19th century, souling turned to “guising,” which gave way to trick-or-treating in mid-20th- century America, and the costumes diversified. So put on some clown makeup and a big smile, scoop up a handful of sweets, and scare the living daylights out of ‘em — ‘tis the season!
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