Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr. LLC July 2019

19 JUly

Road to justice

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Do You Qualify for a Settlement?

A Nationwide Case Against Hernia Mesh Manufacturers

I’d love to tell you that every medical device and treatment offered to the general public has been

thoroughly tested to ensure its safety. Sadly, that’s just not the case. Medical devices and medication undergo clinical trials before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but the manufacturers of these products have a vested

When you call our office, we will gather documentation to discover the type of mesh used in your procedure and bring appropriate action against the manufacturer. Class-action lawsuits of this type involve very little participation from the plaintiffs, so you won’t need to put your life on hold in an effort to get justice. Our office takes these cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless you receive a settlement (in addition to legal fees, case expenses are also subtracted from any recovery). In other words, there is absolutely no downside in talking to an attorney about your situation. Unlike most cases, you do not need to live in South Carolina to work with us on these matters because they are multidistrict cases involving patients nationwide. In this particular set of cases, it’s important to act quickly before a verdict is rendered. There are recent cases with similar circumstances to those currently ongoing. These historical examples set a legal precedent and make the process move more quickly. In 2011, for instance, a hernia mesh manufacturer was forced to pay a $184 million settlement that equated to roughly $70,000 per patient. It’s entirely possible that most of these cases will settle before the end of the year, so you have a limited amount of time to get your name added to the list of plaintiffs.

interest in bringing items to market as quickly as possible. I believe the FDA makes every attempt to protect patients. Despite their best efforts, mistakes happen, and oftentimes, we can only guess how something will affect a patient years down the road. For example, if we could go back 20 years with the benefit of hindsight, I’d bet far fewer doctors would be gung-ho about prescribing opioids. The law allows patients harmed by products of all kinds to hold companies responsible for damages. Class-action product liability lawsuits come in all shapes and sizes, covering incidents like faulty airbags and exploding cell phones. Medication and medical devices are two of the most common categories. Currently, a subset of these cases involve mesh used in hernia repair surgery. More than 1 million Americans undergo hernia surgery each year. Many of these surgeries involve the use of a surgical mesh. According to the FDA,“Surgical mesh is a medical device that is used to provide additional support to weakened or damaged tissue.” Thousands of patients who had mesh placed during a hernia surgery experienced adverse complications. Due to these reactions, multiple companies are currently facing lawsuits.

We’re ready to help anyone who may have been affected by defective hernia mesh. The first step is to call our office to see how we can help.

We are helping those hurt by these devices get justice. You may qualify for a settlement if you meet the following criteria.

1. You had hernia repair surgery between 2006 and 2017.

–Jim Snell

2. You required corrective surgery or mesh removal as a result of complications.

www.SnellLaw.com | www.SnellInjuryLaw.com | F: 800-567-6249 | P: 803-753-1476 1

Summer Swimming Safety

3 Tips for Swimming in Open Water

There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun.

NEVER SWIM ALONE. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc.

Every year, Lexington Life, a local magazine devoted to business and culture in our area, publishes a list of the “Best of Lexington.” You’ll find every type of business on the list, from ice cream shops to audiologists. For this year’s list, we’ve been chosen as the best criminal defense practice in Lexington. We can’t express how honored and humbled we are to share the list with such venerable institutions as Groucho’s Deli and Saluda Shoals Park. What makes the distinction special is that it’s voted on by Lexington residents. All accolades feel great to receive, but the most meaningful are always those decided by the people we serve. We could get all the industry awards in the world, but they wouldn’t mean squat if we didn’t create a great experience for our clients. They are the people toward whom all of our efforts are directed. If we can’t get a vote of confidence from them, nothing else matters. Furthermore, it’s great to be featured in Lexington Life because we’re avid fans of the publication. We’ve been a Lexington-based firm since the earliest days of our practice. When we moved offices, it was from one part of the city to another. Our history as a firm is inextricably linked to Lexington. We couldn’t think of a magazine we’d rather be in —well, until Jim lands on Time’s “100 Most Influential People” list. We’d like to share our deepest gratitude to everyone who voted to include us on this year’s “Best of Lexington” list. Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We wouldn’t be anywhere, let alone in the pages of Lexington Life, without you. WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly.

An Honor Voted on by Our Community Why We’re So Proud to Be ‘Best of Lexington’

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Zucchini, Avocado, and Swiss Chard — Oh My!

A Guide to Eating Seasonally This July

When you eat something during its harvesting season, you get the most out of your meal. In-season fruits and vegetables are more nutrient-dense than their out-of-season counterparts, and there’s no matching the flavor profile of fresh, in-season produce. Even better, because in-season foods are so bountiful during their peak, you can save a lot of money by shopping with the season. This July, enjoy some tasty foods during their prime with this handy guide. season during July, joining many other fruity favorites. Gorge yourself on scrumptious blackberries, sweet strawberries, and bountiful tomatoes. Don’t forget about the cherries and blueberries, too! Because these fruits are so plentiful this time of the year, it’s easy to find ingredients for your favorite recipes. Host a Latin-inspired foods night with fresh guacamole and salsa, or make a delectable shortcake with a blackberry and strawberry mixture on top. GRILL GAME SO STRONG There’s no better time to fire up the grill than July, and not just because of the weather. Zucchini and corn reach their peak during July, and these grilling favorites pair well with steaks, burgers, hot dogs, or fish. Go low- carb by stuffing your zucchini with vegetables and a protein for a charred FRUITFUL HARVEST Avocado toast lovers rejoice! Your season is here. Avocados are in

skillet bowl. Even better, add some corn to your fresh salsa to add an extra zing to your tacos. Regardless of how you utilize them, zucchini and corn are sweetest, juiciest, and freshest during July. GO GREEN Filling your plate with plenty of greens is never easier than in July. Pick up a bundle of spinach, arugula, lettuce, Swiss chard, or any other leafy green, which are all juiciest and freshest during July. Cucumbers and green beans are bountiful this time of the year, as well. This July, add some fresh flavor to your water with cucumbers or create hearty salads with any of the leafy greens mentioned above. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the middle of summer than by consuming its most delicious foods.

Juicy Lucy Sliders

Which member of the OJ Simpson defense team was disbarred from practicing law in 2001 by the Supreme Court of Florida?

trivia

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean 8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)

Send your answers to Caitlyn (caitlyn@snelllaw.com).

16 small potato rolls, toasted

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. The first correct answer wins a $15 gift card to Starbucks.

Your favorite burger accompaniments

2. All other submissions are entered in a drawing to win a second $15 gift card to Starbucks.

DIRECTIONS

1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls. 2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently

3. The funniest wrong answer will be chosen by Caitlyn and will also win a $15 gift card to Starbucks. All entries must be sent to Caitlyn by Friday, July 19, and the winners will be announced in our next edition.

form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties. 5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high.

6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.

Last month’s winner: Michael Stephan

Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC 123 Harmon Street Lexington, SC 29072

Don’t hesitate to give our office a call! 803-753-1476

Inside this Issue

A Massive Medical Device Lawsuit PAGE 1

3 Things Everyone Needs to Know Before Swimming in Open Water Lexington Life’s ‘Best of Lexington’ PAGE 2

Eat Seasonally This July Juicy Lucy Sliders PAGE 3

A Look at 18th Century Livin’ PAGE 4

We figure there’s no better YouTube channel to feature during the month of Independence Day than Townsends, which takes a look at what life was like during the era of the American Revolution. Jon Townsend and his family opened their Pierceton, Indiana, store in 1973. Over the years, Townsends has become the go-to supplier for clothing, cookware, and other items made to look and feel like authentic goods from centuries ago. They’ve even become a regular supplier to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s famous estate. With the rise of YouTube, Jim Townsend saw an opportunity to share some insight into how the first Americans lived and to connect with customers old and new. His channel, simply named Townsends, covers many aspects of 18th-century life, including how laundry was done and how to build an earthen oven. A great many videos, however, are devoted to the recipe and culinary methods of our past. Perhaps the best way to give you a sense of what you’ll find on Townsends is to describe their most popular video,“Fried Chicken in the 18th Century? 300-Year-Old

Recipe.” Townsend appears in the garb of a militiaman, down to the three-cornered hat. He seems to be in the middle of the woods, where he’ll be showing us how to replicate a 1736 recipe for fried chicken. As he prepares the dish, Townsend discusses the historical traditions related to the recipe and the people who made it. In these food-focused videos, Townsends is a bit like a cross between the Food Network and the History Channel —well, maybe the History Channel of 20 years ago. When we learn about history, it’s often on the grandest of scales. We read about the epochal battles that changed thousands of lives and the inventions and works of art that shaped society and culture as we know it. Just as interesting, though, can be investigating how regular people lived on a day-to-day basis. Townsends is devoted to sharing this kind of history, and the internet is better off for it. P.S. You’ll definitely want to try out that fried chicken recipe for yourself. It’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted, yet somehow strangely familiar.

YouTube Channel of the Month Townsends

4 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476

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