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

Headquartered in Montgomery, AL, Beasley Allen law firm was founded in 1978 by Jere Beasley - former Governor of Alabama, the law firm quickly developed a national reputation as a leader in personal injury and mass torts litigation. To date Beasley Allen has recovered nearly 20 billion dollars ($20,000,000,000) for their clients.

Avandia, sold by GlaxoSmithKline, is a blockbuster medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. More than 6 million people worldwide have taken the drug, whose U.S. sales topped $2.2 billion last year.

Analysis led by the Cleveland Clinic of 42 separate studies on Avandia concluded that it raised the risk of heart attacks by 43 percent. As many as 100,000 heart attacks may be linked to Avandia, according to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in a floor statement placed in the Senate record on May 24, 2007.

Chantix has been prescribed to more than 4 million patients in the United States since its approval in 2006 as a treatment for smoking cessation. However, in 2007 and 2008, the FDA has issued a series of warnings regarding the product’s safety, citing serious neuropsychiatric symptoms including depression, suicide and homicidal tendencies, as well as medical problems such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, hepatitis, liver failure and diabetes.

Coal-fired power plants produce coal ash and other toxic waste byproducts. The toxic waste contains such heavy metals as arsenic, lead, barium, chromium and manganese, which have been shown to cause cancer, liver damage, and neurological complications. This hazardous material is usually stored on site at the facilities in retention ponds or dams. A failure in the dam’s retaining wall, or an overflow, can result in an environmental disaster contaminating surrounding waterways, soil, and wildlife, and endangering human health and life.

On April 25, 2008, drug manufacturer Actavis Totowa issued a Class I recall for Digitek, which is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The recall came when it was discovered Digitek tablets had been manufactured at twice the intended thickness, doubling their strength and raising the possibility of triggering a toxic reaction. Side effects from the too-strong tablets include nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, bradycardia and even death.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) laws require overtime compensation be paid (at time and one-half) for all “hours worked” over a prescribed “threshold” (typically 40 hours per week), for “nonexempt” employees. FLSA lawsuits typically seek recovery for unpaid or underpaid back wages, plus double damages (called “liquidated damages”) and attorneys’ fees.

Recent studies demonstrate a clear link between osteonecrosis and Fosamax. The irony is that these drugs, such as Fosamax, that are prescribed to prevent bone decay may actually be causing bone decay - such as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) was first described in the medical literature in 2000, with the first case of NSF bering identified identified in 1997.

The cause of NSF is unknown but it has been reported only in patients who have severe kidney disease.  NSF causes fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues throughout the body which results in skin thickening that may prevent bending and extending joints, resulting in decreased mobility of joints.

Commonly used as an injectable anticoagulant, heparin was recalled in March 2008 due to contamination of raw heparin stock imported from China. It is believed that at least 81 deaths can be linked to the contaminated heparin ingredient, as well as nearly 800 reports of serious injuries. Problems associated with contaminated heparin include difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and rapidly falling blood pressure that can lead to shock and possibly death.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is medication containing one or more female hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin. HRT is often prescribed to treat symptoms of menopause such as “hot flashes,” vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep disorders, and decreased sexual desire. This medication may be taken in the form of a pill, a patch, or vaginal cream.

Recent studies now show that hormone replacement therapy places women at a higher risk for:

• breast cancer
• ovarian cancer
• non-hodgkins lymphoma
• heart attack
• stroke
• blood clots

The Jere Beasley Report is free newsletter published monthly and mailed to over 38,000 loyal subscribers all over the world. The report is an in-depth analysis of news and information that is important to consumers, but is rarely printed elsewhere in the mainstream media.

On October 15, 2007, Medtronic suspended sale of their Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator leads (Models 6930, 6931, 6948, 6949) after receiving reports of 5 fatalities.

According to Medtronic, since 2004 over 268,000 patients in the United States have been implanted with the defective lead as part of the defibrillator.

Mesothelioma (a.k.a asbestos cancer) is a highly aggressive and rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma typically occurs in the lining of the lung (pleural), however it can also occur in the lining of the heart (pericardial) and abdominal cavity (peritoneal).

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Investors who purchased or acquired shares of Regions Morgan Keegan Select Intermediate Bond Fund or Select High Income Fund from December 6, 2004 through October 3, 2007, may have a claim to recover for their losses.

The purpose of this site is to share information about Mesothelioma and/or asbestos-related cancer in a personal way. We are really interested in talking to people who have Meso, or their family members, to share their stories. Help raise mesothelioma awareness and support this website.

Over a million people in the United States wake up every day in nursing homes. Many of these individuals are helpless, vulnerable and completely dependent upon nursing home staff to meet most or all of their needs. After all, nursing homes are supposed to be in the business of providing skilled nursing care to elderly and disabled residents.

Johnson & Johnson already settled several of the lawsuits charging that its Ortho Evra contraceptive patch causes blood clots and other serious side effects due to heightened estrogen levels. Several lawsuits have already ended with confidential settlements, and the company has told plaintiffs lawyers it is ready to cut deals in remaining ones.

Learn more about Ortho Evra side effects.

A recent study published by The American Journal of Sports Medicine identified intra-articular pain pumps (aka post-operative pain pumps) as the likely cause of a condition known as chondrolysis.

Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis is a specific type of chondrolysis that is associated with pain pumps and shoulder surgery.

Anyone who has used a pain pump to regulate pain following shoulder, knee, hip, ankle or back surgery should consult their doctor if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• continued pain
• weakness in the shoulder
• clicking, popping or grinding in the shoulder
• decreased range of motion in the shoulder

Personal injury and product liability legal resources covering automobile accidents, defective products, rollover accidents, workplace injuries and wrongful death.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition. SJS is defined as a hypersensitivity disorder affecting the skin and mucous membranes. There is a reported incidence of around one case per million people per year.

Manufactured by Bayer, Trasylol was used to reduce bleeding during complicated surgeries. However, the drug was temporarily withdrawn worldwide in 2007 after studies suggested that its use increased the risk of complications or death, and Trasylol was entirely and permanently withdrawn in May 2008, except for very restricted research use. Risks associated with Trasylol include acute renal failure, myocardial infarction and heart failure, as well as stroke and encephalopathy.

Unum Provident is the largest disability insurance company, providing disability insurance for more than 17 million Americans. Unfortunately, for their policyholders, Unum has denied legitimate disability claims from seriously ill customers. This is a corporate strategy designed for one purpose - to boost profits.

Vytorin is commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. However, recent studies call into question the drug's effectiveness and even indicate risk of serious side effects. Manufactured by Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough, Vytorin carries a risk of liver problems such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and even liver failure. Most recently, the drug has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Attorneys at Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C., are currently evaluating claims against Yamaha Motor Corporation on behalf of people who suffered serious injury in a Yamaha Rhino ATV accident, or whose loved ones were injured or killed in these serious crashes.