Fosamax is a type of medication known as a bisphosphonate, prescribed for the treatment of bone loss and osteoporosis. In October of 2010 the FDA required all manufacturers of bisphosphonates to include on their label a warning that an increased risk of thigh fractures, specifically low-energy femoral shaft and subtrochanteric fractures, are associated with the drug. Recently, the FDA announced another ongoing safety review for this drug, after studies indicated an increased risk of esophageal cancer linked to the drug. Beasley Allen attorney Chad Cook has been selected to the Plaintiff Steering Committee for the consolidated litigation surrounding Fosamax and femur fractures.

Women of childbearing age who take the prescription medication Topamax should be aware that new studies link the drug to a risk of birth defects. Topamax is prescribed to treat seizures and migraine headaches. Research shows that taking Topamax in the first trimester of pregnancy may cause a woman’s baby to be born with a cleft palate and/or cleft lip. It is important for women who are considering becoming pregnant to talk with their doctors if they are taking Topamax, to discuss the risks versus benefits of continuing this medication.

One of the most common sounds of summer is the buzz of the lawn mower. But these idyllic sunny days can be quickly spoiled by accidents and injuries – many severe – when proper care is not taken around lawn equipment. Lawn mower blades can rotate at speeds up to 200 miles per hour, and if they come in contact with hands, feet, arms and legs, can create some of the worst injuries emergency room doctors see. Severe lacerations, bone loss, and loss of fingers and toes can happen in an instant. Follow some simple rules to make sure you stay safe this summer.

An original documentary film, Hot Coffee, recently premiered on HBO. The film takes its name from the now-infamous case in which an elderly woman sued McDonald’s after she was severely burned by hot coffee. The case was pounced upon by big business interests, who distorted the facts and promoted it as an example of frivolous lawsuits. In this Legal Briefs video, Beasley Allen Shareholder Gibson Vance, who is current president of the American Association for Justice, talks about how the tort reform movement was born, and Americans are persuaded little by little to sign away their rights to access justice in the court system.

A program that brings together more than 20 state and local agencies is serving as a model for how to serve the victims of domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and sexual assault. One Place Family Justice Center is the first family justice center in the state of Alabama, providing law enforcement assistance, counseling, advocacy, sexual assault examinations, prosecution, civil legal help and referrals. By bringing these services together under one roof, victims no longer have to tell their story over and over again, or travel to multiple locations throughout town to find the help they need.

The FDA is evaluating Actos for a possible link to bladder cancer. Preliminary results from a long-term observational study found an increased risk of bladder cancer in patients with the longest exposure to Actos and the highest cumulative dose of the drug.

The Montgomery County Bar Association 2011 Spring Charity Event, held May 5, was a huge success, raising $37,500 to benefit the One Place Family Justice Center. Representatives from MCBA, including Beasley Allen Shareholder Kendall Dunson, who is serving as MCBA President this year, presented a check to One Place partners on June 15. It is the goal of One Place Family Justice Center to make existing services more accessible, more efficient and more effective for victims of domestic violence, elder and child abuse, and their families.

A new study has verified that antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase the risk for birth defects when taken by the mother during pregnancy. SSRIs and combination drugs containing an SSRI include brand names Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Fluvoxamine, and Symbyax. Unborn babies whose mothers take these drugs are at risk of serious birth defects including heart defects and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN).

A swimming pool or spa is a great way to keep cool this summer. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging everyone – especially parents and chaperones of young children – to keep a close eye on safety. The CPSC has created a series of public service announcements with safety advice, such as staying close to children at all times when they are in or around the pool, installing fences and door alarms in the pool area to keep children out or alert an adult if someone goes into the pool area, and more.

During the month of May, a focus on Teen Pregnancy Prevention strives to help young women make educated decisions about their health and future. Studies show that more teenagers than ever before are using birth control pills, and that the pill they are choosing most often is Yaz. However, this pill, manufactured by Bayer, contains a unique combination of hormones, which some medical experts say put girls at greater risk for dangerous side effects including blood clots, heart attack and stroke, as well as serious gallbladder problems that may require surgery.