Consumers who were spammed with a text message from Jiffy Lube last year will soon reap the benefits of a class action lawsuit that was filed on their behalf. Jiffy Lube franchisee Heartland Automotive Service has agreed to pay $47 million to settle claims in the text spam lawsuit that the text message violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
A woman from Fresno, California who took the drug Actos for 8 years has filed suit in California Superior Court alleging the type 2 diabetes drug caused her to develop bladder cancer. The Plaintiff, who is being represented by Gilman Law LLP, a national law firm representing individuals with Actos injuries, continued taking Actos for two years after her bladder cancer diagnoses, and claims that Takeda Pharmaceuticals and other Defendants failed to provide adequate warnings about the drug’s life-threatening side effects.
Johnson & Johnson and its Ethicon unit have been named in yet another transvaginal mesh lawsuit over complications allegedly caused by one of its transvaginal mesh products. In a complaint filed by Gilman Law LLP, a national law firm representing individuals with transvaginal mesh injuries, in New Jersey federal court, a Missouri woman alleges that the companies’ Gynecare Gynemesh transvaginal mesh device was defective and resulted in painful complications that forced her to undergo two additional surgeries to have the mesh removed.
A young woman from Wisconsin has filed a new Yaz side effect lawsuit against Bayer and other Defendants after suffering a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis that was so severe she had to have her leg amputated. The Plaintiff, who is being represented by Gilman Law LLP, a national defective drug law firm representing individuals with Yaz injuries and Yasmin injuries, claims that her injury was caused by the Yaz birth control pill.
Property owners around the country continue to file lawsuits against DuPont over its tree-killing herbicide, Imprelis. Most recently, a Minnesota property owner represented by Gilman Law LLP, a national law firm assisting individuals with tree damage from Imprelis, filed a class action lawsuit in Minnesota federal court seeking compensation for amounts paid for lawn care services, the loss of trees, and other damages on behalf of Imprelis victims in Minnesota and throughout the U.S.
Example of Imprelis Tree Damage
Imprelis is the brand name for aminocyclopyrachlor, an herbicide conditionally approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in August 2010. DuPont promised that Imprelis would provide professional landscapers with an environmentally safe way to kill unwanted broad leaf weeds, including dandelions, clovers, ground ivy, and wild violets. However, shortly after Imprelis became commercially available in the Spring of 2011, reports started coming in from Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Wisconsin, West Virginia and other states that trees located in proximity to Imprelis applications were either dead or dying. Most of the reports involved conifer trees, including Norway Spruce, white pine, white spruce, Colorado blue spruce, and described yellowing, browning, curling, and/or dieback of current-season growth. In the most severe cases, entire trees turned brown and began to loose their needles.
Both DuPont and the EPA launched investigations that summer, and on August 4, 2011, the EPA issued a Stop Sale & Removal Order to DuPont, effectively banning Imprelis. By the time the order was issued, DuPont had submitted more than 7,000 adverse incident reports to the EPA involving Imprelis.
Thousands of property owners who lost valuable, mature landscape trees to Imprelis have since filed suit against DuPont in a consolidated litigation now underway in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania seeking compensation for their dead and dying trees. DuPont has also set up its own claims process, and set aside $225 million for those claims that have already been submitted. The New York Times recently reported that the payout under that program could ultimately reach $575 million. However, some property owners who filed for compensation through that program told the Times that they had grown frustrated with DuPont. Apparently the process has been rather slow thus far, and DuPont’s communication with claimants has left a lot to be desired. It should also be noted that claimants who do accept compensation through this program must permanently waive their right to sue DuPont.
The lead Plaintiff in the class action lawsuit filed by Gilman Law LLP sustained damage to several trees on his property since having Imprelis applied to his lawn last year. The complaint alleges that trees can absorb Imprelis through distant, unexposed roots. As such, exposure and damage cannot be prevented by avoiding direct contact between Imprelis and the trunk and/or leaves. The lawsuit further alleges that DuPont failed to warn users that if Imprelis is applied as directed, non-target vegetation will be killed or damaged by herbicide. As a result, property owners have suffered the loss of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of mature trees.
Gilman Law LLP is still offering free legal consultations to Imprelis victims nationwide, including tree farms, residential property owners, tree nurseries and forests, golf courses, composting sites, turf managers and professional landscapers, parks, schools, and college campuses. Anyone considering filing suit against DuPont should contact the firm immediately, before their state’s statute of limitations expires, or they may miss their chance for any recovery. Gilman Law LLP also urges property owners to seek legal advice before accepting any agreement from DuPont to ensure the offer is fair. Free consultations are available by completing our Free Imprelis Consultation Form, or call Toll Free at 1-888-252-0048.
Once Tropical Storm Debby finally roars out of Florida, residents and businesses throughout the state will begin the slow and tedious work of recovery. Many will have to file claims with their insurance companies for their wind damage and other personal and business losses. Unfortunately, experience has shown that insurance companies don’t always deal fairly with Florida hurricane and tropical storm victims.
Debbie cut a wide swath of destruction throughout the state, especially in the following counties:
The term “tropical storm” hardly does justice to the damage Tropical Storm Debby left in its wake. Massive flooding from upwards of two feet of rain caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of people living in low-lying areas and near rivers, creeks and streams. Tornadoes and wind damaged and destroyed homes, and in one case, took the life of one young mother. Power outages from the storm could take weeks to resolve, and business losses could be staggering.
Thousands of Florida residents and businesses will soon be filing all manner of claims with their insurance companies, and in some cases, multiple claims. Generally speaking, claims following a hurricane or tropical storm are related to:
The extent of the damage caused by the flooding and sinkholes from Tropical Storm Debby is still unfolding. In many cases, buildings will have to be knocked down and rebuilt. Not only can this be costly, the business interruption can be devastating for small business owners. View more pictures of damage from Tropical Storm Debby.
Most homeowners and businesses in Florida purchase insurance policies that cover hurricane and storm damage, and they expect their insurer will take care of them when they are in need. But insurers may deny your claim by stating that the damage was pre-existing, caused by flood not covered under the policy, the result of neglect of the property or a failure to mitigate, or that the damage was not reported immediately. When your claim is adjusted, you may find that your insurer has failed to accurately assess the severity of the actual damage and its associated costs for repair and restoration, providing you with only a portion of the coverage you need.
If your residence or business has suffered damage from Tropical Storm Debbie, it is best to have an attorney representing your interest. An experienced law firm will work with adjusters, roofers, contractors, structural engineers, and accountants to properly document and expedite your Tropical Storm Debbie claim. Your attorney can also ensure that you are treated fairly and promptly by your insurance carrier.
Gilman Law LLP is a Florida law firm with more than 40 years of experience protecting the rights of consumers and businesses against insurance companies and other large corporations. Because our attorneys have lived and worked in Florida for decades, they understand what it takes to recover from a tropical storm like Debby. Our firm is ready right now to assist any individual or business seeking help with an insurance claim from Tropical Storm Debby.
Gilman Law LLP, a leading Florida law firm with more than 40 years of experience protecting the rights of consumers, is ready to assist individuals and businesses throughout Florida who suffered losses from Tropical Storm Debby. Gilman Law LLP is offering its assistance to all Florida residents and businesses impacted by Debby, including those in the hardest hit counties of Okaloosa, Calhoun, Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Liberty, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Highland, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Walton, Wakulla, Jefferson, Dixie, Suwannee and Taylor. If you suffered a loss during Tropical Storm Debby, and need legal assistance with your insurance claim, please contact Gilman Law LLP today to discuss your legal rights.
Tropical Storm Debby deluged parts of northern Florida with as much as 25 inches of rain. The storm, which made landfall near Steinhatchee on Tuesday, June 26, was said to be weakening, but not before it spawned floods and tornadoes across the Panhandle and northern Florida. Tropical-storm warnings were in effect for 450 miles of coastline, from Mexico Beach in the Panhandle, to Englewood, south of Sarasota.
Parts of Interstate 10 in north Florida were closed due to flooding on a 50-mile stretch between Jacksonville and Tallahassee, and motorists were warned to use caution while traveling elsewhere on the interstate. A mandatory evacuation in Pasco County near Tampa Bay was ordered between the Anclote and Pithlachascotee rivers, where boats had to be used to help stranded residents, and 106 homes had been damaged. People in Wakulla County were being advised to stay in their homes, after Debby dumped more than 26 inches of rain. St. Marks, Florida saw 21 inches in just a two-day period, while major flooding was also reported in Stark and Pinellas counties.
In Suwannee County, which saw 16 inches of rain in a single 24 hour period, emergency management officials declared a voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas and locations near rivers, streams and creeks. Debby also left tens of thousands of people without power and forced the closure of key highways and bridges in the Tampa Bay area.
By Tuesday, Tropical Storm Debby has spawned more than 20 tornadoes in Florida. In rural Highlands County, a young mother died when an apparent twister lifted her home off the ground, and tossed her and her son into the woods.
By Tuesday afternoon, Florida Governor Rick Scott had declared a state of emergency for the entire state. Meanwhile, forecasters were warning that Debby, though downgraded to a tropical depression, wasn’t finished wreaking havoc on Florida. Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia as Debby moved eastward. Debby was still dumping rain and could return to tropical storm strength when it finally exits Florida on the Atlantic coast. It was expected that some areas of northern Florida and southeast Georgia would see up to 15 inches of rain by Thursday. The system was also expected to produce more tornadoes before it finally left Florida.
Long after Debby leaves Florida, residents and businesses will have to cope with the property damage, businesses losses and other consequences left behind in the storm’s wake. If you are unsure about your insurance policy, or you believe your insurance company may have mishandled or wrongly denied your Tropical Storm Debby damage claim, it is vital to get help from a Florida law firm experienced in dealing with tropical storms and hurricanes. Gilman Law LLP is ready now to provide legal assistance to anyone in Florida damaged by Tropical Storm Debby. To ensure you are protected, please complete our Free Consultation Form Online to speak with a property damage attorney today, or CALL TOLL FREE (888) 252-0048.
Gilman Law LLP, a national law firm representing individuals with DePuy ASR hip replacements, reports that on June 11, 2012, the Honorable David A. Katz, who is overseeing In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2197”), currently underway in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, issued an order scheduling the next status conference in the DePuy ASR MDL for July 25, 2012.
A DePuy ASR Lawsuit status conference was previously held on June 5, 2012. Counsel updated the Judge on the discovery process, the production of documents, the status of depositions, and the coordination between the Federal DePuy ASR Hip Lawsuits and State DePuy ASR Hip Lawsuits. The DePuy ASR Hip Attorneys are actively working to schedule bellwether trials in the DePuy ASR Hip Implant Lawsuit. The first federal bellwether trial is expected to take place in Spring 2013. While the first state court trial is scheduled to take place in Nevada in December 2012. Another state court trial set for January 2013 in Maryland.
In addition to actively filing DePuy hip replacement lawsuits in the DePuy ASR MDL, the hip lawyers at Gilman Law LLP are also filing lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have been implanted with certain metal-on-metal DePuy Pinnacle hip replacements, in In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2244”). The firm is also investigating cases concerning Wright Medical Technology, Inc. metal hip implant Lawsuits involving the Wright Conserve hip replacements. These Wright metal hip implant lawsuits were recently consolidated in In re: Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Conserve Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation (“MDL No. 2409”).
If you or a loved one has experienced metal hip implant side effects, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and further injuries. To learn more about how to file a DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuit, please contact our medical device attorneys:
Gilman Law LLP is a nationally recognized law firm representing individuals in complex injury cases in areas such as dangerous drugs, defective medical devices, DePuy Hip Implants, and other defective or dangerous consumer products.
Further developments in the Actos lawsuit as the medical community appears to be growing cautious of Actos (Pioglitazone), Takeda Pharmaceutical’s best selling type-2 diabetes drug. Nearly a year after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulators worldwide warned that Actos might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, at least one U.S. doctor group has cautioned patients against it.
Last month, the American College of Physicians advised that patients steer clear of expensive, new diabetes drugs like Actos, and opt instead for more “tried and true” medications such as generic metformin. A new brochure put out by the College in cooperation with Consumer Reports points out that not only is generic metformin less expensive than Actos and other newer drugs, “it lowers blood sugar levels more than newer drugs do.” It also reduces “bad cholesterol,” while newer medications don’t.
Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit Update
Actos, made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, is one of the best selling type-2 diabetes drugs in the world. But June of 2011, the FDA, as well as regulators in Europe and Canada, warned that studies had shown that long-term use of Actos can increase the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 40%. New warnings were added to the U.S. and Canadian labels for Actos. In France, however, the drug was actually recalled.
Since the Actos bladder cancer warnings were issued, Actos has been named in an avalanche of U.S. lawsuits. Some legal experts say Takeda may face as many as 10,000 claims over bladder cancer and other Actos side effects. Late last year, federal Actos lawsuits were consolidated in a multidistrict litigation and transferred to Louisiana. The case is known as In Re: Actos Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2299, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana (Lafayette).
Gilman Law LLP, a leading national law firm, represents victims of Actos side effects, including bladder cancer. Find out more about the Actos Lawsuit on our website for the Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit. If you or a loved one were injured by Actos, please contact our firm as follows for a free consultation and Actos Case Review:
KBS REIT II Lawsuit
The REIT Investment Losses Division of Gilman Law LLP is seeking to represent investors who sustained financial losses in the KBS REIT II, a non-publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on commercial real estate, as well as KBS realty advisors, KBS-CMG, or other responsible parties. The KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II (KBS REIT 2) has seen a sharp drop in its valuation, and suspended redemptions. Most investors who purchased shares in the second REIT, KBS REIT II, did so believing that it was a safe and secure investment which would generate income without placing their principal at risk.
For over 40 years, the Investment Loss Attorneys at Gilman Law LLP have represented investors in all major aspects of public REIT lawsuits, non-traded REIT lawsuits, securities litigation, including stock manipulation, securities fraud, and shareholder rights violations. Our securities fraud lawyers are offering free legal consultations to any investor who suffered financial losses stemming from an investment in the KBS REIT 1. If you or someone you know purchased shares in KBS REIT II, and you’re concerned about the investment, we urge you to contact our securities fraud lawyers today by calling toll free at (888) 252-0048.
REIT Investors in KBS REIT 2 may be able to recover their losses by becoming part of a KBS REIT II Lawsuit or filing a FINRA arbitration claim. Gilman Law LLP has extensive experience representing investors in securities class action suits involving non-traded REITs similar to KBS REIT II, and has recovered more than one billion dollars for its clients. Our REIT lawyers are ready to assist investors who have suffered losses in the KBS REIT 2. For a free evaluation of your case, please complete our free consultation form online or CALL TOLL FREE (888) 252-0048.
