BH&F LAWYERS HELPING SENIORS

Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Being Filed All Over US

elderlawyers — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:16:51 +0000

Have you heard about the number of transvaginal mesh lawsuits being filed all over the US? The lawyers at Burke, Harvey & Frankowski represent women who were not given options other than the transvaginal mesh (TVM) for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or fallen bladder and are now suffering serious physical injuries. Women are angry because they trusted their doctors in agreeing to have the mesh sling system procedure to support their pelvic organs, but have since learned of scientific studies that have raised concerns about the safety of transvaginal mesh procedures. For example, one study by the Society of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists of Canada made the following 5 recommendations:

1. Patients should be counseled that transvaginal mesh procedures are considered novel techniques for pelvic floor repair that demonstrate high rates of anatomical cure in uncontrolled short-term case series. (II-2B)

2. Patients should be informed of the range of success rates until stronger evidence of superiority is published. (II-2B)

3. Training specific to transvaginal mesh procedures should be undertaken before procedures are performed. (III-C)

4.Patients should undergo thorough pre-operative counseling regarding (a) the potential serious adverse sequelae of transvaginal mesh repairs, including mesh exposure, pain, and dyspareunia; and (b) the limited data available comparing transvaginal mesh systems with traditional vaginal prolapse repairs or with traditional use of graft material in the form of augmented colporrhaphy and sacral colpopexy. (III-C)

5. Until appropriate supportive data are available, new trocarless kits should be considered investigative. (III-C)

Click here to read the full transvaginal mesh study. Women are now finding studies that do not advocate the use of TVM or other types of bladder slings after they have already had the procedure. Unfortunately, the women are finding the studies after they had the transvaginal mesh procedure and are experiencing auto-immune problems, decreased sex drive, infections, chronic bladder problems, and illness that they did not have before the surgery. What now? Some clients are seeing their OB/GYN to learn their options, including removal of the mesh. Of course, that will mean more time off from work and another recovery period.

Want to learn what legal options you have? Contact medical device lawyer Todd Harvey online or by calling Burke, Harvey and Frankowski at 1-888-930-9091 for a free legal consultation. Our lawyers are licensed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and New York. We also have a national network of referral lawyers to help you anywhere in the US.

[contact-form]

REVERSE MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEMES ON THE RISE

elderlawyers — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:35:18 +0000

Reverse mortgages are the most common mortgage fraud scheme reported to authorities. Fannie Mae reported reverse mortgage fraud schemes included asset misrepresentation, occupancy fraud and identity theft.

The FBI, in its recent report, has confirmed that mortgage fraud is on the rise. Click HERE to download the FBI’s 2010 Mortgage Fraud Report.

The FBI’s report states, “Mortgage fraud schemes are particularly resilient, and they readily adapt to economic changes and modifications in lending practices.”

The FBI has investigated mortgage fraud cases against licensed/registered and non-licensed/registered mortgage brokers, lenders, appraisers, underwriters, accountants, real estate agents, settlement attorneys, land developers, investors, builders, bank account representatives, and trust account representatives.

Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas had the highest reported mortgage fraud claims in 2010.

Burke, Harvey and Frankowski, LLC protects the rights of consumers, including seniors. The elderly are often the most at risk population for fraud, especially reverse mortgage scams. If you or a loved one have been the victim of fraud, contact Burke, Harvey and Frankowski, LLC for a free case review.

[contact-form]

Judge Makes Discovery Ruling in Yaz and Yasmin Lawsuits

elderlawyers — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:12:58 +0000

Judge expands discovery in Yaz and Yasmin cases beyond bellwether cases. Plaintiffs are alleging that Bayer failed to properly research the pills and did not provide adequate warnings about the serious risks associated with the drugs. Plaintiffs have suffered stroke, deep pulmonary embolisms and thrombosis.

Click HERE for full story about Yaz and Yasmin Lawsuits.

Trooper Talk: Protect yourself from identity theft

elderlawyers — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:52:34 +0000

Trooper Talk: Protect yourself from identity theft | MLive.com.

For more information about how to protect and defend your identity, go to www.itsyourcreditreport.com

NURSING HOME RESIDENT DEFRAUDED OF LIFE SAVINGS

elderlawyers — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:04:19 +0000

Jacqueline Bozeman of Wilmington was charged with identity theft, theft from a senior citizen and second-degree forgery, according to Andrew Koch at WGMD.com. After pleading guilty to three felony counts, Bozeman is going to prison to begin serving a six month sentence and one year of probation. Bozeman was also ordered to pay restitution for over $25,000 to the elderly victim. She is also barred from unlawful contact with the senior citizen she cared for at the Arbors at New Castle.

The 69 year-old victim was a resident a Medicaid certified nursing facility, the Arbors at new Castle. The elderly victim saved her entire life to be able to afford her care. The Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Special Investigator and an Officer from the New Castle County Police Department performed the investigation into the fraud case. The investigation concluded Bozman took from the victim’s bank accounts to pay for her drug habit. The investigation also found fraudulent credit card accounts opened in the victim’s name.

FULL STORY

A regular review of the victim’s credit report would have tipped her, or her family members, off to the fraudulent accounts. Under federal law, consumers have a right to a free annual credit report. Consumers also have a right to a free credit report if they believe they are a victim of fraud or identity theft. Order your free credit report regularly. If you are responsible for an elderly family member you should do the same using a simple power of attorney and request credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. For more information, go to www.itsyourcreditreport.com

FOR ONLINE ASSISTANCE USE THE CONTACT FORM BELOW:

[contact-form]

FDA SAYS SURGICAL MESH USED TO REPAIR PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE POSES RISK

elderlawyers — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:51:12 +0000

Burke, Harvey and Frankowski represents clients who have been seriously injured by medical devices, including devices used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP). What is pelvic organ prolapse? Pelvic organ prolapse is a medical condition that occurs when the internal support structure of the vagina fails. Transvaginal mesh surgery, also called TVM, is used to treat thousands of women every year for POP. For example, in 2010 alone, over 75,000 women had transvaginal mesh surgery.

The transvaginal mesh is used to keep the urethra, cervix, bladder neck and rectum from falling out-of-place inside the body activity. Most POP patients are treated with a transvaginal mesh.

Recent studies of the transvaginal mesh medical devices indicate an association with higher rates of serious complications, such as bladder perforation and pelvic hemorrhage. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently found no evidence that the transvaginal mesh provides patients with any added benefit compared to traditional surgery where the vaginal wall is stitched. Read the FDA press release HERE. Read the FDA’s alert notice regarding transvaginal meshes HERE.

Burke, Harvey & Frankowski is investigating and evaluating pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence
(SUI) transvaginal mesh failure cases. Attorney Todd Harvey is heading the litigation for the firm. Contact Mr. Harvey for a free legal consultation.

FOR ONLINE ASSISTANCE USE THE CONTACT FORM BELOW

[contact-form]

SENIORS AT RISK FOR INVESTMENT FRAUD & SCAMS

elderlawyers — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:40:39 +0000

According to the North American Securities Administrator’s Association (NASAA), seniors are the most vulnerable investors. Seniors are a viable target for financial predators. Why? According to Money magazine, the average household led by those 75 and over has a net worth of $638,000. Secondly, seniors’ ability to understand complex financial transactions lessens with age. Thirdly, seniors tend to be more open to sales pitches because they have time to take the sales calls or go to lunch meetings.

Here’s the pitch:

(1) Let me buy you lunch. How about a free meal at a local restaurant, hotel or community center? Sounds great, right?

(2) Don’t worry! Agents use the power of persuasion and overcome seniors’ fears about investing money.

(3) Do you want a new best friend? Want to meet every week and talk about the good ‘ol days? Agents will be there, but don’t ask about their commissions!

(4) I can get you ___ %. Seniors fill in the blank with the return they want and guess what? The agent will promise high returns, sometimes double-digit returns.

Saveandinvest.org, a project of the FINRA Education Foundation, has identified risk-factors that are associated with victims of financial fraud:

1. Ownership of high-risk investments, such as penny stocks.

2. Seniors who do not contact due diligence on agents. For example, does the agent have any disciplinary records?

3. Attended “free lunch” seminar(s).

4. Called 1-800 numbers in response to a financial product offer.

5. Have not signed up for “Do not call” list.

6. They read their junk mail.

7. They do not have a formal financial plan in place.

8. Listen to the latest financial tips rather than seek professional advice.

9. Have recently suffered a serious financial set back, such as serious illness or death of a family member.

10. They live far from family members and do not have a broad range of local friends.

In addition to FINRA’s risk factors, I would add, seniors who have failed to opt-out of firm offers of credit and insurance ( aka promotional offers) may be at risk. Consumers have the right to permanently opt out of promotional offers with all three nationwide consumer reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Click HERE to opt out of all three credit bureaus firm offers of credit and insurance.

HAVE YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER PAID TOO MUCH FOR A FINANCIAL PRODUCT OR PURCHASED A PRODUCT THAT MAKES NO SENSE? CONTACT CONSUMER FRAUD ATTORNEY MICAH ADKINS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.

FOR ONLINE ASSISTANCE USE THE CONTACT FORM BELOW:

[contact-form]