As states intensify their investigations into the handling of unclaimed death benefits by life insurance companies, two Ohio firms —Western & Southern Mutual Holding Co. and Columbus Life Insurance Co. — find themselves named in a federal lawsuit claiming they neglect to routinely compare sold policies to the Social Security Administration’s “Death Master File”.  Insurance [...]

The growing Listeria poisoning outbreak linked to cantaloupes is expected to continue causing illnesses, hospitalizations, and worse. According to federal health officials, more illnesses and, possibly, more deaths, might be linked to Listeria-tainted cantaloupes, wrote The Associated Press (AP). To date, the outbreak has led to 72 illnesses, which resulted in 16 deaths, said the [...]

Two years ago, UCLA researchers announced a link between Parkinson’s disease and two common pesticides revealed in a study, not of field workers, but of people living near farms sprayed with the pesticides maneb and paraquat. The study revealed that people living near fields in which the pesticides were sprayed suffered from a 75%-increased risk [...]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it still “remains concerned” over drospirenone-containing birth control pills, such as Bayer’s Yaz and Yasmin, over reports of increased blood clot risks. The risks are apparently greater than those seen in other birth control pills. The agency posted a Drug Safety Communication on its website yesterday in [...]

A product liability lawsuit was recently filed against the maker of the Wright Profemur hip replacement. According to the lawsuit, Terrance Allore’s hip replacement device failed in less than three years following implantation. The lawsuit was filed by Allore and his wife, Rebecca, last month in the U.S. District court for the Eastern District of [...]

On the heels of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement earlier this week that it continues its review of Sanofi SA’s heart-rhythm medication, Multaq, European regulators announced new restriction of the drug, citing safety concerns. Just yesterday, the Wall Street Journal wrote that more and more physicians say they are no longer prescribing [...]

Following safety warnings and efficacy issues with Multaq (dronedarone), Sanofi SA’s controversial heart-rhythm medication, U.S. regulators say hey reviewing the drug. Already, there is a trend among heart doctors against prescribing Multaq. Multaq has been associated with some significant side effects, such as liver failure and a further deterioration of cardiac issues. Multaq was approved [...]

Scaffolding at a Harlem building crashed into a BS15 New York City bus yesterday, injuring at least 18 people. The building, located on 125th Street, was under demolition and, said Reuters, the New York City Fire Department was unable to confirm where the 18 injured were exactly at the time of the collapse; all were [...]

Already banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Indiana’s State Chemist has also banned the use of the broadleaf herbicide, Imprelis, in that state. The herbicide was sold and used by lawn care professionals  before the debacle that led to its EPA ban. Imprelis was banned on the federal level in August after the [...]

Randy White, whose 30-year-old daughter, Kristen Renee, died from a brain tumor he believes is connected to the Fort Detrick cancer cluster says the Frederick, Maryland, military research base is covering up information about chemicals tested there. The Frederick News-Post reported that White is seeking a Congressional hearing over his accusations; White also intends on [...]