Getting Ready for Snowmobiling Season?

As winter approaches, almost three million Americans get set to participate in their favorite winter sport, snowmobiling. Snowmobiling generates more than $22 billion in the US per year. However, the risk of fatal accidents or major injuries continues to rise in this high speed recreation. People flock to regions like Alaska and Yellowstone National Park. There are around 1.65 million registered snowmobiles in the US out of which 39,531 are in the Montana region alone.

National Snowmobiling Facts
According to a report by National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), snowmobile related injuries have been on the rise over the past ten years. Apart from recreation purposes, snowmobiles are used by ranchers, surveyors, public utility employees and wildlife and environmental scientists. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission confirms about 110 deaths due to snowmobiles. More than 13,400 people receive emergency treatment in hospitals as a result of this sporting activity.  Teens and young adults between 15-24 years of age are the most vulnerable. Head injuries continue to be the leading cause of serious injury and even death. Around 2/5 of the total deaths ensued are due to collisions with trees, fences, cliffs, snowbanks, vehicles, bridges, wires and rolling the snowmobile.  In the US, snowmobile clubs are maintained and constructed and the trails are mapped in cooperation with provincial, local and state governments.

Known Causes of Snowmobile Accidents
Snowmobile related accidents can be prevented, provided the rider abides by certain rules and snowmobile equipment manufacturers supply machines that are not defective. Before a ride, make sure that your snowmobile is running smoothly and maintained properly. Many accidents are caused by:

• Faulty steering columns and braking mechanisms
• Malfunctioning throttles
• Weak welding on suspensions and other parts
• Frozen lakes and rivers.
• Engine fires and explosions
• Leaky fuel tanks and fuel lines
• Bad weather

You can take the following precautions:
• Be in touch with weather forecasts
• Learn snowmobile traffic laws
• Do not drink alcohol and drive
• Never drive your snowmobile alone or on unfamiliar ground
• Drive only on well  known and marked trails
• Avoid unknown waterways
• Carry safety equipment

While driving you should look out for:
• Oncoming snowmobiles
• Trees and branches on the trail
• Bridges
• Unpredicted corners, intersections and stops
• Crossings
• Thin ice and/or open water
• Animals
• Drifting snow
• Skiers and hikers

Your basic repair kit should contain a jack knife, tow rope, pry bar, extra wrenches, wire, nuts and bolts for your sled, tool kit, extra spark plugs and belts.

Montana Personal Injury: Fight Your Case
If you or a loved one has ever been injured due to the negligence of the government or because of a manufacturing defect in your snowmobile, you need legal protection given by attorneys in Montana. Get in touch with Solomon Neuhardt, your Billings lawyer immediately who will fight on your behalf.

Stolen car found with FREE Lost Key Tags Program

The stolen car of a client of Neuhardt Law Firm was found with the Lost Keys Program available for free from Neuhardt Law. Our office received a call from the Rex restaurant in Billings on the morning of October 16, 2009 saying that they had found a set of car keys with a Neuhardt Law Firm Lost Keys tag on them. The Lost Keys Program is simply a tag that is on a set of car keys like an Albertson or Shopko discount tag that says to call our office if they keys are found and it offers a reward.

The keys were that of a client and the client’s car had been stolen the night before. The client reported her car as being stolen to the Billings Police Department. We identified the keys and called the client to let her know we had her keys. About the same time she let us know that her car had been stolen. The car was found shortly thereafter and the client was thrilled that her keys and her car were found.

Each key tag under the Lost Keys Program has a registration number on it that identifies the owner of they keys. If you would like a free set of tags for your car keys call us at 406-294-9540 or email us at info@mtaccidentattorney.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical Malpractice is Increasing In the US

Instances of death and long-term injury are growing in America, getting close to being declared as a serious national problem. A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences estimated that roughly 98,000 patients may be killed every year across the US as a result of medical errors.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Broadly speaking, drifting away intentionally or carelessly from the accepted standards of medical care by a healthcare provider that causes harm to a patient is called medical malpractice. Medical malpractice can be the lack of treatment or improper treatment, misdiagnosis, an intentional delay in treatment, failure to perform correct follow-ups and errors in prescription.

You have a legal and civil right to claim compensation if you are suffering due to medical malpractice. Medical bills are immense and you deserve the appropriate treatment.  If you are suffering because someone made a mistake or erred in a medical diagnosis, you should be compensated appropriately. However, to get what is due to you, you need a qualified and experienced attorney. Such expert help will increase your chances of receiving your claim. This will not only benefit you individually, but will also raise awareness of medical malpractices and encourage medical practitioners to take the utmost care.

Solomon Neuhardt of Neuhardt Law Firm, P.C. is an outstanding Montana medical malpractice attorney.  If you are in need of assistance, please feel free to request a free consultation.

Speed Racing – KULR-8 News Features Solomon Neuhardt

The two-vehicle collision put three teens in the hospital with serious injuries. Firefighters had to use extraction equipment to remove the driver, who had been partially ejected from his vehicle.
The teens’ lawyer, Solomon Neuhardt said that drag racing is on the rise across the U.S. and kids might want to think twice before taking part. “It’s exciting, to teenage boys or girls, the idea of drag racing, the thrill of speed and so-forth but when you get into situations like this can suffer serious injuries and all of their injuries or some of their injuries might be permanent and lifelong.

The driver of the crashed vehicle was sited with a reckless driving ticket.

Accidents unfortunately happen every day. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident call Sol Neuhardt at 406.294.9540 or email him at info@mtaccidentattorney.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a free consultation. Also the remainder of the website www.mtaccidentattorney.com is loaded with free information regarding accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, dangerous products and many other related topics.

Yaz/Yasmin: Birth Control Pill Can Cause Death

Yaz and Yasmin are top selling oral contraceptive pills in the US. Manufactured by Bayer HeathCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Yasmin was approved by the FDA in May 2001. Apart from ethinyl estradiol, Yasmin contains drospirenone, which is widely used in birth control pills. Drospirenone is a new progestin, which also treats premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and moderate acne in women. It is not used in any other contraceptive pill that has been approved by the FDA.

Yasmin prevents the ovary from ovulating, releasing eggs into the fallopian tube. The pill prevents male hormones from coming into contact with an egg by making the cervical mucus thicker, which makes it very difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus. Moreover, the lining of the uterus is altered to make the wall less receptive to a fertilized egg.

The main difference between Yaz and Yasmin lies in the amount of estrogen contained vis-à-vis the level of progestins, specifically desogestrel. Yasmin contains a larger quantity of ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) at 30 mcg, while Yaz contains only 20 mcg of estrogen. Yaz was approved in 2006 and touched a sales mark of $616 million by 2007. In 2008, the combined sales of both these pills reached approximately $1.8 billion.

What are the symptoms or side effects of Yaz and Yasmin?
A number of women are experiencing serious side effects after consuming YAZ/Yasmin. This is because Bayer did not issue sufficient warnings regarding the drug’s dangerous impacts, such as cardiovascular complications.

There have been reports of death of some women after the consumption of YAZ/Yasmin. The intake of these contraceptive pills leads to various blood clot risks, which may result in death. Some such risks are:
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Strokes
• Heart Attacks

Drosprenone, which can augment the level of potassium in the blood, is especially dangerous for women suffering from kidney, adrenal and liver diseases. Obese women with high blood pressure or diabetes are also very susceptible to high potassium levels.

In August 2009, the British Medical Journal published the results of a study conducted by the Leiden University Medical Centre about the side effects of drospirenone birth control pills. According to the study, the level of venous thrombosis, which is a serious blood clot, increased 6.3-fold in women who consume drospirenone as compared to others who do not consume any contraceptive pill.

Law Suits against Bayer
Bayer HeathCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc is facing innumerable medical malpractice lawsuit cases all over the US because of the life threatening problems caused by the intake of Yaz and Yasmin. According to some lawsuits, the death toll of Yaz/Yasmin consumers was 50 between 1Q04 and 3Q08, as reported to the FDA. Most of the deceased women suffered from strokes, cardiac arrests and pulmonary embolisms due to increased blood potassium levels.

In October 2008, Bayer was issued a warning letter by the FDA about the content of two TV commercials promoting Yaz. Both of the commercials were allegedly promoting the unauthorized use of medicines. Bayer faced legal action by the attorney generals of 27 states, subsequent to the FDA’s warning letter. The deceptive commercials were soon stopped from being telecasted. Moreover, the company agreed to telecast new TV commercials targeted at correcting Yaz’s misleading claims by spending $20 million. The commercials came on air in the first quarter of 2009.

While many lawsuits have been filed against Bayer, several women across the country are still unaware of the potential side effects of Yaz/Yasmin. It is very important to see a physician at the earliest, if you face any of these complications. Moreover, you should get in touch with a lawyer who can help you claim damages against Bayer. The company is already facing several lawsuits across the US.

Solomon Neuhardt is a competent and understanding attorney in Billings, MT. If you or someone you love has experienced health complications or even death because of this dangerous drug, please feel free to conact him for a free consultation.

Dog Bites are Personal Injury

Dogs are considered man’s best friend. However, some dogs are unpredictable, can become aggressive and bite you for no apparent reason. Almost five million people suffer because of dog bites every year in the US. Many of these are due to the negligence of dog owners. Fortunately, a dog bite is regarded as personal injury as per the law in various states and is a liability for the owner.  If you have been bitten, you should contact a Montana personal injury attorney.

What Immediate Actions to Take in Case of a Dog Bite
An important fact about dog bites is that it is not limited to permanent disfigurement or injury. It can also lead to emotional trauma.
Immediate Actions:
• If the dog’s mouth is foaming, it is probably suffering from rabies. See a physician at the earliest.
• If possible, try to know the breed of the dog. It helps the physician assess the extent of the injury.
• Don’t quarrel with the dog’s owner.
• Report the incident to the police.
• Contact a personal injury attorney.

What You Should Know to Get Compensation for Hospital Bills
If you want to file a lawsuit against the dog owner, ensure that you have his/her contact information. It is important to know if the owner was aware of the aggressive behavior of the dog (or its breed). You should also enquire if the dog was given the required immunization on time. In case the owner incited the dog deliberately to scare you, you have a 100% chance of recouping the hospital bills by filing a lawsuit. A dog can also harm or injure you with its claws, in which case you have the right to recover damages.

Lawsuits against Dog Owners
It is depressing to know that of all the dog bite cases across the country, only one out of three have been reported. All states have laws governing dog attacks. However, there is some difference in the laws of the various states. What is common is that all these laws identify the dog owner to be liable for the injury. Most laws have been designed in a manner that the dog owner has limited defense in case of negligence.

So, if you have been bitten by a dog, or someone you know has suffered this trauma, the best thing to do is to contact a lawyer. A dog bite lawyer will ensure that you receive the maximum in damages.  Solomon Neuhardt is a top-notch Montana Personal Injury attorney.  Contact him for a free consultation today.

Denture Cream and Zinc Poisoning

Did you know that your dental adhesive could be the source of many medical problems? In America more than 30 lawsuits have been filed in the multidistrict litigation against GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of the Fixodent and Super PoliGrip brands. These cases were filed on behalf of individuals suffering from neuropathy and serious injuries from denture cream poisoning.

Denture Creams and Its Side Effects

Denture cream is a kind of adhesive that helps secure false teeth to the mouth comfortably for a few hours, depending upon the user and his activities. The infamous zinc content in the cream is Fixodent and Poligrip, which act as bonding agents. At the same time, the excessive use of zinc can lead to copper depletion in the body and subsequently cause many other neurological symptoms such as tingling of hands and numbness. Consumers of these creams have experienced neuropathy and other physical problems. Common symptoms that have been noticed are:

• Numbness or tingling in the feet, legs, hands and/or arms
• Tendency to stumble/fall down
• Extreme pain
• Significant loss of strength or ability to move legs or feet, arms and hands
• Slowdown in walking pace
• Lack of balance/instability
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Pain
• Weakness
• Loss of sensation
• Paralysis
• Difficulty in breathing
• Anemia

In some reported cases patients who suffer from zinc poisoning are confined to wheelchairs. Higher amount of zinc could lead to extreme weakness and other neuron symptoms. If not detected early and treated, these effects of zinc poisoning can be permanent.

Zinc Poisoning and Treatment

Zinc poisoning from denture creams is increasingly becoming a major health hazard. There are about 35 million Americans who wear dentures. Manufactures of these creams have provided little or no relevant warnings on the packets. Tests for zinc levels in the blood can determine promptly if a zinc overdose has resulted in poisoning.

Seek Professional Help

The injuries due to these dental creams can be prevented, but the manufacturers have time and again failed to provide warnings on product labels. Such callousness has left many people facing huge medical bills and being out of work. Manufacturers also fail to provide any details regarding the exact nature of zinc or its amount in their products.

If you or someone that you know is facing such issues, contact a dental cream poisoning attorney immediately. Only this will ensure that you get the right compensation. If your   neuropathy or neurological problems are due to these poisonous denture creams, claiming for these damages is your right.

Please feel free to contact Solomon Neuhardt, an attorney in Billings, MT for a free consultion to discuss your case.

LEVAQUIN® Antibiotic Linked To Damaged Tendons

Levaquin, a quinolone antibiotic, has been linked to hundreds of cases related to tendonitis, serious tendon ruptures and injuries. This expensive drug is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil and marketed by Walgreen Co. Eye-related problems have also been associated with this drug. This fact was concluded by researchers at Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and was featured in the September issue of Ophthalmology.

Levaquin, introduced in the US in 1997, is prescribed to treat bacterial infections in the lungs, skins, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, prostate and urinary tracts.

Action against Levaquin

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Levaquin in 1996. It took two years for the FDA to force Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil to issue a strong black-box warning of tendon damage and ruptures of the Achilles tendon on the label of this antibiotic. By this time thousands of people had already suffered needlessly from incapacitating injuries as well as undergone surgery and even extensive rehab program. Many Lavaquin users never really recovered from tendon injuries.

The labels failed to provide adequate warning, especially that chances of tendon injury was tripled for people older than 60 and people undergoing corticosteroid therapy.  Respected institutions, such as the IDSA Infectious Diseases Society of America and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have asked major retailers to reassess the promotion of this drug and/or candidly explain the side-effects.

There were around 1,044 tendon injuries and about 282 reports of tendon ruptures associated with the drug between 1997 and 2005. Hundreds of Levaquin lawsuits are already pending in American courts.

Levaquin: Side Effects
• Snap or pop in a tendon area
• Bruising right after an injury in a tendon area
• Inability to move the affected area or bear weight
• Pain, inflammation or swelling in a tendon area
• Arthralgia
• Nausea
• Pyrexia
• Dyspnoea
• Asthenia
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Pain in extremity
• Myalgia
• Pain

If you have used Levaquin and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately.

Patients may also experience some long-term side effects, such as:
• Granulomatous liver disease
• Gastrooesophageal reflux disease
• Lymphadenopathy
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Hypoaesthesia

Levaquin Tendon Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you or a loved one is suffering due to the side effects of Levaquin, you should contact a Levaquin tendon injury attorney immediately. It is your legal right to receive compensation for having suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in Billings, MT, please contact Solomon Neuhardt for a free consultation.