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Deceased woman?s family awarded $16.6 million for pain patch lawsuit
Posted by: William Cirignani
January 16, 2009

An Illinois state jury found Johnson & Johnson (J&J) must pay $16.6 million to the family of a Chicago-area women who died after using a Duragesic patch.  Janice DiCosolo died in February 2004 after wearing a Duragesic patch that delivered a fatal dose of the narcotic fentanyl, the patch’s main ingredient. This was a hard won victory. The drug manufacturer tried everything to avoid responsibility for its leaky patches that continuously supplied overdoses. Once held accountable, the company issued a recall. The power of the little guy cannot be underestimated.

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Tobacco Settlements?Ten Years Later
Posted by: William Cirignani
January 16, 2009

In the news on reform of the civil justice system, consumers—and their lawyers—are always depicted as the enemy, creators of all manner of ill: expensive products and loss of doctors chief amongst them. What is often not mentioned, is the good that comes from accountability. Ten years ago some smart lawyers and some brave clients weathered the ridicule and sought to hold tobacco companies accountable for the lies. Despite initial losses, the tobacco industry began settling cases. Importantly, since then, smoking rates have decreased and most of the settlement proceeds have helped balance state budgets, build schools and pave roads.

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Antibiotic Overdose
Posted by: William Cirignani
January 16, 2009

In 2007, 40 million prescriptions of fluoroquinolone antibiotics were given to US patients despite the fact that other antibiotics may be more appropriate or even unnecessary. This is no small matter. The FDA has asked (but not required) makers of pill and injectable fluoroquinolone antibiotics to add a black box warning—the most serious type—to their drugs’ prescription information. Why?  Because there is an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture when this drug is overused.

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