Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog

October 1, 2008

Texas Medical Board Suspends License of Houston Doctor

A panel of the Texas Medical Board suspended the license of Nancy Louise Anderson, M.D., license number F7350, after determining that Dr. Anderson’s continuation in the practice of medicine presents a continuing threat to the public welfare.

The action was based on the panel’s findings of violations of a 2008 Mediated Agreed Order, which required, among other provisions, that Dr. Anderson submit to random alcohol and drug screenings to ensure abstinence; participate in Alcoholics Anonymous programs and activities; obtain an independent medical evaluation within a prescribed time period; and cooperate with Board staff. The immediate suspension of Dr. Anderson’s license was based on her violations of the 2008 order by failing to submit to alcohol and drug screenings, failing to attend AA meetings, failing to obtain the medical examination, and failing to cooperate with the Board.

The action took place on Friday, September 26. The length of an automatic suspension is indefinite and it remains in effect until the board takes further action.

October 1, 2008

Hispanic Drivers Sue Car Insurers

by Dr. Shezad Malik

A class action lawsuit was filed in Utah federal court against insurance agencies who are alleged to defrauding Hispanic customers by intentionally not disclosing the availability, cost and purpose of buying uninsured and under-insured motorist protections.

The defendants are Florida-based United Automobile Insurance Company, and Utah agencies: El Sol Insurance, Amigos Insurance and Las Americas Insurance.

September 30, 2008

New Texas Nurse Reporting Rules

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Austin Texas: The recent Legislative Session, has significantly expanded reporting requirements relating to peer assistance. As of September 1, 2007, a person or entity required to report a nurse, when the nurse is impaired or suspected of being impaired by chemical dependency, mental illness or diminished mental capacity, has a mandatory duty to report the nurse to the BON if it is believed that the impaired nurse committed a practice violation.

September 29, 2008

Gas Well Explosion Award Upheld

by Dr. Shezad Malik

The trial court jury award of $14.9 million to the family of a man killed in a fiery gas explosion was upheld this week by the New Mexico Court of Appeals. The arguments by Energen Resources Corp. that the jury’s award was excessive and therefore unconstitutional was rejected by the Court.

Earlier the Santa Fe jury had found that after a trial in 2006, the oil and gas company was negligent and its conduct reckless in the death of John Stapleton, aged 19.

September 28, 2008

Bronchodilators May Cause Increase In Heart Problems

by Dr. Shezad Malik

A new study out this week in JAMA suggests that common drugs which are recommended as first-line therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes and death.

COPD refers to two incurable lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema most commonly caused by cigarette smoking.

September 27, 2008

FDA Cracks Down on Braun, Baxter and Hospira

by Dr. Shezad Malik

The FDA this week attacked several companies involved in an eye wash and a skin cream without FDA authorization. The FDA stated that these prescription medications could cause risks to patients.

Balanced salt solution is an eye wash which is used to keep the eyes moist. Two companies, Alcon Laboratories and Akorn, Inc. have versions that are officially approved by the FDA, and are not affected by this crackdown.

But B. Braun, Baxter and Hospira firms are selling similar types of eye wash without federal validation of their safety and effectiveness.

September 26, 2008

Dallas I-45 Truck Crash

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Dallas-A man died earlier this week in Dallas when an 18-wheeler crashed into the back of his car on Interstate 45.

Police investigators say the black Suzuki car was stopped in a northbound traffic lane on the interstate just north of Loop 12.

The car exploded when the tractor-trailer hit it. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.

<img alt="774605_car_accident_2.jpg" src="/files/2013/07/774605_car_accident_2.jpg" width="300" height="199"

September 25, 2008

BP Corp Liable for Clean Up

by Dr. Shezad Malik

A Kansas District Court judge says the city of Neodesha is entitled by law to recover the costs of cleanup and damage caused by an oil refinery. The ruling from the judge overturns a jury verdict that sided with oil giant British Petroleum (BP) Corp. North America.

September 24, 2008

EPA Blinks on Perchlorate

by Dr. Shezad Malik

According to sources the EPA is planning to rule that it will not set a drinking-water safety standard for perchlorate. Perchlorate is a highly toxic substance; a component of rocket fuel that has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children across the United States.

The EPA’s “preliminary regulatory determination” marks the final step in a six-year-old battle between EPA scientists who want to regulate the chemical and other governmental officials who oppose it. The EPA estimates that up to 16.6 million Americans are exposed to perchlorate at a level many scientists consider unsafe.

September 23, 2008

Ed McMahon’s Lawsuit of Botched Neck Surgeries can Proceed

by Dr. Shezad Malik

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that Ed McMahon’s medical malpractice lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and doctors can proceed. McMahon had alleged claims that include negligence, elder abuse, battery, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Attorneys for Cedars-Sinai Hospital had challenged the negligence lawsuit for six of the claims. But Judge John P. Sook disagreed, and his ruling now allows McMahon to seek punitive damages.