The settlement in the Alaska case came just 3 weeks after the start of the trial. Alaska is home to only 670,000 people, and the large payout is a surprise. Other states are seeking claims against the Zyprexa maker in order to recover money for its residents’ Medicaid bills.

Sales of Zyprexa were $4.8 billion in 2007, and over 23 million people have taken Zyprexa since its original FDA approval in 1996. In the trial, prosecutors contended that Eli Lilly downplayed Zyprexa’s risks to protect sales. Evidence also suggested that the drug-maker encouraged the prescribing of Zyprexa for ailments other than what the FDA had approved. Lilly admitted no wrongdoing.

Click here to read the joint statement released by Eli Lilly and the state of Alaska.

If you or a loved one has suffered side effects after taking Zyprexa, you need the help of a lawyer now. In California, contact the law offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for your free and confidential information session now. Let us help you understand your rights and seek the justice you deserve. Don’t hesitate to call 1-800-ALAWPRO now.

Avandia (rosiglitazone) is a drug made by GlaxoSmithKline and used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Avandia has been shown to be linked to an increased risk of heart attack, other heart problems, and death, and as a result now possesses an FDA black box warning which advises patients and professionals as to its deadly risks.

According to the article 3 to 5 million people take Avandia. This new study showed that Avandia can “more than double the risk of fractures.” The most commonly associated bone breaks with drug usage were hip fractures and wrist fractures, with the frequency of fractures rising with the level of dosage. People taking Avandia for 2 years or more had the highest rate of sustaining a break, and those taking it for one year to 18 months also had a heightened risk. Men and women were found to be equally at risk.

The manufacturer responded by stating that fractures are listed “on our label,” and that a “dear doctor” letter had been sent to professionals. Other experts contend that the benefits of the drug continue to outweigh the risks for most patients, while agreeing that patients at risk for severe bone breaks should consider alternatives.

Have you or a family member suffered adverse effects or death from taking Avandia in California? If so, you need the help of a seasoned law firm. The team at Greenberg & Rudman LLP has over 50 years combined experience in taking on the rights of the injured. Please call us now at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for your free consultation and learn what we can do to help you.

Despite many changes and additions to small cars, statistics show that they are fatally more dangerous than mid-sized or larger automobiles. Fatality rates for small car passengers are constantly higher than those for large ones. Crash victims in smaller cars are 51% more likely to die in their accident.

Specialized safety mechanisms and design cannot outweigh simple physics. The weight and size of smaller cars continues to be the most important factor in safety, or lack thereof. The differences in weight are astounding; in some cases small cars can be outweighed by three times their size. Mini cars weigh anywhere from 1800 to 2500 pounds. Larger SUV’s by comparison weigh 3300 to 5500 pounds or more.

Tests results from experiments performed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) can be misleading. Due to the way the tests are conducted, frontal-impact crash tests enacted on small cars only provide for information regarding a collision with a car of equal size. Therefore, a good rating in head-on crash tests is a good rating only if the crash impact is with a car of similar weigh and size. Alternatively, test ratings for side-impact collisions are representative for a collision with any sized car.

If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident in California, contact a local attorney for help. Please call the Law Team at Greenberg & Rudman LLP toll-free at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free consultation about your rights. Let us fight for you in this time of need. Call us now.

A recent study found that from 1991 to 2005, almost 40,000 elderly were injured on escalators. The yearly escalator-injury rate for that time period was 2660 accidents per year. Frighteningly, the rate is more than double what it was in previous years.

Most of the reported injuries (85%) were caused by slips and falls. Hospitalization was required in numerous occasions, in most cases for broken bones. And women were hurt nearly twice as often as men. Experts urge that all riders, especially elderly ones, use caution when riding escalators.

Escalator Accident Involving Elderly - Location of Injury:
Injuries to the following areas were reported. They are listed in order of injury frequency:

• Hips, Legs or Feet


• Head


• Shoulders/Torso


• Arms/Hands

Elderly Escalator-Related Accident - Type of Injury:
While almost never fatal, damage caused by slipping or falling on an escalator can be painful and require extensive recovery. Here are the most commonly reported injuries:

• Concussion or other Head Injury


• Broken Bones, including hips, legs, wrists, and arms


• Soft Tissue Damage, such as a muscle sprain or strain


• Skin Lacerations, which can be deep depending on the location and severity of the fall

If you or a loved on has been injured in an escalator accident, please contact an experienced attorney for help. The Law Offices of Greenberg and Rudman LLP have over 50 years combined experience fighting for your rights. Please call us toll-free at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free and confidential consultation. We will come to your hospital room to sign you up.

In a strange twist, a fashionable, new trend in middle-aged biking has resulted in a large number of motorcycles accidents and fatalities in the 40-plus crowd. Experts state that this development is cause for alarm, since age can result in drivers having shorter reaction time and less physical dexterity.

Following are some statistics highlighting the dangerous and deadly risks motorcyclist take while on the road.

• Motorcycles comprise 2% of motor vehicles on the road, but account for 10% of traffic fatalities


• 90% of all motorcycle riders who are killed are men.


• For all motorcyclists killed, 42% of riders are not wearing helmets.


• Half of the bikers who died in 2006 were 40 or older, with 25% who were 50+. The average age for motorcycle death was 38.


• 50% of rider fatalities from 2002-06 occurred without impact to another vehicle, but rather from loss of control


• Once nearly every state required helmets for all motorcyclists. Today, only 20 states have such laws.

If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle-related accident, you should seek the advice of an experienced law team. The Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP offer 50 years combined experience in injury law. Please call us toll-free at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free consultation. You deserve justice. Call us now, and let us help fight for you.

According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department, local police responded to over 2,200 traffic collisions in 2007. Local roads and freeways continue to be the source of deadly injury and crashes. Theme Parks accidents include head injuries, neck injuries and other injuries and fatalities sustained on rides, while waiting in lines and those happening to employees.

If you have been injured in Santa Clarita Valley, learn about your rights. Please call the Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP toll-free at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776). We will provide you with a free and confidential assessment and consultation. Don’t wait to seek justice. Please call us now.