Survey: Health care companies face most lawsuits
Health care companies face more litigation than any other U.S. industry, according to a new report. Whereas the average number of pending lawsuits for all kinds of U.S. companies is 37 each, health care companies each face an average of 64 pending lawsuits. Modern Healthcare (free registration) (10/12)
House passes "cheeseburger bill"
The House voted 306-120 in favor of the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, which would prevent consumers from suing restaurants and food companies over allegations that their products cause obesity. Supporters called the measure a step toward protection from frivolous lawsuits, while one detractor said the bill is a "special favor" for the food industry. The Senate is expected to take up the issue next year. Progressive Grocer (10/20), Brandweek (10/19), The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (10/20)
Merck ready to fight Vioxx cases for years
With the second trial over the painkiller Vioxx scheduled to begin this week in New Jersey, a top Merck official said the company is prepared to battle all such lawsuits aggressively and is not in danger. General Counsel Kenneth Frazier told reporters, "We have both the resources and the resolve to address these cases one by one over many years." Nashua Telegraph (9/10).
Analysis: Drug labels become legal dumping ground
Drug labels have become weighed down with wording and are poorly organized in part because legal departments use them as protection against product-liability lawsuits, according to this Wall Street Journal piece. Medical providers say one helpful solution would be to reorganize the information so the most important information is at the top of a label, while the drug industry says it is concerned providers would not read past the top summary. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (7/5)
Nurses consider legal alternative
Legal nurse consultants -- nurses who interpret medical records for lawyers, offer lawyers their medical opinions and help prepare reports for depositions or trials -- make more money and get more flexible schedules than hospital nurses, leading many nurses to consider a professional change. American City Business Journals/Denver (free registration) (8/8)
Study: Large increase in use of sleeping pills for youngsters
A study by Medco Health Solutions indicates the use of sleeping pills by children and very young adults rose 85% from 2000 to 2004 and about 15% of that group also were being given drugs to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The report is seen as a sign that parents and doctors increasingly are turning to prescription drugs to solve childhood health and behavioral problems. The New York Times (free registration) (10/19)
Editor's Note:
The SmartBrief news archive contains content appearing previously in SmartBrief publications. SmartBrief editors were not involved in the selection of these articles for the Sponsored Feature.
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