All Topics

• Approaching a Jury

  Robert Blanchard | August 29, 2006 12:55 PM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  For an attorney, the key to establishing credibility and delivering a persuasive opening statement is to approach the jury and begin trial in the frame of mind that you were in when you first met your client. I is mportant to be the open-minded, objective, skeptical person you were when you were unsure whether to take the case, not the confidant, closed-minded lawyer you have become learning...

• Steroid Blocks continued

  Robert Blanchard | July 25, 2006 4:12 PM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  Clients with back injuries may want to know more about steroid blocks being recommended for back pain.Recent studies have demonstrated positive efficacy of lumbar ESIs when proper placement is confirmed by using fluoroscopic guidance and radiographic confirmation through the use of contrast. Approximately 60-75% of patients receive some relief after ESIs. Benefits include relief of radicular...

• What is the FDA Doing?

  Robert Blanchard | July 25, 2006 12:41 PM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  When a company proposes to market a drug, the FDA will often let them go forward on the promise that they will conduct further studies on the safety of the drug. Unfortunately, it appears that the FDA never follows up to see if these promises are kept. As a result, too many people are injured before a drug gets pulled from the market.As reported,US Report Faults FDA Post-Approval Study...

• Fewer Auto Accidents Nationwide

  Robert Blanchard | June 12, 2006 10:52 AM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  Who would have thought that fewer auto accidents would have a downside?Fewer auto accidents and increasing repair costs are proving to be a double whammy for collision-repair shops in across the nation.Despite a 53 percent increase in vehicles on U.S. streets since 1980, the number brought in for collision repairs nationwide has declined.In 2004, the most recent year for industry figures, 17...

• Pregnant Women on Anti-Depressants

  Robert Blanchard | April 24, 2006 4:41 PM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  JAMA had an abstract this week of a study about the neonatal abstinence syndrome after in utero exposure to SSRIs. They found that this syndrome occurs in 30% of neonates exposed to these drugs in utero. They suggest that neonates be monitored for 48 hours after birth (at least), and they say that long term effects are not known.The babies can have a number of symptoms from this abrupt...

• Pregnancy - hemorrhage and preterm delivery

  Robert Blanchard | April 24, 2006 10:42 AM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  I just read an article on placenta previa. This is a condition where the pacenta is in position in the uterus lower down than the baby and thus in in position to come out first during delivery. This condition is a leading cause of death from pregnancy, but it can be discovered by sonogram and medically managed. The primary risk is massive hemorrhage and preterm delivery. Might be a good idea in...

• Fosamax - Woe for Merck

  Robert Blanchard | April 12, 2006 4:25 PM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  My law partner Tim O'Brien made major news today by breaking the Fosamax(R) story to the Wall Street Journal. Of course, they were only interested in how it would affect Merck's stock value. We thought the Wall Street Journal might be more concerned with average citizens when so many moms and pops lost their retirement saving in the scandals involving the major Wall Street brokerage firms....

• SUV - Safer for Children?

  Robert Blanchard | April 10, 2006 10:02 AM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  A recent study analyzed injuries to children in accidents involving SUV's compared to regular cars. While many people justify the purchase of an SUV with the thought that they are protecting their family in case of a crash, it turns out that SUV's are not statisticallly safer for children. Part of the reason for this is the increased risk of rollover, which greatly increases the risk of injury....

• Public Radio Covering Silicosis Claims

  Robert Blanchard | March 08, 2006 3:51 PM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  Our firm decided not to handle silicosis claims. However, some other good firms got involved and are now being scrutinized. See the coverage at NPR.Silicosis is a deadly lung disease that industrial workers get from inhaling crystalline silica in foundries, mines, quarries and shipyards. Over the last few years, plaintiff lawyers aggressively advertised for silicosis victims, inviting them to...

• How Long Can Truckers Stay Awake?

  Robert Blanchard | March 01, 2006 9:27 AM | 0 CommentsPensacola, FL

  As a form of regulatory chicken, Bush appointees in Washington want to let employers see just how hard they can drive their truck drivers. No mention of any concern for the safety of other people on the roadways, at least not from the Bush administration. To see the Petition filed in the Federal District Court by five groups who are concerned, click here.