Articles Posted in Wrongful Death

Published on:

iStock-1127958533

Drug abuse comes with harsh legal punishments in Texas.

Teen Charged with Murder after Fentanyl Overdose Kills a 15-Year-Old Highschool Student

If you use the Google search engine, you probably know that today is Fentanyl Awareness Day. This comes just six days after a teenager in the Kyle, Texas area is charged with the murder and delivery of a controlled substance to a minor after a 15-year-old Lehman High School student overdosed on fentanyl-laced drugs. Drug charges are no joke, and they have more repercussions on your life than you might think, especially if you’re a teenager.

Published on:

iStock-1359696196

Bottled formulas are a common replacement for breastfeeding.

(February 27, 2023) Enfamil recalled nearly 145,000 cans of plant-based baby formula on Sunday, February 19, 2023, due to potential contamination. The parent company, Reckitt, said in a statement that the recall was out of an “abundance of caution” and that all of the distributed products tested negative but that the recalled cans may have been contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Enfamil has had potentially life-threatening products on the shelves.

Enfamil and Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Published on:

iStock-1334809702
(June 3, 2022) On Thursday, June 2, 2022, a pilot crashed his plane in a Medina County field and walked away from the accident with only minor injuries, as reported by KSAT News. The pilot, William Fahey, was taking his single-engine handmade plane for a test flight when his engine suddenly gave out. He crashed into a field upside down but managed to walk away with nothing but a couple of scratches, one on his arm and one on his leg. The Police responded to the single-engine plane crash south of FM 211 and Culebra in Media County at around 2:41 PM, just outside of Loop 1604. No one else was injured. The pilot told KSAT that he was “absolutely blessed” and “It could have been so much worse.”

What do I do if I’ve Been in an Aviation Accident in Texas?

Most of us do not fly – or crash – our own handmade planes. But what do you do if you have been in a commercial or private aviation accident? Aviation accidents do not happen very often, especially when compared to automobile accidents or public transport accidents. However, when they do happen, they are almost always fatal or result in very serious personal injury. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extensively investigates aviation accidents in the United States. Because of this, there is a lot of data and evidence recovered after an aviation accident about the airline, the pilots, and the manufacturers of the plane. Manufacturers can be found to be at fault for up to seventy percent of the accident due to faulty manufacturing practices, which are strictly regulated. The airline itself may also be found at fault for up to thirty percent due to violations such as missing or poorly executing inspections.

Published on:

iStock-1134239382
Paraquat is an extremely popular herbicide used by many licensed agricultural workers. The reason it’s so popular is that this product is highly effective when it comes to killing nasty weeds and overgrown grass. However, there are risks to using this product. Studies have shown that there’s an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease from being exposed to Paraquat. It is, In fact, so toxic that only certified professionals are allowed to buy this product and use it by law in the United States. 

Parkinson’s disease is vicious to those it affects. It progressively shuts down the nervous system as It slowly kills certain nerve cells called neurons found in the brain. Many of the symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger called dopamine. When there is a decrease in dopamine, the brain begins to have abnormal activity, and your movement capabilities can begin to fail. However, many other symptoms can occur when this happens. 

This disease can lead to the person developing issues with chewing and swallowing properly due to the disease affecting the muscles in their mouth. In addition, cognitive issues like being unable to remember things and control your emotions (dementia) are also symptoms of this horrendous disease. There are many symptoms such as; general pain in the body or specific areas, losing your ability to differentiate particular odors you previously could without any difficulties, having a lack of energy throughout the day, changes in blood pressure causing you to feel lightheaded or dizzy, and many others. 

Published on:

iStock-1343466664
After being fed baby formula, if your precious baby developed a horrendous disease called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), you might qualify for compensation. Recently, studies show that certain baby formula products have a higher chance of causing NEC in premature infants. Enfamil and Similac are two brands that have failed to warn parents of the dangers associated with using their products. If your baby has developed NEC after being fed Enfamil or Similac products, you may be able to receive compensation. 

NEC is a terrible disease that attacks the intestines. The condition causes infections and inflammations in the intestine, causing the intestinal tissue to die. In some cases, a hole can form in the infant’s intestine, and intestinal bacteria can leak into the abdominal area or bloodstream, causing a possibly fatal infection. Some premature infants suffer from mild symptoms, and some suffer life-threatening ones. 

When your premature infant is developing, they typically need extra nutrition to help them grow. If the parent decides not to breastfeed the child, nurses may recommend using baby formula. While this seems like an easy decision to make, that may not be the case. 

Published on:

iStock-1146896346
Paraquat, a toxic chemical herbicide used to exterminate unruly weeds and grass, has been highly popularized in its use and was first produced for commercial use in 1962. There are many brands of paraquat products, and some of these include, Gramoxone, Goldquat, Almoxone, and many more. Paraquat is extremely popular and is one of the most commonly used herbicides around the globe. However, due to its extremely high toxicity, many precautions have been taken to purchase and use this herbicide in the United States.  

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to put mitigation measures on the use of Paraquat to protect human health and the environment. Here’s a quote from the United States EPA website “In July 2021, after receiving and considering public comments on the Paraquat proposed interim decision, EPA released the interim decision for registration review. As part of this action, EPA requires mitigation measures to reduce risks associated with Paraquat in order to protect human health and the environment.” 

Paraquat is so toxic that it can lead to death if accidentally ingested, and there is no antidote for it. Because it’s so toxic, in the U.S., precautions are taken, such as adding a dye to the substance and a sharp odor to deter an individual from accidentally ingesting it. Not only that, but only those with a commercial license can even purchase the product, let alone use it. In addition, An individual can not use this product even if they are under the supervision of a certified applicator. 

Published on:

iStock-1281240685
In premature infants, both Enfamil, a baby formula manufactured by Mead Johnson, and Similac, a baby formula manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, can cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This gastrointestinal condition, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), is severe and causes intestinal tissue death. It may even be fatal in as many as 50% of cases. In addition, the intestinal inflammation caused by this horrible condition may cause holes in the intestine. It is even possible for bacteria from the intestinal tract to leak into the abdomen or blood, causing severe illnesses or deadly blood infections. The condition can also cause severe health issues like sepsis, intestinal strictures, developmental problems, and cerebral palsy.

A study in Lancet, 1990, found that this horrendous condition NEC was up to 10 times more likely in premature infants given formula. In recent years, several studies have linked cow’s milk-based formula to an increased risk of NEC in premature infants, based on cases filed against baby formula products.

Similac and Enfamil manufacturers are facing lawsuits from parents because they were aware or should have been aware that their baby formula products could cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. In addition, these companies did not warn parents or medical providers about the risk. According to the parents who sued, Enfamil and Similac failed to indicate that NEC is a possible side effect of their baby formulas or provide proper instructions or guidelines on using the product. As an added concern, these companies marketed their baby formula products as safe and beneficial for premature infants despite potential risks. 

Published on:

iStock-1321458945
You might be wondering what Necrotizing enterocolitis or NEC is. It is a common and severe intestinal condition among premature infants. It occurs when tissue in the large or small intestine is injured or inflamed. When the tissue gets damaged or inflamed, it may lead to the death of intestinal tissue and, sometimes, a hole (perforation) in the intestinal wall.

When an infant has NEC, the intestine can no longer hold waste. This may cause bacteria to find their way into the bloodstream and cause a deadly infection. In addition, waste could potentially enter into the infant’s abdomen and cause the infant to get critically ill. Because of all the damage sustained to the intestines, sections may die and need to get removed. 

Symptoms of this potentially deadly disease include but are not limited to an unstable and low body temperature, apnea (pauses in breathing), being lethargic or less active, constipation, trouble feeding, and diarrhea. 

Published on:

iStock-1150713111
Here at Carabin Shaw, we are concerned about making Texas roads safer and our state an even better place to live. Kxan reports that in Austin, “On average, more than 11 people have died each day in traffic-related accidents on Texas roadways in 2021, state transportation leaders said Thursday. Each of these deaths has contributed to the state’s nearly 21-year streak of at least one traffic death per day.” 

Bob Kaufman, the Texas Department of Transportation chief communications officer, stated. “We have a real crisis in our state,”

On Thursday, in a conference, the Texas Department of Transportation officials (DOT) broke down avoidable components that have given rise to more than two decades worth of traffic fatalities. The Texas Department of Transportation official, Michael Chacon, stated on Thursday that there were 3,556 fatalities statewide in 2021. In 2020, 3,896 individuals lost their lives in fatal traffic accidents in Texas. The total deaths figure was the highest it’s been in almost 30 years. 

Published on:

iStock-1311426758
Bringing new life into the world is one of the most joyous occasions an individual can experience. When someone becomes a parent, the world changes instantly and all prior priorities fade. That means that when something tragic happens to a baby, the pain is beyond description.  

In recent years, several baby formulas have been linked to birth defects, especially in premature babies. One of the most commonly developed conditions is a serious gastrointestinal illness known as Necrotizing Enterocolitis [NEC]. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 40% of babies with NEC die from it. 

If your child is suffering from NEC, you may be eligible for a baby formula lawsuit. It is vital to contact the Carabin Shaw NEC attorneys as soon as possible.   

Contact Information