Chris Placitella's Law Blog
CPR Law - Results Matter
Welcome to Chris Placitella's Legal Blog. I have dedicated my career to pursuing social justice and representing the wrongfully injured. The purpose of this blog is to provide breaking news and commentary concerning developments in mass tort law, class actions and cases affecting social justice. If you would like to contact me, please click on the contact us button or you can call me personally at (888) 375-7600.
Why Health Care Costs Are Out of Control-Ask the Drug Companies
US judge rules nine pharmaceutical companies overcharged for drugs
by Mark Todoruk
A federal judge ruled that nine companies, including Pfizer, Merck & Co., Novartis, Teva and Mylan, illegally sought to increase market share by selling drugs to physicians at discounts to average wholesale prices, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. US District Judge Patti Saris said the drugmakers “attempted to obtain payment from public funds on behalf of [healthcare] providers by means of a materially false statement or representation” about the prices of nine drugs.
Commenting on the case, which was filed by New York City and 42 counties in the state, Saris said “there is simply no evidence that defendants believed that the prices they reported were even true list prices.” Experts testifying for the plaintiffs indicated that records show that wholesale acquisition costs reported by the drugmakers were consistently more than 50 percent above actual acquisition costs, and sometimes more than 1000 percent above.
Spokesmen for Pfizer and Merck indicated the companies are considering appealing the ruling, which is Saris’ latest decision in the nine-year litigation over average wholesale prices. Ron Rogers of Merck said the drugmaker “and other defendants in no way benefited from these rates as they do not receive reimbursement from Medicaid.”
Pfizer’s Chris Loder said the company “disputes that any pricing information provided by its Wyeth subsidiary regarding its prescription drugs caused [the plaintiffs] to overpay.” He added that “no one was misled,” as the decisions at issue in the judge’s ruling were informed choices made by the federal government with awareness of prices being paid in the market
9.5 Million Dollar Verdict in Take Home Mesothelioma Case
Posted by Chris in Mesothelioma on January 27th, 2010
Today a Baltimore jury returned a verdict of $9,985,000 against ATTRANSCO on behalf of LeRoy J. Conway, Jr. and his wife, Yolanda. Leroy’s father worked for ATTRANSCO beginning in the early 1960s through the 1970s as a merchant mariner in the engine rooms of ships with steam equipment and exposed his son to asbestos when he came home from work. Leroy’s claim was for his exposure in the 1970’s. Leory was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma when he was 44 years-old and underwent the removal of his lung shortly thereafter. Congratulations to my friends and co counsel Scott Frost, Demetrios Zacharapoulos, and George Tankard of Waters & Kraus on their well deserved victory.
For more information on recent mesothelioma verdicts see http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/mesothelioma-litigation/verdictsandsettlements.html
Mesothelioma Plaintiff Offers Proof of RT Vanderbilt Knowledge of Asbestos in Talc
Posted by Chris in Mesothelioma on January 24th, 2010
In the courts rages a major debate as to whether the talc in varios products actually contains asbestos. RT Vanderbilt says no. Here is the proof submitted by one plaintiff with mesothelioma who alleges that Vanderbilt talc caused mesothelioma.
Cohen Placitella & Roth Force Numerous Asbestos Executives to Admit Knowledge of Asbestos Dangers, No Testing & No Warnings
Posted by Chris in Defective Products, Mesothelioma on January 17th, 2010
Hundreds of thousands of working men and women were unwittingly exposed to asbestos both during the course of their employment and as consumers. The law imposes on the manufacturers the duty to warn and the duty to test. Despite these obligations and extensive knowledge of the dangers posed by asbestos exposure, warnings were not provided and people as a result became sick. Tens of thousands of people have died. Recent statistics demonstrate that the incidence of asbestos related mesothelioma has not even peaked as of 2010.
In representing people who have contracted mesothelioma, we have taken the depositions of numerous asbestos company representatives as well as executives from industrial facilities where asbestos was a known contaminant. You can read these depositions and draw your own conclusions as to whether the companies acted properly under the circumstances. All you need to do is to click on this link http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/mesothelioma-litigation/depositions.html
Consumer Report: Bacteria Found in Chicken-Be careful
Posted by Chris in Community, Defective Products on December 10th, 2009
Report: Bacteria in chicken too high
Consumer Reports latest tests, released today, of 382 whole chickens bought from more than 100 stores in 22 states, found that two-thirds harbor disease-causing bacteria—salmonella, campylobacter or both (read the full report). While one name brand, Perdue, and most air-chilled organic chickens were significantly less contaminated than Foster Farms and Tyson brand chicken, consumers still need to be extremely vigilant in handling and cooking chicken.
Holidays for the Homeless
The economic downturn has placed a strain on millions of Americans. The number of homeless and economically disadvantaged has skyrocketed. There are more homeless and needy children this year than in any time since the Great Depression. These children, innocent victims of poverty, have all the same dreams and wishes as our own children. They dream of Christmas and Hanukkah presents and all things attendant to this time of year. Without your help, these dreams are unattainable. If your circumstances permit, please consider opening your heart to help these children .
Holidays for the Homeless and Underprivileged, Inc. was established over fifteen years ago as a vehicle to help make a difference in the lives of homeless and needy children. Holidays for the Homeless and Underprivileged, Inc. is a non-profit corporation which distributes food and gifts of toys and clothing to as many children as we can possibly reach. Holidays for the Homeless and Underprivileged, Inc. identifies specific children and purchases gifts and clothing for the children on an individual basis.
Over the last several years, Holidays for the Homeless and Underprivileged, Inc. was able to provide toys and clothing to thousands of children who would otherwise have gone without. The large number of children we are able to reach is a result of our work with numerous homeless shelters, battered women’s shelters and religious organizations of all denominations. Our goal is to serve every child we can identify. We need your help and resources. With your assistance, we can help wipe away some tears and frowns and replace them with smiles of joy. Please join us in our endeavor and reach into your hearts and pockets to help this worthy cause.
You can help by adopting a shelter or family and assisting them directly or by making a donation. If you want to help directly, please call 732 747 9003 or e-mail cplacitella@cprlaw.com. If you are able to donate, your donations will be used to purchase gifts for specific children in need.
You may donate online by going to http://www.holidaysforthehomeless.com or by mailing a check to: Holidays for the Homeless, Inc. Po. Box 760 Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Pioneer Research Doctor Irving Selikoff Testifies in Landmark Case
Posted by Chris in Important Cases, Mesothelioma on November 29th, 2009
The dangers of asbestos exposure were known to scientists and industry by the early part of the 20th century. The relationship between asbestos exposure and cancer was known and acknowledged by at least the early 1940s. In the 1950s, Dr. Irving Selikoff began his research at the Mt Sinai School of Medicine. While Dr Seikoff certainly did not discover the dangers of asbestos, he did more than any other human being living or dead to publicize the information on asbestos and disease and as a result changed the landscape of occupational medicine forever.
I had the privilege of getting to know Dr Selikoff personally and was able to proudly call him my friend. I spent may hours with Dr. Selikoff at his home and at his office discussing the need to educate and protect workers and the public from the ravages of asbestos exposure. The last project we worked on together was to obtain funding for molecular biological research on the cause of environmentally induced cancer.
Although Dr. Selikoff is acknowledged at the preeminent expert on asbestos related disease, he avoided working as an expert witness because it took time away from his research. By clicking on the following link you can read the rare testimony provided by Dr. Selikoff in the landmark case of Claude Tomplait.
http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/mesothelioma-litigation/documents.html
Cohen Placitella & Roth Trial Attorney ,Joel Rosen,Wins $8.5 Million Verdict for 22-Year-Old Who Suffered Multiple Catastrophic Injuries Due to Ford Motor Company’s Negligence
Posted by Chris in Defective Products on November 7th, 2009
Cohen Placitella & Roth trial attorney, Joel Rosen, along with co-counsels Willie Gary & Lorenzo Williams were awarded an $8.5 million judgment on behalf of their client, 22-year-old Latoya Duckett. Duckett was a rear seat passenger in a Ford vehicle which suddenly swerved to the left of the roadway, lost control and flipped over several times. The vehicle ultimately landed upside down in the middle of oncoming traffic.
Verdicts for Mesothelioma Victims Bring Justice
Posted by Chris in Mesothelioma on November 7th, 2009
Over the course of the last month there have been an umber of important verdicts for people suffering from mesothelioma. Juries continue to reject the litigation defenses in favor of the truth. To learn more read http://www.mesotheliomalegalblog.com/index.cfm/Verdicts-and-Settlements
Prempro Breast Cancer Cases Rapidly Improving for Injured Women
Posted by Chris in Defective Products on November 7th, 2009
On Monday, the 8th circuit not only affirmed a multi million dollar compensatory verdict for Arkansas plaintiff , Nancy Scroggin, but sent her case back to be tried for punitive damages against Wyeth. The decision clearly lays out the case for punitive damages . Up to this point, the progress of the more than 10,000 breast cancer cases in Little Rock has been very slow. That will now change with the decision by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Most women will now get to a jury and can seek punitive damages in those states that allow them. In the meantime, in Philadelphia where there are about 1500 breast cancer cases, there is a series of 16 cases set for trial by Judge Sandra Moss. The first one resulted in a 3.7 million dollar compensatory verdict and a secret punitive verdict against Wyeth. The second case, settled just before jury selection. Case 3 is under way now. There have been 11 jury verdicts nationwide so far, and after losing the first two in Little Rock, the plaintiffs have won the last 9, with no verdict below 1.5 million, and four verdicts with substantial punitive damages. Wyeth and Pfizer have also settled several cases on the brink of tiral in Nevada, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
