Rhode Island Lawyer, David Slepkow

A pair of independent studies of Benicar conducted in the U.S. led to the FDA warning last year.  Mayo Clinic researchers sounded the first alarm regarding this suspicious connection between the drug and the pernicious gastrointestinal disease in June 2012, a year before the agency took action. Beginning in 2008, and for the next two years, Mayo researchers noted patients who presented with unusual gastrointestinal disease symptoms that mimicked similar side-effects to a different drug and which was also used to treat hypertension – which Benicar is designed to treat.  Among the symptoms reported by the clinic were:

• Persistent diarrhea
• Rapid and unabated weight loss
• Dehydration
• Vomiting
• Intestinal inflammation

Tests revealed that these patients did not have the same active antibodies that were present in those who were taking the other drug.  Eventually, Mayo researchers found the common link shared by 22 patients: Benicar. When the patients enrolled in the study discontinued use of the drug, their symptoms ceased to exist and they regained an average of 27 pounds over a 90 day period.

In 2012, researchers from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) revealed at a national conference that olmesartan (Benicar) had been linked to 40 of their test subjects who also displayed sprue-like enteropathy symptoms, much like those patients in the Mayo research. The ACG also reported favorable reversals, similar to those of the Mayo study, once their patients stopped taking Benicar. One researcher ominously reported at the symposium when summarizing the research that, “We believe it is the tip of the iceberg.”

The most high profile recalls from this year have involved defective ignition switches on GM vehicles that have been linked to at least 13 deaths which, according to safety advocates and U.S. safety regulators, could have been avoided had GM done something about the problem earlier.

GM is also under investigation by Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – as well as several states — for its handling of the deadly ignition switch problems, which engineers first discovered in 2001 but which were not “detected” and addressed by GM until earlier this year. GM was also fined by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a record $35 million for its “delayed response” to the defective ignition switch issue.

The recalls have cost GM financially, with the auto manufacturing giant taking a $1.3 billion hit in the first quarter of this year, mostly related to the ignition switch recall, and it is doubling the charge it expects to take in the second quarter to about $400 million, mostly related to recalls. Tuesday’s recalls bring the total number of recalls to 29 for the year. Their stock continued to tumble Tuesday, falling 3.1 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.

The financial losses to GM, however, pale in comparison when one considers the loss of those 13 lives and the crushing devastation that their families and friends have suffered, and will continue to suffer for many years to come.

Given the grim statistics, and the claims in initial reports that these men were using high-powered and illegal explosives, it seems they may be fortunate not to have suffered even greater, perhaps fatal, injuries.

The plight of California’s victims should serve a valuable reminder to us all to exercise extreme caution when using fireworks, to only use those explosives that are deemed legal, and to always follow all safety procedures. For a list of recommended safety precautions, please click here.

It’s important, however, to note that many of the tragedies that have occurred in the past happened in spite of consumers using the proper safety precautions and using safe or legal fireworks. Sadly, firework malfunctions are extremely common and can rarely be anticipated. Obviously, the consequences of such malfunctions can prove life-altering for all involved.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fireworks-related accident in the Virginia, Maryland, or DC areas, you may be eligible for compensation. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help you determine whether you have a valid civil claim and, if so, how best to pursue those responsible for your injuries. To find out if your case qualifies, either due to the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of another person or a faulty or dangerous product, contact our attorneys today to schedule a free, initial legal consultation. Do not compound the tragedy of suffering debilitating injury by failing to take action to protect your best interests.