Alpharetta Personal Injury Attorney Blog

There are about 27 top brands of energy drinks on the market today including 5-Hour Energy, Monster Energy, Red Bull, NOS, Stacker, and Full Throttle to mention just a handful. As these caffeine spiked energy drinks have become more popular it also appears that there may be a link between consumption of these drinks and serious health injuries and deaths.

How Much Caffeine Is There in an Energy Drink?

How much caffeine is in energy drinks varies from one brand to another. According to Consumer Reports who tested the top 27 brands, the amount of caffeine not only varies between brands, but some of the energy drinks they tested showed significantly higher amounts of caffeine than was listed on the label while others contained less than shown on the label. There were 11 brands which did not even list the amount of caffeine they contain.

Energy drink samples tested by Consumer Reports found caffeine levels to vary from 6 milligrams per serving to 242 milligrams per serving. Some of the drinks contain more than one serving and some like 5-hour Energy are concentrated 1.9 ounce shot size drinks with 215 milligrams of caffeine. In comparison, an 8 ounce cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine.

Most people using these energy drinks are not aware of the amount of caffeine they may be consuming, how drinking too many of the drinks or drinking them in combination with alcohol or other drugs can make for a dangerous combination.

The FDA Has Received Reports of 20 Deaths Appearing To Be Linked To Energy Drinks

In 2009 there were more than 13,000 emergency room visits for serious energy drink health problems which developed after drinking energy drinks. In the fall of 2012 the FDA received reports of 20 deaths which appear to be linked to energy drink consumption. The FDA believes that at the very least the consumption of energy drinks was a contributing factor in these deaths.

Continue reading "The FDA is Investigating Reports of Injuries and Deaths Which Occurred after Use of Popular Energy Drinks" »

New Infection Complications Appearing in Fungal Meningitis Victims

After months of reports on the serious injuries and deaths resulting from the contaminated medicine that was produced by NECC at The New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass. most people would have expected this tragedy to have run its course. That is, unfortunately, not the case. As of November 25, 2012 the reported sicknesses stands at 478, the death toll at 34, and people who had already been identified with fungal meningitis and treated are, according to the CDC, experiencing new serious fungal meningitis complications. The complications include localized infections like epidural abscess, phlegmon, discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, or arachnoiditis at the site of their injection which had not previously shown any indication of infection.

Because of these new complications, the CDC is recommending that anyone who was treated for fungal meningitis should strongly consider getting an MRI of their injection site about 2 to 3 weeks after their diagnosis of meningitis so that they can get early medical intervention of injection site infection for more effective treatment. Catching these newly formed infections early will help resolve the new infection more quickly and prevent the infection from becoming worse.

Additional Compounding Pharmacies Are Being Identified Operating with Bad Practices

The questions and investigation into the source of the original fungal meningitis outbreak at the Framingham Compounding Pharmacy has also spurred investigations at other compounding pharmacies. According to a report by L.L. Woodard a compounding pharmacy in Waltham, Massassachutes voluntarily surrendered its license and one in Florida has had its operation suspended after failing a state health inspection for a number of sanitation violations and improper record keeping.

Continue reading "Fungal Meningitis Victim Toll Stands At 478 with 34 Deaths & Reports of New Complications" »

Deaths From Drunk Driving Accidents Are On the Rise During the Holidays

Mothers against drunk driving is beginning their 26th year of their holiday safety campaign by asking drivers to tie a MADD red ribbon on their vehicles to pledge for themselves and to remind people to drive safe and sober. Statistics show that between Thanksgiving and New Years are some of the most dangerous days of the year for drunk driving deaths.

Although drunk driving deaths have decreased in the past few years on an annual basis the number of drunk driving deaths occurring during the holiday season has increased. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is very concerned about the increase of deaths during the holidays but wants everyone to know there is a simple solution to this problem - plan ahead! Some simple steps we can all take can help bring down the number of DUI deaths and serious injuries that take place during the holiday season. Some of the things we can do include;

• Plan ahead for a designated driver if you expect to drink
• Call a taxi or friend for a ride, use public transportation, or stay the night if you unexpectedly decide to drink
• Don't let friends, family, or anyone you see who has had too much to drink, drive - take their keys if you must
• Support our law enforcement efforts at high visibility & DUI checkpoints
• Call law enforcement to report anyone you see driving impaired
• Work to require laws for ignition interlock devices for those with drunk driving convictions
• Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Continue reading "Mothers Against Drunk Driving Unveils 2012 Holiday Safety Campaign "Tie One On For Safety"" »

It seems there have been a number of food poisoning scares due to Salmonella contamination in many different food products this year, some of which have caused serious illness and death to consumers. On November 8, 2012 CBS news reported that Nesquik, a chocolate powdered drink mix that is popular with children and adults, is the latest to be cited for possible Salmonella contamination.

Nestle USA Recalls Nesquik Chocolate Mix Lots

Nestle USA voluntarily announced a recall of Nesquik chocolate powder on Thursday, November 8 and pulled product from store shelves. The recall affects 3 different sizes of their Nesquik. The sizes affected are the 10.9, 21.8, and 40.7 ounce sizes which were produced in October 2012. Check the bottom of your Nesquik container if you have any of these sizes which you have purchased recently. If any of them bear these production codes they are included in the recall;

• 10.9 size - 2278574810
• 21.8 size - 2278574810, 2278574820, 2279574810, 2279574820, 2284574820, 2284574830, 2285574810, 2285574820, 2287574820, 2289574810 and 2289574820
• 40.7 size - 2282574810, and 2282574820

Nestle took the action of recalling this product when Omya Inc., a supplier of an ingredient used in Nesquik, notified them they suspected their ingredient had a possible Salmonella contamination. There have been no reported cases of illness associated with Nesquik so far.

What is Salmonella and It's Affects?

Salmonella is a bacteria which causes about 42,000 cases of serious illness every year and 400 deaths. However, the CDC believes the number of actual cases may be 29 times greater than this as many cases which are less severe are never reported.

People who become infected with Salmonella begin to show symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps and can last up to a week. Some individuals develop a condition called reactive arthritis and will suffer joint pain, and irritation in the eyes and urinary tract which can last for months and years.

Most healthy people will recover but infants, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and those in poor health are more likely to become seriously ill and sometimes die.

Continue reading "Food Poisoning Scare Linked to Popular Nesquik Chocolate Drink Mix " »