Tennessee Injury Lawyer Blog

Many of us have seen commercials about the over the counter weight loss drug, Alli. Some of us have maybe even tried it or are still taking it. The Alli pill and program is supposed to change the way people think and feel about eating and dieting. It is has personalized plans and steps for each person and it is supposed to make burning calories even easier. Many of us across the country and even right here in Tennessee know about this pill, but many of us may not know the new problems it seems to be causing.

As of today, May 27, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration has revised the label for this drug so that includes new safety information about rare cases of severe liver injuries and damages. The FDA has not determined if Alli is actually causing the liver problems but wants the public to be aware because a condition like this is very serious.

This new warning is based on a complete review by the FDA of all data available from preclinical and clinical trials, as well as post marketing studies and the drug usage from April 1999 to August 7, 2009. The FDA has also identified thirteen post marketing cases of severe liver injury, twelve of them foreign cases involving another weight loss drug known as Xenical and one case involving Alli. In three of these cases, people needed liver transplants and two people died.

Even though cases like these are rare with this drug, it is unfortunate and sad when things like this happen, across the country and even right here in Tennessee. The FDA reported that about 40 million people worldwide use drugs like Xenical or Alli, which means that some of these cases could have been a friend or family member.

Continue reading "Popular Alli Weight Loss Pill Gets New FDA Warning Label" »

After the recent flooding all across the area and right here in Nashville, Tennessee, many people are struggling to deal with damages to their homes, property damage, personal items being loss or destroyed and much more. After something like this happens, it is very emotional and many people can be very confused about what to do or who to turn to for help. If you call your insurance company, you may unfortunately find out that you are not covered by flood insurance or that the insurance only covers part of the damage. This can make the confusion and emotional process of it that much harder. Here at the Higgins Firm, we are a local firm located right here in Nashville and we understand what flooding can do to your home, property and lives because we were recently affected by the flooding as well. We care about you and your property and want to help you get the answers you seek and the help you need.

Many people tend to think that when you buy insurance that it covers everything, your home and all the property inside of your home as well. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. Most insurance agents may not explain to their customers as well as they should, that they may need additional flood coverage to cover the home and items lost or damaged during a flood. People get insurance for a reason, and it is to make sure they are covered and can feel protected when things like floods occur. Therefore, if an insurance agent fails to properly explain about flood coverage then the agent should be the one at fault when it comes to misleading or not explaining things properly to their customers. In Tennessee, insurance agents have a duty to explain to their clients about their coverage and the importance of it, including flood coverage. They should not just assume that their clients know that they are not covered.

Here are some facts about flood insurance from Floodsmart.gov that every customer should know:
• Homeowners insurance usually does not cover floods
• Just an inch of water can cause damage to your property
• New land development and construction may increase a flood risk
• It may take 30 days after purchasing for a policy to go into effect
• If you live in a moderate to low risk flooding area, you may still be eligible for flood insurance

References and for more information about flooding and flood insurance tips, you may visit:

http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flood_facts.jsp

Continue reading "Flood Insurance: Are you really covered?" »

When we turn on the news or read the newspaper, it is unfortunate when we hear about the crimes that happen daily to people all across the country. It is even more unfortunate and scary when we hear about people being physically and sexually abused right here in Tennessee. This rape victim case is no exception.

A spring County man, Zephenia Nakia Cooper, was charged with rape Monday, May 10, 2010, after he allegedly went into the Life Care Center nursing home in Rhea County and raped a patient in her late 80s. Dayton police were able to catch him an hour after receiving the call at 5:40 that morning and he was charged with rape later that same day.

Executive Director Kate Swafford of the Life Center in Rhea County said later that, “an unknown male entered our facility around 5 a.m. and entered a female resident's room. As the man left the facility, associates quickly called the police, who took him into custody." She also stated that, “We are fully cooperating with the police investigation, and we will vigorously assist the police in the investigation and prosecution of this case”.

The police and the nursing home are now investigating how someone could have gotten into the center at that hour. Copper, has been in jail thirty-three times in recent years for public intoxication, theft, and drug possession. He is being held in the Rhea County jail without any bond. The rape victim has been treated and released from the Rhea County Medical Center.

This case may make many of the residents of Tennessee and people across the country sad and angry about the kind of crimes that happen every day. It is important to ask questions in a case like this as to whether on not this could have been prevented? Hopefully a thorough investigation can develop answers as to how to prevent such a tragic event from happening in the future.

Continue reading "Rape Victim in Rhea County at the Life Care Center Nursing Home" »