FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Banning Vicodin and Percocet

According to recent findings by a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel, acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S., which prompted the panel to recommend that the FDA ban prescription drugs such as Vicodin and Percocet that contain high levels of acetaminophen. Many over-the-counter drugs - including Tylenol - also contain smaller doses of acetaminophen, which, if taken in combination with acetaminophen-containing prescription drugs, may lead to an overdose. The FDA is not required to accept the panel's recommendation, but consumers should consult their pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medications while taking Vicodin or Percocet, which are often prescribed as painkillers.

Each year hundreds of new drugs enter the $60 billion per year prescription-drug market promising to improve our lives. But each year, hundreds of thousand of Americans die and many more suffer injuries as a result of those drugs. Despite the many clinical trials and tests conducted on prescription drugs to protect the public, many drugs still cause serious injuries and death. In fact, according to the General Accounting Office, over 51 percent of FDA-approved drugs have major adverse effects that aren't detected until after the general public uses them.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to a dangerous drug, call (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury and product liability cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta injury lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

Rollover Accident Kills 4, Injures 4 Others

Four members of a Georgia family were killed in a rollover accident on Interstate 75 near Ocala, Florida, early Sunday morning. According to police reports, 17-year-old Darrian George, of Tucker, was driving the family's 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe when it veered off the roadway and rolled several times, ejecting five passengers. Rescue crews reported that Darrian and 30-year-old Tiffany Bradshaw were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two other passengers, Kayden George, 3, and Kyia George, 7, were transported to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where they later died from their injuries. Four other passengers were also taken to the hospital, where they are recovering from their injuries. Only one passenger was wearing a seat belt in the crash, police said.

As an Atlanta accident attorney, I know firsthand that using safety belts can save lives and help prevent personal injuries when auto accidents occur. In Georgia, all drivers and front-seat passengers are required by law to wear a seat belt. In addition, children eight years of age or older must be buckled in and children under 8 must either be either secured in a federally-approved child safety seat or wearing a seat belt. Observing these seat belt laws can help prevent tragedy in the event of a car accident. However, failure to wear a seat belt may not be "considered evidence of negligence or causation, . . . and shall not be evidence used to diminish any recovery for damages" in a personal injury lawsuit.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an auto accident, contact an experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner helps personal injury victims in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta accident lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

Atlanta Police Ramp Up Enforcement in School Zones

Atlanta-area kids went back to school this week, and police officers ramped up enforcement of crosswalk and speed laws in Atlanta school zones on Wednesday. Unfortunately, drivers often exceed the posted speed limit in school zones - despite the fact that there are children present. The APD implemented this special operation in order to remind drivers that ignoring driving laws near school zones can result in tragedy.

In 2009, 150 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents in Georgia and tens of thousands more were injured. A significant percentage of those victims were children traveling to and from school. If your child has been injured in a crosswalk or anywhere in a school zone, you deserve compensation for your child's medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. You need an experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyer to fight for your rights and help bring the responsible parties to justice. Leigh R. Bodner has over 30 years experience representing victims of auto accidents in Georgia.

If your child was injured in a school zone, contact Atlanta auto accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 to discuss your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury and auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your case.

College Park Woman Injured in Ceiling Collapse

A woman in College Park was injured when the ceiling of her apartment collapsed onto her while she was asleep in bed on Wednesday night. The 68-year-old was in her bed at the Vesta Gardens apartments when the ceiling of her bedroom came crashing down. She was transported to the emergency room at Atlanta Medical Center for treatment of neck injuries and head trauma. The collapse may have been the result of a leaky roof.

When accidents occur on the premises of an apartment complex, the owner of the premises and/or the landlord may be held liable for the resulting injuries in certain circumstances. If a landlord knows or should have known of the danger on the premises, and failed to repair it, then he or she may be liable for the damages caused by that negligence. Anyone injured on someone else's property should seek appropriate medical treatment, and then contact an experienced premises liability attorney to discuss their case.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one because of the negligence of a property owner, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 to discuss your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of premises liability and slip and fall cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta injury attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your case.

Study Reminds Parents to Watch Children Around Water This Summer

A recent study reveals that a child drowns in a portable pool every five days in the U.S. during the hot summer months. According to an article published this week in Pediatrics, 209 children drowned between 2001 and 2009 in as little as 2 inches of water in backyard "kiddie pools." Researchers believe that the reason so many children die in portable pools is because parents don't realize how dangerous they actually are. Parents need to keep in mind, however, that children can drown in only a few inches of water in just a matter of moments. In fact, over 40 percent of the children who drown in portable pools are supervised by adults at the time of the drowning.

Another reason for the high incidence of drownings in portable pools is that parents don't invest in the same safety measures with kiddie pools as they do with standard in-ground pools, such as fences and covers. In some cases, drownings can be caused by a defect in the design or manufacture of the swimming pool. When a child dies due to the negligence of another, the negligent parties must be brought to justice.

If your child has drown or nearly drown in a swimming pool due to someone else's negligence, call (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta accident lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Offers Summer Program for Teenagers with Brain Injuries

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is offering a two-week summer program for teenagers who are living with acquired brain injuries (ABI). The intensive program addresses the needs of teens who are suffering from brain injuries as they make the difficult transition into adulthood. According to the CHOA website, "Key skills for adult transition will be addressed, including goal setting, self-management, health and wellness." To learn more about CHOA's traumatic brain injury summer program, click here.

Most cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are mild, involving only temporary loss of consciousness. The most severe cases, however, can have a devastating impact on victims' lives, causing paralysis, seizures, impaired speech, sensory losses, amnesia, coma, and even death. Victims of TBI may never fully recover and deserve full compensation for their injuries. Atlanta brain injury attorney Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. will conduct a thorough investigation of your case, assist you in assessing the full amount of your damages, and present testimony of expert witnesses to prove your Traumatic Brain Injuries to the jury.

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner helps brain injury victims in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta brain injury lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

One Dead in Atlanta Truck Accident

One person was killed in an accident involving a semi truck on Interstate 20 Thursday afternoon, according to Georgia State Patrol officials. The accident happened at Interstate 20 eastbound near Interstate 285 northbound, when a red car smashed into the back of a tractor trailer. Several eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 are closed while rescue crews clear the roadway. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway by the State Patrol and Atlanta Fire and Rescue.

Semi trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while passenger cars and trucks weigh only a few thousand. That is why collisions with large trucks often result in serious injuries and death to occupants of passenger vehicles. Truck accidents are often caused by the negligence of truck drivers and trucking companies. If you have lost a loved one in an Atlanta truck accident, the negligent parties must be held accountable for your emotional and financial loss. The Atlanta truck accident attorney at Bodner Law Firm can help you seek justice for your loss.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact Atlanta auto accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 to discuss your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury and auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta injury attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your case.

NHTSA Issues New Guidelines for Child Seats

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently revised its child restraint guidelines, which are now categorized by age instead of by type of child seat, in response to the latest scientific and medical research. The new guidelines urge parents to keep children in each restraint type, including rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats, for as long as possible before moving them to the next type of seat. Kids should be kept in rear-facing car seats, for example, until 2 years of age or until they surpass the height and weight limits of the car seat.

Each year, child safety seats are recalled by manufacturers due to a variety of defects in the design, manufacture, or warnings on the products. Children involved in accidents while restrained in defective car seats often suffer catastrophic injuries and death. If your child has been injured due to a defective child car seat, contact Atlanta personal injury attorney Leigh R. Bodner to discuss your legal options.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident, call (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta auto accident lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

Woman Dies in Fall From Condo Balcony

A Marietta woman died in a fall from a 14th-floor balcony at a Panama City Beach condominium, police investigators said. Michelle Haley, 44, fell from a balcony at around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, landing on a parking structure below. The cause of the fall is currently under investigation, but police do not suspect foul play.

Falls such as this one are often the result of a structural defect. Some of the causes of structural defects are:

• Inadequate design

• Materials that are poor quality or defective

• Improper workmanship

• Improper use of structural components

• Construction methods that are unsound

If you have been injured or lost a loved on in a slip and fall accident, contact an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner helps bus accident injury victims in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta injury lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

10 Charged in Deadly DUI Crash

Ten people have been charged in connection with a drunk driving accident in Douglas County that left a 16-year-old dead on Saturday. The crash occurred early Saturday morning after the driver of the car, along with the deceased and another passenger, left a bonfire party where they had all consumed alcohol. Police have arrested the 17-year-old driver and his passenger, the Douglasville Chief Code Enforcement Officer who hosted the party the teens had attended and his teenage son, another adult who furnished alcohol to the teens at a separate party, the owner of the store where the alcohol was purchased, and several other adults and teens in connection with the case.

Drunk driving crashes such as this one are especially tragic because they could have been prevented. Sadly, DUI-related crashes often cause injury and death to innocent victims. It is commonly the case that drunk drivers involved in crashes are uninsured or underinsured and have no assets to cover the cost of medical bills, time missed from work, or other damages caused by their irresponsible conduct. In these cases, it may be possible to seek compensation from the bar, restaurant, or social host that overserved the driver. An experienced Atlanta accident lawyer can help you seek compensation from the person or business that served alcohol to the drunk driver under Georgia’s “dram shop” acts.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, contact Atlanta auto accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 to discuss your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury and auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta injury attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your case.

HERO Worker Killed in Crash

A Georgia Department of Transportation employee was killed while aiding a stranded motorist on I-85 as part of the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) unit Monday morning. The HERO employee was helping a motorist near Metropolitan Parkway when he was struck by a flatbed truck on the side of the highway. The driver of the truck was taken to a local hospital in serious condition. A Georgia DOT official said that this is the first instance of a HERO worker being killed in the line of duty. Fortunately, the stranded motorist was not harmed in the crash.

The number of stranded motorists killed on highways is on the rise in the U.S. According to a recent report by the Automobile Association of America (AAA), motorists who break down on highways should not get out of their vehicles. Rather, stranded motorists should pull as far onto the shoulder of the roadway as possible, turn on their vehicle's hazard lights, call AAA, a towing company, or the police, and wait for assistance. Stranded motorists who exit their vehicles on the highway place themselves in danger of being seriously injured or killed by passing cars and trucks.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an auto accident, contact Atlanta auto accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta auto accident lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

School Bus Driver May Have Been Negligent in Crash

Police may file charges against the driver of a school bus that was involved in a collision with a tractor trailer in Cherokee County this week. The crash occurred on Highway 369 at around 8 a.m. Tuesday, when substitute bus driver Lisa Spince turned in front of a large truck while carrying students to Free Home Elementary. Police say the truck driver was unable to avoid the crash. Six of the students on board the bus suffered minor injuries. Spince and the truck driver were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Fortunately in this case, no children were seriously injured in the collision.

Bus drivers are required to exercise the utmost degree of care when transporting students to and from school. Bus driver negligence, however, often causes serious injuries and death to students on board the bus at the time of the crash. There are many different ways in which a driver may be negligent, including failing to yield the right of way, fatigue, distracted driving, or speeding, to name only a few. When a bus driver's negligence causes injury to a student, the school district will typically be held liable for the injury.

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, contact an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner helps bus accident injury victims in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta injury lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.