21 Polo horses died in Wellington Florida on April 19, 2009 just before a Polo tournament that was to be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. All of the horses were owned by Venezuelan Banker Victor Vargas and were part of the same Venezuelan Polo team. On April 23, 2009, Franck's Pharmacy in Ocala Florida publically admitted the horses died as a result of one of their pharmacists committing a medication error. According to grrlscientist, the pharmacy error occurred because a Franck's Pharmacy employee compounding a vitamin mixture for the horses accidently mixed 10 times the normal dose of one of the ingredients.

Under Florida law, pharmacies are responsible for damages caused by pharmacy medication mistakes like this one. Because the horses are considered property, the owner is not entitled to pain and suffering damages. However, the owner is entitled to the replacement cost of the horses.

Scott Distasio
Florida Pharmacy Malpractice Attorney

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
888-595-0022

According to pjonline.com Pharmacist Elizabeth Lee of Windsor, Berkshire was charged criminally for mistakenly dispensing propranolol instead of prednisolone to a 72 year old woman that later died in the hospital. Ms. Lee had apparently been working a 10 hour shift without break at the time the prescription error occurred. On April 2, 2009, the British court gave her a suspended sentence of 3 months in jail and 12 months of probation for her actions.

In the United States it is highly unlikely that this type of pharmacy mistake would lead to such an extreme reaction. Simply put, such negligent conduct does not warrant criminal charges. Instead, under our system of justice, the state pharmacy board would have the right to civil remedies such as requiring continuing education classes, a civil fine, and in extreme cases, suspension of license. In addition the injured person would have a right to bring a personal injury lawsuit for monetary damages.

Scott Distasio
Florida Pharmacy Malpractice Attorney

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
888-595-0022

Orlando pharmacy error lawyer

Tort reformers often claim that personal injury lawsuits are a drain on the economy. In order to support their inaccurate claims, they point to what they perceive are the negative effects on the economy. However, they purposely leave out all the positive effects. To make matters worse, the media often publishes these bogus tort reform propaganda studies without analyzing the data to ensure the conclusions are accurate. The result is a misinformed public that actively supports limiting personal injury lawsuits that are actually beneficial to society as a whole.

For example, a previous post discussed the fact that contrary to public opinion, personal injury claims actually reduce the cost of health care because successful personal injury victims must pay back health insurance companies that paid for care caused by the negligent party. Another previous post discussed the fact that personal injury claims often act as a vehicle to provide health care to an uninsured person injured as a result of someone else's negligence. The public benefits because the care is paid for by the negligent wrongdoer instead of Medicaid.

Successful personal injury claims also benefit society when the injured person receives medical care through a public program like Medicare or Medicaid. Society benefits because the injured person is required to use part of the funds received from the negligent party to pay back Medicare and Medicaid for the care they received. The money flowing back to these government programs helps reduce their costs.

The result is same whether the claim involves an auto accident, a medical malpractice case, wrongful death, or a slip and fall. No matter what type of personal injury claim is made, the personal injury lawyer actually acts as the government's collection attorney. In fact, a lawyer that either fails to notify the government of its right to receive the money or fails to ensure the money is returned to the government can be prosecuted criminally.

Scott Distasio
Tampa Pesonal Injury Attorney

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
888-595-0022

The Yamaha Rhino is a two passenger vehicle that looks a lot like a golf cart on steroids. It is generally described as a Recreational Utility Vehicle (RUV). However, it has also been described as a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and an ALL Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Model numbers for the off-highway recreational vehicle include the Rhino 450, 660, and 700.

Approximately 120,000.00 Yamaha Rhino's have been sold nationwide since early 2003. The vehicle has become very popular in warm climate states like Florida. For example, right outside of Tampa, there are plenty of locations where Yamaha Rhinos can be seen. Whether in Florida or elsewhere, its popularity might very well be attributed to its sturdy golf cart like looks giving it a perception of safety. Unfortunately, it appears that the perception of safety is misguided. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 driver and passenger related deaths involving the Rhino. The CPSC has concluded that the vehicle appears to be susceptible to roll over even at low speeds. Yamaha Rhino Injury Lawyers have filed suit against Yamaha Corporation as a result of injury and wrongful death caused by the roll overs.

On March 31, 2009 the CPSC announced a free repair program for the Yamaha Rhino models 450, 600, and 700 to address the rollover safety defects. In addition, Yamaha has agreed to stop selling the vehicle until the repair is incorporated into the vehicle design. The public should stop using these vehicles immediately, bring the vehicle back to the dealer, and have the vehicle repaired.

Scott Distasio
Florida Yamaha Rhino Injury Attorney

DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
888-595-0022