VanDerGinst Law News

Wassell Obtains Near-Record Settlement for Clients

VanDerGinst Law attorney Mike Wassell has secured a near-record settlement amount for a personal injury claim in Henderson County, Illinois. He represented three individuals who were seriously injured in an automobile accident. The individual responsible for causing the accident contributed $300,000 of his own funds, in addition to the applicable insurance policy limits of $200,000 in order to settle the case. It is the first reported settlement in the county wherein an individual defendant contributed such a large amount towards settlement in addition to the insurance policy limits.

VanDerGinst Publishes Article on Mass Tort Litigation

Dennis VanDerGinst has authored an article entitled "Mass Tort Litigation: Is It For the Masses?", which will be published in the May edition of the Trial Journal of the Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association. The article discusses the efficacy of mass tort litigation. It also compares and contrasts typical mass tort cases to class action litigation.

VanDerGinst Law nets two "Leading Lawyers"

Attorneys Dennis VanDerGinst and G. Trent Marquis have both been honored by their peers by being selected as "Leading Lawyers" within the area of personal injury law. This honor is bestowed on fewer than 5% of all lawyers. Selection is based upon results from a six page survey sent to over 50,000 attorneys. "Having one attorney receive such an honor in a law firm is quite an accomplishment. But, having two lawyers selected as "Leading Lawyers" is an extraordinary distinction", said VanDerGinst, "It is an honor not only for Trent and myself, but for the entire firm. It shows that our peers respect the kind of work that we do. Neither of us could accomplish much without the wonderful support of the other attorneys in the firm and our incredible staff."

VanDerGinst Named Co-Chairman

Dennis VanDerGinst, managing partner of VanDerGinst Law, P.C., has recently been chosen to serve as Co-Chairman of the Internet Client Service Committee of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. The purpose of the committee is to teach lawyers how to market themselves and how to provide legal services ethically and efficiently via the internet. The resources provided by the committee will help ATLA members make better use of new and developing communication mediums.

VanDerGinst Law, P.C. To Settle Zyprexa Lawsuits

VanDerGinst Law, P.C. is quickly approaching settlement with Eli Lily & Co concerning claims made on behalf of a number of clients who suffered adverse side effects from the drug Zyprexa. Originally created for the long-term treatment of bipolar mania and schizophrenia, the drug was later discovered to cause unintended, harmful side effects. All parties involved are hopeful for a satisfactory conclusion within the next few months.

VanDerGinst To Fill ATLA Post

Dennis VanDerGinst, managing partner of VanDerGinst Law, P.C. has been appointed by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association as the State Delegate to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. State Delegates participate in the governance of ATLA and in the recruitment and retention of new members. Only two attorneys are selected to represent each state. The members of these associations are primarily attorneys who represent the interests of persons injured by someone’s negligence or by faulty products.

Bextra Withdrawn From Market - VanDerGinst Law Investigates Potential Claims

On April 7, 2005, Pfizer suspended all sales of the popular pain killer Bextra in the United States and the European Union after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the overall risk versus benefit of Bextra is unfavorable.

The drug is made by Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, which denies any problem exists with Bextra. However, in a statement on April 7, 2005, Pfizer stated that, "For now, patients should stop taking Bextra and contact their physicians about appropriate treatment options."

VanDerGinst Law has been investigating potential claims against Pfizer for injuries caused by use of Bextra for many months. Managing partner, Dennis VanDerGinst, said in a recent statement, “Our firm is working with a consortium of law firms from across the country to identify victims and represent their interests in hopes of obtaining reasonable compensation.”

The decision to withdraw Bextra, from the market was based on an increase in adverse cardiovascular events shown in Bextra trials, reports of serious and potentially life-threatening skin reactions, including deaths, and lack of any demonstrated advantages for Bextra compared with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Bextra (Valdecoxib), may be linked to increased heart attack and stroke risks. Bextra is in the same class of drugs as Vioxx which was withdrawn after studies showed it was too dangerous. These drugs are both Cox 2 Inhibitors, a drug class that many researchers believe interferes with the body's natural ability to reduce blood clots, thereby increasing heart risks. Many doctors believe Bextra presents the same or similar risks as Vioxx.

In addition to being linked to an increase in heart attacks and strokes, Bextra is associated with a skin disorder called Stevens Johnson Syndrome or "SJS". Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a severe allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening.

A November 2004 study, presented to the American Heart Association indicates that patients who take Bextra are more than twice as likely (as non users) to suffer heart attacks or stroke. The study involved 5,930 patients, some taking Bextra and some given a placebo.

Dr. Garret A. FitzGerald, the University of Pennsylvania cardiologist who presented the study to the AHA was quoted in The New York Times saying: "This is a time bomb waiting to go off.... The magnitude of the signal with Bextra is even higher than what we saw in Vioxx."

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, illness or death, that seems to have been related to use of Bextra call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation.

G. Trent Marquis Joins VanDerGinst Law

Attorney G. Trent Marquis, recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” by his peers in the area of personal injury law, has joined the law firm. Mr. Marquis obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois and his Juris Doctorate degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1972. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Iowa and the federal courts. He will head his own department within the general personal injury division of the firm. His practice is concentrated in all areas of personal injury law, including medical malpractice. Click here for more information.

New Attorney Joins The Firm

Attorney Patricia Wilger has joined VanDerGinst Law, P.C. to head her own department within the general personal injury division of the firm. Ms. Wilger obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnel College and her Juris Doctorate degree from Marquette University in 1991. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Iowa. Click here for more information.

VanDerGinst Recognized as “Lead Counsel”

Dennis VanDerGinst was recently named “Lead Counsel” by the nationally recognized online legal resource, LawInfo.com. In order to be certified as “Lead Counsel” an attorney must exhibit good standing within the legal community and must have gained a reputation for excellence among his or her peers. Only a small percentage of lawyers across the country earned this distinction. VanDerGinst was designated “Lead Counsel” in the area of personal injury law.

December 20, 2004
Pfizer to stop advertising Celebrex

Celebrex, a widely prescribed pain reliever used to treat Arthritis, has been in the spotlight recently due to its link to dangerous cardiovascular side effects. In current years Celebrex has been used as an alternative to other pain relievers because it is gentler on the stomach, but recent cancer-related clinical studies have shown that patients who take this medication are at an increased risk for strokes and heart attacks. The outcome of a study conducted on 2,000 patients taking varying dosages of Celebrex resulted in shocking results which included heart attacks, strokes, and even death among fifteen of the patients.

Click for more

September 30, 2004
Vioxx Is Pulled From The Market Because It Has Been Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack, Stroke And Other Serious Health Problems

On September 30, 2004 Merck has removed Vioxx from the market in all countries because it has been associated with heart attacks, stroke, cardiovascular injuries and other side effects. Merck has removed Vioxx after and and extended study showed that patients using Vioxx double their risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular injury. According to Merck, there are currently approximately 2 million people worldwide taking Vioxx and at least 84 million people have been prescribed Vioxx since it became available on the market in 1999.

If you or a loved one are currently taking, or have taken, the prescription drug Vioxx, you may be at risk for serious, even fatal health problems. Please seek medical attention to find out if your use of Vioxx has caused physical injury.

Click here for a Free Vioxx Case Evaluation

VanDerGinst Honored by Induction

Attorney Dennis VanDerGinst, managing partner of VanDerGinst Law, P.C., has recently been inducted into The Academy of Trial Professionals. The Academy is a national organization consisting of lawyers whose trial experience has attained specific benchmarks. Only five Illinois attorneys were selected for induction this year.

VanDerGinst Elected to Board

Attorney Dennis VanDerGinst was recently elected in Boston, to the Board of Trustees for the Roscoe Pound Institute. The Institute, named for Roscoe Pound, Dean of the Harvard Law School from 1916-1936, promotes and protects access to the civil justice system through educational programs, publications, and research. Specifically, it strives to educate state and federal court judges, law professors and law students as well as the members of the bar in general.

VanDerGinst Law has joined forces with several other large law firms across the country in order to investigate possible claims stemming from this recent revelation.
Some possibly related conditions include:

     • Diabetes
     • Ketoacidosis
     • Diabetic Coma
     • Hyperglycemia
     • Pancreatitis
     • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

The FDA is now requiring a warning on Zyprexa saying that is linked with diabetes, hyperglycemia and other blood sugar disorders. If you or a loved one has taken Zyprexa you may have valuable legal rights and we encourage you to complete a free case evaluation at the bottom of this page.

Zyprexa's link with diabetes was first exposed on May 3, 2002, when Britain's Medicines Control Agency warned that several patients taking Eli Lilly's top selling drug Zyprexa (used to treat schizophrenia) had developed diabetes-related complications. In the Medicine Control Agency's Current Problems newsletter, the regulatory body said that the anti psychotic drug "can adversely affect blood glucose."

Forty reports "of hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar), diabetes mellitus, or exacerbation of diabetes have been received in the UK. Four were associated with ketoacidosis and/or coma including one with a fatal outcome," according to the newsletter. "The precise mechanism of this suspected adverse drug reaction has not yet been elucidated and is currently being investigated further.

This follows an emergency report issued in April 2002 by the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry to Eli Lilly Japan KK concerning side effects of Zyprexa after the deaths of two diabetic users of the drug. It said seven other patients had lost consciousness or become comatose after taking the drugs in the last 10 months. The Japanese Ministry said no new diabetes patients should be treated with the drug and ordered Eli Lilly to warn doctors to closely monitor diabetics already on the medication.

A joint investigation by the SEC, New York Attorney General, NAAA, NASD, the NYSE and state securities regulators found that a total of ten largest investment firms and two well-known stock analysts had lured millions of investors to buy billions of dollars worth of shares in companies that either collapsed or sharply declined. A landmark settlement agreement was finalized on April 28, 2003, for $1.4 billion dollars. A portion of that settlement will be set aside to allow for restitution to investors and opens the door for private claims by investors.

The lawsuit further alleged that Georgia-Pacific, the manufacturer of the paneling and distributor of the display racks, knew that it was potentially dangerous to store this particular type of paneling in this upright fashion but failed to warn the retailer. Further allegations were that People's Do-It Center was also aware of the potential hazard, yet failed to remove the hazard, warn of the hazard, or direct employees to assist customers with the paneling.

The defendants denied liability but, nevertheless, ultimately agreed to the settlement. The case was scheduled for trial beginning at the end of February. According to the Illinois Jury Verdict and Settlement Reporter, the settlement is the largest in the history of Knox County, largely out-distancing the second largest reported settlement of $1.275 million.

A statement released by VanDerGinst reveals that a portion of the settlement has been structured to make monthly payments to the Englands for the rest of their lives, insuring that Mr. England/s medical needs will be met without public assistance and that the family will be financially secure without the earnings of Mr. England as the family breadwinner. If both Wesley and Virginia England were to survive to the normal life expectancy, the payout over time would exceed $12 million. Mr. VanDerGinst said, "No amount of money will replace what this family has lost. No amount of money can adequately compensate for what this family has endured. However, this will help make Wesley's life a bit more comfortable and will make the family financially secure."

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, illness or death, that seems to have been someone else’s fault, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.