Fowl Contamination Leads to Legal Action

Clean eating

A group of 12,000 doctors, who advocate for ethical research and vegetarian diets, have taken clean eating awareness to a new level.  The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has been debating fecal matter contamination on meat with the US Department of Agriculture since 2013.  By relying on the naked eye to detect possible fecal bacteria on meat and poultry, the USDA has allegedly taken a lax approach with their inspection processes.  The advocacy group previously filed a petition to ask the USDA to enhance their procedures for testing possible contamination, and to delete the word “wholesome” from labeling.  The advocacy group is pushing for a description they feel is more fitting for the products the USDA approves – “May Contain Feces.”  Continue reading →

Prescribing a Possible Birth Defect

Worth the risk?

If a birth defect is a potential side effect, then morning sickness may be worth it.  Although not FDA approved to treat morning sickness, the manufacturer of Zofran, GlaxoSmithKline, encouraged doctors to prescribe this anti-nausea pill to expectant mothers.  In 2009, Zofran was the leading anti-nausea medication prescribed to pregnant women, however, women were not warned of the potential harm this drug could cause their unborn children.  The possible dangers of Zofran did not become known until children were born with birth defects, such as cleft palate, heart, mouth, and musculoskeletal defects, jaundice, club foot, and organ abnormalities.  Typically, Zofran is only used to treat nausea after surgery or chemotherapy.  As a result of so many cases of birth defects linked to Zofran use, many people have chosen to file mass tort lawsuits for compensation. Continue reading →

Sweet Candy is Leaving Consumers Sour

A sweet settlement?

Movie theaters are notorious for selling overpriced candy, popcorn, and soda.  With a $4 box of candy from the concession counter, one would expect at least a full box of candy.  It is sometimes disappointing to find that only half of the large box is filled.  One California woman finally took a stand against this injustice; and filed a lawsuit against the Bethlehem-based Just Born candy company that manufacturers Mike & Ike’s. Continue reading →

Equal Pay is the Goal

Bending the rules?

We have not seen the last of Hope Solo. Since her termination from the US women’s soccer team in 2016, Solo has stirred up some legal excitement. Last August, the former goalie filed a lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation under the claims of gender discrimination. According to the lawsuit, team members of the men’s division are allegedly paid higher or on a different scale than the women’s team, providing less of an opportunity for the women to make as much money. Solo encouraged her former teammates to file their own lawsuit. Continue reading →

Lawsuit Did Not Sway in Ribeiro’s Favor

Copy that!

Anyone who is a fan of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is privy to the “Carlton Dance.” Alfonso Ribeiro’s character is responsible for performing the iconic dance move. Despite the dance’s popular recognition, the US Copyright Office has refused to protect the dance move as a copyrighted work of choreography. While Ribeiro does not technically own the move, it did not stop him from taking legal action against the producers of the video games NBA 2K and Fortnite in December 2018. In the games, players are provided the option to have their virtual character perform the “Carlton Dance” as a way of expressing celebration. Continue reading →