Vlaw Legal and Consumer News

The controversial diabetes medicine Avandia is the subject of a new U.S. Senate committee report stemming from a Senate Finance Committee investigation headed by Senators Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat. (PDF of the Report)

The report states that drug company GlaxoSmithKline knowingly obscured the risks of heart attacks and other serious side effects of the drug Avandia.  It also takes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) to task for failing to protect the public and keep the dangerous drug off the market.
Senator Grassley stated that “FDA officials can try to spin this story, but the simple truth is that drug-company emails from two years ago spoke of cardiovascular deaths, and nobody taking the drug was told of the risk until our committee report exposed the information.”

Representative Rosa DeLauro released a statement that urged the FDA “to remove Avandia from the market until a truly independent, science-based advisory panel can evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the drug.  The safety and efficacy of a prescription drug should be based on independent, science-based evidence, and not a drug company’s interpretation of what constitutes science-based evidence. The Avandia case provides further evidence that patients should not trust drug companies with their health.”

The potential side effects of Avandia include stroke, heart attack, blood clots, severe allergic reactions, breathing difficulty, swelling, blurry vision, chest pain, fainting, arm or leg numbness, severe headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, heart failure and liver problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained nausea, stomach pain, anxiety, increased sweating, dizziness or drowsiness, chills, tremors, unusual bone pain, unusual weakness and other ailments.

More than a million people have taken Avandia.  If you or a loved one are amongst those who have taken Avandia and have been exposed to its potentially serious side effects without warning of those hazards, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of Avandia and should consult an attorney immediately.

We will continue to provide updates as the Congressional investigations proceed and other news and information comes to light.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, illness or death after the use of Avandia, 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.

Share this article with others:

VanDerGinst Law has announced a series of contests designed to increase membership to its recently developed  Facebook “fan” page.  (www.facebook.com/VanDerGinstLaw) and to increase subscriptions to VMail, its’ award winning e-newsletter.

Currently, there are 5 separate contests.

Contest Winners Receive:

• Two Luxury Suite Tickets to see Rascal Flatts at the i-wireless Center on February 20th.
• Limousine Transportation to and from the concert (QC Area)
• Free beverages in the suite.

FIVE WAYS TO WIN:

1. Most “Fans” Referred to VanDerGinst Law Facebook page
   A.  Visit: www.facebook.com/VanDerGinstLaw and become a fan.
   B.  Get as many of your friends to also become a fan and have them to post YOUR name as the referral source on the VanDerGinst Law page wall
   Suggestions on how to alert friends:
   • Click on the “Suggest to Friends” button on the fan page to quickly suggest the page to your friends (easiest method)
   • Post a request on your Facebook “wall”
   • Email your friends and ask them to join
   • Text message your friends

   Whoever generates the largest number of fan referrals to the VanDerGinst fan page before 8:00 a.m., Feb 17th, will be declared the winner.
   

2. One Hundred Fan Referrals Drawing
   How to participate:
   Everyone who refers at least a hundred “fans” to the VanDerGinst Law fan site will be eligible for a drawing to be held on Feb 15th at 8:00 a.m.
   
   
3. Most VMail Subscribers Referred
   How to participate:
   A.    Visit: www.vlaw.com/signup.php and subscribe to VMail.
   B.    Encourage friend and family to do the same via e-mail, Facebook, word-of –mouth, etc.
   C.    Make sure when they sign up that they reference you as the referral source.
   Whoever generates the largest number of referrals for subscriptions to VMail by 8:00 a.m., Feb 15th, will be declared the winner.
   
   
4. VMail Subscriber Drawing
   All Subscribers to VMail shall be eligible for a drawing on Feb 15th at 8:00 a.m.
   
   
5. Facebook Fan Drawing
   All facebook fans of VanDerGinst Law shall be eligible for a drawing on Feb 15th
   at 8:00 a.m.
   

Even if you don’t want to participate in the contest, please become a fan of VanDerGinst Law on facebook fan page by visiting: www.facebook.com/VanDerGinstLaw

Share this article with others:

Click To Enlarge

The Law Bulletin Publishing Company has chosen three attorneys from VanDerGinst Law as “Leading Lawyers” in their respective practice areas. Dennis VanDerGinst and Trent Marquis were selected for their achievements in the area of personal injury law and John Westensee in the area of worker’s compensation law. Only a small percentage of attorneys are selected for this honor, which is based upon a survey of other attorneys.  VanDerGinst Law was also profiled in the most recent edition of Leading Lawyers Magazine.  In that edition, Trent Marquis was additionally spotlighted for his long and distinguished service to the bar.

Share this article with others:

December 19th VanDerGinst Law hosted the Second Annual VanDer“Grinch” Holiday Bash.  Proceeds from the event went to the HAVLife Foundation, a local charity which funds projects allowing children to explore their potential in areas of artistic, musical and athletic achievement.  The party attracted more than a thousand guests and rose over $20,000 for HAVLife.  Revelers were treated to great food and incredible entertainment provided by “Funktastic 5”, “Cosmic” and “Dick Holiday and the Bamboo Gang”. Several corporate sponsors helped underwrite the costs of the party. Plans are already underway for next year’s event. For more information, go to www.VanDerGrinchParty.com.

Share this article with others:

Click To Enlarge

On Saturday, December 5, 2009 VanDerGinst Law sponsored “Holiday on the Hill” at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Ia. The event provided children with the opportunity to take holiday photos with Santa at no charge.  There was also live music and loads of holiday-related arts and crafts in which children and their parents could participate.  This marked the second year in a row that the firm sponsored the event.

Share this article with others:

Click To Enlarge

On Saturday, November 21, VanDerGinst Law was a title sponsor for the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees Parade.  Tens of thousands of people lined the streets on a beautiful fall day to watch the parade.  Dennis VanDerGinst, adorned in a crown and robes, acted as Parade Marshal for the third year in a row.  Staff and friends toted two giant helium balloons, including “Judge George”.

Share this article with others:

Click To Enlarge

On Friday, November 13th, VanDerGinst Law sponsored the world famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the i-Wireless Center in Moline, IL. This marked the second year in a row, and third TSO concert overall that the law firm has presented.  One dollar from each ticket purchased for the concert goes to the Genesis Foundation.  This year the concert raised more than $8,000 for the QC Flu Free Campaign, providing flu shots for children in area schools.
During the pre-performance festivities Dennis VanDerGinst welcomed the crowd, introduced the band, and assisted in the check presentation to Missy Gowie of the Genesis Foundation.  Also present were Dani Lynne Howe of WLLR and Tommy Farese and Anthony Gaynor of Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Farese,  long time member of TSO, and a lead vocalist, pumped up the crowd and set the stage for a remarkable performance.

Share this article with others:

Plans for the Second Annual VanDer“Grinch” Holiday Bash are now underway.  Over thirty local business and community leaders have volunteered their time to assist in the party planning.  Proceeds from the event will go to the HAVLife Foundation. The goal of HAVLife is to prevent the lost potential of our youth.  Funds raised by HAVLife are directed to local music and athletic programs in our community, designed to enhance opportunities for our children to be all they can be.

The party will be held on December 19th, from 5:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. at Modern Woodman Park in Davenport.  A deejay and three bands will be playing:  “Funktastic 5”, “Cosmic”, and “Dick Holiday and the Bamboo Gang.” In addition, the event will feature food, beverages, photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, and a silent auction.

VanDerGinst Law is hosting the event but there are opportunities for business and private sponsorships.  (Click here to see the sponsorship packages available)  To read more about the event click here.

Share this article with others:

Michael Dergo has joined VanDerGinst Law and will be heading up the firm’s newly formed Business and Transactional Law Department.  Michael is an experienced litigator who focuses his practice on corporate and business representation and civil litigation. He received his B.A. in Business Administration from Augustana College in Rock Island, Il. , completed the Comparative and Transnational Law Program at the Université Montesquieu - Bordeaux IV,  and was conferred his Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from Northern Illinois University, where he served as Editor of the Law Review, Moot Court Finalist and Best Brief award winner.  He was also two-term President of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. Michael was admitted to practice law in the State of Arizona in 2000, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona in 2002, has been admitted to practice in Tribal Court.  He will soon gain admission in the states of Illinois and Iowa.

Share this article with others:

Click here for audio

For the second year in a row, Quad Cities Law Firm, VanDerGinst Law will be sponsoring the world famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the i-Wireless Center in Moline, IL. One dollar from each ticket purchased for the concert will go to the Genesis Compassion Fund which raises money for many causes with a focus on providing flu shots for children in area schools.

Share this article with others: