Antitrust Lawyers: Vitamin C / Ascorbic Acid / Calcium Ascorbate Antitrust Investigation.

Fleet & Visicol: Kidney Failure: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning health care professionals and patients that a rare but serious form of kidney failure (acute phosphate nephropathy) has been associated with the use of oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products (e.g., Fleet Phospho-soda solution, Fleet Accu-Prep solution, and Visicol tablets) and their generic competitors. OSP products are commonly used for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy, radiographic procedures, and surgery. Documented cases of acute phosphate nephropathy include 21 patients who used an OSP solution (such as Fleet Phospho-soda and Fleet ACCU-PREP) and one patient who used OSP tablets (Visicol).

Bristol-Myers Squibb: Has agreed to pay more than $515 million to settle federal and state investigations into their drug marketing practices. The civil settlement resolves a broad array of allegations against Bristol-Myers Squibb, dating from 1994 through 2005. Among them were a charge that the New York-based pharmaceutical company illegally promoted the sale of Abilify, an anti-psychotic drug, for pediatric use. This use had not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

AVANDIA: The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a report that links the diabetes drug Avandia with an increased heart attack risk. According to the report, the increased risk is as high as 43 percent. This works out to about one heart attack per 1000 patients. If you think that you may have been harmed by Avandia, you are strongly encouraged to contact us now. There is no charge and no obligation.

GADOLINIUM: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers to include a new boxed warning on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents which are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If you or someone close to you has been given a gadolinium-based contrast agent, and has subsequently developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), or any other serious injury, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us below. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

NATRECOR: The intravenous drug Natrecor has been injected into over 600,000 patients across the nation to treat heart failure. Nesiritide is sold as Natrecor and is made by Scios Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The medication was approved in 2001, but researchers recently discovered patients were more likely to die in the first month after treatment than if they were to have taken a placebo. If you think that you may have been harmed by Natrecor, you are strongly encouraged to contact us now. There is no charge and no obligation.

ORTHO EVRA: If you or a family member has used the Ortho Evra birth control patch, and have experienced serious side effects, such as blood clots, stroke or heart attacks, you are encouraged to contact the law firm of Audet & Partners, LLP at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

FOSAMAX: Lawsuits have been filed against Merck. These lawsuits allege that Merck's Fosamax osteoporosis drug can cause a rare and serious condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is also known as jawbone tissue death. Caused by a restriction of blood flow to the jaw, jawbone tissue death results in serious and irreversible damage to the jaw. Contact us for details.

TEQUIN: Public reports indicate that Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) is warning against the use of the antibiotic drug Tequin in diabetic patients after reports of several fatalities. The company is adding a warning for diabetics to the drug's label as well as strengthening its warning that Tequin can cause both low and high blood sugar levels in patients, the FDA said. If you have used Tequin and have suffered from Diabetes or Hyperglycemia or other conditions, you are urged to contact our firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation.

TRASYLOL: If you or someone close to you has received Trasylol (aprotinin injection), and then suffered from kidney problems, heart attacks, stroke, or other serious medical conditions, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

RISPERDAL: If you or someone close to you used Risperdal, and then suffered from diabetes, pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas), ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia, seizures, diabetic coma, stroke, heart attack, amputation of a limb (due to diabetes), severe weight gain, or other medical conditions, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

TOPAMAX: Topamax (Topiramate) is an anticonvulsant drug produced by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, a division of Johnson & Johnson. It is used to treat epilepsy in both children and adults. In children it is also used for treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). If you took Topamax, and you have suffered vision loss, acute myopia, or glaucoma or other serious medical conditions, you may be entitled to compensation. You are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free and there is no obligation. You may also email us.

BEXTRA: BEXTRA RECALLED! (April 2005) Published reports indicate that certain people taking Bextra may have more than twice the risk of heart attacks and strokes compared with people who took placebos. In addition, serious potentially lethal skin complications have also been associated with the use of Bextra. If you have suffered an adverse reaction after taking Pfizer's Bextra, you are encouraged to contact us to protect your rights.

VIOXX: In September 2004, US pharmaceutical giant Merck announced a global withdrawal of its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx after a study showed it increased the risk for strokes and heart attacks. A published report stated that "[i]n a stunning announcement today, drug-maker Merck & Co. announced the withdrawal of the popular anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx from the market due to a study they were conducting that shows patients taking the drug face twice the risk of heart attack compared to those in the test taking a placebo." Learn more here.

Class Actions, Price Fixing & Antitrust

STOCK FRAUD: Allegations of stock fraud against Samsonite, Hilton Hotels, and Hunstman Corp., please click here for details.

Match.com: Is being investigated by our firm for alleged fraud, fake profile and membership that have ben automatically renewed and charged without permission

Overtime Pay: Every year, employers fail to pay employees millions of dollars in collective overtime. An employer's failure to pay proper wages or overtime can result in an award of damages equal to the unpaid wages or overtime, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and pre-judgment interest.

Certegy Check Services, Inc. & FIS: 8.5 million consumers nationwide had financial and private data stolen by an employee of Certegy Check Services, Inc. and Fidelity National Information Services, Inc (FIS) and released to unauthorized third parties.

MOVING COMPANIES CLASS ACTION: If you have purchased interstate moving and/or storage services from any of several major companies, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

RAIL SHIPPERS CLASS ACTION: A lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed alleging a price-fixing conspiracy by the five major U.S.-based railroad freight haulers: CSX Transportation, Inc.; Norfolk Southern Railway Company; BNSF Railway Company; Union Pacific Railroad Company; and Kansas City Southern Railway Company. If your company uses rail shipping, you are urged to contact us now.

TWENTIETH CENTURY INSURANCE SHAREHOLDER CLASS ACTION: If you are a shareholder of 21st Century Insurance (TW), you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

MEDIMMUNE SHAREHOLDER CLASS ACTION: A MedImmune shareholder has filed a class-action lawsuit against MedImmune Inc., its executives and directors, claiming the $15.6 billion buyout deal MedImmune hammered out with British-based AstraZeneca benefits MedImmune more than it does their public stockholders. More information is here.

SRAM MEMORY CHIPS: If you have purchased a computer containing memory chips (SRAM) manufactured by any of these companies: Alliance, AMD, ATI, Crucial, Cypress, Epson, Etron, Fujitsu, GSI, Hitachi, Hynix, IBM, Integrated Silicon Solution, Micron, Mitsubishi, NEC, Nvidia, Renesas, Samsung, Seiko Epson, Sharp, Sony, ST Microelectronics, Toshiba, Winbond, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

TFT-LCDs: If you have purchased a flat-panel television,computer monitor, laptop computer, cell phone or digital music player (TFT-LCD) manufactured by any of a number of companies, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

BAYER GENETICALLY ENGINEERED RICE: According to published reports in August 2006, rice farmers in Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and California had sued Bayer CropScience, alleging its genetically modified rice has contaminated the crop. Contact us for more details.

CNET: CNET has been sued in a "shareholder's derivative action" for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. The defendants, former and current members of CNET's Board of Directors, are accused of having improperly back-dated stock option grants to make it appear as if they were made on dates when the stock price was lower than on the actual grant date, and then failing to record compensation expenses incurred as a result. Contact us for more details.

ACRYLIC INDUSTRY ANTITRUST: European producers of "acrylic glass" were recently fined over 344 million Euros (about 445 million US dollars). If you are a direct purchaser from Arkema (formerly a part of Total SA), Imperial Chemical Industries, Lucite international Ltd., Quinn Barlo (part of the Barlo Group PLC) or their American subsidiaries, please contact us now for details.

ORIENTED STRAND BOARD: Oriented Strand Board Class Action Allegations Against Louisiana-Pacific Corp.; Weyerhaeuser Co.; Georgia-Pacific Corp.; Norbord Inc.; J.M. Huber Corp.; Ainsworth Lumber Co.; and Potlatch Corp. These lawsuits allege that the defendants conspired to fix prices for oriented strand board (OSB), thereby creating artificially high prices. If you are (or were) a direct purchaser of OSB, you are urged to immediately contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 and ask to speak to William Audet. You may also email us.

AIR CARGO: Air Cargo Antitrust: as of mid-February 2006, the following airlines had been raided or contacted with requests for information: Japan Airlines, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana, Lufthansa Cargo, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM Cargo, Cargolux, SAS Cargo, American Airlines, United Airlines, Polar Air Cargo and LAN Cargo. If you are (or were) a direct purchaser of air cargo services, you are urged to immediately contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 and ask to speak to William Audet. You may also email us.

READY MIX CONCRETE: Our law firm is investigating certain large manufacturers and suppliers of "ready mix concrete" in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. So far, Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI) has already pleaded guilty to price fixing and agreed to pay a $29 million fine, the largest in U.S. antitrust history. Certain IMI officials have said, "[M]ost of the major concrete suppliers in the region were involved in the conspiracy." If you are (or were) a direct purchaser of concrete ready mix, and you are located in the Indianapolis area, you are urged to immediately contact our firm.

ASCORBIC ACID: Manufacturers of Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbate) and Calcium Ascorbate are currently being sued in the United States for violating laws relating to unfairly raising, stabilizing and/or fixing prices. Recently filed complaints allege that, since at least December 2001, the following companies conspired to inflate the prices of vitamin C sold in the United States: Weisheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang Pharmaceutical (USA) Inc., Jiangsu Jiangshan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Northeast Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Hebei Welcome Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China Pharmaceutical Group, Ltd., China Pharmaceutical Enterprise and Investment Corporation Ltd. If your company purchased vitamin C or ascorbic acid from these companies, contact Audet & Partners immediately.

PEROXYGENS: Numerous manufacturers of hydrogen peroxide, other peroxygens and persalts are currently being sued in the United States and are under investigation in Europe for violating certain laws relating to artificially and unfairly raising, stabilizing, and/or fixing prices. Peroxygens and persalts are used in a wide variety of industries as bleaching and cleaning agents, as chemical initiators and as disinfectants. If you are a direct purchaser of these peroxygens, please contact us now.

PARAFFIN: Paraffin Wax (i.e., Alkanes, Aliphatic Compounds) Class Action Investigation: Allegations of Price Fixing and Other Non-Competitive Behaviors. Our law firm is investigating certain large manufacturers and suppliers of “paraffin wax” (a.k.a., alkanes, aliphatic compounds) for alleged price-fixing and other non-competitive behaviors. If you are (or were) a direct purchaser of paraffin wax and/or related aliphatic compounds from Sasol Wax International, Baker Hughes/ Bareco Products, Ashland Specialty Chemicals, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Honeywell International, or Sunoco Incorporated, please contact us to protect your rights.

Defective Consumer Products & Services / Toxics

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE RECALL: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a voluntary recall of several "Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Toys". The recall is due to possible lead that may be in the paint of those toys. The recall includes wooden vehicles, buildings, and other pieces of the train set. If you have purchased any recalled Thomas the Tank Engine toy product, you are encouraged to contact our law firm today.

FISHER-PRICE RECALL: Fisher-Price is recalling 83 types of toys, including the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and Diego characters, because their paint allegedly contains excessive amounts of lead. If you have purchased any recalled Fisher-Price toy product, you are encouraged to contact our law firm today.

CHINESE DEFECTIVE CONSUMER PRODUCTS: It is no secret that Chinese products are being recalled at a tremendous rate. Until now, very few United States law firms have been willing to pursue legal cases against corporations located in China. The cost and logistical issues associated with transnational consumer lawsuits can be overwhelming. But Audet & Partners has the resources and expertise to handle cases against Chinese corporate behemoths. If you have been harmed by any product from China, you are encouraged to contact our law firm today.

PET FOOD RECALL: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been informed that Menu Foods, Inc., a private-label pet food manufacturer based in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, is recalling all its "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food produced at its facility in Emporia, Kansas between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The products are sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Please see the pet food recall page for more information.

ADULTFRIENDFINDER.COM: AdultFriendFinder.com, along with numerous other "dating" sites*, is being investigated by our firm for alleged fraud. Numerous users of AdultFriendFinder.com have alleged that many of the member profiles are phony, and were created with the sole purpose of enticing users to join the site and/or upgrade their accounts. Click here for more information about AdultFriendFinder.com alleged fraud. (*Other sites being investigated include FriendFinder.com, Passion.com, AsiaFriendFinder.com, Guanxi.com, IndianFriendFinder.com, SeniorFriendFinder.com, GayFriendFinder.com, JewishFriendFinder.com, and ALT.com.)

BLUE CROSS DUMPING: Several policyholders have recently sued Blue Cross, accusing the company of inappropriately "dumping" them after they had gone through expensive treatments. The plaintiffs say they filled out their applications truthfully, but were dropped for failing to disclose their health history. Patients have been left with thousands of dollars in medical bills and are unable to obtain new coverage. Click here for more information about Blue Cross dumping.

STOCK OPTION BACKDATING SCANDALS: Hewlett-Packard, Apple Computer, Applied Micro Circuits, BEA Systems, Electronics for Imaging, Sigma Designs, and others are being sued. Click here for details. Contact us to protect your rights.

HANDSPRING TREO / PALM TREO 180/270/300: All persons or entities in the United States who purchased or owned a Palm Trēo 180, Trēo 270 or Trēo 300 between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2005, you may be entitled to compensation under a proposed class action settlement. Click here for details.

FUNERAL HOME INDUSTRY: Lawsuits against Biomedical Tissue Services (BTI) & Louis Garzone Funeral Home, Philadelphia - Daniel George & Son, Brooklyn - English Brothers Funeral Home, Brooklyn - If you or a family member retained any of the above funeral homes to prepare your departed for burial or cremation, you are urged to contact the law offices of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

NEPTUNE: Class Action Lawsuits have been filed against Maytag for their defective "Maytag Neptune Washing Machine." According to allegations in the complaints, the front-loading machines are prone to mechanical and electronic problems, do not properly wash clothes, and even have problems with mold, causing the machines and washed clothes to smell bad. UPDATE - THIS CASE HAS SETTLED, CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://maytagfrontloadsettlement.com/

CALYPSO: A Class Action Lawsuit has been filed against Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) for their defective "Calypso Washing Machine" which was sold under both the "Whirlpool Calypso" and "Kenmore Elite Calypso" brand names. According to allegations in the complaint, the Kenmore Elite Calypso and Whirlpool Calypso washing machines are prone to mechanical and electronic problems, including premature U-Joint failure, do not properly wash clothes, cause staining and streaking, and have problems with mold, causing the machines and the clothes washed to smell of mildew. UPDATE - THIS CASE HAS SETTLED - PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES FOR DETAILS: http://calypsosettlement.com/

Defective Medical Devices

SHELHIGH MEDICAL DEVICES: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators and U.S. Marshals have seized all implantable medical devices from Shelhigh, Inc., Union, N.J., after finding significant deficiencies in the company's manufacturing processes. The deficiencies may compromise the safety and effectiveness of the products, particularly their sterility. If you have been injured by any of these devices, please contact us now.

BILIARY STENTS: The FDA is investigating biliary stent (bile-duct stent) manufacturers to review “off-label” use of these devices to prop open larger blood vessels. Since biliary stents are available in much larger sizes than their vascular cousins, doctors commonly use them to prop open large arteries, such as those leading to the legs and kidneys. If you were implanted with a biliary stent in an artery (i.e., vascular use) , and you have suffered seizure, stroke, coma, other serious medical conditions, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us now to speak to an attorney.

PANACRYL SUTURES: If you or a family member have been implanted with Panacryl Sutures, and have experienced serious side effects, such as splitting sutures, tunneling or infection, you are encouraged to contact the law firm of Audet & Partners at 800.965.1461 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

SMITH & NEPHEW KNEES: Smith & Nephew has withdrawn a recently launched orthopedic implant from the U.S. market. The company said that it had stopped sales of the "cementless" versions of two of its knee systems because of a higher than expected number of follow-up operations. A number of the 3,000 patients fitted with cementless versions of its Oxinium Genesis II and Profix II implants in the U.S. had to have the procedure revised after the implants loosened. In addition to having a revision surgery, patients that received the Oxinium Genesis II and Profix II may endure other complications. These latter may include infection, further joint and muscular damage, and painful rehabilitation. If you or a member of your family has a Smith & Nephew Oxinium Genesis II or Profix II Knee Prosthesis, you may have a claim.

GUIDANT: Guidant Corporation is recalling the following ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators): VENTAK PRIZM 2 DR (Model 1861) ICDs manufactured on or before April 16, 2002; CONTAK RENEWAL (Model H135) and CONTAK RENEWAL 2 (Model H155) CRT-Ds manufactured on or before August 26, 2004; VENTAK PRIZM AVT, VITALITY AVT, RENEWAL 3 AVT and RENEWAL 4 AVT ICDs (All series numbers). If you have one of these devices, please contact us now.

ST. JUDE SYMMETRY: The St. Jude Symmetry Bypass Connector ("Symmetry Sutureless Anastomosis Device") is a nitinol, star-shaped device that was designed to facilitate off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). According to additional published reports, there have been at least 213 adverse events (23 deaths and 185 injuries) associated with devices of this type. Click here for more information

GYNECARE INTERGEL: GYNECARE Worldwide, a division of Ethicon Inc. of Somerville, New Jersey, notified FDA that they are withdrawing "GYNECARE INTERGEL Adhesion Prevention Solution" from the market and are urging customers to immediately stop using this device. Post-market reports include late-onset post-operative pain and repeat surgeries following the onset of pain, non-infectious foreign body reactions, and tissue adherence. In some patients, a residual material was observed during the repeat surgery. Post-operative pain could suggest other serious complications, and physicians should be aware of this in managing patients in the post-operative period. Contact us to learn more information.

ANCURE ENDOGRAFT:Twelve people have died as a result of a malfunctioning medical device manufactured by EndoVascular Technologies Inc. of Palo Alto, a subsidiary of Guidant Corporation of Indianapolis, Indiana. The product, called the Ancure Endograft System, is an alternative to the traditional surgery performed on persons suffering from abdominal aortic aneurysms, a condition that may result in a burst artery and death. The company touted its product as requiring shorter hospital stays and recovery time. Click here to learn more. UPDATE: Our firm has filed a class action in this matter. Click here to read it. UPDATE: From Reuters: ... "Personal injury firm Audet & Partners, of [San Francisco], California, filed a class action suit on Monday on behalf of a 70-year-old woman whose husband died of complications from a surgery involving the Ancure Endograft system." >> Read the entire Reuters article at Fox News.

ENCORE KNEES: Encore Medical Corporation is a fast-growing Austin, Texas orthopedic device manufacturer. We have found that the defectively designed knees in question were manufactured and sold between 1996 and 2002. It appears that the problem was the tibial post was designed too thin and tended to prematurely wear and fracture eventually. In most of the cases we have seen, the post would fracture within a year or two of use. The average knee implant should last at least 10 years. Based on the number of reported failures, this is considered a very high failure rate. Click here for more information.

DEPUY: Johnson & Johnson and Depuy: Class Action lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and Depuy arising out of the alleged failure of the Defendants' allegedly defective Ultra-High Molecular Weight polyethylene knee and hip joint replacement prostheses. According to the allegations in the complaints, the prostheses at issue have been sterilized with gamma radiation, resulting in premature failure of the product. If you or a member of your family has a Johnson & Johnson/Depuy Knee Prosthesis made of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, you may have a claim. Contact Audet & Partners immediately to protect your rights. More information is available here.

Toxic Chemicals

BENZENE: Benzene is a clear, "sweet" smelling liquid chemical that has dangerous and deadly effects on those exposed to it for long periods of time — or even short periods of time at high concentrations. Benzene is classified as a Class A carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. If you or a loved one has been injured by benzene, you are urged to contact us now to protect your rights.

antitrustfirm.com

Ready Mix Concrete Antitrust Investigation

Paraffin Wax (i.e., Alkanes, Aliphatic Compounds) Class Action Investigation

Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbate) and Calcium Ascorbate Price Fixing

High End Bathroom and Kitchen Plumbing Fixtures Antitrust

Manufacturers of Hydrogen Peroxide, Other Peroxygens and Persalts

BASF, byrn DOW Chemical Cartel re: Polyether Polyols