Horace was a veteran of World War II.

The better part of a decade has passed since the Tea Fire in Santa Barbara County, California, burned 1,900 acres and destroyed 210 homes. But for two survivors, Stephen, and his wife, Nanci, the tragedy continues.

Sophie was in college working on her Environmental Studies degree, when she began taking two generic drugs prescribed to help clear her complexion. However, instead of a clear skin, Sophie experienced multiple pulmonary emboli and almost died. 

In 2008, a car accident left Richard with a serious cervical spine injury.  Emergency room physicians placed him in a cervical collar but never detected the injury and later ordered it removed.  The result was devastating.  Richard was paralyzed.

After serving in the Navy, David worked for 40 years at his family-run scrap yard. Part of his daily routine included beating insulation off the scrap metal, causing asbestos fibers to fill the air and his lungs. 

David worked as an electrician’s mate in the U.S. Navy when he was younger. During a span of 20 years, he was repeatedly exposed to asbestos-covered equipment and materials aboard different vessels.

Beulah, 90, suffered from dementia and a stroke that left her unable to speak or care for herself. Eventually, Beulah was transferred to a nursing home with the hope that she would receive the professional care she now required.

Millions of Americans trust their lives to medical devices but they may have no legal recourse if those devices fail.  When that happens, no one is held responsible.  There is no justice.

Conor was an “A” student and elite swimmer,  on the way to earning a collegiate swimming scholarship.  In 2011 he was diagnosed with colitis—inflammation of the colon and large intestine—after taking Claravis, the generic version of Accutane, a drug used to treat acne.

Howard thought he was going in for a routine hip replacement.  He had a plastic hip implanted 16 years prior with no problems.  He was given what his doctor called the “latest and greatest” in hip technology, a Smith and Nephew metal-on-metal hip.  Ten months after the surgery, his nightmare

Donald loved working as a career truck driver. He even took his wife and grandson with him on occasion, something his grandson always looked forward to.

It was a cold and snowy day in western Pennsylvania. The family minivan carrying 10 year-old Davanna was stopped at a red light. Without warning, the sound of a semi-truck’s horn pierced the air. But it was too late.

Throughout his life, Randy worked multiple manufacturing jobs in both Tennessee and Georgia. During these years he was exposed to asbestos multiple times.

Frances Carroll, 91, was no longer able to take care of herself, suffering from dementia, blood pressure issues as well as skin cancer. She was admitted to a nursing home to receive the professional care she needed. Her daughter, Sarah, signed the admittance forms.

A few cents fix could have prevented Michael’s burns.  But instead, Blitz USA put profits before safety.

Alan Carlson, chef and owner of the Oakland, CA, restaurant Italian Colors, knows all too well about the perils of an arbitration clause.

Every year, 440,000 Americans die as a result of preventable medical errors and many countless more are injured. States across America are considering legislation that would limit the rights of injured patients while providing no accountability for medical errors.

Every year, 440,000 Americans die as a result of preventable medical errors, and countless more are injured.

Anyone who seeks to limit accountability when Americans are killed by preventable medical errors should be aware of Blake’s story. Blake was a 19-year-old college student from Blacksburg, Virginia.

Dean Cole suffered from dementia and his wife was no longer able to provide the special care he required. Dean was admitted into a local nursing home in Minnesota, where his wife was asked to sign lengthy admissions documents that included a forced arbitration clause.

Mary Brinson, 76, suffered from dementia and needed more living assistance than her sister Ann could provide for her. When Mary was admitted to a nursing home, Ann took care of the admissions forms, which was over 40 pages long and included a forced arbitration clause near the end.

Ed worked as an operator and foreman at an Ethyl plant in Texas for forty years. Working there was a family affair- his dad helped build it and his son works there today. 

Health care providers and hospitals should be accountable for the care they provide, or the care they should have provided. When lawmakers seek to limit their responsibility, it puts the safety of all of us at risk. 

If Cami was given a brand name drug, she would have had access to justice. 

A doctor placed Camille “Cami” Baruch on a generic version of the anti-acne drug Accutane when she was just 12.  The effect was devastating. 

Avery was born with a hereditary heart defect that put her at risk for arrhythmia. Avery had Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead that was prone to fracture, causing unnecessary electrical shocks. The wire was later recalled. Avery’s justice was denied.

Gabe took a generic form of Accutane called Claravis for mild acne.  He developed ulcerative colitis, a recognized possible side-effect from the drug causing an inflamed digestive tract and colon.