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Personal Injury

Sometimes automobile or light truck accidents occur when there is only one car involved and no surviving witnesses to testify as to what happened or at least no other driver to testify as to what caused the accident. The victims of these accidents often do not pursue any claim because they assume there was no one at fault except the driver of the single vehicle involved in the accident. Occasionally though, there is a party at fault besides the driver.

The issues that surface in such cases involve the crashworthiness of the vehicle involved or sometimes the roadway itself. Regardless of what caused the accident there is a question of what caused the driver's injuries. Were the injuries caused by the accident itself or by a failed seat belt, collapsed roof, unsafe design, or some other such thing? These questions can even arise when the accident involves two or more vehicles and the injured person appears to be at fault in the accident.

Cases such as those I just described are expensive to investigate and litigate and in order to justify the out of pocket costs the injury must be severe, i.e. resulting in death or life changing injury such as paralysis, severed limb, etc.

If you or someone you know has been involved in such an accident, The Law Offices of Darrell L. Castle & Associates would like to investigate for possible crashworthiness issues. There is no charge for the consultation.

DENTURE CREAM CAN BE DANGEROUS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
August 11, 2010

Denture adhesive creams have been linked to severe and dangerous side effects caused by dangerously high levels of zinc, which is used in the product. Denture Cream may cause neuropathy, which is serious nerve damage.

Adverse symptoms linked to Denture Cream include: Paresthesias (numbness in arms and legs): Dysesthesias (painful or abnormal sense of touch): Walking difficulties (including lack of coordination): Weakness or heaviness in arms and legs: Losing sensation: Losing balance.

Leading brands of Denture Creams linked to adverse side effects include Fixodent, manufactured by Proctor and Gamble, and Super PoliGrip, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. If you have used Denture Cream and are suffering from one or more of these symptoms, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Time is of the essence, and any delay may affect your legal rights to receive compensation. The time for filing your case is running out. Turn to the experienced lawyers at Darrell L. Castle and Associates for the assistance you deserve.

Other symptoms of zinc poisoning include, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, low blood pressure, urine retention, jaundice, seizures, joint pain, fever, coughing, and metallic taste in mouth. Manufactures have neglected to tell users about the dangerous effects of overuse of Denture Cream.

Don't delay and risk letting the time for compensation expire. Now is the time to call for a free discussion with an experienced lawyer at Darrell Castle and Associates.

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AUTO PASSENGERS SAFE OR NOT SAFE
Posted by: Darrell Castle
August 09, 2010

Which seat in a vehicle carries the greatest risk of death or injury if you are involved in an automobile accident? Are you safer in the driver's seat or riding as a passenger?

If you are a back seat passenger, you are much safer than a passenger riding in the front seat. The driver has a much better chance of survival in an accident than a front seat passenger. More than 2.3 million people are injured in automobile accidents every year, according to government statistics from 2008. Worldwide, one of every ten hospital beds is occupied by the victim of an automobile accident.

The most common injuries from automobile accidents are to people's head, neck, and back. Injuries can take a while to develop even though you may not feel injured immediately after the accident, so be sure to seek medical attention.

What would you do if you were injured in an automobile accident? Do you have a plan of action that will pay your bills while you are in the hospital? Do you know how to determine fault for the accident and assess which insurance company may be liable for the damage including your medical bills?

You need the advice of experienced lawyers to help you make the right decisions. You need someone who knows and understands the law and how to get results for you. You need the experienced and skilled attorneys of Darrell L. Castle and Associates on your side. Call me today to discuss your accident. The conversation is free.

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DOG ATTACKS WHO PAYS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
August 02, 2010

Dog bites have become so common that thousands of injuries and even deaths occur from them each year. Responsibility depends on the laws of your state and the circumstances of the case. The law has always been that the dog got one free bite. In other words, the dog owner had to have clear knowledge that his dog was likely to bite before he could be held liable for the attack.

Many states have now created special liability for certain breeds of dogs "presumed to be vicious." Breeds such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and the like, are presumed to be naturally vicious and the owners are held liable for their attacks.

Many cities now have leash laws that prevent owners from legally letting their dogs roam free. If the dog is not on a leash, he is considered to be vicious. The real issues in dog attack cases involve the ability of the victim to seek compensation from the liable party. Is the dog owner clearly identified or is the dog a stray with no liable owner? If the owner is clearly identified, is he a home owner so that his home owner's insurance or some other insurance policy would apply? Does the victim have some type of insurance policy that would apply?

Without insurance to cover the liable party, the victim of the attack is left going after the personal assets, if any, of the dog owner. The severity of the injuries would probably determine whether that is something that the victim of the attack would want to do.

Dog attack cases can be complicated as you can see. You need the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you find the liable party and make sure you get justice for your injuries. Contact the experienced attorneys at Darrell L. Castle & Associates. The conversation is free.

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AVANDIA LEFT ON THE MARKET
Posted by: Darrell Castle
July 16, 2010

GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug, Avandia, should be left on the market according to a special panel of advisors to the FDA. The panel voted 20-12 to keep the drug available to diabetics.

This decision may affect the company's tactics in defending the thousands of lawsuits filed against it for Avandia related claims but it will also likely affect sales.

Thousands of claims alleging that Avandia caused heart attacks and strokes in patients who took the drug are pending. The FDA is not required to follow the advice of the panel and it will review the decision soon.

The panel had ruled earlier that Avandia does appear to increase heart attack risk. They voted 21-4 that Avandia is more likely to cause a heart attack than its closest competitor. Ultimately the panel thought the use of the drug by hundreds of thousands of patients justified the risk that the drug would cause them to have a heart attack or stroke.

Here at Darrell L. Castle & Associates we are interested in investigating your case if you were taking Avandia and had a heart attack or stroke. Call me for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case.

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AVANDIA AND HEART ATTACKS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
July 14, 2010

For several years the diabetes drug Avandia has been mired in controversy. Earlier this year, Avandia questions again surfaced when a committee of U.S. senators published a report highly critical of the drug.

Will the FDA remove the drug from the market as "too risky?" Time and FDA politics will tell but in the mean time, what should you do if you have a heart attack while taking Avandia?

Aside from immediate medical attention you should call me for a professional legal opinion. Our attorneys are currently accepting Avandia cases for the purpose of investigating allegations that the drug's manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline covered up Avandia's heart attack risks.

These cases have time limitations so it is vital that you or someone you know call me immediately if you have suffered a heart attack while taking Avandia. The conversation is free, and there will be no charge unless we recover compensation for you.

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THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR INJURY CLAIMS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
July 12, 2010

We all have many different responsibilities these days and most of them are pretty high priorities in our lives. If you've been the victim of a personal injury due to someone else's negligence you may be tempted to put off taking legal action while you attend to "higher priorities."

If you wait too long to file your claim your legal rights to compensation may be affected or even barred by the Statute of Limitations. You have a certain period of time from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit or otherwise conclude your claim. The time period of the Statute of Limitations varies with the type of case you have and it varies from state to state.

Once the Statute of Limitations date passes and a lawsuit has not been filed or your case otherwise concluded, that's it; your case is over. Don't wait to see an experienced personal injury attorney because delay could affect or even bar your legal rights.

If you or someone you know has been injured due to another's negligence, contact me right now for a free and confidential discussion of your case. I will answer questions about the Statute of Limitations and other questions that you may have.

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DRUNK DRIVING IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH
Posted by: Darrell Castle
July 06, 2010

If you are reading this article today, then you survived the deadliest day of the year on the nation's highways. That day is the 4th of July, and on average, 161 people die in traffic accidents on July 4th each year. The second deadliest day is July 3rd which makes the weekend we just survived extremely dangerous.

Why is the July 4th weekend so deadly? A few reasons come immediately to mind. People are moving in the summer. They are on vacation with the kids, visiting relatives, etc. but always moving and usually by car. However, the number one reason that July 4th ranks number one in traffic deaths is that July 4th weekend is number one in alcohol sales for the year.

Drunk drivers wreak havoc on the roads across America, especially on July 4th weekend, which threatens to turn you and your family into statistics every time you drive. If you are driving at night, on a weekend, especially in the summer, remember that a large number of other drivers have been drinking. Keep that in mind as well, when you give your keys to your teenager on Friday or Saturday night.

Be careful, don't drink and drive, don't become someone's statistic, and don't let someone's reckless and irresponsible behavior ruin your life.

If you or someone you know is injured in an accident with a drunk driver, take action by calling the Law Offices of Darrell L. Castle and Associates and let our experienced lawyers fight for you.

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MEMORIAL DAY. A DAY TO REMEMBER
Posted by: Darrell Castle
May 28, 2010

Memorial Day is a time for us to take a few days away from our work to get some much needed rest and relaxation, but it is also a time to remember those who have gone before us, especially the military dead.

Today, thanks to the hard work of Dr. Fred A. Baughman Jr. and the willingness of the Marine Corps Times to publish his research, we have knowledge of a group of American veterans who deserve to be remembered. Thanks also to Andrew Tighman for his article "Psych Drugs Killing US Military Vets In Their Sleep."

Dr. Baughman read an article in the Charleston (WV) Gazette entitled "Vets Taking Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Drugs Die in Sleep", and began to investigate the reasons why these deaths were likely the tip of an iceberg.

Continue Reading

POPULAR ACNE DRUG, ACCUTANE LINKED TO SEVERE INJURIES
Posted by: Darrell Castle
May 25, 2010

In June of 2009 Roche Holding AG, the manufacturer of Accutane, a popular drug prescribed for the treatment of acne, recalled it from the market. The company stated that over $33 million has been awarded in lawsuits for bowel disease claims.

Accutane went on the market in 1982 and since then some 20 million people have taken it. In 2002 Roche's patent expired and rivals were clear to sell generic versions.

Originally Accutane was developed as a chemotherapy drug for cancer but the manufacturer discovered that it was effective in treating severe acne and a campaign to concentrate marketing in that area began.

Many young people, looking for a treatment for their acne, were prescribed Accutane and suffered severe bowel disease as a result. Accutane has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other forms of gastrointestinal injury.

Continue Reading

ACCUTANE PULLED FROM MARKET
Posted by: Darrell Castle
May 24, 2010

Roche Pharmaceuticals pulled Accutane from the market in June of 2009 as a response to having several successful lawsuits against it.

Accutane is a drug used to treat severe nodular acne. It is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful results.

All drugs have side effects and should be used with caution, but some, including Accutane, have severe potentially life threatening side effects. Use of Accutane has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IDB), ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease, and rectal bleeding as well as severe depression leading to suicide.

A rather clear causal link exists between Accutane and the onset of these diseases which can sometimes lead to colostomy and even death. Accutane is usually prescribed to young people who then have a lifetime to deal with its side effects.

Continue Reading

TRAFFIC FATALITIES DROP TO RECORD LOW
Posted by: Darrell Castle
May 19, 2010

A report released by Consumer Reports tells us that traffic fatalities in 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, according to preliminary statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The estimated totals for 2009 fell to 33,963 deaths, a drop of almost 9 percent from 2008's total of 37,261 deaths.

"If the final numbers hold true, then 2009 will mark the fourth year in a row of declining traffic deaths on U.S. roads. Total deaths have been reduced even while the number of cars and drivers has increased. Miles traveled has stayed the same."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributes the reduction to the success of its programs to increase seatbelt use (now at 84 percent) and decrease drunk driving.

Other factors listed as contributing to the decline in fatalities include safer roads and vehicles, especially vehicles equipped with side airbags. NHTSA said that it is now focusing on distracted driving from cell phone use and text-messaging.

I was rather shocked to learn that reduced driving caused by increased fuel costs and congestion has apparently not been a factor. Whatever the explanation it's good to report good news for a change.

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DELAWARE PEDIATRICIAN INDICTED ON 471 COUNTS INCLUDING RAPE AND MOLESTATION OF OVER 100 LITTLE GIRLS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
May 12, 2010

According to a recent report from ABC News, the 471 counts Dr. Earl Bradley now faces are alleged to have begun in 1998.

The Doctor is accused of raping and molesting 107 little girls under his care, some of them toddlers. The Beebe Medical Center, where Dr. Bradley worked, faces several lawsuits for negligence. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs wonder if some of the injuries could have been prevented had the hospital been more diligent. The hospital allegedly had many complaints of misconduct against Dr. Bradley and failed to act on them.

USA Today reported that an investigator appointed by Governor Jack Markell said authorities have known since the mid 1990's that there were "problems" with Dr. Bradley. Many chances to stop his crimes were missed by licensing boards, judges, and prosecutors and others. The investigator found that "systems were in place to catch a perpetrator, but they were either not properly accessed, or when called upon, human and mechanical error prevented the appropriate actions from being taken."

What, exactly, did Dr, Bradley allegedly do? The 160 page indictment describes in detail Dr. Bradley's behavior between 1998 and 2009. Of the 103 children mentioned only one of them was male. The indictment says that he forced children to perform sex acts on him; that he molested some children continuously over days or months; that he raped one victim from June 2007 until February 2009; that he molested one continuously between November 2008 and November 2009; that he had more than 13 hours of files, computer files and hard drives containing over 7000 patient files; that some of his victims were just months old; that he videotaped sexual acts with his victims molesting them repeatedly while their parents waited in the next room; that his videotapes show him undressing his patients and performing sex acts on them; that the tapes show him muzzling screaming children as they tried to flee; that he, a 6 foot 225 pound man had a "violently enraged expression on his face" as he yelled to a 2 year old patient to perform sexual acts on him; that the investigating officer described that attack as "one of the most violent and brutal attacks on a child of any age" that he had ever seen.

If convicted, what punishment is sufficient for Dr. Bradley? He faces a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Since the U.S. Supreme Court and Delaware law will not allow him to be executed, I guess spending the rest of his life in a steel cage is the next best thing. With his record, I don't think his days in prison will be very comfortable.

What about the lives of his victims? How much comfort will these little girls enjoy with their lives destroyed? Who speaks for them? They have very competent personal injury lawyers to press their claims against the Doctor and his hospital, but shouldn't the entire system be forced to respond to these children? The same system which repeatedly looked at him and let him continue his attacks, what is their penalty?

Time will tell, but for now God save the children because no one else will.

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KEPPRA , EPILEPSY, AND GENERIC LEVETIRACETAM
Posted by: Darrell Castle
April 12, 2010

Levetiracetam (lev-eh-turr-rass-ih-tam) is a prescription pharmaceutical that usually goes by the brand name, Keppra.

Keppra is an anti-seizure, anti-convulsant, which is prescribed primarily for the treatment of seizures in people with epilepsy.

According to Keppra's website it has a risk of certain side effects such as depression, mood and behavior changes, and even suicidal thoughts in about 1 in 500 people taking it. The problem for epilepsy patients taking it to control seizures seems to come not from taking Keppra but when they switch to its generic equivalent.

The generic is made by Mylan pharmaceuticals of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mylan had $5.14 billion in total revenue for 2008 the last year given.

Apparently, even small differences in the medication can be enough to trigger the onset of new seizures and in about 10 percent of patients who switch from Keppra to the generic, seizures reoccur.

About 3 million Americans have epilepsy including about 226,000 school children. You can see then that there are a lot of potential problems for large numbers of people who switch their medication to save money or for some other reason.

Seizures are a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Epilepsy patients are very aware of just how serious they can be.

Generic Keppra went on sale in January 2009. If you or someone you know switched from Keppra to the generic and had a reoccurrence of seizures call me to discuss how I might be able to help you receive compensation. The conversation is free and there will be no fee to you unless I am successful.

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THE ALEXA GONZALEZ STORY REVISITED
Posted by: Darrell Castle
April 05, 2010

A few weeks ago I reported on the arrest and detention of a little girl named Alexa Gonzales. While attending public school in Queens New York, Alexa, age 12, wrote the words "I love my friends Abby and Faith, Lex was here 2/1/10 and a smiley face" on her school desk.

When her teacher noticed the doodling with a green, water soluble, magic marker, she called the police and Alexa was taken from her classroom full of fellow students to the school security office where she was searched and arrested.

Today we consider a report from AOL news on the progress of Alexa's case. "Two months after the incident, Gonzalez and her mother, Maraima Comacho, are suing the New York City Education Department and the New York Police Department for $1 million in damages, claiming excessive use of force and violation of the girl's rights in the ordeal, which Comacho has called a "nightmare."

Alexa is quoted as calling the ordeal "traumatizing and excessive", she further alleged that she was searched by school safety officials by "putting their hands in the front and rear pockets of her jeans."

Alexa said that she started "crying a lot" over something that was "just two little doodles that could easily have been erased."

The lawsuit alleges that her mother was not allowed to accompany her to the police station and that she was detained in an "enclosed room" and handcuffed to a pole for more than two hours.

New York City officials have acknowledged that Alexa's arrest was mistake and shouldn't have happened. "Common sense should have prevailed they said." Well, it seems that in New York City, common sense isn't very common.

Despite the admission, Alexa was suspended from school, and sent to family court where she was given 8 hours of community service and ordered to write a book report and essay about what she learned from the experience.

I have some suggested topics for Alexa's essay. 1. New York, where common sense is uncommon. 2. And, New York City, no wonder it's bankrupt.

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LITTLE GIRL LOST PART THREE
Posted by: Darrell Castle
April 02, 2010

Today we examine an article published in Daily mail, which is an online news service from our friends in the UK, reporting on a recent incident in Trenton, New Jersey.

"A 15 year old girl has been arrested after allegedly selling her seven year old stepsister to a group of men for sex. The teenager, who was at a party in a crime ridden block of flats in Trenton, New Jersey, watched on as the little girl was gang raped by as many as seven men."

"She was then paid by the men responsible."

"The little girl's parents thought the pair had run away from home."

No, I will argue that the last sentence can't possibly be correct because our little girl doesn't have parents. She has a mother and father who, through an act of sexual intercourse seven years ago, gave birth to her, but they are not parents.

The police captain who investigated the crime called it "unfathomable." "We're talking about a kid who told her sister to go into an apartment and let people rape her."

Well, I think it is fathomable in today's world. Wikipedia defines psychopath as a personality disorder characterized by an abnormal lack of empathy combined with strongly amoral conduct, masked by an outward ability to appear normal. Many psychopaths are mimics of normal human emotions.

Is it possible that this teenager is, in fact, normal? The incident happened inside Rowan Towers, a high rise complex so dangerous that police are hired as security guards at night. Is her behavior normal for Rowan Towers?

The police captain said the men threatened to kill her if she screamed or told anyone. Two women found the child crying and walked her home. She told them what happened and they called police. The teenager admitted her involvement to the police, and they are trying to identify about a dozen men who they believe were in the apartment.

"Annette Lartique, the city councilor for the area where the crime occurred, said the community would expect nothing less than the prosecution of everyone involved."

Oh really councilor. Do you mean that folks in Trenton New Jersey would actually expect the prosecution of people involved in the gang rape of a seven year old girl? How can you live with yourself knowing that this happened in your district? "I know we are going to send a message on this one she said. Everybody will pay a price from the person who opened the door to the person who pushed the elevator button."

Well, the person who will really pay a price is the little girl. She will pay a price for the rest of her life, which considering her environment, will probably be a short one. Who answers to her for what happened? Who funds the psychiatric treatment she will need for the rest of her life? I suggest that the entire system should be made to respond to her. It is not enough to criminally punish those involved in what should be, but isn't, a capital crime. The owners of the building, the police, and the government should all have to respond in damages for allowing such a vile, abominable system to exist. Perhaps some good personal injury lawyer will force the system that allows such monstrous crimes to help her.

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ITS GOOD NEWS WEEK
Posted by: Darrell Castle
April 01, 2010

"It's good news week,

Someone's dropped a bomb somewhere,

Contaminating atmosphere

And blackening the sky,

It's good news week,

Someone's found a way to give,

The rotting dead a will to live,

Go on and never die.

The lyrics to this old protest song, written by Jonathan King in 1965 and recorded by Hedgehoppers Anonymous, are as relevant today as they were in 1965. I remember the song and an era when protest of government policy was in fashion.

Today, not only is protest not in fashion but it could be illegal or labeled racist by the news media reporting it. In 1965 about 50 separate corporations controlled the media in the United States and it was even illegal for one company to own more than one type of media. Now 4 or 5 corporations, which usually means 4or 5 individuals, control, virtually everything we see, hear, and read. These 4 or 5 individuals apparently think it is appropriate for them to pound the drum for which ever administration is in power at the time.

To give you an example, I will point out that during our involvement in Vietnam, the war poured out into our living rooms every time we turned on our televisions. We saw images of dead bodies and burned villages constantly until we were sick of it. Today, though we have been at war for about 9 years, we hardly know it. No dead babies or bodies cover our living rooms and we must search the internet for casualty figures.

This is good news week in the Christian faith of which I count myself as a member. This is holy week and this Sunday is Easter Sunday. Easter is or at least should be the most important holiday for a Christian because Easter reminds us that redemption from this world of wickedness and misery is possible.

We are all individually and collectively subject to human frailty but the good news is that if we would turn from it and seek his face he would be merciful and quick to forgive.

Happy Easter.

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COULD UK SCHOOLS BE WORSE THAN OURS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
March 31, 2010

This column attempts to keep up with the state of American education especially the state of the American public school system.

Today we consider an article about the schools of our friends from Great Britain. The article comes from The Guardian and is entitled, "Teachers Reveal Toll of Violence Against Them in Schools."

"A quarter of school staff have suffered violence at the hands of a student and a third have been confronted by aggressive parents, a teaching union said today. Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) told of receiving death threats from families, being groped by students, and police having to be called as a parent rampaged around a school."

Teachers report that attacks against other students as well as attacks against teachers have become common in primary schools. Almost 40 percent of teachers said they have considered leaving the profession because of bad behavior.

Many proposals have been put forward to deal with the problem of student violence including requiring parents to attend parenting classes and cutting the benefits of parents. I suppose that cutting the benefits of parents means that in Great Britain parents are now paid by the government to allow their children to attend school and exhibit violent, aggressive behavior toward teachers and other students.

Here in the United States we have similar problems. Violent, aggressive behavior is on the rise and we have had several nationally known incidents of murder in the last few years.

What's causing all this violent behavior among our children? I'm sure there are many things involved but I would like to offer a few of my own. By the time our children reach the 5th or 6th grade, they have undoubtedly seen thousands of acts of violence including murder and rape on television. In addition many or most have actually committed many such acts by constantly playing violent video games. There is no doubt that such games desensitize us to violence because the military now uses them to desensitize new soldiers to violence and killing as a way of life.

Add to the televised violence and acted out violence in video games, the pornographic degradation of women that children grow up with on their computers, and you have a recipe for mayhem and disaster.

If that were all, it would be more than enough but there's more. Take all those things I have mentioned and mix them in a valueless, morally bankrupt culture and feed them to children and you will get today's school system.

If our schools can be saved the change must start with the valueless, morally bankrupt culture and right now that appears to be getting worse, not better.

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TARDIVE DYSKINESIA AND REGLAN
Posted by: Darrell Castle
March 23, 2010

Do you suffer from repetitive and involuntary movements of the face; excessive blinking and erratic eye movements; involuntary protrusions of the tongue; lip smacking; constant grimacing; difficulty moving the fingers? Has your illness been diagnosed as tardive dyskinesia?

If you have symptoms of tardive dyskinesia and have taken Reglan for a period of 12 weeks or more, your problems could be related to your use of Reglan. There is currently a high demand for medications to treat gastrointestinal disorders and one of those medications is Reglan. These drugs usually contain an ingredient called an antiemetic which is meant to control nausea or excessive vomiting. The antiemetic also increases the movement of stomach muscles to aid the emptying process. There is apparently a danger that this muscle movement can be transferred to other muscles and can be permanent.

The FDA has recently stated that the prolonged use of Reglan can have serious and often permanent side effects. A public health warning was issued by the FDA to patients and physicians in an attempt to avoid the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. No treatment for this condition is currently available and the symptoms are often permanent.

If you or a loved one is currently experiencing the symptoms of tardive dyskinsea, you should seek help now. Call me immediately for a free case evaluation. There is no charge for the conversation.

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ANDREE PEEL (AGENT ROSE)
Posted by: Darrell Castle
March 17, 2010

I am going to depart for one day from my usual format of bankruptcy and personal injury information to report on one life well lived.

Born Andree Marthe Virot , she was running a beauty salon in the Breton Port of Brest, France when World War II broke out. After the German invasion of France she joined the French resistance and was eventfully appointed head of an under-section of the resistance. She was known as Agent Rose to Allied forces operating in France and Germany. It is reported that she saved the lives of 102 downed airmen by guiding them through France to the coast where they were picked up by submarine or boat for return to England so they could climb back in another bomber. She gave aid to over 20,000 other airmen who crashed in France.

Just imagine what terror one would feel when shot down over Nazi occupied France. You find yourself falling toward the earth in the pitch black French night only to be rescued by one brave woman. To do what she did, she risked death, torture, rape, and imprisonment every day for years.

She was finally arrested by the Gestapo in Paris just after the D-Day invasion in June, 1944. She was beaten and tortured for information, then sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp. Eventually she was transferred to Buchenwald where she was scheduled to be executed by firing squad but she was rescued by the American army when they liberated Buchenwald. She contracted meningitis in the camps and survived that as well.

Andree was awarded the French Legion of Honor, the Medal of Freedom by the United States, and the King's Commendation by Great Britain, along with many other medals. She also received a personal letter of appreciation from Winston Churchill.

Andree married John Peel, an English student, and they ran a restaurant and practiced non-medical healing techniques. Mr. Peel died in 2003 and they had no children. She published her autobiography in 1999 entitled "Miracles Do Happen."

Finally, complications from a broken hip accomplished what the German Army was unable to accomplish in five years of war and Andree Peel died March 5, 2010 at the age of 105. Her death was widely reported in French and British newspapers as well as the New York Times. I gathered much of this information from those sources.

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RUNAWAY PRIUS
Posted by: Darrell Castle
March 12, 2010

James Sikes got a 94 mph ride on a San Diego freeway thanks to a stuck accelerator on his Toyota Prius. A California Highway Patrol officer heard Mr. Sikes' 911 call then drove along beside him and directed him in a plan to stop the car.

Mr. Sikes said he accelerated to pass a car and the pedal went to the floor and stuck there. The brakes didn't work but he could smell them burning. The CHP officer told him over a loudspeaker to push the brake pedal to the floor and apply the emergency brake. The officer then directed him to a steep upgrade and they got it to slow enough for the patrol car to get in front of the Prius as a blocker. When the car slowed to less than 50 mph, Mr. Sikes was able to turn off the engine and coast to a stop.

Mr. Sikes reported that he had taken the car for service in response to the recall notice but Toyota refused to fix it. They would only tie down the floor mat with plastic ties. Toyota is very fortunate that no one was killed in this one.

One day later another Toyota Prius, this time in New York, took another driver on a wild ride. The driver stated that her 2005 Prius flew out of her driveway, crossed a busy street, and smashed into a stone wall. Police suspect a stuck accelerator is the cause of the crash.

Floor mats were not the problem because, once again, the floor mats were tied down with plastic ties. The investigating officer reported that the car hit the stone wall so hard that several "boulders" were hurled about 10 feet from the crash site.

The 56 year old woman suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash. Once again, Toyota is fortunate that children weren't playing behind her and that she didn't kill someone.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a crash such as these, call me and let's talk about it.

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Office Location

The Law Offices of Darrell L. Castle & Associates
4515 Poplar Ave | Suite 510 | Memphis, TN 38117 | 901-620-6352 Toll Free: 866-759-7516

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