New research has shown that e-cigarettes may produce higher levels of toxic chemicals than tobacco smoke. An e-cigarette operated at lower voltage generated only traces of certain toxic chemicals but at a higher voltage the levels of toxic chemicals increase significantly. The study was published on-line in Nicotine and Tobacco Research and commentators have said […]

The hairdressing sector in Ireland which employs nearly 20,000 people will face a huge overhaul of its safety standards if a new EU proposal is signed into law. The European Framework agreement on the protection of occupational health and safety in the hairdressing sector was signed in Brussels on 26th April 2012 by the EC […]

Yvon McCarthy a 28 year old mother of 2 young children who sustained significant injuries in a road accident in December 2008 in Ashbourne Co Meath has been awarded €170,000 in damages by the High Court. Ms McCarthy suffered injuries to her head, knee, eye, neck and lower back in the accident. She also missed […]

The new Garda Siochana Compensation Bill 2012 has proposed a significant alteration to the existing Garda Compensation Scheme. The new Bill which has not yet been published, seeks to reform the existing Garda Compensation Regime which has existed since 1941. Approximately 170-200 claims are submitted each year by Gardai and over 200 awards are made […]

The European Union’s Scientific Committee on emerging health risks has been charged with investigating the safety of pelvic mesh products. In the United States these implantable devices are the subject of tens of thousands of product liability law suits. A number of these pelvic mesh products have been used in Ireland. The panel has been […]

A major settlement involving two metal hip implant devices made by Biomet Inc. has been announced costing the Manufacturers at least $56 million. Patients who were implanted with a Biomet M2A-38 or M2A-Magnum hip implants and later needed to have the devices revised “i.e. replaced or  repaired” are to receive compensation. More than 1,200 people […]

Hundreds of young children in Ireland are injured daily in shopping cart accidents. These injuries are often serious enough to merit emergency hospital room treatment. Trips, slips and falls are also a leading cause of injury to young children particularly in supermarkets. Young children are often injured when they fall out of shopping carts or […]

Laser-hair removal procedures have become immensely popular in recent years. However, they are not without risk. Hundreds of procedures are carried out daily in Ireland by untrained staff. Performed improperly, the procedures can cause disfiguring injuries such as severe burns in sensitive areas like the bikini line and the moustache area above the lips. Lawsuits […]

Clostridium Difficile Infection (C. Diff) is now 2-4 times more common than MRSA according to a new survey. C. Diff is a serious illness and up to 30% of patients diagnosed with it die within 30 days. Bacteria  producing toxins cause inflammation of the colon, diarrhoea and in some cases death. Symptoms can range from […]

Tattoo inks contain heavy metals and other substances linked to numerous health problems including cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases. Mercury, lead and antimony, beryllium, cadmium and arsenic are all found in tattoo inks: Mercury is a neuro toxin and has detrimental effect on the nervous system often leading to physical and emotional disorders. Lead is toxic […]