May is Motorcycle Safety Month, a time dedicated to promoting the safety and awareness of motorcycle riders on our roads.
Detailed Statistics
Motorcycle crash statistics in Florida paint a concerning picture of the risks involved for motorcyclists in the state. Here is an overview of recent data and trends:
LAKE COUNTY, FL – A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in Lake County early Wednesday morning, WKMG reported.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the victim was a 26-year-old man who was standing in the middle of State Road 40 when the incident happened at about 4 a.m.
A woman driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee was heading west on SR-40 and approaching Blue Creek Lodge Road when she saw the pedestrian and tried to swerve to avoid him. But the vehicle struck the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred in Pasco County on Monday night, reports Pasco News Online.
The FHP stated the victim was a man who was walking on Wells Road near Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel. After entering the roadway, he was struck by a westbound Ford Mustang.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not immediately released. The Ford driver, a Wesley Chapel woman, was not injured in the crash.
MARION COUNTY, FL – A single-vehicle accident in Marion County on Sunday morning claimed the life of an elderly driver, according to a WKMG report.
The crash happened on southbound NW 80th Avenue near NW 100th Street. The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation found a man was driving a pickup truck that was pulling a utility trailer when he drove off the road at about 10:20 a.m. The vehicle collided with a tree on the east shoulder of the roadway.
The driver, an 82-year-old man from Ocala, died at the scene.
Concerns have been raised recently regarding a possible connection between gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, and Ozempic. When stomach muscles malfunction, the stomach’s contents take longer to pass through the small intestine, a disease known as gastroparesis.
Allegations associate the medication with serious and possibly fatal adverse effects, such as:
Our committed dangerous drug legal experts at Whittel & Melton are available to evaluate your case and help you every step of the way. Contact us now or call 866-608-5529 to learn more.
How Are Semaglutide Medications Supposed To Work?
Ozempic and Wegovy, both made by Novo Nordisk, are injectable medications containing semaglutide, belonging to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. It works by stimulating insulin production in response to elevated blood sugar levels, thereby regulating glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. These medications copy the GLP-1 hormone in our bodies using semaglutide. This hormone helps prolong feelings of fullness by slowing down the rate at which our stomachs empty. However, recent studies and patient reports have suggested a potential correlation between Ozempic and Wegovy use and the onset of gastroparesis, ileus, and intestinal blockage.
What is Gastroparesis?
The illness known as gastroparesis is characterized by a delayed stomach emptying, which can cause symptoms like bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and unstable blood sugar levels. Studies have linked Ozempic use and the development of gastroparesis.
What is Ileus?
Ileus is another gastrointestinal disorder characterized by a lack of movement in the intestines, resulting in a blockage or obstruction. This can lead to symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, distension, constipation, and vomiting. Like gastroparesis, ileus can be caused by various factors, including medication use. In the case of Ozempic, studies have suggested a potential link between the drug and the development of ileus.
What is Intestinal Blockage?
Intestinal blockage or obstruction refers to a complete or partial blockage of the intestines, which can prevent the passage of food, fluids, and gas. This serious condition requires immediate medical attention and may necessitate surgery to resolve. There have been reports of intestinal blockage associated with the use of Ozempic.
What Do These Lawsuits Allege?
Legal actions have been brought against Novo Nordisk because of certain Ozempic users reporting symptoms suggesting gastroparesis. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that the medicine contributed to the development of stomach paralysis and that its makers failed to appropriately notify them and healthcare providers about this potential risk.
Until recently, Ozempic’s warning label failed to adequately inform healthcare professionals and patients about the danger of these potential issues. Anyone who developed gastroparesis after taking Ozempic may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries by pursuing a product liability claim.
As of February 2024, there are cases involving Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Trulicity, and Mounjaro that are classified as MDL class action litigation.
Should you have developed gastroparesis from any of these drugs, our Ozempic lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. Call us now at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Key Ozempic MDL Timeline:
As of May 2024, MDL 3094 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania contained 87 personal injury lawsuits alleging gastroparesis, ileus, and intestinal blockage or obstruction.
May 2024: On May 17, Judge Gene E. K. Pratter, who was presiding over the Ozempic MDL, passed away suddenly in Philadelphia. As the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation deliberated over how to reassign the MDL, experts expect case delays.
March 2024: The litigation process was still in its early stages. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly filed notices of appearance. More plaintiffs move into the MDL.
February 2024: A federal multidistrict litigation in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania consolidated at least fifty-five cases alleging serious gastrointestinal ailments were caused by Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonist class medications. Attorneys for the plaintiffs predicted that the figure may rise above 10,000.
January 2024: According to the FDA, it was reviewing reports of hair loss, suicidal thoughts, and aspiration while under sedation or anesthesia in patients using Ozempic and related weight loss and diabetic drugs. The action was taken in response to numerous reports of potential adverse effects that were entered into the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database.
September 2023: FDA updated the warning label for Ozempic to include ileus and intestinal blockage/obstruction.
August 2023: The first Ozempic gastroparesis lawsuit was filed. Continue reading
GAINESVILLE, FL – Police said a teenage girl riding a bicycle was injured in an accident in Gainesville last week.
WCJB reports the incident happened Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of Northwest 13th Street and 93rd Avenue. According to Gainesville police, the teen was riding her bike at that location at about 3:30 p.m. when she was struck by a pickup truck. She was transported to an area trauma center with serious injuries.
The driver of the pickup remained at the scene following the crash.
ALACHUA, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol said an accident on Interstate 75 left a woman dead and a child injured on Monday morning, reports the Alachua Chronicle.
The FHP’s investigation determined that a 63-year-old Gainesville woman was driving a Nissan SUV north on I-75 at about 7:30 a.m. when the vehicle swerved off the right side of the roadway near the 402 mile marker. The SUV struck a large tree and overturned.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger, a 3-month-old boy, sustained minor injuries and was taken to UF Health Shands for treatment. They were both restrained with a seat belt or child restraint.
GAINESVILLE, FL – Authorities said a man trying to elude police crashed into a Gainesville Police Department vehicle late Tuesday night.
According to a WCJB report, the incident began when Gainesville police officers attempted a traffic stop on 21-year-old Robert Rodriguez on Northeast Third Place at 11 p.m. Police said Rodriguez took off and fled onto Northeast Waldo Road. At that point he collided with a Gainesville patrol vehicle that was waiting at a red light.
An officer inside the patrol vehicle was trapped and extricated by firefighters. The officer was treated and released from the hospital after sustaining injuries that were not life-threatening.
PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a van and a motorcycle were involved in a deadly crash in Pasco County Friday night.
A report by WFLA states the accident happened on US-41 near Five Palms Lane at about 10:10 p.m. The FHP’s investigation found that a 40-year-old man from Hudson was driving an Oldsmobile van southbound on U.S. 41, and made a left turn at a private driveway.
The van turned in front of a Yamaha motorcycle going north on US-41, resulting in a collision. THe operator of the motorcycle, a 25-year-old man from Spring Hill, was pronounced dead at the scene.
SUMTER COUNTY, FL – A single-vehicle accident in Sumter County early Sunday morning left a driver dead, WKMG reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the wreck in the area of County Road 616 and County Road 48. The FHP’s investigation found that the driver of a Ford Taurus was headed north at about 12:53 a.m. when he went through the intersection without stopping and crashed into a tree.
The driver, a 21-year-old man from Bushnell, was pronounced dead at the scene.
