Edmond & Lindsay

27 January 2009: Can we at least deal in reality? Was it just me, or did others also recognize the glaring contradiction on January 16, 2009 in the AJC. On page A8 an article headline read “FDA Hit Over Device Reviews.” The story reported a U.S. General Accountability Office report detailing a 4 years study that revealed woefully inadequate review procedures for approval of medical devices. The article noted that 228 medical devices had been approved by the FDA without sufficient review and that “the FDA acknowledged the problem.” Yet, just a few pages over on page A14 AJC, columnist Jim Wooten wrote in his opinion piece that “Gov. Sonny Perdue is dead-on correct” regarding proposed Georgia legislation that will immunize companies from lawsuits where their “FDA approved” drugs and medical devices injure or kill consumers! He states, FDA “Approval should free companies from pursuing product-liability claims in state courts.” Something just doesn’t jive here.

Just as the U.S. Justice Department has been politicized, so has the FDA. FDA officials routinely have been hired and promoted with the understanding that their jobs included “carrying the water” for big businesses and expediting the approval process for drugs and medical devices. To often this mandate has been carried out at the expense of consumers. Just a couple of weeks ago, a group of FDA doctors and scientists broke rank and sent a letter to the Presidential Transition Team noting that managers in the FDA agency division responsible for regulating devices "have ignored the law and ordered physicians and scientists to assess medical devices employing unsound evaluation methods," according to a letter that Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, sent to former FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach.

Shockingly, even in the face of these concerning disclosures, our state legislature is now seriously considering passing a bill to immunize pharmaceutical and medical device companies from legal accountability to Georgia victims who are injured or killed by products, just because these products were “approved” by the FDA…a department that itself recognizes its dysfunctional, inadequate products screening process.
This bill is malignant, outrageous and an affront to the intelligence of Georgia citizens. Georgians we surely can do better.

The author, Roderick “Rod” Edmond, M.D., J.D. is both a medical doctor and an attorney. He is a managing partner at an Atlanta plaintiffs’ law firm.

1 March 2007: Roderick Edmond, managing partner at Edmond & Lindsay, is available to speak at medical and medical/legal seminars concerning issues of risk management for medical professionals. Mr. Edmond, who is both a practicing lawyer and a licensed physician, offers a unique and insightful perspective for medical professionals on how best to reduce their chances of being defendants to lawsuits. If you or your company is interested in having Mr. Edmond speak at your next meeting or seminar, contact Edmond & Lindsay at (404) 525-1080.

22 August 2006: Edmond & Lindsay, LLP recently made headlines regarding a class action filed in Fulton Superior Court. In the August 16, 2006 edition of HealthLaw 360°, writer Erin Cose reports on the firm's recent lawsuit, accusing companies of "neglecting to pay millions of dollars in [Medicaid] claims to doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers." The firm's complaint names AMGP Georgia Managed Care Co, Inc., Peach State Health Plan Inc. and WellCare of Georgia Inc. as defendants, accusing them of misrepresenting their ability to handle administration of Georgia's Medicaid system, and defrauding scores of doctors and medical providers in the process.

If you are a doctor, hospital, or medical provider and are interested in joining this class action litigation, please call our office at 404-525-1080.

28 June 2006: Keith L. Lindsay, a partner at Edmond & Lindsay, was a featured guest on CNN's "Nancy Grace" on June 27, 2006. Mr. Lindsay offered insight and analysis on a recent federal court ruling regarding living restrictions for sex offenders, and commented on recent developments in the Natalee Holloway situation. To read the transcript from Mr. Lindsay's appearance, go here:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/27/ng.01.html