Medtronic, a company that produces pacemakers and other medical devices, has warned doctors around the country that almost 40,000 pacemakers could be defective. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million have been implanted in patients since 1997, but a wiring defect could cause as many as 37,000 of the devices to malfunction.

According to the Associated Press, Medtronic says it has received two reports of patient deaths where the pacemakers may have played a role. They also added that physicians should consider removing a pacemaker if their patient depends on the device for daily survival. Patients should call their doctor immediately if they experience symptoms, including fainting or lightheadedness.

Every day, it seems there are more cases of abuse and mistreatment of students by their teachers and peers, regardless of whether it’s a private or a public school. Yesterday, a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) was released that found there have been more than 20 deaths and hundreds of cases dealing with abuse of special needs students in schools. The report was published on the same day the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing that included student testimonials regarding this abuse. The abuses include improperly restraining children or using seclusion rooms as punishment.

To view the full story from the Associated Press, please click here. To view video from last night’s news story on NBC Nightly News, please click here. The law firm of Balkan & Patterson is currently handling a number of local cases in Florida that deal with special needs students who have been abused or mistreated by their teachers in schools. For more information about the types of cases our personal injury and accident law firm works with, please visit our website.

The firm was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, at 601 S. Federal Highway, Suite 302. Mr. Balkan can be contacted at (561) 750-9191. Additional information about Balkan & Patterson, LLP may be obtained from the firm’s website at www.balkanpatterson.com.

Florida has a new seat belt law, and adults over the age of 30 can now be stopped and ticketed solely for not wearing a seat belt in the front seat. Gov. Charlie Christ signed the legislation yesterday, and the law will go into effect on June 30.

The law already allowed for enforcement for drivers and passengers under 18. Adult drivers or passengers could face a fine of $30 if caught without a seat belt. To view the full story, please click here.

The personal injury and auto accident law firm of Balkan & Patterson in Boca Raton strongly encourages all passengers and drivers, regardless of their age, to wear a seat belt at all times while in a vehicle. Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, and they can protect you from serious injury or even death.

For more information or to contact our law firm, please visit www.balkanpatterson.com. Our Florida trial attorneys represent personal injury, auto accident, defective products, and consumer fraud clients throughout South Florida, including Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and throughout the United States.