Workers Compensation Premium Rates
Results from 2004's first nine months indicate Missouri should post its lowest rate of premium increases for workers' compensation insurance since 2000, according to Department of Insurance Director Scott Lakin. With 206 insurers filing rate changes for 2004, overall market rates have increased only 1.9 percent, Lakin said, compared to 14.7 percent last year.

- posted by Donald @ 9:48 PM

 
Medical cases also involve suits against drug manufacturers. For instance, Vioxx manufactured by Merck & Co., was pulled from the market by the drugmaker because it might increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Clinical trials have indicated that long term use of the painkiller Vioxx doubles a person's risk of heart attack and stroke. It is estimated that 2 million people are taking Vioxx worldwide.
Merck's action is the direct result of a huge clinical trial comparing Vioxx to sugar pills. The trial's main goal was to see whether Vioxx could prevent recurrent colon polyps. But the trial was also designed to look at the drug's long-term safety. For the first 18 months of the trial, patients taking Vioxx every day had no more heart attacks or strokes than those taking placebo pills. But after 18 months on Vioxx, patients' heart attack and stroke risks doubled.

- posted by Donald @ 11:37 AM