Until now, proving disability in Fibromyalgia cases required a health provider’s report ruling out other conditions through physical exam and various blood tests. A blood test called FM/a may now be available to help diagnose fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a potentially debilitating disorder that causes chronic, body-wide pain, fatigue and “brain fog.” It affects more than…

The “Grandparent Scam” has been around for years, however the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports a dramatic increase in complaints in recent months. Imposters posing as grandchildren in trouble place frantic calls to grandparents late at night; saying they need help immediately, pleading for money. Worried grandparents send wire transfers as instructed–often thousands of dollars….

Since 2003, about 750,000 Americans have received metal-on-metal hips, which were supposed to last longer than devices made with ceramic and plastic, yet nearly 20 percent of the hip replacements done each year and 10 percent of the knee replacements are revisions, often done because the original device was defective. Some patients have experienced debilitating symptoms…

The Department of Justice and committees in the U.S. House and Senate opened investigations into the timeliness of GM’s reporting crashes due to ignition switch defects to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the NHTSA’s failure to investigate sooner. GM reported that the weight of a key ring, perhaps coupled with road conditions,…

Employers Cut Work Hours to Avoid Obamacare Even though the Obama administration has delayed the employer mandate requiring companies with 50 or more “full-time” employees (working 30 hours or more a week) to offer their workers health insurance or pay a penalty, many employers have already taken steps to avoid the law by cutting work…

On Saturday March 15th, during National Consumer Protection Week, citizens can bring up to two boxes or bags of documents to be shredded to the Portland Police Bureau’s Southeast Precinct, located at 4735 East Burnside Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each year during NCPW, federal, state, and local consumer protection agencies, together with…

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips and falls account for 15 percent of all accidents and are second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of occupational fatalities. Employers are required by law to provide employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. Businesses with third party…

Former Portland Timbers player Eddie Johnson filed a $9.9 million lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court February 5, 2014 against the Timbers ownership group, Peregrine Sports LLC, and the team’s medical group and three members of the team’s medical staff. Johnson’s lawsuit claims that the team failed to properly examine his neurological health before the…

California could be the first state to require warning labels on sodas and other sugary drinks if Democratic Senator William Monning’s proposal to add a warning label, as with tobacco and alcohol, to beverage containers containing added sugar is passed by the state legislature. Proposal Backed by Medical and Other Health Groups The label would…

Approaching an intersection, as the light changes to yellow, do you stop or proceed through the intersection, hoping that cross traffic will wait for you to cross before proceeding? The Oregon Drivers Manual says, when approaching an intersection: A steady yellow signal warns you that the signal is about to turn red. Stop before entering…