Post by WaTcHeR on Sept 3, 2006 13:33:37 GMT -5
09.03.2006 - September 2, 2006 - As the rolling billboard remained momentarily idle on East Van Buren Street Friday afternoon, motorists slowed down to read the message next to the photo of a smiling pigtailed toddler cuddling a puppy.
“Cardinal Health Pharmacy killed this child by giving her the wrong medicine,” the billboard reads.
The photograph is of 2-year-old Alyssa Renee Rodriguez of Harlingen who attorneys claim died at the negligence of Cardinal Health 109 Inc. and two of its employees when she was given the wrong medicine for toxic lead poisoning.
Alyssa Renee Rodriguez was admitted to Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen in 2005 for treatment of toxic lead poisoning and was prescribed edetate calcium disodium. She instead was given edetate disodium, which caused her to suffocate, according to a personal injury and breach of contract lawsuit filed on the behalf of the toddler’s parents, Diana Alcala and Richard Rodriguez.
“They (her parents) were devastated by this,” said Austin attorney Marc G. Rosenthal who is representing the family. “This is something that should not have happened. It’s inexcusable.”
Alcala declined comment, referring questions to her attorney.
Edetate calcium disodium is used to treat lead poisoning. Edetate disodium is used to treat patients with an abundance of calcium in their blood or for individuals with irregular heartbeats.
Rosenthal stressed that Valley Baptist Medical Center is not a party to the lawsuit.
“The hospital has no blame in this at all,” Rosenthal said. “They have no fault in this at all.”
The toddler’s death occurred in March 2005 and a $1.5 million settlement had been in the works between the family and Cardinal Health 109 Inc. since around March of this year. Talks stalled when Cardinal Health 109 Inc. insisted the pharmacist and pharmacy technician not be sued individually, Rosenthal said.
Cardinal Health spokesman Jim Mazzola of Dublin, Ohio, said it was inappropriate to comment on the case but said the pharmacy has continuously expressed its sympathy to the Rodriguez family.
“We really express our sympathy to the family. ... This is a tragedy,” Mazzola said.
The case is pending in court.
The girl’s parents hope to prevent other families from experiencing their heartache and view the billboard as a public awareness campaign.
The family had wanted to erect stationary billboards along roadways in Cameron County, but a temporary restraining order was issued by Cameron County Court-at-Law Janet Leal prohibiting stationary billboards from being installed or parked near Expressway 77/83 or Business 77.
Leal also ordered that billboards not be set up within 3 miles of Dolly Vinsant Hospital in San Benito, Harlingen Medical Center and Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville.
Attorneys for Cardinal Health 109 Inc. filed a request for a temporary restraining order against the billboard, stating it could prejudice a jury and cause “irreparable injury” to Cardinal Health 109 Inc. and its employees.
The order made no mention of a rolling board. Moebill Ad out of New York was hired to provide the roving ad, which has been making its way throughout Cameron County.
Bryant Rushing of Houston has been hauling the billboard and said it is turning heads.
“People are constantly looking,” he said. “People are stopping and actually hitting their brakes, stopping and looking at it. I’m at stoplights, and it seems like all the focus is on this. Trust me, it’s attracted a whole bunch of attention.”
www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=72496_0_10_0_C
“Cardinal Health Pharmacy killed this child by giving her the wrong medicine,” the billboard reads.
The photograph is of 2-year-old Alyssa Renee Rodriguez of Harlingen who attorneys claim died at the negligence of Cardinal Health 109 Inc. and two of its employees when she was given the wrong medicine for toxic lead poisoning.
Alyssa Renee Rodriguez was admitted to Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen in 2005 for treatment of toxic lead poisoning and was prescribed edetate calcium disodium. She instead was given edetate disodium, which caused her to suffocate, according to a personal injury and breach of contract lawsuit filed on the behalf of the toddler’s parents, Diana Alcala and Richard Rodriguez.
“They (her parents) were devastated by this,” said Austin attorney Marc G. Rosenthal who is representing the family. “This is something that should not have happened. It’s inexcusable.”
Alcala declined comment, referring questions to her attorney.
Edetate calcium disodium is used to treat lead poisoning. Edetate disodium is used to treat patients with an abundance of calcium in their blood or for individuals with irregular heartbeats.
Rosenthal stressed that Valley Baptist Medical Center is not a party to the lawsuit.
“The hospital has no blame in this at all,” Rosenthal said. “They have no fault in this at all.”
The toddler’s death occurred in March 2005 and a $1.5 million settlement had been in the works between the family and Cardinal Health 109 Inc. since around March of this year. Talks stalled when Cardinal Health 109 Inc. insisted the pharmacist and pharmacy technician not be sued individually, Rosenthal said.
Cardinal Health spokesman Jim Mazzola of Dublin, Ohio, said it was inappropriate to comment on the case but said the pharmacy has continuously expressed its sympathy to the Rodriguez family.
“We really express our sympathy to the family. ... This is a tragedy,” Mazzola said.
The case is pending in court.
The girl’s parents hope to prevent other families from experiencing their heartache and view the billboard as a public awareness campaign.
The family had wanted to erect stationary billboards along roadways in Cameron County, but a temporary restraining order was issued by Cameron County Court-at-Law Janet Leal prohibiting stationary billboards from being installed or parked near Expressway 77/83 or Business 77.
Leal also ordered that billboards not be set up within 3 miles of Dolly Vinsant Hospital in San Benito, Harlingen Medical Center and Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville.
Attorneys for Cardinal Health 109 Inc. filed a request for a temporary restraining order against the billboard, stating it could prejudice a jury and cause “irreparable injury” to Cardinal Health 109 Inc. and its employees.
The order made no mention of a rolling board. Moebill Ad out of New York was hired to provide the roving ad, which has been making its way throughout Cameron County.
Bryant Rushing of Houston has been hauling the billboard and said it is turning heads.
“People are constantly looking,” he said. “People are stopping and actually hitting their brakes, stopping and looking at it. I’m at stoplights, and it seems like all the focus is on this. Trust me, it’s attracted a whole bunch of attention.”
www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=72496_0_10_0_C