NJ Sexual Abuse Settlement

New Jersey Private School Settles Another Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Sexual abuse victims who suffered at the hands of a predator will finally get some relief and closure. Patch.com reported January 27, 2020, that, according to attorneys, the Pingry School settled a sexual abuse lawsuit with 13 victims. The lawsuit stemmed from allegations that a teacher at Pingry, an exclusive private prep school, molested and sexually abused students during his tenure in the 1970s. The lawsuit alleged that the school was aware or should have been aware of the abuse, and hid it from the public, including parents. The predator, That “Ted” Alton, Jr. was arrested in 1979 and convicted of multiple acts of lewdness involving students.

These 13 men may have benefited from recent New Jersey legislation, which has extended the time during which survivors of child sexual abuse can file lawsuits. The law is similar to New York’s Child Victims Act. It lifts the statute of limitations, giving survivors two years to take legal action against their abusers and the organizations that protected them.

Update: NYS Extends Deadline To File Cases Until August 14, 2021

Pingry School Previously Settled Abuse Allegations With 21 Former Students

This most recent agreement is the second sexual abuse settlement involving Pingry. In April 2018, PIngry settled with 21 victims who also alleged Alton sexually abused them while they were students. The victims were all sexually abused as pre-teen boys between 1972 and sometime in the late 1970s. Alton, they claim, was the main perpetrator of the sexual abuse.

Alton had ample opportunity to abuse the boys during his time at Pingry. He worked at both the Basking Ridge and Short Hills campuses in New Jersey. Alton also served as assistant principal, coach, teacher, and guidance counselor. Also, according to the Patch, Alton was a scoutmaster for a boy scout troop consisting of many students from Pingry. Alton was also allegedly a counselor at Camp Waganaki in Maine, where many students and their families spent summers.

Pingry School Settles 13 Sexual Abuse Allegations for an Undisclosed Amount

In addition to an undisclosed amount of financial compensation, this most recent settlement includes a reaffirmation of Pingry’s “commitment to providing a safe environment.” Pingry’s Head of School stated that the school has plans to “institute a series of new protection policies and procedures, developed with input from our school’s survivors, all designed to ensure that the atrocities of the past cannot be repeated.”

In a move that showed its commitment, Pingry engaged an independent firm to investigate the sexual abuse that allegedly occurred during Alton’s employment. Since then, it has also created a student safety advisory committee. Pingry has also conducted an audit of its policies related to child protection and abuse reporting practices. The Pingry School has done much of the work with input and help from sexual abuse survivors and alumni.

Contact Alonso Krangle, LLP If You Are a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse

We have lawyers who can help you if you were sexually abused as a child. Call our office at 800-403-6191 today to find out if you are eligible to file a claim against your abuser and the school or church that protected him. Our sexual abuse lawyers work hard to ensure you collect the maximum damages the laws allow, the damages you deserve.

 

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Dangerous Diet Drug Lorcaserin

FDA Warns Public About Popular Diet Drug Lorcaserin

Lorcaserin is a drug used for weight management. It is sold under the names Belviq and Belviq XR. In an announcement on Medpage Today, Senior Editor Crystal Phend tells consumers that the United States Food and Drug Administration ( the FDA) has cautioned the public about lorcaserin, and its possible link to increased cancer risk.

Why Do Doctors Prescribe Lorcaserin and Belviq?

It is a drug prescribed to help a patient with weight loss. The FDA approved Lorcaserin in 2012, after initially rejecting it due to lack of sufficient safety data. The FDA approved it “for use with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help weight loss in adults who are obese or are overweight and have weight-related medical problems.”

Belviq is a pill that works by inducing feelings of fullness. This feeling of fullness results in patients eating less food. Belviq XR is the same as Belviq, just in the form of an extended-release tablet.

How Big is the Risk of Cancer From Lorcaserin?

Phend notes that the FDA has not quantified the risk of cancer from taking lorcaserin. Nor has the FDA indicated what type of cancer patients might be at increased risk of developing. In their drug safety communication, the FDA wrote: “At this time, the cause of the cancer is uncertain, and we cannot conclude that lorcaserin contributes to the cancer risk.”

What Should You Do if You are Taking Belviq or Belviq XR?

The FDA recommends speaking with your health care professional if you take lorcaserin. You should ask about and discuss the cancer risks associated with the drug. You and your doctor should consider the benefits and potential dangers of taking lorcaserin and decide what is right for you.

Contact Our Dangerous Drug Lawyers if You Developed Cancer While Taking Lorcaserin

Our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP are interested in speaking with people who were diagnosed with cancer while taking Lorcaserin, Belviq, or Belviq XR. There might be legal remedies available to individuals and their families who were adversely impacted by these drugs. Call our office today at 800-403-6191to discuss your potential claim.

 

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Lorcaserin Might Cause Cancer FDA

The FDA Issues Safety Communication: Lorcaserin Might Cause Cancer

The FDA issued a safety communication warning the public about lorcaserin. During a safety assessment of lorcaserin, clinical trials showed that taking lorcaserin might increase your risk of cancer. The FDA stated:

“At this time, the cause of the cancer is uncertain, and we cannot conclude that lorcaserin contributes to the cancer risk. However, we wanted to make the public aware of this potential risk. We are continuing to evaluate the clinical trial results and will communicate our final conclusions and recommendations when we have completed our review.”

What is Lorcaserin?

Lorcaserin is a popular weight loss, or diet, drug. It is prescribed in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and exercise plan to help individuals lose weight. The FDA approved it for use to help adults who are obese or overweight and have medical problems related to their excessive weight. Lorcaserin is supposed to increase feelings of fullness, so people eat fewer calories.

What is Belviq?

Belviq and Belviq XR are the brand names of lorcaserin. Since its approval in 2012, Belviq’s popularity as a weight-loss product has fluctuated. Arena Pharmaceuticals is the company that initially developed it. In 2017, Arena sold its rights to Belviq to Eisai so it could focus on developing other drugs.

FDA Has a History of Safety Concerns Over Belviq

It is not clear how many Americans take Belviq or how much revenue the weight-loss drug generates. It is clear, however, that the FDA has some concerns about its safety. The FDA did not initially approve the drug because the agency did not feel there was sufficient safety information.

After that, the FDA expressed concerns about the effect on the cardiovascular system. It had the manufacturer conduct additional testing regarding cardiovascular side effects.

In fact, the safety testing that led to this latest concern about cancer was a random, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate heart-related issues. The results showed “more patients taking lorcaserin were diagnosed with cancer compared to patients taking placebo.”

Patients and their doctors are being urged to report any cases involving patients taking Belviq who have cancer. The FDA is still investigating the connection that might exist between lorcaserin and cancer.

Our Dangerous Drug Lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP Are Investigating Belviq Claims

If you take Belviq, Belviq XR, or lorcaserin and have been diagnosed with cancer, our lawyers would like to speak with you to get some details. Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, at 800-403-6191 to find out if you might be eligible to collect damages from the makers of Belviq.

 

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