The law firm of Ferraro & Associates, P.A., announced it has filed one of the first mercury poisoning lawsuits in South Florida against American Home Products and its related companies. The suit was filed March 28 on behalf of Mohamed and Juliet Edoo, the parents of 5-year-old Justin Edoo. The child suffers from toxic neurological effects of mercury poisoning after receiving childhood vaccines containing thimerosal, a highly toxic preservative with high doses of mercury that were administered over a two-year period (December 1996 through December 1998).

The complaint alleges that, despite earlier warnings from the Food and Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors named in the complaint continued to manufacture, distribute, market and sell thimerosal-containing products without any reference to the toxic hazards. The action, which is pending in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, also includes defendants Federico J. Martinez, M.D., the plaintiff's pediatrician who administered the vaccines to Edoo, and Florida Power and Light Company, which discharges and emits mercury into the atmosphere at a facility less than 50 kilometers from the Edoo's residence. The claim is seeking judgment for damages.

Research as far back as the 1930s indicated concerns about thimerosal and its potential hazard to humans who might be exposed or injected with the substance. In the 1980s the FDA proposed a regulation requiring the removal of thimerosal from all over-the-counter products due to safety concerns. In June 1999, the FDA announced, "infants who received thimerosal-containing injections at several visits may be exposed to more mercury than recommended by federal safety guidelines for total mercury exposure." One month later, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a notice to its members stating a preference for thimerosal-free vaccines.

"It was no secret that vaccines containing thimerosal were dangerous," said James L. Ferraro, sole shareholder of Ferraro & Associates. "As the use of these thimerosal-laden vaccines increased so did the number of neurological disorders such as autism. At one time only one in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism, now the rate has climbed to 40 per 10,000 and in some areas of the country, one in 150."

Ferraro & Associates is part of a coalition of firms from around the country that are bringing these mercury poisoning cases to trial. Edoo v. American Home Products, et al, is only the second such case to be filed in South Florida. Ferraro also is handing nine other mercury-poisoning cases in South Florida, which his firm plans to file in June.

Established in 1985 by James L. Ferraro, Ferraro & Associates, P.A., is one of the country's leading law firms specializing in toxic torts, product liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death and personal injury.

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Contact: Lauren Chernosky or Lauri Oliva, both of O'Connell & Goldberg, Inc., +1-954-964-9098, for Ferraro & Associates