Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 56 °F Wind: NW at 6 mph Sunday, June 22, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 3, 2003 Bechler’s parents planning lawsuit From staff and wire reports LOS ANGELES — Steve Bechler’s parents plan to sue the makers of a diet supplement containing ephedra, which a coroner said contributed to the heatstroke death of the Baltimore Orioles and former South Medford High pitcher in spring training. Attorney Todd Macaluso said Ernie and Pat Bechler will sue Cytodyne Technologies, Inc., and Phoenix Laboratories, the manufacturers of Xenadrine RFA-1, a diet supplement that includes ephedra. The civil action will charge wrongful death, product liability, negligence, fraud and misrepresentation this week, Macaluso said. There was no announcement about how much the family might seek in damages or where the lawsuit would be filed. Advertisement "The loss of Steve Bechler has had a devastating effect on the family," Macaluso said in a statement Monday. A phone message left after business hours for a spokesman at Cytodyne, based in Manasquan, N.J., was not immediately returned. Ephedrine use is banned by the NCAA, the International Olympic Committee and the NFL, but not major league baseball. Last week, Illinois became the first state to ban the substance. The 23-year-old Bechler was taking the supplement to lose weight at the start of spring training when he collapsed Feb. 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He died the next day after his temperature rose to 108. Toxicology tests confirmed that "significant amounts" of an over-the-counter supplement containing ephedra led to Bechler’s heatstroke, along with other factors, Broward County medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper said. Macaluso was one of the lead attorneys in a class action lawsuit brought by Jason A. Park against Cytodyne. The company was ordered Friday to pay $12.5 million to California consumers for exaggerated and false claims about the product’s safety and effectiveness. Cytodyne denied the charges and said it plans to appeal the ruling of San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times