Attorney Blogs » Product Liability

If a Medical Device is Recalled, Should Similar Devices be Blocked?

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:23 +0000

Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts makes a sound statement: “If an automobile is recalled for a major safety problem, we wouldn’t allow future models to repeat this same flaw, and the same should be true for the medical devices used in our bodies.” Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? But that is not what happens with medical devices, many of which are permanently implanted in the human body. Rep. Markey made th [...]

Toyo Tire Recall Over Defect in Manufacturing

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:53 +0000

Toyo Tire Holdings of America has issued a recall of certain Toyo Extensa A/S tires sizes P225/60R16 97T because of a defect that could cause a blowout in the tire. Made between September 20, 2009 and November 6, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 68,763 tires are defective because they were produced with a kink in the bead area, which can cause the tire to split nea [...]

Tire Bead Defect Recall Announced by Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:13:33 +0000

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. is recalling about 68,763 tires due to defective tire beads that may crack under some circumstances. This flaw could consequently cause a crack to go unnoticed in which case the tire may fail, leading to loss of vehicle control and an injury or fatality accident. Tires included in the recall are certain Toyo Extensa A/S Tires, size P225/60R16 97T, manufactured from September 20, 2009 to November 6, 2010.

Zimmer Recall Overview

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:07 +0000

Knee replacements have become one of the most common operations performed, as America’s population grows older on average, but continues to stay active. Knee replacement surgery was first performed in 1968; since then, more than 600,000 operations have been performed each year to replace knee joints damaged by arthritis or injury. For older adults who suffer from a variety of knee issues, knee replacements have [...]

CPSC Warns of Child Injuries Caused by Swallowing Magnets

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:40:13 +0000

Numerous reports of children being severely injured after swallowing magnets has led the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a warning about the severe injuries that could be caused by such incidents. Incidents have been reported for victims ranging from toddlers to teenagers, but the cases center around swallowing two or more magnets and suffering severe internal damage from the items’ intera [...]

Nationwide Recall of Widely-Used Contaminated Alcohol Prep Pads

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:40:10 +0000

In January of this year, H&P Industries, Inc., which does business as the Triad Group of Hartland, Wisconsin issued a recall of all lots of alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs and alcohol swabsticks. These products are packaged under a variety of labels including Triad, Safeway, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens and the Target brand Up and Up). The recall announcement was in response to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inv [...]

CPSC Recalls 1 Million Pool and Spa Drain Covers due to Entrapment Hazard

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:40:07 +0000

On May 26, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of approximately one million in-ground spa and swimming pool drain covers, produced by eight different manufacturers. This announcement coincides with the CPSC’s pool safety campaign, “Pool Safely: Steps Save Lives,” which began with a press conference in California, also on May 26. The recall was initiated because the drain c [...]

Salmonella Scare in Kroger Products

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:40:04 +0000

Kroger Onion Soup & Dip Mix and Kroger Beefy Onion Soup & Dip mix are being recalled because of the possibility of salmonella being present. This recall is for Onion Soup & Dip Mix with a "sell by" date of January 6, 2011 to February 17, 2011 and for Beefy Onion Soup & Dip mix with sell-by dates of December 28, 2010 to February 23 2011. Salmonella is a potentially lethal bacterium and may attack the bloodstream an [...]

Chrysler Will Repair the Airbags in Over 355,000 Minivans

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:40:01 +0000

This summer, Chrysler plans on fixing over 355,000 minivans. They are quick to point out that this is not a "recall" in the vein of the recent Honda and Toyota recalls. Chrysler claims that even with this new problem with the airbags, their vehicles still meet the federal standard for safety. In addition, no personal injuries due to defective airbags in New York or throughout the U.S. have been reported at this tim [...]

Honda Recalls Vehicles for Airbag Defects

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:39:58 +0000

Honda Motor Company has expanded its vehicle defect recall to include an additional 438,000 vehicles worldwide, including 379,000 in the United States. According to a news report, Honda officials said the driver's airbag inflators in these vehicles may expand with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to break. This could result in injury or death. The expanded airbag defect recall in New York and [...]

E. Coli Fears Prompt Yet Another Beef Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:39:55 +0000

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued yet another beef recall over food poisoning concerns. This time, it's from Adams Farm Slaughterhouse LLC., a company in Athol, Massachusetts that is recalling about 2,574 pounds of beef products, which may be contaminated with the deadly E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. At least one Massachusetts resident is reported to have been sickened by this contaminated beef. This is t [...]

Toyota Announces Official Recall Due to Brake Defects

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:39:53 +0000

With consumer confidence certainly waning in the auto sector over the last couple of months, Toyota has issued yet another recall, this time due to an anti-lock braking system (ABS) software glitch. Toyota announced the voluntary recall on February 9, 2010 for several vehicle models, including the popular 2010 Prius. The complete list of recalled Toyota vehicles includes the following: 2004-2010 Prius 2005-2010 Ava [...]

Hyundai Azera Models Recalled for Defective Airbags

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:39:50 +0000

Hyundai, the Korean auto maker, has issued an auto product defect recall for 65,266 Hyundai Azera vehicles from 2006-2009 model years, according to a news report in the Miami Herald. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the vehicles involved in the recall were manufactured between September 27, 200 and October 1, 2008. These Hyundai Azera models have a wiring harness for the righ [...]

Toyota Accelerator Defect Results In Voluntary Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:39:46 +0000

Vehicle safety is an issue that many motorists take for granted. We trust that auto manufacturers have rigorously tested their products, ensuring the safety of consumers as a consequence. However, as the most recent safety recall issued by Toyota illustrates, faulty design is not always caught by auto manufacturers before its products are introduced and sold to the public. The National Highway Traffic Safety Admin [...]

Ford Issues Recall for Close to 500,000 SUVs and Minivans

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:53:42 +0000

According to a Huffington Post report, the Ford Motor Company has issued a major recall for nearly half a million vehicles because of a pair of mechanical issues. The Michigan-based automaker is recalling 205,896 Mercury Monterey and Ford Freestar minivans made during 2004 and 2005 because the torque converter output shaft may potentially fail. If this occurs, there could be a sudden loss of power which could cause [...]

Trouble in Toyland Report Lists Hazardous Children’s Toys

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:53:39 +0000

The holiday season is upon us, which means shoppers will be out in droves looking for gifts for their nearest and dearest. If you are fortunate enough to have little ones in the house, giving toys for your child to enjoy can be one of the best parts of the holidays; however, all toys are not created equal, and some may cause unintended injury to your child. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group has issued its 26 [...]

Are Your Halloween Decorations Safe?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:53:37 +0000

Decorating your home for Halloween is a great way to get your kids excited for the holiday. However, some Halloween decorations pose a very real threat to the safety of your children and your home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends taking several steps to reduce the risk of accidents caused by hazardous or defective Halloween decorations. Try to use battery-operated candles instead of candle [...]

Use Caution When Passing Old Toys on to Kids

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:53:35 +0000

Many people save their old toys in the hopes that they can pass them down to their children someday. While this is a nice sentiment, parents should be careful when allowing their kids to play with old toys. The safety standards in place several decades ago were not as strict as the safety standards in place today. The following are some examples of the top dangerous toys from the past. The Spark Gun The Spark Gun a [...]

Recent Recalls Include Food Products, Medications, and Medical Devices

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:53:32 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regularly publishes information about product recalls and safety alerts to help American citizens keep themselves safe from defective products and unsafe foods, medications, cosmetics, and medical devices. Recent recalls include several food products, several brands of oral contraceptives, and a dangerous medical device. Food Products In September, the FDA released recall [...]

Big Lots Recalls Metal Futon Bunk Beds Responsible for Child’s Death

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:53:29 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of metal futon bunk beds on June 16. The bunk beds were sold exclusively by Big Lots stores across the U.S. from January 2009 through April 2010. The recalled beds will have model number BFB1008 on a label on the support rail on the upper bunk. The futon bunk beds are being recalled because of an entrapment hazard. The space between the last r [...]

Parents Sue Zoloft Makers Over Infant Injuries

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:18:03 +0000

A group of parents has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, the maker of Zoloft, an antidepressant, which they say caused severe birth defects in babies born to women who took the drug while pregnant. The nine-count complaint that was filed December 2 in St. Clair County Michigan Circuit Court says the babies were born with major medical defects, including heart damage. At the time, studies showed the risks associated w [...]

FDA Considers Upgrading Controversial Transvaginal Mesh from Class 2 to Class 3

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:18:00 +0000

In a highly unusual move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday, January 4, it is considering upgrading the classification of surgical mesh used in woman to hold up pelvic organs or to treat incontinence. Synthetic transvaginal mesh is currently Class II. A Class III designation would mean clinical studies would have to be conducted for safety and efficacy before the product is introduc [...]

Feds: No Need for Formula Recall After Infant Deaths

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:53 +0000

The Enfamil infant formula has unofficially been linked to cases of four infant infections but there is not enough evidence to issue a recall, according to federal and state health officials. The Cronobacter infection was found in the infants who all had consumed Enfamil. The formula was removed from store shelves by some major retailers after infants died in Missouri and Florida. Those states, along with Illinois [...]

Pottery Barn Defective Bed Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:19 +0000

The federal U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada issued a press release Wednesday, December 28, announcing the recall of a defective Pottery Barn Bed for Kids with a canopy that has collapsed and injured children. The defective canopy belongs to the Madeline Bedroom Collection made by Pottery Barn, a division of Williams-Sonoma. The recall extends to 7,700 beds sold in the U.S. and about [...]

Costs Mount on Artificial Hip Injuries

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:16 +0000

The injuries to patients from defective all-metal artificial hips are beginning to be understood in terms of dollars and cents. The New York Times reports the most widespread medical device failure in decades involves metal hips that have a high failure rate and leave patients thousands of dollars in debt and will cost Medicare, taxpayers, and insurers billions in the coming years. The Times reports on one patient [...]

Chevy Defective Power Steering Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:13 +0000

A defective product recall has been issued for about 3,150 new General Motors Chevrolet Captiva automobiles. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), there is a problem with the power assist/power steering fluid. Vehicles made from October 2, 2009 to April 21, 2011 are affected by the problem, described by the recall notice as a high running pump speed in first gear which generates additional and e [...]

FDA Recalls Salmonella Infected Supplements

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:11 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for some herbal supplements that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The supplements are made by the Eclectic Institute of Sandy, Oregon. The FDA news release issued Tuesday, December 20, has the lot numbers of the supplements which contain the herbs Gotu Kola and Bladderwrack in freeze-dried capsules. Salmonella is a serious contamination known to c [...]

Former FDA Director Joins Consumer Group Public Citizen

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:14:58 +0000

The consumer group Public Citizen frequently calls for the recall of dangerous drugs or medical devices. Now a former FDA director is joining them. Larry Kessler used to work for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), a section of the FDA that oversees medical devices. He is joining Public Citizen in asking that the Stryker Wingspan brain st [...]

Defective Transvaginal Mesh Cases May Consolidate in West Virginia

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:14:56 +0000

So far, there are more than one hundred lawsuits concerning transvaginal surgical mesh filed in various state courts around the country and now three separate but related motions have been filed to consolidate those cases before a judge in the Southern District of West Virginia. Plaintiffs from 83 different cases are suing American Medical Systems, 41 cases are suing Ethicon, and 30 cases are suing Boston Scientifi [...]

St. Jude Defibrillation Lead – Class I FDA Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:14:53 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class 1 recall concerning a defibrillator lead that can lead to death from a defective heart rhythm. The device is made by St. Jude Medical and the FDA notified health care providers of the most serious recall of the Riata and Riata ST Silicone Endocardial Defibrillation Leads. The problem is that the silicone that insulates the covering is defective and may [...]

Did the FDA Adequately Review Silicone Breast Implant Safety Data?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:24 +0000

Consumer safety groups want to know if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually looked at safety data before declaring silicone breast implants safe last year. The Washington Post quotes the National Research Center for Women and Families in a January 4 story stating that one in five, or 20 percent, of women will have to have their silicone breast implants removed and/or replaced within five years becau [...]

Do Medical Devices Need More Monitoring?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:22 +0000

Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate on December 14 that would require medical device makers to track their products after they are implanted in patients. As amazing as it sounds, that doesn’t happen now. And even more astonishing, many implantable medical devices do not undergo a premarket review for safety before they are sold for use. In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has oversee [...]

Common Household Substance Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:20 +0000

The news website Fair Warning reports that a chemical found in common household products, as well as a contaminant in groundwater, has been linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD) in a new study. Published in the Annals of Neurology, the study looked at 99 sets of twins in which one of the twins suffered from Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that is progressive and causes uncontrollable shaking. The st [...]

$1.1 Million Fine for Failing to Report Defective Children’s Dart Set

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:18 +0000

A New Jersey company has been fined $1,100,000 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for failing to report a defective toy dart gun set. Manufacturers are required to report product failures to the federal agency immediately after they hear of a defective product and/or an injury that results from the product. The CPSC says that manufacturer, Henry Gordy International Inc., misrepresented to the CPSC wha [...]

Jacksonville Baby Tangled in Blinds Left with Life-Threatening Injuries

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:15 +0000

A one-year-old Jacksonville baby has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being tangled in blinds near its crib. The story on the Channel 4 news website does not say if the baby was a girl or boy, only that police responded to the 4000 block of Starratt Road on the Northside around noon on Friday, October 14 and found the baby tangled in the cords. Jacksonville Fire Rescue took it to Shands Jackso [...]

Injuries from Surgical Mesh: What is Informed Consent?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:12 +0000

So many women and men we talk to concerning their injuries from surgical plastic prolene mesh don’t even know what type of mesh they have had implanted. In some instances they aren’t sure they even have mesh to support a weak pelvic floor or to repair a hernia. They may have vaguely remembered a conversation with the doctor who told them it would “fix them up” or it’s the “gold standard” in mesh and t [...]

New Study Finds Avastin Raises Risk of Blood Clots

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:10 +0000

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that the cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) raises a patients’ risk of death by up to 350 percent when combined with chemotherapy. According to an article on CNN, Avastin is also responsible for causing blood clots in legs and lungs when used as directed. The drug is designed to stop the production of new blood vessels and there [...]

CDC Finds No Evidence Linking Imported Drywall, Homeowner Deaths

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:08 +0000

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday, January 31 that they did not find a link between 11 deaths of people and the homes they lived in with Chinese drywall that corroded metals and emitted an unpleasant odor, according to a report in Consumer Affairs. The CDC had been looking into the deaths in Louisiana, Florida, and Virginia after hundreds of homeowners complained about he [...]

New Study Finds Christmas Lights Contain Unhealthy Amounts of Lead

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:06 +0000

Researchers at the Ecology Center in Michigan were curious – how many holiday lights contained dangerous levels of lead? So they tested 68 common types of holiday lights and discovered that 4 out of 5 strings of lights contained lead and 28 percent contained lead at hazardous levels that made them illegal to sell in Europe, reports an Ecology Center press release. The Ecology Center released the findings on [...]

Toyota Case Faces Obstacles

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:04 +0000

Toyota and runaway vehicles made the headlines in the beginning of 2010. Now the class action lawsuits are slowly moving through the courts, but a problem has presented itself- where are the injuries? When some consumers got behind the wheel of their Toyota Prius, Lexus, or Camry, and it took off uncontrollably, sometimes hitting other vehicles, there was property damage but often little human damage besides a goo [...]

12,000 Disney Fairy Tricycles Recalled Due to Laceration Hazards

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:48 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has just issued a recall on Disney Fairies Plastic Racing Trikes manufactured by Kiddieland Toys Ltd. The recall effects around 12,000 of the Disney-branded tricycles that were sold in Target stores across the United States from July to December 2009. The tricycles feature plastic fairy figures, including Tinker Bell and other chara [...]

Could Your Electronics Be Putting You at Risk?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:46 +0000

More and more people rely on electronics to communicate with loved ones, find information, and complete work projects every day. From laptop computers to high-tech projectors, technology makes it easier to run a business, seek entertainment, and stay in touch with people on the other side of the world. But did you know that defective electronics also put you at risk for serious inj [...]

Arizona Injuries Associated with the Use of Child Walkers

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:45 +0000

Parents often buy walkers as a means of encouraging their children to walk. Unfortunately, medical experts say that these walkers do not really help children learn to walk and often put kids at risk for serious injuries. According to BabyZone.com, the muscles used to move around in a walker are not the same muscles used in walking. This means the walkers don’t have much benefit an [...]

The Government’s Role in Protecting Children from Dangerous Toys

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:43 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) plays a vital role in protecting consumers from dangerous and defective products. The CPSC monitors products that put consumers at risk. This federal agency has the power to create restrictions on the quality of products as well as issue recalls when a product fails to meet those standards. The CPSC has recently issued a number of r [...]

Dorel Bunk Beds Recalled for Collapse Dangers

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:41 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a product recall for Dorel Asia bunk beds. According to the CPSC, the recall was issued for about 467,000 bunk beds manufactured by Dorel Asia SRL of Barbados, which were distributed in both United States and Canada. The recall was issued after reports that the wooden side rails can split, which creates a significant risk [...]

One Million Aquarium Heaters Recalled for Fire Hazards

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:40 +0000

The United Pet Group has issued a recall of about 1.2 million aquarium heaters because they present a possible fire and laceration hazard. According to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the products recalled are called the Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro Aquarium Heaters. The heaters reportedly have a wiring issue, which can make them prone to overheating, which [...]

Toy Trucks Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:38 +0000

The manufacturer of “Troy the Activity Truck” has issued a defective product recall for the toys due to a potential choking hazard. According to an ABC 15 news report, Infantino LLC issued the voluntary recall after there were 28 reports of plastic beads detaching from the truck. So far there have been two reports of young children gagging on the plastic beads. These pot [...]

Pool Drain Covers Meant to Prevent Entrapment May Not Be Safe

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:36 +0000

Federal safety officials are investigating the safety of pool and spa drain covers and whether the testing procedures used to determine the flow rating of these covers is adequate. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a consumer alert providing information about its investigation, which revealed that the testing protocols used by some of the labs that t [...]

Product Liability Cases in Phoenix

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:34 +0000

All manufacturers have a legal responsibility to design, create, and sell products that are free of defects and safe for consumers to use. Unfortunately, manufacturers can sometimes overlook safety regulations or rush the manufacturing or testing process. As a consequence, products that can cause consumers injury manage to find their way into homes in Phoenix. However, as a consumer [...]

Investigating Product Liability Claims in Arizona

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:37:33 +0000

It is very important to stick with an experienced, trustworthy Peoria, Arizona injury lawyer when a product liability expert is needed. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed due to a defective product, it will take a lot of money, time, and detailed investigation up front to determine the amount and strength of evidence that exists to prove that the product [...]

Marshfield Woman Suffers Burns by Exploding Bug Repellent

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:46 +0000

The Patriot Ledger reports that an unidentified woman from Marshfield suffered burns on her face and arms after flammable bug repellent caused an explosion a few feet away from her at a party in Hanover Friday evening. The woman was sitting close by a pot of flammable mosquito repellent around 8:45pm that night when her friend and the host of the gathering, Joan Shaughnessy, went to refill the pot with more repelle [...]

Massachusetts Sues Lawrence Company for Asbestos Removal Violations

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:44 +0000

Environmental Restoration Services Corporation (ERSC) has been cited by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office due to the company’s careless and hazardous removal of debris that contained asbestos at a construction site in Gardner. Based in Lawrence, ERSC is led by disbarred attorney Jorge Elias, 64 of Salem. According to The Eagle Tribune, the Attorney General has filed a suit against the [...]

Make Sure Your Space Heaters are Safe Heaters

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:43 +0000

As the cooler weather starts to set in over these coming weeks, we’ll be warming up our homes with our fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and, in some cases, space heaters. With space heaters, we need to try and keep some important safety tips in mind when we use them. 1. Don’t use space heaters as your only source of heat. They are meant to add heat to the room that you’re in and nothing more b [...]

BMW Recalls 345,000 Vehicles Over Braking System Concerns

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:42 +0000

Last week, luxury car manufacturer BMW announced that it is recalling almost 200,000 vehicles in North America due to a braking issue. The recall stems from oil that could potentially drip from a valve within the brake vacuum pump, eventually causing the leaking oil to impact elements within the braking system itself. BMW stated that more pressure would be needed to apply the brakes if the problem persisted. Even t [...]

Fisher-Price Recalls Toddler Tricycles, High Chairs

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:41 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CSPC) and Health Canada have announced today that Fisher-Price of East Aurora, NY has voluntarily recalled a number of its products for serious safety concerns. CPSC has recalled three types of Fisher-Price high chairs due to the pegs on the back legs of the high chairs could pose laceration hazards to children if they were to fall against the pegs. “Healthy Care, [...]

Milk Products for Infants Recalled by FDA

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:39 +0000

A recall out yesterday focused on young children’s milk products with inaccurate ingredient labels. Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines, Inc. is the manufacturer for Sustagen Junior Milk Drink Powder Vanilla Flavor and Alactagrow Bibo Trio Milk Supplement, and both of these products are geared towards infants and toddlers aged 1 to 3. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that these two products are [...]

Update on Massive Egg Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:38 +0000

Austin “Jack” DeCoster, the owner of Wright County Egg Farm, went in front of the federal House Energy and Commerce Committee’s panel recently to hear the panel’s concerns and voice his apology for the massive recall of his farm’s 380 million eggs due to the presence of Salmonella. “We were horrified to learn that our eggs may have made people sick. We apologize to ev [...]

Insect Parts Found in Baby Formula Lead to Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:37 +0000

Yesterday, Abbott issued a voluntary recall for their Similac powder formula products for infants due to concerns that there may be beetle parts and larvae in the affected containers. The formula has been sold across the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Caribbean countries. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that infants who were fed the recalled formula may experience stomachaches and oth [...]

Lead in Mood Rings, Necklaces Leads to Recall

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:35 +0000

A recall was announced earlier this week for children’s rings and necklaces that contain concerning levels of lead. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USPC) and D&D Distributing-Wholesale, Inc. of Tacoma, Washington have issued the voluntarily recall of approximately 19,000 mood rings and 4,000 necklaces that have been sold to customers. The recalled products were manufactured in China. [...]

Class Action Lawsuit Filed over Egg Recalls

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:34 +0000

A class action lawsuit was filed in Chicago, Illinois last week, regarding several Salmonella poisoning cases traced to contaminated eggs. The eggs came from two farms in Iowa, Wright County Egg Farm and Hillandale Farm. The two farms allegedly sold the eggs that have made people sick across the nation, resulting in billions of eggs having to be recalled. Six plaintiffs from different states are part of the la [...]

Teleflex Defective Catheters Recalled For Potential Health Problems

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 02:00:09 +0000

The 5800 series intra-aortic balloon catheters were recalled by manufacturer Teleflex on December 22 after patients reported that it got “stuck in sheath.” If a user can’t move it forward or backward, it leads to a delay in therapy. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the U.S. FDA issued a class 1 recall because these catheters have the potential to cause serious health issues, even death. Millions of peo [...]

50 Million Blinds Recalled as Strangulation Hazard

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:42 +0000

On December 15, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the window covering industry recalled more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because of the risk children may be strangled by the cords. According to an article by the Associated Press, the CPSC said five deaths and 16 near-strangulations from Roman shades have been reported since 2006, while three deaths connected to roll-up bli [...]

Crib Design Standards May Become More Strict

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:40 +0000

On November 24, the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) promised swift action to get dangerous products off the market. According to an Associated Press article that appeared on Philly.com, the CPSC chairman acknowledged that her agency did not move quickly enough on a record recall of 2.1 million cribs linked to four infant suffocations. The recall involves drop-side cribs made by Stork Craft M [...]

Study on Merck Pill Zetia Raises New Questions

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:37 +0000

A new study raises new concerns about Zetia and Vytorin, drugs taken by millions of Americans to lower cholesterol. According to an article by the Associated Press on Philly.com, Zetia failed to shrink buildups in artery walls while a rival drug, Niaspan, did so significantly. Zetia users also suffered more heart attacks and other problems although the numbers of these events were too small to draw firm conclusions [...]

FDA Discovers Pieces of Steel and Rubber in Genzyme Drugs

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:36 +0000

Federal health regulators have found tiny particles of trash in drugs made by Genzyme, a biotechnology company. This is the second time this year the company has been cited for contamination issues. According to an Associated Press article, on November 13, the Food and Drug Administration said that bits of steel, rubber, and fiber found in vials of drugs used to treat rare enzyme disorders could cause serious adver [...]

FDA Says Heartburn Drugs Can Interfere with Plavix

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:34 +0000

On November 17, federal health officials said that a popular variety of heartburn medications can interfere with the blood thinner Plavix, a drug taken by millions of Americans to reduce risks of heart attack and stroke. The Associated Press reported in an article that the Food and Drug Administration said the drugs Prilosec and Nexium cut in half the blood-thinning effect of Plavix, known generically as clopidogre [...]

Stroller Recall Over Fingertip Amputation Danger

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:31 +0000

On November 9, about a million Maclaren strollers sold by Target and Babies “R” Us were recalled after 12 reports of children having their fingertips amputated by a hinge mechanism. According to an Associated Press article, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall includes all nine models of single and double umbrella Maclaren strollers (Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, [...]

Bathrobe Fire Death: Connecticut Family Sues

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:29 +0000

The family of a Connecticut woman who died after her chenille bathrobe caught on fire has filed a federal lawsuit against a Pennsylvania-based retailer. According to an article by the Associated Press on Philly.com, attorneys for the estate of an 80-year-old woman filed suit last week in U.S. District Court in Hartford, CT against Blair LLC. They are claiming wrongful death and product liability and are seeking $30 [...]

PA Prempro Cancer Case: Jury Weighs Damages

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:26 +0000

A Philadelphia jury is weighing punitive damages against drugmaker Wyeth. According to an article by the Associated Press, there is link between the Illinois woman’s breast cancer and the hormone-replacement drug she took. The woman’s case is one of many Prempro lawsuits to go to trial out of several thousand filed across the country. About 1,500 are pending in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia jury awarded $3.7 [...]

First Paxil Lawsuit Results in Plaintiffs Favor

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:25 +0000

A Philadelphia jury awarded $2.5 million to a woman from Bensalem. The jury found that Paxil had caused heart problems in her 3-year-old son who required several surgeries after his birth to fix his heart. They ruled out additional punitive damages. The case was the first of about 600 lawsuits to go to trial on claims that the GlaxoSmithKline’s Paxil antidepressant caused birth defects in children whose mothers [...]

$24M Chrysler Wrongful Death Settlement Approved by Judge

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:23 +0000

A bankruptcy court judge overseeing certain Chrysler assets approved a $24 million settlement in the death of a California longshoreman run over by a Dodge pickup. According to an article, the settlement comes more than two years after a Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded damages of more than $55 million to a deceased man’s family. The family argued the automaker had failed to fix and adequately warn consume [...]

Merck to Pay 3,100 Vioxx Claims

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:21 +0000

According to an article on Philly.com, a $4.85 billion fund was set up so that Merck & Co. Inc. can compensate kin of those who died of heart attacks or strokes. The claims are from the families of more than 3,100 users of its Vioxx painkiller who died of heart attacks or strokes because of the drug. The fund will pay about 3,000 claims for heart-attack deaths and at least 122 for strokes. Merck launched Vioxx i [...]

Trial Opens in Philadelphia in Paxil Lawsuit

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:45:17 +0000

On September 15, an attorney told a Philadelphia jury that GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C. ignored evidence for years that its antidepressant Paxil may have caused birth defects. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, this attorney represents a woman who says that taking the drug during her pregnancy caused her three year-old son’s heart problems. The Bucks County resident, a former cheerleader for the Ph [...]

Infant Deaths Prompt Government Warning on Slings

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The government warned that baby slings can be dangerous, even deadly for little ones. According to this Associated Press article, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said it investigated at least 13 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers over the last 20 years, including three deaths last year. One other case involving a fatality is still being investigated. Twelve of the deaths involved babies young [...]

10 Million Cans of Slim Fast Recalled

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

According to a report by Fox News, 10 million cans of the popular diet drink Slim-Fast have been recalled by its parent company, Unilever PLC. Unilever claims that this move is strictly precautionary. They believe that the cans may possibly be contaminated with bacteria that can make consumers ill, but were quick to point out that the recall only affects their “Slim-Fast ready-to-drink” products; their snack-ba [...]

FDA Announces Recall of 2M Defective Needles

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Federal health officials announced the recall of 2 million medical needles last month because of a risk they can push bits of silicone into patients’ bodies. According to an article on Philly.com, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Nipro Medical Corp. voluntarily recalled its Exel/Exelint Huber needles manufactured between January 2007 and August 2009. The needles are used to access injection ports, whi [...]