Product Liability Law Blog

Ford Motor Inc. is voluntarily recalling over 655,000 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT Pickup Trucks following reports of 11 minor accidents. 2005 and 2006 models with 5.4 liter 3-valve engines are affected by the recall.

The automaker wants to repair a hose that could affect a truck’s braking power if the hose were to become swollen and detach from the intake manifold. The driver might then lose the “assist” function that gives the brakes extra power and would have to step on the pedal more forcefully to stop the truck.

Brake Problems
Brake problems can lead to awful consequences for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, especially when one of the motor vehicles involved is a large, heavy truck. Injuries sustained in a truck accident can be catastrophic and may result in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or massive internal injuries.

Examples of other brake problems that can cause serious accidents:

• Defective parking brakes
• Problems with the hydraulic lines
• Damaged brake pads
• Brake failure

If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident or a car accident that occurred because of a defective auto part, you may be able to hold the auto manufacturer, the car dealership, or the auto maintenance shop financially responsible for your injury accident. Calling attention to the product defect may also get the problem fixed and prevent other people from getting hurt.

Over the years, our products liability law firm has successfully represented many injury victims of defective motor vehicles. We take your automotive products liability case very seriously. We even employ an in-house engineering staff that are experts on vehicle safety and design.

Ford recalls more than 655,000 trucks, CNN.com, May 14, 2008

Ford Recalls Trucks for Faulty Break Hose, NewsInferno.com, May 15, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Recall Information, Ford Motor Co.

Continue reading " Ford Recalls Over 655,000 Lincoln Mark LT and F-150 Pickup Trucks " »

Posted by Gilbert, Ollanik, & Komyatte, P.C. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Automotive Product Liability

Bookmark:

Kohl’s, Neiman Marcus, True Religion Apparel, Life is Good, Gilden Activewear, Dollar Days International, Cayre Group, and Seena International have agreed to pay $320,000 in penalties to settle allegations made by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that they failed to give immediate notice that they were selling clothing with drawstrings—a combination that is known for causing serious injuries to children.

In 1996, The CPSC had provided retailers and manufacturers with guidelines that suggested that no drawstrings should be placed in the neck or hood area of children’s clothing. It also recommended that drawstrings in pants or at the waist level only be a certain length. In 2006, the CPSC told clothing makers and sellers that any clothing that violated its guidelines would be recalled for defects.

All eight firms have recalled the clothing. They claim they were not aware they had violated the law.

Since April 2007, there have been over 18 recalls involving more than 190,000 units of children’s clothing that came with drawstrings around the waist or neck. There have been no reports of serious injuries associated with the recalls over the past year, but there have been serious injuries and fatalities in the past.

From 1985 to 1999, 48 incidents involving drawstrings on children’s clothing getting tangled on nursery furniture, playground equipment, or other items have been reported. 22 deaths were also reported, including a 14-year-old whose clothing drawstring got caught on a bus handrail. The girl died after she was dragged under the bus.

Drawstring on clothing can also pose a strangulation hazard for children if the strings were to wrap around the child’s neck too tightly or become tangled or stuck on an external object. Drawstrings with small objects attached to them that can easily fall off may pose a choking hazard for children that might swallow the pieces.

Our defective products liability law firm represents the families of children and infants that have been seriously injured or killed because of defective clothing, defective nursery products, dangerous toys, hazardous furniture, and other dangerous or defective consumer goods.

Clothing Retailers Settle With Safety Panel, Washington Post, April 23, 2008

Eight Companies Including Kohl's Must Pay Fine, Associated Content, April 24, 2008

Children's Rain Ponchos with Drawstrings Recalled by Daiso Due to Strangulation Hazard, CPSC.gov, May 12, 2008

Related Web Resource:

CPSC Recommended Drawstring Guidelines (PDF)

Continue reading " Retailers Pay $320,000 Fine For Selling Defective Children's Clothing With Drawstrings " »

Posted by Gilbert, Ollanik, & Komyatte, P.C. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Clothing

Bookmark:

On April 24, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Waxcessories® Inc. announced the voluntary recall of 830,000 electric simmer pots. There have been over 160 reports of wires and cords coming loose from the pots, and Waxcessories® and the CPSC were concerned of the electric shock and fire hazards that the simmer pots might pose to users.

No injuries have been reported so far. The simmer pots are used for melting scented wax and were made in China. All Waxcessories® electric simmer pot designs and styles are included in the recall.

Across the United States, our product safety law firm represents clients that have been seriously injured because of defective products. One of our electrical product defects lawyers can discuss your products liability case with you during your free consultation.

Electrocution Injuries
Defective products can lead to all kinds of serious injuries, including burn injuries and electrocution injuries. A person can sustain an electric shock injury when he or she comes into direct physical contact with an electrical current or an electrical source.

A person may experience electric shock from a defective hair dryer, heater, household appliance, an electrical work tool, or any other product requiring the use of electricity. Improperly installed power lines in homes and offices and other public premises can also lead to serious—even fatal—electric shock injuries.

The strength of the current and the parts of the body that are affected by electric shock can determine the seriousness of the injury.

Symptoms of electrical shock are not always evident, but serious injuries can include cardiac arrest, burn injuries to the skin, nerve or muscle damage, respiratory failure, hearing problems, seizures, deformity or broken bones at the point of contact on the body, spinal cord injuries, and unconsciousness after direct contact with an electrical source.

Related Web Resources:

Waxcessories® Recalls Electric Simmer Pots Due to Risk of Fire and Shock, CPSC.gov, April 24, 2008

Waxcessories

Continue reading " 830,000 Waxcessories Electric Simmer Pots Recalled Because Loose Wire Connections May Cause Electric Shock " »

Posted by Gilbert, Ollanik, & Komyatte, P.C. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Electrical Product Defects , Electrocution/Electric Shock

Bookmark: