Victoria Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

Portable Generator Deaths During Hurricanes

Will Sciba — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:10:40 GMT

Hurricanes can be deadly for many reasons. Some deaths will be caused by portable generators. Most people are not aware that a portable generator can produce several hundred times the carbon monoxide (CO) produced by a motor vehicle. Warnings on generators are inadequate and at times misleading. As a result, deaths cause by portable generators significantly increase after hurricanes and other natural disasters. Deaths caused by generators have been on the rise ever since the sale of generators increased due to concerns about Y2K. Most of these deaths are preventable.

Generator manufacturers typically blame generator related deaths on the user of the generator. Companies that manufacture generators need to take their responsibility to those that purchase their products more seriously. It is not that people who use these products want to get sick or die. The problem is that most people don't understand the risks of CO poisoning. Generator companies have done a poor job of protecting their consumers from a danger that the generator companies know about, but the public does not comprehend. Most people who are injured or killed from carbon monoxide produce by a generator have place the generator in a location that they believe to be safe. These locations include basements, garages, adjoining rooms, car ports, and even outside. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been studying the dangers posed by generators. Here are some things manufacturers can do to reduce the risk of CO injury and death.

1. Improve the warning labels on generators to better educate the consumer,
2. Decrease the amount of CO emitted by generators,
3. Put an automatic shut-off devices on the generator, and
4. Provide CO detectors to customers who purchase generators.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission makes the following recommendations for portable generator users.

CO from a generator is deadly and can kill you in minutes. One generator produces as much CO as hundreds of cars. It can incapacitate and kill consumers within minutes.

NEVER use portable generators indoors or in garages, basements, or sheds. They should always be used outside well away from windows, doors, vents, or any other opening.

Always have a working CO alarm in your house.

Also, never burn charcoal grills indoors, even with ventilation. Charcoal also quickly produces deadly CO.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Will Sciba

CPSC - Target Corp. To Pay $600,000 Civil Penalty

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:16:00 GMT

Target Corp. denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to pay a $600,000 civil penalty to resolve claims that it knowingly violated the federal lead paint ban on toys.

The tenative penalty would resolve CPSC claims that from May 2006 through August 2007, the company knowingly imported various toys (Kool Toyz Products and others) with paint or other surface paint that contained lead levels about legal limits.

The agency asserts the company failed to take the proper steps to ensure that no toys or children’s products would have lead-containing paint, thereby creating a risk of lead poisoning and other adverse health concerns to children.

“This penalty should remind importers and retailers that they have always had the same obligation to meet the strict lead limits as the manufacturers,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Good Neigh Bears Recalled By State Farm Due to Choking Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:37:00 GMT

State Farm, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary recall of State Farm Good Neigh Bears because the plastic eyes on the bear can detach, posing a choking hazard to children.

To date, there has been one report of the plastic eye detaching and a young child placing it in her mouth, but there have been no injuries.

The recall involves both the 11-inch and 18-inch State Farm Good Neigh Bears. About 800,000 of them have been recalled in the U.S. and 27,000 in Canada.

Consumers are advised to discard the bears to prevent a choking hazard to young children.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact State Farm toll-free at (877) 226-8079 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT or visit the company’s website at www.statefarm.com or www.statefarm.ca

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

1.6 Million Cribs Recalled by Delta Enterprises

Robert W Soliz — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:09:35 GMT

Two infant deaths causes a massive recall on cribs by Delta Enterprises. The deaths were caused by either missing safety pegs in the cribs. The cribs were sold over the last 10 years through the United States.

The Washington Post has more detail at washingtonpost.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Robert W Soliz

Another Toy Recall

Mike Parker — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:28:15 GMT

Today, about 3,000 Toy Police Cars have been voluntarily recalled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission and TCB Imports of Vernon, California. The reason for the recall is the red paint on the cars contains excess levels of lead.

These cars were sold at dollar and discount stores between May 2008 and August 2008.

It seems as though toy recalls are more and more common in recent years. Parents and caregivers of small children, should pay close attention to toy recalls.

It is important to take these Toy Police Cars away from children immediately. A picture of the recalled toy can be found at http://www.tcbimports.com/recall.html.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Parker

Tainted milk blamed for deaths of at least four babies

Wanda Logan — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:02:07 GMT

Tainted milk has been blamed for sickening thousands of babies and killing at least four Chinese babies. There may also be contaminated of other foods due to the compromised ingredients in food products such as yogurt, cookies and candy, including Oreos and Snickers.

Testing has shown that the product has "sufficiently high levels of melamie which may, in some individuals, cause health problems such as kidney stones."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wanda Logan

Use Extra Precaution With Candles

Wanda Logan — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:33:29 GMT

Reminder to persons without electricity due to Hurricane Ike, please use extra care when using candles or open flames. At least two house fires in the Houston area are being blamed on candles being knocked over. Keep candles and open flames away from curtains or other flammable items. Make sure they are placed where children and pets will not easily knock them over.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wanda Logan

Simplicity Bassinets Recalled Due To Strangulation Hazard

Mike Parker — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:22:28 GMT

Some babies have died recently by strangulation after becoming entrapped in the metal bars of Simplicity Bassinets. This news has gotten the attention of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). On Thursday, August 28, 2008, the CPSC urged retailers to stop selling and recall the Simplicity Bassinets.

Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Big Lots, Target and J.C. Penney have already agreed to the voluntary recall and will offer a refund to customers who return the bassinets to the store where purchased.

For a list of recalled model numbers, visit the CPSC website.

Please check the recalled models and stop use immediately. Please pass this information along to friends and loved ones who have babies and small children. If could save a life.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Parker

Prodisc and its Risk of Injury

Mike Parker — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:59:09 GMT

In August 2006, Synthes gained F.D.A. approval for its product, Prodisc. Prodisc is an artifical disc used in spine surgeries. Since that time, severe injuries have been caused by the Prodisc failing after surgery.

In fact, because of concerning surrounding the test trials of the Prodisc, Medicare

decided last August not to cover the disk for most Medicare patients

Before considering any surgery which involves the Prodisc, indepth research should be done. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury caused by Prodisc, you should consult with an attorney immediately.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Parker

Prodisc

Wanda Logan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:16:39 GMT

If you or someone you know has an artificial spinal disc, or more specifically a Prodisc implant manufactured by Spinal Solutions, you may be at risk for complications or injuries because of a defective product. At least one patient had the disc come apart and had to have it surgically removed and is now suffering severe pain from his ordeal.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Wanda Logan