Stoughton / Canton Area Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

Stork Craft Recalls Two Million Baby Cribs

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Stork Craft Manufacturing, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary recall of more than two million drop side cribs.

The agency is aware of the deaths of four young children who suffocated in the cribs. Additionally, there have been 110 reports of incidents in which drop-sides detached from the cribs.

The recall includes 1.2 million Stork Craft cribs sold in the U.S. and one million sold in Canada. Approximately 150,000 of the recalled cribs carry the Fisher-Price logo.

The federal government has recalled nearly 5 million cribs in the past two years -- many of them with drop down sides.

The cribs have had ongoing hardware and assembly issues. In January, the Stork Craft recalled about 500,000 cribs because of problems with metal brackets that support the mattress. The new recall includes some of the same models from the earlier recall, CPSC said.

Consumers are urged to contact Stork Craft for a free repair kit that will convert the drop-side crib to a fixed side. In the meantime, the recalled cribs should not be used.

For more information on the recall, visit the Stork Craft Web site or call the company toll free at (877) 274-0277. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Burn Hazards Prompt Recall of Gas Grills

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:02:00 GMT

Lucas Innovation Inc., in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a recall of more than 660,000 Perfect Flame SLG Series Gas Grills in the U.S. and 1,700 grills in Canada. The grills were sold exclusively at Lowes stores nationwide.

According to a news release by the CPSC, the burners can deteriorate causing irregular flames and some lids can catch fire, posing a fire and burn hazard.

To this date, the company has received 40 reports of fires from the burners deteriorating and 23 reports of the lids catching fire. The agency is aware of one eye injury which required surgery and 21 incidents of minor burns to the face, arms and hands.

The model numbers included in the recall are listed below:

Model	Replacement Burners	Replacement Lid
SLG2006B	Yes	No
SLG2006BN	Yes	No
SLG2006C	Yes	No
SLG2006CN	Yes	No
SLG2007A	Yes	Yes
SLG2007B	Yes	Yes
SLG2007BN	Yes	Yes
SLG2007D	Yes	No
SLG2007DN	Yes	No
SLG2008A	Yes	Yes

Consumers should stop using the recalled grills and contact LG Sourcing for a free replacement burner and, depending on the grill model, free replacement lid.

Consumer Information: Call toll-free at (888) 840-9590 anytime, or visit www.lowes.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Computer AC Adapters Recalled By Sony

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:14:00 GMT

Sony Corp. is voluntarily recalling certain VAIO Computer AC Adapters because they can fail over time, posing an electrical hazard.

Four incidents of the adapters short circuiting have been reported to the company, none of which occurred in the U.S. There have been no reports of injuries.

The recall involves more than 69,000 AC Adapters with model number VGP-AC19V17 which was supplied for use with the following Sony products:

All-in-one VAIO Desktop Computers - VGC-LT series and VGC-JS2 series

VAIO Docking Stations - VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1

Consumers should contact Sony for a free replacement AC adapter and in the meantime turn off the computer and unplug it to avoid the risk of injury.

For more information, contact Sony toll-free at (877) 361-4481 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at esupport.sony.com/ac19adapter.

The recall was announced in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Replacement Torch Fuel Containers Recalled By Lamplight Farms

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:37:06 GMT

Lamplight Farms Inc. is voluntarily recalling 720,000 Flame Guards on Clear-Vu Torch Fuel Containers because they can malfunction and cause the containers to melt while in use, posing a fire hazard.

To this date, 35 incidents of the fuel containers melting while the torch was in use have been reported to the company. One report included a minor burn injury.

The recalled fuel containers have “RC” stamped on the flame guard. The items were sold nationwide at home improvement, discount and hardware stores from January 2008 to August 2009.

Consumers should contact Lamplight to receive a free repair kit. In the meantime, the recalled flame guards should not be used.

Consumer Information: Contact Lamplight toll-free at (866) 671-7988 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday - Friday, or visit www.lamplight.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Strollers Recalled By Baby Jogger

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:44:00 GMT

Baby Jogger voluntarily recalled Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers because the restraint buckles could break or unlatch, posing a fall hazard to children.

To date, the agency has not received any reports of incidents and/or injuries associated with the recalled products.

Baby Jogger City Mini single and double strollers are included in the recall. The CPSC Web site has a full list of recalled Baby Jogger products along with the affected item numbers and manufacturing date codes.

The items were sold nationwide at mass merchandisers and department stores as well as various Web sites, which include Amazon.

Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers and contact the company for a free replacement buckle and instructions.

Consumer Information: Contact Baby Jogger at 877-506-2213 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, email the firm at recall@babyjogger.com, or visit BabyJogger.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Deaths Prompt Recall of Blinds and Shades

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:53:00 GMT

The deaths of three children and the near strangulation of seven others has prompted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, to recall more than 5 million window blinds and shades because the cords pose a strangulation hazard to children.

Six companies in total are recalling blinds and shades. Below are links to the CPSC News Releases:

IKEA – 120,000 MELINA Roman Blinds

Lewis Hyman Inc - 4.2 million roll-up blinds and 600,000 Roman shades (¼” Oval Roll-up Blinds and Woolrich Roman Shades)

Lutron Shading Solutions - 245,000 Roller Shades

Pottery Barn - 85,000 Roman Shades

Target - 763,000 Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo Roman Shades

Vertical Land - Horizontal and Vertical Blinds and Cellular Shades - 15,400 (horizontal), 16,400 (vertical), 800 (Cellular Shades)

A Safety Reminder from the CPSC: Consumers should examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Bouncer Chairs Recalled By BabySwede LLC

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:49:00 GMT

BabySwede LLC announced a voluntarily recalling 6,500 BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance and BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance Air bouncer chairs.

The recall was announced when small, sharp metal objects were found in the padded area of the bouncers which can protrude, posing a hazard to children.

To date there have been no reports of injury related to the recalled items.

The recall includes BabyBjörn Babysitter Balance and Babysitter Balance Air bouncers with the following model numbers:

BabyBjörn® Babysitter Balance:

Black/Red; Model #009064US
Black/Silver; Model #009065US
Dark Blue/Blue; Model #009066US
Brown/Beige; Model #009069US

BabyBjörn® Babysitter Balance Air:

White; Model 009001US

Consumers should stop using the recalled products and contact BabySwede for instructions on how to return the recalled products for relabeling and inspection. During the inspection, if metal pieces are found, the company will replace the product.

Consumer Contact: For more information, please contact BabySwede, LLC toll-free at (866) 424-0200 anytime, or visit the company’s Web site at www.babyswede.com

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Nestle Cookie Dough Recalled For Possible E. Coli Contamination

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:08:00 GMT

Nestle, in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has issued a voluntarily recall of 300,000 cases of prepackaged refrigerated cookie dough due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, a bacterium that causes foodborne illness.

A preliminary investigation found an association between consuming raw cookie dough and the illnesses of more than 65 people in 29 states.

To determine if you have recalled cookie dough, view a list of recalled Nestle products.

These products should be returned to the local supermarket for a refund and should not be eaten, advises the company and the FDA.

E. coli contamination is a dangerous bacterium which can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney failure, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Children's Hooded Sweatshirts Recalled By Macy's

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:32:00 GMT

Macy’s, in conjunction with the U.S. Product Safety Commission, is voluntarily recalling sweatshirts sold under the Epic Threads and Greendog labels because they pose a strangulation hazard to children.

To date, there have been no reports of injury involving the recalled items.

The recall includes boys and girls Epic Threads sweatshirts and girls Greendog sweaters with nonfunctional ties in numerous styles. The Epic Threads sweatshirts are white, gray, maroon, yellow, blue, green, and black, with images on the front and/or back. The girls Greendog sweaters are brown and gray. Only sizes small and medium are subject to the recall.

Consumers have two options – they can return the recalled item to Macy’s for a refund or remove the ties from the sweatshirts, thereby eliminating the hazard.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Macy’s toll-free at (888) 257-5949 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Macy’s Web site.

* CPSC's recommended guidelines for drawstrings on Children's Upper Outerwear.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

That Horrible "Odor" Could Be Damage to Property

Bruce Bierhans — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:50:57 GMT

A rose by any other name... NOT

Over the years, I have had many cases and inquiries involving alleged odors that caused illness. Examples include varnishes on floors, glues under carpeting and even methane gas in a condominium resulting from improper placement of a septic system.

This week, Mass. Lawyers Weekly reports that the 1st U.S Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a permeating odor could constitute "physical injury to property". While LW reports that this could have a significant impact upon liability carriers that may now have to defend or provide coverage for theses cases, it may also provide relief to homeowners or other persons that may have suffered injury or damage to property as a result of such conditions.

In 2000, a company hired Suffolk Construction as a general contractor to make improvements to office space. Suffolk contracted with a flooring company to install tile and carpet. When employees returned in 2001, they noticed offensive odors, and some complained of headaches. When the sub refused to redo the job, Suffolk had to pay 1.4mill to remediate the problem. Suffolk then sued the sub and a US Magistrate initially ruled that the insurer had no duty to defend because of "exclusions" in the underlying policy of the sub. The appellate court reversed, holding that "odor can constitute physical injury to property" under Massachusetts law, and that the remediation, which included bead blasting of the floor could be interpreted as "physical injury."

I have often had to fight for consumers against insurance companies that try to hide behind the multiple exclusions often found in homeowner insurance policies. Although this is a 1st circuit federal court case, it gives a good indication as to how our state appeals courts may rule in similar circumstances. A potential victory for the consumer down the road; and one that doesn't leave a "bad taste" in your mouth.

Bruce Bierhans

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bruce Bierhans