St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - Product Liability

Stork Craft Recalls 2.1 Million Drop Side Cribs

Mike Bryant — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:16:03 GMT

Today, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada recalled 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs. drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

CPSC, Health Canada, and Stork Craft are aware of 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the United States and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in suffocation: a 7-month-old in Gouverneur, N.Y.; a 7-month-old in New Iberia, La.; a 6-month-old in Summersville, W.Va.; and a 9-month-old in Bronx, N.Y. Included in these incidents are 20 falls from cribs; 12 in the U.S. and eight in Canada. Fall injuries ranged from concussion to bumps and bruises.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2JehETgNjc&feature=player_embedded

The cribs involved in these incidents had plastic drop-side hardware that had broken, missing, or deformed claws, connectors, tracks, or flexible tab stops; loose or missing metal spring clips; stripped screws; and/or drop-sides installed upside-down.

The cribs were sold at major retailers including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

This recall includes Stork Craft cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between January 1993 and October 2009. This recall also includes Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo that have manufacturing dates between October 1997 and December 2004. The Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo were first sold in the U.S. in July 1998 and in Canada in September 1998. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” or “storkling” is inscribed on the drop-side teething rail of some cribs. In Stork Craft cribs that contain the “Fisher-Price” logo, this logo can be found on the crib’s teething rail, in the manufacturer’s instructions, on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board, and on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.The cribs were manufactured in Canada, China and Indonesia.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side. Stork Craft can be contacted at (877) 274-0277or through their website www.storkcraft.com

If you or a family member is injured by a product, you need to get immediate medical care. If there is a significant affect or injury, you should contact an attorney concerning the problem. Early investigation can include the collection of product, checking recall alerts, and the proper notifying of those who caused the problem.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Treestands Recalled By Gander Mountain

Mike Bryant — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:39:00 GMT

The second week of November, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Gander Mountain Company, of St. Paul, Minn,recalled 13,000 Hang-On Fixed Position Treestands. The clasp may open unexpectedly if the strap is fastened incorrectly, causing the treestand and user to fall to the ground.

This recall involves he 2008 model GMT101 and 2008 model GMT103 Hang-On Fixed Position Treestands. The recalled treestands have wire mesh on the base of the platform to the top of the footrest and a Gander Mountain logo on the front of the seat. In addition, the seat has a camouflage pattern that is branded “AP” and “REALTREE”. Model GMT101 has “Steel Hang-On With Foot Rest” printed in large bold print on the exterior of the box and the GMT103 has “Large Steel Hang-On With Foot Rest” printed on the exterior of the box. This recall does not affect the 2009 year models GMT101 and GMT103 Hang-On Fixed Position Treestands manufactured by Rivers Edge..

The strollers were sold at Gander Mountain stores from July 2008 until July 2009. The GMT101 was sold for about $60 and the GMT103 was sold for about $80. The products were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using recalled treestands and return them to Gander Mountain for a refund, exchange for a 2009 model or a store credit. Consumers can contact Gander Mountain at (888)-542-6337 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gandermountain.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

One Million Baby Strollers Recalled By Maclaren

Mike Bryant — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:47:21 GMT

The first week of November, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn., recalled 1,000,000 Maclaren Strollers. The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. There has been 12 finger amputations as a result of the problem.

This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

The strollers were sold at Babies“R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360. The products were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using he recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit Consumers can contact Maclaren USA at (877) 688-2326 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

3.8 million Toyotas Equal 6th Largest American Recall:Too Late For Four Killed

Mike Bryant — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:32:44 GMT

Apparently two years ago there were five complaints from owners of the 2007 Lexus ES 350 about unintended acceleration. It took them a little while, but after an apparent "thorough investigation" Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have now recalled the all-weather floor mats in 2007 and some 2008 ES 350s as well as their sibling, the Toyota Camry. Admitting that the floor mats could jam accelerators on 3.8 million Toyotas.

If they had acted faster would they have saved the four people in California who were killed in a recent crash involving a Lexus with a stuck accelerator pedal? Do you think it was the complaints of the potential litigation that finally caught up with Toyota and made them do something? Maybe, tort deform damage caps might have gotten them to act faster? You have got to be kidding me or maybe you own stock in Toyota.

The recall will affect 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.

For more information, consumers can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's hotline at (888) 327-4236, Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Lexus at (800) 255-3987.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Target Halloween Flashlights Recalled

Mike Bryant — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:33:00 GMT

The last week of October, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Target, of Minneapolis, Minn., recalled 610,000 Halloween Flashlights. The flashlights can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

This recall involves two types of Halloween-themed flashlights: the mini flashlights and flashlights sold with stencils.

Mini Flashlights - The mini flashlights have a key ring extending from the bottom and were sold in a pack of three colors: orange, green and black. The orange and purple packaging has “Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)” printed on the front and “DGI”, “Made in China” and “DPCI# 234-02-1813” printed on the back.

Standard Size Flashlights - Also included in the recall are standard sized flashlights with a black handle and an orange top. The flashlights were sold with six stencils in various colors and images: a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull & cross-bones. “Flashlight with Stencil” is printed on the front and “Tien Hsing,” “Made in China” and ”234 02 1838” is printed on the back of the packaging.

The flashlights were sold in Target stores nationwide from August 2009 through September 2009 for $1 for the mini flashlights and $2.50 for the flashlights with stencils.. The products were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the flashlights contact and Target at (800) 440-0680 or through Target's web site at www.target.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Pharmaceutical Company Writing Good Stuff About Their Product

Mike Bryant — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:19:00 GMT

Usually when pharmaceutical companies are writing good stuff about themselves they are called advertisements. But, when they write it about themselves, except do so in ghostwritten "scientific papers", it should be called fraud. I guess it was a way to save money from just paying doctors to make up test results.

This past week, the New York Times reported the recently released court documents show that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals produced 26 scientific papers backing the use of hormone replacement therapy in women. They hired a medical communications firm to publish their papers in medical journals between 1998 and 2005.

Addressing the hormone drugs Premarin (conjugated estrogens) and Prempro (conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate), the papers emphasized the benefits and de-emphasized the risks of taking hormones to protect against maladies like aging skin, heart disease and dementia. At the same time, Wyeth saw sales rise to nearly $2 billion in 2001.

These were companies that until recently were protected by federal preemption from many lawsuits. Companies that paid defense lawyers millions of dollars to question the honesty and integrity of injured plaintiffs. It's to bad none of this evidence was available before too uncover the lies so many of these cases were based on.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Mini Strollers Recalled By Baby Jogger

Mike Bryant — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:36:00 GMT

The last week of August, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Baby Jogger,LLC, of Richmond, Va., recalled 41,000 Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers. The stroller’s restraint buckle could break or unlatch allowing the child or infant to fall out.

This recall involves Baby Jogger City Mini single and double strollers. “City Mini” is printed on the stroller. Item numbers and date codes included in this recall are listed in the chart below along with stroller colors. The item number is printed on a sticker on the rear wheel crossbar. The manufacturing date code is engraved on the frame behind the rear wheel axle crossbar or on the back of the frame on the upright bar between the right rear wheel and the seat.

Item Numbers	Color	Manufacturing Date Codes
67100	Black	2007.11.1 through 2009.2.28 (Nov.1, 2007 through Feb. 28, 2009)
67102	Blue/Gray
67103	Red/Black
67104	Gray/Green
67105	Stone/Black
67109	Orange/Gray
67170	Black
67172	Blue/Gray
67173	Red/Black
67174	Gray/Green
67175	Stone/Black
67179	Orange/Gray

The strollers were sold Juvenile products stores, mass merchandisers, and department stores nationwide and on various Web sites including www.amazon.com from November 2007 through July 2009 for between $220 and $400. The products were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using he recalled strollers and contact Baby Jogger to receive a free replacement restraint buckle and installation instructions. Consumers can 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 the firm’s Web site at www.babyjogger.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Plush Hungry Figures and Magnets Recalled By Weight Watchers

Mike Bryant — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:48:00 GMT

The third week of August, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Weight Watchers Intl., of New York, N.Y. recalled 420,000 in the United States and 25,000 in Canada plush Hungry figures and Hungry magnets. Sewing needles have been found in the stuffing of the Hungry Figures, posing a puncture hazard to consumers.

The Hungry Figures and Hungry Magnets have orange plush exteriors. The Hungry Figure is about 6 inches long and the Hungry Magnet is about 4 inches long. They were sold by Weight Watchers between April 2009 and July 2009 for between $4 and $7. The products was manufactured by Shanghai Oriland Toys Co. Ltd, of China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the products and return them to Weight Watchers to receive a full refund or a credit toward the purchase of another product. Weight Watchers can be contacted toll-free at (866) 288-3891 or visit at the firm’s Web site at www.weightwatchers.com .

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Child Safety: National Concern About Kids, Cords, And Window Blinds

Mike Bryant — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:20:00 GMT

This week, thee U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a a number of warning concerning window blinds and concerns about cords leading to child strangulations. Included in the voluntary recall was:

15,400 (horizontal), 16,400 (vertical), 800 (Cellular Shades) from Vertical Land Inc., of Panama City Beach, Fla.

245,000 Roller Shades from Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.

85,000 Roman Shades from Pottery Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

120,000 MELINA Roman Blinds from IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.

4.2 million roll-up blinds and 600,000 Roman shades from Lewis Hyman Inc., of Carson, Calif.

Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact the place where they purchased the shades. The reason is multiple examples of children being tangled in the open cords and three cases of children being killed. The concern is that strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck in an exposed inner and open cord.

CPSC reminds consumers to 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 Mike Bryant

Child Trailers Recalled By Burley

Mike Bryant — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:04:00 GMT

The second week of August, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Burley Design LLC, of Eugene, Ore recalled 2,700 2009 d’lite ST and Solo ST Child Trailers. The axle assembly’s internal sleeve can loosen, causing one wheel to separate from the trailer. This poses a risk of injury to the child occupant or bike rider.

The recalled products are two-wheeled child trailers designed to carry one or two children behind a bicycle. Only the 2009 d’lite ST and 2009 Solo ST trailers with serial numbers that begin with D939 or D948 are included in the recall. The serial number is located in the rear cargo area behind the seat on the lower left rear frame tube. The trailers have “d’lite ST” or “solo ST” screen printed on the cover. They were sold by independent bicycle retailers and specialty outdoor retailers nationwide and on various web sites from November 2008 through June 2009 for between $550 and $600.. The products were made in Philippines.

Consumers should immediately stop using the trailer immediately and contact Burley to receive a free repair kit or to locate a retailer to assist with the free repair. Burley can be contacted at (800) 311-5294 or through the firm's Web site at www.burley.com/STProductRecall.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant