Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) press release reported on May 12 the reannouncement of a November 2009 Maclaren USA stroller recall for risk of fingertip amputations and lacerations. According to the release, 149 accidents with the strollers, including 37 reported injuries, have been made known to Maclaren since the announcement of the first recall. Out of these reported stroller injuries, five included additional fingertip amputations, 16 additional lacerations, and 16 additional fingertip entrapments/bruising. When the original recall was launched, 15 incidents, including 12 reports of fingertip amputation throughout the United States, had been reported.

These recalled strollers pose the potential danger of fingertip amputation and laceration to the child when a person is unfolding or opening the stroller. These risks are present due to a flaw in the hinge mechanism of the stroller. The reannouncemnt of the stroller recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers placed on the market before November 2009. Maclaren strollers placed on the market after May 2010 contain dissimilar hinge design than the previously recalled strollers and are not included in this recall.

The recalled strollers were sold at juvenile product and mass merchandise stores throughout the nation from 1999 to November 2009. Any consumer who has not installed the hinge covers is being advised to contact Maclaren USA right way to get a free repair kit at hingecovers@maclaren-usa.com or toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Manufacturers are responsible for designing and creating products that are safe and do not contain any defects or unknown dangers that could cause consumers injury, illness, or death. A Sacramento product liability lawyer will know what effective steps need to be taken in order to help you and your family hold negligent manufacturers liable for their oversight.

Continue reading "Recall of Maclaren USA Strollers Reannounced Due to New Incidents of Fingertip Amputations, Lacerations" »

Amputation injuries have the potential to dramatically and permanently change the life of the victim forever. The loss of the limb is not just physically difficult, but it can also be very difficult to deal with psychologically. Below are some of the most frequent asked questions about amputation injuries, the legal rights of amputation injury victims, and personal injury litigation involving amputation injuries.

What is an amputation?

By definition, an amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. An amputation could be the removal of a toe or finger, or an entire leg or arm. A traumatic amputation occurs when a limb is partially or wholly severed at the scene of an accident. A limb may need to be removed surgically if it has been severely injured and cannot be spared. Amputations may also be medically necessary due to an infection, cancer, or infection, such as a diabetic foot infection or gangrene.

What are some of the causes of amputation injuries?

Amputation injuries can result from any traumatic accident, including but not limited to car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents and construction accidents. Industrial accidents using equipment such as food slicers, meat grinders, milling machines, conveyor belts, printing presses, mechanical power presses and metal forming machines and other heavy machinery can result in finger and limb work-related amputations.

Who is at financially responsible for an amputation injury?

Depending on how your accident occurred, a number of possible parties may be responsible for your injuries. If the accident that caused your amputation injury was the result of a car accident, pedestrian accident, construction accident, industrial accident, the party responsible for the accident may be responsible for your medical care expenses, lost earnings and wages, and emotional pain and suffering. Every cases unique and different; talk to an attorney to discuss your case and who may be responsible for your amputation injury.

What are the possible complications of amputation injuries?

If you or a family member has suffered a serious injury, talk to your doctor about how it will affect you or your loved one and the possible medical complications associated with the injury. Amputation injuries may have short-term complications that occur during the initial recovery, and long term complications that may occur years down the road. There are significant risks in elderly people and others with hardening of the arteries. Depending on many factors related to the location and severity of injury, possible complications include wound infections and phantom limb pain. More general risks may include heart attacks, strokes, angina and chest infections.

Continue reading "Frequently Asked Questions About Amputation Injuries " »