Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

Generic drug maker, Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, has issued a voluntary recall of multiple lots of oral contraceptives. The contraception recall is due to a packaging error, which reversed the weekly tablet order and hid the pill's expiration date. According to a statement released by Qualitest, the packaging error may cause the daily regimen of the pills to be incorrect. When taken out of sequence, the pill can be rendered ineffective and increase the risk of an unintended pregnancy. There are no immediate health risks associated with the packaging defects, however, consumers using the affected birth control pills are advised to use a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately. Qaulitest also advises consumers taking the affected product to consult a health care provider or pharmacist.

The oral contraceptives being recalled, include Cyclafem 1/35,Cyclafem 7/7/7, Gildess FE 1.5/30, Gildess FE 1/20, Emoquette, Previfem, Tri-Previfem, Orsythia. A full list of the recalled products can be found online. For additional information on the recall, contact Qualitest at (877) 300-6153.

If you suffered an unplanned pregnancy as a result of taking one of the recalled products, you would be well advised to speak with a northern California defective product lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger for free. As advocates of those affected by a dangerous or defective product, we will not hesitate to go up against large corporations who fail to provide consumers with a properly labeled, designed or manufactured product.

Continue reading "Oral Contraceptives Packaging Error May Result In Unintended Pregnancy " »

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" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of approximately 307,848 Toyota vehicles for defective airbags that may deploy inadvertently, potentially causing injury to vehicle occupants. Toyota vehicles included in the recall are model year 2008 Highlanders, model year 2008 Highlander Hybrids, and model years 2007-2008 Rav4s.

According to the recall notice, there is a flaw with the two sensors in the curtain shield airbag (CSA) system in the airbag sensor assembly. These airbag components are meant to be designed to detect vehicle roll angle. When there is a malfunction with one of these sensors, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light: MIL) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be deferred. However, the airbag CSA still functions should a side collision occur. If both airbag sensors fail nearly at the same time after an initial airbag system check, there is a chance that the CSA and the seat belt pretensioner may unintentionally activate, potentially leading to vehicle occupant injury.

To fix the problem with the frontal airbags and sensor control module, Toyota is expected to replace the airbag sensor assembly with a new one that contains improved roll rate sensors at no-cost to the consumer. Owners of recalled Toyota vehicles should receive official notification early to mid-May.

Most drivers don't think twice about the performance or functionality of airbags when entering their car and heading to work or running errands. Consumers trust that auto manufacturers have upheld their vital responsibility of designing, testing, and manufacturing vehicles that are safe and free of defective parts that could cause an accident, jeopardize crashworthiness, or otherwise cause injury.

In order for individuals injured and family members of those killed by vehicle defects or auto accidents caused by vehicle defects to successfully hold negligent manufacturers liable for their negligence, they may want to consider contacting a Sacramento defective products lawyer. An attorney with experience handling auto product liability cases is familiar with the most productive ways of ensuring you and your family receives the compensation you deserve.

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls Vehicles for Airbag Defect Causing Unintentional Deployment" »

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Delta Enterpise Corp. have re-announced the recall of over 985,000 drop-side cribs with "Crib Trigger Lock and Safety Peg" hardware. According to the CPSC announcement, in January 2011, the CPSC and Delta received a report of the death of a 7-month-old girl from Colorado Springs, CO in 2009. The infant reportedly became entrapped and suffocated amid the detached drop-side and mattress of her recalled crib. The infant's crib had been bought secondhand. When it was re-assembled, safety pegs were not inserted in the bottom tracks of the crib.

The lack of safety pegs can cause a crib's drop-side rail to disengage from the track. As a consequence, a hazardous space can be created, thus putting an infant in danger of becoming entrapped or suffocating.

The Delta Enterprise drop-side crib that caused the death of the 7-month-old girl from Colorado was included in an October 2008 recall. At that time, consumers were notified about the death of an 8-month-old girl who became entrapped and suffocated after the drop side of her crib became detached. The 2008 recall also announced reports of two entrapments and nine crib detachments of cribs that did not have safety pegs.

Consumers concerned about whether their infant's crib is included in the re-announcement of the recalled Delta drop-side cribs can refer to the crib's model number, which is located on the top of the mattress support board. To view the crib models that have been recalled, visit the CPSC website: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11179.html.The cribs were sold for about $100 at retail stores including Kmart, Target, and Walmart between January 1995 and December 2005 (through September 2007 for model 4624).

If your child is currently using a Delta crib that is missing a safety peg on either leg of the drop side, the CPSC urges parents and caregivers to stop using the cribs right away. Consumers should also contact Delta to receive a free, easy-to-install repair kit. Call Delta at (800) 816-5304 or visit http://www.cribrecallcenter.com. When waiting for a repair kit or for the installation of new safety pegs onto the crib, parents and caregivers should find a safe sleeping environment substitute for their child.

Parents do everything possible to keep their children safe. However, there is only so much that even the most cautious and attentive parent can do when a defective product is being used by their infant or child. San Francisco defective product attorneys have the legal knowledge and experience to hold negligent manufacturers liable when their products cause innocent consumers injury or death.

Continue reading "Re-Announcement of Delta Enterprise "Safety Peg" Drop-Side Crib Recall Launched after Second Infant Fatality" »

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of about 370 bicycles today, due to a fall hazard that could result in serious injury to riders. According to the CPSC, recall involves 2011 model year Giant Anthem X 29er 1, 2 and 3 model bicycles. The bicycles, which were made in Taiwan, were sold in small, medium and large. "Giant" and the model name are printed on the bicycle. The bikes were sold at Giant Bicycle dealers in August 2010 for between $2,200 and $3,500. The CPSC says that the frame could crack at the junction of the seat post and top tube, causing the rider to fall, which could cause serious injury.

For additional information - see the CPSC news release. Consumers can also contact Giant Bicycle toll-free at (866) 458-2555.

Defects like this one are one of dozens of factors that can cause or contribute to bicycle accidents resulting in serious injury or death. While many bicycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers or even bicycle rider errors, accidents frequently occur because of defective bicycles or defective bicycle parts. When such accidents occur, the manufacturer of the bicycle may be liable for the rider's injuries or death. Bicycle falls can result in very serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and road rash.

If you or a family member has been involved in a bicycle accident resulting from a defective bicycle part, it would be absolutely advisable for you to contact an experienced northern California defective products attorney who specializes in handling bicycle accident injury claims. An experienced lawyer can review the facts of your potential claim and advise you of your rights, options, and responsibilities to pursue compensation for your injuries or loss. The manufacturer may still be liable even if the bicycle or bicycle part has not been recalled.

Continue reading "Giant Bicycles Recalls Anthem Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard " »

A Sonora man died earlier this month after he was ejected from his Polaris ATV while riding in Stanislaus National Forest, the Modesto Bee reported. The fatal accident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16th. According to news reports, the victim, William Robert Clark, 47, was riding his 2007 Polaris ATV on Forest Route 4N12 in the Pinecrest area when he passed two other vehicles and apparently failed to negotiate a curve. The ATV went off the road and Clark suffered fatal head injuries, despite wearing a helmet. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Polaris ATV Defects and Recalls

Polaris Industries, founded in 1954 and based out of Medina, Minnesota, has issued a number of recalls for serious manufacturing, design, and assembly defects in the last few years. Many of these recalls have been initiated after Polaris received reports of fatal accidents or accidents resulting in serious injury. Although ATV riding is inherently dangerous and risky, after any accident, it is important to look at whether the vehicle itself was the true cause of the crash. In situations such as this one, if a defect of the vehicle caused the ATV rider to lose control and crash, Polaris could be liable for the victim's death in a wrongful death claim. While this accident is under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from talking to a Polaris ATV accident attorney about the crash and the potential wrongful death liability issues involved.

Continue reading "Sonora Man Killed in ATV Accident in Stanislaus National Forest" »

USA Today reported today that Mercedes-Benz is recalling 85,078 of its 2010 and 2011 C-Class and E-Class sedans, and 2010 and 2011 E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet cars because of a possible power-steering problem. According to the automaker, the power steering could fail due to loss of power steering fluid. In that event, the automaker said, drivers "may not have sufficient control of the vehicle in areas, such as parking lots, where maximum power steering is required, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash." Mercedes-Benz says owners may return the cars to dealers, who will check the powering steering systems for free.

Safety problems such as this one must be remedied without cost to consumers, under federal law. When vehicle accidents are caused by defects in vehicles, the manufacturer of the vehicle may be liable for serious injuries or deaths sustained by the victims. After any accident involving a recalled vehicle, victims and their families would be well-advised to consult an experienced and knowledgeable northern California defective products lawyer about their legal rights and any unique legal issues involved.

Continue reading "Mercedes-Benz Recalls 85,000 C-Class and E-Class Cars for Power Steering Problem " »

After receiving reports of two asphyxiation deaths, yesterday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Family Dollar Stores Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., announced the recall of 1.8 million "Auto Fire" toy dart gun sets due to a potentially deadly choking hazard. According to the CPSC, if a child places the soft, pliable plastic toy dart in his/her mouth, the toy can be inhaled into the throat and prevent the child from breathing. The two deaths reported involved a 9-year-old boy in Chicago, Illinois, and a 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The "Auto Fire" toy target set is sold with either an orange and yellow toy gun (item #P238) or a blue and yellow toy gun (item #9328), eight orange darts and a small target with numbers from 1 to 20. The gun's item number is located on one side of the handle in raised lettering. The soft plastic darts measure slightly more than one inch in length and have a small suction cup at one end with a diameter of about ½ inch. The target is black, yellow, red and green, and measures five inches in diameter. "Gordy Toy" for "Ages 8+" is printed on the packaging.

The toy sets, which were made in China, were sold exclusively at Family Dollar stores nationwide from September 2005 through January 2009 for about $1.50. The CPSC advises parents that they should immediately take the toy target sets from children and discard them.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Pending

Business Week reported yesterday that a wrongful death lawsuit was filed last year by the family of the 9-year-old Chicago boy who died as a result of chocking on the toy darts. The defective product lawsuit, against importer Henry Gordy International Inc. of Plainfield, New Jersey, and Family Dollar Stores Inc., alleged the toys were "defective and dangerous," and that that Gordy knew the Auto Fire Target Set could pose a choking hazard prior to the boy's death in 2007.

Continue reading "1.8 Million Dollar Store Toy Darts Recalled after Two Choking Deaths Reported" »