North Carolina Product Liability Blog

Toyota Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:25:08 -0500

Toyota is recalling 2011 RAV 4 manufactured between Nov 24, 2011 and December 19, 2011 because the wrong specification was used in the curtain airbag which may cause the airbag to fail to deploy. The safety recall is expected to begin in March 2012. Read the NHTSA release here.

Toyo Tire Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:12:33 -0500

A safety recall was initiated yesterday involving Toyo Tire produced from Sept 2009 through November 6, 2010. A kink may develop in the bead area potentially resulting in the loss of control of the vehicle posing a large crash risk. Read the NHTSA bulletin here.

Britax Issues Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:07:37 -0500

NHTSA announced that Britax is recalling certain Chaperone car seats produced from September 2010 through April 2011. It has been reported that the harness may detach from the shell of the car seat exposing to the child to injury or death should a vehicle crash occur. The distribution of safety kits and the institution of the recall is scheduled to begin February 6, 2012 according to the NHTSA release.

Bicycle Helmets Recalled

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:13:52 -0500

The CPSC announced announced Triple Eight Distribution out of NY was recalling approximately 30,400 bicycle helmets because they did not meet CPSC standards for impact resistance. The standards may be found in 16 CFR Part 1203.

The recalled items are multi-purpose helmets also sold for use as bicycle helmets. Little Tricky helmets are marketed for children and youth, and feature a large Little Tricky logo on both sides of the helmet. They come in one size and in black, white, pink and green. Triple Eight S/M EPS Liner helmets feature a hard black inner EPS foam liner and come in black, white, bone, blue and army green. Sector 9 S/M EPS Liner helmets feature the same EPS liner and come in gray, white, black, blue and green. Both the Triple Eight and Sector 9 helmets have an interior label indicating the size “S/M” for small/medium and a manufacture date indicated as month/year (ex. APR/2011). Only Triple Eight and Sector 9 size “S/M” EPS Liner helmets are affected.

In 2009 630 bicyclists died on the roadways as published by NHTSA. This represents 2 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Nissan Recall Issued

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:47:37 -0500

NHTSA announced that Nissan has issued a recall of certain 2010-2011 Nissan Sentras. According to the release, those vehicles equipped with MR20 engines, "manufactured between May 11, 2010 to May 25, 2010 and July 8, 2010 until October 25, 2010" are affected. During this time period, a zinc coating applied to a certain bolt was done so improperly and not to specification thus leading to a possible engine stall or possible damage done to the engine control module. This poses a crash threat. Read More from NHTSA

Toasters Pose Fire Hazard- Prompt Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:56:28 -0500

The CPSC announced today that Hamilton Beach is recalling 14,000 classic chrome 2 slice toasters. The toaster when plugged in has been causing the heating elements to become too energized resulting in a fire risk even if the the "lifter" is in the off position.

Hamilton Beach has received 5 reports of toasters being energized when first plugged into an outlet. The Hamilton Beach recall involves model 22602 toasters. (read more)

It is important to remember that it is illegal to sell or resell a recalled a product. The CPSC has advised that consumers cease using this product immediately.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Toyota recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:29:04 -0500

79 reports dating back to 2007 has prompted Toyota to initiate a recall of 550,00 cars for a steering problem.

The latest recall is due to the possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise or a warning signal to light up, the company's U.S. sales unit said in a press release. If the problem isn't corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley, making it suddenly more difficult to turn the steering wheel.

In the US the recall affects 238,000 Toyota cars, including 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna, and Solara and the '04 Avalon and '06 Highlander HV. It affects 137,00 Lexus vehicles including '04 and '05 ES330 RX330 and the '06 RX400h. Read more here

As it stands now, Toyota is still fighting numerous lawsuits from the sudden acceleration issues it has faced over the past couple years.

Kiddieland Recall Disney-Branded Trikes

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:18:57 -0500

Kiddieland Toys Limited has issued a recall of approximately 12,000 Disney Fairies Plastic Racing Trikes. The plastic figurines protrude from the handle bars presenting a danger to children if they were to fall on them.

This recall involves the Disney-branded Fairies Plastic Racing Trike. The trike is green and purple with a white seat and yellow wheels. On top of the handlebar, there is a Tinkerbell figure and three other rotating fairy figures. "Disney Fairies" is printed on the label in front of the trike just below the handlebar. More

NHTSA reissues 15 Passenger Van Warning

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:17:08 -0500

NHTSA has reissued its warning of 15 passenger vans. The agency has warned against using tires that are old and to ensure that the tires are properly inflated for such a vehicle.

For this reason, NHTSA recommends that spare tires not be used as replacements for worn tires. In fact, many tire manufacturers recommend that tires older than 10 years not be used at all.

NHTSA also restates that 15 passenger vans should not be used for school aged children.

Pre-primary, primary and secondary schools should not use 15-passenger vans for transporting school children, as they do not provide the same level of safety as school buses. It is also against federal law for schools to buy new 15-passenger vans for school transportation purposes.

More safety tips can be found here.

The Law Office of D. Hardison Wood has been involved with litigation of 15 passenger vehicles in the past due. Representing those injured due to negligent design and defects. If you or someone you love has been involved in a 15 passenger rollover or crash and has suffered injuries, protect your legal rights, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at 919.233.0520 so we may discuss your matter.

Bad Boy Buggies Recalled

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:08:36 -0500

The CPSC announced that approximately 3,200 Bad Boy Buggies were being recalled because the steering arm could break and cause the driver to lose control and consequently posing a significant crash threat. There have been 15 reported incidents of the assembly breaking. Bad Boy Classic buggies were recalled before in 2009 and 2010. This recall involves

Bad Boy LT, Classic, XT, XTO and XT Safari model electric off-road utility vehicles. The utility vehicles have four wheels, bench seats for the operator and passengers and were sold in camouflage patterns, hunter green, red and black. “Bad Boy” is printed on the side or front of the vehicles. More

These items were sold at Bad Boy Buggy dealers between August 2009 and July 2011.

Harley Davidson Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:32:28 -0500

Harley Davidson is recalling more than 308,000 motorcycles due to a switch problem that can cause the brake lights to fail and possibly the brakes to fail as well.

The company said in documents filed last week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that brake light switches can be exposed to too much heat from the exhaust system. The heat can cause the brake lights to fail, and the problem also can cause fluid leaks and the loss of rear brakes, the documents said. More

Harley is aware of one crash but it was unclear in reports whether the crash involved serious injuries. The recall involves approximately 251,000 motorcycles in the US. The models affected are Touring, CVO Touring, and Trikes with model years 2009 through 2012. According to the AP, these were built between June 6, 2008 and September 16, 2011.

Deaths due to tip overs

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:01:03 -0500

According to a new report by the CPSC, a child is killed every two weeks due to an injury sustained when a heavy piece of furniture tips over onto them.

Furniture and TV tip-over incidents are one of the top hidden hazards in the home. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to inspect and anchor furniture and TVs now, in order to protect young children from a preventable tragedy.

Between the years 2000 and 2010, the CPSC received more than 245 death reports as they were related to tip overs of children aged 8 and younger. Commonly, tip overs involve toddlers as they tend to be more likely to climb on furniture. The CPSC urges parents and other caregivers to: anchor furniture to the wall or floor, place tv's on low bases or alternatively anchor those as well, and keep cords out of the reach of children. To read the posting from the CPSC click here.

The Law Office of D. Hardison Wood focuses much of its time representing children who have been injured by the negligence of another. If your child has been hurt, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood today at 919.233.0520.

Oral Contraceptives Recalled

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:29:43 -0500

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals issued a recall of several lots of birth control pills There was a packaging error that could leave women unprotected.

The recall is being implemented because of a packaging error, where select blisters were rotated 180 degrees within the card, reversing the weekly tablet orientation and making the lot number and expiry date no longer visible. As a result of this packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy. (read more)

The recall is reported to effect:

Cyclafem™ 7/7/7
Cyclafem™ 1/35
Emoquette™
Gildess® FE 1.5/30
Gildess® FE 1/20
Orsythia™
Previfem ®
Tri-Previfem®

If you have been harmed by a product defect and would like to discuss your options, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at 919.233.0520 today.

Jetta Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:24:25 -0500

Volkswagen has recalled some Jetta sedans from model years 2011 and 2012. Reports indicate that they may have decorative exhaust pipe tips that have caused leg burn to those who have accidentlly brushed up against them. Over 30,000 vehicles have been affected.

In a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the car company said it received a number of complaints in July about burns from the pipes, began an investigation and decided by August that a recall is necessary. (read more)

There was a recall in March of about 70,000 Jettas and NHTSA is also investigating fuel leaks in diesel powered Jettas.

If you have a product liability concern or have been injured due to negligence of another contact us a the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood 919.233.0520.

Pourable Gel Fuel Recalled

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:28:09 -0500

The CPSC announced today that nine different manufactures and distributors are recalling more than 2 million units of pourable gel fuel due to serious burn injury risks. The recall involves:

Bird Brain Inc., Bond Manufacturing, Sunjel Company, Fuel Barons, Inc., Lamplight Farms, inc., Luminosities, Inc., Pacific Decor Ltd., Real Flame, and Smart Solar Inc.

The pourable gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when it is poured into a firepot that is still burning. CPSC is aware of 65 incidents resulting in two deaths and 34 victims who were hospitalized with second and third degree burns of the face, chest, hands, arms or legs.

Of the 65 incidents, 28 of them, including 37 burn injuries and two fatalities, occurred with fuel gel products made by Napa Home & Garden, which conducted a recall of its products in June 2011, in cooperation with CPSC. Also in June, CPSC issued a press statement alerting consumers to the hazards of pourable gel fuels. All pourable gel fuel, regardless of manufacturer, poses flash fire hazards. (More)

The product has been reportedly sold since 2008 and ranged in price from $5 to $20.

If you have suffered burn from a product defect, protect your legal rights. Contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood so we may investigate if a product defect exists. Call us 919.233.0520.

Design Defect

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:17:06 -0500

What really do we mean by design defect? A design defect is an inherent problem with a product’s design that makes it dangerous regardless of its manufacturing quality. A design defect generally exists according to the courts, if either the product is unreasonably dangerous the way it is designed or if the product is not safe for its intended use or its foreseeable uses.

In the law of products liability, a design defect exists when a defect is inherent in the design of the product itself. In a products liability case, a plaintiff can only establish a design defect exists when he proves there is hypothetical alternative design that would be safer that the original design, as economically feasible as the original design, and as practical as the original design, retaining the primary purpose behind the original design despite the changes made. (Cornell Law)

For instance, if a car catches on fire when being driven at a low rate of speed. A court may find that the product is unreasonably dangerous as cars should not be catching on fire at low rates of speed. Now let’s take that same example of a car. However, this time the car catches on fire after hitting something or being hit by another vehicle. A court may find that a vehicle hitting another object or being hit by another object is foreseeable and therefore a design defect exists if the car manufacturer does not use alternative design options available to limit the injury a passenger might face. Further most automotive engineers concur that a car’s occupant should not suffer personal injuries from a fire if the crash is an otherwise survivable one.

Other design defects can be found in brakes, tires, roof stability, car seats, seat belts and more. Design defects are often the cause of serous injury. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a product defect or because of the negligence of someone else contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood today at 919.233.0520. We want to discuss your potential legal claim with you.

Umbrella Strollers recalled

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:46:53 -0500

Britax recalled about 20,000 B-Nimble umbrella strollers because of a potential brake failure.

About 20,000 B-Nimble Umbrella Strollers are being recalled because of risk of brake failure. A clicking sound when the brake pedal is pressed can give a false impression that the brake is fully engaged when it is not.

The manufacturer, Britax Child Safety Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., has received seven incident reports. Read more

Death Prompts Bunk Bed Recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:42:38 -0500

Following the death of a three year old boy, Big Lots has issued a recall of approximately 30,000 metal futon bunk beds. The boy apparently suffocated to death after becoming entrapped.

The CPSC also warned that the space between the last rung on the bunk bed's ladder and the futon mattress is too small and that a child's head might get trapped in the space. Article

Target Recalls Booster Seats

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:46:58 -0500

Target has expanded a recall of Circo Booster Seats. This recall of 375,000 seats is in addition to a recall of 43,000 recalled in August 2009.

Hazard: The booster seat’s restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, allowing a child to fall from the chair and be injured. Read the notice

Some of the recalled booster seats were sold back in 2005. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the seat to secure children.

A picture of the booster seat is below:

If your child has suffered an injury due to negligence of another, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at 919.233.0520 so we may discuss protecting your child's rights.

GE recall

Law Office of D. Hardison Wood — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:21:12 -0500

General Electric (GE) has issued a recall notice of approximately 90,600 Zoneline air conditioning and heater units. According to the CPSC announcement, an electrical component may fail introducing a fire hazard.

Description: This recall involves GE Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps manufactured between January 2010 and March 2011, and are most often used in apartment buildings and commercial space. The GE logo is affixed to the control panel door. Serial and model are printed on the rating plate. Consumers will need to remove the front panel to locate the model and serial information. To see a list of recalled models, click here.

Household products can fail when you least expect it, sparking a house fire. If you have suffered personal injuries due to a product defect, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at 919.233.0520 so we may discuss preserving you legal rights.