Montgomery Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

Defective Valve Stems - What You Should Know

Gibson Vance — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:42:32 GMT

Tech International, one U.S. distributor of Chinese-made valve stems, issued a massive recall of approximately 6 million “Replacement Snap-In Tire Valve Stems.” The stem has been tentatively linked to at least one fatal rollover crash of an SUV in Orlando, Florida.

The valve stems were made for Dill Air Control Products of Oxford, N.C., by Shanghai Baolong Industries Co. in China. The National Highway Traffic Safety administration has opened an investigation of Dill Air Controls Products, which manufactured approximately 30 million of the Dill TR400 Series tire valves in 2006. Per the NHTS report, the “tire valves can crack and leak air. A leaking tire valve could result in tire deflation, tire damage (e.g. overheating, rupture) and possible vehicle control problems.”

Consumers should check their tires to make sure they do not contain the rubber replacement tire valve stems. This is especially important if you have had a tire replaced since July 2006.

Unfortunately, that is easier said then done because once a valve stem has been installed the only way to check to see if it is in fact one of the defective models is to completely dismount the tire from the wheel and check it from the inside. Also, most service centers do not keep records of any valve stems they may have installed on a vehicle. Once they are out of the box and on a vehicle there is no tracking, so customers can’t be notified.

Eugene Petersen, program leader for tire testing at Consumer Reports, says, “At a minimum, motorists should conduct a visual inspection of their valve stems. To do this, remove the hubcap and move the top of the stem around, checking for any signs of cracks in the base of the stem where it meets the wheel. Ideally, the consumer should have the tire removed from the wheel and checked by a professional to make sure the valve is not one of the defective models.”

Below is a list of the model numbers your mechanic should look for:

TR-413

TR-413 CH

TR-414

TR-415

TR-418

TR-423

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Gibson Vance

Salmonella Focus Moves Away from Tomatoes

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The large outbreak of Saintpaul Salmonella cases around the country was originally blamed on raw tomatoes. Investigators from the FDA and CDC have been unable to confirm that with testing of over 1,700 samples. Now they are looking into the possibility that the culprit may be another ingredient in fresh salsa.

Officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it is premature to declare jalapeños the lead suspect and still list it with tomatoes, cilantro and serrano peppers as one of the common salsa ingredients under investigation. Officials have also stepped up testing of cilantro and serrano peppers, but "there is no specific 'prime suspect,' " FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said.

Over 900 people in 40 states have confirmed cases of salmonella poisoning. There may be more cases that were not reported. Salmonella causes diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pains and fever. It is rarely fatal. Jalapeños are a top suspect because they have a longer growing season than tomatoes do and a bush may be picked several times over a long period. They also have a very long shelf life when refrigerated. The FDA has not issued a warning for jalapeños, cilantro or serrano peppers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

320,000 Jardine Baby Cribs Recalled

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:59:00 GMT

Cribs sold at Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores across the nation are being recalled due to an entrapment hazard. The recalled cribs were manufactured by Jardine and sold from 2002 to May of this year. Over 320,000 cribs are involved in the recall.

The recall is being conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission because the cribs pose a strangulation hazard for infants. The wooden crib slats and spindles can break, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants.

There have been reports of 42 cribs breaking. Four children have been injured. The recalled cribs are considered to be unsafe and should no longer be used. The company is offering a voucher to obtain a new crib. A complete list of the recalled cribs can be found at www.jardincribrecall.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Tomatoes from Alabama on Safe List

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:24:27 GMT

A recent tomato recall has seen retailers and restaurants pulling them from their shelves.Some tomatoes have been contaminated with salmonella. The FDA is not sure of the source of the contamination or just where the tomatoes are coming from. People have been sickened in 17 states. The FDA currently has tomatoes grown in Alabama on the safe list.

Nearly 170 cases of infection have been reported over the last month that was caused by an unusual strain of salmonella called salmonella Saintpaul. The infected types of raw tomatoes are red round tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and red plum tomatoes.

Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. 167 people have reported illness after eating raw tomatoes. Symptoms usually appear 24 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated tomato. Please contact your doctor or local health department if you become ill.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Jo-Ann Recalls Park Benches

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:34:54 GMT

A recall has been issued for Best Value park benches that were sold nationwide at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores. The recalled park benches can become unstable and collapse, causing injury to someone sitting on it. The benches were sold for $30 from January 2008 to March 2008.

This recall involves Best Value park benches with a green metal frame and wooden slats. The benches measure 50-inches long by 22-inches wide by 30-inches high.

The recall involves about 4,500 park benches. Jo-Ann is offering a full refund to consumers that purchased the item. They ask that you stop using the item immediately and return it to the store. No injuires have been reported.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Pens Sold at Michaels Recalled for Lead

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:44:07 GMT

Seasonal pens sold for $1 at Michaels stores around the country have been recalled due to lead. The coating on the recalled pens contains lead at a level that exceeds federal safety standards. The recall involves 310,000 pens.

The recalled pens were sold individually as one of four-series pens including Flower Writer; Christmas Writer; Easter Writer and Spooky Writer. Each pen has themed decorations including flowers, Christmas, Easter and Halloween ornamentation.

The pens were sold in the stores from August 2007 to March of 2008. Michaels is offering a full refund and asks consumers to stop using the pens immediately. The pens should be kept out of the reach of children. Lead exposure can cause brain damage and other developmental problems.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Table Saw Recalled by Black & Decker

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:25:50 GMT

A portable table saw made by Black & Decker has been recalled. The recalled table saw could cut consumers due to a faulty part. The table saws were sold under the DeWalt brand name and involves 13,000 units.

The recall involves 10-inch, yellow-and-black table saws sold from April 2007 through January 2008 for about $500, the agency said in a statement.

The pivot bracket on the Mexican-made saws can separate, which can misalign the blade and cause kick-back, the agency said.

No injuries have been reported to the company. The company did hear from one customer that had the blade misalign. You can contact the company for more information at 1-800-433-9258 or visit their website www.dewalt.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Glass Recalled After Beer Recall

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:06:29 GMT

Boston Beer recalled some of its Samuel Adams beer after a problem with their glass bottles was found. The bottles were manufactured by Owens-Illinois Inc. Now that company has issued a recall for the glass used to make the bottles. The recalled glass was made in a New York factory.

Boston Beer voluntarily recalled certain 12-ounce glass bottles of its Samuel Adams beer after routine quality control inspections at the company’s Cincinnati brewery detected defects. The bottles, manufactured by O-I, might contain defects that cause small bits of glass to break off and possibly fall into the bottle, the Boston brewer said.

Calls into Boston Beer have been slow for the recalled beer. It is unknown if there have been any reports of injury. They are offering refunds to customers who purchased the recalled beer. Only 1% of the recalled beer has been found with glass particles.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Cantaloupes Recalled Due to Salmonella

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:04:48 GMT

Cantaloupes from Honduras have been recalled after concerns that they were contaminated with salmonella surfaced. There have been 50 reports in the United States of people falling ill after eating the cantaloupes. The recalled cantaloupes were distributed by Agropecuaria Montelibano.

So far, 50 people have become sickened in 16 states and nine have become ill in Canada after eating the cantaloupes. No deaths have been reported, although 14 people have been hospitalized, the FDA said.
The government also is seeking to detain all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by Agropecuaria Montelibano.

Salmonella can cause an illness that includes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. If you have recently consumed cantaloupe and experience any of these symptoms contact your health care provided right away. Consumers should contact their grocery store if they purchased cantaloupe recently to see where it came from.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Products That Used Recalled Beef Added to Recall

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:11:38 GMT

Beef processed by the Hallmark/Westland slaugterhouse was recalled in a massive recall involving 143 million pounds of meat. Now companies that used the recalled beef in their products are adding items to the recall list. General Mills is recalling Progresso Italian Wedding Soup. NestlÃ© is also recalling items.

NestlÃ© Prepared Foods Co., which is part of NestlÃ© SA of Switzerland, said it has recalled some boxes of its Hot Pockets sandwiches that contain beef from a vendor that used Hallmark/Westland. The varieties include some Hot Pockets Philly Steak & Cheese sandwiches as well as some Hot Pockets Croissant Crust Philly Steak & Cheese sandwiches that were sold in two-pack boxes.

Hallmark/Westland and their actions are the subject of a congressional investigation. The president of the company was to appear before the committee Tuesday but did not show up. The beef was recalled after the Humane Society released video footage of the company using "downer" cows. Cows that can not walk are considered at a high risk of having mad cow diesease and are not to be used in the food supply.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann