Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

JAKKS Pacific Aromatherapy Kits Stressed Out

Amber Wheat — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:05:32 GMT

Aroma therapy has always been a way to relax after a long hard day. JAKKS offers several different kits aimed at teaching kids how to mix up their own scents and bath oils. Usually a fun activity that just teaches following directions and basic chemistry principles, these kits have begun to teach a physics lesson as well. The problem is, this lesson is causing injuries.

During the drying phase, gases are released, including CO2. The gases build up and put stress on the caps. When the pressure becomes to much they have been known to explode. As projectiles the caps have caused bruises, gashes, and eye irritation (when citric acid goes flying as well). The CPSC and JAKKS have issued a recall of the caps and will be replacing them with vented caps.

Contact the company at (877) 875-2557 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.myspafactory.com, or email the firm at caps@jakks.net to see how to get the new caps.

Still, it’s a great lesson about cause and effect, the transformation from solids into gasses, and physics!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

Yo-Yo Rides Recalled by Chance Rides Manufacturing

Amber Wheat — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:42:00 GMT

Amusement park rides are meant to give patrons a thrill, but this ride goes a bit too far. With defective and dangerous parts, the Yo-Yo ride made by Chance Rides Manufacturing was involved in two accidents. The collapse of the ride in May injured twenty-three people in Angels Camp. Back in March 2006, a malfunction at Six Flags Over Texas left nine people with bruises and strains.

Only eighty-five of the rides have been recalled, but all owners and regulators will be issued a new maintenance guide and a kit to identify potential problems.

Amusement park rides are no strange thing to California. With Disneyland, Marine World, the California State Fair, 50+ county fairs, SeaWorld, Raging Waters, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and many, many others, California has had more than its share of ride accidents. Really, when you think about it, our track record is amazing. Every year maybe only three or four people get hurt. Take a look at www.rideaccidents.com, it is kind of scary to see a whole list of accidents, but based on the number of rides out there, there really is a very low percentage of injury or death.

Amusement park rides are regulated by federal, state, and local rules (well, at least some are). I was surprised to learn that there is a difference between “amusement park rides” and “carnival rides.” Where carnival rides are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (my favorite commission), amusement park rides are “exempt from all federal safety oversight”.

Beyond that, the rules and regulations vary from state to state. California has very active public safety officials that inspect, investigate, and prepare public reports on the safety of rides, but some states only require self-inspection for ride owners, and some have no safety laws. Florida alone has state standards and then exempts its three largest parks from those standards.

The next time you go to the fair, you may want to do some research on the rides first. And take a look at the back of your ticket if you’re issued one, many times it will have a bunch of legal language in small print denying liability if you get injured at the fair.

So what recourse do you have if you are injured by an amusement park ride? I don’t know, I am not a lawyer, but I work for lawyers, so please give us a call. You do take a certain risk when you want a thrill, but you also have an expectation of walking away unharmed. It is not unreasonable to assume the rides are safe.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

CPSC Updates With a Wide Range of Recalled Products

Amber Wheat — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:12:50 GMT

The newest recalls involve SmartSpace chairs from JoAnne’s, coolers by Igloo Products, TV stands by Studio RTA, PowerWing Scooter and four-wheeled ride ons from Razor USA, and, of course, another toy with too much lead in the paint.

The newest danger to your children is a really cute friction powered police car by TCB Imports.

Check out the CPSC website to find out if you have any of these products and follow the instructions. Please take these items away from your children (or spouses, or coworkers, or whoever) immediately.

Have a nice day! And remember... be safe.

P.S. If you or someone you love has been injured by a dangerous or defective product, my firm does take those kinds of cases. So feel free to contact us.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

Harry Potter Bookends Have Too Much Lead

Amber Wheat — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:57:49 GMT

The federal paint standard has taken quite a few hits in the last few years. With outsourcing of manufacturing and lax supervision of plants in other countries, many large corporations have had to pull children’s toys off of the shelves.

It all began with Thomas the Tank Engine. A great train toy that has spawned books, movies, lunchboxes, and anything you can think of really. In 2007 they pulled a series of trains that were painted red and yellow when they discovered one of their plants in China had substituted the required paint with a cheaper lead laden paint to save money. RC2, the company that owns Thomas the Tank Engine, found the problem on their own before any kids got sick and initialized the recall of their own accord.

Because Thomas products were so well known and the recall had such a big impact, other companies followed suit and began testing their products. This created the great Matel exodus. So many toys from Matel were tainted that whole aisles in Target and Walmart were empty. But thanks to the efforts of consumer product safety groups, the parent companies, and, of course, the commission, toys are probably the safest they have ever been.

But mistakes still happen. Harry Potter bookends from Hong Kong were found to have too much lead in their paint. As usual, go to the website to get the company’s contact information and please take the product off your shelves. Like Thomas, Harry Potter is extremely popular and widespread, this recall may effect many people.

As always, if you or someone you know has been injured by a defective or dangerous product, you can contact us anytime.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

Wood Abacus by LTD Commodities Recalled

Amber Wheat — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:16:09 GMT

Preschoolers are in danger when the wooden parts detach from the activity center. Parents and teachers should take the abacus away from their kids immediately. Contact the company to receive a credit.

Many parents and teachers have been buying wooden toys for their kids to replace plastic that may be harmful. Please be aware that wooden toys are not necessarily safer. Wood is biodegradable and will wear out faster. Cleaning it is often more difficult because wet wood can rot. You also have to pay attention to paint hazards. Many wooden toys are recommended for ages three and up only. You should not be giving wooden toys to infants. If you are ever in doubt about what to buy a child, ask the salespeople at the toy store. They know their products and will be able to tell you if others have had problems. Most clerks have their own favorite products or companies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

Mothers Avoiding Plastic Bottles Have New Problem

Amber Wheat — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:18:29 GMT

If you bought your kids a metal water bottle from Potterybarn Kids, it may be apart of the newest recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

I know many parents have chosen to use metal containers instead of plastic, thanks to the BPA chemical scare and the newest Brita ads claiming your water bottle will spend 30 minutes with you on the treadmill and then 30 thousand years in a landfill.

Apparently the water bottles are a choking hazard. If your child has one, please take it away from them immediately. And remember, if you or someone you loved have been hurt by a dangerous or defective product, please contact us. We are here to help you.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Updates

Amber Wheat — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:56:01 GMT

The new products on the September 2008 recall list include an Aqua Lung scuba regulator and adapter, Protocol remote controlled helicopter toys, J.C Penny rugs, PB Heat gas boilers. If you have any of these products please stop using them immediately and check out the websites to find out what you need to do.

I recommend regular updates on the CPSC. If you add it to your favorites in your internet browser and just check once a month, you can keep yourself and your family safe. If an accident does occur with a product and the company is able to point out that they voluntarily recalled that item before you were hurt, it could damage your case. The companies are responsible for getting word out that the product is dangerous, but they are not expected to contact each and every possible customer because that would be a great hardship.

It is always up to you to protect yourself first and foremost. It is always better to be safe than sorry so take some time out of your day every so often and check out the recalled products. The CPSC keeps an archive of past recalls and it is easy to search the site by product type.

Our firm has handled various products liability cases, so if you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, please feel free to contact us. Consumer safety is very important (hence the commission) and we take it very seriously.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

Portable Air Compressors Recalled Due to Fire and Electrical Hazards

Jenny Albano — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:09:56 GMT

Advance Stores Co., in conjunction with the CPSC, is recalling about 64,000 Strike Force Portable Air Compressors due to fire and electrical hazards.

The compressor's motor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Also, the cover might not prevent internal components from being touched, which poses an electrical shock hazard. The firm has received four reports of fires. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled air compressor is a 4.6 gallon, 3.5 HP Strike Force and includes the following model and serial numbers:
BMM2524 (25254) JWAPC4005xxxxxxxxx
AC251FT (2516) YFJAC4005xxxxxxxxxx
APC4005 (4005) CSCC4005xxxxxxxxxxx
The portable air compressor has black twin air tanks and all the model and serial numbers can be found on the compressor's housing.

The recalled product was available only at Advanced Auto Parts stores across the United States and at www.partsamerica.com from October 2006 to December 2007.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. Recalls Flashing Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard

Jenny Albano — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:15:37 GMT

Sailing (U.S.) International Corp., in conjunction with the CPSC, is recalling about 8,000 Flashing Pacifiers or 2-in-1 Flashing Pacifiers with Whistle Necklaces because the nipple can detach from the base, which can pose a choking hazard for children.

The recalled pacifier necklace has a 28-inch multicolored cord with a 3- inch plastic pacifier that comes in assorted colors. A hole at the tip of the nipple is used as a blow hole for the whistle. The pacifier handle operates as the on-off button for the flashing light on both pacifiers. "Flashing Pacifier" or "2-in-1 Flashing Pacifier with Whistle Necklace" is printed on the packaging of the pacifiers.

So far no injuries have been reported to Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. The flashing pacifiers were sold retail stores across the nation during June 2007. The product was manufactured in China.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

FDA Examines Lipsticks for Lead

Jenny Albano — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:55:32 GMT

The FDA is investigating claims that certain lipsticks contain lead. Officials from the agency stated that similar claims in the past have not been confirmed.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said that a third of the 33 red lipsticks examined by an independent lab contained a level of lead exceeding 0.1 parts per million -- which is the FDA's limit for lead in candy. The FDA does not set a limit for lead in lipstick.

The group's report, called "A Poison Kiss: The Problem of Lead in Lipstick" found that the following brands contained lead: L'Oreal's Colour Riche "True Red" and "Classic Wine", Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red", Christian Dior Addict "Positive Red", and Maybelline's Moisture Extreme "Cocoa Plum" and "Midnight Red".

The organization's goal of the study is to pressure companies to take the toxic chemicals out of consumer products and replace them with safe alternatives. The claims are generally not supported by the FDA's analysis, but the agency is going to look into the specific details for this case.

According to the trade association, it has been recognized that there are small amounts of lead in some lipsticks, but the lead generally is not known about and is unintentionally added.

"Consumers are exposed daily to lead when they eat, drink water and breathe the air. The average amount of lead a woman would be exposed to when using cosmetics is 1,000 times less than the amount she would get from eating, breathing, and drinking water that meets Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards," said John Bailey, an executive vice president at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano