The New York Times recently had an article dicuss the risk of cell phones potentially causing brain cancer. The article is lengthy, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of the argument. In the U.S., to prove a products liabilty case, the plaintiff (injured party) has the burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the use [...]
Apr
27
2011
27
2011
Jan
12
2011
12
2011
Faulty Tire Repair Causes Fatal Ford Rollover, $14 Million Jury Verdict
MSNBC reported today that a San Diego jury awarded the surviving sons of a couple that died in 2006 Ford rollover crash. The defendant, a San Diego car dealership, performed a faulty tire repair on the vehicle in 2005, using a tire that had been recalled. The cause of the rollover was linked to the faulty tire. [...]
Jan
11
2011
11
2011
Is Your Child’s 3D Videogame Safe?
The Wall Street Journal recently announced that Nintendo’s new 3D videogame poses a risk to young children. Extended exposure to 3D images may impair proper eye development in young children. Nintendo issued this warning in fear of disabling conditions cuasd by the product, which may result in lawsuits for compensation for the unsuspecting, innocent young [...]
Jan
11
2011
11
2011
FDA Increases Transparency
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched last week a new website that lists the regulatory status of a variety of medical device, food and drugs . The FDA Basics for Industry website provides guidelines on how it regulates various products. The site is intended to empower consumers in their purchasing choices, knowing more fully [...]
Dec
28
2010
28
2010
GM Recalls 100,000 Vechicles Due To Crash-Safety Concerns
The AP reported yesterday that General Motors (GM) is recalling nearly 100,000 vehicles to address issues related to crash safety. Postings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said GM was recalling nearly 96,000 2005 to 2007 models of the Cadillac CTS for airbag defects. GM said “repeated flexing of the sensing mat in the passenger [...]
Dec
9
2010
9
2010
Some Holiday Decorations, Deceptively Dangerous
A Chicago man filed suit against the retailer of Christmas garland for injuries sustained while hanging the product. According to Michael Montalbano’s suit he “was stringing garland around his front door in December 2008 when a metal fastener on the decoration pierced his palm and permanently injured his thumb and forefinger.” The fastener was used [...]
Nov
23
2010
23
2010
Accountability For Infant Injuries: Parents or Product Manufacturers?
In an onslaught of baby product recalls this year, the question arises: who should be held accountable for infant injuries associated with products? Parents or the product manufacturers? The answer lies within the details of each incident. Today, Bloomberg News reported that Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. recalled about 90,000 drop-side cribs after reports of at least [...]
Nov
23
2010
23
2010
FDA Loosely Regulates Medical Devices
Today the Wall Street Journal reports on the results of a clinical stent-graft study that highlights a gap in federal regulators’ oversight of medical devices. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspects medical device makers’ sites when they apply for marketing approval, the agency does not conduct inspections at the earlier clinical-trial stage. [...]
Nov
19
2010
19
2010
National Increase In Toy-Related Injuries, CPSC
Yesterday Bloomberg News reported that children in the U.S. are experiencing an increased injury rate arising from the use of toys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that in 2009 that number of injuries from toys rose 7.6%, amounting to 186,000 emergency- room visits for children under the age of 15. “We will work to [...]
Oct
21
2010
21
2010
2 Million Graco Strollers Recalled
Graco Children’s Products issued a 2 million stroller recall following four infant deaths from strangulation and five instances of entrapment that resulted in cuts and bruises and, in one case, breathing difficulty. According to The New York Times: The strollers were deemed dangerous, especially to children under 1 year of age, because when left unharnessed, they can [...]
