Massive Recall of Popular Vehicles Due to Airbag Defects

Recently, Toyota has recalled about 1.7 million automobiles in the world. Many of these vehicles include popular models such as:

•          Corolla
•           Matrix
•          Camry

However, Toyota is not the only car manufacturer recalling vehicles. Honda, Nissan and Mazda are all issuing a recall. Nissan has recalled about 480,000 cars, while Mazda is recalling 45,000 vehicles. The majority of recalled vehicles are from 2001- 2003 models.

The recall was issued in order to replace passenger front airbag inflators as they may deploy with too much pressure. So far the defected airbags have not injured or killed any drivers or passengers. In one crash, the casing of the front airbag had ruptured after being deployed. Honda has a history of recalls with airbags, but with the driver’s side airbags.

Past Recalls Ending

Unfortunately, there have been numerous recalls in the past of unsafe vehicles. In October, Toyota issued a huge recall because a problem with the power window created a fire risk. As a result, the company had to recall 7.43 million cars. In addition, the company recalled millions of cars in 2009 and 2010 due to problems with the accelerator pedal. There were various cases where vehicles would unintentionally accelerate. The scandal led to a large settlement costing the company over a billion dollars.

Dangerous Product Attorney

Unfortunately, vehicles are not always 100% safe. There exist numerous malfunctions and defects that can potentially endanger the driver and passengers. However, companies are responsible for warning consumers and the public regarding risks involved with use of their product. When a company fails to warn consumers, the company is illustrating negligence and irresponsibility.

If you or someone you know was recently injured due to a vehicle malfunction or any type of defective product, you should contact a dangerous products attorney. A dangerous products attorney at the Bond & Taylor law firm will work to earn you monetary compensation for any injuries that resulted from the defective product. If your injuries required medical treatment or forced you to take time off from work, you should consider filing a claim against the negligent manufacturer. Contact our law office today to discuss your legal options. 

Honda Announces Major Recall of US Vehicles

The folks over at Honda have been busy. Last October, they issued a massive recall of over half a million Honda Accords due to concerns over fire risks in engines.  Now, Honda has announced another massive recall wherein they plan to recall over 871,000 vehicles for a potential parking security defect.  According to Honda, there's a potential that when people place the car in park, it may still roll away.

To Honda's credit, they have responded with quick recalls after only 2 minor reports of injuries associated with these potential car defects.  But does this kind of response indicate prior knowledge of the problems?  Or is it indicative of a car company who is consumer focused despite what will be a hefty price tag for the car maker? 

Recall Details- Affected Vehicles

Honda is recalling nearly a million cars world wide.  This includes:

• 347,244 Honda Odysseys
• 276,850 Honda Passports (years 2003-2004)
• 247,179 Acura MDX's (years 2003-2006)

According to the car maker, 807,000 of these vehicles are located in the United States and the rest are located in Canada.  Car owners are encouraged to call their dealership for more information about the recall and to see if their vehicle is included in the recall list. 

Based upon the car maker's investigation, this issue could be potentially serious.  Honda released information which stated when the car's transmission wasn't in park, the interlock device could become worn enough where the key could be removed. Therefore, if the transmission was not parked and the driver had not put up the parking break, the vehicle could potentially roll into the street and cause a car crash. 

If You've Been Injured and Need Legal Info

In a country with strict product liability laws, these recalls seem prudent.  In the United States, our product liability laws allow for unlimited liability damages whereas many Asian countries like China and Japan have strict liability laws limiting the amount of compensation an injured victim may receive.

If you've been injured by this potential defect, call a skilled personal injury and product liability attorney.  An experienced lawyer can help you to determine whether or not you have a case and what you might be able to expect from your lawsuit.  

Caffeine Toxicity and the Deaths Due to Monster Energy Drinks

Following 5 reported deaths from consuming the super caffeinated energy drink, Monster, the FDA has launched an investigation into the beverage.  Previously, energy drinks were unregulated by the FDA because they were classified as diet supplements, which are currently outside of the FDA's jurisdiction. 

However, following these 5 reported deaths after consuming the super caffeinated beverage, the FDA is investigating the safety of these drinks.  Over the past 5 years, emergency rooms have seen a 10 fold increase in visits due to toxic caffeine consumption. 

Are these Caffeine Drinks Toxic?

The FDA recommends an adult consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day.  In FDA regulated products, beverages are limited to 200 mg of caffeine per beverage. Each Monster energy drink contains 240 mg or more dependant upon the size of the beverage.  A cup of coffee, in contrast, contains 50 mg, or 5 times less. 

However, what could be safe for one adult could be dangerous for another because of various congenital problems and varying health conditions.  If you experience the following symptoms, your caffeine consumption could be toxic:

• shortness of breath
• abdominal pain
• insomnia
• jitters, restlessness
• irregular heart beats
• heart attack
• death

What to Do if You Have Suffered Symptoms of Caffeine Overdose or Experienced Caffeine Toxicity

Caffeine toxicity does not have to be fatal, but it can be in some people. If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, you are encouraged to seek medical care.  Do not take the risk that irregular heart beats and shortness of breath will go away.  Seek immediate medical treatment.  If you or a loved one has experienced severe caffeine toxicity, please call a skilled attorney to review your legal rights. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

OCTOBER 9 IS NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION DAY

On October 8, 1871, at 9pm, it’s said that Mother O’Leary’s cow kicked over her lantern, causing the Great Chicago Fire.  To commemorate one of our nation’s deadliest fires, where 250 people died and 100,000 were left homeless, President Woodrow Wilson designated the 9th National Fire Prevention Day in 1920.  Today, the week of October 9^th is National Fire Prevention Week. 

This National Fire Prevention Week runs from October 7- October 13, 2012.  During this week, the U.S. flag is flown at half mast at federal buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.  This year’s theme is “Have 2Ways Out!”

THE DANGERS OF FIRES

In 2012, the National Fire Protection Association estimates 2,600 people died in home structure fires. Approximately 62% of those occurred in homes lacking smoke detectors or whose alarms were not properly functioning. By installing a home sprinkler system, these deaths could be reduced by 83%.

Since 1990, cooking has been the leading cause of home fires, with approximately 410 deaths associated with cooking fires in 2010 alone.  Other sources of fires include candles, which cause approximately 35 fires per day, and washer/ dryer machines.  These common household items can cause deadly problems if left unchecked.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

To decrease your risk of fire and increase your chances of surviving a house fire, try the following:

·         Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with fresh batteries on a yearly basis

·         Install a functioning home sprinkler system

·         Keep matches, lighters, and fire starting devices out of the reach of children

·         Install child proof knobs on your stove

·         Clean your washer/ dryer and lint trap regularly

·         Do not leave open flames burning while you are out of the room

·         Do not leave appliances plugged in which could spark and cause a fire

·         Throw away items with old frayed wires and cords which could spark and cause a fire

·         Keep space heaters away from combustible materials

·         Clean your chimney regularly

·         Practice an escape plan so your family knows where to go and what to do in case of a fire

·         Practice stop, drop, and roll in case your clothes catch fire

If you’ve experienced a fire, this traumatic event could have lasting consequences for your health and finances.  If your fire was the result of someone else’snegligence, such as a faulty product, you may want to consult an attorney to discuss your rights. 

Newport Hosted the 21st Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

This past weekend, Newport Beach hosted the 21^st annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In the sea of pink shirts and pink ribbons, there were shining eyes full of hope.  The Race for the Cure offers the chance for everyone in society to rally around cancer victims.  With a cancer survivor on our race team, spirits were high this weekend.  Together, we beat it.

In the sea of thousands of eager racers, there were so many diverse stories.  These were stories of hope, of loss, of regret, and confusion.  The most heart breaking ones were the stories of people who didn’t know that they could get cancer from following their doctor’s directions.  Take for instance the increases in bladder cancer from patients who took Actos. 

Type 2 diabetes sufferers already have a difficult time.  Chances are patients acquired this adult onset diabetes from poor diets and lack of exercise.  Perhaps no one explained that eating a poor diet could put you at significant risk for diabetes.  But did you also know that now it can put you at risk for bladder cancer?

Thousands of type 2 diabetes patients have taken Actos, a popular diabetes medication that promised to control blood sugar levels.  And as a result, they’ve since developed bladder cancer.  The U.S. Food and DrugAdministration warns that Actos users are 40% more likely to develop cancer if they’ve taken the drug for a year or longer. 

It seems like everything can change in the blink of an eye.  And so last weekend, people ran and walked to show their support for people battling cancer.  I raced (walked really) for my sister, for my friend, and to support cancer victims everywhere.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRANUFLO AND NATURALYTE

Fresenius Medical Care, one of the largest manufacturers of dialysis treatment products, distributed dialysis drugs GranuFlo and NaturaLyte. What they failed to tell the public was the serious health risks involved in the treatment of these products.

You could suffer high health risk

If you’ve been treated by the dialysis drug GranuFlo and NaturaLyte and have suffered injuries or complications, you may be eligible for a claim. Contact one of our dialysis injury attorneys today for a free consultation.

Get help for your injury

Have you recently been treated by the dialysis drug GranuFlo and Naturalyte? If so, you may be at risk for serious heart failure, or even death. Here are some things you need to know about the products:

• Most patients receiving GranuFlo dialysis suffered heart attacks within 48 hours
• Fresenius issued an internal memo in November 2011 warning physicians and clinics of the high risks of using GranuFlow and NaturaLyte
• Fresenius never warned the public about the dangers of the drugs
• You may have received treatment from one of Fresenius’s 1,800 clinics across the U.S.
• Clinics not owned by Fresenius were never warned about the serious health concerns
• GranuFlo was used at clinics not owned by Fresenius
• You may be eligible for an injury claim if you’ve been treated with GranuFlo or NaturaLyte
• GranuFlo and Naturalyte were issued Class 1 recalls by the FDA in 2012

Contact our dialysis injury attorneys today

Though Fresenius issued an internal memo regarding the serious risks of using its products, the company failed to warn the public. If you have been wrongfully treated with GranuFlo or NaturaLyte, you may be entitled to a claim.

Contact our dialysis injury attorneys to determine whether you are eligible for compensation today. If you or someone you loved has suffered injuries or complications after receiving dialysis treatment with GranuFlo or NaturaLyte, you must seek legal advice.

Have you suffered complications after using GranuFlo or NaturaLyte?

Breaking news: If you have been treated with dialysis drugs GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, you may be eligible for compensation.

Dialysis treatment drugs GranuFlo and NaturaLyte have just been found to cause serious side effects. It has been reported that the manufacturers of the drugs, Fresenius Medical Care, knew about these medical risks, but failed to notify the labs and medical centers of the risks. 

If you or someone you know has been treated with FMC's products, and are suffering complications, you must speak with an attorney to determine whether you can file a claim.

What is the problem with GranuFlo and NaturaLyte?

In November, FMC, a company that produced and distributed the products, released an internal memo within its company-owned medical care centers, warning patients of the heart attack risks linked to the drugs.

What the company failed to mention was that patients who took the treatments were six to eight times likely to suffer a heart attack within 48 hours of treatment.

Recently, the products were recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Class 1 Recall. Class 1 Recalls involve treatments that impose high health risks or even death. It is the worst level of recalls the FDA classifies.

If you've suffered injuries or even slight complications, you may be eligible for a claim. Serious side effects and injuries are threatening and life-changing. You may be susceptible to suffering one of these problems:

• Low blood pressure
• Hypo tension
• Heart attack
• Myocardinal infarction 
• Heart problems
• Cardiopulmonary arrest
• Stroke

Can you file a claim?

It is difficult for an attorney to determine whether or not you can file for compensation without first speaking to you about your case. If you've suffered complications from one of these drugs, you must speak to a lawyer. 

You're not alone

Many have suffered complications from taking the drugs GranuFlo and NaturaLyte without realizing that the drugs were the cause of their problems. Thousands of others have suffered, and it's time you speak up and claim your rights. Contact an attorney to find out whether you're eligible for compensation.