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Mitt Romney has recently come under fire from Florida trial lawyers over the lack of regulations he intends to implement if elected. Governor Romney plans to lift regulations on businesses and the banking industry, indirectly hurting regular people. “He wants to keep regulation and litigation down and let businesses do whatever they want, and that’s not helpful to consumers,” attorney William Howard, the head of Morgan and Morgan’s consumer protection department, told the Read More
The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that a cap on non-economic medical malpractice damages is unconstitutional, striking down a 2005 law that capped damages at $350,000. The Court said that it violated an individual’s Constitutional right to trial by jury, saying that “the right to trial by jury…is not subject to legislative limits on damages.” According to the St. Louis
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A Bradenton woman has been charged with careless driving after causing a three-vehicle crash that injured two people and causes extensive property damage. According to the Bradenton Herald, 28-year-old Erika Churchfield was driving on US 41 in Bradenton when she smashed into the back of the vehicle in front of her, which then slid into a parked Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Community Service Van. The driver and passenger of the rear-ended car were taken to Blake Medic
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While no criminal charges have been filed, the driver of a school bus involved in a fatal St. Lucie County accident has been charged with a traffic offense. In the aftermath, the parents of a boy that passed away in the accident away have filed a lawsuit against the driver of a truck that hit the bus and have filed a claim against the school district. After an in-depth investigation, the Florida Highway patrol (FHP) decided to charge 56-year-old bus driver Albert Hazen with the traffic offense of careless driving after being “inattentive” when he turned left in front of an oncom
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After a high-profile recall of the popular Ford Escape, rival auto manufacturer Toyota has announced that it will recall 778,000 RAV4 and Lexus HS 250h models sold in the United States. These vehicles allegedly carry a risk of suspension failure if they undergo rear alignment service and the nuts on the suspension arm are not tightened properly. According to the Wall Street Journal, the recalled RAV4s cover the model years 2006 through 2011 (about 760,000 vehicles),
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Ford has announced the third major recall of its extremely popular Escape SUV in the last two weeks, citing sticky throttles that could cause serious crashes. According to the Wall Street Journal, the recall covers 423,634 Ford Escapes with 3-liter, V6 engines. Ford has thus far reportedly received 68 complaints about the Escape, including reports about 13 crashes, nine injuries, and one fatality. Ford also recalled 11,500 of the newly redesigned 2013 Esca
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LinkedIn has been added to the growing list of high-profile companies that have fallen victim to massive security breaches in recent years. The business-oriented professional social networking site released a statement on Wednesday, June 6th, confirming that approximately 6.5 million LinkedIn user passwords had been compromised in a huge security breach. Allegedly, a file with the encrypted passwords was posted on a Russian hacking site, possibly intended to crowdsource the hacking of difficult passwords. Over 200,000 of these passwords have been hacked already. Morgan & Morgan is curre
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According to consumer reports, bleeding events exacerbated by the anticoagulant Pradaxa are continuing to lead to untimely deaths. The Houston Press reports that the manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim received reports of 260 Pradaxa-related fatal bleeding events worldwide between March 2009 and October 2011. Consumer complaints and heartbreaking stories have confirmed that this number has only risen further, leading some to call for the removal of the popular blood thinner from the market and
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The recent death of a man due to brain hemorrhaging has illustrated serious complications that may exist for patients using the drug Pradaxa. Three doctors at the University of Utah reported in the Journal of Neurosurgery that an 83-year-old man was admitted after a routine fall in his home, but experienced extensive brain hemorrhaging that could not be stopped due to the presence of the drug in his blood. Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an oral blood thinner in class of dru
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Morgan & Morgan attorney Michael Goetz will speak at an Actos and pelvic mesh litigation conference that attracts some of the best attorneys and judges from around the country. Goetz will address members of the organization Mass Torts Made Perfect at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. He will present updates on the latest developments in Actos litigation and effective strategies for case selection. The organization says that it has, since being formed, attracted the top lawyers across America and has helped law firms develop successful litigation strategies for confronting wrongdoi
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All lawsuits filed in federal court against Actos for possible links to bladder cancer have been consolidated into the Western District of Louisiana. According to Bloomberg News, the experienced Honorable Judge Rebecca Doherty will be presiding over this multidistrict litigation. Actos is the world’s most popular drug used to control blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Over the summer though, federal regulators from the FDA found study
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A fatal automobile accident in Florida is being used in an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into the possible fire danger of Jeep Grand Cherokees. According to the New York Times, the November Orlando-area accident involved a rear-end collision where the car struck from behind burst into flames. The driver was badly burned and pulled from the vehicle but a 24-year old passenger was unable to
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In a new development in the ongoing Chinese drywall litigation, a supplier of the defective material has received a court order to disclose the amount of its insurance and assets so that consumers can determine whether joining a class action is worthwhile, according to the Miami Herald. Additionally, the Miami-based company, Banner Supply Co., is reportedly embroiled in litigation against the German manufacturer from which they received the drywall.
A federal class action p
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On July 13, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety communication update on the serious complications of transvaginal surgical mesh placement. These procedures have been used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a distressing and painful condition in which the inner pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, and bowel, slide downward and forward to the point of bulging, or prolapsing, into the vagina. In some cases, the organ may protrude past the vaginal opening. POP is the result of weakened vaginal walls, sometimes due to childbirth. It can causes stress uri
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Hewlett-Packard has issued a recall for 162,600 of the Lithium-ion batteries used in HP and Compaq notebook computers. The recalled Lithium-ion batteries may overheat and rupture, posing a risk of serious injury or property damage. Consumers are advised to check any batteries they may have purchased as replacements or spares and to stop using the Lithium-ion batteries specified in the recall. HP has offered to replace the recalled batteries at no cost.
In May of 2009, HP recalled 70,000 notebook batteries because of a fire hazard. The recall was expanded a ye
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants including the popular drugs Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Prozac, and Celexa that have come under heightened scrutiny lately due to reports that they lead to increased risk of birth defects in children. SSRIs are the subject of numerous lawsuits across the country, and manufacturers have already paid out billions of dollars to settle these cases.
Complications reportedly asso
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The manufacturer Oreck came under FTC scrutiny recently after they allegedly deceived consumers when making health claims about their leading products, the Oreck Halo vacuum cleaner and the Oreck ProShield Plus portable air cleaner. Oreck claimed that these products would kill germs, prevent the flu, eliminate all airborne particles, kill up to 99.9% of common germs and pathogens like E. Coli and MRSA, and many more statements which were said to be backed by independent research by top scientists. According to an Oreck sett
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IKEA has issued a SNIGLAR crib recall, affecting 20,000 cribs in the U.S. and 6,000 cribs in Canada. Reportedly, the bolts provided with certain SNIGLAR cribs to hold the mattress support may not be long enough. As a result, the mattress support can detach and collapse, posing an entrapment and suffocation risk to the infant inside the crib. The crib recall affects SNIGLAR non-dropside, full size cribs with model number 60091931. The affected cribs have the model number, as well as the words “SNIGLAR” and “IKEA,” written on a label connected to the mattress support.
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In a string of stories that appear eerily similar to those about the Ford Pinto in the 1970’s, the worries about the Ford Crown Victoria seem to have been proven correct. Synonymous with law enforcement, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor has served as the most popular police car for the last fifteen years. The Crown Vic has been no stranger to controversy though, and the continued explosion of squad cars has confirmed the fears that faulty fuel tanks pr
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has initiated a massive pool and spa drain cover recall, citing the entrapment hazard they may pose to swimmers. This voluntary recall by six manufacturers covers about one million pool and spa drain covers. Consumers are urged to suspend use of affected products immediately.
The drain manufacturers included in the recall are: A&A Manufacturing, of Phoenix, Ariz.; AquaStar Pool Products Inc., of San Diego, Calif.; Color Match Pool Fittings, of Surprise, Ariz.; Custom Molded Products, of Tyrone, Ga.; Hayward Pool Products, of Eli
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Ford Motors is issuing a recall of 144,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the model years of 2005 and 2006. Following an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into 269 accidental airbag deployment reports, it was found that there may be a wiring issue in the vehicles' steering wheels.
The airbag wires in the recalled trucks may be positioned so that they rub against the horn plate. Vibrations from driving can eventually cause the insulation to wear away and the wires to short, resulting in airbag deployment. For their part, the NHTSA requested F
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Evenflo Co. Inc. has issued a recall of certain Maestro Combination Booster Seats. Although there have been no incidents or injuries reported for booster seats already sold, a crack has developed in some tests simulating a frontal, high-impact collision. The company first recognized the issue in a test in late September.
The Evenflo recall affects nearly 14,000 booster seats manufactured between Nov. 24 2009 and April 9, 2010 which include model numbers starting with “310”. Unsold seats involved in the recall will be taken off the shelves, and the company will send a not
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Fire-Lite Alarms has recalled more than 500 fire alarm control panels, which can be found in office buildings and other commercial properties. The fire alarm control panel recall was issued because one model series fails to effectively sound an alarm should a fire break out.
The recalled fire alarm control panels were sold between Oct. 2008 and March 2010 by authorized wholesalers and distributors. The words “Fire-Lite Alarms by Honeywell” and the model number can be found on the front of the control panel. The control panel is the main portion of the system,
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General Motors has recalled more than 240,000 large crossover SUVs due to an issue that could damage the rear seatbelt buckles. In some of the recalled SUVs, the seatbelt buckle can become damaged when the second row seat is pushed back into its regular position after being folded. If the seatbelt becomes damaged, it may not fully latch even if it appears to be securely buckled. According to General Motors, the seat belt may unlatch, not latch or appear jammed.
General Motors is instructing consumers with the recalled SUVs to submit their vehicles for a recall repair as
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Mazda has issued a recall of more than 200,000 Mazda5 five-door cars and Mazda3 compact sedans to correct an issue with the power-steering system that could possibly lead to a crash. The automaker informed consumers that the Mazda recall affected 2007-2009 models of Mazda3 and Mazda5 automobiles manufactured between April 2007 and November 2008.
Mazda has warned that the cars may experience an unexpected loss of power-steering assist, creating steering difficulty for the driver. This sudden loss of power-steering assist may increase the risk of an auto accident, according to t
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Maytag Corp. has recalled nearly 1.7 million dishwashers due to a fire hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that Maytag has received 12 complaints involving electrical failures in the dishwasher heating element which led to fires and property damage. Although no injuries have been reported, one dishwasher fire caused extensive property damage.
The Maytag dishwasher recall includes the following dishwashers:
Pfizer has recalled Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin and Ondansetron IV products after foreign matter was found floating in the bags. Floating matter can indicate that the product is non-sterile, putting patients with weakened immune systems who receive the drugs intravenously at risk for life-threatening infections. The FDA warned doctors and hospitals to stop using the drugs, as they could potentially kill patients with compromised immune systems.
Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin are antibiotic drugs which can be administered intravenously to treat infections. Ondansetron is an injec
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Ocean Management Systems Inc. has recalled nearly 20,000 scuba diving buoyancy compensators, which provide control to scuba divers who can inflate or deflate the devices. Ocean Management has announced that the seal ring on the recalled buoyancy compensators could crack, posing a drowning risk to scuba divers.
On its website, Ocean Management has provided a list of serial numbers included in the recall. Item and serial numbers can be found on the warning label located in the non-inflation area of the recalled scuba equipment.
The recalled scuba diving buoyancy compensa
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McNeil Consumer Healthcare has recalled all unexpired lots of several over-the-counter infants' and children's liquid products made in the United States and distributed in the following areas: United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. McNeil issued the recall upon finding that some of these OTC products did not meet quality standards. The company stated that the recall was not initiated due to adverse medical events; however, McNeil advises, as a precautionary measure, parents should not give the reca
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled all Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” portable and full-size drop side cribs. The CPSC reports that the recalled cribs present a risk of strangulation and suffocation to toddlers and infants. The agency urges parents and caregivers in possession of the cribs to discontinue use immediately and find a safe sleeping alternative for their infant; attempts to repair the cribs are not advised.
If the crib’s plastic hardware breaks, the drop side of the crib can detach creating a space in which a child
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Toyota announced that it has expanded its 2009 recall of Tundra pickup trucks to repair frames that could rust and cause spare tires to fall off the vehicle. A spokesman for Toyota announced that the recall will now affect 2000-2003 Tundra pickups in all 50 states. This would broaden a November recall which affected 110,000 trucks in Washington and 20 “cold weather” states.
Last October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into rust problems on Tundra frames after receiving 20 reports of “severe frame cor
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Boston Scientific Corp. has recalled its implantable heart defibrillators after it failed to alert regulators of manufacturing changes. The medical device company stated that it had no reason to believe the manufacturing changes presented a threat to patient safety and did not advise physicians to remove the implantable devices from patients. Boston Scientific has described the issue as a “documentation problem” and is currently developing a resolution with the FDA.
The FDA has previously warned Boston Scientific about failing to adhere to reporting requirements. In 2006, the FDA
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with No-Spill, LLC, has announced the recall of approximately 7,500 No-Spill five-gallon gasoline cans. The gas canisters can leak at the black plastic collar where the spout attaches to the container, presenting a risk of burn hazards and fires.
The recalled gas cans carry the date codes AIP09202 though AIP09222; the code can be found on the bottom of the can. However, not all canisters in this date range have been affected. Available at hardware retailers, lawn and garden stores and via the internet, the recalled canisters
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Zippo Manufacturing Company has recalled approximately 17,500 Zippo Slatkin & Co. Candle Lighters due to a burn hazard. When placed on the maximum flame setting, the lighters can emit an excessive flame which could potentially burn the user. Sold by White Barn Candle and Bath & Body Works, the recalled Zippo lighters cost approximately $10 and became available in November 2009.
The Zippo lighters involved in the recall are marked with date codes H09 and G09, which can be found on the black adjuster knob at the end of the lighter. The recalled Zippo candle lighters, which use refilla
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Jelly Belly Candy Company has recalled mislabeled packages of its jelly beans. The packages involved in the recall are the 7.5 ounce cylinder-shaped containers of 49 flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans. The recall was issued after the candy company’s quality control team discovered that the jelly bean packages did not list peanut flour and peanut butter as ingredients. Consumers with peanut allergies can suffer life-threatening allergic reactions if they eat the recalled jelly beans.
The mislabeled Jelly Belly packages were sent to nearly 200 independent stores across the country betwe
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By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ Associated Press Writer
MIAMI—The county overwhelmingly passed a new ordinance to combat wage theft, making it easier for workers to bring legal action against employers who fail to pay them.
Thursday's vote comes after more than a year of work by a non-governmental task force of labor and immigrant advocates in Miami. San Francisco has a similar ordinance. Los Angeles and New Orleans are considering them.
The move permits workers to bring complaints against employers who fail to pay or don't pay overtime through a low-cost, streamlined pro
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Honda has recalled nearly 438,000 cars globally to fix the vehicles’ airbag inflators. The Japanese automaker stated that the driver’s side airbags can deploy with too much pressure. The air bags pose a risk to consumers due to excessive internal pressure, which can result in the release of metal shards. The company has received reports of one death and 12 incidents related to the defective airbags. U.S. vehicles involved in the Honda recall include the following:
Th
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The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulates vehicles and tires and has the authority to investigate consumer complaints regarding safety issues. In 2009, the NHTSA recalled a variety of automotive products, including various Ford, Toyota and Lexus vehicles, due to safety hazards. These automotive recalls would prove to be two of the most significant automotive recalls of 2009.
On Oct. 26, 2009, Ford recalled a variety of models furnished with the Texas Instruments speed control deactivation switch (SCDS). The SCDS could leak internally, possibly resul
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Graco Children’s Products Inc. has recalled approximately 1.5 million Graco’s Passage, Alano, and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems. The stroller’s canopy hinges present a laceration and fingertip amputation risk to the child when the canopy is being opened or closed. To date, Graco has received reports of seven injuries—two fingertip lacerations and five fingertip amputations. These injuries occurred after the child placed their fingers in the canopy hinge while the canopy was being opened or closed.
Graco created strollers with two types of hinge mechanisms. Those with plastic, j
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On Sept. 29, 2009, Toyota recalled several Toyota and Lexus vehicles after receiving 2000 reports of unintended acceleration that led to at least 19 deaths. Models involved in the Toyota recall include the following:
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated Lexus
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On Jan. 10, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of approximately 635,000 Dorel Asia cribs sold by Wal-Mart, Sears, K-mart and other outlets. The recall was prompted by the death of a six-month-old child, who was strangled after becoming stuck in the crib when the drop side hardware broke.
According to the CPSC, the hardware supporting the side of the crib can malfunction, allowing the drop side to detach, possibly causing the child to become trapped or suffocated. (The drop side of the crib is the side that can be moved up and down t
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On Oct. 26, 2009, Ford recalled 4.5 million cars to fix cruise control deactivation switches, which shut off the cruise control when the driver presses on the brakes. The switch is located by the brake reservoir fluid, creating a very thin membrane between the flammable brake fluid and the electrical parts of the deactivation switch. Several fires have resulted from a crack in the membrane between the switch and the brake fluid reservoir, permitting the flammable liquid to leak into the electrical components. More than 500 fires have resulted from the faulty Texas Instrument cruise control
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On May 1, 2009, the FDA urged consumers to stop taking Hydroxycut, as the popular weight loss supplement was reportedly linked to more than 20 reports of serious liver injuries. Hydroxycut users reported a variety of liver injuries, ranging from jaundice to liver damage requiring a liver transplant. The FDA also received one report of liver failure resulting in death. Cardiovascular disorders and rhabdomyolysis, a form of muscle damage, were also reported. Hydroxycut users were urged to look out for common symptoms of liver injuries including jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain and seizures. Read More
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