Actavis Totowas LLC., manufacturer of the recalled defective heart drug Digitek, has announced a voluntary recall of all drug products manufactured in its Little Falls, NJ facility. According to an alert posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the drug manufacturer took this action after an inspection conducted by the FDA earlier this year, found the conditions at the facility to be less than satisfactory.

Hundreds of heart patients around the country have filed complaints against Actavis alleging that its heart drug, Digitek, also known as Digoxin, caused severe side effects because of its dangerous drug dosage. The company recalled the drug after finding out that the tablets contained twice the approved level of the active ingredient.

We have a number of clients who have suffered serious side effects as a result of this defective drug. We are in the process of gathering the medical evidence to support their pharmaceutical litigation cases before filing our own lawsuits. An overdose of this drug, which is normally used to treat heart conditions, may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, high blood pressure, cardiac instability or even death. The most recent drug recall includes all products manufactured at that facility that have been supplied to retail outlets, wholesalers and hospitals.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled 24,000 high-end Wolf gas ranges because one of its two new ovens poses a serious burn hazard. According to a Sept. 3 alert issued by the CPSC, delayed ignition of gas in the smaller 18-inch oven can cause flames to shoot out when the oven door is opened. This could possibly cause severe burn injuries, the agency cautions. The company received 97 reports of gas ranges experiencing delayed ignition. Fifteen of those resulted in burn injuries, but there have been no reports of property damage.

This recall involved Wolf’s 18-inch stainless steel gas ranges with the model numbers P48, PS48 and R48. Made in the United States, these defective products were sold at home builder and appliance stores across the country between January 1998 and June 2008. Those who own these gas ranges are asked to stop using the 18-inch oven immediately and contact the manufacturer at 1-866-643-6408 or e-mail Wolf at range18.rework@wolfappliance.com. The company is offering free, in home repair to all consumers owning one of these defective ovens.
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Federal regulators have shut down an investigation of the Toyota Tacoma trucks, which was spurred by more than 400 complaints from consumers whose trucks accelerated suddenly and without warning. Consumeraffairs.com reports that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) had been investigating problems with 775,000 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks sold between 2004 and 2008.

NHTSA talked to 64 consumers, concluding that the unintended accelerations were caused by a “slight engine surge” and “minor engine speed changes.” It also seems that the federal agency buckled under Toyota’s extensive lobbying in Washington claiming that consumers were exaggerating the problems and that the media were engaged in a negative smear campaign against the Japanese automaker. NHTSA received reports of 51 car crashes and 12 injuries allegedly caused by the unintended acceleration.
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Sony is recalling about 73,000 VAIO TZ-series defective notebook computers because they can overheat and cause a fire, posing a burn hazard to consumers. According to an article on Consumeraffairs.com, irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or dislodged screws inside the hinge can lead to the overheating problem. So far, the company has received 15 reports of these product defects. One consumer even suffered burn injuries as a result of the overheating.

The notebook computer models that have been recalled include the VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series. The recall is being conducted with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Here’s their safety alert.

Not all units of these models are included in the recall. But those who own any of these laptop models are asked to contact Sony to find out if their laptop is included in the recall. If their unit has been affected, Sony officials say the company will arrange for an inspection, and if needed, a repair. The computers were manufactured in Japan and the United States and sold for prices between $1,700 and $4,000 in SonyStyle stores and their Web site between July 2007 and August 2008.
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General Motors Corp. is recalling 857,735 vehicles that come with a heated windshield wiper fluid system for a potential short circuit problem and fire hazard, according to this Aug. 29 MSNBC news report. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that the short circuit may cause “other electrical features to malfunction” thereby increasing the risk of a fire and an auto accident.

This latest GM product recall includes 2007-2008 model Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and EXT, GMC Arcadia, Sierra, Yukon XL and Saturn Outlook. It also involves the 2006-2008 Hummer H2, Cadillac, Buick Lucerne and the 2008 Buick Enclave.

GM’s problem with defective windshield wipers has been ongoing. In fact, according to this 2005 news report, the NHTSA fined GM $1 million to settle charges that the company had repeatedly delayed reporting auto product defects that could result in recalls. Specifically, GM was fined for failing to conduct a timely recall in relation to a windshield wiper defect on its SUVs. Quality control checks revealed this defect immediately after production of the vehicles in October 2001, but GM did not report the defects to the NHTSA as required. This recall, which finally came about in February 2004 involved about 636,000 vehicles.
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Six national retailers say they will stop selling defective Simplicity bassinets said to have suffocated two infants to death, according to a report in consumer watchdog Web site, Consumeraffairs.com, which posted an article Aug. 26 exposing the product defects. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning Aug. 27.

These defective Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches – the maximum distance allowed by federal standards. These bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap, which is attached by Velcro. An infant can slip through the opening, become trapped in the metal bars and suffocate, if the Velcro is not properly reattached.

Six large retailers — Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, Kmart, Big Lots, Target and J.C. Penny – have said they will stop selling these defective bassinets right away and give a refund or store credit to consumers who purchased these products. The recall, however, comes too late for 6-month-old Kennedy Brotherton of Shawnee, Kansas, the most recent victim of these defective products. Kennedy slipped between the mattress and side railing after the mattress came loose from the frame, suffocated and died.
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Wisconsin-based importer Menards is recalling about 42,000, 3.6-volt cordless screwdrivers because the battery can overheat and catch fire while charging causing serious injuries to consumers. According to an article in Consumeraffairs.com, this could pose a fire and burn hazard to users. The problem is there is no protective device on these screwdrivers’ lithium batteries to prevent the overheating. The recalled product was manufactured in China.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a Sep. 3 safety alert about the defective tools in its Web site. The CPSC has received reports of major injuries. The agency received three reports of fires. One consumer suffered burns to the hand and another experienced temporary hearing loss. The recalled screwdrivers are green and gray in color. “MASTERFORCE” is printed on the top of the tool. “LITHIUM-ION TECHNOLOGY” and “241-0717” are printed on the handle. The tools were sold at Menards stores from April 2007 through May 2008 for about $30.

Consumers should stop using these defective products immediately. Menards is offering a free replacement or refund. Consumers seeking more information are asked to call 1-866-458-2472 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.menards.com.

These products clearly have the potential to cause a lot of harm. The injuries listed include burns and temporary loss of hearing. We’ve been seeing a number of product defects in numerous products manufactured in China – from tires and toothpaste to toys and tools. Distributors and importers of these dangerous and/or defective products must ensure that there is a quality control process for the products that are being imported and that the standards and procedures are being upheld.

Harley Davidson is recalling 47,579 motorcycles because of a defective fuel filter shell, which could crack and cause fuel pressure loss, according to an August 28 report in Consumeraffairs.com. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the loss of fuel pressure can cause “diminished performance” and could even cause an engine to stall, leading to an injury or fatality crash.

The recalled motorcycle models include the 2008 FLHP, FLHPE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRSE4, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCU, FLHTCUSE3, FLHTP, FLHX, and FLTR. Harley Davidson officials have said they will replace the fuel filter shell for free. Harley owners are asked to contact the company at 414-343-4056.

In Los Angeles County alone there were 59 motorcycle related fatalities in 2006 according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS). There were also 1,528 motorcycle accident-related injuries. In Orange County, there were nine motorcycle accident fatalities and 404 injuries relating to motorcycle accidents in 2006.
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Nestle Prepared Foods Company is recalling about 215,660 pounds of frozen stuffed pepperoni pizza sandwiches sold under the brand name, Hot Pockets, according to this news report. Hot Pockets Pepperoni Pizza is said to contain small pieces of hard red plastic and other “foreign material,” according to a consumer alert issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The manufacturer of these defective food products, based in Kentucky, received four complaints from consumers but so far, no reports of injuries. But USDA officials warn that these recalled products bear the risk of serious injury. A spokeswoman for Nestle says that the hard red plastic and a clear flexible rubber-like material could have splintered off from a testing device and be buried in the food products with sharp edges.
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A Colorado Boulevard alleged street racing incident recently caused a horrific and fatal two-car crash according to the Los Angeles Times. An Aug. 30 update to the news report said Andrew Cordova, 15, became the fourth fatality in this Eagle Rock car accident.

According to Los Angeles Police Department Detective Felix Padilla, the incident started with three cars racing in a 35 mph zone of Colorado Boulevard. A Nissan Maxima with five occupants was being driven by Andrew Cordova’s sister, Cristyn Nicole, 19, was subsequently hit by a Mistubishi Eclipse that was driven by Eagle Rock resident Rostislav Shnayder. Police said the Nissan then went out of control, crashed into a tree and caught fire. Cordova’s sisters Cristyn Nicole, 19 and Toni Marie, 16 were killed at the scene, as was a family friend, Jason Hernandez, 19. The fifth occupant 19-year-old Carlos Alberto Campos is in critical condition at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.

What a terrible and senseless tragedy for the Cordova family and friends. My deepest condolences to them.

While this fatal auto accident is still being investigated, Rostislav Shnayder, 19, has been charged with multiple counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Speeding and street racing are well known problems in the Eagle Rock section of Colorado Boulevard between the Glendale and Ventura freeways. California Highway Patrol statistics show 108 accidents happened here between 1994 and 2006 that were caused by speeding.
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