Product Defect Liability Lawyer Blog

Many popular models of General Motors trucks and sport utility vehicles are liable to lose their power steering as drivers make slow turns in parking lots, according to an Associated Press news report. The reporter apparently looked at court testimony and company documents, which reflected those steering defects. The problem, the report says, has forced GM to settle numerous lawsuits and led one state police force to label the condition as a “hazard.” But GM is simply calling this a “normal characteristic” of their vehicles.

Several drivers have complained that they have problems with the power steering especially while parallel parking or navigating into tight spots. GM told its technicians that the steering problem can occur when drivers apply the brakes and turn the steering wheel at the same time. That is exactly what happens when drivers try to park. What’s worse? This problem was never disclosed or made public to consumers. In November, a Wisconsin jury awarded $120,000 to a plumber who was unable to steer his GMC pickup truck and was refused a refund or a new vehicle even after he had complained. GM has also been ordered to pay an additional $259,000 in attorney’s fees in that case.

Attorneys who are representing plaintiffs in this auto product defect case also accuse the auto maker of deceptive marketing. GM advertises a lot of these vehicles as the safest and best vehicles available. According to an internal company bulletin, the affected models include the Chevy Avalanche, Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado Classic, GMC Sierra Classic, Yukon, Cadillac Escalade and Hummer H2. A GM bulletin also states that the condition can be aggravated by worn tires, low tire pressure and tires larger than stock size.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about carbon monoxide hazards that occur especially with winter home heating products. According to this news alert issued by the CPSC this week, there have been more than 150 residential fires in the United States that resulted in more than 200 deaths just since Thanksgiving. Apparently, this has been the deadliest year in terms of residential fires in recent history!

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Lourdes Ruiz, 41, died in a train versus car accident in Bakersfield, but managed to save the lives of her four children and two nieces, according to this news report. California Highway Patrol officials say Ruiz’s car stalled on the tracks at a railway crossing for an unknown reason. Ruiz and her 15-year-old son apparently tried to move the car, but both were struck by the train. Ruiz died but her son escaped with moderate injuries.

CHP officers say they don’t know why Ruiz’s car stalled on the tracks. They also say it is not clear whether the car stalled before the crossing arms came down or if Ruiz drove through the arms. The fatal train accident occurred when a passing freight train slammed into Ruiz’s car. Officials have also said that it does not appear as if the car became “high-centered” on the tracks.

Continue reading " Woman Killed but Children Spared in Bakersfield Train versus Car Collision " »

The family of Las Vegas anchorwoman Polly Gonzalez, who was killed in a fatal Ford Explorer rollover in California in 2005, has filed a product liability lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. alleging that the sport utility vehicle’s roof was not strong enough to withstand the crash and the seatbelt failed to protect her as well. The lawsuit states that the Explorer’s roof was “buckled and bowed” after the rollover and the seatbelt was found partially extended. Gonzalez, who sustained head injuries, died of blunt force trauma. Our source for this blog was this news article in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Apparently, 43-year-old Gonzalez’s two young daughters, who were also in the 2000 Ford Explorer, were injured but survived the horrific crash. The family was traveling on SR-127 to Las Vegas at the time and the accident occurred in Death Valley. This lawsuit was brought by Gonzalez’s ex-husband, Allan Mota, and her two daughters – Sabrina and Gabriella Mota.

In my opinion, this lawsuit rightly claims that Ford Explorers are affected by the problem of weak roofs. Independent studies that our firm conducted have consistently shown that the Ford Explorer (especially the model year in question) is one of the most unstable SUVs in the market, prone to rollovers on our highways especially when a driver is trying to take evasive action.

Continue reading " TV Anchorwoman’s Family Sues Ford in Connection with Fatal Explorer Rollover " »

This week, in the middle of an inspiring and historical inauguration, President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, issued a memo to all federal agencies to halt all pending regulations from the Bush era until the new administration can review them. This memorandum was the first of several actions requested of the new administration by the American Association for Justice (AAJ), a group that had done admirable work in the area of consumer rights.

Why was this important or urgent? Because the Bush administration had formed a partnership with corporate lobbyists to use a wide array of rulemaking to reduce or altogether eliminate consumer rights especially with regard to dangerous and defective products. These rules have been used by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to shield manufacturers of defective drugs and medical devices; by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with regard to vehicle roof crush in rollover accidents; and by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission with regard to the issue of mattress fire safety.

Each of these agencies has issued at least one ruling, which states that as along as a product meets the requirements spelled out by these rules, consumers have no rights to sue the product manufacturer, even if people have been injured or killed as a result of their defective products. The Obama administration has taken that important first step to block these rules authored by the Bush administration to pre-empt product liability litigation. These include about 50 federal rules that govern a variety of products from motorcycle brakes to pain medication.

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More companies are pulling peanut butter products from their shelves as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to eat peanut butter only from jars because of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The FDA has issued a warning asking consumers to avoid products containing peanut butter and peanut butter paste including sauce, crackers, cookies, cookie dough and ice-cream. Our source for this blog is this news report in HealthDay.

So far, 470 people have been sickened by this outbreak in 43 states. Six deaths have been linked to this food-borne illness. California has the highest number of cases so far in the country. FDA officials say that the peanut butter in jars is the only kind that is safe to eat. Products and brands included in the salmonella recall include:

1. Clif Bar & Co. (Luna brand bars made with peanut butter)
2. ZonePerfect bars
3. Private Selection Peanut Butter Passion Ice Cream
4. Food Lion and Wal-Mart Bakery brands of peanut butter cookies, peanut butter no-bake cookies and peanut butter fudge no-bake cookies.
5. Meijer Inc.’s crackers and two types of ice cream
6. The South Bend Chocolate Co. is recalling assorted chocolates, valentine hearts, peanut butter fudge and peanut butter chocolate fudge.
7. General Mills recalling Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie and JamFrakas Peanut Butter Blisscrisp snack bars
8. Perry’s Ice Cream recalled products containing peanut butter sauce
9. Kellogg’s peanut butter crackers

Kellogg also issued a major peanut butter recall last week for 16 of its products made with peanut butter including Keebler cheese and peanut butter sandwich crackers and Keebler and Famous Amos peanut butter cookies. U.S. health officials confirmed the presence of salmonella in a packet of Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter.

Continue reading " Peanut Butter Products Recalled In Connection With Salmonella Outbreak " »

Chrysler is recalling 32,865 of its 2008-09 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks because of a steering defect that could result in loss of steering control and pose the risk of a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the trucks affected by this recall are equipped with Powers and Sons steering linkages. The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to the Pitman arm ball stud may fracture, federal officials say. Also the steering linkage damper attaching the bracket may yield and shift on the linkage leading to loss of steering control. Our source for this blog is this news report in Edmunds.com.

What officials are warning consumers is that this loss of steering control and the limited ability to turn the vehicle in one direction could increase the risk of an auto accident without warning. The recall is expected to begin later this month. Dodge dealers will replace the defective steering linkage and the drag link inner tie rod end assembly and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket, free of charge. Owners of the affected pickup trucks may call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Continue reading " Chrysler Recalls Dodge Pickup Trucks for Steering Problems " »

A 50-year-old San Marcos man identified as Michael Quinn was killed in an Escondido rollover accident on January 18, 2009. According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune. Quinn died after his car veered off the highway onto the median and then rolled down a steep embankment.

Quinn was also ejected onto the Interstate 15 when his car overturned, California Highway Patrol officials said. However, CHP officials also say Quinn was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the rollover accident. He was taken to an area hospital where he died an hour after the crash.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Michael Quinn. Please keep them in your prayers.

What concerns me the most about this news report is that Quinn was buckled up, but he was still ejected from his Scion. If I were a member of Michael Quinn’s family, I would definitely want to know how his seatbelt failed at the time of the accident. Quinn’s family would be well-advised to contact a nationally-renowned auto product defect attorney, who has specifically dealt with seat restraint failures.

Continue reading " Man Killed in San Diego County Rollover Crash " »

Fisher-Price is recalling about 200,000 Simplicity Rainforest portable play yards after the company received numerous complaints of the product’s rails collapsing and posing a fall and entrapment hazard to young children. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s product safety alert issued January 15, 2009, Fisher-Price is apparently taking the action voluntarily although it did not manufacture the play yards. The companies that manufactured these defective products -- Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. -- have apparently not even responded to the consumer complaints. Our source for this news blog was this report in this consumer safety and advocacy web site.

According to the CPSC, there have been at least 1,350 complaints of one or more rails collapsing in these play yards. There were also numerous reports of children suffering bumps and bruises when the side rail collapsed. There were five reports of injuries, which included a broken nose, a broken wrist, a concussion, a cut to the hand that required stitches, and a chipped tooth.

These recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table and other mobile features. These products were sold at retailers and specialty children’s stores nationwide from January 2007 through January 2009 for about $100. Consumers are advised to stop using these play yards right away. Those who own these recalled play yards with the Fisher-Price logo should contact the company to replace their play yards. For more information, please call Fisher-Price at 1-800-432-5437.

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Nissan Motor Company is recalling more than 240,000 trucks in Iowa and 19 other cold weather states to fix an airbag defect, according to the Associated Press article.The glitch involves a problem that could prevent the vehicles’ front air bags from deploying in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Web site, the recall affects the Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra from the 2005 to 2009 model years.

In cold-weather states where winter time road salt is used, a mix of snow, water and salt could get into a crash zone sensor area of the airbag system causing rust and interrupting the signal. Nissan officials say that could prevent the front airbags from deploying in the event of an auto accident. They also say the glitch was discovered through warranty claims. However, officials say, there were no crashes, injuries or fatalities linked to this particular airbag product defect. Apparently, the red airbag warning light in the vehicle will illuminate indicating a problem.

Continue reading " Nissan Recalls 240,000 Trucks for Airbag Defects " »

Nearly 700,000 Roman shades and roll-up blinds sold at Cost Plus and World Market stores are being recalled because they pose a strangulation hazard to young children. according to this news report, these Roman shades have a looped pull cord and exposed inner cords on the back of the shade. So far no injuries or deaths have been reported with these recalled Roman shades and roll-up blinds. But the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received reports of three deaths with one incident involving the death of a child who became entangled in the lifting cord of a roll-up style blind whose manufacturer and retailer have not yet been identified. Two other deaths have been attributed to exposed inner cords on various styles of roman-style shades.

IKEA Home Furnishings issued a similar product defect recall of 670,000 Roman blinds after a 1-year-old girl in Greenwich, Connecticut, died. The girl had become entangled in the inner cord of a Roman blind and was strangled. That incident occurred on April 4, 2008, when the little girl was playing in a portable playpen that was placed under a fully lowered blind.

The blinds involved in the most recent recall include those that were sold at Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide from February 2006 through August 2008 for between $25 and $60. They were manufactured in India and China. Consumers are asked to stop using the recalled window blinds and shades and return the product to any Cost Plus/World Market store to get a full refund. Consumers looking for more information are asked to call Cost Plus at 1-877-967-5362.

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Stork Craft is recalling more than 500,000 defective cribs because the cribs’ support brackets can crack and break creating an entrapment or suffocation hazard for children. When one or more of these support brackets break, the crib mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails where a child could get caught and choke. Our source for this blog was this news report in Consumeraffairs.com.

This recall is being conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Please click here to read the safety alert issued by the federal safety agency. CPSC is apparently aware of 10 incidents in which the mattress support brackets broke. The government agency received one report of a toddler who sustained bruises to his forehead. In another incident, a child became trapped in the gap between the mattress and the drop side rail, but thankfully did not suffer any injuries.

This recall involves Stork Craft Baby brand cribs that were manufactured in Canada, China and Indonesia and distributed between May 2000 and November 2008. The cribs were sold at major retail stores including JC Penney, Kmart and Walmart nationwide in various styles and finishes. They were also sold at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com and Walmart.com from May 2000 to January 2009 for between $100 and $400.

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Auto manufacturers in the United States recalled the fewest number of vehicles last year since 1994, according to this Associated Press news report. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report released this month shows that car companies recalled 10.4 million vehicles in 2008, which is 30 percent fewer than the 14.8 million vehicles recalled in 2007. This is apparently the lowest number of vehicles recalled since 1994 when the recall number was at an all time high at 6.2 million.

That said, car companies also issued a record 684 vehicle recall campaigns in 2008, a 16 percent increase over 2007 when the auto industry issued 587 campaigns. Among American auto makers, General Motors recalled about 1.8 million vehicles in 21 separate campaigns in 2008, more than triple the 538,000 vehicles recalled in 2007. Ford Motor Company recalled 1.6 million vehicles in 2008 and that is well below the 5.5 million recalled vehicles in 2007. Chrysler also saw significantly lower recall numbers. Chrysler recalled 360,000 cars and trucks in 2008 compared to 2.4 million in 2007.

However, two out of three major Japanese auto makers – Honda and Toyota – saw their recall numbers increase. Toyota recalled close to 1 million vehicles compared to 640,000 in 2007 while Honda recalled 800,000 vehicles in 2008 compared to 550,000 in 2007. Nissan however saw a drop to 824,000 last year compared to 1.3 million in 2007.

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Rashti & Rashti is expanding an earlier recall of its Taggies Sleep’n’Play garments for children because the snaps on these children’s clothes can detach posing a choking hazard to infants and toddlers. According to this news report, the earlier recall in July 2008 involved two Taggies Sleep’n’ Play style infant garments. Now two more styles manufactured before July 1, 2008 have been identified as having issues with the snaps. The recall now includes the Dinosaur Applique and the Pink Toss print styles as well.

These infant garments are one-piece footed coveralls with snaps down the front. They were sold at major retail outlets such as Babies’R’ US, Buy Buy Baby, Dillards, Nordstrom and Internet retailers from January 2007 through November 2008 for about $20. Consumers are asked to take these garments away from children immediately and contact Rashti & Rashti to receive a refund. For more information, please call the company at 1-888-594-3730.

These are the latest in the long line of children’s products that have been recalled in the last two years. Some of the products have included lead-tainted toys, dangerous furniture with serious manufacturing and design defects and clothes with drawstrings that had posed a choking hazard. A majority of these dangerous and defective products were made in China.

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Ohio-based food distributor, King Nut Company, has recalled two brands of peanut butter after the deadly salmonella bacteria was found in an open five-pound tub sold under the King Nut label. The company has also recalled its Parnell’s Pride brand. The salmonella-tainted peanut butter was not sold in retail stores, but it was distributed to hospitals, schools, restaurants and nursing homes through food service companies. Our source for this blog was this Reuters news report.

Minnesota health officials issued a product safety alert on January 9, 2009 after finding a King Nut peanut butter jar contaminated with the strain of salmonella linked to a salmonella outbreak across the United States. Since September the salmonella food poisoning has sickened at least 399 people in 42 states and has sent at least 70 people to the hospital, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

This is not the first time that Americans have been sickened by salmonella tainted peanut butter. In 2007 a similar outbreak was linked to Peter Pan peanut butter manufactured by ConAgra Foods Inc. That outbreak sickened more than 300 people. ConAgra closed a Georgia plant where the contamination was said to have occurred. The current salmonella outbreak has most affected California. So far 55 cases have been reported here.

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A nationwide salmonella outbreak has struck 42 states including California, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Apparently, 400 people have become ill and one person has died as a result of this salmonella infection. In fact, Ohio and California reported the most, with 51 cases each. Our source for this blog was this Associated Press news report.

Reports of these illnesses began between September 3, 2008 and Dec. 29, 2008. But a majority of victims became sick after Oct. 1. Symptoms widely reported were diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness is said to last anywhere between four and seven days. One out of five victims had to be hospitalized, officials say. Health officials have not yet been able to pinpoint what is causing this food-borne illness. That is even more frightening because not knowing what food is responsible for this salmonella outbreak means federal officials cannot track the original source of contamination.

Continue reading " Salmonella Infection Sickens Hundreds Nationwide " »

Michael Jochum, 60, of Anaheim, was injured in an auto accident after his Jeep malfunctioned while making a U-turn, jumped a median and crashed into the front of a rug store in Fountain Valley. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the accident occurred the afternoon of January 6, 2009, when Jochum was attempting to make a U-turn at Euclid and Condor streets.

Jochum told officials that it seemed as if his car had “locked up.” As he finished his turn, Jochum’s Jeep accelerated causing him to hit the median, cross into oncoming traffic and jump the sidewalk before crashing into the Rugco store. Jochum says he felt helpless because the airbag deployed after he hit the center median and he couldn’t see where he was going.

This is a horrible California auto accident that could have turned out a lot worse. I’m relieved that the driver, Michael Jochum, the employees of the rug store and other pedestrians in the area were not injured or killed in this crash. Jochum did suffer injuries to his ribs in the crash. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Mechanical Malfunction Causes Orange County Auto Accident " »

Jardine Enterprises is expanding an earlier recall of 320,000 defective cribs sold at Babies ‘R’ Us because the wooden slats can break creating a gap posing an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers. The current recall includes an additional 56,450 cribs. This recall came after federal safety regulators received 19 additional incidents of crib slats breaking. In nine of these incidents, consumers apparently reported that their child broke the slat while still in the crib. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also received a report of one 22-month-old falling through the gap between the crib slats when one of the slats came apart. Our source for this blog was this news report in Consumeraffairs.com.

The current recall involves three models of Jardine wooden cribs. The date codes and model numbers are printed on the label located on the inside of the bottom rail of the crib’s headboard or footboard. Apart from Babies‘R’Us, these defective cribs that were manufactured in China, were sold at KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores and Toys‘R’Us stores across the country and at babiesrus.com from March 2004 through January 2009 for between $220 and $330.

Continue reading " Defective Jardine Cribs Recalled for Fall and Strangulation Hazards " »

Lasko has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty for failing to immediately report incidents about its defective portable box and floor fans that were said to have caused injuries and property damage. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Lasko received 42 reports of these defective fans overheating, smoking, melting or catching fire, resulting in nine personal injuries and several instances of property damage. Our source for this blog was this news report in the Miami Herald.

Federal law requires companies to alert the CPSC within 24 hours of learning information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product is defective and could create a substantial product hazard or an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. Consumers who have the recalled fans can still receive a free fan cord adapter that shuts off the fan motor if overheating occurs. Those who want more information about this recall are asked to contact Lasko at 1-800-984-3311 or visit www.laskoproducts.com.

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Hyundai Motor Company is recalling about 347 of its 2008 model year Elantras because of a defective fuel pump. According to this news report in Consumeraffairs.com , the affected Hyundai Elantra fuel pumps may produce less pumping pressure than is needed to supply the fuel injection system, causing poor engine starting and hesitation, possibly leading to a crash.

The models with the defective fuel pumps were apparently manufactured at Hyundai’s Puerto Rico plant. This recall is expected to begin in February. Hyundai dealers will replace the fuel pump subassembly on the affected vehicles free of charge. Owners with more questions are asked to call Hyundai at 1-800-981-0188 and reference recall number 086. Consumers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the federal agency’s Web site at www.safercar.gov.

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BMW is recalling 370 model year 2008 F650 GS motorcycles because of a defective front brake disc fastener. This product defect could allow the fastener to come loose from its threads, which could cause a crash. When the recall begins later in January, dealers will remove the defective brake disc fasteners and replace them free of charge. Our source for this blog was this news report in Consumeraffairs.com.

BMW is also recalling about 500 of its 2008 F650 GS and 2009 F800 GS models because the tightening of the chain sprocket fasteners in these motorcycles may have resulted in various levels of torque being applied, according to a report on the same Web site. It is possible for the fasteners to come loose from the sprocket, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall is also expected to begin later this month. BMW dealers will loosen and inspect the fasteners and replace any damaged or defective parts.

Consumers or BMW owners who are looking for more information about both these recalls may call BMW at 1-800-831-1117. They may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236.

Continue reading " BMW Recalls Motorcycles for Defective Parts " »

Yine Gonzalez, 24, of Tijuana, died in a rollover accident on the Interstate 5 in San Diego on January 4, 2008 after a hit-and-run driver clipped the back of the Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle in which she was a passenger. According to this news report, the crash occurred just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive when John Francis Sudac, 27, the driver of a Nissan Altima sedan changed lanes at a high rate of speed and clipped the back of the Explorer.

The Ford Explorer rolled over several times and Gonzalez was partially ejected. Yine Gonzalez, who was six months into her pregnancy, died of her injuries in a local hospital. Doctors could not save her fetus. Gonzalez’s husband and 5-year-old daughter as well as two other relatives were all treated for minor injuries. Sudac, the hit-and-run driver and his male passenger apparently fled the accident scene. While, Sudac has turned himself over to authorities recently, his passenger still remains at large. Anyone who has more information about this incident or witnessed it is asked to call the Oceanside CHP office at 760-757-1675. Officials are also looking for a passing woman motorist who grabbed Gonzalez’s purse, which fell on the freeway when she was ejected and took off with it.

My heart goes out to the Gonzalez family, especially her husband and her 5-year-old daughter. I offer my deepest condolences to them for their heartbreaking loss

Continue reading " San Diego Ford Explorer Rollover Crash Kills Pregnant Woman and Fetus " »

Herbert Ranney Webster, 64, of El Cajon was fatally injured after he suffered severe chain saw injuries while trimming a tree on December 29, 2008. According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Webster was in the tree cutting branches with an electric chainsaw at his home in unincorporated El Cajon when he was injured. His wife apparently found him lying under the tree, bleeding profusely. Webster died even before he was taken to the hospital.

My heart goes out to the family of Herbert Ranney Webster, who died tragically in this chainsaw accident. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep this family in your prayers.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were more than 28,500 chainsaw injuries in 1999. More than 36 percent of these injuries were to the legs and knees of the victims. On an average, a chainsaw injury requires about 110 stitches and the average medical costs in 2000 involving chainsaw injuries were about $12,000 per injury. Medical costs for chainsaw injuries in the United States are estimated at about $350 million. The CPSC also estimates that chainsaw injuries are the most common and the most serious among people 65 years and older who take on home improvement and gardening projects.

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Atomic Skis GmBH is recalling 125,000 defective alpine ski bindings because the heel housing can crack causing the binding to release unexpectedly. According to this news report, this product defect can cause significant injuries to skiers. The company has already received four reports of injuries, including one concussion and injuries to the shoulders and knees from falls. The bindings were manufactured in Austria and sold at authorized Atomic USA ski dealers around the country between 1998 and 2005 for between $150 and $350.

More than 1 million of these defective skis have been sold in different parts of the world. Consumers with more questions are asked to call Atomic Skis at 1-888-535-7555 or visit www.atomicsnow.com or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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The Toro Company is recalling about 900,000 defective Power Sweep electric blowers. According to this news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the blower’s impeller can break, causing pieces of plastic to fly out of the blower and seriously injure the user or anyone nearby. The blowers were apparently originally recalled in July 2007. Toro has received 162 reports of broken impellers including 28 reports of injuries resulting from the projected impeller pieces. This second recall is intended to inform consumers who did not learn of the first recall.

This product recall involves the Toro Power Sweep electric blower model 51586 that was manufactured between 2000 and 2002 in the United States. These defective products were sold by Toro dealers and various mass retailers nationwide including The Home Depot, Lowes, Target and
K-Mart for about $32. Consumers are asked to stop using these blowers immediately and contact Toro to receive a free replacement blower. For more information, consumers are asked to call Toro at
1-888-279-3191 or visit the company’s Web site at www.toro.com. The company has already notified its registered owners about this product recall.

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