Product Defect Liability Lawyer Blog

A new federal report shows that auto product design defects may have played a part in a fatal San Diego car accident in August, which killed California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor and three members of his family. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, federal investigators found that the loaner Lexus, which Saylor was driving, had an unsecured and incorrect floor mat that jammed the accelerator. The design of the gas pedal may have also contributed to the fatal car accident, the report said.

Continue reading " Toyota Product and Design Defects Contributed to Fatal San Diego Car Accident " »

Several retail stores including IKEA, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Hanover Direct are issuing a defective product recall for nearly 1 million roller blinds and Roman shades because of a serious strangulation hazard to young children. According to a Fox News report, a child's neck can get tangled in the inner cord of the Roman shades or the exposed loop of the roller blinds. The recall comes after several incidences of near strangulation of children between the ages of 1 and 3. IKEA recalled blinds in August as well as in November 2008 after the death of a child who was strangled in the cords.

Continue reading " Large Recall of Defective Blinds and Shades for Strangulation Hazard " »

The major national retailer, Target, is issuing a defective product recall for about 600,000 Halloween flashlights because they can apparently overheat and melt causing burn injuries. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, Target has so far received eight reports of flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burn injuries to the hand. This product recall involves two varieties of Halloween-themed flashlights -- the mini flashlights and the kind of flashlights sold with stencils.

Continue reading " Halloween Product Recall Involves Defective Flashlights " »

A federal agency has opened a new vehicle defect investigation into corrosion issues on 218,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has apparently opened a preliminary probe into spare tires and brake lines on 2000 and 2001 model year Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. According to the Detroit News, the agency has so far received 20 reports about Tundra pickups where the spare tires separated and severe frame corrosion has led to brake failure. There have been 15 reports alleging that the "upper body mounted spare tire separated from the rear crossmember and five reports alleging broken brake lines at the proportioning valve that is located on the driver's side of the rear crossmember at upper shock mount."

Continue reading " Federal Officials Open New Auto Product Defect Investigation Into Toyota Pickups " »

As a California personal injury lawyer I know how devastating an accident can be for victims. A car accident can have a dramatic impact on your health and earning potential.

Continue reading " What You Should Know Before Seeking Compensation For A California Car Accident " »

Robert Leever, 52, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after he lost control of his car and crashed. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal car accident occurred the night of October 25, 2009 at Pacific Street and Perris Hills Park Road. Leever's car apparently crashed through a guardrail and hit a fence leaving the vehicle teetering over the edge of a San Bernardino flood control channel. Fire crews had to secure the vehicle and use power tools to remove the roof and doors to get the victims out. Two passengers were also injured in the car crash.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Robert Leever for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I also wish the two injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep Leever's family and these injured victims in your prayers.

Continue reading " San Bernardino Car Accident Leaves One Dead, Two Injured " »

Matthew Jacob Wismann, 20, was killed in a Ventura car accident after his car crossed traffic lanes and crashed head-on into a van in Piru, California. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Wismann was driving west on Highway 126 near Center Street the evening of October 20, 2009 when he drifted into opposing lanes of the undivided freeway and struck a van driven by 53-year-old Adrian Powell of Valencia. California Highway Patrol officials said Wismann was taken to an area hospital where he died three hours after the crash. Powell was also treated for major injuries including a broken pelvis. Both men were wearing their seat belts.

Continue reading " Fatal Ventura Car Accident " »

Blair LLC. has expanded a defective product recall involving chenille robes and other clothing items after reports of nine deaths after the robes caught fire. According to an Associated Press news report, Blair had received five reports of deaths linked to the robes that were manufactured in Pakistan. Now, the Pennsylvania-based company has received four additional reports of fatalities linked to these defective robes, which apparently failed to meet federal flammability standards. Now, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are expanding the recall to include more chenille robes and other chenille products including jackets, lounge jackets and tops. Most of the deaths however involved the full length chenille robes.

Continue reading " Company Expands Defective Product Recall for Chenille Robes " »

A 3-year-old girl was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was ejected from the vehicle she was riding the afternoon of October 17, 2009, according to a news report in The Signal. The fatal car accident occurred when the child's grandfather, Martin Borunda, 46, who driving his Chevy Astro van north on the 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita when one of the left tire's tread separated, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Continue reading " Tire Tread Separation Causes Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident " »

It is in the best interest of most accident victims to consult with a California car accident attorney. After an accident, most victims are under the impression that their insurance company will fight for you. This is where many victims have been misled. Insurance companies are for-profit organizations. To maximize their profits they want to pay out as little money as possible. Insurance companies have well trained adjusters who are motivated to withhold payment.

Continue reading " California Car Accident Lawyer Advises Accident Victims To Beware Of Insurance Adjusters " »

Bad Boy Enterprises is issuing a defective product recall for about 3,900 off-road Classic Buggies or utility vehicles because they can accelerate suddenly and without warning. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the company has received 32 reports of such sudden acceleration and injury reports including broken toe, rotator cuff injury and sore muscles. This product recall involved Baby Boy Buggy Standard model off-road utility vehicles. The vehicles basically have one row seat that allows two persons to sit side by side while the vehicle is in operation.

Continue reading " Product Defect Recall Issued for Off-Road Utility Vehicles " »

Plum Organics of Emeryville, California is issuing a baby food recall over California food poisoning concerns, according to a CBS News report. The company is recalling some of its apple and carrot portable pouch baby food over concerns of botulism contamination. The recalled products were sold individually throughout the country in 4.22-ounce pouches at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores. The company apparently determined that the baby food products did not meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for proper acidity level, thereby leaving it vulnerable to botulism contamination.

Continue reading " Botulism Food Poisoning Concerns Leads to Baby Food Recall " »

The auto products liability attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE often come across cases where a client has been injured by an auto product. Also, very often, we find that the product or vehicle in question was not recalled. It is a fact that auto makers put off vehicle recalls because it costs them millions of dollars, not to mention the resulting enormous damage to the company's public image.

Continue reading " Federal Agency Investigates Ford Airbag Defect " »

Two adults and two children suffered serious burn injuries in an Orange County car accident, according to a news report in The Orange County Register. The injury accident occurred the morning of October 18, 2009 on the 5 Freeway in Irvine, California, and officials believe it was the result of some sort of malfunction involving the vehicle, possibly a defective tire at the rear. When emergency personnel arrived at the accident scene, the van was already on fire. The driver of the van was able to jump out uninjured, but two adults and two children – ages 3 and 6 – sustained a combination of first- and second-degree burns as they got out. All injured victims were transported to an area hospital. Officials are looking into what led to the vehicle malfunction and fire.

Continue reading " Orange County Car Accident Injures Four " »

Romulus Lee Glenn, 36, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident when the sedan he was riding in rolled over in the desert near Kramer Junction. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, the driver of the Honda Accord was driving north on the Highway 395 when the vehicle rolled. Both Glenn and the driver were ejected from the Accord. A passing motorist noticed the crash and called authorities. Glenn was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, who has not been identified, was airlifted to a local hospital with major injuries.

Continue reading " San Bernardino Rollover Car Accident Leaves One Dead " »

Becoming the victim of a personal injury accident is no joke. During July of 2007 Gloria Levesque became the victim of an Orange County car accident. She wasn't sure where to turn or who to trust for advice.

Continue reading " Personal Injury Accident In Orange County Cased Injured Woman To Seek Help " »

Seilose Uele Kisepi, 47, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after the car she was in crashed into the center divider on the 10 Freeway in Ontario. According to the San Bernardino Sun, Kisepi was in a 2009 Kia Rio the morning of October 14, 2009 when her husband who was driving the car lost control and hit the center median just east of Vineyard Avenue. The Rio was then broadsided by a Dodge pickup truck and a Buick. Kisepi was pulled out of the car and transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Continue reading " San Bernardino Car Accident Kills Woman " »

Ford Motor Company is issuing a vehicle defect recall for 4.5 million vehicles because of a faulty switch that can overheat and catch fire. According to a news report in the Detroit Free Press, this is Ford's eighth recall in 10 years involving the same switch. The faulty switches have led to the recall of more than 14 million Ford vehicles over a decade. Included in the present Ford vehicle recall are 1.1 million Windstar minivans model years 1995 through 2003. Also included in this recall are 3.4 million SUVs and pickup trucks including several Ford Excursion, Explorer and Ranger models going as far back as 1992. Ford officials say they are recalling these vehicles to "reassure customers and eliminate any future concerns" although their data shows that the recalled vehicles do not pose a significant safety risk.

Continue reading " Ford Issues Vehicle Defect Recall Involving Faulty Switch for Fire Danger " »

Federal auto safety investigators are apparently looking into a vehicle defect in Toyota Tundra pickup trucks involving premature frame rust so severe that it could lead to brake failure. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials are investigating 20 complaints on model-year 2000 and 2001 Tundra pickups alleging broken brake lines and spare tires that came loose. This NHTSA inquiry covers about 218,000 vehicles.

Continue reading " Premature Rust Could Cause Brake Defects in Toyota Tundra Trucks " »

I blogged about recent defective product recalls involving millions of Roman blinds with lengthy inner cords that can pose serious strangulation hazards for young children. Several large nationwide retailers have pulled these dangerous and defective blinds from the market over the last few months. However, a news report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the manufacturers of the defective products may have known about these serious dangers and product defects for the last seven years.

Continue reading " Dangerous and Defective Blinds Pose Strangulation Hazard " »

On the day of Christopher's high school graduation, he was involved in a California car accident. The accident would change Christopher and his family's life forever.

Continue reading " California Personal Injury Lawyer Helps Family After Horrific Car Accident " »

Hattie Kaufman, 85, was killed in an October 7, 2009 San Bernardino car accident after the car she was traveling in blew a tire and rolled over on Mojave Drive near Highway 395 in Victorville. According to a news report in the San Bernardino County Sun, the driver of the car, who has not been identified, was driving with her mother, Kaufman, and 18-year-old daughter when the tire blowout occurred. The car veered into the center divider causing the driver to overcorrect and roll off the roadway. All occupants were buckled up at the time. Kaufman, who was a passenger in the front seat, died from the injuries. The 18-year-old in the back seat was airlifted to a local hospital. The driver was injured but declined medical treatment.

Continue reading " Fatal San Bernardino Car Accident Caused by Tire Blowout " »

As a California personal injury lawyer, I have reviewed many cases where defective products have caused carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide or CO is a dangerous gas, also known as a silent killer because of its high toxicity and undetectable odor. Portable generators, heaters and stoves are among the leading causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States.

Continue reading " Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths on the Rise " »

After Alexis Bennett was in an Orange County car accident she didn't know what to do. It was the worst day of her life. Her concerned aunt received news of the accident and suggested that she visit the Orange County personal injury lawyers of BISNAR | CHASE.

Continue reading " Orange County Car Accident Lawyer Lends A Helping Hand To Personal Injury Victim " »

DeVilbiss is issuing a defective product recall for about 620,000 pressure washers and 72,000 compressors after complaints of broken bones and injuries relating to the products. The company issued the recall in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The defective pressure washers and air compressors have pneumatic tires with plastic hubs that can burst posing a fracture and laceration hazard to consumers. So far, DeVilbiss has received more than 100 injury reports including hand and finger fractures, cuts and reports of property damage.

Continue reading " Defective Product Recall Issued for Pressure Washers and Compressors " »

Toyota's vehicle defect recall last week involving its faulty floor mats may have come too late for several victims who suffered serious personal injuries as a result, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The newspaper report gives the example of Guadalupe Gomez whose 2007 Toyota Camry careened out of control accelerating to more than 100 mph before crashing into a Honda Accord and killing its driver, 39-year-old Troy Edwin Johnson. California Highway Patrol officials had concluded in their investigation that the fatal car accident was caused by Gomez's reckless driving, but as it turned out it was caused by an auto product defect where the floor mat jammed the accelerator sending the Toyota out of control.

Continue reading " Auto Product Defects Can Have Devastating Consequences on Lives " »

Kristopher Raymond Kelly, a 13-year-old boy, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident on September 30, 2009 after his grandfather lost control of a U-Haul truck he was driving and crashed on the northbound 5 Freeway near Calgrove Boulevard in the Santa Clarita area. According to a news report in The Signal, Kristopher and his grandfather -- 68-year-old Phil Logan Kelly, were from Oregon. Kristopher was in the process of moving with his family to Oregon from Valencia. Kristopher was a passenger in the U-Haul truck when Kelly lost control and crashed the truck into a parked vehicle on the right shoulder.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Kills 13-year-old Boy " »

Target Corporation must pay a $600,000 civil penalty for selling defective products -- specifically toys containing high levels of lead paint -- according to a news report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The toys were apparently sold between May 2006 and August 2007 at a time when millions of lead-laced toys made in China were being pulled off store shelves for unacceptable levels of lead that can be ingested by young children. Target has reached the monetary settlement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, but has denied the allegation that it knowingly sold these dangerous and defective toys.

Continue reading " Target Slapped with $600,000 Civil Penalty for Selling Lead-Laced Toys " »

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a defective product warning concerning safety alert pendants because they may pose a strangulation hazard. According to a news article in Consumer Reports, FDA is saying that at least four deaths have been attributed to these devices. In its notice, the federal agency said that there were six reports between 1998 and 2009, of serious personal injury or death. This includes three deaths in the United States and one in Canada. All were caused by strangulation after the device's cord that is worn around a person's neck became entangled on other objects.

Continue reading " Safety Alert Pendants Pose Strangulation Hazard in Elderly Patients " »