Product Defect Liability Lawyer Blog

A 49-year-old man was killed in a San Diego car accident the afternoon of February 21, 2010 after his SUV went off the roadway, crashed and rolled over on State Route 67. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the man was driving a 1994 Jeep Cherokee near Slaughterhouse Canyon Road, when he lost control of the vehicle. The driver overcorrected the SUV and it rolled over before coming to rest on its wheels, California Highway Patrol officials said. The man had his seatbelt on, but was killed as the Jeep's roof caved in, resulting in massive and fatal head injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased victim for their tragic and devastating loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Man Killed in San Diego SUV Rollover Accident " »

Chrysler is issuing a vehicle defect recall for about 355,562 minivans to fix a problem with an airbag sensor. According to a Reuters news report, the recall campaign involves 259,437 vehicles in the United States, including the 2005-2006 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. Chrysler officials say one of the front airbag crash sensors could crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter the sensor. This could potentially cause the sensor to become inoperative. This could cause the airbag to fail in the event of a car accident. If you own one of these recalled vehicles, please take your minivan to a dealer as soon as possible to have it evaluated.

Continue reading " Chrysler Recalls Minivans for Defective Airbag Sensors " »

A woman who was fatally injured in an Orange County car accident after her SUV was struck by another vehicle on the freeway, has been identified as 30-year-old Lorena Mancinas. The Orange County Register reports that this fatal car accident occurred the afternoon of February 24, 2010 on the 22 Freeway near Glassell Street. Mancinas' 2003 Chevy Tahoe SUV was struck by a Toyota driven by 26-year-oldYoung Woo Lee. The crash occurred when Lee's car struck the back of the Chevy while making a lane change. The Tahoe then rolled over several times. No arrests have been made yet and an investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Lorena Mancinas for their tragic loss. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Continue reading " Woman Killed in Orange County Rollover Accident " »

Koua Fong Lee, a man who was sentenced to eight years in prison for causing a fatal car accident in Minnesota, always maintained that there was a vehicle defect or malfunction in his 1996 Toyota Camry that caused the crash that killed three people. However, a few years ago, jurors did not believe him. Now, according to an Associated Press news report, Lee's case is being reopened after new revelations of safety problems with Toyota vehicles. The Japanese auto maker has so far recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles – a majority of them for a problem with sticky gas pedals and faulty floor mats that could cause sudden or unintended acceleration.

Continue reading " Toyota Defense May Spell Freedom for Incarcerated Minnesota Man " »

Jaime M. Arias, an 18-year-old man, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after the vehicle in which he was a passenger plunged into a ravine off Sand Canyon Road in the Placerita Canyon area. According to a news report in The Signal, a 17-year-old girl was driving a 2003 Mitsubishi on Sand Canyon Road the night of February 22, 2010 when she lost control of the vehicle. The Mitsubishi spun off the roadway and plunged 160 feet into a ravine. Arias was pronounced dead at the scene while the girl was transported to a local hospital with injuries. The extent of her injuries is not known. Alcohol or drugs were not factors in this fatal car accident, California Highway Patrol officials say.

My heart goes out to Jaime Arias' family and friends for this tragic, untimely and devastating loss. Please keep his grieving family in your thoughts and prayers. I also hope and pray that the young driver of the Mitsubishi did not sustain any catastrophic injuries. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Teenager " »

Amber Kerr, 14, was hospitalized with serious personal injuries after an ATV accident where she was thrown off the all-terrain vehicle she was riding and struck a steel propane tank. According to a news report in the Appeal-Democrat, Amber and 15-year-old Hope Travis, were both on the four-seater vehicle when the accident occurred the morning of February 21, 2010.

Amber was driving a 2001 Yamaha Wolverine on a private dirt road, when she approached a muddy stretch filled with standing water . She then, attempted to drive the ATV through the mud at high speed. Both she and Hope Travis were thrown over the handlebars and into the side of the tank. Neither teen was wearing a helmet. Amber was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of her major head injuries. Hope was said to have escaped injuries.

Continue reading " California Teen Seriously Injured in ATV Crash " »

In the most recent documents obtained from Toyota, officials claim that they saved the company at least $100 million by successfully negotiating with the government to limit vehicle defect recalls to floor mats. According to a CBS News report, Toyota officials, in an internal presentation in July 2009, boasted about saving the company millions by dodging major defective auto recalls. The title of their presentation was "Wins for Toyota -- Safety Group."

Continue reading " Toyota Officials Boast about Saving $100 Million by Dodging Recalls " »

One person was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident the night of February 18, 2010 after a head-on collision in El Sereno. CBS News reports that the fatal car accident occurred on Eastern Avenue, north of Klamath Place. The driver of the vehicle traveling north on Eastern died at the scene. The other driver, a woman, was transported to an area hospital with injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased victim. I also hope the other driver did not sustain any catastrophic injuries. These victims will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Driver " »

A Los Angeles based meat company has expanded its recall of ground beef and veal to include about 4.9 million additional pounds of meat products because of food poisoning concerns. According to an Associated Press news report, the recall includes meat products by Montebello-based Huntington Meat Packing Inc. because of concerns that the products may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The original recall was announced January 18, 2010 and was for 864,000 pounds of meat. So far, there have been no reports of illnesses or fatalities associated with these recalled beef and veal products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Company Recalls More Meat over Food Poisoning Concerns " »

The pharmaceutical liability lawyers at BISNAR | CHASE have been extremely concerned about the adverse side effects caused by dietary supplement Hydroxycut. Government health officials in May sent out strong warnings to dieters and body builders to immediately stop using Hydroxycut, a widely sold dietary supplement linked to at least one death and several cases of liver damage. Now, the American Journal of Gastroenterology is confirming fears about the serious side effects of Hydroxycut. A recent study published in the journal confirms links between this herbal weight loss supplement and liver problems.

Continue reading " Study Confirms Link between Hydroxycut and Liver Problems " »

Andrew Scott Brown, 19, was seriously injured in a rollover accident the afternoon of February 16, 2010 on the Interstate 5 in Redding, California. According to a news report in the Redding Record Searchlight, Brown was driving a Jeep south on the 5 Freeway just south of Twin View Boulevard when the Jeep swerved to the left and rolled over several times. Brown was ejected from the vehicle.

Based on preliminary investigations, officials suspect Brown may not have been wearing a seatbelt and say he may have been using a hand-held cell phone at the time of the accident. He apparently suffered major injuries including a broken back and was transported to a local hospital where he remains in serious condition. Officials say alcohol was not a factor in this accident.

Continue reading " Teen Suffers Serious Injuries in Rollover Accident " »

Toyota has issued yet another vehicle defect recall, this time, for about 8,000 of its 2010 Tacoma four-wheel drive trucks. According to a news report, a crack in a component could lead to separation of the drive shaft. Tacoma pickup trucks have also been recalled by the Japanese auto maker for gas pedals that can be trapped and jammed by defective floor mats. The number of Toyota vehicles recalled for defective brakes, gas pedals and floor mats now add up to almost 8.5 million.

Continue reading " Toyota Recalls Tacoma Trucks, Feds Demand Documents " »

A products liability case can vary from claim to claim. There are a number of different factors which will determine the complexity of your case. Every case is unique. Some cases may settle in as little as 30 to 90 days. Other cases will be much more complex and take years to settle. There is no formula in calculating how long a defective products case will take. A products liability case can take no longer or no less time than any other personal injury claim.

How Long Does A Product Liability Case Take?

Continue reading " How Long Will It Take To Finish My Products Liability Case? " »

A recent federal government report reveals that 34 people died since 2000 as a result of an auto product defect in Toyota vehicles that caused them to accelerate suddenly. According to an Associated Press news report, complaints to a database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the Toyota Prius hybrid grew by nearly 1,000 in just over a week. Over the last four months, Toyota recalled about 8.5 million vehicles worldwide because of problems with defective gas pedals, floor mats and brakes.

Continue reading " Death Toll Linked to Sudden Acceleration in Toyotas Surges " »

Two people who were killed in a San Bernardino car accident were identified by local officials as Merced Molina, 52, and her 19-year-old son, Javier Molina. The Victorville Daily Press reports that the accident occurred the morning of February 6, 2010 on the 15 Freeway. Merced Molina was driving a 1999 Mercury Villager south on the I-15, near Highway 138, when the van hit the back of a tow truck that was assisting a disabled vehicle. Merced Molina died at the scene and Javier Molina was transported to an area hospital where he died shortly afterward.

I offer my deepest condolences to the Molina family for the devastating loss they have suffered here, losing two family members so tragically. Please keep this family in your prayers during their time of grief.

Continue reading " San Bernardino Car Accident Leaves Two Dead " »

Generation 2 Worldwide has issued a defective product recall for its drop-side cribs after three infant deaths were reported in connection with the products. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents that their children are at serious risk of injury or death due to strangulation or suffocation hazards these cribs pose. The crib's plastic hardware can break and cause the drop-side to detach from the corner of the crib. This creates a space into which an infant or toddler can become entrapped and suffocated. Also, the crib's mattress support can detach from the crib frame creating a hazardous space in which a child could become trapped.

Continue reading " Dangerous and Defective Cribs Recalled After Three Infant Deaths " »

Brent Sirignano, 17, sustained critical injuries in an Orange County car accident after the vehicle in which he was a passenger crashed into a tree. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury car crash occurred the afternoon of February 6, 2010 when Sirignano was traveling in a 2006 Toyota Scion driven by his friend, 17-year-old Parker Kalmen. Officials say the vehicle lost traction on a wet road in Mission Viejo and hit a tree. Both Sirignano and Kalmen were trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated. Sirignano was critically injured and remains in a medically induced coma at a local hospital. Kalmen was uninjured.

Continue reading " Teen Critically Injured in Orange County Car Accident " »

Often when your lawyer takes your case he retains an expert to assist him.There is a lot of confusion in the general public as to why your lawyer needs to spend money on an expert. As litigation becomes more complex and the need to understand it becomes even greater, the Courts have allowed the use of individuals that are able to act as Friends of the Court. This enables the expert to explain issues to the court that are beyond what a "lay" person is able to do.

Continue reading " Why Your Attorney Needs Experts " »

Trader Joe's Company, based in Monrovia, California, has recalled chewy granola bars over food poisoning concerns. According to an Associated Press news report, the specialty foods store is recalling select lots of 7.4-ounce boxes of chocolate chip chewy coated granola bars because they could be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled bars were manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings Inc. So far, no illnesses have been reported as a result of these recalled granola bars.

Continue reading " Trader Joe's Recalls Granola Bars for Salmonella Contamination " »

Accident victims suffer from a number of different personal injuries in California every year. The injuries accident victims suffer from can be a small as a sprained ankle, or much more catastrophic such as a brain injury.

Continue reading " What Is The Most Common Personal Injury For Accident Victims? " »

Honda Motor Company has issued a vehicle defect recall for 437,000 cars worldwide involving defective airbags. According to a CBS news report, the recall will affect certain 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, Civic compact cars, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and some 2002 Acura TL sedans. According to company officials, the driver's side airbag produces too much pressure that can cause the inflator to rupture, sending metal fragments toward the driver. This recall includes 378,000 vehicles in the United States.

Continue reading " Honda Recalls 437,000 Vehicles for Defective Airbags " »

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced a vehicle defect recall involving 437,000 of its Prius and Lexus hybrid vehicles for braking problems. According to an MSNBC News report, the recall was spurred by more than 200 consumer complaints from Prius owners in Japan and the United States who said there was a delay when the brakes in the car were pressed in cold conditions or on bumpy roads. In the U.S., Toyota will recall 133,000 Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles. Toyota officials say it is a software problem which can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

Continue reading " Toyota Issues Worldwide Prius Recall " »

Dangerous intersections have caused catastrophic personal injury to many victims. If you or a loved one has been in an accident caused by an unsafe intersection you need to consult with an attorney. Finding expert help from an experienced California car accident attorney will help you determine if you have a claim against the city or state responsible for the dangerous intersection.

Continue reading " Find Out If The Government Is Responsible For Your California Car Accident " »

Adrian Garcia, 25, and Maribel Rico, 31, died in a Los Angeles car accident early morning on February 6, 2010. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal car accident occurred on the westbound 60 Freeway near Crossroads Parkway in the City of Industry. California Highway Patrol officials said Garcia was driving a 2007 Toyota when he lost control and crashed the car. Both Garcia and Rico, who was a passenger in the Toyota, died from their injuries. CHP officials are still investigating the cause of this accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Adrian Garcia and Maribel Rico for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading " Two Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident " »

Three people sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident involving several vehicles the afternoon of February 4, 2010. According to a news report in the Pasadena Star News, the car crash occurred on the 5 Freeway in Norwalk near Imperial Highway when a truck traveling south on the freeway crossed over to opposing lanes of traffic and hit other vehicles. It is not clear how many vehicles were involved. But California Highway Patrol officials say two people suffered moderate injuries and another person was transported to the hospital with injuries.

I sympathize with the victims who were injured in this crash. I hope none of the victims was seriously injured and that they recover quickly and completely from their injuries.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Injures Three " »

At least two people sustained injuries in a San Diego car accident after a U.S. Postal Service van crashed into a trolley in downtown San Diego. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the crash happened at Park Boulevard and G Street the morning of February 3, 2010.The collision injured two trolley passengers who were transported to an area hospital. According to eyewitnesses the trolley had the green light at the time of the collision. Witnesses said the driver of the mail van proceeded through the intersection although other vehicles on G Street were stopped for the light. The mail van's driver was not injured.

I hope that this accident did not cause any catastrophic injuries. I hope and pray that the victims here recover quickly and fully from the injuries they have sustained. They will be in my prayers.

Continue reading " Two Trolley Passengers Injured in Downtown San Diego Accident " »

Toyota Motor Co. may be bracing for yet another vehicle defect recall, this time involving 270,000 of its 2010 Prius hybrid models. According to a UPI news report, Japanese newspaper, Nikkei, reported that Toyota had in fact issued a recall for 270,000 cars. But Toyota officials, who held a news conference on February 4, 2010, said they have not yet issued the recall and are "studying the issue." During the press conference, Toyota's CEO, Akio Toyoda, apologized to consumers all over the world for a series of recalls that have inconvenienced and caused serious concern to Toyota customers. So far, Toyota has recalled more than 9 million vehicles because of problems that can cause sudden acceleration.

Continue reading " Toyota Not Confirming or Denying Prius Recall " »

An auto products liability lawsuit has been filed against Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation by the California personal injury lawyers of BISNAR | CHASE. The suit arises from a car accident involving Eleanor Gnup and her husband, Edward, in their 1999 Toyota Camry that left Mrs. Gnup suffering from catastrophic injuries.

On June 12, 2009 Eleanor Gnup was driving her Toyota Camry with her husband in the front passenger seat. As they made a legal left-hand turn at intersection of Hermosa Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in Fullerton, CA, their car was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle. The Camry was impacted in a "T-bone" shape and completely crushed the driver's side of the car. Despite being properly restrained in her seatbelt, Mrs. Gnup's head and body were forcefully slammed against the Camry's interior, causing her to suffer severe injuries.

Continue reading " California Personal Injury Lawyers Demand that "Safety is Not Optional" in Suit Against Toyota " »

At least two people were injured in a San Diego car accident after a U.S. Postal Service van collided with a trolley in downtown San Diego. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the collision occurred the morning of February 3, 2010 at the intersection of Park Boulevard and G Street. Two trolley passengers were taken to the hospital. One of the passengers, 20-year-old John Lyman, who was sitting in the front seat of the trolley, told the newspaper that the trolley was proceeding through the intersection on a green light when it was struck by the mail van. All of the traffic on G Street was stopped at the light, except for the van. The female driver of the van was uninjured.

I hope the two passengers hospitalized here were not seriously injured. I wish both the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. It is indeed fortunate that they did not sustain any catastrophic injuries in this crash.

Continue reading " San Diego Collision Injures Two Trolley Passengers " »

Federal officials are saying that Toyota was not very forthcoming about taking corrective action or issuing a vehicle defect recall in connection with millions of vehicles recalled over faulty gas pedals and floor mats. According to a news report in the Detroit Free Press, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told reporters that Toyota had to be pushed every step of the way by federal officials to take corrective action in the interest of consumer safety. That "pushing" culminated in an unprecedented vehicle recall and with the Japanese auto maker suspending manufacturing and sales of eight vehicle models including its top-selling Corolla and Camry.

Continue reading " Toyota had to be "Pushed" to Recall Defective Vehicles " »

FAF Inc. has issued a defective product recall for about 55,000 children's necklaces sold at Wal-Mart that are believed to contain high levels of cadmium. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the recalled children's jewelry, made in China, is shaped as a metal crown or frog pendant on a metal link chain necklace in a crown hinged box. The packaging has the words "The Princess and the Frog" on it. These recalled necklaces were sold only at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from November 2009 through January 2010 for about $5. Those who have these recalled items in their homes are asked to take them away from children immediately and return them to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund or free replacement product.

Continue reading " Cadmium-Tainted Jewelry Sold at Wal-Mart Recalled " »

The California personal injury lawyers of BISNAR | CHASE have filed a product liability injury lawsuit against General Motors Corporation and Sexton Chevrolet of Manteca, California for producing a defective seatback and seatbelt that failed to properly protect Wendy Leigh Yates in a 2007 rear-end crash.

Wendy was seated and buckled up in the front passenger seat of a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by her daughter, Brittney. The mother and daughter were traveling southbound on the off-ramp from State Route 99 to Beckwith Road in Modesto, California when their vehicle was rear-ended by another car. The crash caused Wendy's seatback to collapse backwards, allowing her body to slip underneath her seat belt and shoulder restraints toward the back of the Tahoe. Her head struck the rear passenger compartment, causing catastrophic permanent brain injury from numerous skull fractures and seizures. Brittney Yates also suffered from severe personal injuries in the crash.

Continue reading " Lawsuit Filed Against General Motors Corporation for Defective Vehicle Components " »

Toyota Motor Corp. is facing an inquiry from the U.S. Congress this month after the massive vehicle defect recall involving faulty gas pedals that can stick and cause unintended acceleration. According to a Reuters news report, the Congress hearing will be held to determine how quickly and effectively Toyota responded to complaints about sticking pedals and slipping floor mats that caused the accelerator pedal to jam. This is an unusual move from the government, but is not a huge surprise considering the effect this recall is going to have. In January, Toyota, in an unprecedented move, also halted the production and sales of eight of its models, including the top-selling Toyota Camry and Corolla models that are included in this recall.

Continue reading " Toyota to Face Congressional Hearing over Auto Product Defect Issues " »