Complaints of defective hip replacement implants have been piling up for over two years at Johnson & Johnson. These complaints continued until Johnson & Johnson finally announced on August 26, 2010 that it was recalling the defective hip implants, which DePuy Orthopaedics manufactures. A number of patients who have received the hip implants have had them fail requiring them to receive a second hip replacement.

The two products included in this recall are the ASR XL Acetabular System, a hip socket used in traditional hip replacements, and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, a partial hip replacement product that involves placing a metal cap on the ball of the femur.
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Illnesses contracted from salmonella poisoning happens every year. There are thousands of strains of salmonella bacteria. Fortunately, only about a dozen make people sick. People who become sick from salmonella poisoning will often contract the virus by consuming undercooked eggs, meat, or poultry. If you do become sick from salmonella poisoning it is recommended that you consult with your doctor.
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Several people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident the morning of September 29, 2010. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the car accident occurred on the eastbound 101 Freeway at the Van Nuys Boulevard off-ramp and involved at least two vehicles. There is no word yet on how many people were injured or how severe the injuries were. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many injury victims of this Van Nuys car crash. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery.
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A pedestrian suffered injuries in a San Diego car accident after she was hit by a truck being driven by an elderly man. According to a 10news report, the injury collision occurred the morning of September 26, 2010 in the Normal Heights area of San Diego. Police say an elderly man driving his truck south on 35th Street near Adams Avenue struck the pedestrian and then crashed into the front yard of a home. The pedestrian was hospitalized with injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. The elderly driver was also injured. No other injuries were reported. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the pedestrian who was injured in this crash. I hope her injuries were not severe and wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. It is indeed fortunate no one in the home was hurt.
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Hyundai Motor Co. will issue a vehicle defect recall for about 140,000 Sonata model cars in the United States for problems with the steering. According to a Bloomberg News report, the steering defects could result in a loss of or reduction in maneuvering capability. The vehicles involved in this recall are 2011 Sonata sedans manufactured between December 11, 2009 and September 10, 2010. Hyundai has apparently issued a voluntary recall to inspect its vehicles for the steering problems. So far, no accidents have been reported as a result. The recall is expected to begin in October.
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Hillandale Farms and Wright County Egg recalled a half-billion eggs in August because of a possible salmonella contamination. So far, over 1,600 salmonella illnesses have been linked to the farms according to a news article in the Associated Press. After a massive recall from egg companies such as Wright County Egg, Congress meet with the chiefs of two Iowa egg farms to get answers.

Lawmakers called two witnesses to the stand who each recounted their sickened state caused by salmonella poisoning. Members of the subcommittee showed photos of the farms that included dead chickens, insects, and piles of manure in hen houses.
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In the wake of the extensive Toyota automobile recalls and the delay of said recalls, both the House and the Senate introduced auto safety bills in the spring of 2010. Both of these bills extend the penalty cap for car manufacturers with defects from $16.4 million which Toyota agreed to pay, to $200 million (House) or $300 million (Senate). This bill would also require certain safeguards on each automobile manufactured and strengthen the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However due to pressure from some automobile manufacturers, neither bill has become law yet.

To answer the question as to why this legislation is needed is to look at the problems arising in the last few years with auto manufacturers reporting auto product defects late and not facing much of a penalty for doing so. People were killed or injured in accidents that just didn’t have to happen because the manufacturer had information about the defects, but did not release it immediately. The question being asked now is whether automobile safety is up to the federal government to regulate or be left to the free marketplace. Recent events seem to indicate that consumers cannot rely on the honesty of the automobile manufacturer when they have covered up a vehicle’s defects. Obviously, some regulation is necessary.
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A 38-year-old man identified as Martin Mendoza, and four children sustained injuries in a San Diego car accident the afternoon of September 22, 2010 after the Chrysler minivan they were traveling in went out of control and hit a fire hydrant. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the minivan then overturned and landed on its roof near the intersection of Campo and Maxfield Roads in Jamul.

Two of the young victims were Mendoza’s children and two others were his niece and nephew, California Highway Patrol officials said. Mendoza and the four children were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role. Mendoza was cited for driving with a suspended license.

It is indeed fortunate that no one sustained catastrophic or fatal injuries in this rollover accident. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
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Look out salmonella — you have some food poisoning competition. AquaBounty has spliced together a horrific product: genetically engineered salmon that grow faster and larger than the old nature-produced model. With the incorporation of new technologies come new safety measures, but not in this case. Pushes for approval spur fears of massive product recalls by groups in opposition of “Frankenfish” and its potential for opening the door to genetically engineered meat products.
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When people use a product, they don’t really think about where it is made and assume that it is safe for them to use. Thankfully, this is true of most products. If a product does have a defect, most people believe that they can get compensation from the manufacturer for the harm done to them or their family. If the product is made in the United States, this is true. U.S. manufacturers must adhere to laws regarding defective products and can be ordered to give compensation to anyone injured under the principles of product liability.

Unfortunately, more products are now made outside the U.S. than are made here and these manufacturers are not held to any standard regarding defective products. As the law stands presently, if you had a toy from China made with lead paint, and your child sustained lead poisoning from it, you would probably not be able to sue the manufacturer and hold them liable for your child’s injuries. Furthermore, an American distributor or other local partner may end up being held liable as the foreign manufacturer could not when it was the fault of the local manufacturer. This is unfair to the American company.
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