On Thursday, US President Bush signed a consumer safety bill that prohibits lead—except for the smallest levels—in products made for kids 12 years of age and under. The measure, formally called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, also bans chemical phthalates from children’s products.

The bill, which received overwhelming support in both the US House and Senate, addresses the concern that toys and other kids' products can be dangerous. This worry reached new heights last year when over 45 million children's products, many of them made in China, were recalled. High levels of lead in the paint used on many of the products was one of the reasons for many of the recalls.

The new law will allow for widespread reforms that will force product manufacturers and retailers to exercise greater safety precautions when making and selling products—especially those that are for children. The legislation mandates that infant products and toys undergo testing before they are sold, authorizes the creation of the first public consumer complaint database, increases civil penalties for those that violate Consumer Product Safety Commission laws, and offers protection to whistleblowers.

The CPSC, which came under fire last year over its failure to monitor toys imported into the country from abroad, will have an opportunity to do a more thorough job. The new legislation double’s the CPSC’s budget to $136 million by 2014 and gives it new authorities for supervising testing procedures and punishing violators.

According to the CPSC, over 33 million people sustained injuries last year because of contact with an unsafe product. Some 28,000 million people die each year in the United States alone because of products that are defective or unsafe for use.

Throughout the United States, our children’s products liability law firm represents families whose sons and daughters have been injured or killed because a toy or another product was defective or hazardous. Our defective products lawyers are committed to protecting our clients’ legal rights and making sure that they receive compensation for all damages that they are owed. Our product safety law firm has gone up against some of the largest manufacturers in the world and won.

Bush Signs Consumer Safety Bill, ConsumerAffairs.com, August 14, 2008

Not toying around: Congress OKs bill to ban chemicals in some products, USA Today, August 1, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, CPSC.gov (PDF)

Recalls

Auto manufacturer BMW AG is recalling 200,000 SUVs and cars over concerns that the front passenger air bag may not deploy during a collision. BMW models affected by the recall include the:

• 2004-2006 5 Series
• 2006 3 Series
• 2004-2006 X3 SUV’s

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that small cracks could affect the seat detection mat and deactivate the air bags. This could also deactivate the air bag “on-off” light. An air-bag “on-off” switch lets the motorist deactivate the air bag feature when necessary.

Depending on the make and model of the vehicle and the year it was manufactured, air bags may be located in two areas of a vehicle:

Frontal Air Bags: Frontal air bags are designed to prevent vehicle occupants from hitting the steering wheel, the instrument panel, or the windshield so that they don't sustain even more serious injuries during a motor vehicle crash. These air bags usually cannot provide protection during side-impact crashes, rear-end collisions, and rollover accidents.

Side-Impact Air Bags: They are designed to protect your chest and head during an accident in which the side of the motor vehicle is impacted.

Types of Frontal Air Bags:

Depowered Air Bags: Air bags with a reduced inflation power to decrease the chances of an air bag-related injury.

Advanced Frontal Air Bags: are considered more effective than the previous generations of air bags when it comes to saving lives and reducing the chances of air bag related-injuries.

Air bags are an added and necessary protection to the safety belt. If you were injured in an auto crash because your air bag failed to deploy or malfunctioned in another way, our auto products liability law firm has the experience and knowledge to determine whether you have grounds to file a defective products case against the manufacturer.

German automaker BMW recalling 200,000 vehicles, AP, August 13, 2008

UPDATE: BMW Recalls 200K Vehicles In US Due To Airbag Issue, CNNMoney.com, August 13, 2008

Air Bag Safety, Safecar.gov

Related Web Resources:

Air Bags, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

What You Need to Know About Air Bags, NHTSA.gov

Each year, hundreds of young children are injured in motor vehicle crashes. Many of these injuries could have been avoided if the child had been restrained in a well-designed and properly functioning child safety seat or booster chair.

With all of the child safety seats currently available in the marketplace, it can be difficult to determine which seat to purchase for your son, daughter, or grandchild. The recent recalls involving defective child safety seats have not helped boost consumer confidence.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Infants younger than age 1 and weighing under 20 lbs should be secured in infant-only child safety seats, and the seat should face the rear of the motor vehicle.

• While toddlers and preschoolers weighing 20 pounds can ride with their car seats facing the front of the car, it is still recommended that their child safety seats face the back of the vehicle.

Types of forward-facing seats:

Convertible seats - They can convert between forward-facing and rear facing
Forward-facing seats
Forward-facing/Booster seat combinations
Built-in seats – They are pre-installed in certain motor vehicles
Travel vests – For children weighing 20 to 168 pounds. They can be used with a lap seat belt.

• Children 8 – 12 years of age that are 4’9” in height or greater and can no longer use a forward-facing seat should use a booster seat, which raises the child’s body so that he or she can properly use a shoulder and lap seat belt.
• Children that can no longer fit in a booster seat should use a shoulder and lap seat belt and sit in the back until they turn age 13.

Suggestions for making sure a child safety seat is safe:

• Use a safety seat that is preferably under five years old.
• Make sure the car seat has never been involved in an auto crash.
• Ensure that the seat has all its required parts.
• Check for possible defects, such as cracks in the plastic, damaged straps, and stiff buckles.
• Read about the seat brand and model and check for a history of past defects and recalls.

Our auto products safety law firm is experienced in dealing with injury cases involving defective car seats.

Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2008, American Academy of Pediatrics

Safe Ride Helpline for Child Passenger Safety, Carseat.org

Related Web Resources:

Child Passenger Safety: Ease of Use Ratings, NHTSA

Recalls

There is growing concern that there may be millions of motor vehicles with defective tire valve stems that are currently being driven on US roads. Concern over the hazards associated with defective tire valve stems caught the media spotlight last year, when a Florida man died after the valve stem in one of his tires cracked, causing a rollover crash.

The valve stem believed to have triggered his motor vehicle crash was linked to distributor Dill Air Control Products. The company has since then issued a warning to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that up to 30 million valve stems made by a Shanghai Baolong Industries subsidiary may be out in the US market.

The tire valve stem is the tiny device that keeps the air in a tire. The worry is that the defective tire valve stems could crack prematurely, which could cause the tires to lose air. The loss of tire pressure can then cause the tires to become damaged or underinflated, which may lead to motor vehicle crashes involving serious injuries or deaths.

In June, Tech International, another US parts distributor, announced its voluntary recall of some six million valve stems, also made in China by the same distributor. While only 8,600 of the 6 million recalled stems are believed to be defective, no one knows which motor vehicles were fitted with the defective valve stems.

Safety advocates are encouraging drivers to inspect their valve stems and check the pressure on their tires—especially if they received a replacement tire after July 2006.

If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a motor vehicle crash caused by a defective auto part, our experienced auto products liability law firm would like to talk to you.

Fatal Rollover Prompts Probe into Chinese-Made Tire Valve Stems Safety, Reuters.com, June 12, 2008

Tech International Recall, NHTSA

WCBV: Hidden Tire Defect Poses Safety Threat, ABC News, June 24, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Dill Air Controls

Tech International

Procedure to Inspect Snap-In Valve for Cracks, Safety Research.net/Dill Air Controls

Another crib line made the news headlines this month, as Jardine Enterprises and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of 320,000 Jardine cribs because they pose a potential hazard for strangulation or entrapment.

The recall was announced following 42 incidents involving the cribs and broken spindles and crib slats. Four children got trapped in the spaces left by the broken pieces and two of them sustained bruises and abrasions. The cribs were manufactured in China and sold at Geoffrey Stores, Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, Geoffrey Stores, and Kids World.

In an unrelated recall, Stanley Furniture has also recalled about 1,200 2nd Nature Built to Grow Cribs cribs over worries that the space between the crib and the mattress, when the latter’s support is in the middle setting, might be wide enough that an infant could get trapped in the gap.

Our product safety law firm represents families whose children have suffered serious crib injuries or other injuries a result of a defective product. Unfortunately, parents cannot always trust that a manufacturer will design nursery products that are safe for use.

Regardless, there are steps you can take to secure your child’s crib, including:

• Using a mattress that is firm and fits tightly in the crib.
• Making sure the crib is assembled properly.
• Ensuring that there are no loose, broken, or missing crib pieces.
• Checking that the crib’s slats are narrow enough that your child cannot fall through.
• Making sure that there is nothing in the crib that your baby’s clothing can get caught on.

Despite one’s best efforts, accidents can happen, and our experienced products liability lawyers have helped many families obtain financial recovery from negligent product manufacturers, designers, distributors, and retailers.

Our products liability law firm can help you assess whether you have grounds to file an injury lawsuit.

Cribs recalled after four children trapped, Boston.com, June 30, 2008

Recalls, CPSC.gov

Crib Safety Tips, CPSC.gov

Related Web Resources:

Kids in Danger

How to Avoid Dangerous Cribs, Good Housekeeping

This month, a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee met to examine the way the government handles phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), two chemicals that have been used for over half a century on numerous consumer products. Phthalates is often used to soften plastics, and Bisphenol A is often applied when manufacturing shatterproof containers. One issue of concern is whether these chemicals should be banned from children’s products.

BPA can be found in baby toys, baby bottles, pacifiers, food cans, the linings of milk containers, and other products. While the US Food and Drug Administration says that baby bottles made with BPA are safe for use, government scientists are worried about how these two chemical may be affecting babies.

Recent findings in animal experiments link BPA to changes in the brain and hormones, as well as precancerous growths in the breast and prostate. In the US Senate, Democrats recently introduced a bill to ban Bisphenol A in toys and food products.

Phthalates is often found in teething rings, soft baby books, baby bottles, and other kids’ products, such as dolls and rubber ducks. While the US Consumer Product Safety Commission says that use of this softening chemical does not show any health risks, scientists claim phthalates can cause health problems, including reproductive defects and triggering early puberty in girls, which places them at higher risk for liver cancer and breast cancer.

In response to the growing concerns, Wal-Mart, Lego, Toys"R"Us, Gerber, and Evenflo say they will phase out or stop using phthalates in their products. California and Washington have instituted their own phthalate bans, while other states are considering similar bans. Although the US Senate passed a bill to ban phthalates in products made for children and infants, the House of Representatives has yet to discuss this chemical. The European Union and at least 14 other countries have also banned the phthalates.

Our defective toy litigation lawyers represent families whose children were seriously injured because of a defective or dangerous toy. We are a product safety law firm committed to getting injured clients the financial recovery they are owed.

Congress wary of plastics used in toys, bottles, Forbes.com, June 10, 2008

FDA official says baby bottles with bisphenol A safe, AP, June 10, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Toxic Baby Bottles, Environment California

Bisphenol A

Phthalates

A products liability lawsuit that has recently made national headlines involves a female traffic cop who is suing Victoria’s Secret for an eye injury she says she sustained in May 2007 because of a defective thong.

Macrida Patterson says that one of the metal links that holds the decorative rhinestone heart in place on the thong’s blue fabric popped off and hit her in the eye. Patterson says the accident caused her a great deal of pain and she had to go to the hospital to receive medical attention. She sustained three cuts to her cornea.

Patterson’s lawsuit alleges that the thong’s design is defective to begin with and that the placement of sharp points and metal pieces on the underwear created an inherent hazard. The lawsuit also alleges that the thong became defective during the manufacturing process.

While injuries caused by defective underwear is not common, there have been cases where people—especially children—have been injured because their clothes had defects that resulted in choking hazards, strangulation hazards, fire (burn) hazards, and other dangers.

Just this month, manufacturer Sara Lynn Togs recalled 1,800 Children’s Infant and Toddler Shortalls because the shoulder straps could come off and become a choking hazard. Also in June, The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. recalled approximately 28,000 Camouflage Pajama Sets over concerns that excessive levels of lead in the pajama top’s screen print could result in lead poisoning.

A product can become defective during the design or manufacturing process or due to a marketing defect, such as when a product is marketed to the wrong age group or fails to come with the complete instructions or the proper safety warnings. Products liability cases can be brought based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty.

If you or someone you love suffered a serious personal injury because of defective clothing or another defective product, one of our products liability lawyers can discuss your case with you. We represent clients throughout the US.

Lawyer Makes Thong Injury Suit Sound Boring, ABA Journal, June 19, 2008

Eye-catching thong gives rise to lawsuit, MSNBC.com, June 19, 2008

Children's Overalls Recalled by Sara Lynn Togs Due to Choking Hazard, CPSC.gov, June 12, 2008

The Children’s Place Recalls Camouflage Pajama Sets Due to Excessive Lead, CPSC.gov, June 10, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Read the Complaint Against Victoria's Secret, The Smoking Gun

Products Liability, Justia

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the voluntary recalls of about 15,000 Children’s Playsafe Spinning Quad Merry-Go-Rounds and approximately 11,000 Backyard Leisure Adventure Play Sets and Create N Adventure Wooden Play Sets because they pose a fall hazard to children.

Backyard Leisure says that there have been 114 reports of the play sets' hangers, which hold the gliders, breaking. Three incidents have resulted in minor injuries. In one accident, a child was struck on the head by a chain that came off a hanger. The toy manufacturer is recommending that consumers remove the gliders and stop using the play sets.

With the other recall, Pacific Cycle Inc. says there has been one report of a fall injury involving its Playsafe Spinning Quad Merry-Go-Rounds. The product manufacturer says the inner bearing on the merry-go-round can fail, which can lead to the seat assembly dropping all of a sudden. Children should stop using the merry-go-round. A retrofit kit can be requested or the merry-go-round can be returned for a full refund.

Playground Injuries
Over 200,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year because of injuries caused by defective playground equipment. Fall accidents are the most common kind of playground accident and can lead to bruises, scrapes, cuts, broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, and other serious injuries.

Unfortunately, there are many playground toys and equipment that are not safe for children. Some other recent recalls of playground and backyard toys over the last several years have involved defective slip and slide toys, water products, and trampolines. Poor assembly instructions, improper installation, and poor maintenance of playground equipment can also result in serious injuries.

Our product safety law firm has helped the families of children that were injured because of a defective playground or backyard product obtain products liability compensation from the toy manufacturer and/or seller. We can also determine whether other parties are liable for the injury accident.

Children's merry-go-rounds recalled, WSYR.com, June 12, 2008

11,000 wooden play sets recalled by the CPSC, ConsumerReports.org, June 11, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Playground Safety

Recalls

At a June 4 hearing before the US Senate, auto safety regulators said they need more time to make sure that adding more headroom and weight to vehicle roofs will not increase the chances of a vehicle rollover. At the center of discussions was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposal to update its roof safety standards.

The higher gravity center of pick-up trucks and SUVs is what make these kinds of vehicles more likely to rollover. The NHTSA's current standard, established in 1973, requires that passenger cars withstand a force 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight during a rollover accident. The 2005 proposal would increase that standard to 2.5 times the vehicle weight. Critics, however, believe this is still not enough to increase passenger safety in a rollover crash, and they have been pushing for an even tougher standard—which is why, in January, the NHTSA said it would consider revising its proposal.

Although by law, the NHTSA has until July 1 to revise its roof standard, lawmakers want the update delayed until regulators arrive at the “correct” standard. Some safety advocates, however, say that there is no concrete evidence to indicate that strengthening current roof standards would significantly minimize the number of injuries and deaths in rollover crashes. Rollover deaths make up 25% of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States, and there were over 10,000 rollover deaths in 2007.

The NHTSA proposal also wants to make automakers exempt from state products liability lawsuits if the vehicles involved in the auto accidents met the new roof safety standards. This would prevent injury passengers from being able to sue for compensation for medical costs, lost income, recovery costs, and other damages.

Our defective auto products law firm represents products liability clients that were injured in rollover accidents and other motor vehicle crashes that occurred because a motor vehicle or one of its auto parts was defective. We have helped injury victims all over the United States recover personal injury compensation.

U.S. Lawmakers Question Regulators on Vehicle Roof Strength Rules, Insurance Journal, June 5, 2008

Roof Crush Standard Flawed, Preempts State Efforts, OMBWatch.org, June 10, 2008

Related Web Resources:

IIHS testifies on the relationship of roof strength and injury risk in rollover crashes (PDF)

NHTSA 2005 Roof Crush Proposal

Two separate recalls yesterday highlighted the dangers of child entrapment. Along with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Importer Bassettbaby voluntarily recalled about 550 Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills Collection Cribs, model number 5446-0521, and manufacturer Simmons Kids recalled about 20,000 crib mattresses.

The Bassetbaby cribs were recalled because some of the cribs have spaces between the spindles that do not meet federal standards. This poses an entrapment danger to babies. There are no reported injuries so far, but Bassetbaby wants consumers to stop using the cribs immediately. These cribs are sold only at Babies "R" Us.

Simmons Kids recalled the crib mattresses because some of the cribs are smaller than the 27 1/4 inch standard minimum. The smaller size can create a gap between the crib side rails and the mattress, which infants could fall into or get stuck in. So far, there has been just one incident reported involving a 6-month-old infant who fell between the frame and the mattress. The baby was pulled out without injury.

The names of the models of the mattresses being recalled are:

• Simmons Kids Slumber Time Evening Star Luxury Firm

• Pottery Barn Kids by Simmons Kids Lullaby

• Simmons Kids Baby Mattress 234 Coil Count

• Simmons Kids Baby Mattress Series 400

Defective or dangerous cribs are the leading cause of nursery-related injuries and fatalities, and every year, about 10,000 babies are rushed to emergency rooms because of crib related-injuries. About 20 of these infants will die from these injuries. Causes of crib-related injuries may include entrapment, fall accidents, laceration due to side gates suddenly dropping, or cuts and bruises from small crib parts coming off.

Our defective products liability lawyers represent families in the United States whose children were injured or killed because of a defective or unsafe crib or crib accessory. You and your family are entitled to personal injury compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Bassettbaby Cribs Recalled Due to Entrapment Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Babies "R" Us, CPSC.gov, June 5, 2008

Simmons Kids Recalls Crib Mattresses Due to Entrapment Hazard, CPSC.gov, June 5, 2008

Cribs, Kids in Danger

Related Web Resources:

Crib Safety, Healthwise

Crib Safety Tips, CPSC.gov

Toyota is recalling over 90,000 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVS because the seat belts in the third row may not secure a child restraint system properly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the seat belt webbing is not being properly secured by the automatic locking retractor. This is causing the webbing to “spool out during normal driving.” This failure could affect the ability of a child restraint system to function properly and cause serious injury to a child during a motor vehicle accident.
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Child Restraint Systems
Child restraint systems are used to secure infants and kids safely in cars so that their injuries are minimized in the event of a motor vehicle crash. There are child restraint laws in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia that requires that children in motor vehicles be secured by some type of restraint system.

It is important that the child restraint system you use for your child is functioning properly, free from manufacturing defects, and is secured properly. It is also important that the seat belt that you use to secure the child restraint system is working properly so that the system can work correctly.

Defective Seat belts and child restraint systems can lead to many kinds of serious injuries when there is a serious auto accident, including:

• Roof crush injuries during a rollover crash
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Blunt force injuries
• Cuts and bruises from being thrown into doors or through glass windows
• Death

Our automotive products liability law firm is known for helping victims of auto accidents recover personal injury compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering. We have recovered over $150 million in settlements and verdicts for our injured clients.

Child safety seat belt problems force Toyota to recall 90,000 Highlanders, Automotive Business Review
Toyota Recalls Highlander, Highlander Hybrids for Seat Belt Problem, ConsumerAffairs.com, May 3, 2008

Related Web Resources:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Toyota

Last week, Walt Disney Store announced the recall of 8,000 Tinker Bell wands and 4,100 Pirates of the Caribbean sleeping bags due to excessive levels of lead. Both products were made in China.

The sleeping bags’ zippers contain lead paint. The wands have lead paint on their pearl beads. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there have been no reports of injuries related to the products.

The products were sold in Disney Stores from April to October 2007. Consumers are instructed to stop using the products immediately and return them for a full refund.

Disney began independent tests on all of its toys last September after Mattel began recalling millions of toys. Mattel’s recall included 436,000 “Sarge” cars from the Disney-Pixar movie “Cars.” Disney mandates that its toy makers test every toy for lead before shipping them.

Exposure to excessive levels of lead can lead to serious injuries, including seizures, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and death. Why, then, were toys even made using such high levels of lead paint?

In China, where many of the toys recalled because of too much lead are made, paint with greater levels of lead are less costly than paint with low lead levels. Using paint with high levels of lead reportedly also results in richer paint colors.

Even though China has a tougher paint standard, at no greater than 90 parts of lead per million, than the US’s standard, which allows up to 600 parts per million, enforcement of lead regulation in China is more relaxed. Many paints in China when tested reportedly exceed the US standard for lead.

Sometimes, there are no signs to indicate exposure to excessive levels of lead. Potential indicators of lead poisoning in children include appetite loss, stomach problems, sleeping difficulties, and problems paying attention.

Our product safety law firm represents children and their families across the United States that have been injured because of defective or dangerous toys. One of our dangerous toy lawyers can explore your legal options with you during your free consultation.

Disney recalls sleeping bags, magic wands over lead paint, MercuryNews.com, May 22, 2008

Why Lead in Toy Paint? It’s Cheaper, NYTimes.com, September 11, 2008

Related Web Resource:

China bans lead paint in toys exported to U.S., MSNBC.com, September 11, 2007

Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning 15-passenger van users to drive safely this summer. New research shows that the number of deadly 15-passenger van rollovers increases between June through August, with 31% of all 15-passenger van rollover accidents occurring during this busy travel period.

While the number of 15-passenger van deaths continues to decline, too many accident fatalities and injuries that are still happening. 58 people died in 15-passenger van accidents in 2006. Just this year, in British Columbia, 8 people died when a 15-passenger van fishtailed and ran into a large truck.

While driver inexperience, driver negligence, and improper maintenance can lead to 15-passenger van accidents, another major problem is the way the 15-passenger vans are designed. The more occupants riding in a 15-passenger van, the more prone it is to becoming involved in a rollover crash because its gravity center moves back and up.

This makes the 15-passenger van harder to control during an emergency situation and means that even if the van is used as intended and designed, with no more than 15 passengers riding the van, occupants are at risk of serious injury or death in the event of a rollover accident or a collision with another motor vehicle.

Placing cargo on top of a 15-passenger van can also increase the risks of a rollover. The NHTSA also has found that 15-passenger vans are more likely to be involved in a single-auto rollover collision than other motor vehicles.

15-passenger van accidents and rollovers can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, neck injuries, and death. While the US federal government has banned school districts from using 15-passenger vans, there are still many 15-passenger vans driving on US roads.

Our auto products liability law firm represents injury victims and their families throughout the United States with 15-passenger van lawsuits against the vans’ manufacturers.

Nation’s Top Vehicle Safety Official Urges 15-Passenger Van Users to Drive with Caution this Summer, NHTSA.gov, May 12, 2008

Federal probe sought into 15-passenger vans after deadly school trip, CBC.ca, January 15, 2008

Related Web Resource:

Reducing the Risks of Rollover Vans in 15-Passenger Vans, NHTSA.gov

Study Confirms 15-Passenger Van Rollover Risk, Consumer Affairs, May 26, 2005

Ford Motor Inc. is voluntarily recalling over 655,000 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT Pickup Trucks following reports of 11 minor accidents. 2005 and 2006 models with 5.4 liter 3-valve engines are affected by the recall.

The automaker wants to repair a hose that could affect a truck’s braking power if the hose were to become swollen and detach from the intake manifold. The driver might then lose the “assist” function that gives the brakes extra power and would have to step on the pedal more forcefully to stop the truck.

Brake Problems
Brake problems can lead to awful consequences for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, especially when one of the motor vehicles involved is a large, heavy truck. Injuries sustained in a truck accident can be catastrophic and may result in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or massive internal injuries.

Examples of other brake problems that can cause serious accidents:

• Defective parking brakes
• Problems with the hydraulic lines
• Damaged brake pads
• Brake failure

If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident or a car accident that occurred because of a defective auto part, you may be able to hold the auto manufacturer, the car dealership, or the auto maintenance shop financially responsible for your injury accident. Calling attention to the product defect may also get the problem fixed and prevent other people from getting hurt.

Over the years, our products liability law firm has successfully represented many injury victims of defective motor vehicles. We take your automotive products liability case very seriously. We even employ an in-house engineering staff that are experts on vehicle safety and design.

Ford recalls more than 655,000 trucks, CNN.com, May 14, 2008

Ford Recalls Trucks for Faulty Break Hose, NewsInferno.com, May 15, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Recall Information, Ford Motor Co.

Kohl’s, Neiman Marcus, True Religion Apparel, Life is Good, Gilden Activewear, Dollar Days International, Cayre Group, and Seena International have agreed to pay $320,000 in penalties to settle allegations made by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that they failed to give immediate notice that they were selling clothing with drawstrings—a combination that is known for causing serious injuries to children.

In 1996, The CPSC had provided retailers and manufacturers with guidelines that suggested that no drawstrings should be placed in the neck or hood area of children’s clothing. It also recommended that drawstrings in pants or at the waist level only be a certain length. In 2006, the CPSC told clothing makers and sellers that any clothing that violated its guidelines would be recalled for defects.

All eight companies have recalled the clothing. They claim they were not aware they had violated the law.

Since April 2007, there have been over 18 recalls involving more than 190,000 units of children’s clothing that came with drawstrings around the waist or neck. There have been no reports of serious injuries associated with the recalls over the past year, but there have been serious injuries and fatalities in the past.

From 1985 to 1999, 48 incidents involving drawstrings on children’s clothing getting tangled on nursery furniture, playground equipment, or other items have been reported. 22 deaths were also reported, including a 14-year-old whose clothing drawstring got caught on a bus handrail. The girl died after she was dragged under the bus.

Drawstring on clothing can also pose a strangulation hazard for children if the strings were to wrap around the child’s neck too tightly or become tangled or stuck on an external object. Drawstrings with small objects attached to them that can easily fall off may pose a choking hazard for children that might swallow the pieces.

Our defective products liability law firm represents the families of children and infants that have been seriously injured or killed because of defective clothing, defective nursery products, dangerous toys, hazardous furniture, and other dangerous or defective consumer goods.

Clothing Retailers Settle With Safety Panel, Washington Post, April 23, 2008

Eight Companies Including Kohl's Must Pay Fine, Associated Content, April 24, 2008

Children's Rain Ponchos with Drawstrings Recalled by Daiso Due to Strangulation Hazard, CPSC.gov, May 12, 2008

Related Web Resource:

CPSC Recommended Drawstring Guidelines (PDF)