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Copyright: Copyright 2008 Mon, 05 May 2008 17:44:26 +0200 On April 24, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Waxcessories® Inc. announced the voluntary recall of 830,000 electric simmer pots. There have been over 160 reports of wires and cords coming loose from the pots, and Waxcessories® and the CPSC were concerned of the electric shock and fire hazards that the simmer pots might pose to users. No injuries have been reported so far. The simmer pots are used for melting scented wax and were made in China. All Waxcessories® electric simmer pot designs and styles are included in the recall.
Across the United States, our product safety law firm represents clients that have been seriously injured because of defective products. One of our electrical product defects lawyers can discuss your products liability case with you during your free consultation. Electrocution Injuries A person may experience electric shock from a defective hair dryer, heater, household appliance, an electrical work tool, or any other product requiring the use of electricity. Improperly installed power lines in homes and offices and other public premises can also lead to serious—even fatal—electric shock injuries. The strength of the current and the parts of the body that are affected by electric shock can determine the seriousness of the injury. Symptoms of electrical shock are not always evident, but serious injuries can include cardiac arrest, burn injuries to the skin, nerve or muscle damage, respiratory failure, hearing problems, seizures, deformity or broken bones at the point of contact on the body, spinal cord injuries, and unconsciousness after direct contact with an electrical source. Related Web Resources: Waxcessories® Recalls Electric Simmer Pots Due to Risk of Fire and Shock, CPSC.gov, April 24, 2008 Thu, 01 May 2008 01:31:09 +0200 Excessive levels of lead and choking/swallowing hazards associated with small toy parts and magnetic pieces were the reasons cited for the toy recalls in April. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and several toy manufacturers announced the recall of more than 500,000 toys this month, beginning April 3 with StyleMark Inc.'s recall of 144,000 Children’s ‘Main Street Drag’ Sunglasses because of too much lead in the glasses' orange lettering. Violations of federal lead paint standards was also the reason cited for OKK Trading's recall of 2,000 Interchange Robot Toys,the FUNTASTIC recall of 26,000 Hillbilly Teeth, and Santa’s Toy Corp.’s recall of approximately 9,000 Western Rider Push Toys. Yesterday, Nintendo recalled 71,000 character-themed lapel pins because they contained high levels of lead.
The toys with small parts that are potential choking hazards included 16,400 Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers and Jungle Activity Centers (sold only in the US at Toys “R” Us stores), 17,000 Dalmatian Press’s Little Builder Children’s Board Book Sets with Toys, and about 300,000 Cuddly Cousins Plush Insect Toys from Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Henry Gordy International Inc recalled approximately 87,000 Fun ‘N Games Magnetic Dart Boards over worries that kids might swallow the detachable small magnets at the ends of the darts. All of these toys were made in China.
Last year's massive wave of toy recalls continue to make defective toys a huge issue of concern for parents, as well as federal and state regulators. In March, the U.S. Senate passed legislation for tougher inspections of toys and other kids’ products that are manufactured abroad. The House of Representatives also passed its own version of the legislation in December. While the Bush Administration has expressed some concerns, President Bush has not threatened a veto. Our toy products liability law firm represents the families of children that have been seriously injured or killed because of a defective or dangerous toy. Our defective products lawyers represent injury clients throughout the United States. Senate passes foreign-made toy safety bill, MSNBC.com, March 6, 2008 Related Web Resources: 2008 Product Recall Guide, Parents.com Recalls, Recalls.gov Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:29:40 +0200 Hyundai Motor Co. has announced the recall of 393,714 Sonata passenger cars so that it can fix the air bag system located in the front passenger seat. The recall affects 2006, 2007, and 2008 Sonatas. Hyundai says it has received several reports that the passenger air bag system had shut off when there was a small adult in the seat because the system had misclassified the passenger as a child.
The air bag system is supposed to disable itself whenever it senses a child restraint system or a small child riding in the front passenger seat, but it is not supposed to shut down when there is an adult riding there. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that this incorrect classification could cause the right front air bag to fail to inflate during a serious accident, which could cause the adult passenger to sustain serious injuries or die. Air Bags and Auto Accidents Air Bag Malfunctions Include: • Failure to deploy Injuries that have been caused by air bags include: • Neck injuries If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries or died because an air bag failed to deploy or deployed incorrectly, the victim or his or her family may be entitled to recover damages from the auto manufacturer or another liable party. One of our air bag injury lawyers can explore your legal options during your free consultation. Hyundai Sonatas Recalled for Air Bag Failure, Consumer Affairs, April 16, 2008 What You Need to Know About Air Bags, NHTSA
Air Bag Safety, Insurance Information Institute Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:47:08 +0200 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that occupant protection provided by midsized cars during side impact collisions is getting better, but passenger protection during rear-end collisions continues to be poor or marginal. The Institute announced its findings after testing a number of midsized cars, including the Chevrolet Malibu, the Nissan Altima, the Dodge Avenger, the Kia Optima, the Infiniti G35, the Mitsubishi Gallant, and the Saturn Aura. All of the cars earned good ratings for solid passenger protection during frontal accidents. Except for the KIA Optima, they also earned high ratings for side crash protection. The presence of side air bags in all of the cars was one of the main reasons cited for the improved test results—compared to to midsized cars that were tested in 2004. The only car to test well for rear crashworthiness was the Kia Optima, whose seat/head restraints received top ratings. Rear-End Collision Safety Neck injuries are the most common injury that occurs during auto accidents. A neck injury can lead to whiplash, nerve damage, disc damage, torn ligaments, headaches, tingling sensation in the arms, and severe pain. Rear-end collisions, like all other car accidents, can also lead to more catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, a broken neck, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death. In 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a new safety standard for head restraints, requiring them to be placed higher and closer to the head. The head restraints must also be adjustable. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a car accident because the automobile lacked the proper safety measures or the head restraint, a front or side airbag, or another device or auto part was defective, contact our auto products liability law firm right away to discuss your case. You may be entitled to personal injury compensation.
NHTSA Announces Upgraded Rule for Head Restraints in Vehicles, NHTSA, December 7, 2004
New Crash Tests of Midsize Cars, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (PDF) Whiplash Neck Injuries, Head Rests, Head Restraints
Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:28:07 +0200 The SUV rollover lawsuit filed against Mitsubishi Motors by the family of TLC Singer Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes will go forward, says the Georgia Court of Appeals. The auto manufacturing giant had tried to have the wrongful death lawsuit dismissed because the company is located abroad and the accident occurred in Honduras. Lopes died while on vacation in April 2002 in a rollover collision outside the town of La Ceiba. Lopes, 30, was driving the Mitsubishi SUV that rolled over.
Representing the pop star’s family in the case is Attorney Stuart Ollanik, a senior partner at the auto products liability law firm of Gilbert, Ollanik & Komyatte,PC. Mr. Ollanik says that the sport utility vehicle that Lopes was operating was not as resistant to rollovers as it could and should have been—especially because many SUVs that are now being made are “a little lower, just a little bit wider, and with electronic stability." Electronic stability systems can automatically adjust the steering and braking of a motor vehicle so that it doesn’t tip over. Mr. Ollanik and Gilbert, Ollanik, & Komyatte, PC are long-term advocates of improving SUVs. Testing conducted by the law firm show that just lowering the center of gravity of a sport utility vehicle and widening the wheel base can prevent an SUV from rolling over. Many engineers and safety experts agree. Mitsubishi has denied any wrongdoing related to Lopes’s rollover death. Our auto products liability law firm is nationally recognized for helping injured clients and their families across the United States recover injury and wrongful death compensation from some of the largest auto manufacturers in the country and the world. To watch Stuart Ollanik's recent interview with Fox Colorado News please visit: SUV Lawsuit Aimed At Improving Safety, MyFoxColorado.com, March 9, 2008 TLC's Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes dies in wreck, CNN.com, April 26, 2002
A Few Facts About SUVs and Safety, PBS.org Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:33:33 +0200 American Airlines announced this week that it was canceling over 2,000 flights to conduct safety inspections on a number of jets. The cancellations affected flights taking off on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and more cancellations may be announced. The airline company also canceled several hundred flights last month for more inspections. Inspectors want to make sure that the airline company is in compliance of a federal order providing instruction on the way that the wires in the wheels of MD-80 jets should be bundled. Many of the jets have reportedly passed inspection. American Airlines is not the first airline in recent weeks to ground its flights over safety concerns. Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines, and United Airlines have also cancelled flights so that their planes could undergo inspection. Federal law makers are accusing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of getting too close to the airline industry that it isn’t doing a proper job of protecting passenger safety. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Nicholas Sabatini disputes this criticism, saying that the FAA has achieved 99 percent safety compliance. Last month, the FAA fined Southwest with a $10.2 million civil penalty for missing safety inspections. The airline company turned itself in upon discovering the discrepancy, but continued to use the planes for passenger flights. Southwest’s failure to check its planes’ fuselages for cracks is one of the reasons that the FAA is now doing an audit of all airlines’ maintenance records. The FAA will use its 10 airworthiness directives when inspecting the other airlines. Aviation Accidents Our product safety lawyers are dedicated to helping the victims of serious injury accidents that are caused by defective or malfunctioning products recover compensation from the negligent parties. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a plane crash, or someone you love died in an aviation accident that happened because the aircraft that they were riding in malfunctioned, contact our defective products law firm and ask for your free consultation. American Airlines cancels 900 more flights, CNN.com, April 9, 2008 FAA orders safety checks for all airlines, Bizjournals.com, March 19, 2008
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:54:30 +0200 This week, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law the Children’s Safe Products Act, which imposes the toughest restrictions yet for lead standards for toys among the U.S. states. The law decreases the legally allowed limit for lead in toys from 90 parts per million to 40 parts per million, which is the limit that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends. The law goes into effect beginning July 1, 2009. The current federal limit is 600 parts per million, and many state lawmakers have expressed dismay that the federal government isn’t acting faster to change its lead safety standards.
The lead-related recalls continue. In March, toy recalls involving high levels of lead paint included: • 130 ring toss games by Educational Insights On March 17, representatives for giant toy manufacturers Mattel and Hasbro met with Governor Gregoire and asked her to reconsider signing the bill into law. Mattel says that half of its Fisher-Price toy line will have to be barred from the state of Washington because the level of lead in its toys exceeds the state’s new limit. A few smaller manufacturers, such as Toysmith and Kaethe Kruse Puppen GmbH, say they will stop shipping toys to Washington altogether.
Michigan and Illinois have also approved new lead safety standard laws, while Maryland, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont are among several other states that are reevaluating their safety regulations so they can regulate mercury, lead, phthalates, and other toxins, such as Arsenic, Selenium, and Barium, in toys. California will begin its ban on phthalates next year. The Minnesota Safety Council says that there were 202,300 toy-related injuries in 2005. One child getting hurt or killed by a toy is one child too many. Our products liability law firm represents clients throughout the United States whose children were seriously injured or killed because of a defective toy or another dangerous product. One of our consumer products safety lawyers would be happy to discuss your case with you. Washington: Restrictions on Chemicals in Toys, New York Times, April 2, 2008 States Alter Rules of Game On Safety for Toy Makers, The Wall Street Journal, March 25, 2008 Recalled Toys and Children's Products, US PIRG Toy Injury, Minnesota Safety Council
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:33:55 +0100 Abigail Taylor, the six-year-old girl who was seriously injured last year when here intestines were partially sucked out by a swimming pool drain in Minnesota, has died. The catastrophic accident took place on June 29 while Abigail was sitting in a wading pool at the Minneapolis Golf Club. Abigail had to undergo liver, small bowel, and pancreas transplants following the incident. Abigail's parents have fought for tougher laws that would prevent similar accidents from happening. In December, Congress approved The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which prohibits the manufacture, distribution, or sale of drain covers that fail to meet anti-entrapment safety laws. The bill is named after former Secretary of State James Baker’s granddaughter, who drowned in 2002 when she became trapped in a drain and couldn’t be pulled out because the suction was too strong. Last November, Abigail’s parents filed a personal injury lawsuit against the Minneapolis Golf Club and Sta-Rite, the company that made the pool’s pump and drain. The couple is accusing the manufacturer of knowing that its products could cause evisceration but did not do anything to remove this danger. In 2005, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report stated that since 1990, at least 130 people have gotten stuck in the suctions of pool and spa drains, resulting in numerous fatalities and many more injury cases. Other reports indicate that from 1985 to 2004 at least 33 children 14 years of age and under have died because of spa/pool entrapment, with almost 100 other kids sustaining serious injuries. A person can become entrapped in a pool or spa drain when his or her hair, swimsuit, or another body part gets caught. Sometimes, the suction can be so strong that it becomes impossible to pull the trapped person out of the water. Had she lived through adulthood, Abigail 's family says that her medical and special living costs would have cost about $30 million. Our consumer products safety law firm represents clients in serious injury cases that were caused by a defective or dangerous product. Our products liability lawyers work with clients nationwide, and we handle defective products cases involving serious personal injury and wrongful deaths. Girl Whose Intestines Were Partially Sucked Out by Swimming Pool Drain Dies, AP, March 21, 2008 Family of Girl Maimed by Pool Drain Sues, ABC News, November 16, 2007 Baker family motivated by the death of 7-year-old Virginia Graeme Baker, USA SafeKids.org, May 2, 2006
Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, March 2005 (PDF) Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:31:59 +0100 In the latest major toy recall, Mega Brands and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 2.4 million toys with small magnets because of concerns that the magnet could fall off and seriously injure children if they swallowed or inhaled the small pieces. Included in the voluntary MEGA Brands recall are 1.3 million MagnaMan Magnetic Toy Figures because the toys have small magnets that can come off. The magnets attach the body parts of each figure together.
While no injuries have been reported so far, the toymaker and the CPSC have reported 25 incidents of the magnet pieces falling off. Toy model numbers affected by the recall are available on the CPSC Web site. MEGA Brands is also recalling 1.1 million Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-school Magnetic Toys. There have so far been 19 reported incidents of small magnet pieces falling off the toys. One 18-month child reportedly put a magnet in his mouth but did not swallow it. A 3-year-old boy needed medical care to remove the magnet that got stuck in his nose. This is not the first recall for MEGA Brands. In March 2006, MEGA Brands recalled 3.8 million magnetic building sets after four children were seriously injured and another child died because all of them had swallowed small magnet pieces. In its second magnet toy-related recall since January, Battat Inc. recalled approximately 7,000 more toys with magnets. There have been 16 reports of magnets falling off the building pieces of Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Toys or Sets. Magnets can be very dangerous if swallowed or ingested—especially if more than one magnet enters the human body. Intestinal perforations or blocks can occur when two or more magnets come together and can result in serious injuries or deaths. Our products liability lawyers handle many toy injury cases for children and their families. We are committed to helping you obtain compensation for the harm and trauma that your son or daughter has suffered at the hands of a dangerous or defective toy. 2.4M toys recalled because tiny magnets can fall out, USA Today, March 15, 2008 Battat Recalls Additional Magnetic Construction Sets; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards, CPSC.gov, March 13, 2008
Swallowed Magnets Attract Trouble in Boy's Intestines, ABC News, February 5, 2008 Toy Magnets Attract Sales, and Suits, New York Times, July 15, 2008
Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:54:09 +0100 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a report this week that confirms what many products liability attorneys and injury victims have said about sport utility vehicles all along: If they were made with better roofs, there would be less serious injuries and deaths when rollovers do occur. Automakers have disputed this claim for years and safety regulators, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, have been slow to condemn the quality of SUV roofs without more definitive evidence. The IIHS report, however, is definite about its conclusion that over 200 SUV rollover deaths could have been avoided in 2006 if these SUVs were made with roofs as strong as the best one the that the IIHS tested. “Strengthening a vehicle’s roof,” according to IIHS President Adrian Lund, “reduces injury risk.. a lot.” The institute came to this conclusion after compiling data from 12 U.S. States and comparing the injury and death rates for four-door SUVs. The SUVs tested were sold from the mid-1990’s through 2004 and did not include models with side-curtain air bags or stability control. Not everyone is convinced by the IIHS’s finding that improving vehicle roof strength is the answer. The NHTSA says that people not wearing seatbelts continues to be a major cause of rollover deaths. The NHTSA hasn’t revised its roof strength standard since 1971. It is working on a revised standard and estimates that this update, once implemented, will help save 13 to 44 lives a year. Nissan, the automaker whose vehicle ranked as the “best roof” tested, says other factors, such as the seriousness of the crash, also affected the chances of serious injuries or deaths. Roof Crushes Our auto crash law firm represents clients injured in SUV rollover crashes and other kinds of serious injury accidents throughout the United States. We understand the nature of SUV rollover crashes and have gone up against some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world to sue for damages for our clients. Crash-test report backs stronger roofs on SUVs, USA Today, March 12, 2008 Roof Strength and Injury Risk in Rollover Crashes, IIHS.org (PDF)
Rollover Status Report, IIHS.org, (PDF) Safety Briefing on Roof Crush, Citizen.org Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:10:24 +0100 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is reporting an increase in nursery-related injuries and deaths affecting kids younger than 5. According to the CPSC’s annual report, there were 66,400 injuries involving nursery products that required emergency room attention in 2006. In 2005, there were 59,800 injuries. High on the list of products involving serious injury accidents were play yard and cribs. 12,400 injuries and 43 deaths involving these products occur annually. In 2007, 1.7 million play yards and cribs were recalled following reports of three deaths and a number of entrapment incidents. Graco and Simplicity products made up approximately 1 million of the products recalled.
Just last week, the CPSC and Munire Furniture Inc. recalled 24,000 cribs, including Majestic Curved Top and Flat Top Cribs, Essex Cribs, Brighton/Sussex Cribs and Captiva Cribs, because they did not meet federal safety standards. The failure of the four support brackets on the mattress to prevent the spring from going down to its minimum height can allow children to fall over the railing. The cribs were manufactured in Indonesia. Suffocation, and entrapment caused by defective parts and too much bedding are among the leading causes of crib injures and deaths. Gas poisoning because of substances found in the mattresses can also lead to crib deaths. Fall injuries are also a common concern. In its report, the CPSC’ nursery products-related injury list also included the following products: • Infant Carriers Our products liability attorneys represent families throughout the United States whose children have been injured or killed by a defective toy or nursery products. We would be happy to discuss your case during a free consultation. CPSC report on nursery-related deaths highlights crib and play yard dangers, ConsumerReports.org, February 28, 2008 Nursery Product-Related Injuries and Deaths Among Children Under Age Five, CPSC.gov (PDF)
Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:33:16 +0100 The Toy Industry Association recently announced a new "testing and safety verification system" intended to restore the confidence of U.S. consumers in the safety of the toys that they buy. The new system follows in the wake of last year's mass recalls of some 25 million toys due to hazard and health concerns. The three key features of this "testing and safety verification system" asks that toy manufacturers: - Pay more attention to safety when designing toys. It is important to note, however, that these standards are voluntary, not mandatory. And even new legislation being considered by U.S. lawmakers have their limits. A bill passed in the House of Representatives last December still fails to make certain tests mandatory, including tests to check for lead content, magnet pieces, or small choking hazard pieces in toys.
The two largest recalls last year involved 4.2 million Aqua Dots beading sets with a coma-inducing chemical that can be swallowed and 7.3 million Polly Pocket dolls with small magnet parts. It is important to note that the U.S. government and the Consumer Product Safety Commission cannot regulate manufacturers outside the U.S.—over 80% of toys purchased here are made in China. Most of the 25 million toys recalled last year were made in China. And the recalls keep coming. On Friday, Family Dollar recalled 250,000 Magnetic Dart Boards, because the small magnets at the ends of the darts can come off and are easily swallowed by children.
On February 19, Dumar International USA recalled 64,000 Cinderella 12-Volt Electric Ride-On Vehicles because a short circuit in the battery compartment proved to be a possible fire hazard. Both toys were made in China. Our consumer product safety law firm would like to talk to you if your child was injured or killed because of a dangerous or hazardous toy. Our products liability attorneys have helped many injured parties and their families recover compensation from liable manufacturers. Toy safety regulations need steep penalties, Los Angeles Times, February 24, 2008
Toy Safety, U.S.PIRG
Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:09:00 +0100 Frances Barras, a Texas woman, is suing DuPont , Guard-Line, Union Carbide, Anchor Packing Co., Ingersoll-Rand, Guard-Line, Owens-Illinois, and a few other industrial companies for allegedly exposing her to asbestos because she would inhale fibers from her husband’s clothing when doing his laundry. Barras’s husband Louis worked as a refinery worker at the DuPont facility in Beaumont. Barras says the asbestos dust and fibers coming from his work clothes, hair, and body caused her to become ill. As part of her duties, she would wash his work clothes, replace washing machine lint filters, clean the laundry area, and ride in the car that her husband would take to work.
Barras says that the asbestos came from the products sold by the defendants, who were negligent in manufacturing and distributing goods with asbestos. In her lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County District Court in Texas earlier this month, Barras says that DuPont should have realized that employees exposed to asbestos could unwittingly spread the fibers to others, including family members. Louis and the couple’s children are also plaintiffs in the case. They say that DuPont was negligent in causing Frances’s asbestos exposure because of its: • Failure to execute precautions to ensure that asbestos fibers did not leave the work area. The lawsuit alleges that all of the defendants allowed each other to behave negligently and Frances was harmed as a result. The Barras family is suing the defendants for $30 million. DuPont and other industrial companies have used asbestos as a fire retardant and for insulation for years. Asbestos is made up of minerals that have tiny fibers, which can be dangerous—even fatal—if inhaled. It is believed that many companies were aware of the health risks associated with asbestos but continued to expose workers to the substance. Many companies continue to use asbestos. Diseases associated with asbestos exposure include: • Lung Cancer DuPont has been named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits alleging that the company has exposed workers, consumers, and others to hazardous substances. Our consumer safety law firm has successfully filed lawsuits against some of the largest corporate giants in the U.S. for the harm that their negligence has caused our clients. One of our asbestos lawsuit lawyers can discuss your case with you during a free consultation. Nederland housewife files $30M suit against DuPont, alleges asbestos exposure from husband's laundry, Southeast Texas Record, February 19, 2008
What is Asbestos?, ATSDR.cdc.gov Illnesses Caused by Asbestos Exposure, USAAction.org Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:40:21 +0100 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is trying to relocate some 35,000 families out of the trailers and mobile homes that the agency had provided after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Results from tests by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirm that there are dangerous levels of formaldehyde fumes in many of the trailers. Formaldehyde is an airborne chemical and a preservative commonly found in construction materials. Exposure to too much formaldehyde can lead to breathing problems and possibly even cancer. The toxin can be found in construction materials, such as composite wood and plywood panels, which were used in the thousands of FEMA trailers.
The CDC test results is not the first time that there has been an indication that the FEMA trailers and mobile homes may have been causing health problems for its residents. A number of people living in the homes have complained of different health issues, such as headaches, asthma, sinus problems, respiratory distress, nosebleeds, and runny noses. As early as last April, the Sierra Club tested FEMA trailers and found formaldehyde concentrations up to .34 parts per million in many of them—an excessively high amount. Even after these test results, FEMA maintained that the toxic problem was isolated to only a handful of trailers and that the mobile homes were generally safe for use. FEMA had suggested that improving ventilation by airing out the trailers would help. There are over 35,000 FEMA trailers and mobile homes in Louisiana, Mississippi, and other states. Over 144,000 mobile homes and trailers have housed Katrina victims at some point. The CDC says it has not found a direct connection between the toxin and the different illnesses and symptoms that the occupants in the trailers have reported, but it is recommending that trailer residents move out as soon as possible. The trailers were manufactured quickly to accommodate all the Katrina victims. Residents have also complained that the trailers and homes are cramped and poorly made. Toxic FEMA Trailer Cases FEMA slammed for using toxic trailers, MercuryNews.com, February 15, 2008 FEMA to step up efforts to move hurricane victims from toxic trailers, Baltimore Sun/Associated Press, February 14, 2008
FEMA Trailer Study, CDC Sierra Club Action Confirms FEMA Inaction On Gulf Coast, Sierra Club, July 23, 2007
Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:43:11 +0100 Ford Motor Co. announced two separate recalls on Monday that affect over 180,000 vans and sports utility vehicles. The larger recall affects almost 124,000 2007-2008 Lincoln Navigator SUVs and Ford Expeditions. Ford says that the spring system located inside the side door handles might break and prevent the door from closing properly or cause it to open unexpectedly during a side collision. The Michigan-based auto manufacturer plans to replace the interior side door handles. Ford’s second recall involves 57,000 2007 Navigator and Expedition SUVs and 2006-2007 E-150, E-250 and E-350 vans. Ford says the vehicles’ fuel rail crossover hose could crack, leak fuel, and cause a fire. The auto manufacturing giant has already recalled over 10 million motor vehicles because of fire hazard concerns. No incidents related to this recall have been reported so far. There have, however, been two separate fire incidents involving 2007 Chevrolet SUV’s. This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officially opened an investigation into whether the 2007 Chevrolet SUVs are susceptible to catching fire. Chervrolet SUVs are made by General Motors. The formal probe follows two separate incidents where an SUV ignited while the engine was turned off. Both incidents took place while the SUVs were parked in home garages. Two people were injured in one fire, and a great deal of property damage occurred during both incidents. At this time, the source of the two fires has not been determined-although the engine, battery, wiring, and engine cooling are possible sources. Some 400,000 motor vehicles are part of the investigation. The NHTSA will take a look at both the Tahoe and the GMC Yukon. Our motor vehicle fire attorneys have helped many injured clients recover compensation from some of the country’s largest auto manufacturers because their motor vehicles ignited due to a product defect. Visit the Automotives Product Liability: Fires section of our Web site for more information. Ford Recalls 180,000 Vehicles, Foxbusiness.com, February 11, 2008 US investigates reports of fires in Chevy Tahoes, Reuters, February 11, 2008 Feds Probe Fire Complaints in Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Consumer Affairs, February 9, 2008
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