Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

Chinese Drywall Contamination Prompts Meeting Between US and China

Joe Saunders — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:50:17 GMT

Officials from the Consumer Products Safety Commission plan to meet with their Chinese counterparts and seek their assistance and cooperation in dealing with the Chinese drywall contamination problem that has plagued US homeowners. According to CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, Chinese officials have a duty to engage in finding solutions to the problem.

“All we’re asking is for them to realize that in the global economy everyone has to be responsible to the end user, the consumer. We’re asking them to participate in this in ways that are just and fair.”

Tons of contaminated Chinese drywall, also known as gypsum or wallboard have been imported into the US in order for contractors to keep up with the housing boom that took place earlier this decade. The contaminated drywall has cost significant damage to homes, particularly in the southern United States where the drywall has corroded electrical wiring and outlets.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chinese Drywall Goes Political

Joe Saunders — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:36:23 GMT

We learned this week that Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp's residence in North Ft. Myers is affected with the Chinese drywall. Ironically, the house was built by Aubuchon Homes, owned by none other than Kottkamp's replacement in the Florida Legislature Gary Aubuchon (R-Cape Coral). Besides the embarassment and notoriety that is associated with the defective drywall, builders, suppliers, and manufacturers are now facing lawsuits, including 2 class actions against them for using the defective Chinese drywall.

At this point, it's not clear how many homes have been affected. The area of potential issues spans from St. Petersburg all the way to Naples.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Dangerous Toys with Banned Plastics Still on the Market

Joe Saunders — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:21:16 GMT

Toys that contain the banned substance phthalates are still on the market and will remain there until sometime in 2009. Phthalates is a chemical found in some plastics has been linked to issues with early childhood development.

According to a report in the Wall St. Journal, "Three types of phthalates, chemical additives that render hard plastics flexible, will be banned from children's toys and child-care products starting Feb. 10, while three other types of phthalates will be temporarily prohibited from child-care products and toys that can be placed in a child's mouth."

However, watch dog groups and consumer advocates have rightly complained that the delayed date for removal of such potentially hazardous toys impels toy manufacturers to discount the products in order to sell them at a reduced price before they're removed from the market. This creates the opposite effect and doesn't provide safety for the consumer. If the chemical is dangerous, the toys should be removed from the market immediately. The FDA wouldn't (hopefully) allow a dangerous drug or defective medical device to remain on the market in order to allow the manufacturer to deplete its inventory of the dangerous product.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Contaminated Beef Used in Hundreds of Food Products

Joe Saunders — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:44:14 GMT

The California slaughterhouse at the center of last month's massive beef recall now say that the contaminated beef has been used in 486 food products ranging from Slim Jim jerky to Jenny Craig meat loaf. The list of food products touched by the beef recall is expected to grow in the coming weeks. The list includes California restuarants, retailers and other purveyors of food stuffs. The complete list is located on the California Department of Public Health's website

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chattem Icy Hot Heat Therapy Recalled

Joe Saunders — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:47:48 GMT

Icy Hot heat therapy products manufactured by Chattem, Inc. have been recalled due to consumer reports of first, second, and third degree skin burns, irritation and skin removal. The affected products were manufactured from October 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007 and distributed from December 4, 2006 through February 4, 2008. All lots and all sizes of the following Icy Hot Heat Therapy products are affected by this recall:

Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Back
Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Arm, Neck, and Leg
Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Arm, Neck, and Leg single consumer use "samples" included on a limited promotional basis in cartons of 3 oz. Aspercreme Pain Relieving CrÃ¨me.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

FDA Warns About Botulism in Canned Green Beans

Joe Saunders — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:01:56 GMT

The FDA is warning consumers about the potential for botulism in GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans manufactured by New Era Canning Company. Clostridium botulinum produces a toxin that can be life threatening. The green beans were distributed with lot numbers 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873, in large institutional-sized, 6 pound 5 ounce (#10) cans. New Era Canning Company has issued a voluntary recall of these products. The FDA is advising consumers to discard the green beans immediately by double bagging them and placing them in non-recyclable trash containers. The botulism can affect those who come into contact with the strain either through ingestion, inhalation, or contact with the skin.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Salmon Spread Recall

Joe Saunders — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:19:32 GMT

Quality Plus Products, Inc., of Bellingham, Washington is recalling its 7 ounce packages of "Jackson's Quality Plus Smoked Wild Salmon Spread" because the top ingredient label does not mention eggs however; it is listed on the side label of ingredients. Those with allergies to eggs or egg products run the risk of adverse health risks if the product is consumed. This is just another in a recent spate of food recalls linked to improper labeling of food ingredients. The mislabeling of food products leaves the consumer unaware of the potential danger of consuming products whose ingredients are unknown.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

US Marshals Seize Cosmetic Eye Product

Joe Saunders — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:45:18 GMT

US Marshals have seized 12,682 applicator tubes of Age Intervention Eyelash because it is an unapproved and misbranded drug that claims to increase the length of eyelashes but may decrease vision. The product, sold and distributed by Jan Marini Skin Research, may increase the risk of optic nerve damage. Damage to this nerve can lead to decreased vision and blindness. The drug has been marketed and sold without the approval of the FDA.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Death by Taser in Canada

Joe Saunders — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:38:35 GMT

Robert Dziekanski had just landed in Vancouver on his first-ever flight. He was forty years old and about to start a new life in British Columbia with his mother. According to one witness who videotaped the event, Dziekanski was acting erratically but not violently. No drugs or alcohol were involved. Yet, the police confronted him and 46 seconds later tasered him to death. He was hit with two taser shots that jolted him with 50,000 volts of electricity. The Canadian government is now reviewing the use of Tasers. The Polish government wants answers and the shooting has renewed the debate over the safety of the Taser stun guns.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Bush Administration Leaning Toward Giving More Regulatory Power to Food and Consumer Agencies

Joe Saunders — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:38:11 GMT

The Bush Administration has signaled that it may give the go-ahead for more regulatory powers to such agencies as the FDA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the wake of numerous food and toy recalls recently. The move would be a reversal of sorts for the Administration but comes at a time when consumer confidence is faltering as news continues about defective toys and contaminated food products.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders