Defective Honda seatbelts could cause injury, recall announced
We all know the process for product development: an inventor has an idea, they design the product, someone produces it, someone distributes it and another person sells it. Although products are fairly heavily tested for safety in this day and age, any mistake during the process could lead to serious injury for a consumer.
When a car is manufactured, it is especially important that there are no errors in production. Even one defective motor vehicle part could lead to serious personal injury or even death. Honda announced this month that they would be recalling approximately 310,773 Honda Pilots beginning on October 3, 2011 due to a defective seatbelt. Continue reading
Dangerous products could lurk around every corner of your New York home
When we hear the word “dangerous product,” most people think about toxic chemicals, devices with extremely sharp parts or things that we should keep out of reach of our very young children. But almost any product can be dangerous when a manufacturer fails to warn you of the risks, allows a defective product to pass inspection or even creates a design that is inherently dangerous to users.
Average household items we may consider safe can actually be hazards in disguise and there are some dangerous products in the world of electronics that have caused a shocking number of deaths.
In an ironic twist, baby monitors developed to notify you when your baby is crying or in some kind of danger have caused the death of seven infants since 2002. The monitors only work if they are placed closely to your child’s crib, but according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, those seven children were strangled by the cords running power to the device.
Since 1985, over 60,000 people have managed to swallow tiny button cell batteries that are used to power watches, thermometers or remote controls. Approximately 3,500 of those people suffered serious injuries as a result and another nine have died. According to the medical director with the National Capital Poison Center, the small amount of chemicals contained in the batteries can burn through the esophagus in less than two hours.
What may be considered one of the best disguised dangers is the flat-panel television. According to the CPSC one child is killed every two weeks when a piece of furniture like the flat-screen television becomes dislodged and falls upon them.
We buy products everyday that we assume are safe because we place a certain amount of trust in manufacturers that they will not sell something that could pose a serious risk to consumers. However, dangerous products are out there, and there are attorneys who can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve if you have been injured as the result of a manufacturer’s negligence.
Source: msn Today, “The most dangerous tech products,” Robert E. Calem, Sept. 12, 2011
Don’t let defective batteries burn you
Defective products injure thousands of people in New York each year. You should know how to avoid getting injured and what to do if you are injured. Earlier this year a number of laptop battery manufacturers expanded their recalls of defective batteries. Serious burns can be sustained due to exploding batteries. This is a bigger issue than most people realize. Today, more than ever, we rely on batteries to keep us connected to our lives and our work.
Do you get frustrated when your cell phone or laptop runs out of juice?
Sure you do. You miss calls, cannot check your emails, you’re disconnected and you lose precious time. It is always important to keep your batteries charged and properly maintained. Each type of battery has different ways to ensure longevity and healthy use so be sure to refer to your user manual for that important bit of information.
Exploding batteries are not a myth…
Although batteries are designed to operate in a wide range of conditions they can fail at certain temperatures and altitudes. Defective batteries, however, may spontaneously explode or burst into flames, even under normal conditions. This is not a myth, it happens all over the world, and it can happen to anyone, anytime. You must always take extra precautions to avoid getting skin burns to the thighs, knees, hands and even your eyes and face, from a defective battery.
– Check with your device manufacturer to verify if there has been a battery recall issued for your specific device:
o Dell – http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com
o HP – http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement
o Toshiba – http://www.bxinfo.toshiba.com
o Nokia – http://batteryreplacement.nokia.com
o Check with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
o Check with http://www.saferproducts.gov
– Never use a laptop while wearing shorts or in direct contact with your skin. Try to use an additional barrier between the device and your body whenever possible.
– Never use your battery-operated device outside of its recommended parameters.
– Never use a battery-operated device if it has come in contact with any liquid, chemical, fire or extreme heat.
– Do not place batteries or devices in direct sunlight.
– Replace worn-out or old batteries as recommended by the device manufacturer.
That worst case scenario…
If you or someone you know gets burned or injured from a defective or exploding battery seek emergency medical attention immediately. The scarring or lasting effects of a burn can be minimized by getting to a burn center or treating the burn appropriately and quickly. Contact the fire department if there is a flame or continued smoke coming from the device or battery.
Once the danger has been eliminated, hold on to any evidence you can, take pictures of the defective product, the injuries and the surroundings, place the defective product in a plastic container and hold on to it.
Get professional, legal help…
Contact an attorney, as soon as possible after the incident. Do not contact the manufacturer on your own, they will only try and minimize their responsibility. The law office of Omrani & Taub, P.C. has experienced personal injury attorneys who are acutely aware of the laws and intricacies involved in recovering compensation for current injuries as well as future pain and suffering sustained from defective products. To speak to an experienced attorney who can fight for your rights call Omrani & Taub at 212-529-7848 (that’s the famous 212-LAW-SUIT).