News tagged with 'Defective and Dangerous Products'

Sony Corp. is voluntarily recalling certain VAIO AC adapters because they pose an electrical shock hazard to consumers. And Target is recalling 610,000 mini Halloween flashlights because they can overheat and melt.

An Etowah County Circuit Court jury awarded an Alabama woman $8.5 million in an SUV product liability case. The trial concerned a 2005 lawsuit filed against Ford Motor Company over a rollover crash in 2003.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched "The Tipping Point," a safety campaign to urge parents to take simple measures to prevent deaths and injuries associated with TV, furniture and appliance tip-overs.

R.J. Reynolds and other tobacco companies have filed suit against federal authorities claiming their right to free speech has been violated by a new tobacco law. The suit seeks to overturn portions of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

A nationwide alert has been issued by CPSC warning school officials and facility managers to immediately inspect outdoor stadium light poles because they can crack or fall over, possibly causing serious injury or death to bystanders.

A new bill giving the federal government sweeping new powers to regulate tobacco passed the Senate. The measure is "a historic victory" and "the strongest action Congress has ever taken to reduce tobacco use, said Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, organization president.

Three million fitness balls sold under the Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit brands have been recalled by EB Brands because the balls can burst unexpectedly and cause the user to fall. The company has received 47 reports of injury to date.

A confidential out-of-court settlement has been reached with the Kaitlyn Lassiter's family who sued Kentucky Kingdom amusement park for negligence. Kaitlyn was 13 when a cable broke and severed her feet while riding the Superman Tower of Power ride.

Eight new cases of salmonella infection have been linked to dry pet food, according to US health officials. Salmonella Schwarzengrund, a specific strain of salmonella, has been linked to 79 cases of infection reported in 21 states.

The FDA is notifying doctors and patients that Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) is recalling 471,000 single-use disposable, hypodermic insulin syringes that could pose a serious health risk to diabetic users.

Not waiting for the FDA to take any action on the plastic component BPA, three state Attorneys General have sent urgent letters to 11 manufacturers telling them to get the BPA out now. Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor that may affect children and adults.

All children’s toys and products must meet new, stricter lead standards by February 10, 2009, no matter when the products were made, according to a newly released legal opinion by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

A San Francisco ban on tobacco-product sales at pharmacies is facing a court challenge by Walgreens. The retailer says its unfair and unconstitutional that grocery stores and big box retailers can still sell cigarettes.  A face-off in court is set for September 30th. 

Defense contractor, Raytheon is facing a class action lawsuit and orders by the state of Florida to begin a cleanup plan of industrial chemicals that have seeped under a St. Petersburg neighborhood. Damages could amount to $400 million. 

The FDA is meeting on September 16 regarding the safety of bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in baby bottles and other household products. A nationwide ban on phthalates is expected to go into effect in early 2009.