Month: April 2011

Recent news reports have relayed that the Triad Group a Hartland-based manufacturer of medical products has issued a recall of Povidone Iodine Prep Pads due to possible bacteria contamination. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned that the alcohol wipes are contaminated with Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica a bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections for patients with low immunity such as surgical candidates. One report has been received by the company in regards to a non-life-threatening skin infection. Additionally a Houston couple has sued the Triad Group alleging that their alcohol wipes were the cause of death of their two-year-old son. The affected alcohol prep pads were shipped starting in March of 2008 and can be identified by this information on the label:

• Item #AC-3201 Amerinet
• Item #04-3201 Cardinal Health
• Item #06-3201 Versapro/Medical Specialties
• Item #08-3201 Novation /VHA
• Item #10-3201 Triad
• Item #11-PP32 Triad+
• Item #PL-3533 Total Resources
• Item #PL-3534 North Safet

H&P customer service can be reached at 262-538-2900 ext. 2680. Further details can be found by reading the Povidone Iodine Prep Pad Recall PDF.

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When a defective product may lead to an injury or the loss of life a product manufacturer can be held civilly liable for such consequences as evidence by the legal action sought by the Houston family in regards to the alleged connection between a Triad product and the tragic loss of their child. Its highly unfortunate when medical equipment or supplies that are meant to assist a person on healing may somehow be involved in bringing a patient further harm. While its beneficial that such a recall has been made lets hope that all hospitals and other medical centers have been made aware of the recall and discontinue use of the affected product.

– Defective Product Injury Lawyer Michael Grossman

Hyundai Corp is recalling 190000 Elantra sedans from model years 2007 to 2009 due to the possibility that a passenger side airbag may malfunction. A sensor in the cars center console detects the weight of a passenger. If the passenger is a certain weight the sensor will disable the passenger-side airbag. A faulty sensor may cause the airbag to deploy without regard to the passengers weight. The affected vehicles were made from July 2006 to Nov. 2008. Affected owners can contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 in regards to recall #100.

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While recalls are seemingly an unfortunate reality when it comes to modern cars its also unfortunate that such issues may get past the safety testing of an auto manufacturer. In the event that such an issue may contribute to an injury or an accident resulting in injury a product manufacturer could bear liability for such an accident. Consequently car owners are encouraged to keep abreast of any recalls that may affect their particular vehicles in order to mitigate any opportunity for an accident to occur because of a faulty part in the car itself.

– Texas Product Liability Attorney Michael Grossman

American Suzuki Motor Corp. is recalling approximately 29000 Suzuki KingQuad ATVs due to a possible fire hazard. Some of these all-terrain vehicles plastic fuel tanks can develop a leak which could result in a fire. The affected models were sold for $6600 to $9500 from July 2007 to February 2011 and includes the following models:

• 2008-2010 LT-A450X
• 2009-2010 LT-A500X
• 2008-2010 LT-A750X
• 2011 LT-A500X and LT-A750X made before December 11 2010

Affected consumers are advised to immediately discontinue usage of the KingQuad ATV. They may take their affected model ATV to a Suzuki dealer for a free repair. Suzuki can be contacted at 800-444-5077.

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While some product recalls can be rather innocuous in nature others can be much more severe such as this ATV recall. Fuel leaks can lead to severely dangerous outcomes so its recommended that you get this issue fixed as soon as possible if you happen to be affected by the recall. Product manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products before theyre released to the public. While recalls are beneficial in that it may prevent a severe accident from occurring its still disheartening to know that such issues are sometimes not discovered until an injury has happened.

– Texas Product Defect Attorney Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from Dallas Texas four people were thrown from an SUV after a tire blowout reportedly led to an auto accident. The wreck occurred around 10 p.m. on Sunday March 13 on westbound I-30 between First Ave. and Peak St. The driver of the SUV lost control and struck an HOV wall. Four passengers were thrown from the vehicle. One passenger has been categorized as being in critical condition. The driver was tested for possible DUI.

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While a number of issues may have contributed to this injury auto accident the two issues mentioned in the brief news articles covering this incident can lead to vastly different parties who may ultimately bear liability for the accident. If a tire blowout occurred a tire manufacturer or the entity responsible for maintaining the tire or installing the tire may be held civilly liable for the results of the accident. However if the driver is found to have been driving with a BAC over the legal limit the driver may bear liability for the wreck. Furthermore if the driver had been over-served alcohol at a bar or restaurant prior to the wreck a negligent bar or restaurant may also bear liability for the results of the accident. If both issues may have played a role in this accident multiple liable parties may be held liable. In any instance a third-party investigation may be conducted that can look into the accident and assess the liability of any involved parties so that they can be held properly accountable for their actions.

– Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from East Providence Rhode Island a 14-year-old girl has suffered critical injuries after she was struck by an alleged drunk driver. The injury auto accident happened on Wednesday March 9 around 9 p.m. on Crescent View Avenue when Susan Benedetti 49 of East Providence was driving a black Nissan and struck the girl. Benedetti has been charged with DUI resulting in personal injury. Police reported that her B.A.C. level was double the legal limit at the time of the accident. Her bail was set at $20000. The injured girl was last listed in critical condition at Hasbro Childrens Hospital.

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When a suspected drunk driver causes a wreck resulting in injury the alleged drunk driver can be held civilly liable for the results of their actions regardless of whether or not criminal charges have been brought in connection to the same accident. Furthermore if a suspected drunk driver was over-served alcohol at a bar or restaurant prior to causing an accident that alcohol-serving establishment may bear partial liability for a drunk driving wreck under Rhode Island dram shop law. However assessing all liable parties often cannot be properly accomplished without the assistance of an independent investigation.

– Texas Drunk Driving Collision Attorney Michael Grossman

According to recent (and somewhat strange) news reports Mazda issued a recall for more than 50000 of their 2009-2010 model year Mazda6 cars due to a possible spider issue. Yellow sac spiders may crawl into a vent connected to the fuel tank system and construct a web creating possible ventilation issues. Increased pressure on the fuel tank due to obstruction could cause a crack leading to loss of fuel or a fire risk. No reports of fires injury or car wrecks have been received by Mazda in relation to the spiderweb issue; however 20 reports of spider webs in the vents have been noted by Mazda. It is unknown as to why that particular make and model of car and that particular area is attractive to that specific type of spider. The affected vehicles have 2.5 liter engines and were constructed from Apr. 2008 to Feb. 2010. Affected owners are encouraged to take their vehicles to their local dealership for an inspection and the installation of a spring that can prevent such spiders from getting into the vent line.

– Texas Product Liability Attorney Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports Johnson & Johnson has issued a recall for 384180 Animas insulin cartridges due to the possibility of leakage. When an insulin cartridge leak occurs an affected individual may not receive necessary insulin which could result in serious injury or even death. Without the ability to receive a full amount of insulin due to a defective insulin cartridge a diabetic that uses the recalled cartridges could face high blood pressure or develop diabetic ketoacidosis a potentially fatal medical condition. Two events have been reported regarding the affected insulin cartridges but neither issue involved a hospital stay. The affected insulin cartridges have the following lot numbers located on the side panel of the containing box and the cartridge packaging:

• B201575
• B201576
• B201581
• B201582
• B201583

The affected Animas insulin cartridges were distributed from Nov. 30 2010 to Jan. 4 2011. Known users of these cartridges should have already been contacted by Animas and sent replacement cartridges. Consumers that have yet to receive replacement cartridges can contact Animas at 1-877-280-2339.

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While many product recalls can sometimes seem benign more serious product recalls can lead to very severe and detrimental effects on affected users such as the recall mentioned above. Its unfortunate that such an issue went undetected before the product was released to the general public. Unfortunately instances of rushing a product to market before its been fully tested are nothing new in the American marketplace even in regards to medical equipment.

– Texas Product Liability Lawyer Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from Sunnyvale California three men have been charged with elder abuse following incidents involving sexual abuse of a nursing home resident at Idylwood Care Center located on West Fremont Avenue. 27-year-old Arnold Samson of San Jose a certified nursing assistant that had been working for Idylwood was charged with elder abuse and battery against a resident for reportedly pulling on the elderly victims genitalia in January of 2011. Two other workers 22-year-old Ryan Tan also of San Jose and 50-year-old Ricardo Martinez of Saratoga face charges due to knowledge of the incidents and their failure to report the elder abuse. All of the charges are misdemeanors so none of the suspects were taken into custody. The three suspects were fired from Idylwood. Another nursing assistant reported the initial incidents of elder abuse reportedly caused by Samson.

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Nursing home abuse is a sadly prevalent issue that affects the countrys most defenseless people. When such instances occur an alleged negligent nursing home employee and their employer can be held civilly liable for the consequences of the workers behavior regardless of whether or not criminal charges have been brought against the suspected negligent party.

– Texas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from North Bergen New Jersey 59-year-old Julia C. Galvan of North Bergen is facing charges of assault abuse and neglect of the elderly due to an incidence of alleged nursing home abuse that occurred on January 15 2011. Surveillance video shows Galvan a nursing home employee striking an 87-year-old terminally ill woman three or four times. The video camera was placed in the room by the elderly womans daughter who had cause for concern regarding her mothers care at the Harborage located on River Road. The elderly woman died two days after the incident but police believe that the womans illness and not the alleged assault was to blame for her passing. Police are looking through further video footage that was recorded for the week of January 11th through the 17th.

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When nursing home abuse occurs an alleged negligent party and their employer can be held civilly liable for the consequences of the workers behavior regardless of whether or not criminal charges have been pressed. Instances of nursing home abuse are always shocking since such victims have little to no defense when they may be suffering from abuse or neglect. Bringing the liable parties to justice for such an unjust act is important for a number of reasons including working toward ensuring that such actions do not cause harm to another person.

– Texas Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from Ventura California a 3-year-old is in serious condition after a swimming pool accident that occurred around 7:38 a.m. on Tuesday March 1. The pool accident happened in the 6900 block of Solana Verde Drive when the small boy reportedly fell into a backyard pool after leaving his house through an unsecured door. Family members rescued the child and began CPR. The boy was conscious when first responders arrived. He was transported to St. Johns Pleasant Valley Hospital where he was last listed in serious condition.

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The National Drowning Prevention Alliance provides a list of pool safety tips one of which includes the suggestion that all homes with backyard pools have audible alarms installed so that when a door or window is opened a warning signal is heard throughout the house that can alert a family member that someone may be exiting the house. While such an installation may be cost-prohibitive for some its a worthwhile purchase in regards to family safety. Its fortunate that this child was able to be rescued and I hope that hes able to make a full recovery with no lasting effects.

– Texas Swimming Pool Accident Attorney Michael Grossman