Month: May 2011

After having received 23 reports of cracked or broken side rails in their wooden bunk beds Dorel Asia SRL has voluntarily recalled 445000 such beds sold between Sept. 2004 and Sept. 2009. The side rails that connect the headboard and the footboard on both sides of the bed can crack or break possibly resulting in the collapse of the bed itself. Seven reports of minor bruises have also been received by the company. The wooden bunk beds were sold at Target K-mart and Walmart as well as on those companies respective websites. Specific model number information can be found on the Dorel Asia Bunk Bed Recall Website. Those with affected beds should immediately discontinue the usage of the beds and contact Dorel Asia for a free repair kit at 1-800-295-1980.

According to recent news reports from Houston Texas one person is in critical condition after they were reportedly struck by a car in a parking lot. The injury accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday May 9 at the Cosmos Disco Nightclub located at 5908 Gulfton. The 36-year-old Hispanic victim was allegedly in an altercation with a few men inside the club before one of the suspects driving a black Honda sedan struck the victim in the parking lot. The driver and passengers fled the scene in their vehicle.

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When criminally negligent behavior occurs the liable parties can also be held civilly liable for their actions. Should alcohol have played a role in the incident a negligent bar or restaurant may also bear liability under Texas dram shop law. Such issues may be addressed by the work of a third party investigation so that all liable parties can be identified and held accountable for their actions.

– Houston Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman

The USCPSC and Kohler Co. has recalled 10000 Kohler-brand lawn mowers due to a possible defect with a connector. If an engine connector disconnects the operators seat switch may not work resulting in the blades not being able to stop. No injuries have yet been reported due to this possible defect. The affected Kohler Courage twin-cylinder engines:

• are in Troy-Bilt Cub Cadet or Husqvarna brand lawn tractors
• have serial numbers ranging from 41028 to 41056
• were sold at Cub Cadet Tractor Supply Company and Lowes
• were sold from February through April of 2011

Those with affected model lawn mowers are strongly encouraged to immediately discontinue usage of the lawn tractor and to contact Kohler for a free inspection or repair.

According to recent news reports from Dallas Texas 18 people have suffered injury after a reported escalator malfunction at the Mockingbird DART station. Children from Thompson Middle School in Quinlan were on the escalator around noon on Thursday May 5 when it sped up. Seven of the girls on the escalator and two adults were taken to local hospitals. One injured person was reported to have suffered a broken leg.

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Following an injury accident in which a mechanical problem may be to blame a parts manufacturer or a maintenance company may bear liability for the results of the malfunction depending on the details of how the accident occurred. A third party investigation may be conducted that can look into such issues so that the liable parties can be held accountable for their negligence that may have contributed to this injury accident.

– Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman

Honda Motor Company LTD has recalled 833000 vehicles due to a possible issue in which an airbag may deploy with too much force. Such an event could result in serious injury or even death. More specifically the recall affects 2430 replacement airbags that may be defective. If one of the defective airbags deploys with too much pressure the inflator casing could rupture. The affected vehicles are:

• some 2001 and 2002 Accord Sedans
• some 2001 and 2002 Civic Sedans
• 2002 Odyssey Minivans
• 2002 and 2003 CR-V crossover vehicles
• 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
• 2003 3.2 CL

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Its often beneficial to check your car manufacturers website from time to time in order to be aware of any possible recalls that might affect any cars you drive or own. While the manufacturers should contact you in some form when a recall occurs its worthwhile to know about such recalls as soon as theyre announced so that you can take the proper steps in order to fix any possible issues.

– Texas Product Liability Lawyer Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from Austin Texas one person has suffered a broken neck as a result of being struck from behind by a suspected drunk driver around 1 a.m. on Tuesday May 3 in the 11000 block of an I-35 service road. Salvador Noria 44 has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer after his Ford pickup rear-ended a Chevrolet Camaro. The Camaro spun around and struck a sheriffs car in the construction zone. The driver of the Camaro was taken to the hospital for treatment of a broken neck. The sheriffs deputy was also transported to the hospital. A search of Norias truck found two opened cans of Bud Light. His BAC test came back at .35.

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When a suspected drunk driver causes an injury auto accident in Texas the driver can be held civilly liable for their actions in addition to any criminal charges they may also be facing. Furthermore should a driver have become intoxicated due to the negligent behavior of an alcohol-serving establishment prior to causing an accident resulting in injury or loss of life that bar or restaurant may bear partial civil liability due to Texas dram shop laws. However establishing such a series of events often requires the work of a thorough independent investigation in order to ensure that all liable parties are properly identified and held accountable for their negligent actions.

– Austin Drunken Driving Crash Lawyer Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports Nissan has recalled 196000 SUVs due to corrosion problems that could cause damage to suspension systems and steering systems. 1997-2003 year model Pathfinders and 1996-2004 year model Infiniti QX4s are part of the recall. The NTSA reported that snow water and salt may cause corrosion to the strut tower casing on the affected vehicles. Nissan will inspect and repair any affected models at no cost to a customer.

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Car recalls seem to be an almost monthly occurrence. Be sure to keep yourself updated with any possible recalls affecting your car by checking your manufacturers website or contacting your dealership.

– Texas Product Liability Attorney Michael Grossman

According to recent news reports from Arlington Texas a UTA student has suffered injury after being struck by a suspected drunk driver on Monday April 23 around 8:48 a.m. The injured student was using a crosswalk at S. Nedderman Dr. and Planetarium Pl. when she was hit by a car driven by Cameron Abelson. The injured student was taken to Harris Methodist Hospital. Abelson was arrested and it was noted that he was driving on the wrong side of the street. The injured student was last listed in stable condition after suffering from fractures to her lower back leg and wrist.

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When an alleged drunk driver causes injury to another person the suspected drunk driver can be held civilly liable for the consequences of their actions regardless of whether or not they may also be facing criminal charges. In the event that the suspected drunk driver became intoxicated due to being over-served alcohol at a bar or restaurant or was a minor that was allowed to purchase alcohol prior to the accident Texas liquor liability laws will work to hold such a negligent establishment partially liable for their role in leading up to the wreck. However substantiating such a claim often requires the work of an in-depth investigation.

– Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Michael Grossman

Toyota has issued a voluntary recall of some 2007-2008 Rav4s and 2008 Highlanders in order to replace an airbag sensor. The sensor could activate a warning signal to come on due to a roll problem possibly causing the airbag to deploy. 94000 Toyota Highlander SUVs and 214000 Toyota Rav4 SUVs. Owners of affected vehicles should receive a notice via mail in May.

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To see if your vehicle may be involved contact your dealership or visit Toyotas recall website and enter your VIN under the section entitled Is your vehicle involved? While this issue will likely not cause harm an inadvertent deployment of an airbag could cause serious injury. Consequently its important to stay on top of any possible recalls that may affect the car or cars you own.

– Texas Product Liability Lawyer Michael Grossman

Per recent news reports drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has recalled 57000 bottle of Topamax a prescription drug used for epilepsy and migraines due to the presence of a strange odor caused by trace amounts of tribromoanisole (TBA). TBA is not considered toxic but it can emit a foul odor and cause temporary stomach issues. Topamax users who believe their prescription drugs smell strange can return their medication to their pharmacist for a replacement. Johnson & Johnson has issued similar recalls in the past due to strange odors but this is the first such recall that has affected a prescription drug. Further information about the recall can be read on the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Topamax Recall website.

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Its fortunate that this particular drug recall is only due to a seemingly benign issue related to a strange smell. However the fact that trace amounts of any chemical not purposely used in the manufacture of a drug is present in a prescription drug seems like cause for concern. As drug manufacturers push out more and more drugs these apparent lapses in manufacturing can lead to such contamination issues. Consequently its important to be aware of any possible recalls of the drugs you may be using on a daily weekly or monthly basis. The information contained on the FDA 2011 Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products website may be a good place to start investigating any possible issues that may be of relevant to you.

– Texas Defective Drug Injury Attorney Michael Grossman