Product Liability

The German manufacturers of the relatively new blood thinning medication Pradaxa are facing significant legal trouble as claims against them are making their way into U.S. courts, according to Injuryboard.com. Pradaxa was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October of 2010, and between its approval in October and August of 2011, an estimated 1.1 million prescriptions were filled in the U.S., making it a very popular substitute for the widely used anticoagulant warfarin. However, the FDA issued new information about Pradaxa at the end of last year linking the drug to possibly fatal hemorrhaging, which quickly caught the attention of the thousands of patients using the medication.

Pradaxa is a blood thinning medication intended to help reduce the risk of stroke for patients who suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Now, as a number of bleeding incidents in patients have come to light, the safety of Pradaxa has been called into question. The use of the blood thinner carries its own risk, as even a minor scrape or injury can result in extreme hemorrhaging which may be uncontrollable. This was known by the FDA at the time of approval, but after the drug went on the market, there has been a higher rate of bleeding incidents than was expected by the organization. An investigation is currently being conducted as to why this might be the case.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the German maker of the drug, admits that after only one year of the medication being on the market, there have been 260 cases of fatal bleeding. As the Pradaxa investigation and litigation continues, the FDA is advising patients to speak with their physicians before stopping use of the drug. Patients should also be aware of the possible symptoms that may indicate a bleeding problem, including frequent nose bleeds, coughing up blood, pink- or brown-colored urine, and uncontrollable bleeding.

Manufacturers of drugs have the ethical and legal responsibility to thoroughly test drugs for safety before they are put on the market for consumer use. Unfortunately, dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects are often not discovered until it is too late. If you are a Tennessee resident who has suffered harm due to a medical drug, contact a product liability lawyer in Chattanooga with Massey & Associates, PC for assistance. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured patients and will hold any and all parties responsible for the harm caused. For a free case evaluation, call (423) 697-4529.

In cooperation with North Carolina-based manufacturer Lenovo, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for the Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop computer. This latest recall only affects an estimated 13,000 units as 50,500 were previously recalled in March. This electronic product has a defect in the internal component in the power supply, which can overheat and create a possible fire hazard for the user. Presently, Lenovo has received one report of a fire incident and one report of a smoke incident in the U.S., but fortunately no injuries have been reported.

The full names of the products are the Lenovo ThinkCentre M70z and M90z computers, which are all-in-one desktop computers. To determine whether or not you own a unit that has been recalled, consumers can locate the recalled desktop model numbers, which are M90z and M70z, along with the serial number and manufacturing date on the label on the underside of the unit. Consumers are instructed to immediately stop using the product and unplug the power supply, and contact Lenovo to confirm that the computer is included in the recall.

For more information, customers should call Lenovo at (855) 248-2194 or go online to www.lenovo.com/aiopsurecall. These ThinkCentre computers were sold between May 2010 through March 2012 online at the Lenovo website and through Lenovo authorized distributors nationwide.

A defective product can cause serious injury to an unsuspecting consumer, and regrettably, dangerous product defects are typically not discovered until after an injury accident has already occurred. If you are a TN resident who has been injured due to a defective product, contact a product liability lawyer in Chattanooga at the law firm of Massey & Associates, PC. We are committed to protecting the rights of consumers and will work to hold negligent manufacturers accountable. Please call (423) 697-4529 for a complimentary consultation.

For the month of March, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued two important product recall alerts for consumers. Both of these defective items pose a fire hazard and therefore a burn injury risk to unsuspecting users. Information on the two recalled household items are below:

1. LED night light: Imported by American Tack & Hardware Co. Inc., this LED night light has an electrical short circuit which can cause it to overheat and smolder or melt, posing a fire and burn hazard. No injuries have been reported, but the company has received 25 reports of the lights smoking, melting, and burning. The recall affects approximately 227,000 units. The model number on the defective night light is 71190 or 71190A, and possible brands name on the packaging include Amerelle, Amertac, or Everyday Basics. The product was sold from March 2009 to October 2010 for about $6 at hardware stores, lighting showrooms, and home centers. Consumers should contact the firm for a full refund by calling (800) 420-7511 or visiting www.recall-center.com.
2. Adjustable mattress base: In a recall that affects about 25,200 units, this adjustable mattress base manufactured by Leggett & Platt has an electrical component in the motor control board that can fail and short, causing overheating and a potential fire hazard. The recalled models are “Titanium,” “Gold,” and “Signature” by Leggett & Platt. Consumers should identify their potentially recalled item by looking at the remote control for the power foundation. The mattress base was sold for $1,700 to $2,200 from March of 2008 to October of 2011 at mattress retailers nationwide. For free in-home repair or a free modification kit, customers should contact Leggett at (855) 853-3539 or go to www.titaniumrecall.com.

A manufacturer has the responsibility to produce safe items for consumer use. Unfortunately, if an item has a dangerous defect, it is often not discovered until it is too late and an innocent customer has suffered an injury.

The product liability attorneys in Chattanooga of Massey & Associates, P.C. are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers and obtaining compensation when a defective product has caused serious injuries. To see how our legal team can assist you, please call (423) 697-4529.

With the holiday season comes the expected drop in the temperature outside, and chilly weather means many TN residents will be using various products to heat their home. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) cautions that all heating products may not be created equal and issued a recent release with a few recalled winter weather-related products that may present a danger to unsuspecting users.

The following is a list of products to avoid in the upcoming winter months, or to stop using if the item is already in your home:

• Lasko Portable Electric Heater – An electric connection in the base of the unit can overheat, which can cause it to melt and expose the electrical connection. Ultimately, it poses a fire hazard to its users.
• Meijer Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heaters – This item also poses a fire hazard and burn injuryy risk to consumers as the oscillating mechanism in the heater can short out.
• Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze, & Comfort Essentials Heaters – These heaters can malfunction, potentially resulting in overheating, melting, smoking, burning, and fire.
• Honeywell Electric Baseboard and Fan Heater Thermostats – The thermostats in these items can overheat, leading to melting and smoking. This poses a burn hazard to users.
• GE Zoneline Air Conditioners and Heaters – An electrical component in the heating system can fail, also presenting a fire hazard.

Manufacturers have the responsibility to produce safe items that do not pose risks to innocent consumers. If producers of an item sell an unsafe product or fail to adequately warn the public of the potentially hazardous defect, they can be held legally accountable for any injuries or damages incurred. The experienced product liability attorneys in Tennessee with Massey & Associates, P.C. can help you receive compensation if you have been injured by a dangerous or defective product. Call (423) 697-4529 for a complimentary consultation.

Due to a risk of electric shock to users, culinary giant Wolfgang Puck recently recalled 27,000 units of his Wolfgang Puck Electric Reversible Tri-Grill Griddles. The product was sold exclusively by The Home Shopping Network (with orders placed on the phone and via the website hsn.com) over the period of approximately one year.

The product was imported by Hollywood, Florida’s W.P. Appliances Inc., and made by China’s TouO Electric Appliances Co. Ltd. The defective danger in the grill exists in the electrical wiring, according to the release by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Due to manufacturing flaws, the product’s wiring may melt, overheat, or electrically shock consumers using it. The CPSC said Wolfgang Puck has been informed of four accounts of shocking accidents related to the grill, and two separate accounts of product malfunction in which the plastic casing melted.

The recall pertains to electric grills and griddles with the model identification BRTGG010. That model ID is found on a foil label on the bottom of the product. They measure approximately 14.5 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 6.5 inches high. Across the front of the product, adjacent to the control dials, reads “Wolfgang Puck Bistro Collection.” The grills were sold by the Home Shopping Network from April 2011 to May 2011 for around $100. Consumers are instructed by the CPSC to stop using the product at once and contact the company for return and refund instructions.

If you or a family member has been injured by a dangerous product in Tennessee that you think was the result of bad manufacturing, contact the Chattanooga product liability attorneys with Massey & Associates, P.C at (423) 697-4529 for a complimentary consultation.

Halloween means dressing up, eating lots of treats, and staying up long past your bedtime, which is why it’s so much fun for children and adults. Every year, however, some children suffer injuries from defective children’s products such as costumes or accessories. By making smart choices about what you and your kids wear this Halloween, you can help everyone have a safe and happy celebration.

Choose costumes made of flame-resistant material to help avoid burn injuries from candles or lighting. Ready-made costumes should state on the tag that they are flame-resistant. If you’re making your costume, choose material that is marked flame-resistant or that naturally resists being set on fire, like nylon.

Costume accessories, like swords, knives, wands, and pitchforks, should be made of soft and flexible materials. Make sure that longer accessories are not so long that they cause the person carrying them or those around them to trip.

Wear brightly-colored costumes, or put strips of reflective tape on a costume, if you’re planning to be outside in the dark. Children’s costumes should have reflective materials on them, and they should carry a flashlight while trick-or-treating in order to make them easier to see. Reflective tape can be incorporated creatively into many popular kid’s costumes – try putting strips on a superhero’s cape or a fairy princess’s wings.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective product, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced product liability attorneys in Tennessee at Massey & Associates, P.C. We will examine your case carefully and help you fight for the compensation you need to heal after an injury. Call us today at (423) 697-4529 for a free and confidential consultation.

October 9-15 was National Fire Prevention Week, when families are encouraged to think about the fire safety issues present in their own homes and take steps to help protect themselves from the damage and injuries a house fire can cause. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimate that over 386,000 accidental house fires occur every year, causing approximately 2,400 deaths and 12,500 injuries.

In order to help protect your family against fire, consider the following safety steps:

Install smoke alarms. Keeping a working smoke alarm in each bedroom and on every floor of your house can cut your risk of dying in a house fire by almost half, according to the CPSC. Test smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries when needed.

Develop a family escape plan. Children and adults can both benefit from knowing where to go in a fire and how to get there. Develop and practice a plan that helps family members find safe ways to get out of the house, and designate a meet-up point so the family can make sure everyone got out safely.

Check fireplaces and electrical systems, two common sources of house fires. Also, regularly clean the dryer’s lint trap, since accumulated lint can catch fire easily. Never leave space heaters or candles unattended.

Staying aware of the common sources of house fires can help you prevent damage before it happens. However, if you or someone you love has been injured by a fire caused by a defective product, the experienced Chattanooga product liability attorneys at Massey & Associates can help. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (423) 697-4529.

Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical that was originally created for hospitals to use as a sterilizer prior to surgery.  Recently, it has been added to a wide range of soaps and other household cleaners, which then often advertise the “antibacterial” properties of the product and may claim that the triclosan-containing cleaner even kills more germs than washing with non-triclosan-containing cleaner.  After research studies indicated that excessive triclosan exposure might cause serious long-term illness, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have begun taking a harder look at triclosan and its effects on human health.

Recent studies have indicated that triclosan causes thyroid problems in frogs and can cause sex hormone changes in other animals, which may increase the risks of certain cancers or other diseases.  Some data also supports the conclusion that disease-causing bacteria may become resistant to triclosan and other antibiotics, making them much more difficult to treat.

Triclosan is a common ingredient in “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” products like hand soap, dish soap, and cleaning supplies.  It is also included in some kinds of toothpaste, since the FDA has approved the use of triclosan to treat gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums.  Too much exposure to triclosan, however, has not conclusively been proven safe, leading the FDA to consider new regulations and leading some product manufacturers to re-formulate their products without triclosan.

Exposure to dangerous or unnecessary antibacterial products can result in serious harm.  If you have suffered or been injured due to a defective product, the experienced product liability lawyers in Chattanooga at Massey & Associates, P.C. can help protect your rights while working to hold negligent parties accountable for your suffering.  For more information, call us today at 423-697-4529.