Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of all Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop side cribs. Infants and toddlers are at risk of serious injury or death due to strangulation and suffocation hazards with these cribs. Parents and caregivers should stop using these cribs immediately.

If the crib’s plastic hardware breaks, the drop side of the crib can detach from a corner of the crib. When the drop side detaches, it creates a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, creating the possibility of suffocation or strangulation. Also, the crib’s matterss support can separate from the crib frame, creating another possible suffocation or strangulation risk.

To date, the CPSC has received reports of three infants who suffocated when they became entrapped between the crib mattress and the drop side when the drop side detached. The CPCS has received other reports of children being injured and falling out of the cribs when the drop side became detached.

As Pennsylvania residents brace for another winter storm, motorists are reminded to make sure all snow and ice are cleared from their vehicles before going on the road. MyFoxPhilly.com posted a story on their website, after noticing a number of drivers who were on the road with piles of snow on the top of their cars.

Pennsylvania passed a law which allows drivers to be fined between $200 to $1,000 if snow or ice injures or kills a person. When snow and ice piles on top on a car or truck, it can fly off, possibly onto the windshield of another passing vehicle. The law was passed after an Easton man lost his wife five years ago, when a chunk of ice flew off a tractor-trailer and landed on her car, killing her instantly.

So before you take to the road, make sure you’ve cleared any snow or ice from your vehicle. Take precautions and be safe driving.

Last week, Toyota Motor Sales USA recalled 2.3 million vehicles to correct a problem that could cause the gas pedal to stick. And this Tuesday, the company suspended sales of 8 models so that vehicles that are currently being built will not be sold until they are fixed.

In an article on CNNMoney. com, Toyota USA group vice president Bob Carter said, “Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company. This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized.”

The affected models include the 2009-2010 RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, certain 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequoia. General Motor’s Pontiac Vibe is also included in the recall, because it is essentially the same car as the Toyota Matrix. However, GM has already stopped production of Pontiac vehicles as part of its wind-down of the Pontiac brand.

An article on ReadingEagle.com recently reported that Pennsylvania state Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone believes a texting bill and an amendment prohibiting drivers from using cell phones has a chance to pass the House of Representatives. The state House is expected to vote on this bill this week.

The texting bill was sponsored by Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery County, but did not pass the House in 2009. Shapiro recently resubmitted the bill along with the cell phone amendment.

In the article, Caltagirone referred to the bill by saying, “It will stop deaths on the highway. Texting while driving is an accident waiting to happen.”

On Jan. 20, Graco Children’s Products of Atlanta, GA, recalled about 1.5 million strollers after receiving reports of five fingertip amputations and two fingertip lacerations that resulted from children putting their fingers in the stroller’s canopy hinge when it was being opened or closed.

The affected models include Graco’s Passage, Alano, and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems. These strollers were sold at retailers nationwide from October 2004 to December 2009 for between $80 and $90. A list of model numbers is available on the website for the U.S. Product Safety Commission.

Two different styles of hinge mechanisms were manufactured for these stroller models. However, only strollers or travel systems with a plastic, jointed hinge mechanism that has indented canopy positioning notches are included in this recall.