Product Liability

Harley Davidson Recalling 250,000 Motorcycles due to Potential Brake Failure

Published on: February 9, 2018 | O'Connor Law

Harley Davidson is recalling 250,000 motorcycles world-wide to fix an issue that has the potential to cause the brakes to fail. 175,000 of those motorcycles are in the United States.

The investigation began in July 2016 when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 43 complaints of problems with the brakes, including reports of 3 crashes and 2 injuries. This led the NHTSA to pressure Harley Davidson to declare a recall.

The recall notice says that “deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.” The deposits can cause a valve in the antilock brake control unit to stick. The recall service involves a full flush of the brake fluid, but no parts need to be replaced.

Takata Corp Expands Airbag Recall Again, Now Includes Up to 125 Million Airbags

Published on: July 20, 2017 | O'Connor Law

Japanese auto parts manufacturer Takata Corporation has announced that 2.7 million more airbag inflators will be recalled over concerns that a chemical in the inflator may rupture while the airbag is being deployed sending fragments into cars that can injure drivers and passengers. This most recent recall adds to what is already the largest ever auto safety recall.

The defective airbag inflators are used in certain 2007-2012 model year Ford, Nissan, and Mazda vehicles. The largest recall group is Ford. A spokesman for the Ford Motor Company has said that the issue covers roughly 2.2 million vehicles. Nissan plans to recall 515,000 Versa models in the United States, and an additional 112,000 Versa models worldwide. While Mazda has said that the new recalls will cover a much smaller number of vehicles, only 6,000.

Novo Nordisk Recalls Popular Insulin Injector Nationwide Due to Defect

Published on: July 7, 2017 | O'Connor Law

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has voluntarily recalled certain insulin cartridge holders used in NovoPen Echo products. Novo Nordisk determined that the affected holders may become damaged or break if exposed to certain chemicals, including cleaning products. Damage to the holder may result in the NovoPen Echo not delivering enough insulin to the user, which could potentially lead to high blood sugar.

Warning signs of high blood sugar (or hyperglycemia) typically appear over time and can include: flushed, dry skin; feeling sleepy or tired; dry mouth, breath taking on a fruity scent; urinating more often, feeling thirsty; loss of appetite, feeling or being sick. Novo Nordisk is advising users with an affected device to check their blood sugar levels more frequently until they receive a replacement holder.

The affected batches of holders were sent to various distributors, sales representatives, and replacement programs for nationwide distribution between August 1, 2016 and June 22, 2017.

Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets Recalled Nationwide Due to Toxic Risk

Published on: April 25, 2017 | O'Connor Law

Standard Homeopathic Company is recalling all of its Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets and Hyland’s Baby Nighttime Teething Tablets nationwide. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has concluded that the medicines have been found to contain inconsistent amounts of an herb that may differ from the calculated amount on the products’ labels and could potentially be dangerous.

That herb is belladonna which has been used as a homeopathic medicine for many years but its scientific evidence of recommended use is insufficient. Because the effects of belladonna are unpredictable, the FDA believes that belladonna represents a serious health hazard to children. The FDA stated that “there is no known safe dose or toxic dose of belladonna in children because of the many factors that affect it.”

The FDA began investigating the products after receiving a September 2016 comprehensive report of a child having a seizure after using one. An FDA preliminary investigation found reports of adverse effects, including 10 possible deaths, seizures, shortness of breath and tremor. Standard Homeopathic Company stopped making and shipping the medicines nationwide in October 2016.

Hoverboard Fire Causes Deaths in Pennsylvania

Published on: March 26, 2017 | O'Connor Law

Over the past few years consumers have been becoming more aware of the potential that the hoverboard (self-propelled scooter) they purchased may burst into flames and do untold damage to property and people. Tragically, the first deaths in the United States related to a hoverboard ignited fire occurred this month in Pennsylvania. Ashanti Hughes (2) and Savannah Dominick (10) both lost their lives as a result of a fire that destroyed their Harrisburg home on March 10, 2017. The fire was caused by a hoverboard that ignited as it was charging in the home of the victims. The fire also claimed the life of Harrisburg firefighter Lt. Dennis DeVoe who died from injuries he suffered in a crash on the way to the scene of the fire. Other injuries related to the fire were also reported.

Hoverboards have been recalled, banned on airplanes, and removed from countless stores. In 2016, more than 500,000 hoverboards made by 11 companies were recalled. The reason for the recall was that the products did not meet fire safety standards. However many still remain in circulation. This has encouraged a renewed call for officials to again warn consumers about the potential dangers of these products and to get these dangerous products out of stores and homes.

The reasons for the hoverboard igniting vary but the most common is the faulty lithium-ion batteries overheating and catching fire. Many of the incidents have been reported to have happened while the hoverboard was charging but fire incidents have also been reported when it was sitting idle off the charger and while being ridden.

Long Shelf-Life Snacks Recalled Across the Country

Published on: January 17, 2017 | O'Connor Law

Long shelf-life snacks like chocolate covered pretzels are being recalled by six grocery store chains across the country, as reported by Food Safety News. Palmer Candy Company produced the snacks, which are recalled for salmonella contamination. The salmonella was found specifically in the powdered milk product used in the making of the snacks and manufactured by Valley Milk Products LLC. The six chains recalling the products are HyVee, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb and Lucky.

The affected products are dated between Jan. 26 and Feb. 23, 2017. Consumers can either throw the contaminated items out or return them for a refund.

Samsung’s Messy Recall Situation

Published on: January 10, 2017 | O'Connor Law

Recently, competing with Apple isn’t the only thing Samsung is concerned with. The recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 happened months ago, but matters have yet to be completely resolved. The phones have been overheating and catching fire, clear reasons for a recall. What is not so clear, however, is the reason behind the fires.

These accidents have not only affected Galaxy Note 7 owners, but have also stalled the release of the Galaxy S8, Samsung’s newest model. A spokeswoman for the phone company told CNET, “We recognized that we did not correctly identify the issue the first time and remain committed to finding the root cause…Our top priority remains the safety of our customers and retrieving 100 percent of the Galaxy Note 7 devices in the market.”

The recall will cost Samsung not only $3 billion, but also affect their place in the mobile market.

IKEA Issues Historic Recall

Published on: July 20, 2016 | O'Connor Law

IKEA has issued a recall of nearly 29 million chests and dressers that have already been involved with the deaths of six children, and threatens many more. The recall represents one of the most comprehensive consumer safety recalls in American history.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a video (see below) demonstrating the dangers these products have on children. Using a mannequin child, the video depicts that when a child goes to open a drawer, and the dresser or chest is not properly anchored to the wall, the drawer along with the entire piece can fall forward onto the child.

Food Product Residue Scare Prompts Recall of Children’s Applesauce

Published on: March 17, 2016 | O'Connor Law

When it comes to our children, there is no such thing as being “too safe.”

Earlier this month, a popular children’s applesauce pouch brand voluntarily recalled pouches dated between December of last year through March 2017. The reason for the recall comes from health inspection findings by the Michigan State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), where food product residue was discovered in the factory pumps. Thankfully, no illnesses of any kind have been reported in connection with the pouches.

The company, GoGo squeeZ, released a statement saying that no evidence of residue has been found in the applesauce, and that they ensure nothing short of extensive product testing.

Volkswagen Facing Another Recall; This Time for Fatal Airbags

Published on: February 25, 2016 | O'Connor Law

After facing major consequences for faulty emissions tests, Volkswagen faced yet another vehicle recall for potentially fatal airbags.

The car manufacturer initially refused a government mandated recall to fix the defective airbags, claiming that recalling the vehicles was unnecessary. Eventually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, Volkswagen cooperated and went through with the recall.

The recalled vehicles include U.S. Audi and VW vehicles between the years 2006 to 2014. There are roughly 850,000 vehicles involved in the recall. In a letter to the safety agency, Volkswagen argued against the recall by stating that many of the vehicles had perfectly functioning airbags made at the Takata factory in Germany.