2009 January | www.reinerinjurylaw.com

Toyota Recalls 1.4 Million Cars with Defective Seatbelts

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 10:11 am

Toyota issued a massive worldwide recall today affecting approximately 830,000 vehicles sold in the North America and Europe. The Yaris hatchback and sedan models manufactured between January 2005 and April 2008 were recalled because of defective “tensioners” in the seatbelts and fire hazards caused by cracks in the exhaust system. The failure of the tensioner during a crash could caused serious injury or death to the occupants.

If you have one of these vehicles you are advised to contact your Toyota dealer or an authorized Toyota shop to arrange for the fix. It appears that Toyota is still working out the specifics on how repairs will be made, so be persistent.

As reported by Forbes, Toyota has had a recent slew of recalls, including the recall of 214,500 Lexus luxury cars sold in the U.S. between 2004 and 2006. And in April 2008, over a half-million 2003 and 2004 Corolla and Matrix models were recalled. These recalls come as Toyota has experienced its first operating loss in the company’s 71 year history.

The Redding lawyers at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter keep a watchful eye on recall notices affecting consumers in Northern California. By keeping the public informed, many product related injuries can be avoided.

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Skateboard Themed Pajamas Sold at Kohl’s Recalled – Burn Hazard

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 9:57 am

Tony Hawk Boy’s Pajama Sets distributed by Mad Dog Concepts of New York, and sold at Kohl’s last year from September 2008 through October 2008, have been recalled because they do not meet sleepwear flammability standards. They were manufactured in Cambodia.

The recalled skateboard-themed pajamas include the following lines: “Boards Estate,” “Heathen Skull,” “Backspray,” and “Stix Jester.” The names are sewn in the neck and pant. Pictures of the pajama lines can be found at the Consumer Product Safety Commission notice.

If your children have any of these pajamas, stop using them immediately. You can call Mad Dog Concepts toll-free at 888.623.3640 8:39 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET M-F to see about a full refund.

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Two Seriously Injured in ATV Crashes

Posted under: ATV Accidents — tslaughter @ 10:33 am

GLENN COUNTY – The Chico Enterprise Record reported that two unrelated ATV crashes seriously injured the operators on Sunday, January 18, 2008 in eastern Glenn County.

The first involved a 7-year-old boy operating a 2003 Polaris near County Road WW. As the boy was making a turning manuever, the ATV flipped over ejecting the rider. The boy was rushed to Enloe Hospital with major injuries.

The second crash occured approximately 30 minutes later near Stony Creek when a 59-year-old Anderson woman was thrown when traversing down an embankment into a dry creek bed. She was riding a Suzuki quad runner. The woman was transported to a local hospital with a possible dislocated hip. Fortunately, her 7-year-old passenger was not injured.

Although ATVs are marketed as rough, fun, “family” off-road recreational vehicles, they present very distinct handling and stability issues that operators may encounter suddenly. The product liability attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter are familiar with these product issues, and would be pleased to investigate and review any ATV-related crashes or injuries to assess the role of the product in the incident, and determine if the ATV was defective.

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Suburban Rollover Kills Fortuna Woman

Posted under: Automobile Accidents, Rollover Accidents, Wrongful Death — tslaughter @ 1:21 pm

EUREKA, Calif. – On January 16, 2009 a 48-year-old Fortuna woman was killed when the 1992 Chevy Suburban she was riding in rolled over on U.S. Highway 101 just south of Eureka. According to the Times-Standard, the driver of the Suburban was attempting a lane change and was checking her blindspot when the vehicle drifted onto the median. When the driver attempted to steer back onto the highway, the Suburban flipped and rolled several times. The passenger was ejected to her death from the backseat. The driver and another passenger suffered injuries and were treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The investigation of this rollover is still pending.

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Giant Bicycle Forks Recalled

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 1:34 pm

On January 14, 2009 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice for Giant bicycles. This is a popular bicycle brand that is distributed at many locations in Northern California.

The 2009 TCR Advanced SL and SL (ISP) Bicycles and Frames have defective forks with the words “Giant” and “TCR” decaled on them. The forks have been reported to break during operation. These bikes were sold between August 2008 and December of 2008 at a price point between $3,300 and $7,500. If you have one of these bikes or frames stop using them immediately and return to dealer for inspection and possible replacement.

To be certain that you have a bike that has been recalled, link to the CPSC notice here.

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Third Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Northern California in Month

Posted under: Automobile Accidents — tslaughter @ 10:19 am

A fifth serious pedestrian accident in the last month occured in Red Bluff Monday evening. According to the Record Searchlight, the accident happened at the intersection of South Jackson Steet and Locust Street. A 78-year old Red Bluff man was struck and killed as he crossed South Jackson at about 6 pm. There is no crosswalk at this commonly used crossing. Alcohol was apparently not involved.

The frequency of these serious pedestrian accidents in Northern California is disturbing. The City of Redding is reviewing the pedestrian crossings on Court Street where two of the accidents occured last month. Pedestrians must be ever vigilant for their own safety, and motorists need to be cognizant of pedestrian travel, particularly at dusk and early evening. As the population of our northern cities continue to grow, and people are walking and biking more to economize on fuel consumption, we all need to maintain an increased awareness of the potential movement of others on our roadways.

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Salmonella Outbreak Forces Recall of King Nut Peanut Butter

Posted under: Product Recall, Tainted Foods — tslaughter @ 12:01 pm

This weekend King Nut Companies of Ohio issued a blanket recall for all brands of its peanut butter after Minnesota health officials found salmonella bacteria in a five pound container of King Nut peanut butter. Approximately 400 cases of Salmonella related illnesses have been reported in 42 states since the outbreak began earlier this fall. California has the highest number of those cases with 55.

King Nut does not manufacture these products. They are produced by Peanut Corporation of Lynchburg, VA. King Nut has recalled both products manufacturered by this producer, including the brand Parnell’s Pride. King Nut does not sell directly to consumers. They sell to commercial food providers such as schools and nursing homes.

About 40,000 salmonella cases are reported each year in America. It is normally contracted by the ingestion of foods contaminated by animal waste. A couple of years ago peanut butter produced by Con Agra was found contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

The usual symptoms are abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever which generally occur within three days of ingestion. Elderly and very young children are also susceptible to this posioning and may suffer severe weakness and malaise.

All schools and commercial food providers should check their inventories to make sure that the King Nut peanut butter is not on their shelves or is being used. It may be returned to the manufacturer, or your distributor.

The Redding lawyers at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter post these recall notices from time to time to assure that the Northern California public has timely information concerning products that are being purchased or consumed in this region. If you believe that you have been injured by a product, including tainted foods, you should immediately take action to preserve the food or its source so that it can be tested. If you believe that you have been seriously injured by the ingestion of a tainted food product, please feel free to contact us as we would be glad to consult you on your situation. There is no charge for an initial consultation.

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Redding Woman Settles E.coli Spinach Case

Posted under: Tainted Foods — tslaughter @ 2:16 pm

In 2006 an outbreak of E.coli poisoning tore through the mid-section of this country. Eventually it was determined that the deadly bacteria was contained in pre-washed packaged spinach being produced in California.

Last month, in one of the only known spinach related E.coli cases in California during that outbreak, a resolution was reached in a confidential settlement. The case involved a 64-year-old Redding woman who became violently ill and was hospitalized for over 10 days. During her hospitalization numerous tests were conducted and her physicians remained puzzled as to what was causing her severe digestive agony. The woman was convinced she was going to die. Finally, a culture revealed that she had been exposed to the same E.coli bacteria that caused the spinach nationwide outbreak. After being released from the hospital the woman remained weak and sickly for months, and continues to feel that her overall health has been significantly compromised.

Our Redding lawyers were pleased to have assisted this client in bringing this matter to a positive resolution.

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Blog

January 29, 2009

Toyota Recalls 1.4 Million Cars with Defective Seatbelts

January 23, 2009

Skateboard Themed Pajamas Sold at Kohl’s Recalled – Burn Hazard

January 22, 2009

Two Seriously Injured in ATV Crashes

January 20, 2009

Suburban Rollover Kills Fortuna Woman

January 15, 2009

Giant Bicycle Forks Recalled

January 13, 2009

Third Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Northern California in Month

January 12, 2009

Salmonella Outbreak Forces Recall of King Nut Peanut Butter

January 8, 2009

Redding Woman Settles E.coli Spinach Case