2009 May | www.reinerinjurylaw.com

Trek and Cannondale Recall Bikes for Unsafe JD Forks

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 11:56 am

On May 19, 2009, Trek and Cannondale issued separate recall notices through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notifying consumers of defective front forks manufactured by JD Components of Taiwan. The defective forks can lose alignment causing the front wheel to turn unexpectedly with potential loss of control by the rider. Owners of the models listed below should stop using these bikes and immediately contact their dealers about replacement forks.

About 16,000 Trek bikes are affected. The models are: 2009 Trek 7300, 7300WSD and 7500. The forks have the words “Bontrager SPA” printed on them. They were sold from August 2008 through April 2009 at between $640 and $940. Trek can be contacted at 800.382.2453.

About 1,500 Cannondale bikes werre involved. These models are the 2008 Cannondale Adventure 2, Adventure 3, Adventure 2 Feminine and Adventure 3 Feminine. The words “cannondale AT35 adventure trail” is printed on the forks. Cannondale can be contacted at 800.245.3872.

The product liability attorneys at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter keep a watchful eye on products often used in Northern California to alert consumers of recalls and other potential safety issues. If you are concerned about the safety of a product, please feel free to contact us to see if we have any background on the item.

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Composite Wood Deck Materials Sold at Home Depot Recalled

Posted under: Home Safety, Product Recall — tslaughter @ 12:52 pm

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a nationwide recall of composite wood deck materials sold at Home Depot from January 2005 to August 2008 under the Veranda brand. These decking materials are made of composite materials that are milled and colored to resemble wood. They are particularly popular in Northern California where the sun and high temperatures in the summer can cause rapid deterioration of natural wood decks. The recall has been issued because the composite decking materials have experienced premature deterioration. 37 cases of unexpected deck breakings have been reported,some causing injury.

The composite decking materials were manufactured by Louisiana-Pacific under the Veranda brand name, as well as LP WeatherBest and ABTCo. They were sold at Home Depot, and building product dealers Louisiana Pacific WeatherBest and ABTCo. The price point was between $1.50 and $2.25 per linear foot.

If you suspect that you have such materials in your deck, contact Louisiana Pacific at 888.325.1184 for a free inspection. LP promises to replace any decking that shows signs of premature deterioration.

If you have these materials on your deck, you undoubtedly purchased them based upon claims that they would last for many years(25-50), and would withstand the all of the climate changes that are commonly experienced in Northern California. The fact that these materials are already showing signs of deterioration within 2-3 years of installation causes great concern. Check out your decks and get LP out here to replace them if it appears necessary.

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May is National Water Safety Month

Posted under: Pool Safety — tslaughter @ 9:07 am

May has been declared as Water Safety Month in 34 states in an effort to focus awareness on safety issues that arise during the summer months when Americans enjoy their pools, spas, beaches, rivers and lakes. Interestingly, California has not yet joined or proclaimed its recognition of this national effort to date. The campaign is sponsored by The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the World Waterpark Association. Their joint website offers good tips on water safety. Their focus is on the education and training of children and adults in good, safe water recreation practices.

Every year we re-emphasize the importance of safe practices around the water. We are blessed in Northern California to have numerous rivers, lakes and beaches where water recreation abounds. Additionally, because of the warmness of our summers, pools are everywhere. For this reason we like to re-publish a list of common sense safety tips.

Safety Tips

1. Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. During social gatherings, appoint a “designated watcher” to sit poolside with undivided attention to young children in or about the pool. Distracted or preoccupied adults put children at risk.

2. If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool area.

3. Do not allow a young child in the pool without an adult.

4. Do not consider a child “drown proof” because he has had swim lessons. Children must be closely watched while swimming.

5. Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.

6. Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

7. Remove toys from in and around the pool when it is not in use. Toys attract young children.

8. Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.

Remember, a few minutes of thought and planning can save a family from a life-time of guilt, regret and remorse.

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Cannondale Road Bike Recall – Spoke Protector Disc

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 3:34 pm

For road bike enthusiasts in Northern California who ride a newly purchased 2009 Cannodale road bike, it is being recalled because of a lack of a spoke protector disc. That’s the plastic disc between the upper gears of the derailer and the rear wheel which prevents the chain from jumping into the spokes. Such an occurrence can cause the bike to lock up and throw the rider.

The spoke protector disc is required under federal safety standards, which the Taiwan manufacturer apparently forgot when it made the bike. Fortunately there are no reported injuries to date. to see if you have one of the recalled models, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website here.

If you have one of the recalled bikes stop using it immediately and return it to an authorized dealer for a free repair. Cannondale can be reached at 800.245.3872 if you have questions.

Ride safe and see you out there.

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Hydroxycut Fat Burning Supplements Recalled

Posted under: Product Recall, Product Safety — tslaughter @ 9:50 am

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer warning advising anyone taking Hydroxycut diet supplements that serious health problems have been reported with their use, and to stop use them. The products’ producer, Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario, has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market.

Hydroxycut has been advertised as America’s #1 weight loss formula. Even in light of the recent recall of nearly all of its Hydroxycut products, the company’s website insists that the ingredients of the Hydroxycut were scrutinized with extensive “medical, scientific and toxicological literature review,” and analyzed by experts from the “leading independent scientific firm specializing in “toxicology and product safety for the nutritional and pharmacutical industry.” Of course, none of these studies have been disclosed.

The FDA warning reports that 23 serious health problems “ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes . . . to liver damage requiring liver transplant,” have been identified. One death from liver failure has occurred. Other health problems include seizures, cardiovascular disorders, muscle damage and kidney failure.

Sensational.com, the largest encyclopedia of dietary facts, recently reviewed the Hydroxycut product and questioned its effectiveness. The three main ingredients listed in the product, Hydroxagen Plus, Hydroxy tea, and Chromatech, were not known to the reviewing staff. The ingredients that could be identified were “not that impressive” and “have no clinical history of any weight loss success.”

Once again, American consumers are blitz with an advertising campaign touting the virtues of a “dietary” formula for weight loss, only to find that the product has little clinical support, and probably little effectiveness. Balance this with the dangers to health that the product poses, greater scrutiny should be exercised before the product is ever allowed to hit the market place.

The product liability attorneys at Reiner Simpson & Slaughter keep a watchful eye on products that are determined to be dangerous or are subject to recall. If you or a loved one has been adversely affected by the product discussed in this post, we would be happy to hear from you to see if we can help. There is no charge for this consultation.

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Blog

May 21, 2009

Trek and Cannondale Recall Bikes for Unsafe JD Forks

May 19, 2009

Composite Wood Deck Materials Sold at Home Depot Recalled

May 14, 2009

May is National Water Safety Month

May 6, 2009

Cannondale Road Bike Recall – Spoke Protector Disc

May 1, 2009

Hydroxycut Fat Burning Supplements Recalled