Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

Potential Recall of 24-Million Vehicles Following Death Caused by Forceful Airbag in Ford Ranger

Published on: January 31, 2016 | O'Connor Law

More than 390,000 Ford Ranger pickup trucks are being recalled due to overly strong driver’s side air bags.

The airbags in the recalled 2004-2006 vehicles have been found to cause injury upon release. The faulty airbags played a role in the death of 52-year-old Joel Knight, a South Carolina native whose truck crashed and caused deadly shrapnel to penetrate his neck.

In addition to Knight’s accident, the airbags are responsible for nine other deaths and more than 100 injuries. Many of the airbags have also simply failed lab tests as well.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Recalling Two Popular SUV Models After Reports of Electrical Fires

Published on: January 29, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recently announced that they will be recalling more of their SUVs in response to the potential threat of fire-related incidents associated with electrical shorts in the cars’ sun visors.

The car manufacturers have planned to recall nearly 390,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos from the years 2011-2013. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have found these cars to have electrical difficulties.

Another recall of the same models happened back in 2014, where electrical issues were once again the culprit. With that recall, wiring in the mirror lights were subject to electrical problems. This recall was launched after the government led an investigation of the vehicles, where eight incidents of visor fires had been reported.

Store Brand Children’s Cough Syrup Pulled from Shelves Amid Recall

Published on: January 27, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Two different flavored cough syrups for children from several national pharmacy chains and grocery stores are being recalled due to a chance of overdose.

The affected flavors are cherry and grape, and are being recalled by nine large retailers in the country including CVS, Rite-Aid, Kroegers, Dollar General, Sunmark, Topcare, Care One and GoodSense. The syrup itself is made by Perrigo Company Medicine but according to reports, it is sold under a variety of store-brand names.

The danger of overdose comes into play with incorrectly labeled dosage cups that come with the four-ounce bottles of syrup. Thankfully, no overdoses have yet to be reported.

PennDOT’s Winter Driving Awareness Week Reminds Us To Exercise Caution While Driving This Winter

Published on: January 11, 2016 | O'Connor Law

January 10-16 is PennDOT’s annual Winter Driving Awareness Week and the department is urging all drivers to exercise winter-appropriate driving practices and to have their cars checked by mechanics as temperatures drop and winter conditions take hold of our roadways.

In order to stay safe this winter and prevent automobile accidents that could endanger your life as well as the lives of others, PennDOT is urging drivers to have vehicles professionally serviced. The unseasonably warm weather that blanketed the state earlier this winter has seemingly ended, with 2016 already proving to be colder in the first few weeks. That being said, a visit to the local mechanic is highly encouraged for all.

Mechanics are able to inspect things such as your car’s cooling system, battery, hoses, drive belts, tires and windshield wipers to confirm that they all are working correctly and doing their jobs to keep passengers safe. In addition to a professional inspection, drivers themselves are asked to keep an eye on their own tires, fluid levels, lights and other things that can be easily checked.

The U.S. Department of Transportation

Published on: December 19, 2015 | O'Connor Law

U.S. regulators have proposed an updated version of the five-star crash-test rating systems that will incorporate new technology and test dummies. The five-star crash-test ratings has been in place by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since the late seventies and although they have proven themselves highly credible among both car dealers and buyers, this update seeks to even further improve safety.

Some changes to the rating system include testing collisions that happen in the front at an angle in the hopes of decreasing pedestrian accidents, as well as adding half-star rating options so as to more closely gauge the accuracy of the rating. Dummies will also be updated to more truthfully simulate the human body, with bendable spines and necks. The NHTSA does not want to make things more complicated, but rather, more safe.

Safety can never be taken too seriously, especially when it comes to the road.

Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Product Due To Possible Adulteration

Published on: December 1, 2015 | O'Connor Law

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported that Tyson Foods will recall 52,486 pounds of chicken wing product.

In a press release, the USDA explained that the chicken wing product might be contaminated due to an “off odor” scent.

Some consumers of the product contacted Tyson complaining of experiencing mild illness as well. After such grievances, Tyson got in touch with the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Campbell’s Recalls SpaghettiO’s Cans After Consumers Find Something Weird Inside

Published on: November 18, 2015 | O'Connor Law

The latest national voluntary recall has been issued by Campbell Soup Co. for SpaghettiOs, a canned pasta and sauce product. The company recalled 355,000 of these cans due to possible choking danger.

On November 12, Campbell made an announcement admitting to small red pieces of plastic found in a number of the cans.

In response to customer questioning, the company stated that the plastic, “is not harmful if ingested. The reason we are recalling the product is that the cans could pose a potential choking hazard.”

Students and Drivers Honored at School Bus Safety Awards Ceremony

Published on: October 30, 2015 | O'Connor Law

On October 21, 2015, twelve students and six bus drivers were honored at the Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Awards ceremony hosted in the home of Governor Tom Wolf.

The student honorees, ranging from grades kindergarten to eighth grade, received acknowledgement for their winning entries in the 2015 School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme for the contest was “Bully Free Zone!” which pushed for bully- and harassment-free buses and bus stops. These students, whose posters were selected from 623 other public and private school poster entries, are helping to disseminate the message of respect.

In accordance with the award ceremony, the governor also proclaimed October 19-23 as School Bus Safety Week.

Michelin BF Goodrich Tire Recall

Published on: September 18, 2015 | O'Connor Law

French tire company Michelin is voluntarily recalling nearly 104,000 tires produced by their North American brand, BF Goodrich. The company says the tires’ sidewall can rupture during use under certain conditions.

The tires are primarily found on commercial light trucks, as well as full-sized heavy-duty vans, small RVs and some 3/4 and 1-ton pick-up trucks. They were manufactured between 2014 and 2015 and came in several different types.

Automobile parts recalls are common and the majority of companies issue voluntary recalls before the defects become an issue. For Michelin – the third largest tire company in the world – this is the third recall since 2013. Recalls for automobile parts are also some of the most expensive recalls of any industry. In 2010, Toyota reached a $1.2 billion settlement after announcing recalls of approximately 5.2 million vehicles for a pedal entrapment/floor mat problem, and an additional 2.3 million vehicles for the accelerator pedal problem. In 2000, Ford Motors settled out-of-court with Donna Bailey, a 44-year-old woman who was left paralyzed from the neck down after a defective tire was the cause of her wreck in a Ford Explorer. While the exact terms of the settlement were never released to the public, estimates range from $20 million to $35 million.

36,000 Cases Of Kraft Cheese Being Recalled

Published on: August 4, 2015 | O'Connor Law

Kraft Singles, often a favorite for making grilled cheese and other sandwiches, are being recalled by the thousands. 3 and 4 pound packages of Kraft’s American and White American slices need to be checked. The packages being recalled have a “best when used by date” from December 29, 2015 to January 4, 2015. If your cheese has a date in this range and the following manufacturer’s code of “S54” or “S55” your cheese may have a problem.

The issue with these packages is that when the plastic is removed it can leave behind a thin layer that is hard to see. This thin strip of plastic can be a choking hazard, and Kraft has already received three reports of choking from this incident.

These packages can be returned to the store for a refund or a new package of cheese.