Alabama Product Injury Lawyer Blog

That time once again to catch up on the significant products which have been recalled within the past week.

1. MacGregor and Mitre Folding Soccer Goals: I think every young child this day and age is introduced to the sport of soccer. I remember my kids when they were as young as 3 being out on the soccer field kicking a ball....and then picking their nose. Needless to say, neither of my sons pursued soccer. But i digress. The point is that many kids are exposed to soccer and thus this recall is of significance. These two soccer goals, distributed by Regent Sports, have a foldable white frame with a white net attached. These nets are being recalled in large part because a 20 month old child was strangled to death when his neck and arm got tangled in the net. The recalled nets, which were sold at Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware and sports and toy stores across the country between May 2002 through May 2008, have squares measuring 5 inches on each side. The MacGregor soccer goal has model number 97236 and the Mitre soccer goal has model number 89186. Bottom line, the openings in the netting are too large creating the potential hazard of children getting their head and body parts caught in the net. Look here for the CPSC information regarding this recall and for a more in depth report of the concerns related to soccer goals, including these, read this report from Consumer Reports. If you have one of these nets, take it down immediately and contact Regent Sports.

2. Simplicity Cribs: I have had two previous posts about recalls of Simplicity bassinets here and here. Now its the cribs. The CPSC has recalled 600,000...yes you read that correctly 600,000 cribs distributed by Simplicity at places like Babies "R" Us, Target and Wal-Mart. These cribs were sold between January 2005 and August 2008. It is reported that the drop side of the crib can come off the tracks and if it does, it can lead to entrapment and suffocation of the infant. For a complete description of those models affected, see here. As with the bassinet recalls, since Simplicity is out of business, you need to bring the crib back to where you purchased for a full refund. Consumer Reports has a complete discussion of this recall here.

3. Harry Potter Bookends: Some 36,000 of these Harry Potter bookends were sold through elementary school fundraising programs, as well as through various dollar stores between June 2004 and January 2006. The paint on the bookends contain excessive levels of lead. I guess being a wizard does not exclude you from being effected by the problems of lead paint. If you have these bookends, you are to return them to Giftco, the importer for a full refund. Go here for more information on who to contact regarding this recall.

4. Razor Powerwing 3-Wheeled Scooter: The Razor Scooters are still very popular, including one's that are now electrically powered. The Powerwing version of the Razor Scooters is a 3-wheeled version which was sold in black or silver. The undersides of the foot platforms can have sharp edges that can cut and lacerate kids riding the scooters. There have been 10 reports of Achilles tendon and ankle lacerations, some of which required surgery. If you child has one of these scooters (go here to see the specific models involved) you should have them stop using it immediately and contact Razor for a set of free replacement foot platforms.

Those are some of the more significant recalls over the past week. Remember, be careful out there. If you have any questions regarding any of these recalls, or any other products, you are welcome to contact me for further assistance.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

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The New York Times today is reporting about a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and reported in The American Journal of Psychiatry that drugs which are most often prescribed today to children suffering from schizophrenia, Zyprexa and Risperdal, are no more effective than the older, less expensive drugs used to treat this condition. More significantly, these newer drugs have been shown to be more likely to cause harmful side effects like rapid weight gain. In fact, it is reported that the children receiving Zyprexa gained so much weight that the government oversight panel monitoring safety during the study ordered that the children be taken off Zyprexa. The older drug used for comparison purposes was molindone. On average, those taking Risperdal gained about 9 pounds and those on Zyprexa gained 13 pounds. Both these groups also saw increases in cholesterol and insulin levels which are risk factors for diabetes. In contrast, those taking the older medication molindone gained less than a pound on average and had little changes in cholesterol and insulin levels. One 18 year old who was given Risperdal for several months gained 35 pounds.

The lead researcher on the study, Dr. Linmarie Sikich concluded that the guidelines for treating schizophrenia have to be changed so some of the older, more traditional medications are considered first line treatment. What is important to note is that more than 80 percent of prescriptions written for Zyprexa and Risperdal are not for schizophrenia, but for autism- related aggression, bipolar disorder or ADD issues which are not approved indications for uses of those drugs.

There are a few thoughts to take away from the results of this study. First, I have always believed that when taking medications, generally go for the one that has been on the market the longest because there has been time to really evaluate the potential adverse effects of the drug. It usually takes about 5 years or so for a drug to be on the market before the greater majority of the significant side effects can be seen. This is mainly because the amount of people involved in clinical studies used to get approval of the drug for sale is so small and selective that they can not truly evaluate problems with the drug in the general population. The other thing to be aware of is that many drugs are used "off-label" as is discussed above. In other words, doctors will prescribe the drug for conditions which have not been approved of by the FDA. You should question your doctor when he is prescribing medication about whether the condition for which he is prescribing it for is an "indicated" use or a use approved of by the FDA and addressed in the label for the drug. You shouldn't necessarily refuse to take the drug if it is being given for a "non-indicated" use, but find out from your doctor the basis upon which he relies on prescribing the medication for the condition he is seeking to treat. Yes, trust your doctor, but don't do it blindly. You need to ask questions and do your best to inform yourself about the medications he is prescribing for you and your family.

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Its that time again to catch up on what significant items have been recalled over this past week. I try and pick items which have been sold to alot of people and/or the potential danger for which the product has been recalled is significant. So, here we go:

1. Graco and Simplicity Bassinets: I posted last week about the recall of Simplicity Bassinets, however further information has been developed regarding this very important and wide ranging recall. Some of the bassinets recalled include ones which have the "Graco" logo or the "Winnie the Pooh" motif on them. The one's with the Graco logo on them were sold between 2001 and 2004. The one's with "Winnie the Pooh" on them were sold between 2002 and as recent as 2008! As mentioned last week, Simplicity has sold its business and the company who now owns Simplicity is refusing to participate in this recall. However, most of the major retailers who sold these bassinets will provide a refund or store credit if you return the bassinet where you purchased it. These include Wal-mart, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Target and many others. See here for a complete listing of those retailers who are participating in this recall. For a Consumer Reports article updating the problems with this bassinet, see here.

2. Zebra Rug sold at J.C. Penney: Animal rugs are the hit of decorators everywhere...or so my wife tells me. Well, a faux (fake for us non-decorator types) Zebra Rug sold at J.C. Penney is being recalled due to the fact they do not meet federal flammability standards. The rug measures 30"x54" and was sold through Penney's website and catalogue from December 2007-July 2008 for between $50-$70. You can either get a full refund or if you like it too much, you can get a warning label to put on the back side of the rug. For more information, go here.

3. "Protocol" Remote-Controlled Mini Helicopter Toys: About 78,000 of these remote control helicopters have been sold and are now being recalled because the rechargeable battery inside the helicopter can overheat which can result in the helicopter melting....yuck...and can lead to risk of fire and burns. The remote control mini helicopter toys have a model number starting with 1442 and were sold in retail stores all over the country between October 2007 and December 2007...that's right, just in time for this past Christmas. For a more specific description of the helicopter toys in question, read this warning from the CPSC here. You are instructed to take the toys away from your children immediately and contact the company to get a replacement helicopter.

The good news is, that is about all that was interesting in recalls this past week. The bad news is don't have anything more to write in this post for you. As always, remember to PLEASE be careful out there.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

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Back with the weekly post (okay, it hasn't been so "weekly" lately) addressing the most significant recalls of products over this past week. Let's see what we have to be concerned with now:

1. Sony VAIO Notebook TZ-series: Sony is recalling 73.000 of the TZ-series notebooks because the units can overheat and create burning hazards. One reported customer has actually indicated they received a minor burn. The CPSC reports that some wires near the computer's hinge or a dislodged screw is causing short circuit and overheating. Not all units of this series are affected and if you have one, you should contact SONY (888-526-6219) to see if your unit is part of the recall. If your unit is involved, SONY will provide an inspection and on-site repair at your home or office. Gives new meaning to the phrase "burning up the keys."

2. Simplicity Bassinets: In an unusual move, the CPSC issued a warning to parents (not an official recall) to stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity due to two strangulations of infants trapped in the bassinets the CPSC learned about within the last year. One involved a 5 month old who just last month was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet's metal bars. The CPSC issued the safety alert instead of a formal recall because the company which purchased Simplicity is refusing to cooperate and recall the product. The bassinet has metal bars and the infants head can become entrapped in the bars and suffocate. If you have an infant that goes to a day care center or the like, you need to check to make sure they are not using this type of bassinet. Fortunately, many major stores which sold this product have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a full refund or store credit to those customers who return the product to the store where purchased. These include Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Target, Big Lots and J.C. Penney. See this additional press release from the CPSC addressing return of these bassinets. Consumer Reports has two articles (see here and here) addressing this significant problem. Even the Wall Street Journal has gotten involved addressing the problem that there may be no company to hold "liable" for this problem, since the manufacturer of the bassinet, Simplicity, sold its assets to a company known as SFCA Inc. when it went out of business in April of this year. For now, the most important issue to get these defective bassinets off the market to insure other infants are not killed.

3. Sears Kenmore and Kenmore Elite Coffee Makers: Approximately 145,000 of the Kenmore and Kenmore Elite Coffee Makers sold at Sears and Kmart are being recalled because the wiring can overheat and create burn and fire hazards. You don't want to start up your morning cup of Joe in the morning to then come out of the shower and find your kitchen on fire. If you have one of these coffeemakers you should stop using it immediately. The recall includes the 12-cup Kenmore coffeemaker sold in black, white and red and the 12 cup Kenmore Elite coffeemakers with the thermal carafe and the 14 cup Kenmore Elite coffeemaker. These coffeemakers were sold at Sears and Kmart stores and online stores from August 2007-April 2008. Stop using the coffeemaker immediately and take it back to Sears or Kmart to obtain a free replacement. See here for more information.

4. Wolf Appliance Gas Ranges:Lots of fire potential going around. The Wolf Appliance 48-inch gas ranges with model numbers P48, PS48 and R48, which are stainless steel and have a double oven, are being recalled because a delayed ignition in the 18 -inch oven can cause a flash of flames to project out at the user when the oven door is open. These are very expensive models running anywhere from $5000-$9000. If you have this oven, you should stop using the 18-inch oven and call the manufacturer at 866-643-6408 to schedule a free, in-home repair. More specific information and pictures can be found here.

Those are the most significant recalls this past week. Keep your eyes open for new product hazards being found. If you come across something in your own daily life, feel free to contact me to discuss. Remember, be safe out there.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

Posted In: Recalls of the Week

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