RECALL ALERT: Britax B-Agile Stroller AMPUTATION HAZARD

AFFECTED PRODUCTS:

BRITAX CHILD SAFETY, INC.

SAFETY RECALL

Partial Fingertip Amputation Hazard.  Child Injury Risk.

BRITAX B-AGILE Strollers

Manufacturing Dates: March 1, 2011 to June 10, 2013

A Partial Fingertip Amputation Hazard exists from the folding hinge mechanism as the consumer folds the stroller.

All registered owners of the affected strollers are being sent a remedy kit. To register your product, order a free remedy kit, verify existing registration, or get more information please call: 1-866-204-1665

HOT WHEELS URBAN SHREDDER RIDE-ON: Recall Alert...could cause serious injury

Urban Shredder
(Sold from October 2012 through February 2013)
MODEL # 8801-05

HOT WHEELS URBAN SHREDDER 24-VOLT BATTERY-POWERED RIDE-ON

This product is being recalled as the Urban Shredder could suddenly accelerate while in use, causing the rider to lose control and fall causing serious injuries.

The recall is limited to Hot Wheels Urban Shredders manufactured on September 15, 2012 and December 1, 2012. Date codes can be found on the bottom of each unit (as indicated above).

Consumers are strongly urged to disconnect the battery and stop using this product right away. Take the Urban Shredder to your nearest Toys”R”Us for a refund or store credit.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured due to a defect product/toy like the Urban Shredder call the experienced product liability attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates at 1-800-669-4878.

Mirena IUD Side Effects - Birth Control Lawsuits EXPERT

Medical professionals nationwide are warning that Mirena, a T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) aimed at preventing pregnancy, is now linked to serious health risks, including infection and organ perforation. Nearly 46,000 women from across the United States have reported injuries.

What is Mirena and how does it work?

Mirena is a plastic device containing the female hormone levonorgestrel. This hormone causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. The Mirena intrauterine device is placed in the uterus where it slowly releases the hormone to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years. Mirena is meant for use in a woman who has had at least one child and is in a stable sexual relationship with someone who has no other sexual partners.

Mirena is also used in women who have heavy menstrual bleeding and choose to use an intrauterine form of birth control.

What are the health risk of using Mirena?
Mirena injuries can be extremely painful, and may impact the lives of victims and their families for years or more.  The highly experienced medical device attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates are investigating the possible association between Mirena IUD and a range of serious side effects including:

• Breast Cancer
• Endometrial Cancer
• Uterine Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Gastric Cancer
• Cervix Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Pre-Cancerous Cells
• Rectal Cancer
• Anal Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Birth Defects

Additional Side Effects related to Mirena:

• severe cramps or pelvic pain;
  
• extreme dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;
  
• heavy or ongoing vaginal bleeding, vaginal sores, vaginal discharge that is watery, foul-smelling discharge, or otherwise unusual;
  
• severe pain in your side or lower stomach;
  
• pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding;
  
• fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
  
• pain during sexual intercourse;
  
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
  
• sudden or severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, sensitivity to light;
  
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  
• signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  

In a questionnaire of almost 18,000 women on a progestin intrauterine device (IUD) like Mirena, roughly 40% endorsed experiencing "sexual disinterest" at least once.

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed in state courts nationwide.  If you or someone you know suffered injury due to Mirena call the experienced defective products attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates.  1-800-669-4878.

RECALL ALERT: Reusable Breathing Circuit will cause serious injury

Date Class I Recall Initiated: January 3, 2013
Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Product: Reusable Breathing Circuit

Device Model: 900MR068

Lot Numbers: 110810 and 111020

Use: The Fisher & Paykel Healthcare reusable breathing circuit is a non-heated breathing circuit intended for oxygen therapy delivery for adult patients.

Recalling Firm:
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
15365 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92618

Reason for Recall: The tubes used in the reusable breathing circuit have pinholes. If these pinholes are not detected during the standard leak test before patient use, it could potentially result in a gas leak in the breathing system, which may lead to a loss of pressure for the intended ventilation therapy. Usage of the defective device may result in patient death.

If you or someone you know has suffered injury due to a defective Reusable Breathing Circuit call the experienced defective medical device attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates 1-800-6694878

$9 Billion a year in knee replacements

Knee replacement surgeries have more than double the last two decades in the US as older Americans strive to become more active.  This has led to a startling spike in repairs to previously implanted artificial knee joints (revision)....an increase of over 106%. 

There has been over 318,563 patients who have had revision surgery since 1991.

Several prominent knee surgeons at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons presented data suggesting that the rate of failure for certain Zimmer NexGen replacement knee systems is “unacceptably high,” with many knee replacement patients experiencing loosening with the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral implant and requiring revision surgery within a few years.

This Zimmer NexGen knee has a “high-flex” porous femoral component that attaches to the bottom of the thighbone instead of using cement to keep the knee replacements in place. As a result of what some are considering a defective and unreasonably dangerous design, patients could have been exposed to an unnecessary risk of problems with Zimmer NexGen replacement knees.

The Zimmer NexGen knee lawyers at Buttafuoco & Associates are investigating potential product liability lawsuits for individuals who have experienced problems with this replacement knee product.  For more information call 1-800-669-4878.

ADHD drug (Adderall) can cause heart attack, stroke...even death.

Recently strengthened warnings on the attention-deficit drug, Adderall, indicate that it may cause psychological side effects and that misuse may lead to sudden death from heart attacks and strokes.

In 2005, Health Canada (the equivalent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) banned Adderall after reviewing reports linking Adderall XR to 20 fatalities, 14 of whom were children, and a dozen strokes.

An Adderall lawsuit can help you seek compensation if this commonly prescribed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drug has injured you or a loved one. Recent findings released by the Food and Drug Administration demonstrate a possible link between Adderall and the deaths of 51 individuals taking the medication. The FDA has cautioned that although no definitive evidence has been found associating Adderall to sudden death, doctors should be wary of adverse side effects such as high blood pressure, heart attack or cardiovascular complications displayed in their patients.

Birth Control Lawsuit could cost Bayer AG $2.75 Billion

Over the past five months Bayer AG, the makers of the birth control pills Yasmin, Yaz or Ocella, have settled about 651 U.S. lawsuites for $142 Million.  With an average of $218,000 per case Bayer AG could stand to lose over $2.75 Billion in settlements.  Don't feel bad for Bayer AG...that translates to only two years in profits.

The lawsuits against the makers of Yasmin, Yaz, Ocella allege that Bayer AG knew of the dangers associated with the drugs but marketed them as safe anyway.

If you have suffered blood clots or gall bladder injuries you NEED to contact a experienced attorney right away.  Bayer is doing a rolling settlement with law firms representing these clients.  However, the litigation will eventually stop leaving some injured patients without proper compensation.

Our law firm is representing clients who have suffered injury as a result of Yasmin, Yaz, or Ocella birth control pills. Call today to speak with one of our attorneys.  1-800-669-4878.

Side-Curtain Airbags - Are they safe for children?

How do they work?

The curtain airbag activates instantaneously in the event of a side impact crash, deploying from the top of the door rails above the side window. They form a cushion between the driver or passenger and the window and stay in place if the car rolls over to protect their head.

Why do I need them?

Research conducted in the USA estimates that head protecting airbags can reduce driver deaths in the event of a side impact crash by close to 40%*. Without them, in a side impact crash there is little to protect your head from striking the side of the car or rigid objects like trees or poles.

How are curtain airbags different to other types of airbags?

Curtain airbags are one type of head protecting side airbag. There are other kinds too, such as combination head and torso designs.

Combination head and torso airbags mostly activate from the seat, but some types deploy from the door, offering you good protection to both head and body in side impact crashes. However, combination designs are less effective than curtain airbags in rollover crashes.

Most people have heard of driver airbags (or frontal airbags). While these come as standard in many cars, they do not protect you in a side impact crash. Also, side airbags without the combination of head/torso design only protect the chest and thorax area, not the head.

How dangerous are side impact crashes?

Side impact crashes at intersections account for approximately 22% of all major crash types where people are killed or seriously injured.

However, according to IIHS spokesperson Russ Rader, "Even if a head curtain airbag covers the rear seats where children are most likely sitting, it won't necessarily offer them any protection. Most children are too short to receive any protection from a curtain-type side airbag."

Dangers of Yasmin/Yaz/Ocella

Yasmin is a type of birth control originally developed by Berlex Laboratories (a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany) that was first approved for use in 2001. In 2006, the drug company, Bayer, acquired Berlex and marketed a more recent version of Yasmin, called Yaz. Ocella is a generic version.

Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella contains two types of hormones: an estrogen and a progestin. The estrogen is “ethinyl estradiol.” The progestin is “drsp” or “drospirenone”. Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella is the first type of birth control to contain drsp. Yasmin contains 3 mg drsp and 30 mcg ethinylestradiol per tablet. YAZ contains 3 mg drsp and 20 mcg ethinylestradiol per tablet. The drug prevents ovulation by working against the usual body chemistry of a woman of childbearing potential by suppressing endogenous gonadotropins and, thereby, inhibiting ovulation and altering other changes associated with the menstrual cycle.

The manufacturers of Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella have touted its latest creation as a “pill that goes beyond the rest,” and promises multiple additional benefits above and beyond unwanted pregnancies. They also claim that this latest drug creation is as safe as other types of accepted birth control pills that are on the market. In light of these promises made in slick advertising campaigns, the new product has made Bayer/Berlex millions of dollars. For example, in 2008, sales of YAZ reached $616 million (an approx. 18% U.S. market share), and Yasmin sales reached $382 million (an approx. 11% U.S. market share). It is now the best-selling oral contraception pill in the United States.

However, in putting the interest of corporate profits over public safety, Bayer/Berlex’ advertisements have focused almost exclusively on the positive affects of its newest drug creation. It has continually omitted or minimized the very significant risks associated with or increased by the novel drug, including heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), strokes, gallbladder disease, hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors, and other serious injuries and sudden death. These life-threatening risks include, but are not limited to, those risks that Bayer knew or should have known are associated with or increased by the unprecedented use of this new hormone, drsp.

Bayer has also improperly encouraged the use of Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella in circumstances other than those in which the drug has been approved and over-stated its benefits. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has repeatedly reprimanded Baxter/Berlex for marketing the drug in a way that minimizes these very serious side effects, thereby misleading millions of women and their prescribing physicians about the safety of this new type of birth control.

Home Fires Prompt Dehumidifier Recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is urging consumers to check if they have recalled Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers. The firm is re-announcing the recall of about 98,000 of the dangerous dehumidifiers that pose a serious fire and burn hazard, and are believed to be responsible for more than one million dollars in property damage.

The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers and their property.

The dehumidifiers were first recalled in December 2009 following eleven incidents, including four significant fires. Since that time, the company has received sixteen additional incident reports of arcing, smoke and fire associated with the dehumidifiers, including nine significant fires. No injuries have been reported. Fires are reported to have caused more than $1 million in property damage including:

• $500,000 in damage to a home in Gibsonia, Pa.
• $200,000 in damage to a home in New Brighton, Minn.
• $183,000 in damage to a home in Hudson, Mass.
• $192,000 in damage to a home in Valparaiso, Ind.
• $139,000 in damage to a home in Salem, Ohio
• $129,000 in damage to a home in Brielle, N.J.
• $ 95,000 in damage to a home in Philadelphia, Pa.

Because of the severity of the risks, CPSC and LG Electronics are concerned with the lack of consumer response to the recall. Only two percent of the 98,000 consumers who purchased these units have received a free repair, which means that consumers and their property remain at serious risk.

Anyone who has the recalled dehumidifiers is strongly encouraged to immediately stop using them, unplug them, and contact LG Electronics for the free repair.

The recall involves the 30 pint portable dehumidifiers sold under the Goldstar and Comfort-Aire brands. The dehumidifiers are white with a red shut-off button, controls for fan speed and humidity control, and a front-loading water bucket. “G

oldstar” or “Comfort-Aire” is printed on the front. Model and serial number ranges included in this recall are listed in the table below. The model and serial numbers are located on the interior of the dehumidifier, and can be seen when the water bucket is removed.

The recalled dehumidifiers were sold at The Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Do It Best, Orgill Inc., and other retailers nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150. They were manufactured in China.

For additional information about the recall and for the location of an authorized service center for the repair, contact LG toll free at (877) 220-0479 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, or visit the firm’s website at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com

If you have been injured due to a defective product call Buttafuoco & Associates today at 1-800-Now-Hurt

Buttafuoco & Associates
Construction Injury Attorneys
Voted BEST LAWYER five years in a row!
Over $250 Million recovered for our clients.
www.1800NowHurt.com

Jennie-O Recalls 55,000 Pounds of Turkey Burger Over Salmonella

Fox News reports....

Jennie-O Turkey recalled 55,000 pounds of turkey burger this weekend after being linked to a dozen cases of salmonella in 10 states.

The raw, frozen turkey burgers were sold nationwide exclusively at Sam’s Club stores. They were sold in boxes of 12 individually wrapped burgers labeled “Jennie-O Turkey Store All Natural Lean White Meat Turkey Burgers.” Each carton weighs four pounds.

The recalled cartons have a use-by date of Dec. 23, 2011, and an identifying lot code of 32710 through 32780 printed on the side panel of each box. The consumer UPC is 042222-261081. The products were packaged on Nov. 23, 2010.

The Willmar company is advising that consumers who have the burgers in their freezer to avoid eating them.

“Instead we are asking that consumers return this product to a Sam’s Club store for a full refund,” the company said on its website.

Jennie-O has established an online resource center at www.jennieo.com/recall to provide more information to consumers about the voluntary recall.

Hormel Foods, the parent company of Jennie-O, also operates a toll-free Consumer Response Center at 1-800-621-3505.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service began investigating after the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services reported a case of salmonellosis, which is caused by salmonella bacteria and is usually foodborne.

The investigation then widened to include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Washington in addition to Wisconsin. Twelve people became sick. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, three of those who were sickened specifically reported eating Jennie-O turkey burgers before the onset of illness and hospitalization.
All the illnesses occurred between December 2010 and March of this year. The last case was reported on March 14.

Salmonella hadar, the type of bacteria reportedly involved in the outbreak, is most often found among poultry.

The USDA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state public health agencies are continuing their investigation. Authorities said that as more information is collected, the recall could widen to include additional turkey products.

The government is advising consumers to use extra caution when preparing raw turkey. To prevent salmonellosis and other foodborne illnesses, people should wash their hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within six to 72 hours of infection. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to one week.

Salmonellosis can be especially severe, and possibly life-threatening, to infants, the elderly and individuals with a compromised immune system.

Buttafuoco & Associates
Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Voted BEST LAW FIRM five years in a row!
www.1800NowHurt.com

Problems with KNEE REPLACEMENTS?

Tens of thousands of components used as part of some knee replacements were recalled last year, but hardly any consumers know about. The artificial knee implants appear to have been removed from the market due to manufacturing defects and reports of knee problems that caused individuals to experience loosening of the components and the need for knee revision surgery in some cases.

If you or a loved one has suffered damages in these cases, contact our experienced attorneys who can evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.

www.1800NowHurt.com