Personal Injury Lawyer Blog » Recalls

Contaminated Cantaloupes Linked To 13 Deaths

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:19:57 +0000

Cantaloupes contaminated with listeria have resulted in at least 13 deaths in eight states, according to public health authorities.

The cantaloupes, marketed as the “Rocky Ford” variety, were part of a recall earlier this month. The cantaloupes are distributed by Colorado-based Jensen Farms throughout the country.

This is believed to be among the deadliest outbreaks of food-borne illness in U.S. history.

Listeria is a dangerous bacteria that can serious illness, particularly in people who are elderly, very young or who have immune system problems. Most of those who have died in this outbreak were older than 60.

Listeria is also known to cause miscarriages.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the defective product lawyers at The Gomez Law Firm today.

36 Million Pounds of Ground Turkey Recalled Due to Salmonella Contamination

jgomez — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:42:34 +0000

Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is recalling approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg, the U.S.D.A’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products are believed to be linked to at least one known death.

The products subject to recall today bear the establishment number “P-963″ inside the USDA mark of inspection, and include the following:

Ground Turkey Chubs – Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

10 lb. chubs of Honeysuckle White Fresh Natural Lean Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings
10 lb. chubs of Unbranded Ground Turkey w/ Natural Flavoring 2 Pack
80 oz. (5 lbs.) chubs of Riverside Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring
10 lb. chubs of Natural Lean Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings
16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh Lean HEB Ground Turkey 93/7
16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh HEB Ground Turkey 85/15
16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring
4-1 Pound Packages of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring Value Pack
16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey
48 oz. (3 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey

85% Ground Turkey – Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey
19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey Colored with Paprika
19.2 oz. (1 lb. 3.2 oz.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15
48.0 oz. (3 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15
20 oz. (1.25 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey
48.0 oz. (3 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey Family Pack
16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey
19.2 oz. (1.2 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White Seasoned Italian Style Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings
20 oz. (1 lb. 4 oz.) trays of Safeway Fresh Ground Turkey with Natural Flavorings * 15% Fat
(NOTE: Sold in Texas only at Randall’s and Tom Thumb, Use or Freeze by 03/12/11 through 05/05/11)

93% Ground Turkey – Use or Freeze by Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11

19.2 oz. (1.20 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey
48 oz. (3.0 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey Family Pack
19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Fit & Active Lean Ground Turkey 93/07
19.2 oz. (1.2 lbs.) trays of Giant Eagle Ground Turkey Fresh & Premium Lean
19.2 oz. (1 lb 3.2 oz.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh Lean 93/7
20 oz. (1.25 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 93/7 Lean Ground Turkey

Ground Patties

16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey Patties with “Use by” or “Freeze by” dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11
16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Seasoned Turkey Patties Fresh 85/15, with “Use by” or “Freeze by” dates of 2/20/11 through 8/23/11
16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Shady Brook Farms Ground Turkey Burgers with Natural Flavoring with the following “Use by” or “Freeze by” dates: 07/09/11, 07/10/11, 07/11/11, 07/15/11, 07/16/11, 07/21/11, 07/22/11, 07/24/11, 08/01/11, or 08/04/11

Frozen Ground Turkey – Production Dates of 2/20/11 through 8/2/11

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring
16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Spartan Ground Turkey
48 oz. (3 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey
40 lb. Bulk Packed Ground Turkey with Natural Flavoring for Food Service Use Only

These products were distributed nationwide. A multi-state outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg believed to be caused by eating contaminated ground turkey has sickened 79 people and resulted in one death in California. Some 26 states have reported illness between March 1 and Aug. 1, the CDC said earlier this week.

As a result of the epidemiologic and traceback investigations, as well as in-plant findings, FSIS determined that there is a link between the Cargill ground turkey products and this illness outbreak. FSIS is continuing to work with CDC, affected state public health partners, and the company on the investigation.

To prevent salmonellosis and other foodborne illnesses, wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry, and cook poultry—including ground turkey—to 165° F, as determined with a food thermometer. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within six to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

f you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Ford Recalls Over 1 Million Older Pickup Trucks

jgomez — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:59:38 +0000

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of more than 1 million of its pickup trucks, including the F-150, in the U.S. due to corrosion problems which can cause the vehicles to catch fire.

According to Ford, straps that hold the fuel tanks to the truck can corrode after heavy use, potentially leading to fires if the tank drops and leaks. Ford is aware of one injury and three vehicle fires caused by the corrosion problem.

Ford plans to notify affected owners in mid-September and will repair the trucks for free. Models affected are the 1997 to 2003 Ford F-150; the 2004 F-150 Heritage; the 1997 to 1999 F-250; and the 2002 to 2003 Lincoln Blackwood.

In April, Ford expanded a recall of F-150 pickups to about 1.2 million vehicles because front-seat airbags could inflate without the vehicle being involved in a crash.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Nissan Altimas Recalled Due to Steering Problems

jgomez — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:36:01 +0000

Nissan Motor Company has announced a recall of about 20,000 Altima sedans to fix a potential problem that could lead to steering difficulties and cause accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Nissan is recalling 2011 and 2012 model year Altimas built at its Canton, Miss., plant from April 25 to June 10, because the transverse link bolt may not have been tightened to the proper specification. No other Nissan or Infiniti models are involved.

The bolt in the Altimas affected could loosen during driving, creating a rattling and vibration. If the bolt loosens completely, the driver might have trouble controlling the car’s direction which could result in a crash.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Walmart Recalling Certain GE Food Processors Due to Laceration Hazard

jgomez — Thu, 26 May 2011 03:04:25 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of certain General Electric Food Processors. The food processors were imported by Walmart Stores, Inc. About 255,000 units are affected by the recall. The safety interlock system on the recalled product can fail. Accordingly, allowing operation without the lid secured may cause a laceration hazard. In addition, the product can emit smoke, or catch fire, posing a fire hazard. Walmart has received a total of 58 incident reports, including laceration injuries to fingertips and reports of fires.

The recall involves GE-branded digital, 14-cup food processors. The food processors are black with stainless steel trim, and model number 169203 is imprinted on the underside of the unit. The units were sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and Walmart.com from September 2009 through February 2011 for a retail price of about $50.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled food processor.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Certain Rose & Shore Meat Co. Products Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination

jgomez — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:14:39 +0000

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Rose & Shore Meat Co., a California company, has recalled approximately 15,900 pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The products subject to recall include:

40 to 50 pound boxes containing packages of “OLYMPIC GOLD BEEF PASTRAMI” with the lot number “20911″ and a “04-05-11″ pack date on the outside of each box. Each package has the lot number “20911″ and lot code “10951.”
40 to 50 pound boxes containing packages of “ROSE AND SHORE N.Y. STYLE PASTRAMI” with the lot number “20911″ and a “04-05-11″ pack date as well as a “29 N.Y.” case code on the outside of each box. Each package has the lot number “20911″ and lot code “10951.”
9 to 13 pound boxes containing “COOKED ANGUS ROAST BEEF” with lot number “20941″ and a use by date of “05-17-11.” Each package has the lot number “20941″ and a use by date of “05-17-11.”
24 to 30 pound boxes containing packages of “TOGO’S PASTRAMI” with the lot number “20911″, a “04-05-11″ pack date and a use by date of “05-23-11″ on the outside of each box. Each package has the lot number “20911″ and a use by date of “05-23-11.”

Each box has “EST. 1821″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on April 5, 2011, and sent to distribution centers in California for further distribution to food service establishments in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. There were no retail sales of the products.

The problem was discovered after a consumer complaint prompted a commercial customer to request that the company test the deli meats. FSIS has received no confirmed reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product at this time.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can have severe symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

CPSC Urges Consumers to Discontinue Use of Certain Metoo Infant/Toddler Chairs

jgomez — Fri, 20 May 2011 06:19:59 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning to consumers that some “metoo” clip-on table top chairs put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC has issued a statement urging consumers to stop using the chairs immediately.

The affected product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame imported by Phil&Teds USA, Inc. The chair clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps, the upper part of which rests on the table top and has either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering it. The chair is sold in red, black and navy. The chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar.

According to the CPSC, the company has refused to agree to a national recall of their hazardous product which is acceptable to CPSC. The company has offered a repair kit to remedy the problem, however, consumers should be aware that CPSC has not approved a repair kit for this product, despite the firm’s prior statement that it was conducting a recall “in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.” CPSC is urging consumers to stop using the affected metoo chairs at this time in order to prevent the risk of injury to children.

The affected chairs pose serious fall and amputation hazards to children placed in them. Children can suffer impact and head injuries when the chair detaches from the table and falls with the child still inside. CPSC has been advised of numerous incidents involving the affected chairs.

According to CPSC, the clamps can detach from a variety of different table surfaces and when children move around or use their feet to push against other objects. Further, CPSC reports that the lack of adequate space between the horizontal metal bar at the front of the chair and the clamps can cause children’s fingers to be severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated if caught between the bar and the clamp when the chair detaches. CPSC has additionally reported issues with the product’s packaging and instructions, finding them both misleading and failing to adequately warn of hazardous uses.

CPSC estimates tens of thousands of the chairs were distributed from May 2006 to present for about $50. The product was sold through philandteds.com, Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us, other online retailers, and different independent children’s specialty stores.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Chevy Cruze Vehicles Recalled By GM

jgomez — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:29:50 +0000

General Motors has announced a recall of certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured from October 6, 2009, through April 27, 2011 and equipped with an automatic transmission. Approximately 100,308 vehicles are affected by the recall. The vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 102, ‘transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect,’ and federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 114, ‘theft protection.’ These vehicles may have been built with a transmission shift linkage that is not properly installed. If the linkage is not properly installed, the shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. With this condition, the driver could move the shifter to park and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in park. The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Fingertip Amputations and Lacerations Prompt Recall of Maclaren Strollers

jgomez — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:10:44 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reannounced a voluntary recall of Maclaren strollers sold prior to November 2009. Approximately one million units have been subject to the recall since its announcement in November 2009. The recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers sold prior to November 2009. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The strollers were sold at juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to children when the stroller is unfolded/opened. 149 incidents have been reported to the company, including 37 additional reported injuries following the November 2009 recall. These injuries include five additional fingertip amputations, 16 additional lacerations and 16 additional fingertip entrapments/bruising. At the time of the original recall, there were 15 incidents, including 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyers of the Gomez Law Firm today.

Continental Tires Announces Recall

jgomez — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:38:19 +0000

Continental Tires is recalling certain Contitrac TR Tires produced from May 6, 2007, through September 20, 2008. The tires were sold as aftermarket and original equipment on some 2008 and 2009 Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these tires may experience uneven wear, vibration, or, particularly under conditions of overloading or under inflation in high ambient temperature usage, separation between the belt edges. Separation of the belt edges could lead to tread belt separation, increasing the risk of a crash.

The following tires are affected by the recall:

CONTINENTAL / CONTITRAC / LT275/70R18 125/122S
CONTINENTAL / CONTITRAC TR BSW / LT275/70R18 125/122S
CONTINENTAL / CONTITRAC TR OWL / LT275/70R18 125/122S

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact the Defective Product lawyersof the Gomez Law Firm today