New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
Archive – 2011 – June
Toyota Recalls Priuses for Power Steering Defect
In June 2011, Toyota announced a recall affecting the Prius for model years 2001 through 2003. According to Safercar.gov, the cars were manufactured from January 28, 2000 through May 30, 2003.
The defective component is part of the steering system, specifically the electric power assist system (commonly called “power steering”) which uses an electric motor to reduce the effort necessary for the driver to steer the vehicle. In this case, the steering linkage may loosen which would diminish electric steering assistance when making a left turn.
The loss of power steering while the car is in motion and in the process of making a turn could result in a collision and injuries.
The recall should begin in early July 2011. If you believe you own a Prius that is part of the recall, you can call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 for more information. Toyota will contact the owners of affected cars and instruct them to take their vehicles to a dealership where repairs to the referenced system will be made free of charge.
Defective and/or poorly designed parts and systems on a motor vehicle pose a danger to the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other motorists sharing the road. Auto manufacturers are responsible for designing, creating and distributing safe vehicles, fit for the purpose intended. They must test vehicles appropriately to determine their safety, crashworthiness and performance before placing them on the market for consumer purchase.
Individuals who drove a defective vehicle and who were in New Jersey auto accidents may be able to hold auto manufacturers liable for defects in the vehicle’s design, manufacture and testing. At Blume Goldfaden, our New Jersey auto product liability attorneys can help determine if you may have a valid claim; call 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
Chrysler Group LLC Recalls Vehicles for Missing or Inaccurately Installed Steering Column Pivot Rivet
Chrysler Group LLC is recalling approximately 11,351 vehicles due to a steering column pivot rivet that may be missing or improperly installed.
According to safercar.org, this vehicle defect jeopardizes the capability of the steering column to support occupant loads during a frontal impact accident, which lowers the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. Consequently, occupants of vehicles with this flaw are at a heightened risk of suffering injury or death in the event of a frontal collision.
The Chrysler vehicles included in the recall are all model year 2011:
- Chrysler 200
- Chrysler 200 Convertible
- Chrysler Town and Country
- Dodge Avenger
- Dodge Caliber
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Dodge Journey
- Dodge Nitro
- Jeep Compass
- Jeep Liberty
- Jeep Patriot
- Jeep Wrangler
Owners of these vehicles are being advised to contact dealers who are expected to inspect the vehicles for rivet presence and either align or repair the steering column pivot if necessary; at no cost to the consumer. The vehicle safety recall is scheduled to start during June 2011 and owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
It is expected that the motor vehicles we drive everyday should be designed and manufactured so as to keep us as safe as possible in the event of an accident, and, not increase the risk of suffering an injury. However, sometimes car manufacturers overlook design or manufacturing flaws before selling their vehicles to the public.
As auto product liability litigation is quite complex, you will need an experienced New Jersey auto design defect lawyer to assist with protecting your rights. For decades, the attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have been obtaining significant recoveries for auto accident victims injured by defective auto products. Contact us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation to evaluate whether you may have a meritorious claim.
FDA Warns of Potential Heightened Risk of Blood Clots from Yaz, Yasmin & Other Birth Control Use
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the publication of two studies which examined the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), or blood clots, in women who use birth control pills containing drospirenone. According to the FDA safety alert, birth control brand names of products containing drospirenone include Yaz (generics: Gianvi and Loryna), Yasmin (generics: Ocella, Syeda, and Zarah), Beyaz, and Safyral.
Based on study results, there is a heightened risk of developing blood clots associated with Yaz, Yasmin, and other birth control bills which contain drospirenone. The danger is reported to be up to 2 to 3 times greater than the danger of blood clots linked to the use of other birth control pills containing levonorgestrel.
As the FDA investigates the results from these studies, the agency will examine all current information available in order to conduct a complete assessment of the risks and benefits of birth control pills that contain drospirenone. The FDA recommends that women taking birth control pills containing drospirenone speak with their doctor first before they stop taking the pill.
Some adverse side effects which women should report to their healthcare providers include the symptoms of blood clots, such as leg pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath. It is also recommended that women over 35 who smoke not take certain oral contraceptives due to an increased chance of experiencing serious cardiovascular problems, including blood clots.
Drug manufacturers have the responsibility of ensuring that the products they create, test, label and distribute are safe for the purpose intended, and, that potential side effects are adequately and timely identified and communicated to consumers and healthcare providers. The New Jersey product liability attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have experience protecting the rights of individuals injured by defective drug products; and, can investigate your possible claim arising out of the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Call our personal injury law firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
Study Examines Hospital Volume and Operative Mortality in Relation to High-Risk Surgery
The New England Journal of Medicine recently discussed a study in an article about trends in hospital volume and operative mortality for high-risk surgery. In the study, data from Medicare claims made nation-wide were used to assess patterns in high-volume hospitals which surgically treat cancer and cardiovascular disease. The study also evaluated concurrent trends in operative mortality rates connected to these surgeries at these high-volume hospitals. In gathering data for the study, patient information was considered regarding treatment of those from 65 to 99 years of age, from 1999 to 2008, who experienced one of these eight cancer and/or cardiovascular operations:
- esophagectomy,
- pancreatectomy,
- lung resection,
- cystectomy,
- repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA),
- coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG),
- carotid endarterectomy, and
- aortic-valve replacement.
Over 3.2 million Medicare patients were treated with one of these procedures in hospitals throughout the United States during this time period.
Analysis of the national Medicare data demonstrated that in the U.S. there has been an increase in these surgeries; mostly in relation to intricate cancer resections. The study found that from 1999 to 2008, the operative mortality rate for these procedures decreased (ranging from 8 percent to 36 percent). This result comports with other studies that report trends toward declining mortality in relation to high-risk surgery.
While technological advances, the use of checklists in the operating room and enhancements in perioperative and intensive care can all be associated with the decrease in mortality, tens of thousands of patients in the U.S. who have inpatient surgery still die each year from complications and issues pertaining to their procedures and post-operative care.
The New Jersey surgical mishap lawyers at Blume Goldfaden have decades of experience obtaining favorable jury verdicts and settlements for our clients in medical malpractice matters. Our personal injury law firm insists on only handling meritorious cases, and, if you have any questions regarding the adequacy of your medical care, we encourage you to call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and case screening.
Source:http://healthpolicyandreform.nejm.org/?p=14613&query=home
General Motors Passenger Car Recall Issued for a Failure to Comply with Side Window Air Bag Safety Standards
General Motors announced the recall of 47,401 vehicles because of the company’s failure to adhere to requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” A safercar.gov alert states that certain model year 2011 Cadillac SRX passenger vehicles are involved in the recall.
The potential problem with the vehicles is that the passenger side roof-rail air bag deactivates and would not deploy if the front passenger seat is not occupied. This airbag is designed to protect rear seat passengers as well, and therefore, if such deactivation occurs, any occupant in the right rear seat may not be protected in the event of frontal and side collisions. This increases the risk of injury to rear seat passengers. GM dealers are expected to reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module at no cost to vehicle owners.
Air bags are expected to comport with standards meant to ensure motorist safety. However, as this recent vehicle air bag recall demonstrates, auto manufacturers do not always comply with well-established safety standards.
Litigation concerning air bag defects is intricate and requires the expertise of legal counsel experienced in handling automobile product liability matters. New Jersey air bag defect attorneys who have obtained successful results in auto product liability cases can help guide you through the legal process. At Blume Goldfaden, our lawyers have decades of experience protecting the rights of those harmed as a result of automotive product defects and design flaws. Call our firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
General Motors Recalls 4,678 Vehicles for Windshield Wiper Flaw Posing Visibility Hazard
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) vehicle recall announcement reported that General Motors LLC is recalling approximately 4,674 vehicles due to a flaw in windshield wipers that could lead to visibility hazards, which can increase the risk of having an accident. Included in the recall are certain 2011 model year Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured between September 22, 2010 and November 5, 2010.
Some of the vehicles included in the recall have windshield wiper motor crank arm nuts that may not be tightened to the degree that is required for safe and effective operation. If there is an accumulation of snow or ice, and the wipers are used, or, if the wipers are used on a dry windshield, the nut could become loose. If the nut loosens significantly, the wipers could fail to operate, thereby limiting motorists’ visibility and increasing the risk of a collision.
Auto dealers are expected to properly tighten the wiper motor crank arm nut at no cost to the consumer. Owners of recalled vehicles can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or visit http://www.gmownercenter.com.
Car manufacturers are responsible for designing and creating vehicles that do not contain defects or lack certain crashworthiness components. However, defective vehicles often make their way into the marketplace. While vehicle safety recalls are important so that drivers are aware of potential dangers posed by auto defects, accidents that may cause injury or even death could take place before an auto manufacturer launches a recall or sufficiently warns the general public of the hazard.
Individuals who are injured and family members of those injured or killed in New Jersey motor vehicle accidents that are believed to have been caused by an automotive product defect may have certain legal rights. A New Jersey car defect lawyer at Blume Goldfaden can evaluate the specific facts of your potential claim to determine whether or not the claim is meritorious. To learn more about your rights, call us at 973-635-5400.