New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
One World Technologies Recalls STOK Gas Grills due to Burn Hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of an estimated 87,600 One World Technologies Inc. STOK gas grills due to a defect in the regulator on the grill. This defect may cause propane gas to leak out and ignite, posing burn and fire hazards to consumers. No injuries have yet been reported, however, the company has received 569 reports of leaking propane gas.
The affected grills include STOK Quattro and STOK Island gas grills. The STOK Island grills have two burners and a round grill base. The brand name “STOK” may be found on a label on the bottom of the grill stand as well as on the grill cover. The STOK Quattro grills have four burners and are rectangular. The brand name “STOK’ may be found printed on the grill lid. In order to determine the particular Island or Quattro grill included in this recall, you will need to examine the regulator. The recalled grill regulators have the model number “AZF” on the front and a date code between 1046 and 1143 on the back.
The recalled grills were manufactured in China and sold for between $79 and $350 at Direct Tools Factory Outlet stores and Home Depot stores throughout the nation from March 2011 through February 2012.
Consumers should stop using the recalled STOK Island and Quattro grills and contact One World Technologies for a replacement gas regulator free of charge.
If you have been injured in New Jersey as the result of a defective appliance, you may be able to pursue compensation by way of a product liability claim. The knowledgeable New Jersey defective appliance attorneys at Blume Goldfaden can examine the details of your accident to determine whether you may have a valid claim. To learn more, contact us for a no-cost consultation at (973) 635-5400.
CPSC Announces Nan Far Woodworking Recall of over 16,000 Drop-Side Cribs
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of approximately 16,700 Nan Far Woodworking Co. Ltd. Rockland Furniture drop-side cribs as the result of suffocation, fall, and entrapment hazards. There have been reports of five incidents where the drop sides detached or malfunctioned, including one where a child suffered minor bruises and scratches after becoming entrapped.
The drop sides of the cribs can detach, malfunction, or otherwise fail, resulting in part of the drop side to fall out of position. This creates a space into which a toddler or infant may roll and become entrapped or wedged, which can lead to suffocation or strangulation. A child may also fall out of the crib.
This recall includes Rockland Furniture drop-side cribs exclusively imported and sold by JCPenney between 2005 and 2008. The brand name “Rockland Furniture” and the model number may be found on the lower part of the headboard panel on a rectangular label. The drop side of the wooden cribs is attached using plastic hardware. The affected models include:
- 343-8192 Renew Convertible Drop-Side Crib
- 343-8191 Renew Standard Drop-Side Crib
- 343-9105 Drop-Side Crib and Changer
- 343-8271 Cottage Standard Drop-Side Crib Version 2
- 343-8280 Cottage Standard Drop-Side Crib Version 1
- 343-8124 Nightingale Spindle Drop-Side Crib
These cribs were manufactured in Taiwan and sold online at jcpenney.com and JCPenney retail stores for between $150 and $400 from January 2005 through December 2008.
If your child has been harmed as the result of a defective crib or other child product, you may be able to pursue a product liability civil action. To speak with a knowledgeable New Jersey product liability attorney, contact Blume Goldfaden at (973) 635-5400 for a no-cost consultation. We can help you understand your legal rights and potential options.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139 Violations Prompts Another NHTSA Tire Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced another tire recall. PT Multistrada Arah Sarana, Tbk is recalling 36,592 tires as the result of design defects which violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139, “New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles.” The design defects may lead to blistering on the sidewall or tread separation, which can cause sudden loss of air, increasing the risk of an injury auto accident.
The affected tires include Achilles Desert Hawk A/P Light Truck Tires in sizes LT235/85R16 120/116L 10PR, LT215/85R16 115/112L 10PR, and LT225/75R16 115/112L 10PR which were manufactured between January 2010 and November 2011, and Radar Radial RLT-9 Light Truck Radial Tires manufactured from December 30, 2009 through January 31, 2011. The Achilles tires were manufactured with a narrow bead design which could lead to blistering on the sidewall, while the Radar tires were produced with a defective sidewall design that could lead to tread separation.
This tire recall is expected to start this in April 2012 and PT Multistrada Arah Sarana will notify owners of the defective tires and replace them with a comparable tire at no cost. For additional information, owners may call the company’s customer hotline at (800) 944-8414 as well as the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Tire manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their products. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident that was caused by a defective tire, the experienced tire defects attorneys in New Jersey at Blume Goldfaden can help you understand your legal rights and potential options. Call us for a no-cost consultation at (973) 635-5400.
Federal Safety Regulators Launch Investigation into Chevy Cruze Fires
According to an article in the The Los Angeles Times, federal safety regulators have begun an investigation into the cause of fires in General Motors’ 2011 Chevrolet Cruze passenger cars, as well as the cause of fires in the 2010 Jeep Wrangler sport utility vehicle (SUV). At least two incidents of the Chevy Cruze catching fire while being driven have been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and General Motors (GM) is currently researching at least 19 Cruze warranty claims involving fires.
The probe into the Cruze fires was launched just two months after the NHTSA closed its investigation into fires which occurred in the Chevrolet Volt during safety tests. The problem in the Volt, GM’s plug-in hybrid vehicle, was addressed by adding structural reinforcement to its battery pack. Nonetheless, the fire issue negatively impacted Volt sales and caused embarrassment to GM. This subsequent issue with vehicle fires may continue to hurt Chevrolet’s, and GM’s, image. The Chevy Cruz fire issue may dissuade potential buyers from purchasing or even considering the purchase of a Chevy Cruz.
One of the reported Chevy Cruze fires occurred with a 2011 Cruze Eco. The driver had noticed the smell of smoke and stopped the car, after which a flame appeared out of the hood. The vehicle was engulfed in flames in just five minutes, but only after the first flames appeared did the dashboard warning light turn on. The other NHTSA-reported incident involved a Cruze driver waiting to cross an intersection when the vehicle caught fire. There were no warnings that an abnormality existed. A woman in the next lane alerted the Cruze driver that the car was on fire.
In addition to reports of Cruze fires, the NHTSA has received eight reports of 2010 Jeep Wrangler fires originating in the vehicle’s engine compartment; seven of these complaints alleged that the fire or signs of imminent fire began while driving.
Auto manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their vehicles and potential occupants. If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of a dangerous vehicle defect, you may be entitled to pursue legal action.
Contact the experienced New Jersey auto product liability lawyers at Blume Goldfaden to learn whether you may have a meritorious claim. Call (973) 635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
NHTSA Announces Recall of Defective Chaparral Tires
In addition to its recent tire recalls, such as the recall of GTC tires at the end of March 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is making another recall announcement, this time for 2,663 Chaparral tires, manufactured by the Del-Nat Tire Corporation. The affected tires have a defect which may cause bubbles and/or blistering on the sidewall. With extended use, this defect can lead to potential air loss, increasing the risk of an injury auto accident.
The recalled tires, which fail to adhere to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139 “New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles,” include Radial XT tires size P235/75R15, manufactured from September 2008 through December 2009.
Owners of the affected tires will be notified by Del-Nat and dealers will replace the defective tires at no-cost. Balancing and mounting will also be included free of charge. The recall is expected to start on April 9, 2012. For additional information, owners of the recalled tires may contact Del-Nat’s consumer relations department at (901) 775-8125.
The safety of a vehicle’s tires is of paramount importance to the vehicles overall safety, and so it is essential that tire manufacturer’s produce tires that conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If a tire is defective and/or does not conform to these standards, it risks the health and safety of the vehicle’s occupants as well as other motorists on the road, and pedestrians.
If you have suffered a car accident injury as the result of defective tires, you may have cause for legal action. Call the knowledgeable New Jersey defective tire lawyers at Blume Goldfaden at (973) 635-5400 to find out whether you may have a meritorious auto product liability claim.
NHTSA Announces Recall of Defective Michelin Tires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced another defective tire recall for the month of April 2012. This latest recall involves 77,775 Michelin tires, which have a casing that my lose integrity and/or have rapid air loss. If this occurs while the vehicle is in use, it may result in a serious injury car accident.
Michelin North America, Inc. is recalling Michelin XZU2 LRJ, size 12R22.5 and Michelin XAU3 LRJ, size 305/85R22.5 tires manufactured between October 23,2005 and September 3, 2011, as well as Michelin XM505 LRJ, size 305/85R22.5 tires manufactured between April 18, 2010 and May 8, 2010 and between January 23, 2011 and February 12, 2011.
This recall is expected to start on or around April 30, 2012. Michelin will provide customers with the necessary information on how to get replacement tires. For additional information about this recall, owners may call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 or visit www.safecar.gov.
The proper functioning of a vehicle’s tires is essential to the overall safety of the vehicle. Any defect caused by poor design or substandard manufacturing can create a substantial risk.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey auto accident as the result of a defective tire, the knowledgeable New Jersey tire defects attorneys at Blume Goldfaden can help you determine whether you may pursue legal action for your potential claim. For a no-cost consultation, call us at (973) 635-5400.
NHTSA Denies Yokohama Petition, Announces Tire Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of 6,254 Yokohama Tire Corporation tires as the result of a design defect. These size P215/60R15 AVID H4S 93H tires, which were manufactured between December 2, 2007 and September 19, 2009, fail to adhere to the tire identification requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139, entitled “New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles.”
The molded markings on one sidewall do not include the complete TIN, or tire identification number, required by the Safety Standard. The absence of a TIN on both sides of the tire may make identification of the tires more difficult in the event of a future safety-related performance issue. As a result, the tires may not be removed from the vehicle, which could increase the risk of an injury car accident.
Because this Safety Standard noncompliance, does not affect the immediate safety of the vehicle, Yokohama petitioned the NHTSA for relief from remedy. This petition was denied on February 16, 2012. As a result, Yokohama will be recalling the tires. Registered owners will be notified and provided with replacement tires at no-cost. For additional information, owners may call the Yokohama Campaign Service Center at (888) 801-4162.
Any tire defect, whether superficial or profound in nature, has the potential to increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident.
If you have been injured as the result of a tire defect in New Jersey, the experienced tire defect lawyers in New Jersey at Blume Goldfaden can help you determine whether your potential claim may have merit. Contact us at (973) 635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
Near Amputations Prompt CPSC Recall of Child Carrier Bicycle Seats
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Todson Inc. of North Attleboro, Massachusetts is recalling approximately 40,000 Topeak Babyseat™ II bicycle carrier seats. The hazards include potential fingertip laceration and amputation. Todson Inc., has received reports of two near-amputation incidents which resulted in a crushed finger and stitches due to the defective bicycle seats.
A child may put his or her fingers in the opening at the grab bar’s hinge mechanism, potentially causing an injury when the child is removed from the seat. When the grab bar is lifted, the child’s fingertips may get caught in the hinge mechanism, posing a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard to the child.
The affected bicycle seats include Topeak Babyseat II bicycle carrier seats. The recalled model numbers, which may be found on the product’s packaging, include TCS2100, TCS2101, and TCS2102. The brand name “Topeak” is printed on a black foam cover on the grab bar and is also embossed on the back of the seat. The plastic Babyseats are gray and were sold in the following three styles:
- Babyseat;
- Babyseat with disc brake compatible rack; and
- Babyseat with non-disc brake compatible rack.
Owners of the recalled bicycle seats should stop using them immediately and contact Todson for a hinge cover retrofit kit free of charge.
At Blume Goldfaden, our knowledgeable defective consumer product lawyers in New Jersey have decades of experience in successfully handling complex product liability claims. To find out whether your potential claim may have merit, call us for a no-cost consultation at (973) 635-5400.