From the category archives:

Defective Product Liability

Egg Farms & Mice, Maggots, Manure

by brettb on September 1, 2010

As reported by ProPublica and others, the FDA – who is responsible for the country’s food supply – actually rarely inspects farms.  And when they do, normally after a problem, what is found can be alarming.

Standard white eggs in a carton

Standard white eggs in a carton

The salmonella outbreak that has necessitated the recall of over half a billion eggs has also necessitated the need for inspections at some of the nations largest egg farms.

And the inspection reports point to “excessive amounts of manure” as in 4 to 8 feet high in some areas, mice, an abundance of flies, and more live and dead maggots than could be counted.

And the report goes on to chronicle appealing conditions in hen-houses with several companies.  According to the CDC, over 1,400 people have suffered personal injury and illness as a result of this outbreak.

To make matter worse, according to ProPublica, both of the companies cited in the report and that are at the center of the salmonella outbreak are connected to Jack DeCoster.  Mr, DeCoster’s companies have had a history of environmental, labor, immigration and animal abuse problems according to local papers.

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FDA To Remove Orthostatic Hypotension Drug

by brettb on August 18, 2010

The Wall Street Journal reports that the FDA has announced a proposal to remove Shire PLC’s low-blood pressure drug ProAmatine (midodrine hydrochloride) from the market.

Maker of ProAmatine

Maker of ProAmatine

The removal is based on findings in post-marketing studies on the drug’s effectiveness, which are required by law, have yet to be conducted by the manufacturer.

The drug was approved in accordance with FDA’s accelerated approval program.  This program has its critics who claim that unsafe drugs are rushed to market.

And according to the Journal, this is the first time the agency is requesting a drug to be removed from the market because a company failed to conduct the follow-up studies that are required.

The reasoning behind the company’s failure to conduct the studies is unclear.

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Quality Control Issues Identified At Another Johnson & Johnson Plant

July 23, 2010

We have reported on Johnson & Johnson’s problems with product defects and workplace safety issues previously – see Johnson & Johnson May Face Criminal Penalties.
It appears that now more issues have been uncovered, however, by federal investigators at another Johnson & Johnson plant.
The Lancaster, Pa., plant, which produces heartburn medications, was cited due to quality [...]

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Drop-Side Cribs Recalled By Pottery Barn

July 16, 2010

As reported by the AP, over 82,000 drop-side cribs for children are being recalled due to the concern of personal injury to consumers that use the cribs.
The cribs are being recalled from the popular retailer Pottery Barn Kids due to a possible product defect.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there is a possibility [...]

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Personal Injury Concerns Prompt Ford & Chrysler Recalls

July 9, 2010

As reported by the San Jose Mercury News, both Ford and Chrysler have announced recalls due to personal injury and product defect issues.
Ford has announced that it is recalling over 30,000 vehicles due to problems with the liners above the driver’s head.  The liners appear to have defective pushpins that hold them in place.  If [...]

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Toyota Recalls Hybrids Due To Personal Inury Risk

June 28, 2010

Due to personal injury concerns, Toyota Motors Co. has issued a recall of 17,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrids and halted sales of the model due to a defect that could cause fuel to leak in a rear-end collision.
Federal safety officials have also indicated that the fuel leak could cause a fire.
According to media reports, [...]

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Personal Injury Concerns Prompt Drop-Side Crib Recall

June 26, 2010

Due to continued concerns that infants could suffer serious personal injury and even death federal regulators announced on Thursday the recall of an additional 2 million drop-side baby cribs.
Drop-side cribs were designed to make picking up a child easier on the parents but the design is defective.  The sides often malfunction and the sides separate [...]

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Personal Injury Concerns Prompt Vehicle Recalls

June 15, 2010

Due to concerns about consumers suffering possible personal injury or worse, German car makers BMW and Volkswagen issued recalls this week.
The BMW recall impacted the company’s 1 Series luxury car, years 2008 – 2011.  The recall stems from a flaw in the front seat belt.  And the VW recall stems from a faulty rear-door latch [...]

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Troubling Questions Raised From McDonald’s Recall

June 11, 2010

McDonald’s recently recalled 12 million drinking glasses painted with characters from the movie “Shrek.”  The recall was due to the presence of the toxic metal cadmium and the concern that this toxin could cause illness and injury to children and consumers that come into contact with it.
But as the Los Angeles Times points out today, [...]

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PediaCare Medications Recalled

June 2, 2010

Due to concerns of personal injury and illness resulting from consumption of certain PediaCare medicines four types of the product have been recalled by the manufacturer.
These medicines are over-the-counter children’s medications for colds and coughs and are produced by Blacksmith Brands, Inc.  According to media reports, the company has stated that the recall is due [...]

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