Archive for category: Product Liability

BMW Owners Report Vehicles Catching Fire While Parked

BMW

Dozens of BMW luxury cars have been reported to suddenly burst into flames after being parked and turned off, according to an ABC News Investigation.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If your BMW caught fire, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.

Update: BMW Recalls 7-Series Cars Amid Reports of Doors Flying Open

May 30, 2017 – BMW is recalling over 45,000 7-Series sedans because the doors may open during driving or refuse to shut. The recall affects model years 2005-08 with BMW’s “Comfort Access” or “Soft Close Automatic” that allows the doors to be closed more gently than traditional doors.

What’s the Problem?

May 12, 2017 – All reports of BMW fires are coming from owners whose cars had been parked for various periods of time, ranging from hours to days. It’s still unclear what may be causing the problem, although there has been some speculation about an electrical issue such as damaged wiring or improperly secured battery terminals.

“A lot of the power to these electronic systems is going to remain on in the vehicle even when the vehicle’s off,” said Sean Kane, founder and president of Safety Research & Strategies. “And once the electrical system starts going, you’ve got plenty of combustibles under the hood.”

Affected BMW models range from 1 to 15 years old and include a wide variety of potentially defective components, which makes spotting a pattern much harder. All of the vehicles have different chassis, can come with different engines, and have extremely different electrical systems.

A spokesperson for BMW said there could be many reasons why a vehicle could catch fire that aren’t product-defect related. Potential causes include a lack of maintenance, improper maintenance by unauthorized mechanics, aftermarket modifications, rodent nesting and arson can all be causes of fires.

“With approximately 4.9 million BMW vehicles on U.S. roads, fire incidents involving BMWs are very rare,” the automaker said. “BMW takes every incident very seriously and has a dedicated team prepared to work with BMW owners, insurance companies and authorities to investigate any vehicle fire incident that is brought to our attention.”

Do I Have a BMW Fire Lawsuit?

The Personal Injury & Products Liability Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in BMW recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.

Free Drug Lawsuit Evaluation: Again, if your BMW caught fire, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

St. Louis Benzene Exposure Lawsuit

Benzene

Despite being one of the most commonly used chemicals in the U.S. today, benzene has been linked to the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a life-threatening type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of bone marrow.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by the side effects of benzene exposure, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What is Benzene Used For?

Benzene is one of the most widely used chemicals in the U.S. today. It is used to manufacture rubber, plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, drugs, dyes, detergents and pesticides. The chemical is also found in many fuels and solvents and is usually colorless and light yellow in appearance.

How Can Benzene Cause Cancer?

The major effect from long-term benzene exposure is on the blood. Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies benzene as a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) based on evidence that it causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Symptoms

AML is a type of blood cancer that typically begins in cells that would turn into white blood cells. However, the disease can start in other types of blood-forming cells. Signs and symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia include:

  • Tiredness
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Night sweats

AML Prognosis and Survival Rate

In patients under the age of 60, approximately 70% to 80% will go into remission after the first round of chemotherapy. Remission means a person doesn’t have symptoms of the disease and their blood cell counts are in a normal range. The 5-year overall survival rate for acute myeloid leukemia is 26%.

How Do I Know if Benzene Exposure Caused My Injury?

If you have been diagnosed with AML and feel that benzene exposure may be the cause, you should contact our lawyers for a free case evaluation. As part of the evaluation process, we will explore the evidence to determine whether benzene may have caused your cancer. We then provide your history and medical records to an expert in this area. This expert will study your case to determine whether benzene was a factor in the development of your injury.

Do I Have a Benzene Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in benzene exposure lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as across the U.S., and are currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were injured by the side effects of benzene toxicity, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

J&J Ordered to Pay $110 Million in 5th St. Louis Baby Powder Lawsuit

Talcum Powder

A Missouri state court jury has awarded more than $110 million to a woman who claimed she developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower body powder for decades, marking the largest verdict to date in 5 trials.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one got cancer after using talcum powder, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

May 5, 2017 – The record-setting award comes after Johnson & Johnson scored its first talcum powder defense verdict in March in St. Louis, where thousands of similar lawsuits are pending.

Jurors deliberated for just over a day following the 3 week trial, awarding 62-year-old Lois Slemp $5.4 million in compensatory damages and $105 million in punitive damages. Imerys Talc America, the company that supplied the talc to Johnson & Johnson, was also ordered to pay $50,000 in punitive damages.

Slemp, who used Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower for about 40 years before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, is currently undergoing treatment after the disease spread to her liver. Her case was expedited due to her health condition.

J&J spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said the company sympathized with women suffering from ovarian cancer but would immediately begin the process of appealing Thursday’s verdict.

“We are preparing for additional trials this year and we will continue to defend the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder,” the company said in a statement following the verdict.

The lawsuit accused J&J and Imerys of failing to warn consumers about the risk of cancer with talc despite being aware for decades of numerous scientific studies suggesting the mineral is a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). The defendants claimed those allegations were based on discredited science, and that talc is no more dangerous than alcohol or red meat, neither of which carries a cancer warning label.

The award is worth nearly half of all the money awarded to date in St. Louis in talc-related cases. Three trials last year resulted in plaintiff verdicts of $72 million, $55 million and $70 million. The lone talc trial to date in federal court resulted in a finding of negligence by J&J but no damages were awarded.

Do I Have a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in talc lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new ovarian cancer cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using a talcum powder product, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Florida Woman Burned by Exploding Pressure Cooker

Power Pressure Cooker XL

A woman from Miami Gardens, Florida, suffered burns to part of her body after a pressure cooker exploded in her home.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was burned by an exploding pressure cooker, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What’s the problem?

May 4, 2017 – A relative said the woman was cooking rice and beans when the pressure cooker exploded, according to ABC News 10.

“When I got there, she was bandaged,” the relative said.

Neighbors told Local 10 News they heard the woman screaming outside her home shortly after the explosion occurred.

Maria King said she called 911 and helped the woman soothe her wounds.

“The lady was screaming in the street,” King said. “We got water and I put ice (on her).”

The woman is being treated for her burns and is expected to make a full recovery.

It was not immediately clear what brand of pressure cooker burned the woman. However, lawsuits have been filed by consumers who were injured by the Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL. Plaintiffs claim Tristar was negligent in designing, marketing and selling the allegedly defective pressure cooker, which has resulted in severe injuries and associated damages.

Do I Have a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in pressure cooker lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new burn injury cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if your pressure cooker exploded, blew up or burst, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Hoverboard Warning Issued After Deadly House Fire

hoverboard

After a fatal house fire sparked by an exploding hoverboard, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an “urgent warning” against riding or charging LayZ Board hoverboards.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you were injured by a hoverboard fire or your property was damaged, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

On March 10, 2017, a LayZ Board hoverboard began to “sizzle” and then “exploded into flames” while being charged inside a home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The resulting fire killed 2-year-old Ashanti Hughes and 10-year-old Savannah Dominick, who ran upstairs to help her younger relatives escape the blaze.

“My granddaughter, we can’t replace her. The pain is so deep,” said Mark Hughes, Ashanti’s grandfather. “Just be careful with everything you buy.”

CPSC said it was the first fatal fire linked directly to an exploding hoverboard. The agency is also investigating over 100 non-fatal hoverboard fires in at least 39 U.S. states.

More than 3,000 LayZ Board hoverboards have been imported into the U.S., according to the CPSC. In most cases, the agency works with manufacturers to coordinate a recall, but in this case an official recall has not been issued, suggesting that the China-based company is refusing to cooperate.

“The fire risk with this product is serious,” said Ann Marie Buerkle, Acting Chair of the CPSC. “Consumers should immediately stop using and stop charging the LayZ Board — it’s just not worth the risk to your safety and the safety of your family.”

Do I Have a Hoverboard Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in hoverboard lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new personal injury and property damage cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were injured by a hoverboard or had property damage from a hoverboard fire, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Benzene FAQ

Benzene

Benzene is a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) that is used in many products including paints, inks, adhesives, rubbers, glues, old spot removers, and furniture wax. Prolonged exposure to benzene has been linked to severe health problems including Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by benzene exposure, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What is Benzene Used For?

Benzene is a chemical compound found in oil, gasoline, cigarette smoke, and vehicle emissions. It is also widely used in the manufacturing of certain plastic and rubber products.

What’s the Problem?

Inhaling small amounts of benzene can cause nausea, dizziness and headaches, while inhaling larger amounts can lead to tremors, unconsciousness, confusion and death. Individuals with long-term benzene exposure may develop anemia, leukemia, excessive bleeding or a weakened immune system.

How Does Benzene Exposure Occur?

Those at the greatest risk for benzene-related illnesses are workers exposed to the chemical on a daily basis. Workers most likely to have prolonged exposure include auto mechanics, chemical and petroleum industry workers, printers, painters, railroad workers, rubber workers and seamen.

What are the Side Effects of Benzene Exposure?

  • Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
  • Hairy Cell Leukemia
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Thrombocytopenic Purpura
  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
  • Hematologic Cancers
  • And more

Is it Still Legal to Use Benzene?

Although the U.S. government banned the use of benzene in its pure form as a solvent more than 20 years ago, the chemical is still used to make solvents, degreasers, mineral spirits, plastics, rubber products, resins, glues, dyes, detergents, pesticides and a variety of other products.

How Do I Know if my Condition was Caused by Benzene Exposure?

If you developed any of the health problems listed in this article and feel benzene toxicity may be to blame, you should contact our lawyers for a free case evaluation. We will look at the details of your case and explore the evidence to determine whether benzene may have caused your disease. We then provide your history and medical records to an expert in this area. This expert will study your case to determine whether benzene was a factor in the development of your injury.

What Damages Could I be Awarded?

If our lawyers determine that you have a valid claim, you may be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses and other damages. If the conduct that caused the injury was egregious, you may also be entitled to an award of punitive damages. In the case of a patient’s death, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking damages.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

Toxic tort lawsuits require filing with the court within a designated time period, the so-called “statute of limitations.” Failure to file a claim within this designated time frame will result in an elimination of a victim’s right to recovery under the law. Contact our lawyers today to learn more about how long you have to file a Benzene lawsuit.

Do I Have a Benzene Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in benzene exposure lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if were injured by the side effects of benzene toxicity, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Navy Bans E-Cigarettes Over Exploding Battery Concerns

Vape

The U.S. Navy is banning e-cigarettes and “vapes” from its aircraft, ships and submarines after receiving multiple reports of the devices’ batteries exploding, catching fire and injuring sailors.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by an exploding e-cigarette or vape, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What’s the problem?

April 18, 2017 – Malfunctioning e-cigs have forced at least one aircraft to land, started fires on ships and left multiple sailors with severe burns, according to the Navy Times. Vape injuries have occurred when the devices were being used, charged or replaced, or when they came into contact with other metal objects.

The ban took effect on Friday and comes as the e-cigarette industry faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its products. Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) prohibited airline passengers from carrying vapes in checked baggage, and from using or charging the devices aboard aircraft.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products identified at least 137 reports of e-cigarette overheating, fires and explosions between 2009 and 2015. FDA received at least 20 reports of e-cigarette overheating, fires and explosions last year.

The e-cigarette ban prohibits uniformed personnel and civilians from using, possessing, storing and charging the devices. It will remain in effect until a risk analysis is complete.

The Navy reported at least 15 incidents from October 2015 to June 2016 where fires were started or personnel were injured from electronic cigarettes or portable vaporizers, according to the Naval Safety Center. It’s unclear whether the FDA figures include statistics from the Navy.

Eight of the incidents occurred aboard ships or aircraft, and in one incident an aircraft had to return to base because e-cigarette batteries were creating smoke in the cargo area.

In one case, a battery melted through the pocket of a sailor in a submarine and ignited after it hit the deck of the torpedo room.

In another case, a vape exploded while the user was attempting to remove its batteries, burning his hands and fingers. He was hospitalized for 2 days and spent 14 days on convalescent leave, according to the Naval Safety Center.

Do I Have an E-Cigarette Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in exploding e-cigarette lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new vape explosion cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were injured by an e-cigarette, vape or other electronic smoking device, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Roundup Lawsuit Filed in Washington, D.C.

roundup

Monsanto is being sued by a pair of nonprofit organizations who claim that the company is misleading the public by claiming that Roundup weedkiller targets an enzyme found in plants, but not in people or pets.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was diagnosed with any form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using or being exposed to Roundup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against Monsanto and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

April 13, 2017 – The lawsuit claims that Monsanto’s statement is false, deceptive, and misleading, because the enzyme targeted by glyphosate — the active ingredient in Roundup and hundreds of other widely-used herbicides — is found in humans and other animals.

The complaint was filed jointly by Beyond Pesticides and Organic Consumers Association (OCA) on behalf of the general public in Washington D.C. under the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

Monsanto aggressively markets Roundup as safe for humans and animals, despite mounting research indicating that glyphosate may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and affect human cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems.

No reasonable consumer seeing these representations would expect that Roundup targets a bacterial enzyme which is found in humans and animals, and that affects the health of their immune system, according to the lawsuit.

Plaintiffs further allege that Monsanto profited massively from these false claims, as the company knew and intended that consumers would pay more for herbicides which did not target people or pets.

“Reasonable consumers must and do rely on Monsanto to report honestly Roundup’s effects on humans and animals and whether the enzyme it targets is found in people and pets,” the complaint states. “No reasonable consumer seeing these representations would expect that Roundup targets a bacterial enzyme that is found in humans and animals and that affects their immune health.”

The lawsuit is: Beyond Pesticides et al v Monsanto Co. et al., in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Civil Division.

Do I Have a Roundup Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Roundup cancer lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you got cancer from Roundup weedkiller, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Ventolin Inhaler Recall Lawsuit

Ventolin Inhaler

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is recalling nearly 600,000 Ventolin asthma inhalers over a potential defect that causes them to deliver a smaller dose of medicine than indicated.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured by insufficient medication in a Ventolin asthma inhaler, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

April 5, 2017 – GSK ordered the recall after receiving multiple reports of the Ventolin asthma inhaler delivering fewer doses of the medicine than indicated, according to an FDA Enforcement Report.

Affected inhalers were manufactured in Zebulon, North Carolina. The lot numbers are 6ZP0003, 6ZP9944, and 6ZP9848.

The plant is still making the asthma inhalers, but GSK says it is in the process of identifying the problem and taking corrective action.

GSK released a statement to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America saying: “Though the overall benefit-risk assessment for Ventolin® HFA 200D Inhaler when used at prescribed doses remains favorable, in this situation, there is possible risk to patients of experiencing diminished bronchodilation in the setting of acute bronchospasm if reliant on a rescue inhaler that could potentially not deliver the stated number of actuations.”

This is an FDA Class II recall, which means that use of the device “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Do I Have a Ventolin Inhaler Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Ventolin lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, If you or a loved one has been injured by insufficient medication in a Ventolin asthma inhaler, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and we can help.

Roundup Lymphoma Lawsuit Filed in California

roundup

Forty people from California have filed a products liability lawsuit against the Monsanto Company alleging that Roundup weedkiller caused them to develop “non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers, other permanent defects and permanent bodily impairments.”

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using or being exposed to Roundup weed killer, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against Monsanto and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

April 5, 2017 – The complaint, which was filed last month in Alameda Superior Court, alleges that Monsanto claims Roundup herbicide is safe to use and poses no unreasonable health risk to humans or the environment.

However, in March 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a report in The Lancet Oncology which declared that glyphosate — the active ingredient in Roundup and hundreds of other herbicides — “probably” causes cancer in humans.

“It {IARC report} confirms what has been believed for years: that glyphosate is toxic to humans,” the complaint states.

Glyphosate, the common name for N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine, kills weeds by blocking proteins essential to plant growth. The chemical is the second most widely used lawn and garden weed killer in the U.S., but its primary use is in agriculture. Nearly all American-grown corn, soy and cotton is treated with glyphosate. Roundup is currently used in more than 160 countries, with more than 1.4 billion pounds applied annually, according to National Geographic.

The new lawsuit alleges that plaintiffs suffered “non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers, other permanent defects and permanent bodily impairments” which required hospitalization, medication, surgeries and other treatments. The suit claims that Monsanto failed to adequately warn of the health risks of Roundup before bringing the herbicide to market.

Do I Have a Roundup Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Roundup Cancer Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you got cancer from Roundup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

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