Many people think recovering damages from a car accident is straightforward. One simply files an accident claim with the insurance company and adequate compensation will be received. But remember, insurance companies are in business to make a profit and the less they pay out, the more profit they make. Additionally, accidents leading to wrongful death, involving life threatening injuries such as spinal cord injuries or resulting in long-term disabilities such as paralysis have additional costs like hospital-related care, potential lost income and emotional distress.

In some cases, a thorough investigation reveals hidden problems that contributed to accidents. For example, a legal loophole allows rental companies to continue renting out vehicles involved in recalls without the company having repaired the product defect, even if the defect has led to car wrecks. In other instances, vehicles sold as “safe” have been found to been previously wrecked and then poorly repaired before being sold by dealerships to unsuspecting buyers, who are then seriously injured in what should have been a minor accident. In these cases, an injured party might be able to pursue additional product liability claims as well as claims for breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability and intentional misrepresentation.

An experienced Houston auto accident lawyer like Brian Jensen can help you determine the full and just compensation you deserve if injured in a vehicular accident, whether it involves the driver of another car, truck, sport utility vehicle or 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle.

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Two models of General Electric coffee makers are being recalled because of reports of overheating, which in some cases, has led to fires and burns. The models, numbered 169164 and 169165, were sold at Wal-Mart from March 2008 through the start of this year.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 2002-2006, over $1.4 billion in property damages results from the approximate 53,000 electrical home fires that occur each year.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, call Houston product liability lawyer, Brian Jensen for assistance.

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Some Texas residents have filed complaints regarding defective Chinese drywall with the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC has also received complaints from residents in 36 other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. [1]

Earlier this month, the CPSC issued an alert asking fire safety professionals to notify it of fires suspected to be associated with the problem drywall. According to the alert, “corrosion (typically blackening) of air conditioning evaporator coils, electrical wiring and other components is a common symptom of residences finished with problem drywall.” [2]

In addition to the electrical fire hazard posed, residents have complained of health issues such as difficulty breathing and recurring headaches as well as a rotten egg smell. In its February update, the CPSC states preliminary results from testing have shown “significantly higher emission rates for hydrogen sulfide and other reduced sulfur gases compared to domestic samples and other imported samples.” [3]

According to the “ToxFAQs™ for Hydrogen Sulfide” available from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, hydrogen sulfide is characterized by the smell of rotten eggs. “Exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat. It may also cause difficulty in breathing for some asthmatics.” Brief exposure to high concentrations may lead to “permanent or long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory, and poor motor function.” [4]

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact Houston product liability attorney , Brian Jensen.

[1] CPSC, Drywall Information Center: Where Has Problem Drywall Been Reported

[2] CPSC Alert to Fire Safety Personnel

[3] CPSC: Investigation of Imported Drywall, Status Update, February 2010

[4] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: ToxFAQs™ for Hydrogen Sulfide

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Serious injuries and at least one death prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a Class I recall of Baxter HomeChoice and Homechoice PRO Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Systems yesterday. According to the FDA’s Background and Definitions page, a Class I recall is “a situation in which there is reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” [1]

The prescribed dialysis systems treat children and adults with kidney failure. Those at higher risk of injury include children, patients unable to communicate, critically ill patients and patients with pulmonary instability and instable blood circulation.

Cases of Increased Intraperitoneal Volume (IIPV), or overfill of the abdominal cavity, have been attributed to the device. IIPV can lead to heart failure, pulmonary edema and numerous other life threatening conditions.

For a list of affected models, click here . [2]

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, call Houston product liability attorney, Brian Jensen for assistance.

[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Backgrounds and Definitions

[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Baxter HomeChoice and HomeChoice Pro

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U.S. Senate hearings on the Toyota recall continue today. The recall involves approximately six million vehicles in the U.S. There are three major issues: gas pedals trapped by floor mats, sticky gas pedals and brake issues. Many different makes and models of Toyotas are affected. For specific information on the makes and models, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, or click here .

In a letter to Mr. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, Chairman of the Oversight Committee, Edolphus Towns states, “there are reports that this problem may have been the direct cause of serious injury and even death .” [1]

Allegations concerning efforts to cover up the extent of the defective products surround the hearings and have led to the Oversight Committee issuing a subpoena for Toyota documents. [2]

Questions regarding when Toyota knew of the problems and what steps consumers need to take to ensure their safety are top concerns.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product call Houston product liability lawyer , Brian Jensen for assistance.

[1] Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Chairman Towns Invites Toyota President to Testify Before Committee

[2] Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Oversight Committee Issues Subpoena for Toyota Documents

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A 2009 Senate investigation released Monday, February 22nd provides another example of serious health consequences that could lead to wrongful deaths caused by a defective product , a questionable drug released by a pharmaceutical company.

According to HealthDay News citing the Saturday, February 20 edition of The New York Times , the Senate investigation concluded, "G.S.K. executives attempted to intimidate independent physicians, focused on strategies to minimize or misrepresent findings that Avandia may increase cardiovascular risk, and sought ways to downplay findings that a competing drug might reduce cardiovascular risk.” [1]

The article states, “The blockbuster type 2 diabetes drug Avandia raises users’ odds for heart attack and heart failure and should be removed from the market, according to confidential U.S. government reports.” Citing the Saturday, February 20 The New York Times edition, the article goes on to say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found an estimated 500 heart attacks and 300 heart failures a month could be eliminated by switching from Avandia to Actos, an alternative drug treatment. [1]

The article reports, in May 2007, a Cleveland Clinic study “found that Avandia increased a user’s odds of heart attack by 43 percent compared to those not taking the medicine.” [1] Furthermore, in 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued numerous alerts regarding rosiglitazone maleate, which is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Avandia, Avandamet and Avandaryl. The alerts called for better labeling to notify patients and doctors of the higher risk of myocardial ischema, or heart failure. [2]

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or questionable drug, call Houston product liability lawyer , Brian Jensen for assistance.

[1] E.J. Mundell, Healthfinder.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Remove Diabetes Drug Avandia From Market: FDA Documents

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docid=636256

[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Rosiglitazone maleate (marketed as Avandia, Avandamet, and Avandaryl) Information

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm143349.htm

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