Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer

New Era Canning Company Recalls Green Beans and Garbanzo Beans

Jenny Albano — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:25:07 GMT

New Era Canning Company, in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling all cans of green beans and garbanzo beans in #10 cans because they may be contaminated by Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores. The codes on the recalled products start with "00249," or the letters "GREEN" or "GARB". The recall doesn't include Italian Green Beans.

Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores have the potential for growth that produces a toxin that causes a potentially fatal form of food poisoning - botulism. Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death.

The problem with the product was found during an FDA inspection. None of the products tested positive for the toxin and no one has reported any illness. This recall only affects the products in the large #10 cans. The code on the cans are embossed or printed in ink on the metal can ends.

Consumers should avoid all contact with the with the recalled product. Ingesting even the smallest amount of contaminated food can cause serious illness. If consumers handle the food they should was their hands immediately. When throwing the food away, double bag the cans and place in a non-recycle trash receptacle.

To see a list of the recalled product labels visit this website.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

KYMCO Recalls ATVs Because of Suspension Failure

Jenny Albano — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:26:20 GMT

KYMCO USA, in conjunction with the CPSC, is recalling about 1,350 2006-2008 Model Year MXU 500 All Terrain Vehicles due to suspension failure.

The pivot bolts holding the rear suspension onto the frame can become loose, causing the rear swing arm to detach from the chassis posing a risk of injury or death to the operator.

So far the company has received two reports of minor injury and six reports of problems with the ATV. The recall includes 2006-2007 model year MXU 500 ATVs that have a KYMCO label on the front and the model is listed on the side of each fuel tank.

The recalled product was available across the U.S. at KYMCO dealers from November 2006 to December 2007. The ATVs were manufactured in Taiwan.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Do Not Drink Metromint Flavored Water- It May be Contaminated

Jenny Albano — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 12:59:57 GMT

The California Department of Health announced Wednesday, December 5, that consumers should not drink Metromint Flavored Water because it may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Soma Beverage Co., LLC., in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling all bottles of Metromint flavored water (Peppermint, Spearmint, Orangemint and Lemonmint) with a "Best Before" date before 12/21/2008 and produced at the company's California plant because they may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The "Best Before" date is located on the shoulder of the water bottle.

So far there have been no illness reported in California, but there has been one incident in Illinois that is possibly linked to the contaminated product. The water was available in retail stores across the nation and online. The water bottles were distributed in clear plastic 16.9-ounce bottles with a black M marked on the front and the letters "KSA" located in a rectangle on the back of the bottle in the lower right-hand corner.

Illness caused by Bacillus cereus may be either a vomiting or a diarrheal type. The vomiting type is characterized by nausea and vomiting within 30 minutes to six hours after consumption of contaminated foods. Duration of symptoms is generally less than 24 hours. The diarrheal type usually includes onset of abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea six to 15 hours after consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms may last for 24 to 48 hours.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Oki Data Digital Color Printers Recalled for Electrical Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:10:01 GMT

Oki Data, in cooperation with the CPSC, announced a voluntary recall of their C9600 series digital color printers due to an internal electrical problem that can cause an electrical shock.

"Oki Printing Solutions" and model "C9600" are printed on the front of the products. The following serial numbers, which can be located on the back of the printers, are included in the recall:

AA56002655A0 through AA56002804A0
AA58001468A0 through AA58001617A0
AA58002702A0 through AA58002801A0

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled printers immediately. Consumers should not touch the printer to turn it off, in stead unplug it from the wall socket before locating the serial number.

For a free inspection and repair contact: Oki Data Americas toll-free at (877) 654-6364 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, or visit the firm's Web site at www.okidata.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Train Smashes into Truck on Railroad Tracks

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 07:52:45 GMT

An Amtrak train traveling northbound struck a large truck that was parked next to the railroad tracks, on Tuesday night. The train accident happened at 9:25 p.m., the driver of the truck was not at the scene and no one was injured.

The big rig was parked to close to the train tracks, according to California Highway Patrol.

Authorities are investigating the accident and are unsure why the truck was left alongside the tracks. At this time CHP is trying to determine who was driving the truck prior to the accident.

The train was coming from San Diego and heading to Santa Barbara, transporting 150 passengers who were evacuated as a result of the fires which have been burning in San Diego County all week.

Amtrak provided buses that picked up the passengers for the remainder of their trip. The rest of the passengers were picked up by friends and family.

The train received some damage in the accident but the railroad tracks were not damaged.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Personal Injury Lawyers Must Think Twice Before Taking on Fire Claim

John Bisnar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:28:53 GMT

This week, I was one of many attorneys who received an e-mail from Richard Alexander, a very accomplished and knowledgeable personal injury attorney in San Jose. The subject of Alexander's e-mail was very relevant especially at this time when the wildfires that have ravaged Southern California are subsiding and people affected by the fire are starting to look for adjusters and attorneys to help file claims and rebuild their lives.

Here's the crux of Alexander's advice to personal injury attorneys. If you don't know much about what it takes to handle a fire claim, don't touch it. Sure, it is natural for us personal injury lawyers to want to go the rescue of those in need. We are natural consumer advocates. But Alexander rightly warns us about the pitfalls that are involved in handling fire claims, especially when we do not have the depth of knowledge, experience or expertise to get into these issues.

Here's his main advice on the matter: "If you don't have experience and clearly do not know how much work it is to process a property damage claim, the last thing anyone should do is take on a fire damage case on a pro bono basis. You are looking at a major tar baby. Don't doubt that for a minute."

If someone came to me about one of these cases, I'd surely get Richard Alexander on my side. Depending upon the cirmstances I'd ask himi to partner it with our firm or refer the case off to him.

To read the complete article, click here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Bisnar

Fisher-Price Recalls 'Go Diego Go' Boat Toys for Lead Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:17:05 GMT

Fisher-Price, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary toy recall of 38,000 "Go Diego Go" boat toys, made in China, due to the surface paint containing excessive levels of lead.

Lead can be toxic if ingested by small children. Consumers are advised to take the recalled toys away from small children and contact Fisher-Price for a free replacement toy. At this time there have been no reported injuries.

The toys are yellow and orange and the boat squirts water. The cartoon character Diego is in the toys driver seat. The product number of the recalled toys is K3413 and the date codes marked on the toys are 137-7HF and 223-7HF.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (888) 299-0579 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.service.mattel.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Lemoore Motorcylist Injured in Motorcycle Accident

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:13:57 GMT

A motorcycle accident, on Sunday, left a Lemoore man seriously injured when he was thrown from his motorcycle and landed on a barbed-wire fence, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The accident happened at 5:15 p.m. at Balch Park Road, according to a report released by California Highway Patrol. The man, 27, was heading south on Balch Park Road when he failed to properly negotiate the left curve on his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle, causing him to leave the roadway.

The motorcyclist was traveling at an unsafe speed of 50-55 mph when the accident occurred, according to a report. He was transported to Kern Medical Center for the treatment of serious injuries which include: a broken elbow and pain to his back and hip. His current condition is unavailable.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Ford SUVs Recalled for Fire Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:04:22 GMT

Ford Motor Corporation announced an automobile recall of approximately 1,500 SUVs. The recall includes: 2008 Explorers, Explorer Sport Tracks and Mercury Mountaineer Sport Utility Vehicles that are equipped with 4.6 liter engines and 6R transmissions due to a fire hazard.

A bolt that is used to secure the oil cooler line fittings within the transmissions may not have been properly tightened before leaving the Ford assembly plant. If the bolt were to loosen, the transmission cooler lines can leak fluid on to the vehicle's catalytic converter which poses a fire risk to consumers.

Consumers are advised to contact a local Ford dealer who will inspect the transmission cooler lines and tighten them properly.

For more information on this subject and other defective products please visit our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

One Person Killed, 4 Injured in Freeway Accicent

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:53:43 GMT

A car accident today on Harbor Freeway, in Los Angeles, claimed the life of one person and injured four others, according to authorities.

A vehicle with four men was heading southbound on 110 Freeway at 5:20 a.m. when the car was involved in a multiple-car collision, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The vehicle caught on fire and one person was unable to exit until authorities arrived on the scene.

Five people were transported to local area hospitals for treatment. One of the injured passengers died at the hospital. Another victim is listed in critical condition and two are in moderate condition. One suffered minor injuries.

Traffic was backed up during the close of two carpool lanes while officials worked to clear the scene and investigate the accident. The lanes reopened at approximately 9 a.m.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole