product recall

Latest Listeria Outbreak Turns Deadly, FDA and CDC Investigating

March 17, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Since January 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes. The foodborne outbreak linked to Vulto Creamery products has so far caused six people to fall ill across four states, leading to two fatalities. Originally Vulto’s Ouleout cheese appeared to be the issue. However, the company expanded its voluntary recall on March 10 to include all of its products on the market, including Hamden, Heinennellie, Miranda, Walton Umber, Willowemoc, Andes, and Blue Blais. These cheeses have been distributed across the U.S., including in California.

What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes serious illness in individuals and can even lead to death. Fatalities are most common in young children, the elderly, and individuals with previously compromised immune systems. Elderly individuals often develop sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis from listeriosis. It is particularly an issue for pregnant women. This bacterial infection can lead to miscarriage, premature labor, still birth, and illness or death of a newborn. According to the CDC, listeriosis causes fetal loss in about 20% of cases and newborn death in about 3% of infections.

Cuisinart Food Processor Defect Could Lead to Product Liability Lawsuits

January 11, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

You likely use metal kitchen utensils all the time. You would hardly think twice of using a metal knife. In the same way, it is entirely normal that a blender or food processor has metal blades. You use metal implements to cook and bake because you expect the material to be strong, sharp, and resist wear and tear. However, as a Cuisinart product proved, you can encounter kitchen tools made with inferior metal parts that lead to dangerous situations and injuries. Conair recently recalled approximately 8 million Cuisinart food processors because of reports that pieces of the blades were breaking off into food. Conair received 69 reports of broken blades, 30 of which included information about tooth injuries and lacerations inside the mouth, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported.

If you have been injured due to a defective productive like the Cuisinart food processor, you should speak with an attorney about bringing a product liability claim in court. California product liability law is complex, and it is best to have an experienced lawyer on your side if you need to recover compensation.

Understanding Product Liability Claims

Many Defective Airbags Still Not Repaired

October 28, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

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Those who have paid careful attention to the news over the past year may remember manufacturer Takata, whose defective airbag inflators are believed to be responsible for at least 16 deaths and another 100 injuries. According to reports, the defective airbag inflators contain a substance called ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is used to inflate the airbag quickly in the event of a crash, but the compound can explode unintentionally in hot and/or humid conditions. In the Takata airbags, the explosion causes the metal canister in which the compound was stored to blow apart and become deadly shrapnel. The Takata inflators were mainly found in cars manufactured by Honda.

Recall Notices Not Having Intended Effects