Product Safety & Liability Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS

– Cruise control

– Dodge Caliber, NHTSA preliminary evaluation, accelerator pedal assemblies same as Toyotas with sticking accelerators, 477; pedals bind or stick problem, Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass, NHTSA Recall #10V-234, 619; pedals bind or stick problem, BNA monthly recall report, 742
– Ford

– – Fusion and Mercury Milan, pedal floor mat entrapment, NHTSA opens investigation, 617
– – Taurus, sudden unintended acceleration, evidence of similar incidents exclusion (2d Cir.), 327

– Hybrid vehicles, Honda Accords and Civics, NHTSA considers formal investigation, 1230
– Pontiac Vibe, pedal functionality, BNA monthly recall report, 171
– Toyota vehicles, sudden unintended acceleration

– – Floor mat and sticking pedal problems, new recall, 77; House committee calls for hearing, 104; sale and production of 8 models temporarily halted, 105; statewide, nationwide, and Canada class actions filed, 114; company president apologizes to consumers, dealers start fixing pedals, 125; recalls expand to EU, China, Russia, Turkey, and Israel, 126; Consumer Reports suspends recommendations, 127; NHTSA investigates statutory duties on learning of defects, 166; congressional hearings upcoming, officials will testify, 166; new quality improvement, new brake override on new vehicles, quality officer job created, 167; dealers making repairs, 168; RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia, BNA monthly recall report, 171; Corolla, Highlander, Venza, and Matrix, BNA monthly recall report, 171; DOT considering making voluntary standard mandatory, complaints mishandled, 192; U.S. company official apologizes, House oversight panel investigating, 193; N.Y. accord facilitates repairs, 194; internal document on savings from floor-mat recall, subpoenas from SEC and grand jury (S.D.N.Y.), 195; 38 incidents of sudden starts, accelerations, and loss of control, Japan, 196; Books of Knowledge, Toyota secret databases of design and testing data, 210; brake override systems, Rockefeller urges aggressive action by maker and NHTSA, 220; recall remedy, House Democrats want more data, question claims that problems not electronic, 221; same services offered nationwide that N.Y. Atty. Gen. brokered, 222; NHTSA defends agency, authority, and resources, House hearing, 249; House panel wants safety memo on shortcuts, refutes expert recreation, NHTSA, investigating Cal. incident, 250; Toyota considering reconfiguring EDR software to record acceleration, 251; investigations mostly inconclusive, more needed to know how incidents occur, 279; Canada considering criminal investigation, failure to notify of safety defect, 280; Mich. attorney general subpoena about recalls and causes, 300; global quality control panel, first meeting in Japan, U.S. and European operations officials, 309; electrical engineers and safety experts, panel says electronic system faults caused, 310; DOT gets NASA engineers to analyze problem, LaHood statement, 337; quality control panel launched, assigns officials to principal regions, details prevention, 338; DOT announces maximum civil penalty for knowingly hiding defect, 363; Toyota will not elaborate on internal e-mail about whether to release details, SMART business process announced, 363; Toyota recalling Lexus ES350, Camry, and Camry Hybrid vehicles to repair floor mats, 367; Toyota accepts $16.3M penalty order but considering rejecting recall cover-up charges, 424; sudden acceleration disputes illustrate how litigation spurs innovation and enforcement, report, 424; House panel asks Toyota and engineers for correspondence and other data before scheduled hearing, 426; Boxer introduces bill closing revolving door relationship with NHTSA staff, influence of former staff to impede enforcement instigated, 450; former DOT official Slater appoints safety and quality experts as advisors, 451; quality control measures taken in response, additional fine possible, 510; Korea recall, BNA monthly recall report, 519; House committee criticizes Toyota investigation efforts, 537; knowingly hiding defect, Toyota pays maximum civil penalty, 539; NHTSA asks scientific panel to help find exact source, 688; quality assurance expansion in U.S. and new vehicle development time extension, 716; DOT mum on ongoing probe, consultant weighs in, 739; Japanese panel review of Toyota quality control efforts, 740; company data fail to show electronic fault or defect, 827; event data recorders, NHTSA initial findings, 847; repairs and remedies, accomplishments update, 1055; electronics not cause, company executive says, 1109
– – Litigation

– – – Cal. consolidated cases, Los Angeles County Super. Ct. to handle (Cal. Super. Ct.), 592
– – – Camry accident, electronic throttle system allegations (Cal. Super. Ct.), 157
– – – Class actions filed (E.D. Ky.), 156
– – – Dealership sued, class action stayed pending resolution for transfer to federal MDL (S.D. Fla.), 948
– – – Depositions of company executives, personal injury suit (Mich. Ct. App.), 845
– – – Echo accident (C.D. Cal.), 209
– – – Electronic throttle control technology, class action (Ill. Cir. Ct., Cook Cnty.), 157
– – – Lexus, off-duty CHP officer and family killed (Cal. Super. Ct.), 209; settlement, 986
– – – MDL panel to hear motions for consolidation of cases (J.P.M.L.), 210; oral arguments, 299; suits consolidated (C.D. Cal.), 387; temporary counsel appointed, initial case order, 422; attorneys in leadership positions, temporary counsel recommendations, 465; leadership roles, attorneys to be named, 495; leadership roles, attorneys appointed, 534; internal documents, Toyota has 30 days to turn over, 601; dealer service records and experts use, tentative ruling, 656; internal documents allegedly show problems in 2003, 818; Toyota seeks dismissal of suits, 969; economic loss claims assertion, 986; plaintiffs have standing, economic loss claims advance, 1206; personal injury and wrongful death claims may proceed, 1237
– – – Prius accident, electronic throttle system allegations (C.D. Cal.), 157
– – – Refunds for breach of warranty sought, class actions (W.D. Wash., C.D. Cal., D. Ariz., E.D. Tex.), 299
– – – Subrogation suit filed by Allstate Ins. (Cal. Super. Ct.), 1047
– – – Tex. MDL, lead counsel appointed (Tex. Dist. Ct.), 1098
– – – Tort suits for driver deaths filed (S.D.N.Y., C.D. Cal.), 268
– – – Tundra owner, class action (C.D. Cal.), 209

ACCUTANE

– Causation of depression, expert study unreliable, failure to follow own methodology (N.J. Super. Ct.), 142
– Inflammatory bowel disease

– – Prescribing physician given inadequate warning, damages awarded (N.J. Super. Ct.), 158
– – Quantitative evidence restricted, warning inadequate, damages award overturned (N.J. Super. Ct.), 838

ACNE MEDICATIONS

– Accutane

See ACCUTANE

– Minocycline, teenager vision loss, generic drug maker preemption defense (M.D. Ga.), 276

ADHESIVES AND GLUES

– Roof panel, Chevrolet Corvette 2005-2007, BNA monthly recall report, 84

ADVERTISING

See also MARKETING
– Deck screws product liability clients, defamation action against attorney (Cal.), 565
– Direct misleading advertisement to patient, Remicade, learned intermediate doctrine (Tex. Ct. App.), 234
– Enfamil baby formula, nutrients content claims, class certified (S.D. Fla.), 1185
– McDonald's campaign misleading, health effects of daily dining, class certification denied (S.D.N.Y.), 1151
– Prescription drug side effects, FDA proposes rule augmenting existing requirements, 335
– Zero trans fat labeling, Hostess snack foods, class action dismissed (C.D. Cal.), 1164

AERIAL WORK PLATFORMS

– Damages amount change accepted, appeal of other issues by lift maker (N.Y.), 490
– Defective design as cause of accident, all other theories need not be ruled out to proceed (Ill. Cir. Ct.), 600

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

See FARM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

AIDS AND HIV

– Limitations period and forum non conveniens, Taiwanese plaintiffs' claims for contaminated blood (7th Cir.), 330

AIR BAGS

– Assembly front passenger side not to proper specifications, Honda Accord Crosstour vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-402, 976; BNA monthly recall report, 1083
– Child restraints, compliance testing, small volume vehicle makers exclusion from phase-in schedule, 146
– Clockspring wiring flaw, Volvo vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-489, 1110; BNA monthly recall report, 1198
– Deployment failure, Acura ZDX recall, 408; BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Disabled persons vehicle modifications, side impact protection test exemption, NHTSA proposed rule, 1030
– Fasteners proper torque, affect on deployment trajectory, Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra, NHTSA Recall #10V-115, 378
– Front crash sensors crack, water makes inoperative, Chrysler Caravan, Grand Caravan, and Town & Country, NHTSA Recall #10V-008, BNA monthly recall report, 256
– Gross negligence, strict liability, and derivative claims, preemption, failure to install side air bags (D. Haw.), 207
– Honda Accord, Civic, TL, CR-V, Odyssey, Pilot, and CL, recall to repair driver's air bags, 169; NHTSA Recall #10V-041, BNA monthly recall report, 256
– Leg injury risk, front passenger, Cadillac CTS vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-414, 1002; BNA monthly recall report, 1083
– Wiring problem could cause deployment failure in crash, Nissan recalls Infiniti G35 coupes and sedans, 478; BNA monthly recall report, 641

AIR TRANSPORTATION

– General Aviation Revitalization Act

See GENERAL AVIATION REVITALIZATION ACT (GARA)

AIRCRAFT

– Carburetor problems, prior malfunctions not similar enough, admission as evidence (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), 972
– GARA applicability

– – Crash in Guatamala fatal (S.D. Fla.), 498
– – Maintenance manual allegedly defective, not “part” of helicopter, crash injury suit (Cal. Ct. App.), 606
– – Overhaul manual not part of engine (W.D. Ky.), 760

– Helicopters

See HELICOPTERS

– Learjet, CAFA, federal court jurisdiction after class certification denied (7th Cir.), 92
– Mass tort suit re crash in Cameroon, removal from Ill. state court under MMTJA and remand (7th Cir.), 533

ALABAMA

– Hip implant, maker recall letter not admission of defective or unreasonably dangerous device (S.D. Ala.), 563; reconsideration of summary judgment order denied, 709
– Statutes of repose, asbestos claims begin to run when all elements present, based on when plaintiff could have asserted claim (Ala.), 438
– Tip over of Rhino off-road vehicle

– – Right turn trying to park in barn, arm and leg injuries, Yamaha not liable (Ala. Cir. Ct.), 1147
– – U-turn into ditch, leg injury, Yamaha not liable (Ala. Cir. Ct.), 861

– Unjust enrichment, nationwide class of third-party payors (Ala., per curium), 95

ALERT SYSTEMS

– “Silent” electric and hybrid vehicles

– – Pedestrian safety measure

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 841

– – UN working group developing global standard, 954

– Toyota Prius in electric power mode, pedestrian warning, 910

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATVs)

– Children's products, industry groups support CPSIA amendment providing relief for businesses while insuring product safety, 452
– Deaths and injuries, CPSC report, 2008, 106
– Failure to answer complaint by maker, default judgment affirmed (Tex. Ct. App.), 603
– Front suspension ball joint stem separation, Polaris 2009 and 2010 Sportsman, BNA monthly recall report, 84
– Steering column support assembly, BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Third-party labs compliance testing for children's vehicles, CPSC draft accreditation requirements, 826; approved, members divided on Congress's intent, 848; testing date moved back, 1253
– Tip over of Rhino off-road vehicle

– – Berms struck, head and upper body injuries, Yamaha not liable (Cal. Super. Ct.), 861
– – Leg injuries, Yamaha not liable (Cal. Super. Ct.), 792
– – Right turn trying to park in barn, arm and leg injuries, Yamaha not liable (Ala. Cir. Ct.), 1147
– – U-turn into ditch, leg injury, Yamaha not liable (Ala. Cir. Ct.), 861

ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

– Electric vehicles

See ELECTRIC VEHICLES

– Hybrid vehicles

See HYBRID VEHICLES

AMPUTATION

– Propeller strike, design defect, liability apportioned between maker, operator, and wakeboarder who lost leg (W.D. Tex.), 392

ANALGESICS

See PAIN RELIEF PRODUCTS

ANTIBIOTICS

– Ciprofloxacin, hospital pharmacy director's affidavit on prescriptions provides fact issue about whether Cipro prescribed, claim filed soon after learning of risks (W.D. La.), 419
– Levaquin

See LEVAQUIN

– Minocycline, teenager vision loss, generic drug maker preemption defense (M.D. Ga.), 276
– Monensin in animal feed, link to family's health ailments, expert causation testimony (N.M. Ct. App.), 1099
– Trovan, clinical trial in Nigeria without proper consent alleged cause of deaths and injuries (U.S., rev den), 687

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

– Depression

See DEPRESSION

– Effexor

See EFFEXOR

– Paxil

See PAXIL

– Prozac, generic drug maker failure to warn claims, preemption, suicide under treatment (C.D. Cal.), 354
– Wellbutrin

See WELLBUTRIN

ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS

– Neurontin

See NEURONTIN

ANTIPSYCHOTICS

– Seroquel

See SEROQUEL

– Zyprexa

See ZYPREXA

APPAREL AND GARMENT INDUSTRY

– Baby swimsuits, halter straps neck plastic ring, BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Belts for children, lead level in buckles, BNA monthly recall report, 742
– Drawstrings

– – Children's garments not in compliance with ASTM voluntary standard, safety hazards, CPSC proposed rule, 542
– – Children's hooded jackets, strangulation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 519; Lollytogs Ltd. distributor, 641; Burlington Coat Factory distributor, 1083
– – Children's hooded sweatshirts

– – – Burlington Coat Factory, strangulation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 378; Oct., BNA monthly recall report, 1083
– – – GTM Sportswear, strangulation hazard, recall, 130; BNA monthly recall report, 256
– – – Jason Evans, boys fleece and flannel, strangulation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 84
– – – New Mode Sportswear, strangulation hazards, recall, 130; BNA monthly recall report, 256
– – – Reporting in untimely manner alleged, Pro-Pac Distributing agrees to pay civil penalty, 950; Winter Bee, 1253
– – – Sunsations, strangulation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 84
– – – VOS Sports, strangulation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 1284

– Footwear

See SHOES

– Formaldehyde levels in clothing pose no inhalation risk, GAO report, 876
– Girls' coats with strings on detachable cape, strangulation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Labs testing flammability of vinyl children's apparel, CPSC accreditation requirements, 714; final rule, 773
– Robes and slumber shorts, children's sleepwear flammability standard, BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Sleepwear for children, third-party labs flammability testing, CPSC draft accreditation requirements, 1153; final rule, 1224
– Therma Scarves, overheat, causing fire and burn hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 378
– Third-party labs testing flammability of children's clothing textiles, CPSC draft accreditation requirements, 825; approved, members divided on Congress's intent, 848

APPLIANCES

– Air conditioners/heat pumps, Amana, Comfort-Aire, and Century, burn or fire hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 84
– Baby bottle warmers, overheat and burn hazard, recall, 907; BNA monthly recall report, 978
– Blenders, Haier Am. commercial style 500 watt, laceration risk, BNA monthly recall report, 84
– Chest freezers, fire hazard, Haier voluntary recall, 1157; BNA monthly recall report, 1284
– Coffeemakers, GE models 169164 and 169165, burn and fire hazards, Walmart recall, 543; BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Compact hair dryer, Babyliss Pro 052 series laceration hazard, recall, 508; BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Dishwashers

– – Condensation in electronics system, fire hazard, recall, 1138; BNA monthly recall report, 1284
– – Heating element fire hazard, Maytag recall, 616; BNA monthly recall report, 742

– Electric scissors fire and burn hazards, BNA monthly recall report, 742
– Front-loading washing machines

– – Mold problems, class certified (N.D. Ohio), 730
– – Wire break fire and shock hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 742

– Gas grills, Master Forge, rubber hose on gas tank, recall, 53; BNA monthly recall report, 171
– Gas smokers, Char-Broil vertical, faulty hose/valve/regulator, recall, 907; BNA monthly recall report, 978
– Hoover bagless upright vacuum cleaners, power cord, BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Kenmore clothes dryer, attorneys' fees, benefit to others, decertified class for stained clothes, U.S. court jurisdiction (7th Cir.), 161; “near-frivolous” copycat class suit denied, 1167; rehearing denied, 1248
– Lysol Steam Cleaning Mops, hot water rupture of housing unit, burn and laceration hazards, BNA monthly recall report, 171
– Portable dehumidifiers, LG Electronics, short circuit, fire and burn hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 84; LG recall reminder, 850; BNA monthly recall report, 978
– Ranges

– – GE Americana, insurer and homeowner claims, circumstantial proof of manufacturing defect caused fire (M.D. La.), 446
– – Smoothtop cooktops and slide-in, liquids pool under control knobs, fire hazard, recall, 1138; BNA monthly recall report, 1284

– Remote control kits, Dimplex N. Am., fire and burn hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 378
– Rice cooker allegedly caused fatal fire, claims against Japanese maker and U.S. affiliates time barred (8th Cir.), 708
– Slow cookers, fire hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 978
– Thermador built-in double ovens, insulation gaps, fire hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 171

APPROPRIATIONS

See BUDGET, U.S.

AQUACULTURE

– Aerators made of stainless steel fail in saltwater, shrimp farm fraud claims (E.D Ark.), 626

ARBITRATION

– Class actions, waiver, computer sales contracts, Cal. law (9th Cir.), 154

AREDIA

– Fact issues created by doctor's testimony, failure to warn claim, jaw osteonecrosis from use (M.D.N.C.), 1100; punitive damages claim, 1150
– Failure to warn claim, jaw osteonecrosis from use, verdict for maker (N.J. Super. Ct.), 1070

ARIZONA

– Durom Cup metal-on-metal hip implant, extreme pain to patients, new filing (D. Ariz.), 793
– Hip prosthesis lost after removal, third party spoliation of evidence as separate tort (Ariz.), 494
– Medical monitoring, hazardous substances exposure no manifest physical injury, tort claims, BNA Insight, 428

ARKANSAS

– Aerators made of stainless steel fail in saltwater, shrimp farm fraud claims (E.D Ark.), 626
– Marketing practices, accord with Zyprexa maker, 189
– Metoclopramide, brand name drug makers not liable to woman who only used generic (W.D. Ark.), 729
– Premarin breast cancer causal link, expert testimony fails Daubert admissibility test (E.D. Ark., D. Minn.), 946
– Prempro, breast cancer risk warning adequate, Wyeth exonerated (E.D. Ark.), 1129

ARSENIC

– Cattle dip not unreasonably dangerous per se, successor corporation liability (La. Ct. App.), 1149

ARTHRITIS MEDICATIONS

– NSAIDs

See NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs)

– Pain relief

See PAIN RELIEF PRODUCTS

– Vioxx

See VIOXX

ARTIFICIAL JOINTS

– Hip prostheses

See HIP PROSTHESES

– Knee prostheses

See KNEE IMPLANTS

ASBESTOS

– All sums allocation method re exposure claim, targeted insurer contribution actions against other insurers (Ohio), 678
– Bankruptcy

– – Bondex Intl. and parent file for Chapter 11 protection (Bankr. D. Del.), 633
– – Johns-Manville, sufficiency of notice of accords for liability, insurer not bound (2d Cir.), 388

– Choice-of-law, suit of Cal. resident with mesothelioma from Okla. boiler installation (Cal.), 179
– Cigarette filters, jury verdict on claims for smoker mesothelioma (Cal. Super. Ct.), 96
– Component parts doctrine, asbestos-related diseases affecting former Navy personnel, shipboard valve maker strict liability (Cal. Ct. App.), 464; third party liability (Cal., rev grant), 729
– Dissolved corporations

– – Cal. law allowing suit indefinitely inapplicable to suit for mesothelioma from exposure against dissolved Del. firm (Cal. Ct. App.), 448
– – Statute of repose, mesothelioma suit, “open courts” constitutional challenge (Me.), 594

– Floor tile maker did not install product, statute of repose not applicable (R.I. Super. Ct.), 1051
– Insulation, consumer expectations test for design defects, oil refinery worker (Cal. Ct. App.), 916
– Insurance, recovery for exposure, noncumulation provisions permit recovery for defense costs, BNA Insight, 372
– Joint compound

– – Painter with mesothelioma, jury award (Tex. Dist. Ct.), 326
– – Plumber exposure from drywall crews use, sophisticated purchaser defense (Cal. Ct. App.), 1216

– Nullity of suit filed after death, statute of limitations not waived (Miss.), 1123
– Railroads

– – FRSA preempts strict liability claim (Pa. Super. Ct.), 42
– – Locomotive Inspection Act preempts suit (3d Cir.), 965

– Respiratory problems from exposure, other causes of harm exist, claims reinstated (Pa.), 816
– Settlements, mesothelioma victim, pump maker seeks data about other accords (E.D. Pa.), 47
– Shipboard valve and pump makers, liability for other company's products (Cal., rev grant), 23
– Short-term occupational exposure, auto parts worker died of mesothelioma, evidence sufficient for jury to decide causation (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div.), 386
– Statutes of repose, Ala. claims begin to run when all elements present, based on when plaintiff could have asserted claim (Ala.), 438
– Successor liability

– – Limit in tort claims, retroactive law applicability to pending suits (Tex.), 1125
– – S.D., legislation to limit signed, 306
– – Standing to pursue constitutional challenges, zone of interest test (Pa.), 1246

– Wrongful death suit, Navy's fault figures in non-economic damages allocation (Cal. Ct. App.), 587

ATTORNEYS

– Alternative litigation financing, professional conduct model rules, issues paper, 1249
– Deck screws, ads seeking product liability clients, defamation action (Cal.), 565
– Fees

See ATTORNEYS' FEES

– Fen-Phen class action settlement, lawyer disbarred for misleading clients (Ky.), 605
– Infant formula from Abbott alleged cause of meningitis and brain damage, pro hac vice status (N.C.), 728

ATTORNEYS' FEES

– Class actions, legal ethics fourth international conference, 767
– Lead paint public nuisance abatement suit, contingent fee attorneys subject to restrictions (Cal.), 784; due process rights violation (U.S., amicus brief filed), 1210
– Rust, benefit to others, decertified class action for staining by clothes dryer, U.S. court jurisdiction (7th Cir.), 161

ATVs

See ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATVs)

AUSTRALIA

– Class actions and attorneys' fees, legal ethics fourth international conference, 767
– Mandatory product safety reporting requirements, draft guidelines, 926
– Vioxx, risk of heart attack, reasonably fit for purpose or of merchantable quality (Aus. Fed. Ct.), 241

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

See MOTOR VEHICLES
– Defect investigations

See INVESTIGATIONS

– Equipment

See specific parts and functions

AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT

– Accelerator control systems

See ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS

– Air bags

See AIR BAGS

– Alternator internal voltage regulator, BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Axles

See AXLES

– Brakes

See BRAKES

– Child restraints

See CHILD RESTRAINTS

– Cruise control

See CRUISE CONTROL

– Door latches

See DOOR LATCHES

– Electronic stability control systems

See ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS

– Engines

See ENGINES

– Evaporators in school and commercial buses, Trans/Air, NHTSA Recall #10E-028, BNA monthly recall report, 886
– Floor mats, Lund aftermarket, Ford F-150 trucks, NHTSA Recall #10E-029, BNA monthly recall report, 886
– Fuel pumps

See FUEL PUMPS

– Fuel systems

See FUEL SYSTEMS

– Fuel tanks

See FUEL TANKS

– Head restraints

See HEAD RESTRAINTS

– Headlights

See HEADLIGHTS

– Lemon laws

See LEMON LAWS

– Motor vehicles generally

See MOTOR VEHICLES

– Muffler repair kit, carbon monoxide hazard obviousness (Mich. Ct. App.), 564
– Rear hatch failure, Chrysler Dodge Magnum 2005, NHTSA preliminary probe, 798
– Roof strength

See ROOF STRENGTH

– Seat belts

See SEAT BELTS

– Steering systems

See STEERING SYSTEMS

– Subframe corrosion, Ford Windstar minivan 1999-2003, NHTSA preliminary probe, 798
– Tires

See TIRES

– Transmissions

See TRANSMISSIONS

– Windows

See WINDOWS

– Windshield wipers

See WINDSHIELD WIPERS

AVANDIA

– Cardiac risk, maker awareness of risks, diabetes drug, Senate panel report, 190
– Concealed risk, charges false and misleading campaign to obfuscate side effects, bilked buyers and providers (N.D. Cal.), 243
– Drug safety, concern over FDA oversight, Public Citizen urges recall, 247; Grassley says FDA needs new drug safety office independent of office that approves drugs for market, 472; use restrictions, FDA announcement, 996
– Fraudulent misjoinder, 2 plaintiffs allege use caused cardiovascular injuries (E.D. Mo.), 705
– Heart attack risk, GlaxoSmithKline hid knowledge alleged (E.D. Tex.), 1218
– Joinder, no fraud, predecessor still able to sue and be sued in own name, complete diversity lacking, state survival laws (S.D. Ill.), 467
– Settlements in “substantial majority” of cases, GlaxoSmithKline announcement, 728

AXLES

– Ford Windstar minivans, rear-suspension axle, defect investigations, NHTSA, 540; NHTSA Recall #10V-385, 928; BNA monthly recall report, 1083; owners urged to have vehicles checked, 1197