Product Safety & Liability Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

BABIES

See generally CHILD SAFETY
– Infant car seats

BACTERIA

– Bronchoscope allegedly faulty, sealed container law bars certain claims against distributor (W.D. Tenn.), 499
– E. coli infection, tainted hamburger alleged cause, dancer and meat producer settlement (D. Minn.), 496
– Eggs salmonella contamination alleged, class action targets 2 Iowa farms (N.D. Ill.), 989
– Neonatal Enterobacter sakazakii meningitis, parents claim powdered infant formula caused brain damage, La. failure to warn (D. Minn.), 442

BANKRUPTCY

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

BASSINETS

– Proposed standard published, would enforce more stringent safety standards than current voluntary standard, 454; comment period, CPSC reopens, 738; notice of comment period reopening, 773

BATH SEATS

– Voluntary standard, CPSC post recommendations for draft final rule making mandatory, 453; final rule approved, 541

BATTERIES

– Cable problem, power steering return line abrasion, Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-553, 1197; BNA monthly recall report, 1284
– Counterfeit Asurion Blackberry-branded, burn and fire hazards, BNA monthly recall report, 978
– Global positioning devices, overheat hazard, Garmin Intl. recall, NHTSA Recall #10E-039, 911; BNA monthly recall report, 978; Suzuki vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-392, BNA monthly recall report, 1083
– Ingestion hazard, Chuck E. Cheese light-up rings and star glasses, CPSC recall, 976; BNA monthly recall report, 1083
– Lithium-ion type used in Compaq and HP notebooks, overheating hazard, recall, 575; BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Positive terminal cable end bolt/washer surface, Nissan Sentra, NHTSA Recall #10V-555, 1197; BNA monthly recall report, 1284
– Projector flashlights overheating, fire and burn hazard, Dollar Tree Stores and CPSC recall, 1108; BNA monthly recall report, 1198
– Remote-controlled helicopters, overheating hazard, recall, 508; BNA monthly recall report, 641

BAYCOL

– CAFA, injunction bars class action after federal court rejection (8th Cir.), 45; (U.S., rev grant), 1016
– False advertising and unfair business practices, class claims against maker (Cal., rev grant), 188
– Marketing, class action, physician deception was fraud (Ill.), 5
– Medical causation, muscle damage expert exclusion, based on conclusory statements, weak scientific evidence, and temporal proximity (8th Cir.), 241

BEDS AND BEDDING

– Baby hammocks, suffocation hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 978
– Bassinets

See BASSINETS

– Cribs

See CRIBS

– Ignition source cigarettes in flammability tests of mattresses, CPSC proposed rule, 1155
– Mattress sets fire hazard, Tropical Bedding Mfg., BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Third-party labs testing children's mattresses, CPSC draft accreditation requirements, 825; approved, members divided on Congress's intent, 848; revision of certification terms, 1193

BENLATE

– Fern crops damages award overturned, separate trials ordered for Costa Rican farmers (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), 1238

BENZENE

– Bone marrow disease causation, expert testimony properly excluded (5th Cir.), 1018

BENZIDINE DYES

– EPA action plan, 906

BERYLLIUM

– Medical monitoring, genetically predisposed individuals to lung disease testing (3d Cir.), 624

BEVERAGES

– Alcohol detection technology in motor vehicles, NHTSA driver focus groups, 928
– Bisphenol A in containers

See BISPHENOL A

– Burn injury from tea, Starbucks double-cup design use (2d Cir.), 1147
– Organic milk certification and false claims, state law claims preemption status (8th Cir.), 995
– Snapple “All Natural” labeling misleading, class certification denied (S.D.N.Y.), 869
– Vitaminwater health claims, labeling allegedly misleading, class claims (E.D.N.Y.), 794

BICYCLES

– Amendments to regulations, CPSC proposed rule, 1155
– Crank sets, Full Speed Ahead BB30 Gossamer model, BNA monthly recall report, 1284

BIRTH CONTROL

See CONTRACEPTIVES

BIRTH DEFECTS

– Negligence claim against doctor, Paxil prescribed during pregnancy, fraudulent joinder defense (E.D. Pa.), 923
– Paxil, mother's use during pregnancy alleged cause, settlement (Pa. Ct. C.P.), 658

BISPHENOL A

– Canada

– – Baby bottles ban, Health Canada finalizes order, 370
– – Biomonitoring national survey, findings, 877

– Endocrine-related adverse effects, toxicity testing requirement, EPA advance notice of proposed rulemaking, 1156
– EU daily allowable intake level, Food Safety Agency decision, 1027; infants' exposure, steps to reduce, 1080; baby bottles ban, 1227
– Food and drink containers

– – Ban, Feinstein bill

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 593

– – Children's, Cal. Assembly passes bill to ban, 713; Senate rejects bill, 925
– – Dietary exposure, FDA urged to set high standard, 613
– – Forum speakers, 638

– France, bill banning use in baby bottles approved, 341
– Heart disease, higher exposure link, U.S. adults, study, 52
– Md., senate bill banning manufacture, sale, or distribution of baby bottles and sippy cups, 198; ban signed, 402
– Mass., governor seeks limited ban in children's products, chemistry council criticizes, 255; reusable food and beverage containers ban, 1280
– N.Y., children's products sales ban, governor signs bill, 823
– Parent data, HHS, NIH, and FDA web site, continuing effort to find health risks, 74
– Plastic baby products maker, 15 class actions, insurers owe no duty to defend economic injury claims (7th Cir.), 756
– Public health measures premature, international panel says, 1195
– Regulation of chemicals in products, case study, BNA Insight, 1032
– Wash., ban on manufacture and sales in food and beverage containers passed, 255; signed, 312

BISPHOSPHONATES

– Long-term use may increase risk of thigh bone fractures, report, 974
– Osteoporosis drugs, labeling changes and medication guide, FDA announcement, 1075

BLANKETS

– Choking hazard, Rashti & Rashti recall, 543; BNA monthly recall report, 641

BLOOD

– Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, reliability of femoral artery blood test, pain patch, wrongful death (Tex. Ct. App.), 357
– Limitations period and forum non conveniens, Taiwanese plaintiffs' claims for blood contaminated with HIV (7th Cir.), 330

BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS

– Metaprolol, Mo. law preemption, private right of action for adulterated product (E.D. Mo.), 41

BOATS AND BOATING EQUIPMENT

– Apparent manufacturer, tie-down straps eye injury, distributor with private label not liable (W.D. Ky.), 947
– Asbestos

– – Settlements, mesothelioma from exposure, 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

– Mercury Marine MerCruiser sterndrive, design defect in propeller, liability apportioned between maker, operator, and wakeboarder (W.D. Tex.), 392
– Redhibition claim, engine maker liability for vessel as a whole (E.D. La.), 1050
– Steering cable, risk/benefit test to determine if defect exists, jury instructions (10th Cir.), 1093
– Winches, jurisdiction over nonresident maker and seller of shrimp boat equipment (Tex. Ct. App.), 189

BONE-BUILDING DRUGS

– Aredia

See AREDIA

– Bisphosphonates, long-term use may increase risk of thigh bone fractures, report, 974
– Fosamax

See FOSAMAX

– Zometa

See ZOMETA

BOOKS

– Baby Paperboard, binding fillers detach, choking/aspiration hazard, Gund recalls, 371; BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Big Rex and Friends, St. Martin's Press, lead, recall, 53; BNA monthly recall report, 171
– Home improvement, Oxmoor House, technical diagrams and wiring instructions errors, recalls, 53; BNA monthly recall report, 171
– Simon & Shuster Monday the Bullfrog plush books, choking hazard, BNA monthly recall report, 84

BOOTS

See SHOES

BOTOX

– Botulism from injections alleged, $15M jury award (Okla. Dist. Ct.), 528
– Off-label promotion, cerebral palsy, full disclosure of risks (Cal. Super. Ct.), 211

BOTTLES

– Carafes handle can come loose, BNA monthly recall report, 1284
– Shatter danger, Crate & Barrel voluntary recall, 341; BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Spouts cracking or breaking, choking hazard, Sport Cap 2.0, CPSC and Health Canada announce voluntary recall, 480; BNA monthly recall report, 641
– Stopper shatter hazard, Starbucks voluntary recall, 107

BPA

See BISPHENOL A

BRAKES

– Air, NHTSA final rule correction, tougher stopping distance requirements for heavy trucks, clarified for 3-axle tractors, 339
– Anti-lock brakes

– – Heavy truck tractors and trailers crash reduction effectiveness, NHTSA technical report, 908
– – Motorcycles, NHTSA considers mandate in light of IIHS rulemaking petition, 509
– – Non-crash fires, Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, NHTSA investigation into effectiveness of 2007 recall, 76

– Booster rod retaining clip, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Commander, and Grand Cherokee, and 2009-2010 Dodge Ram trucks, NHTSA Recall #10V-009, 77; BNA monthly recall report, 171
– Check valve lubricating oil leak, BMW 5-,6-,7-series and Rolls Royce Phantom vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-446, 10V-447, 1056; BNA monthly recall report, 1198
– Chevrolet and GMC C/K series pickup trucks and SUVs, preliminary probe of corrosion leading to sudden effectiveness cuts, 366
– Copper use reduction, Cal. governor signs bill, 1026
– Fluid leak, Toyota voluntary recall of Avalon, Highlander, and Lexus vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-499, 1110; BNA monthly recall report, 1198
– Hose fitting at caliper, Cadillac CTS, GM recall in snow belt states to fix defect, NHTSA recall #10V-105, 311; recall #10V-105, 378
– Hose interference with front steer tires, Volvo VNM and VNL trucks, NHTSA preliminary evaluation, 827
– Hybrid vehicles, Honda Accords and Civics, NHTSA considers formal investigation, 1230
– Hydraulic, proposed NHTSA rule would be tested with fluids used in making seals, 128
– Konigsburg adjustable brake pedal assembly, drive pin disengages from brake arm, BNA monthly recall report, 84
– Lights switch

– – Power-steering system residual pressure problem, Dodge Ram trucks with diesel engines, Chrysler recall, 1282
– – Toyota Sienna minivans, voluntary recall, 1282

– Master cylinder seal problem, Honda recalls affected vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-504, 1135; BNA monthly recall report, 1284
– Motorcycles

– – BMW F 650 GS series, NHTSA Recall #10V-496, 1110
– – Front lines problem, BMW R 1200 and K 1200 series, NHTSA Recall #10V-276, 665; BNA monthly recall report, 742

– Pedal pins, Nissan Titan, Armada, Quest, and Infinity QX56 minivans and trucks, NHTSA Recall #10V-072, 222; BNA monthly recall report, 378
– Stability modulator, Honda Odyssey and Element, air intrusion, Recall #10V-098, 282; BNA monthly recall report, 378
– Toyota Prius, NHTSA investigation into problems, 124; U.S. and Japan investigations, undecided about Japan recall, 126; Consumer Reports advising buyers to avoid purchase, 127; class action filed (Cal. Super. Ct.), many others to follow, 136; worldwide recall of 2010 models and 3 other hybrid models, Toyoda apologizes to public, 144; class claims for economic loss filed (E.D. Ky.), 156; quality improvement, new brake override on new vehicles, quality officer job created, 167; dealers making repairs, 168; loose steering bolts found, NHTSA looking at Corolla and Matrix, 169; agency, authority, and resources in recalls defended, House hearing, 249; repairs start, 251; BNA monthly recall report, 256; San Diego incident, inability to stop incongruous with findings, more study, 279; engine stalling, customer concerns about Corolla and Matrix, investigation stalled, 279; global quality control panel launched, assigns officials to principal regions, details prevention, 309; N.Y. police, NHTSA, and Toyota agree driver error caused wall crash, EDR data, 311; quality control panel first meeting in Japan, U.S. and European operations officials, 338; Japan talks with domestic and foreign auto makers about whether to mandate brake override systems on new cars sold in Japan, 339; Boxer bill closing revolving door relationship with NHTSA staff, influence used to impede enforcement stimulated, 450; former DOT official Slater appoints safety and quality experts as advisors, 451; MDL consolidation sought (J.P.M.L.), 562; repairs and remedies, accomplishments update, 1055
– Transmission shift interlock device, safety standard requiring to protect children from rollaways, final rule, 337
– Tube assembly faulty, Chrysler recalls 2010 Dodge and Jeep vehicles, NHTSA Recall #10V-315, 741; BNA monthly recall report, 886
– Tubes wear and fluid leak, 2006-2010 Jeep Wrangler, NHTSA Recall #10V-236, 619; BNA monthly recall report, 742

BREAST CANCER

– Clinical study publication, HRT medications causal link, summary judgment in 14 cases reversed (Pa. Super. Ct.), 940
– HRT alleged cause, punitive damages retrial (U.S., opposition brief filed), 568; (rev den), 655
– Limitations period, claim after Provera risk known timely (Pa. Super. Ct.), 20
– Premarin, claims for design defects, testing and inadequate warnings, removal to federal court for diversity (E.D. Tex.), 27
– Prempro

– – Class action previously filed tolls limitations period, claims not time-barred (E.D. Va.), 659; verdict, 1275
– – Inadequate warning of risks, damages award (Pa. Ct. C.P.), 184
– – Negligence, failure to warn of risk, proximate cause (Pa. Ct. C.P.), 211
– – Risk warning adequate, Wyeth exonerated (E.D. Ark.), 1129

BRONCHOSCOPES

– Bacterial infection from alleged faulty device, sealed container law bars certain claims against distributor (W.D. Tenn.), 499

BUDGET, U.S.

– CPSC, FY2011 request, President seeks increase to hire more staff, 129; Tenenbaum says allocation depends on lead mandate flexibility resolution, hearing, 223; Senate committee approves spending bill, 823
– Nanotechnology environment, health, and safety research funding, FY2011 request, 199
– NHTSA, administration FY2011 request includes increased funding to improve safety, 128; used to increase staffing for more enforcement and regulatory activities, Strickland, hearing, 308

BUILDING MATERIALS

See CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

BUMPERS

– NHTSA, hike in civil penalty maximum for violations, 145

BUSES

– Electrical system, Blue Bird Vision, BNA monthly recall report, 519
– Emergency exits, NHTSA housekeeping measures for safety standard, 33
– Evaporators, Trans/Air, NHTSA Recall #10E-028, BNA monthly recall report, 886
– Lap/shoulder seat belts requirement, NHTSA proposed rule, 873
– NTSB safety-related recommendations, NHTSA implementation urged, 770
– Online preview of safety rankings, commercial motor carriers, FMCSA new enforcement program, 910
– Preemption, federal safety standards, airport shuttle failure to have seat belts and tempered glass (Tenn. Ct. App.), 298
– Radial tires, endurance and performance tests and sidewall labeling requirements revision, NHTSA proposed rule, 1029; comment period extension, 1229
– School buses

– – Civil penalties, NHTSA hike in maximum, 145
– – Crash protection requirements final rule, clarification, 1133
– – Power cable routing, Thomas Built Minotaur, BNA monthly recall report, 1083