Product Safety & Liability Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

NANOTECHNOLOGY

– Consumer goods, nano-enabled, standards group forms new subcommittee, 1080
– Data call-in, metal nanomaterials toxicity, Cal. agency plans, 1027
– FY2011 federal government budget request, research and development funding includes environment, health, and safety issues, 199
– Mass tort and class action claims, nanoparticles, BNA Insight, 1256

NATIONAL CHILDHOOD VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION ACT

See VACCINES

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)

– Ed. Note: This heading covers general administrative issues. For enforcement or regulatory actions, see specific subject headings.
– Budget FY2011, Obama administration request, 128; Strickland defends request, House subcommittee hearing, 308
– Civil penalties, hike in maximum for safety rules involving school buses, bumper standards, consumer information and other standards, 145
– Consumers Union recommendations made in conjunction with April Consumer Reports auto issue release, 197
– Crash data collection standardization, FARS and NASS GES changes first phase, webinar, 975
– Declaration of principles to govern imports safety, 10 federal agencies agreement, 1136
– Defect investigations

See INVESTIGATIONS

– Final vehicle safety rulemaking and research priority plan for 2010-2013, notice of availability, 1196
– Motor Vehicle Safety Act, draft bills to strengthen authority, hike funding, and hold auto makers to higher safety standards, 450; mixed industry reaction for new safety standards, more NHTSA authority, upgrades needed, 475; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 5381, S 3302
– Open government plans, 3 files among data sets accessible on data.gov, administrative priority to put in format, 406
– Recalls

– – Announcements

– – – Dec. 28, 13
– – – Feb. 5, 147

– – BNA monthly report, Dec., 84; Jan., 171; Feb., 256; March, 378; April, 519; May, 641; June, 742; July, 886; Aug., 978; Sept., 1083; Oct., 1198; Nov., 1284

– Regulatory authority and priorities for coming year, administrator speaks at meeting, 106
– Revolving door relationship between staffers and automakers, Boxer bill to close, 450

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

– Bisphenol A, web site for parents launched, outlines continuing effort to determine health risks, 74

NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (NTMVSA)

– Preemption, gross negligence, strict liability, and derivative claims, preemption, failure to install side air bags (D. Haw.), 207

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD (NTSB)

– Buses safety-related recommendations, NHTSA implementation urged, 770
– Motor vehicles

See MOTOR VEHICLES; specific type of vehicle

NATURAL GAS

– Odor fade warning, water heater explosion, damages award overturned (Cal. Ct. App.), 1069

NEBRASKA

– Hydrogen sulfide, proof that worker exposure caused brain injury insufficient, dismissal affirmed (8th Cir.), 588

NEGLIGENCE

– Asbestos-containing cigarette filters, jury verdict on claims for smoker mesothelioma (Cal. Super. Ct.), 96
– Botox injections alleged cause of botulism, $15M jury award (Okla. Dist. Ct.), 528
– Causation, res ipsa loquitur inference that stroke after using Viagra would not have happened without negligence (E.D. La.), 471
– Contributory

– – Fingers amputated cleaning lawn mower blades, comparative fault reduced damages (E.D.N.Y.), 419
– – Motrin, continued use after skin rash noticed, recovery against maker barred despite jury award (7th Cir.), 862

– Design and manufacture, balloon catheter for angioplasty, Ky. law claim, preemption (E.D. Ky.), 215
– Failure to warn

See WARNINGS

– Hip prosthesis lost after removal, third party spoliation of evidence as separate tort (Ariz.), 494
– Knee implant, claims against maker meet pleading standards (M.D. Fla.), 709
– Lift cylinder for lower boom of bucket truck, timeliness of suit within 10 years of final assembly and delivery (11th Cir.), 470
– Maintenance and extreme degree of risk, tractor scraper malfunction, design and marketing defects, verdict (Tex. Dist. Ct.), 118
– Mussel shell in pasta dish, customer chokes, claims against restaurant (D. Nev.), 735
– Pain pump, maker seeks contribution and indemnity from physician (E.D. Ky.), 501
– Per se, off-label promotion of artificial disc, sale with knowledge of prescribing physician plans (9th Cir.), 159
– Plastic pipes with brass fittings MDL, building owners class certification (D. Minn.), 499
– Preemption, state damages claim, knee implant manufacturing defect, lubricating oil prevented bonding (6th Cir.), 624
– Prempro, failure to warn of risk of breast cancer, proximate cause (Pa. Ct. C.P.), 211
– Redux maker, bringing product to market, claim not preempted (6th Cir.), 894; (rehear den), 1099
– Spinal fusion system, testimony of treating physician did not establish device defective or caused permanent injuries (W.D.N.Y.), 400
– Zyprexa, diabetes risk, unresolved fact questions on when risk known (E.D.N.Y.), 25; La. accord with maker for off-label marketing, La. law charge that Eli Lilly engaged in deceptive trade practices, 417

NEURONTIN

– Chronic pain, widow's husband committed suicide, off-label use, depositions and fact witnesses may be introduced at trial (M.D. Tenn.), 468; settlement, 535
– Failure to warn claim, expert refuses to testify that drug caused symptoms (D. Mass.), 901
– Off-label marketing, class challenge (Pa. Super. Ct.), 62; correction, 103
– Suicide, off-label use for pain, negligence, product liability, warranty breach and fraudulent concealment (M.D. Tenn.), 213

NEVADA

– HRT alleged cause of breast cancer, $58M award upheld (Nev.), 1207
– Mussel shell in pasta dish, customer chokes, claims against restaurant (D. Nev.), 735
– Propafol, hepatitis C contracted from syringes reuse during colonoscopy, damages awarded (Nev. Dist. Ct.), 496
– Tasers, time between shot and death, causation inference (9th Cir.), 352

NEW HAMPSHIRE

– Light cigarettes marketing MDL, class certified (N.H. Super. Ct.), 1214
– Sulindac alleged cause of injuries, summary judgment sought on claims, disposition (D.N.H.), 763; compensatory damages awarded, 970

NEW JERSEY

– Accutane as cause of 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

– Aredia failure to warn claim, jaw osteonecrosis from use, verdict for maker (N.J. Super. Ct.), 1070
– Blueberry farmers' crop damages claims, pesticides risk misrepresentation (3d Cir.), 838
– Bone screws broke, expert witness unqualified, product liability claim (D.N.J.), 924
– Choice of law, Mercedes buyers, emergency roadside service useless without analog signal (D.N.J.), 304
– Cypher stent, design defect claims preempted, manufacturing defect and failure to warn claims allowed (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div.), 789
– Defective product, surgical sutures rupture, limitations period (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div.), 238
– Digital camera, FinePix 3800 alleged power-related defect, class certification denied (D.N.J.), 660
– Heparin, claims against 3 makers for health problems, pleading standard met (D.N.J.), 1247
– Lamisil, failure to warn claim against maker of FDA-approved drug, Tex. fraud-based exception not preempted (D.N.J.), 967
– Medical monitoring, hazardous substances exposure no manifest physical injury, tort claims, BNA Insight, 428
– Oral polio vaccine alleged cause of brain tumor, responsible maker not identified, no collective liability (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div.), 758
– Orthopedic inserts, state law bar inapplicable to express warranties (D.N.J.), 140; state consumer fraud claim for early failure of knee implants, 423
– Relacore, advertised benefits, class certification denial error (N.J.), 1092
– Short-term asbestos exposure, worker died of mesothelioma, evidence sufficient to permit jury to decide causation (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div.), 386
– Stream of commerce, state court authority over foreign distributor

– – Metal-recycling machinery (N.J.), 180; (U.S., rev grant), 1014; (brief filed), 1182
– – Sandblaster parts maker in Ky., state court authority, Nicastro rejected (N.J.), 1126

– Synthetic stucco, residential home damage, economic loss rule integrated product doctrine applicability (N.J.), 1184
– Zometa failure to warn claim, jaw osteonecrosis from use, verdict for maker (N.J. Super. Ct.), 1070

NEW MEXICO

– Antibiotic in animal feed, link to family's health ailments, expert causation testimony (N.M. Ct. App.), 1099
– Pain pumps, conspiracy claim, promotion of device for use rejected by FDA (D.N.M.), 1023
– Rollover suffocation death, 2002 Hyundai Accent, design defect caused enhanced injury (N.M. Ct. App.), 653
– Seat belt buckle failure, juror misconduct alleged (N.M.), 842

NEW YORK

– Adequacy of warnings and design defect, lye in caustic drain cleaner caused facial burns (N.Y. App.), 47
– Aerial work platform, damages amount change accepted, appeal of other issues by lift maker (N.Y.), 490
– Bisphenol A in children's products, sales ban, governor signs bill, 823
– Diacetyl in popcorn butter flavoring, Chemtura and Chemtura Canada settlement with 347 claimants (S.D.N.Y.), 943
– Elevator maker faces failure to warn claim in fall injury, repair technicians use wrong bolt type (N.Y. App. Div.), 627
– Fosamax

– – Bellwether cases

– – – Graves case, verdict for Merck (S.D.N.Y.), 1212
– – – Maley case, summary judgment to Merck denied (S.D.N.Y.), 116; verdict for Merck, 466

– – Proximate cause on failure to warn, woman failed to introduce evidence to support (S.D.N.Y.), 328; retrial, Merck to challenge $8M award, 679; appeals planned, 1073
– – Va. residents suits dismissed, cross-jurisdictional class action tolling (S.D.N.Y.), 272

– Gadolinium-based contrast agent, renal insufficiency, teenager's claims allowed (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), 420
– Genetic disorder, bar on protected right to be born without, sperm bank fraud (3d Cir.), 350
– Hip implant, parallel claims preempted (S.D.N.Y.), 1021
– HRT drug claims, statute of limitations preclusive effect on Minn. filing (D. Minn.), 1022
– Knee implants

– – Nickel content, expert proof on toxic properties needed to prove defective design claim (N.D.N.Y.), 530
– – Tibial insert post failure, expert testifies defect most likely cause (S.D.N.Y.), 903

– Limitations period, dietary supplement with ephedra, applicability of discovery limits (2d Cir.), 302
– McDonald's advertising misleading, health effects of daily dining, class certification denied (S.D.N.Y.), 1151
– Oxycontin, non-state plaintiffs disallowed (N.Y. App. Div.), 1020
– Portland cement, burn warning inadequate (E.D.N.Y.), 187
– Preemption, parallel claims, federal good manufacturing practice rule and cell tumor, pain pump, drug withdrawal (E.D.N.Y.), 48
– Snapple “All Natural” labeling misleading, class certification denied (S.D.N.Y.), 869
– Toyota and Lexus, company offers same services nationwide that state Atty. Gen. brokered, 222
– Transoral Gastroplasty Stapling System, investigational device exemption, claims preempted (E.D.N.Y.), 1240
– Vitaminwater health claims, labeling allegedly misleading, class claims (E.D.N.Y.), 794

NHTSA

See NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)

NIGERIA

– Trovan, clinical trial without proper consent alleged cause of deaths and injuries (U.S., rev den), 687

NIH

See NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

2-NITROPROPANE

– Toxic designation and use limit proposal, Canada issues draft order, 1057

2-NITROTOLUENE

– Toxic designation and use limit proposal, Canada issues draft order, 1057

NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs)

– Aspirin, state class claims for misrepresentation to consumers of FDA approval and of health benefits (E.D.N.Y.), 361
– Duract, unjust enrichment, nationwide class of third-party payors (Ala., per curium), 95
– Sulindac alleged cause of injuries, summary judgment sought on claims, disposition (D.N.H.), 763; compensatory damages awarded, 970
– Vioxx

See VIOXX

NONYLPHENOL

– EPA action plan, 906

NONYLPHENOL ETHOXYLATES

– EPA action plan, 906

NORTH CAROLINA

– Aredia, failure to warn claim, jaw osteonecrosis from use (M.D.N.C.), 1100; punitive damages claim, 1150
– Infant formula from Abbott alleged cause of meningitis and brain damage, attorneys pro hac vice status (N.C.), 728
– Pain pumps suit, transfer of case to plaintiffs' home state (D. Minn.), 759
– Panacryl sutures, defective products and inadequate warnings alleged, class certification denial affirmed (E.D.N.C.), 865
– Seat belts, modification defense disallowed, non-party to suit improperly restrained child (N.C. Ct. App.), 535
– Stream of commerce, state court authority over foreign affiliates of tire maker (U.S., rev grant), 1014; (brief filed), 1182
– Vaccines, timeliness of state petition for child's cognitive impairment after DPT, HHS claim untimely (N.C. Ct. App.), 417
– Zometa, failure to warn claim, jaw osteonecrosis from use (M.D.N.C.), 1100; punitive damages claim, 1150

NOTICE AND NOTIFICATION

– Class actions international members program, 5 key considerations for success, BNA Insight, 644
– Emerging technologies, mobile devices, and demise of traditional news vehicles, change in class action exposure, BNA Insight, 286
– Recalls, CPSC, mandatory notices, final rule setting guidelines approved, 52

NSAIDs

See NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs)

NTMVSA

See NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (NTMVSA)

NTSB

See NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD (NTSB)

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

See VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS