USA has recalled about 7,800 2008 Rhino YXR700 and YXR450 side-by-side vehicles. The reason for the recall is that a potential loss of braking and control of the vehicles could pose a serious safety risk to its drivers and passengers. The loss of braking can occur due to a brake caliper on the left front wheel that could have been made incorrectly, allowing leakage of brake fluid.
The popular Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) were distributed nationwide from October 2007 to March 2008. For a list of the recalled vehicles' make, models, and primary identification numbers, please visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) recall alert. Owners of the vehicles are advised to immediately discontinue using the vehicles and to contact an authorized Yamaha Rhino dealer to have the problem fixed free of charge.
But although this is the first recall of the Rhino, the vehicle has been the subject of controversy due to safety concerns since its general market introduction in 2003. Some experts allege that the Rhino contains numerous design flaws that render the vehicle dangerously unstable and prone to tipping or rolling over even at low speeds on flat terrain.
Many experts argue that at least the older models have too narrow a wheelbase and a top-heavy design with a center of gravity that is too high. And to make matters worse, the vehicles lack a protective barrier to prevent occupants' limbs from being crushed in the event a tip or rollover occurs.
Inarguably, however, occupants of Yamaha Rhinos continue to suffer serious injuries. And not only were many of these occupants children, injuries to these children have tended to be more severe than those of the adults. Some children have been thrown from the Rhino and killed after the vehicle fell on top of them.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Why are Products Recalled?
Products get recalled when they have a defect that is likely to harm a consumer. Companies are supposed to recall a product when they find out that it:
* Has a defect making it dangerous to the consumer
* Has injured or killed a consumer due to the defect
* Does not comply with legislative requirements
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the organization responsible for protecting consumers against the hazards of defective products. They examine more than 15,000 types of consumer products and issue recalls when they determine that a particular item poses a threat to the public.
While just about any type of product can be recalled due to a dangerous defect, certain categories of products seem to require more frequent recalls. Some of these include:
* Children's Products - Many items designed for use with children have been recalled over the years. Baby accessories (cribs, high chairs, car seats, strollers, etc.) and children's toys are the most frequently recalled products in this category.
Many babies have gotten their heads stuck in between the railings of cribs, leading to suffocation and sometimes even death. Other defective baby products have resulted in serious falls that cause brain injuries.
Many children will not be aware of the dangers associated with certain toys. This compounds the risk that they will be injured by one that is defective. Young children have frequently choked on small toys, balls, and balloons, causing suffocation and in extreme cases death. Defective bicycles, scooters, and playground equipment also pose a serious danger to your children.
* Automobile accessories - Due to the high speeds they travel at and their potential for causing life-threatening accidents, defects related to automobiles are extremely dangerous. The highly computerized and mechanized nature of many auto parts makes them prone to defects.
* Has a defect making it dangerous to the consumer
* Has injured or killed a consumer due to the defect
* Does not comply with legislative requirements
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the organization responsible for protecting consumers against the hazards of defective products. They examine more than 15,000 types of consumer products and issue recalls when they determine that a particular item poses a threat to the public.
While just about any type of product can be recalled due to a dangerous defect, certain categories of products seem to require more frequent recalls. Some of these include:
* Children's Products - Many items designed for use with children have been recalled over the years. Baby accessories (cribs, high chairs, car seats, strollers, etc.) and children's toys are the most frequently recalled products in this category.
Many babies have gotten their heads stuck in between the railings of cribs, leading to suffocation and sometimes even death. Other defective baby products have resulted in serious falls that cause brain injuries.
Many children will not be aware of the dangers associated with certain toys. This compounds the risk that they will be injured by one that is defective. Young children have frequently choked on small toys, balls, and balloons, causing suffocation and in extreme cases death. Defective bicycles, scooters, and playground equipment also pose a serious danger to your children.
* Automobile accessories - Due to the high speeds they travel at and their potential for causing life-threatening accidents, defects related to automobiles are extremely dangerous. The highly computerized and mechanized nature of many auto parts makes them prone to defects.
Spare Tire Recall Lawyers
Many of us recall the Ford/Firestone tire recalls of 2000 and 2001 after several SUV rollover injuries and deaths that took place in the late 1990s. The recalls were for Firestone Wilderness AT and Radial ATX tires primarily in Ford Explorers. Both Ford Motor Company and Bridgestone/Firestone blamed each other for the tire tread failures that resulted in the rollovers. By 2000, experts estimate that about 3000 catastrophic injuries and 250 deaths were attributable to the defective tires.
But while Firestone claims that 6.3 million tires were replaced, about 200,000 were missed because some owners did not think about turning in their spare tires. In many cases, Ford Explorers and similar SUVs were sold with the original spares mounted on the undercarriage, where it is difficult for the new owners to easily read the tires’ brand. Another factor contributing to subsequent fatal rollover accidents is that tires can become defective with age, even when they are not being used. With regard to these older Firestone tires, bad tires have become worse!
Firestone issued a renewed recall in July of 2006. But this was not until after several complaints about injuries and deaths involving SUVs with the old Firestone spare tires. Additional efforts by Firestone and Ford include:
* Firestone has offered to replace pre-2000 spare tires on SUVs free of charge, no questions asked. The company has announced that it will send letters to owners of Ford Explorers, Mazda Navajos and Mercury Mountaineers made prior to the 2000 model year (more on www.Firestone.com).
* Firestone will request that its stores and dealers search vehicles for the recalled tires. For the location of a participating store in your area, you can call 1 (800) 465-1904.
* Both Ford and Firestone recommend that a six-year-old or older tire should be replaced, even if it looks brand new or has never been used. More information can be found on Ford Motor Company’s web site.
Efforts involving governmental agencies have included:
* A consumer advisory by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges owners to replace tires included in the more recent recall campaign. Affected tires comprise the P235/75R15 Radial ATX and some P255/70R 16 and P235/75R15 Wilderness AT models made prior to May 1998.
* Passage of the federal TREAD Act in 2000 intended to spot safety defects earlier.
But while Firestone claims that 6.3 million tires were replaced, about 200,000 were missed because some owners did not think about turning in their spare tires. In many cases, Ford Explorers and similar SUVs were sold with the original spares mounted on the undercarriage, where it is difficult for the new owners to easily read the tires’ brand. Another factor contributing to subsequent fatal rollover accidents is that tires can become defective with age, even when they are not being used. With regard to these older Firestone tires, bad tires have become worse!
Firestone issued a renewed recall in July of 2006. But this was not until after several complaints about injuries and deaths involving SUVs with the old Firestone spare tires. Additional efforts by Firestone and Ford include:
* Firestone has offered to replace pre-2000 spare tires on SUVs free of charge, no questions asked. The company has announced that it will send letters to owners of Ford Explorers, Mazda Navajos and Mercury Mountaineers made prior to the 2000 model year (more on www.Firestone.com).
* Firestone will request that its stores and dealers search vehicles for the recalled tires. For the location of a participating store in your area, you can call 1 (800) 465-1904.
* Both Ford and Firestone recommend that a six-year-old or older tire should be replaced, even if it looks brand new or has never been used. More information can be found on Ford Motor Company’s web site.
Efforts involving governmental agencies have included:
* A consumer advisory by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges owners to replace tires included in the more recent recall campaign. Affected tires comprise the P235/75R15 Radial ATX and some P255/70R 16 and P235/75R15 Wilderness AT models made prior to May 1998.
* Passage of the federal TREAD Act in 2000 intended to spot safety defects earlier.
Propane Tank Accident Lawyer
Millions of Americans rely on propane as their major source of fuel, and many more take advantage of the easy availability of propane gas cylinders to fire up their barbecues. It is estimated that nearly three quarters of the population owns a propane fuelled gas grill. You may think that such a widely available, everyday product would be safe for consumers to use; sadly, negligence on the behalf of manufacturers and installers means consumers may find themselves at risk.
The Risks of Propane Tanks
In order to prevent the propane within the tank from expanding dangerously if it becomes warm, propane tank manufacturers incorporate a pressure release valve that opens to expel a small amount of gas and restore the internal pressure to a safe level. This process, known as “venting,” should be safe, and the consumer will notice that gas is escaping due to the recognizable ‘rotten egg’ smell that comes from an additive in the gas. However, this additive may, in time, lose its distinctive smell, leaving the consumer unaware of the presence of gas. In a confined area, or near an open flame or other heat source, this can have dramatic—and deadly-- consequences.
A propane tank explosion can ravage your home within minutes, and the fierce fire may leave you permanently scarred physically and psychologically. Even qualified technicians who come to your home to install or service your propane tank may overlook vital work to be done on valves and pipes, leading to an undetected and dangerous leak that can have life changing consequences.
Counting the Cost
Propane tank explosions are a terrifying experience. Your home and its contents may be destroyed and you and your loved ones may suffer catastrophic injuries. Even worse, this type of accident may have been prevented if only the propane gas manufacturers and suppliers had taken their duty more seriously. The physical damage, psychological impact on the whole family and financial worries can turn life into a nightmare.
Fortunately, compensation can sometimes be claimed for a propane explosion that results in injury or death, and this can help you to begin rebuilding your life, easing the pressure at this difficult time.
The Risks of Propane Tanks
In order to prevent the propane within the tank from expanding dangerously if it becomes warm, propane tank manufacturers incorporate a pressure release valve that opens to expel a small amount of gas and restore the internal pressure to a safe level. This process, known as “venting,” should be safe, and the consumer will notice that gas is escaping due to the recognizable ‘rotten egg’ smell that comes from an additive in the gas. However, this additive may, in time, lose its distinctive smell, leaving the consumer unaware of the presence of gas. In a confined area, or near an open flame or other heat source, this can have dramatic—and deadly-- consequences.
A propane tank explosion can ravage your home within minutes, and the fierce fire may leave you permanently scarred physically and psychologically. Even qualified technicians who come to your home to install or service your propane tank may overlook vital work to be done on valves and pipes, leading to an undetected and dangerous leak that can have life changing consequences.
Counting the Cost
Propane tank explosions are a terrifying experience. Your home and its contents may be destroyed and you and your loved ones may suffer catastrophic injuries. Even worse, this type of accident may have been prevented if only the propane gas manufacturers and suppliers had taken their duty more seriously. The physical damage, psychological impact on the whole family and financial worries can turn life into a nightmare.
Fortunately, compensation can sometimes be claimed for a propane explosion that results in injury or death, and this can help you to begin rebuilding your life, easing the pressure at this difficult time.
Product Liability Attorney
Product liability refers to the liability a manufacturer, supplier, retailer, or other provider of a product or service may have for injuries or damage caused by such product or service. Every year, thousands of preventable deaths, injuries and instances of property damage occur due to defective products. It is estimated that there are 200-300 product recalls each year, many involving toys and children’s products.
Contact a product liability lawyer to handle your defective product claim.
There are principally two kinds of defective products, those with design flaws, and those that are improperly manufactured.
A design defect basically takes place when a manufacturer utilizes a faulty engineering process to design a product that turns out to be unnecessarily dangerous. In such case, all of the products emanating from the manufacturer’s assembly line tend to have the same defect.
A manufacturing defect takes place when the product is not made as designed. The design may be fine, but the manner in which the product was assembled is flawed. The problem may affect only some of the products that roll off the line.
A product may also be considered defective if it does not live up to its warranties or guarantees, or if it has incomplete, incorrect or unclear guidelines or instructions for use.
Please click on the appropriate link below for more information:
* Defective Automobiles
* Defective Consumer Products
* Defective Bicycles
* Defective Machinery
* Firearms Accidents
* ATV Accidents
* Defective Water Heaters
* Defective Car Seats and Seatbacks
* Defective Seatbelts
* Defective Tankless Water Heaters
* Defective Cruise Control Systems
* Chain Saw Safety
* The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Acts of 2007 (FDAAA)
Contact a product liability lawyer to handle your defective product claim.
There are principally two kinds of defective products, those with design flaws, and those that are improperly manufactured.
A design defect basically takes place when a manufacturer utilizes a faulty engineering process to design a product that turns out to be unnecessarily dangerous. In such case, all of the products emanating from the manufacturer’s assembly line tend to have the same defect.
A manufacturing defect takes place when the product is not made as designed. The design may be fine, but the manner in which the product was assembled is flawed. The problem may affect only some of the products that roll off the line.
A product may also be considered defective if it does not live up to its warranties or guarantees, or if it has incomplete, incorrect or unclear guidelines or instructions for use.
Please click on the appropriate link below for more information:
* Defective Automobiles
* Defective Consumer Products
* Defective Bicycles
* Defective Machinery
* Firearms Accidents
* ATV Accidents
* Defective Water Heaters
* Defective Car Seats and Seatbacks
* Defective Seatbelts
* Defective Tankless Water Heaters
* Defective Cruise Control Systems
* Chain Saw Safety
* The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Acts of 2007 (FDAAA)
CO2 Poisoning – Defective Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are the first innovation in water heater technology in a long time. By only heating water when it is used instead of continuously keeping water hot, they promise to make hot water always available and to provide energy savings over conventional water heaters of between 30-45%. Other advantages the technology promises include:
* Better temperature control to prevent hot water scalding
* Sealed combustion, so flue gasses do not enter the home
* Quiet and small, relegating their placement not only to garages or exteriors, although exterior models are also available
* Environment friendly – less NOx emissions and greenhouse gasses such as CO2
* Longer life and compact design resulting in less clogging of landfills
Because of the environmental advantages, the federal government has made a $300 tax credit available for homeowners who install qualifying units.
Tankless water heaters, however, use more air for ignition and must be properly vented. And as several tankless water units were in transit while being shipped, some of their components shifted, possibly causing an air filter door switch to stop working as intended. The failing switch may have allowed the heater to continue operating when the air filter door was not in the proper position. And as lint and dust accumulated, a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death, ensued.
In late February, 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Rheem Manufacturing Company, Paloma Industries, Inc., and CSA International, announced a recall to repair approximately 42,200 Power Vent 199,900 BTUH tankless water heaters. The heaters were sold between May, 2004, and December, 2006. They have a grey or cream jacket enclosure and piping on the top and bottom of the unit. For more information on the tankless water heater recall, please go to http://www.cpsc.gov/.../.../.../07108.html.
If you are using a recalled tankless water heater, it is recommended that you:
*
Stop using the heater immediately if the air filter door is out of place
*
Contact the manufacturer or the installer to arrange for a free on-site repair (see contact information below)
*
Install carbon monoxide alarms outside of sleeping areas and on every level in your home (a prudent step regardless of whether you operate a tankless water heater)
*
Contact an experienced product liability attorney if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning
* Better temperature control to prevent hot water scalding
* Sealed combustion, so flue gasses do not enter the home
* Quiet and small, relegating their placement not only to garages or exteriors, although exterior models are also available
* Environment friendly – less NOx emissions and greenhouse gasses such as CO2
* Longer life and compact design resulting in less clogging of landfills
Because of the environmental advantages, the federal government has made a $300 tax credit available for homeowners who install qualifying units.
Tankless water heaters, however, use more air for ignition and must be properly vented. And as several tankless water units were in transit while being shipped, some of their components shifted, possibly causing an air filter door switch to stop working as intended. The failing switch may have allowed the heater to continue operating when the air filter door was not in the proper position. And as lint and dust accumulated, a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death, ensued.
In late February, 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Rheem Manufacturing Company, Paloma Industries, Inc., and CSA International, announced a recall to repair approximately 42,200 Power Vent 199,900 BTUH tankless water heaters. The heaters were sold between May, 2004, and December, 2006. They have a grey or cream jacket enclosure and piping on the top and bottom of the unit. For more information on the tankless water heater recall, please go to http://www.cpsc.gov/.../.../.../07108.html.
If you are using a recalled tankless water heater, it is recommended that you:
*
Stop using the heater immediately if the air filter door is out of place
*
Contact the manufacturer or the installer to arrange for a free on-site repair (see contact information below)
*
Install carbon monoxide alarms outside of sleeping areas and on every level in your home (a prudent step regardless of whether you operate a tankless water heater)
*
Contact an experienced product liability attorney if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning
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