Articles Posted in Product Liability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning consumers of a multi-state outbreak of salmonella infections likely linked to Foster Farms brand chicken that are resistant to multiple drugs. As of May 22, 2014 there have been 574 total cases reported in 27 states.

Many have been hospitalized after falling ill from the food-borne bacteria that began occurring last year. In some cases, victims have developed possible life threatening blood infections.

New infections seem to be linked to recently sold chicken as opposed to chicken stored in home freezers for extended periods.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported at least 8 deaths and at least 105 cases of fungal meningitis linked to steroid shots administered for back pain. So far, cases have been reported in Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Minnesota. The steroids were produced by a company in Massachusetts, which has since recalled them.

Fungal meningitis is rare and usually contracted when fungus reaches the spinal cord through the blood stream. This illness may cause symptoms including, fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and an altered mental state. In some cases it can even cause death.

To speak with Joseph Klest if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with fungal meningitis, click here, or dial 866-264-7639 for a free consultation.

A recent ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court determined that companies whose employees are exposed to asbestos on the job may owe a duty of care to protect the worker’s family members who are exposed to asbestos second-hand. The facts of the case involved the wife of a railroad company employee who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. She sued her husband’s employer, claiming that she became sick after being exposed to asbestos that was on her husband’s clothes. This ruling by the Court overturns the ruling in a previous case involving a wife who sued the company where her husband worked for 6 years, rejecting the argument that a direct relationship must exist, like that of a company and employee, in order for the company to have a duty of care.

This new decision has potentially expanded the types of possible claims people have for injuries or illness suffered caused by asbestos exposure. If you or someone you know has questions relating to an illness caused by asbestos exposure, please click here or call 866-264-7639 for a free consultation with an experienced, Chicago personal injury lawyer.

© Joseph G. Klest, 2012.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission recently announced that Arctic Cat snowmobiles, models F, XF and M, were recalled due to a safety hazard. The affected snowmobiles can be identified by their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN). The snowmobile VIN numbers recalled include the following ranges: 105092 through 112175 or 800001 through 800033.

According to reports the headlamp fuse on these vehicles can fail causing a risk of disorientation to the operator when visibility is low. This condition poses a possible crash hazard.

Faulty consumer products and defective auto parts can cause serious injuries. An experienced injury lawyer can advise you of your rights and guide you through the legal process when seeking compensation for your injuries. The Klest Injury Law Firm has been representing injury victims in Illinois for nearly 30 years. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident due to no fault of their own, click here, or dial (866) 264-7639 to schedule your free consultation.

Target Corporation and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced a recall of by the Target, Select Brands Chefmate 6-Speed Blender. While operating the blender, there is a reported risk of the plastic pitcher separating from the blade assembly, which can expose rotating blades and cause laceration.

The recall affects all Chefmate® 6-Speed Blenders, model BL-10. The model number can be found on the bottom of the base. The item is sold exclusively at Target stores. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the blenders and return them to any Target store for a full refund. For more information, consumers can contact Target Guest Relations at (800) 440-0680 or visit www.target.com.

If you or someone you know has been injured by the Target, Select Brands Chefmate 6-Speed Blender, please click here, or dial 866-264-7639 for a free consultation.

The U.S consumer Products Safety Commission and LG Electronics are urging consumers to check if they have the previously recalled Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers in their home. The dehumidifiers were previously recalled due to a serious fire and burn hazard. It is estimated that the dehumidifiers were responsible for more than one million dollars in property damage.

For more information contact LG toll free at (877) 220-0479 or visit the company’s website at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com

Manufacturers in Illinois and throughout the United States are required to produce safe products or otherwise provide adequate warning for unsafe features. If you have any questions about the safety of Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers or would like to speak to an attorney, please click here or dial 866-264-7639.

On September 8, 2011 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Pottery Barn’s Chloe, Sophie and Audrey soft dolls due to a strangulation hazard. The doll’s hair and headband are large enough to fit around a child’s neck and pose a strangulation risk to children.

Consumers are instructed to immediately take these dolls away from children. For more information about the dolls and the recall, consumers are asked to contact Pottery Barn Kids at (855) 880-4505 between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m., Pacific Time, seven days a week or visit www.potterybarnkids.com

The Klest Injury Law Firm has been representing injury victims in the Chicago area for nearly 30 years. If your child has been injured by Chloe, Sophie and Audrey soft dolls, please click here, or call (866) 264-7639 for a free consultation.

On August 17, 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of 54,000 metoo table-top clip-on chairs by phil&teds USA, Inc. The announcement warns that a defect in the chairs can cause them to detach from different types of table surfaces, posing a risk to children of lacerations and even finger amputation.

The chairs were sold through a variety of retail, specialty and online stores from May 2006 to May 2011 at prices ranging between $40 and $50.

Consumers are instructed to immediately stop using the chairs and contact phil&teds USA, Inc., by phone at (855) 652-9019 or by visiting the company’s website at www.philandteds.com/support for additional support and information.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Dole food company announced today that it would be recalling about 3,500 packaged salads due to bacterial contamination concerns. The recalled salads include Dole’s Italia Blend and Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend. No illnesses have yet to be reported from the consumption of the contaminated salad. Reports have indicated that these salad mixtures were distributed in twelve states including Illinois. The FDA reports the following products are contaminated: “2,880 cases of DOLE Italian Blend salad with Use-by Date of June 19, 2011, UPC code 7143000819 and Product Codes 0049A157201A, 0049A157201B, 0049A157202A, 0049A157202B, 0686A157202A, 0686A157202B and 442 cases of Kroger Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend salad with Use-by-Date of June 19, 2011, UPC code 1111091045 and Product Codes A157201A & A157201B.”

Reports have indicated that the salads may be contaminated with Lysteria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens with 20 to 30 percent of clinical infections resulting in death. It is reportedly responsible for approximately 2,500 illnesses and 500 deaths in the United States annually. More information about the contaminated salad products can be found on the FDA website. Any with questions regarding the product recall is encouraged to contact Dole at (800) 356-3111.

If you have any questions regarding contaminated products or would otherwise like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

Alfalfa sprouts from certain sandwiches at Jimmy John’s restaurant locations in and around Chicago have been linked to a widespread outbreak in salmonella. The Illinois Department of Health announced on Friday that it had received 46 reports from individuals that had gotten sick from ingesting alfalfa sprouts from Jimmy John’s sandwiches. The outbreak has hit residents of Cook, McHenry, Will, Kankakee, Champaign, Peoria, Adams, McLean and Winnebago counties with the earliest reports dating back to November 1. The State has contacted Jimmy John’s regarding its findings but it is up to the restaurant to determine whether to discontinue use of the sprouts. Jimmy John’s carries four sandwiches that contain sprouts. The State of Illinois continues to look into the source of the sprouts including alfalfa producers and suppliers to the region.

Salmonella poisoning can be characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach cramps. The symptoms typically develop within six to seventy two hours after bacterial contact. There are an estimated 142,000 persons each year infected by salmonella, about 30 of those cases turn fatal. If you have any of the symptoms associated with salmonella or were otherwise exposed to a product that you believe might contain the bacteria, you should contact a doctor immediately.

If you would like to speak with a Chicago injury lawyer regarding salmonella victims’ rights, please click here.