Defective Products Roundup

Product liability and defective products are problems that every manufacturer encounters at one time or another. Unfortunately, these instances commonly cause injury for the average consumer. Numerous products are continually in the headlines when defects are discovered. When an injury occurs as a result of a defective product, a personal injury attorney can help.

Airbag Inflators

In 2015, a man from lost his life from a defective Takata airbag. While driving his pickup, he was involved in a collision. The airbag deployed. However, the force behind the airbag also propelled a piece of metal, which impaled the man causing a fatal hemorrhage. Following the tragic accident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated a recall that involved five million Takata airbag inflators. The recall was later expanded to includes millions of other products manufactured by more than 12 major companies.

Munchkin Latch Lightweight Pacifiers & Clips

The Consumer Protection Safety Commission regularly reports a number of defective product alerts. Recent notifications include Munchkin pacifiers. The pacifier and clip sets were available in five styles that included designer, heartbeat and rattle clips attached to natural pacifiers. The company received 10 reports from U.S. and Canadian consumers that the clip cover detaches from the pacifier clip. The concern involves the possibility that the clips might be swallowed and pose a choking hazard. Consumers were advised to contact Munchkin for no-cost replacements.

Rival Electric Water Kettles

The electric water kettles retailed with a pitcher and a warming base. Wal-Mart received 80 complaints of incidents caused by the product. Seven reports involved accidental burns. The kettles involved in the recall feature model numbers WK8283CU and WK8283CUY. The pitchers are white plastic and have a transparent, marked fluid monitoring window. The Rival name is clearly printed below the window. Consumers were advised to return the units to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

Tern Folding Bicycles

Tern manufacturing received four complaints concerning their folding bicycles. Complainants revealed that the frame hinge was susceptible to cracking. The problem resulted in a wide range of injuries. Approximately 400 of the affected bikes were sold since 2013. The models involved in the recall include:

• Eclipse S11i, 24-inch, silver/black
• Verge S11i, X10, X20 and X30h, 20-inch, silver/black, orange/white, red/black/ or yellow/grey

Each bike features the brand name “Tern” clearly printed on the top tube of the frame followed by the model name. Each frame also features a 10-character alphanumeric serial number stamped on the bottom bracket shell of the bike. Each number begins with AM1A, AM1102 through AM1208. The bikes were available from authorized Stile/Tern dealers across the country. Consumers are advised to contact the manufacturer or take the bike to an authorized dealer. Dealers are prepared to provide and install modified frames at no cost.

Challenger Off-Road Utility Vehicles

Recalls of the utility vehicles involve 2015 Cub Cadet Challenger CX500 and the Challenger CX 700-4WD off-road vehicles. Each vehicle contains two bucket seats and comes equipped with roll bars, canopy, two-piece windshield, a winch and a cargo bed measuring 35.5 inches by 44 inches. The affected vehicles are either camouflage or yellow. The company received 22 reports complaining of brake cable failure. Injuries and property damage have yet to be reported. Model numbers are located under the driver’s seat. The affected vehicles include:

• CX500 yellow-37AW7CKD010, 37AW7CKD710
• CX500 camouflage-37AW7CLD010, 37AW7CLD710
• CX700 yellow-37AX7CKD010, 37AX7CKD710
• CX700 camouflage-37AXCLD010, 37AX7CLD710

Consumers owning any of these vehicles are advised to contact a Cub Cadet dealer and schedule an appointment for no-cost repairs.

When injuries occur from defective products, consult Gatti, Keltner, Bienview & Montesi for a review of your case.