Texas Injury Law Blog : Dallas Accident Lawyer & Attorney : Fears Nachawati Law Firm : Personal Injury, Wrongful Death : Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Texas

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled a number of very popular drop-side cribs manufactured by industry leader Graco.  Manufactured by LaJobi, Inc. of Cranbury, NJ, the cribs were sold at retailers nationwide from February 2007 through March 2010 and retailed for $140 to $200. This popular crib design is used in daycare centers throughout the country. 

The hardware that allows the side of the crib to drop can break or fail.  This defect allows the drop side to detach from the crib, creating a hazardous gap between the crib side and the crib mattress.  Children could become trapped in the gap, and could be suffocated or strangled.  Additionally, children could fall from the crib when the side becomes detached.  Prior to recall, at least two children had become trapped in the gap, and were fortunately freed by their caregivers.  At least six children fell from the crib, including one infant who suffered a concussion.

Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact LaJobi, which will provide consumers with a hardware retrofit kit that will immobilize the drop-side feature. 

Click here for more information about the recalled cribs, including a list of the affected model numbers. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A horse wandered onto the main lanes of I-20 Wednesday morning, causing a four-car pileup that shut down two lanes of traffic.  The accident occurred near the St. Augustine Road.  The horse was killed.  One man was injured in the crash, he is currently in stable condition.  Authorities are investigating how the horse got onto the highway, and searching for its owner.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that a shareholder lawsuit can proceed against Merck & Co., maker of the blockbuster drug Vioxx.  At issue in the case is whether Merck provided doctors and patients with enough information about the drug's risks.  Merck shareholders lost a combined $28 billion overnight when problems with Vioxx became inescapable. 

After FDA warnings, Vioxx was pulled from the market because it dangerously increased patients' risks of heart attack, stroke and death.  Merck has since been sued by numerous patients and survivors who have suffered serious medical conditions they believe was caused by Vioxx.  Several insurance companies have also sued Merck for reimbursement of the costs for covering prescriptions of this drug. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Marcos Ruiz, age 17, died Monday at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth from injuries sustained in an accident Monday morning involving an SUV and an 18-wheeler.  The wreck occurred on I-30 in Arlington near the Lamar Boulevard / Cooper Street exit. 

The SUV was reported stolen before the accident from a home in Arlington.  The 16-year-old driver of the SUV attempted to run away from the wreck, but was arrested and is now in custody.  Another 17-year old passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

The driver of the rig was also injured, and he remains hospitalized in stable condition. 

Police believe that the truck driver somehow lost control of his rig and crashed into the highway median.  The trailer of the truck fell onto the SUV.  Authorities are not sure what caused the accident, and investigations are ongoing. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Last month the Food & Drug Administration held hearings concerning the safety of tanning beds.  The World Health Organization recently release a report on tanning beds, rating their cancer risk as comparable to that of tobacco smoke and asbestos.  The research was published in the journal Lancet Oncology, and shows a 75% increase in risk of melanoma, the most dangerous and deadly type of skin cancer, in individuals who use tanning beds before age 30.  While some regulation exists today, studies show that tanning bed operators frequently do not comply with recommended safety guidelines.  Stronger regulation would results in additional warnings and better protection of minors who use tanning beds. 

If you or someone you know has been injured by a tanning bed or another dangerous product, or by the acts or omissions of a person or a business, the attorneys of Fears | Nachawati would be happy to seek justice on your behalf.  Call us today at 1-866-705-7584 and let our legal team work for you. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Beltex, a Fort Worth meat packer, has recalled over 135,000 pounds of beef products over a risk that the meat may be contaminated with E. coli bacterium. 

The recalled beef was shipped to wholesalers and distributors in Texas and seven other states under the brand Frontier Meats.  Potentially tainted product include kidney fat or suet, beef trimmings and a  cut called "boneless navel."

Calling it a high-risk recall, USDA is working to track down the meat. 

Ingestion of E. coli bacterium often causes moderate flu-like symptoms that can last for days or weeks.  Certain strains can cause organ failure or even death. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A school bus aid in McKinney was fired last week after hitting an elementary school student with a belt.  The 10 year old male student was taking the bus to school on April 12 when the incident occurred.

The driver had worked for Durham School Services, which handles transportation for McKinney Independent School District, for about three months.  The driver had passed a background check and been through training. 

The incident is being investigated by local authorities. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A number of popular items have been recently recalled because they have caused or could cause serious injury or death. 

Grills: Kuuma IR Stow and Go grills sold at West Marine stores nationwide from January 2009 through August 2009 have been recalled because of leaky propane tanks.  The leak poses a fire hazard, and at least three fires have started as a result of this defect.

Scuba Gear: TUSA RS-670 SCUBA regulators, sold nationwide by authorized TUSA distributors and also diving and equipment stores from May 2009 through September 2009 have been recalled because of a potential high-pressure leak.  The potential leak creates a drowning hazard. 

Baby Walkers: Baby walkers sold in California and Arizona from June 2009 through August 2009 bearing the item number L-0809EN and imported by Le Hing, Inc.  The walkers can fit through a standard doorway but are not designed to stop at the edge of a step.  These defects could cause serious injury or death to infants using such a walker. 

Click here for more information about recent recalls.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The Texas Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court decision holding a bar owner responsible for injuries a patron sustained as a result of a brawl with others at the bar. 

The fight occurred after 90 minutes of escalating tensions between a group of fraternity members and a wedding party.  During that hour and a half, members of the two groups exchanged insults, and some shoves and pushes.  After the fight broke out, Plaintiff Bradley Smith entered the melee to rescue a friend.  Smith was attacked and suffered severe injuries including a skull fracture and brain damage.

The Court rejected Del Lago's argument that it should not be liable for the criminal acts of its patrons, reasoning that the establishment had a duty to protect Smith since the danger became foreseeable during the 90 minute lead up to the fight. 

The case is Del Lago Partners, Inc. et al v. Smith, No. 06-1022.

If you have been injured, contact the attorneys of Fears | Nachawati today to receive free legal assistance.  Phone us toll free at 1-866-705-7584 to speak with one of our Texas personal injury lawyers. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A Louisiana judge recently awarded $2.6 million to seven Virginia families whose homes were ruined by sulfur-emitting drywall imported from China, setting the standard for new claims from the thousands of Texas homeowners and renters affected by this product. 

Tainted drywall from China can cause serious health problems as well as substantial property damage.  The sulfur gases released by the drywall creates a noxious odor indoors, making homes difficult if not impossible (and dangerous) to live in.  It has also been connected to corrosion of house wiring and air conditioning units, creating a fire hazard. 

The case is In Re Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation, 09-MD-02047, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. 

If you have been injured by Chinese drywall, contact the attorneys of Fears | Nachawati today to receive free legal assistance.  To speak with one of our Texas personal injury lawyers, email or phone us toll free at 1-866-705-7584.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link