Defective & Dangerous Products

• Why Sealed Court Files Are A Serious Mistake

  Bob Carroll | December 20, 2006 9:36 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  If anyone needs evidence that allowing negligent defendants to have court files sealed from public view is wrong, wrong, wrong, they should read this article in the Seattle Times:Woman's coma leads to secrecy, silenceSylvia Lane, a diabetic, lay in her apartment bed in Lynnwood, comatose and alone, her blood and brain in desperate need of sugar.But the medical device she'd just received instead...

• Anti-Smoking Ads May Increase Smoking

  Bob Carroll | November 02, 2006 6:09 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  An old friend, Shirl Kennedy, is the editor of Docuticker.com. She is also the reference librarian at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL. I do not know how she gets the time to do all that she does, but I am thankful that she continues to do it all. One of her latest posts alerts us to the unexpected impact of certain anti-smoking ads. Or, could it be the ads are having exactly the impact...

• Child Safety Seat Recalled

  Bob Carroll | October 29, 2006 7:54 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  If you have purchased a Britax Child Safety Seat produced from October 31, 2003, through June 6, 2004, there is a serious risk of injury or death due to a defect.NHTSA Recalls Britax Child Safety SeatThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recalling the "Companion" rear-facing, infant-only child safety seat (Model E9L14).In a crash, the carrier may fail, resulting in...

• Your Hearing At Risk With iPod Use

  Bob Carroll | October 24, 2006 6:55 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  If you or your child enjoy listening to music on an iPod or similar device you may be permanently damaging your hearing. All of the devices are capable of producing volume levels that can cause hearing loss if the volume is maxed out for more than five minutes a day.Watch the Volume on Your iPodMaxing out the volume on a typical MP3 player -- such as the popular Apple "iPod" -- for anything...

• Your Car Key May Be Plotting Against You

  Bob Carroll | October 20, 2006 7:17 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Personally, I think automobiles may have gotten too smart for their own good and our safety. Not too long ago I was told that a computer analysis of my vehicle definitely confirmed a problem which was causing my door locks to randomly activate and deactivate, but could not pinpoint the location of the problem. Therefore, each of my five doors had to be taken apart to get to the defect. The...

• Tobacco Users, COPD And Claims Against Cigarette Manufactuers

  Bob Carroll | October 17, 2006 7:22 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The time is growing shorter for Floridians who have suffered or died as a result of a smoking-related illness or condition to be compensated by the tobacco companies. Individual lawsuits by smokers or the families of deceased smokers may be pursued according to the Florida Supreme Court. But, the Statute of Limitations will run in 2007. Those who believe they may have a valid cause of action...

• Air Fresheners May Be Hazardous To Your Health

  Bob Carroll | October 17, 2006 6:04 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Indoor air fresheners are the rage. The problem, according to Confined Space, is they may be poisoning our bodies. If You Want Fresh Air, Open A WindowThese days, when we want our house or office or store to smell better, instead of distributing flowers or a couple of bowls of potpourri, we invest in "scent systems" which spread nice smelling chemicals around the area, chemicals that my be...

• Picking A Safe Halloween Costume

  Bob Carroll | October 09, 2006 5:00 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  A safe Halloween starts with a safe costume. Don't let your child's costume cause injury. Expert Offers Tips For Picking Safe Halloween CostumesWhether your child wants to walk down the aisle as a beautiful bride, go on an adventure as Dora the Explorer, spin webs like Spiderman, or sail the high seas of the Caribbean like Captain Jack Sparrow, there's one thing they all should have in common...

• Exploding Battery Causes Facial Injuries

  Bob Carroll | September 16, 2006 10:53 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  When a battery for your CD player fails the worst thing you expect is that you have to replace it with one that works. In this report of a recently filed lawsuit the Panasonic battery exploded and injured a minor. It appears that this product could be described as unreasonably dangerous. Lawsuit cites burst batteryA Jeanerette woman is suing the Panasonic Corp. for injuries she claims her son...

• Segway May Be Highway To Hospital For Riders

  Bob Carroll | September 14, 2006 9:06 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Segway Personal Transporters were supposed to usher in a new way to get from spot to spot. It appears that one of the spots may be nearest Emergency Room.Segway Recalls 23,500 TransportersSegway is recalling about 23,000 of its Personal Transporters. The company said the transporter can unexpectedly apply reverse torque to the wheels, which can cause a rider to fall. This can occur when the...