Defective Products
GM Recalls some Cruze Models for Brake Problems
General Motors recently announced that they are recalling nearly 300,000 Chevrolet Cruze automobiles to fix a potential problem with the brakes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that GM is voluntarily issuing the recall for 292,879 Cruze cars from the 2011 and 2012 model years. The recalled cars are equipped with turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline motors, six-speed automatic transmissions and an electric vacuum pump, which provides supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed.
Chrysler Recalls Jeep Wranglers for Fire Risk
Chrysler has announced the recall of nearly 87,000 Jeep Wranglers throughout North America and some other parts of the world due to a design defect that may result in fire. The recall only affects 2010 Wranglers equipped with automatic transmissions that were manufactured before July 14, 2010. According to Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a design flaw can allow debris to collect between the protective plate covering the transmission and the catalytic converter. If enough debris collects between the plate and converter, the heat emanating from the converter can cause a fire.
Failing Artificial Hips Expected to Cost Taxpayers Billions in Coming Years
Defective metal-on-metal artificial hip implants are rapidly becoming the largest medical implant failure in years. The failure rate of these implants, the tens of thousands of patients who will need to have these implants surgically replaced, the costs of replacement and the scale of litigation involved all make this a very serious situation for taxpayers, who may be on the hook for billions in the coming years. Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been following this story closely, as many people in Central Florida have had these devices surgically implanted in recent years before government investigations led to massive recalls of these implants.
Complaints About Defective Hip Implants Surge As Problem Is Studied
In another news item that will come as no surprise to Florida residents or Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham, the federal government reports that it has received a surge of complaints in recent months about failed hip replacement devices. Researchers are still studying the dangers of some models of artificial hip devices, particularly metal-on-metal types, but early indications suggest persistent and very serious health consequences in association with faulty artificial hips. The Food and Drug Administration has reportedly received more than 5,000 complaints about metal-on-metal hips since January, more than the FDA has received about hip devices in the previous four years combined.
Consumer Group Urges Recall of Mesh Pelvic Surgical Product
Public Citizen, a national consumer advocacy group, is urging the Food and Drug Administration to issue a recall for a surgical product designed to help women with a common condition called pelvic organ prolapse. The FDA issued a warning about the product in July, and Public Citizen urges stronger action because the mesh device exposes patients to serious health risks and “the potential for permanent life-altering harm.” On average, around 300,000 women have surgery to correct pelvic organ prolapse, which happens when the muscles holding the bladder, bowel and uterus in place are weakened or stretched and these organs drop into the vagina.