Lawsuits you should know about

It’s a repairman’s worst nightmare – 1.7 million Maytag dishwashers have been recalled. The dishwashers, sold between February 2006 and April 2010, have an electric failure in the heating element which can result in a fire.

So far, Maytag has received 12 reports of the heating element in their dishwashers causing fires and/or damage to the dishwashers. One consumer reported extensive damage to the kitchen due to the dishwasher fire. There have been no reports of any injuries due to the electrical failure.

The models involved in the recall are Maytag, Amana, Jen-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag, and Crosley. The dishwashers came in black, bisque, white, silver, and stainless steel fronts. Dishwashers that begin or end with the following serial numbers are involved in the recall. Serial numbers may be located on the left side of the door opening.

Serial numbers starting with: NW39, NW40, NW41, NW42, NW43, NW44, NW45, NW46, NW47, NW48, NW49, NW50, NW51, NW52, NY01, NY02, NY03, NY04, NY05, NY06, NY07, NY08, NY09, NY10, NY11, NY12, NY13, NY14, NY15, NY16, NY17, NY18, NY19

Serial numbers ending with: JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, NR

Consumers who own these recalled dishwashers can choose between having the heating element repaired and receiving a rebate towards the purchase of a new dishwasher. Contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 or at the company’s website.

McDonald’s has issued a voluntary recall of 12 million “Shrek” glasses sold throughout the country to promote the latest installment of the film, “Shrek Forever After.” The glasses were sold between May 2010 and June 2010 and there are four designs: Shrek, Fiona, Puss n’ Boots, and Donkey.

The glasses, sold for $2 each, were found to be made with paint which contained cadmium. Cadmium is potentially hazardous to humans, believing to cause kidney, lung, intestinal, and bone damage. It was discovered that the glasses contained paint with cadmium when an anonymous tip was received by Congresswoman Jackie Speir’s (San Francisco) office and additional testing was done.

Consumers who purchased these glasses should return then them to their closest McDonald’s for a refund. Additional information can be obtained by calling McDonald’s at (800) 244-6227 between 9 am and 5 pm CT Monday through Friday or by visiting the company’s website at http://www.mcdonalds.com.

Metoclopramide, also known by the brand name of Reglan, is a drug often given to patients to treat gastrointestinal disorders and nausea, including morning sickness in expectant mothers. It may also be used for lactation stimulation in nursing mothers. It is made by Schwartz Pharmca, Inc. and available in tablets, oral solution, and injection form.

However, those taking Reglan may also suffer from tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that is often irreversible. It can cause protrusion of the tongue, uncontrolled grimacing and lip smacking, rapid eye blinking, and repetitive movements of the extremities.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in early 2009 that is was requiring all manufacturers of Reglan to add a black box warning to the label stating the possible link to tardive dyskinesia.

One study by the FDA showed that 20 percent of the patients that used Reglan took it for longer than three months, making them more susceptible to contracting tardive dyskinesia. Reglan has only been approved by the FDA for short term use (4 to 12 weeks).

Because Reglan can be passed through breast milk, infants of mothers taking Reglan may also be at risk. If you or anyone you know has been taking Reglan and has suffered side effects such as uncontrollable body movements, you should immediately quit taking the drug and consult a medical professional.

Hewlett-Packard Co. has issued an extended voluntary recall of certain HP and Compaq notebook computers that use lithium-ion batteries due to fire and burn hazard. This is a extension of a recall issued in May 2009 when 70,000 units were recalled.

The company has received numerous reports of batteries that ruptured after overheating, which cause minor personal injury and property damage.

Among the notebooks involved in the recall include:

HP Pavillion (model numbers dv2000, dv2500, dv2700, dv6000, dv6500, dv6700, dx6000, dx6500, dx6700, dv9000, dv9500, and dv9700)

Compaq Presario (model numbers A900, C700, F500, F700, V3000, V3500, V3700, V6000, V6500, and V6700)

HP (model numbers G6000 and G7000)

HP Compaq (model numbers 6510b, 6515b, 6710b, 6710s, 6715b, 6715s, and 6720s)

Model numbers can be found at the top of the service label on the bottom of the notebook.

These models of HP and Compaq were sold at computer and electronic resellers as well as online at hp.com and hpshopping.com from August 2007 until July 2008 for between $500 and $3,000.

Owners of these notebooks should immediately remove the batteries and contact HP at their web site or by calling (888) 202-4320 Monday through Friday from between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT for a replacement battery.

Just a week after Freshway Foods recalled bagged romaine lettuce due to a possible E. coli 0145 outbreak, Vaughn Foods has recalled its romaine lettuce. The recalled bags are dated use by May 9 and May 10. The bags were sold to restaurants and food-service facilities.

The Freshway Foods lettuce recalled last week was sold in Alabama, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a Yuma, Arizona farm where it believes the lettuce was harvested.

So far, 10 people from Michigan, seven from Ohio, and two from New York have become sick from the lettuce. Three of the 19 sickened have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be life threatening. It is believed that as many as 10 others have also become sick after eating the lettuce, but that has not been confirmed yet.

The FDA is asking that consumers not eat take-out salads sold in salad bars and delis at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh Stores.

E. coli 0145 causes diarrhea (which can be bloody) and abdominal cramps. If you have eaten lettuce and are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Nine models of Graco drop side cribs, made by LaJobi, have been voluntarily recalled due to hardware on the drop side breaking and detaching it from the crib. Infants can become wedged or trapped in the drop side which can cause suffocation, strangulation, or the baby to fall. There have been 99 reports of hardware problems, but the two children entrapped were freed by caregivers. One child that fell from the crib received a mild concussion.

A total of 217,000 of the cribs, which have cherry, espresso, natural, and white finishes, have been recalled. The Graco cribs involved in the recall are:

Ashleigh Drop Side model numbers 3280142, 3280154, and 3280181
Hampton Drop Side model number 3080136
Jason Convertible Drop Side model numbers 3290235, 3290254, and 3290281
Kendal Drop Side model numbers 3570170 and 3570181
Lauren Drop Side model numbers 3250235, 3250242, 3250247, 3250254, 3250281, 3250282, 3150281, and 3150282
Rachel Convertible Drop Side model numbers 3300236 and 3300281
Sarah Drop Side model numbers 3000135, 3000136, 3000142, 3000147, 3000154, and 3000181
Shannon Drop Side model numbers 3010136, 3010154, and 3010181
Tifton Drop Side model numbers 3090136 and 3270136

The cribs were sold at retailers and children product stores throughout the U.S. from February 2007 until March 2010 for between $140 and $200.

If you have one of these cribs, stop using it immediately and contact LaJobi at (888) 842-2215 or on their website for a hardware retrofit kit.

Toyota Motor Sales has issued a recall of approximately 50,000 Sequoia SUVs due to a problem with the Vehicle Stability Control system, which controls the brakes and accelerator. This problem with the Vehicle Stability Control system can cause the SUV to hesitate or slow down at low speeds.

The Sequoias involved in the recall were made in early 2003. Once the problem was identified, Toyota began fixing the SUVs as soon as they came off the assembly line later that year. The company also issued a “technical service bulletin” to all dealers that year and since then, about half of those affected with this problem have been fixed.

There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this defect. Owners who are affected by the recall should be receiving letters from Toyota in late May. Any owners who have already paid for the fix may be reimbursed by Toyota.

Back in October of 2008 this website reported that lawsuits have been filed against Organon, the manufacturer of the NuvaRing birth control product.  Since that time more people have filed suits against the maker of this popular birth control product.

In March 2010 three women in Texas who used the NuvaRing birth control product filed lawsuits against Organon and Merck & Co.  All three women alleged that the use of this product caused them to suffer from several different injuries, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers of this product did not adequately warn users of the potential dangerous side effects.

The NuvaRing is a vaginal ring used for contraception.  It is only available by prescription.  The ring is inserted by the user and for a period of three weeks releases a measured dose of estrogen and progesterone.  After the three week period the woman removes the ring and has a normal menstrual period.  Known side effects include vaginitis, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea and weight gain.  Women who are older, smoke, have recently had surgery or a history of cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk for problems such as stroke or heart attack.

Since our original article hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against the makers of the NuvaRing product.  All of the lawsuits claim that the manufacturers failed to warn users of potentially dangerous and deadly side effects such as an increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular problems. pulmonary embolism, and DVT.

In March of 2010 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified health care professionals that it was the recommendation of the FDA to temporarily suspend the use of the Rotarix vaccine Rotarix is a vaccine given to children to prevent rotavirus disease. 

The FDA has learned that DNA from porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) is present in Rotarix.  Right now there is no known evidence that the PCV1 virus causes disease in humans nor that there is a safety risk with the vaccine.  The recommendation to suspend the use of the Rotarix virus was a precaution by the FDA while it investigates the situation.  It is expected that the FDA will make further recommendations regarding the use of this vaccine in the next four to six weeks.

Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in young infants.  There are two vaccines for rotavirus available currently in the US – Rotarix and RotaTeq.  If your child received his or her first vaccine of Rotarix the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have indicated that the vaccine series can be completed using RotaTeq (two additional doses).

Since available evidence supports the safety of Rotarix the FDA has stated that no medical follow up is necessary for patients who have received this vaccine.

Infantino has recalled over 1 million bag-shaped baby slings due to suffocation risks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received three reports of infant deaths since 2009 due to suffocation in the slings. The children suffocated were 7 weeks, 6 days, and 3 months old.

Consumers with children younger than four months should discontinue use of the slings according to the CPSC. The fabric of the recalled slings can block the baby’s breathing. The shape of the slings can also force the baby’s chin against his or her chest, cutting off breathing. Experts say mothers should be able to look down and kiss their baby’s forehead without making any adjustments to make sure they are lying properly in bag-shaped slings. Babies who are too young to hold their head’s up should be carried by hand rather than in a sling.

The SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo slings involved in the recall were sold from January 2003 until March 2010 at retailers such as Wal-Mart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, and at Amazon (online) for between $25 and $30.

Consumers who have this product should contact Infantino Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET at (866) 860-1361 or visit the company’s web site (http:// www.infantino.com) for a free replacement sling.