Articles Posted in Defective Products

The popular furniture manufacturer IKEA is issuing its second product recall in recent months. This time they are recalling approximately 359,000 children’s nightlights after reports have indicated that the lights may be defective and could cause possible electric shock to children. The PATRULL nightlights have only received one recorded complaint thus far—but IKEA felt that one complaint was one too many and issued the recall as a safety precaution. The recall of these PATRULL nightlights comes shortly after IKEA had to recall their MALM chests and drawers after they received multiple troubling reports of the items tipping over and seriously injuring children that had become trapped underneath the furniture.

According to a press release provided by the company, IKEA has stated that they received an alarming complaint from a customer in Austria that led them to make the executive decision to issue a total recall across the United States for the same faulty product. The report from Austria detailed an incident in which a young child attempted to remove the nightlight from their wall and by doing so they dislodged the plastic cover of the light. When the plastic cover became dislodged, the child suffered a shock from the exposed wires beneath the cover. Reportedly the child suffered minor wounds to their hand during the accident. Continue reading

Whirlpool has recalled more than 40,000 of its Jenn-Air brand ovens over concerns that a faulty design might cause burns to consumers.

According to the Associated Press and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the extendable rack inside the ovens has the potential of falling out. Thus far, the company has received eight reports of injuries, including one serious incident where a person suffered a second-degree burn to the back and arm.

The recall includes Jenn-Air single and double wall ovens that were sold at stores like Sears, Pacific Sales, and others and cost between $2,500 and $5,000. The Associated Press reported that about 33,000 were sold in the United States; 8,000 were sold in Canada. Whirlpool said consumers should discontinue using the extendable rack and contact the company about a free inspection and repair.

A severe allergy to antibiotics or painkillers such as Ibuprofen could result in a life-threatening condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The first sign of the syndrome is typically a rash that can quickly turn into blisters, open sores, and peeling skin. The loss of skin can lead to serious infection, and the syndrome can also affect internal organs, causing potentially fatal complications. Individuals who develop SJS often continue taking the medication that caused it because of inadequate warning labels on over-the-counter and prescription medications. This has resulted in numerous claims of negligence, and “failure to warn” lawsuits across the country.

Although SJS can be caused by most medications, the main culprits are:

Ibuprofen, including Advil, Motrin, and children’s versions of both medicines

Kathleen Frazer is suing sneaker manufacturer Skechers. She claims that the maker’s Shape-ups shoes caused her to sustain ankle injuries serious enough to warrant multiple surgeries.

In her products liability case, the Massachusetts woman pointed to the promotional campaign for the sneakers, which recommended that they be worn instead of other shoes to derive the most benefit. The shoes are supposed to modify the user’s gait mechanics so he/she will be forced to exert more effort. The sneakers had been marketed as toning shoes that are supposed to help wearers get their booty, legs, and abdominal muscles in better shape, as well as help them lose weight. The shoes were also supposed to improve posture.

In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission refunded consumers that bought toning shoes from Skechers after the manufacturer consented to pay a $40 million settlement. Other Skechers toning shoes that have come under fire are the Toners shoes, the Tone-up shoes and the Resistance Runner. The FTC said Skechers’ advertising for the toning shoes included false information, and ,also, that the studies the company touted as proving that the shoes provided any health benefits were false and contained flaws.

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