March 22, 2023

Calico Critters Animal Figures Recalled Due To Choking Hazard

Every year, dangerous baby products are recalled for a variety of reasons: choking hazards, toxic substances, suffocation risks, and more. In fact, the average year sees over 100 children’s product recalls, according to the nonprofit organization Kids in Danger (KID). Just this month, more than 3.2 million Calico Critters figures were recalled after two children’s deaths involving pacifier accessories that came with the toys.

Calico Critters Recall

On March 9, Epoch Everlasting Play recalled all of their Calico Critters animal figures and sets sold with small bottle and pacifier accessories, which can pose choking hazards. The recall came after reports of three incidents involving the pacifiers, including two deaths — a 2-year-old child in New Mexico and a 9-month-old infant in Japan.

March 9, 2023

Werner Ladder Accident Injuries

by Altman & Altman

Every year in the United States, over 100 people die and thousands more suffer injuries in ladder-related falls. While some accidents result from improper usage, others happen when the ladders themselves are defective. Even when you buy well-known brands at major retailers, products can sometimes have design flaws or manufacturing defects.

In 2018, U.S. company Werner Co. recalled about 78,000 aluminum telescoping ladders after receiving a report that the ladders can break while in use, posing fall and injury hazards. The recall affected five models of ladders sold at Home Depot and Lowe’s stores nationwide in April and May of that year.

If you have a recalled Werner ladder as posted on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, immediately stop using it and return it to the store of purchase for a refund. If you were hurt while using a recalled Werner model or any brand of defective ladder, a personal injury attorney can help evaluate whether you qualify for financial compensation for your injuries.

February 17, 2023

Two Rocking Sleeper Recalls Announced After More Infant Deaths

by Altman & Altman

Companies are reminding consumers not to use two recalled models of baby rocker sleepers, after more infants have died since the recalls were issued in 2019. Both announcements also include a warning that it is illegal to sell or distribute the recalled sleepers, many of which may still be in circulation.

Fisher-Price announced the recall of 4.7 million Rock ‘n Play Sleepers after at least eight additional deaths were reported, bringing the total to approximately 100 infants who have died while using the product. Kids2 announced the recall of nearly 700,000 Rocking Sleepers after at least four more babies died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 15.

Dangerous Infant Sleep Products

February 10, 2023

Exactech Joint Replacement Recall Lawsuits

by Altman & Altman

A problem with Exactech joint replacements that led to one recall in 2021 and an expanded recall in 2022 is now at the heart of a growing number of lawsuits from patients across the U.S. Exactech has recalled about 200,000 knee, hip, and ankle replacements since August 2021 due to an issue with the polyethylene components that can cause them to degrade prematurely.

Surgeons have already implanted over 147,000 of these potentially defective joint replacements, meaning thousands of Americans could be at risk of injuries and medical complications. Plaintiffs filing Exactech lawsuits complain that the implants fail early, leading to a variety of health symptoms and sometimes requiring revision surgery.

Exactech Joint Replacement Recall Details

January 27, 2023

Medford Massage Envy Therapist Accused of Assaulting Two Women in Three Days

by Altman & Altman

A customer has filed suit against Massage Envy, its managers, and a therapist for a sexual assault she says occurred during a massage at the chain’s Medford location. According to the Boston Globe, the woman reported the assault to the manager on March 3, 2021, but the manager took no action. Two days later, the same therapist allegedly raped another customer.

The lawsuit argues that the company was negligent in hiring and supervising its therapists and violated consumer protection laws by claiming that its spas are safe. In addition, the woman has sued massage therapist Gilberto DaSilva for assault and battery. DaSilva was not criminally prosecuted in this case because law enforcement was already pursuing rape charges on behalf of the second woman, according to the report.

Medford Massage Envy Therapist

January 20, 2023

Investigators Fault Driver, Missing Safety Feature in Green Line Crash

by Altman & Altman

In determining the cause of a 2021 Green Line crash that injured 27 people, federal investigators faulted a speeding train operator—as well as a missing safety feature they say would have prevented the accident. Two and a half years after the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report concluding that the driver’s “loss of situational awareness” and “full-power” acceleration caused him to collide with another train.

The investigation also revealed that the accident didn’t have to happen. According to the report, the current Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operations and control system lacks a key engineering feature that would have prevented such a crash. The recommended technology can both detect collision threats and prevent trolleys from violating speed policies. According to the Boston Globe, the NTSB first recommended the crash-avoidance system more than 14 years ago, but it has not yet been installed.

Green Line Train Accident

December 14, 2022

Electric Bicycles Recalled After Reports of Crashes, Explosions, and Other Potential Hazards

by Altman & Altman

E-bikes now make up the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. electric vehicle economy, according to ABC10. Along with the increased popularity, however, come reports of crashes, injuries, fires, and other hazards. In 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced multiple recalls related to electric bicycles.

While electric bikes have been recalled for a variety of mechanical failures and battery problems, one of the biggest e-bike recalls of the year was due to defective tires. In November, Rad Power Bikes recalled over 29,000 RadWagon 4 Electric Cargo Bikes after receiving 137 reports of tires blowing out, deflating, and separating from the sidewalls. Eight reported injuries occurred, including broken bones, road rash, and cuts and/or bruises.

Rad Power Electric Bike Recall

December 6, 2022

Parents Sue Stanford University for Wrongful Death After Daughter’s Suicide

by Altman & Altman

The parents of a former Stanford student have sued the university following their daughter’s suicide, according to multiple news sources that have reviewed the complaint. A senior and goalkeeper for the school’s soccer team, Katie Meyer ended her life in her dorm room on February 28. At the time of her death, the 22-year-old faced disciplinary action from Stanford that put her degree on hold and threatened to remove her from the university.

Meyer Charged Over Coffee Incident

The disciplinary charges stemmed from an incident where Meyer allegedly spilled coffee on a Stanford football player accused of sexually assaulting a female soccer player. It is unclear whether the spill was accidental or whether Meyer was defending her soccer teammate.

December 6, 2022

Portable Generators Recalled After Dozens of Injuries Reported

by Altman & Altman

Over 320,000 Generac portable generators have been recalled after 37 reports of injuries, including 24 resulting in finger amputations. Although the recall originally came in 2021 after eight reports of injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall again in November 2022 after additional reports of injuries.

Unlocked handles on the recalled generators can pinch the user’s fingers against the frame when the generator is moved, posing finger amputation and crushing hazards. The gasoline-powered generators were sold from June 2013 to June 2021 at major retailers across the country, including Ace Hardware, Amazon, Lowe’s Stores, Home Depot, Costco, Napa Auto Parts, True Value, and more.

Generac Generator Recall Details

November 17, 2022

Brain Injuries Caused by Auto Accidents and Accidental Falls in Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

Massachusetts residents had higher rates of traumatic brain injury-related emergency department (ED) visits than residents of any other state studied, according to a 2021 report in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. Over 998 per 100,000 MA residents went to an emergency room for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a single year, topping the list of the 25 states reporting that data. While the Commonwealth fared better on TBI-related deaths and hospitalizations, one thing is clear: brain injuries affect a substantial number of Massachusetts residents every year.

TBIs occur when a bump, blow, jolt, or penetration to the head disrupts normal brain function. Although many TBIs result in mild concussions, serious brain injury is a major cause of death and disability. In fact, a 2018 special report by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) indicated that TBIs contributed to 68,260 emergency room visits, 5,062 hospitalizations, and 820 deaths of MA residents in one year.