Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog

In a summer that has seen several dangerous and defective product recalls, Chrysler recently recalled nearly 600,000 vehicles involving five models in the United States.

The recall includes the Dodge Grand Caravan minivans and Chrysler Town and Country minivans for the years 2008 and 2009. These vehicles have the potential to catch fire due to a problem with the sliding door electrical system.

Also included are the Chrysler Jeep Wranglers for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. These jeeps could experience brake failure as a result of leaking brake fluid.

Additional vehicles involved in the recalls are the 2007 Dodge Caliber and 2007 Jeep Compass. Reminiscent of Toyota's recent problems, the Caliber and Compass are being recalled because of sticky accelerator pedals.

Chrysler issued a statement that owners of these vehicles would be contacted by the end of June and repairs will be made for free. To determine whether your vehicle is included in the recalls you can contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

On Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of 1.7 million Maytag dishwashers due to a fire hazard. Whirlpool Corp. has received reports of 12 fire incidents caused by electrical failure in the dishwashers' heating element. There have been no reported injuries from the defective product. The recall includes dishwashers sold from February 2006 through April 2010 of the following brands, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Performa by Maytag and Crosley.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the dishwasher and disconnect the power supply by shutting off the fuse controlling power to the appliance. To determine if your dishwasher is included in the recall you can contact Maytag at 1-800-544-5513.

Cadmium is a carcinogen known to cause adverse health problems including bone softening, severe kidney problems, and hindered brain development. In spite of this, dangerously high levels of Cadmium are still being discovered in dangerous products marketed to our children. On Friday, June 4, McDonald's announced it was recalling all Shrek promotional glasses due to abnormally high levels of Cadmium in the paint. At the time of the recall, McDonald's had sold an estimated 7 million glasses. Congresswoman, Jackie Speier, began an investigation into the Shrek glasses after receiving an anonymous tip concerning high levels of Cadmium in the paint. Following this investigation McDonald's issued a voluntary recall. "Our children's health should not depend on the consciences of anonymous sources," Speier said. "Although McDonald's did the right thing by recalling these products, we need stronger testing standards to ensure that all children's products are proven safe before they hit the shelves."

The McDonald's recall is just the latest. Early this spring, the consumer protection agency, issue three recalls for children's jewelry containing high levels of Cadmium.

As previously discussed in this blog, the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), Oil Polution Act (OPA), and the Limitation of Liability Act (LOLA) protect companies like BP from liability when disasters such as the Gulf Coast Oil Spill occur. However, it appears government and public pressure may prevent BP from hiding behind these maritime immunity statutes. The above video is footage from Thursday's Congressional Hearing on the oil spill. With many calling for a complete boycott of BP, Lamar McKay, Chairman and President of BP America, stated BP will pay all legitimate claims.

Potentially, this is good news for the fishermen, shrimpers, hotels and restaurants damaged by this disaster. Affected small business now must fight over the value of their claims, but if BP keeps it's word, at least these businesses will not have to worry about capped damages completely precluding their claims. Hopefully, government, media, and public pressure will continue to ensure BP keeps it's promise to pay for the harms it caused.