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The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada have issued a voluntary recall of certain CYBEX strollers. Children who place their fingers on the hinge mechanism when consumers are unfolding or opening the stroller are at risk of potential fingertip amputation and laceration. CYBEX Strollers has received one report of a child whose finger was fractured after placing his finger in the stroller’s hinge.

The recall involves about 1,100 strollers in the US and 90 in Canada.

CYBEX is the third stroller maker to issue a recall related to child fingertip amputations in recent months. Graco last week recalled about 1.5 million strollers; Maclaren recalled about 1 million vehicles last November.

The word  “CYBEX” is printed on the side of the strollers. The affected models include:

•    Ruby

•    Onyx

•    Topaz

If your child has been injured by this product,  please contact us.

News developments that we’ll be watching at Sokolove Law:

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to study how medications taken in pregnancy affect mothers and their unborn children, according to a report from Reuters. The new study will be called the Medication Exposure in Pregnancy Risk Evaluation Program. Two-thirds of mothers-to-be have used at least one prescription drug during pregnancy, according to the FDA. There are few clinical trials that test the safety of medications in pregnancy due to concerns about the health of the mother and child.

A class-action lawsuit filed in Manhattan’s Federal District Court last week alleges that some New York debt collectors are using “fraudulent documents to surreptitiously win court judgments – all without the debtors’ knowledge,” writes The New York Times. The paper reports that use of the practice has been spurred by the recession and the rise in consumer debt actions.

Recent Recalls

General Motors announced a January recall of 22,000 Chevrolet Corvettes after finding problems with their removable roof system, writes The Burlington County Times. The recall applies to 2005-07 model year Corvettes and Corvette Z06 models. According to the article, GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the adhesive between the roof panel and the frame may separate, allowing the roof to come off while driving and posing an accident risk. GM will install a redesigned roof panel as a result. The automaker issued a similar recall in 2006.

Make personal safety one of your resolutions in the New Year. As always, Sokolove Law is here to help.

Reports of twelve fingertip amputations across the US have prompted the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a voluntary recall of Maclaren USA strollers. When unfolding or opening the stroller, the danger has been to children placing their fingers on the hinge mechanism, leading to potential fingertip amputation and laceration.

This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models include:

• Volo
• Triumph
• Quest Sport
• Quest Mod
• Techno XT
• TechnoXLR
• Twin Triumph
• Twin Techno
• Easy Traveller

If your child has been injured by this product,  please contact us.

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced a worldwide recall of a list of 65 dietary supplements, sold online through bodybuilding.com, that may contain steroids. Some of the products may include ingredients that the FDA classifies as steroids, such as “Superdrol,” “Madol,” “Tren,” “Androstenedione,” and/or “Turinabol.”

While steroids are available by prescription to treat a variety of problems including delayed puberty and some growth abnormalities, they are also subject to abuse. Some athletes use steroids because they feel it helps them to get stronger and faster.  However, abuse of steroids may have possible harmful side-effects, including acute liver injury, male infertility, and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

Consumers are being urged to stop using any of the products immediately, and to contact their physician if they have experienced any problems while taking the supplements.

Fresh ground beef, tainted with E. Coli bacteria, and sold in grocery stores in a multistate area, is responsible for at least two deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The ground beef products, produced by Fairbanks Farms, of Ashville, NY, have been recalled and are no longer on sale. However, consumers may still have some of the products in their freezers, and are being urged to return the beef for a full refund.

28 people across 12 states have been sickened by the strain of E Coli. Over 500,000 pounds of beef have been recalled and will be destroyed due to this outbreak.

According to the CDC, the beef products were packaged on September 15th and 16th 2009. Packages involved in the recall will have the establishment number “EST 492” in the USDA inspection mark on the package.

Symptoms of E. Coli infection are severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, blood and kidney problems may occur following the diarrhea. Seniors, people with compromised immune systems, and very young children are the most vulnerable to E. Coli poisoning.