Defective & Dangerous Products

• Fusarium Fungus and Your Eyes

  Joe Saunders | April 17, 2006 6:29 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  Last week, Bausch & Lomb told consumers not to use their eye contact solution ReNu with MoistureLoc after serious eye infections resulted. A fungus called Fusarium has been identified as the cause of the reported infections. As of April 9, there were 109 cases of suspected Fusarium keratitis under investigation by the CDC and health authorities in 17 states. The risk of contracting contact...

• University Study Targets Taser Safety

  Joe Saunders | March 14, 2006 9:58 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  Armed with a $650,000 grant from the Department of Justice, two University of South Carolina research professors will undertake a study of the controversial Taser stun gun. The study will focus on the weapon's safety as well as its ability to reduce injuries to police officers and suspects. The study comes at a time of growing public concern about the safety of Tasers and their potential for...

• EPA Requests Reduced Use of Teflon Chemical

  Joe Saunders | March 05, 2006 9:32 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The chemical manufacturers use to make Teflon, perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, have been asked by the EPA to reduce and eventually eliminate its use due to its carcinogenic properties. Teflon is used in a wide range of consumer goods, including nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. Currently, the EPA hasn't established safe levels of PFOA exposure. After reviewing an EPA...

• Arizona Republic Identifies 167 Cases of Death by Taser

  Joe Saunders | January 30, 2006 10:16 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The Arizona Republic, using police reports, autopsies, media stories, and Taser International's own documents, to identify 167 cases of death involving the allegedly non-lethal weapon. Groups such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Amnesty International have questioned the use of the stun gun which emits 50,000 volts of electricity into a human body.

• In Florida, Even Kids Can Get Tasered

  Joe Saunders | January 26, 2006 8:44 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  In spite of the Florida Senate's efforts to stop the practice, it remains legal to taser a child under the age of 16. While it defies logic, a police officer can use a Taser to subdue a child. This extreme form of behavior modification is deplored in a recent article by Alexis Colvard in the Georgia State University School newspaper.

• Taser Begins Marketing Controversial Stun Gun to General Public

  Joe Saunders | January 14, 2006 10:19 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The makers of Taser stun guns have begun an aggressive campaign to recruit civilian buyers for devices now used in the U.S. primarily by about 8,500 law enforcement agencies.Taser International is focusing on sales to ordinary citizens despite the high-profile deaths of police suspects after being repeatedly shocked by the weapon. The push comes after an onslaught of negative publicity,...

• Recalled Defective Toys Still on Florida Shelves

  Staff Writer | December 23, 2005 3:29 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  A recent inspection by the Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Department found that many recalled defective products remain on stores' shelves despite the fact that business owners could face fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Inspectors visited nearly 100 stores in 31 cities looking for several products which had been recalled and where supposed to be removed from stores. About...

• Peanut Butter Recalls Expand Daily

  Sandy Grinnell | January 26, 2009 10:44 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  I'm sure by now that you all have heard about the peanut butter recall last week. But what everyone may not know is that the list keeps expanding. I receive FDA recall notices via email and I'm...

• Two Infant Deaths Result in Recall of 1.6 Million Cribs

  Sandy Grinnell | October 21, 2008 11:57 AM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  The crib recall was issued yesterday by Delta Enterprises after two infant deaths were reported. The recall involves cribs sold from 1995 to 2005 and does not effect the cribs currently on the...

• Legal Issues in Food Litigation

  Ed Normand | July 28, 2008 8:17 PM | 0 CommentsOrlando, FL

  Food litigation is becoming an increasingly important area in the law. The recent salmonella outbreak is a classic example. Many consumers are surprised to learn that many deaths and permanent...