Massachusetts Personal Injury Library

Library Articles

10 Worst Toys for 2008
It's the holiday season and children will be sleeping and dreaming of their favorite toys being delivered by Santa on Christmas Eve.They will rush to rip open the gifts waiting for them under the tree bright and early Christmas morning. It is also time to read W.A.T.C.H.'s report on the "10 worst toys" for 2008.World… read more…
2010 General Motors Recall and Car Accident Liability (Part A)
General Motors recently announced that they are recalling 1.3 million vehicles due to manufacturing defects. The recall deals with vehicles that have a flaw in the power steering that can make it difficult to control the vehicle. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving one of the recalled GM… read more…
2010 General Motors Recall and Car Accident Liability (Part B)
Any defect that affects the vehicle’s steering is potentially dangerous. Safe driving requires sometimes making split-second decisions, and a vehicle needs to be able to respond to the driver’s actions. A vehicle is designed to work at maximum efficiency and safety when all parts are in working order. When any part is compromised, an accident… read more…
2010 Generation 2 Crib Recall
For infants and toddlers, a crib is meant to be a haven of security and comfort. For parents, the crib is the place they deposit their greatest treasure for safekeeping. Sadly, a defective crib can be a dangerous-or even deadly-trap for an innocent child. Earlier this year, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSP) announced… read more…
2010 Honda Recall Includes 410,000 Vehicles Due to Brake Problem
Honda Motor Co. has issued a recall of more than 410,000 of its vehicles because of brake issues that can make it difficult for drivers to stop their cars. The 2010 Honda recall includes 344,000 Honda Odysseys and 68,000 Honda Elements from the model years 2007 to 2008. In a statement, Honda has acknowledged that… read more…
Airbag Injuries in Car Accidents
How Airbags Cause Car Accident Injuries Airbags were created to prevent a driver and/or passenger from hitting the interior structure of the vehicle in a car accident. When an airbag deploys, it protects the occupants from moving forward into the steering wheel or dashboard. However, since the airbag must inflate quickly, it can deploy at… read more…
Airbag Redesigns
Airbags were originally intended to provide additional safety measures in vehicles but wide-spread accounts of injuries caused by defective airbags have led to several government-ordered redesigns. There are three airbag designs on the road today, and consumers should be cognizant of which design is in their vehicle as there are varying risks associated with each… read more…
Airbags May Fail to Deploy in an Accident
Airbag Safety While airbags have saved thousands of lives and have been required equipment on cars since 1999, there are some safety concerns. Significant injuries can occur when an airbag deploys, as well as when they deploy at the wrong time or fail to deploy entirely during an accident. While these instances are rare, the… read more…
Are You Angry That SUVs are Defective?
How to care for an injured loved one after an SUV rollover Automakers have known for years that SUVs are not safe to drive or to ride in due to numerous design flaws. Current vehicle crash protection requirements fail to protect adequately against injuries likely to result from crashes. An auto accident can cause all… read more…
ATV Rollover Accidents: Do You Have Legal Recourse?
Do you have legal recourse if you were injured while driving an ATV? An experienced product liability attorney can help you prove that the injuries you sustained while riding the vehicle were the direct result of its design flaws. More than 500 riders are killed in ATV accidents each year, some obviously the victims of… read more…
Beware of Purchasing Online Prescription Drugs
A recent article points out the dangers of purchasing prescription drugs over the internet. As an attorney concentrating in personal injury law in Boston, Thomas M. Kiley, wants people to be aware of the legal issues when purchasing drugs online. In a news broadcast on MSNBC, a federal judge sentenced Jared Wheat, CEO of Hi-Tech… read more…
Causes for Rollovers in 15-Passenger Vans
Are 15 Passenger Vans Safe? This is the question experts and drivers have been asking themselves for years regarding the overall safety of 15-passenger vans. The truth is that 15-passenger vans have been found to be some of the most unsafe and dangerous vehicles on road, in part due to their incredibly high rollover rates,… read more…
Child Accidental Injuries From Defective Toys
217,000 children are accidentally injured due to defective toys each year. If your child suffered an injury due to a defective product in Massachusetts, call a Boston personal injury lawyer at 1-888-208-1695. Free Consultation. No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
Common Airbag Safety Problems
While airbags can greatly reduce the risk of injury and death, design flaws and manufacturing defects can actually cause harm to passengers and drivers. Several airbag safety problems have been identified due to the failure to deploy when necessary, and unnecessary airbag deployment in low-speed crashes. Failure to deploy The problem of non-deployment of airbags… read more…
Consumer Safety Groups Look for Help
Consumer safety groups have been concerned about the lower labor costs associated with manufacturing products overseas which sometimes results in poor quality that puts consumer safety at risk from defective product injuries. Often these injuries occur to children—accidental injury is the leading cause of injury and death to children under age 14. Consumer groups are… read more…
Contaminated Peanut Products Affecting Food Banks and Schools
The most talked about recall products right now are the peanut products produced by Peanut Corporation of America that are causing people to become sick from salmonella bacteria. The contaminated products are affecting not only the general public, but also food banks and schools. A recent article in the New York Times, says that school… read more…
Crib Safety Standards: Your Baby’s Security Depends on It!
If you’re planning to purchase your baby’s first crib or replace an old one, research the reports of product liability first. Every year, brand-name models are “voluntarily” recalled in large numbers at the urging of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Companies looking to avoid product liability and personal injury lawsuits willingly conduct these… read more…
Crib Safety Tips
From the beginning of a child’s life, products intended for a child must be selected with safety in mind. Parents and caretakers of babies and young children need to be constantly aware of the safety standards of the products they purchase or products they are given as gifts. As children are left unattended for long… read more…
Defective Automobiles Covered by the Massachusetts Lemon Law
You may have taken your time choosing your vehicle, by reading all of the consumer reports and reviews, researching on the Internet and talking with various dealerships. Sometimes though, despite all of your best efforts, you end may end up with a defective automobile. There are laws that protect consumers against defective automobiles, trucks and… read more…
Defective Chinese Drywall: Facts for Home Owners
What do we know about defective Chinese drywall? According to a report by News-Press.com, 250 million feet of defective drywall came into the US from China through ports in California, Washington, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. The Florida Health Department has received 100 complaints about drywall that is producing a rotten-egg smell. Some homeowners… read more…
Defective Refrigerators Cause Fire Hazard - 1 comment
Boston product injury attorney Thomas M. Kiley, concentrates on legal issues surrounding defective consumer goods. Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of 1.6 million refrigerators because of a fire hazard. Today reported that Maytag Corporation of Newton, Iowa is issuing the enormous refrigerator recall because of an electrical failure in the refrigerator's… read more…
Defective Vehicles? SUVs and Rollover Accident Injuries
“A 16-year old boy died of injuries from a sport utility vehicle rollover.” “1 Dead 2 Hurt in SUV Rollover Crash on Bridge.” “Girl dies of injuries from SUV rollover.” These headlines are not uncommon or shocking as death occurs in 59% of all SUV rollover accidents, according to a recent report by the Insurance… read more…
Delaying Labor Can Decrease Risk of Cerebral Palsy
The New England Journal of Medicine published a report that says preterm infants born to mothers receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate — a common treatment to delay labor — are less likely to develop cerebral palsy than are preterm infants whose mothers do not receive it. The research was done by the National Institute of Health… read more…
Design Flaws Increase the Risk of SUV Rollover Accidents
No matter how careful a driver is, there is always a possibility for a Boston SUV rollover accident to occur. Compared to standard vehicles, sport utility vehicles present a dramatically higher risk for rollover accidents. Whether the vehicle rolled over following a steering over correction or a tire blowout, its safety features should still protect… read more…
Father Does His Part for Child Safety Defective Product
A father whose daughter almost died from choking on a outlet cover decided to design his own cover when he reported the incident to the Consumer Product Safety Commission to get the items recalled and they refused. In an article by Beverly Beckham in the Boston Globe, George DeCell, a stay-at-home dad from Fairfax, VA,… read more…
FDA Needs Authority Over Diet Supplements
Over half of all Americans use some kind of dietary supplements such as vitamin pills, diet pills, herbs, and energy drinks, according to a recent article in the New York Times, the numbers are huge—Americans spent close to $25 billion on dietary supplements last year, according to the Nutrition Business Journal. But a new study… read more…
FDA Recommends More Study of Diabetes Drug
A recent article in The Boston Globe announced that a federal panel of experts is recommending long-term studies of a diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb be conducted before it is approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for use. The article, describes a federal panel investigating the drug Onglyza that is made by Bristol-Myers… read more…
FDA Warns About Psoriasis Drug
A recent Boston Globe article announced that the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency warned consumers that a drug psoriasis medicine called Raptiva was linked to four cases of a deadly brain infection. According to the article, there have been three confirmed cases and one possible case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopahy in patients… read more…
FDA Warns of Diet Pills
There is new evidence from the Federal Drug Administration, that says weight loss capsules called StarCaps, promoted as a natural dietary supplement, could be a health hazard. According to an article in The Boston Globe, the FDA found the capsules contain a drug called bumetanide which can have serious side effects. The FDA, has found… read more…
Fireworks in Massachusetts – Learn Your Rights from a Lawyer (Part A)
Should consumer use fireworks be allowed in Massachusetts? It’s a topic of conversation every year. Currently Massachusetts fireworks laws prohibit personal use. Legalizing Fireworks in Maine In nearby Maine, lawmakers are considering legalizing the sale of fireworks. Some of the points made by Maine legislators include: The sale would generate significant revenue for Maine. By… read more…
Fireworks in Massachusetts – Learn Your Rights from a Lawyer (Part B)
Fireworks in Massachusetts Debate Continued Some arguments in the fireworks safety debate include: Guns are legal and they injure and kill more than fireworks accidents. Cigarettes are legal to purchase and they cause many illnesses as well as deaths. Alcohol is legal and yet there are more drunk driving accidents than fireworks accidents. If safe… read more…
Firm Fakes Generic Drug Tests
A recent article in the Washington Post indicates that the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced that India’s largest drugmaker has falsified laboratory tests for generic drugs that were approved for sale in the US. According to the article, the FDA identified problems at the Ranbaxy Laboratories plant in Paonta Sahib where evidence shows… read more…
Fisher-Price Recalls Simplicity’s Rainforest™ Portable Play Yards
On January 15, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of about 200,000 Simplicity Rainforest Portable Play Yards with the Fisher-Price logo. The recalled play yards were sold with a bassinet, changing table, and mobile features. The products have a rainforest patterned fabric and rainforest themed artwork. The play yards were sold at… read more…
Harley Davidson Recall Includes More Than 111,000 Motorcycles
Motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson has recently announced a recall of 111,600 motorcycles due to a defective fuel tank that may result in a leak after a crash. The danger is that such a fuel leak could cause a fire in the presence of an ignition spark. The Harley Davidson recall involves 21 models in the… read more…
Have You Been Hurt In A 15-Passenger Van Rollover Accident?
When the accident is over, the real pain begins. When a vehicle rolls over, a series of events take place that can seriously injure passengers and drivers from a variety of angles. Since the vehicle rotates, the people inside can experience different points of contact across their body that can result in: Serious brain trauma,… read more…
How to Locate Car Seat Recall Information (Part A)
Parents try so hard to do the best for their children. They research and select the best possible cribs, strollers, toys, and most importantly, child car seats. Just as other products occasionally have defects and malfunctions, so can car safety seats. Car seats can and do get recalled when a defect poses a major threat… read more…
How to Locate Car Seat Recall Information (Part B)
Consumer Reports Consumer Reports often lists unsafe children’s products on their blog and they have a section in their magazine for recalls. Additionally, the website and magazine are great resources for finding out the best child safe products available. US Consumer Product Safety Commission The CPSC states on its website, “The U.S. Consumer Product Safety… read more…
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) Recall Affects Dozens of Products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued a food recall for products containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) because of their discovery of Salmonella in one company’s supply of a commonly used processed food ingredient. Currently no illnesses have been reported because of the food contamination, but the FDA has issued an HVP recall… read more…
Imported Drugs Raise Safety Concerns for FDA
As the public becomes more aware of imported products from countries which have less strict safety standards than the U.S., as indicated by the millions of recalled toys from China in the past year, the Federal Drug Administration wants consumers to beware of imported drugs as well. The exact amount of imported drugs that come… read more…
Infantino Recalls Slings Linked to Infant Deaths
Baby product manufacturer Infantino recalled 1 million SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo baby slings on March 24, 2010 because of related infant deaths. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered the recall after 3 children died, including a 3-month-old child in Cincinnati. The recalled Infantino baby slings can suffocate a child when the loose fabric… read more…
Is Organic Food Safe to Eat?
A recent New York Times article examines the national outbreak of salmonella in peanut products and the fact that although the plants in Texas and Georgia that sent out contaminated products had federal organic certification their products made people sick. Now people who use organic produce because they want their families to be healthier are… read more…
Lawsuits for Crib Recalls
Products liability attorneys lead the way to safer crib furniture when the federal government fails to ban unsafe models. While the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) routinely requests high-volume crib recalls each year, these often come too late to save lives. The resultant infant deaths and injuries related to faulty crib products remaining on… read more…
Lawsuits Keep Kids Safe from Defective Toys
Are Phthalates Dangerous? In certain formulas and concentrations, phthalates affect the endocrine system of the human body. Upsetting the hormonal balance in this manner has been linked in medical studies with asthma and reproductive problems, especially in children. Boys are at high risk for inhibited development of the genitalia and testosterone production, which can have… read more…
Liver Damage Linked to Hydroxycut
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sent out an announcement warning consumers to stop using the Hydroxycut line of dietary supplement and weight-loss products. This urgent warning came after reports of a death of a 19-year-old man and other instances of liver failure and complications. So far the FDA has received 23 reports… read more…
Massachusetts Car Accidents Involving a Recalled Nissan
In early 2010, Nissan recalled more than 500,000 of its vehicles due to problems with the brakes and fuel gauges. Many consumers have been directly affected in some way by these auto manufacturer defects, and some have suffered injuries that resulted from sudden mechanical failures in a recalled Nissan. If you or a loved one… read more…
Massachusetts Car Accidents Involving Recalled Lexus Vehicles
While the Toyota Camry recall has gotten the most attention in the recent rash of 2010 car safety scandals, Lexus has also experienced safety issues relating to a vehicle defect. Lexus is a division of Toyota Motors and some Lexus models have also been included in the recent massive car recall. If you have suffered… read more…
Neighborhoods Need Better Protection from Toxins
A recent article in the Boston Globe chronicles the progress the Agency for Toxic Substances is making in improving protection of neighborhoods from toxins. The article, describes how the federal agency is working to assess the health risks at Superfund cleanup sites and other hazardous waste locations. At a Congressional hearing, the agency officials told… read more…
Over 1 Million Toyotas Recalled for Product Defect
Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of over 130,000 small cars because there is a danger that the vehicles may catch fire. Recalled Toyota vehicles involved include 2006 and 2007 Yaris which is available in a small two door hatch back or a small four door sedan. Why is the Yaris being recalled? The product… read more…
Parents Beware of Lead Tainted Toys Defective Products
Last year, over 45 million toys and children’s products – 30 million from China – were recalled, according to an article in the Seattle PI Newsource. In fact, China currently makes 80% of the toys in the U.S. Over 140 of the 152 consumer product recalls for unsafe lead materials issued in the past six… read more…
Plastic may be harmful
Massachusetts attorney Tom Kiley, concentrates on legal issues regarding defective products. A recent article in the Boston Globe says Massachusetts public health officials are considering a warning about a chemical called bisphenol A used in plastic bottles. According to the article, health officials are looking at studies done on the odorless, tasteless chemical known as… read more…
Post Collision Fuel-Fed Fires: The Billion Dollar GM Verdict
On July 9, 1999, a jury in Los Angeles awarded the highest personal injury verdict in U.S. history to the plaintiffs who had filed a lawsuit against car manufacturer, General Motors (GM). The case involved six victims, several of which were children, who were severely burned when the 1979 Chevy Malibu they were driving in… read more…
Private food auditors inspecting food plants
Massachusetts attorney Tom Kiley, concentrates on legal issues regarding defective products. According to a recent article in the New York Times, government officials are overwhelmed with inspecting the nation’s food supply and are turning to private auditors to do the job. The article, documents that it was a private auditor who missed the salmonella contamination… read more…
Reading Labels Isn’t Enough to Ensure Safe Products
Thanks to recent defective product scares and research results, consumers are becoming more and more aware of the harmful ingredients and substances that can affect their health. They’re learning how to read labels and to research where their products were made to determine how safe they are. Where can they go to find out this… read more…
Recognize the Symptoms of Lead Exposure from Children’s Toys
Did you know that you may have a product in your house that could cause your child to suffer learning disabilities, seizures and even death? Over the last couple of years, millions of children's products have been pulled from shelves after being found to contain harmful levels of lead. Many of these items were manufactured… read more…
Safety Toolkits Free for All Americans
The government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission has put together a resource to help keep communities safe. Called the Neighborhood Safety Network, this resource is intended as a toolkit for communities with elderly, urban and rural low-income families, and minority groups who may not hear the usual safety messages issued by the government for their protection…. read more…
Salami Products Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Daniele International, a Rhode Island food manufacturing company, has issued a food recall of approximately 115,000 pounds of its salami products after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed its discovery of salmonella in one of the company’s unopened salami containers. Testing is currently underway at a state health partner… read more…
Stork Craft Recalls More Than 500,000 Cribs
January 13, 2009 – Stork Craft Recalls More Than 500,000 Cribs; Mattress Support Bracket Failures Create Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless… read more…
Sudden Acceleration Issues in the Toyota Camry
Over the last several months, Toyota has issued recalls on thousands of its vehicles due to design defects. The most serious of these defects involves sudden acceleration problems in Toyota vehicles, a problem that has lead to serious and fatal injuries. If you have been in an accident that you believe is related to a… read more…
SUV Manufacturers Duping Consumers?
The purchase of an SUV is an exhilarating experience. You have a powerful vehicle, you’re up above the road-and most other vehicles-and you’re safe. However, this is successful marketing, not safety. SUVs are proportionally very high in rollover accident deaths and injuries. Then what makes them so attractive to the average car buyer? The auto… read more…
SUV manufacturers: Take responsibility!
SUVs should be safe, right? They’re big and sit high off the road, so the occupants should be protected in an accident. Not so. SUV Rollover Statistics More than 10,000 people are killed in rollover accidents each year and this doesn’t even show how many are killed in other types of collisions. This statistic also… read more…
SUVs: Is the Convenience Worth the Risk?
Automakers have put their customers in a predicament: you have to choose safety or convenience. When you’re shopping for a new vehicle, you have many choices to consider. You might want something smaller and more fuel-efficient, but what if you have children that you need to take to soccer games and on camping trips? Not… read more…
SUVs: What makes them dangerous?
Startling Statistics More than 10,000 people are killed in rollover accidents each year. This statistic does not even take into account those killed in other types of collisions. About 35% of all occupant deaths occur in crashes in which vehicles roll over. The government has set standards for motor vehicle safety, but most of the… read more…
The Truth About BPAs in Toys and BPA in Water Bottles
What chemicals and additives are found in dangerous toys? The most problematic toxins in toys and child-care products are compounds that are added to plastics to make them more pliable. While this allows manufacturers great creativity in shaping toys, some additives are toxic. Lead, phthalates and Bisphenol A are all used to create types of… read more…
Thrift stores comply with new lead law
Concentrating on legal issues regarding defective products In recent years, many products being produced overseas without safety standards overseen by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, have been found to be contaminated by lead and are unsafe. This had led to many recalls and also a new law enacted by Congress to deal with this problem…. read more…
Unsafe Cribs and Unsafe Baby Furniture Can Cause Death!
Parents rely on quality baby furniture to safeguard their children during the moments when they cannot. Injuries and deaths related to baby cribs and other children’s furniture products are very difficult for parents and families to cope with. While some accidents relate to crib accessories and location, many are the fault of poor design or… read more…
What Are the Facts in the 2010 Toyota Recall?
If you have been injured in a car accident with your Toyota, you may be wondering if it had to do with the ongoing Toyota recall issues. A Massachusetts personal injury lawyer is a great resource in resolving an accident injury caused by a defective product. While we are all aware that there is a… read more…
Who Do We Contact for Defective Products?
The government should work for you, the consumer. At Kiley Law Group, we can help you find the information to help with questions about defective products. If you have been injured by a defective product, we will get you compensation for your medical costs. Where can you go for more information? The government has several… read more…
Youth-sized ATV for your child? Think twice before you buy.
Controversy rages over whether children should ride ATVs. After a sharp rise in injuries and deaths that accompanied children riding vehicles designed for adults, manufacturers began marketing youth ATVs. However, many medical experts and products liability lawyers don’t believe the design can accommodate the variations in children’s body sizes. This is especially true of certain… read more…