Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Following several congressional hearings and investigations led by federal officials amidst the recall of millions of vehicle models, Toyota remains firm in denying that any electronic flaw is the cause of throttle problems or unintended acceleration. According to a Los Angeles Times article, a March 8, 2010 presentation was held at Toyota’s operations center in Torrance, CA.

Apparently, five engineers have responded to a Southern Illinois University assistant professor’s findings which support that he can create an electrical flaw in Toyota vehicles without the vehicles’ diagnostic system picking it up. The article also mentions that if the assistant professor’s study is determined to be accurate, claims may be made by some Toyota consumers regarding incidents of unintended acceleration without a trouble code being initiated on the vehicles’ computers.

While Toyota engineers support the claim that the assistant professor’s tests are “an unrealistic manipulation,” the automaker has been asked by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to provide a company employee memo that may reveal safety risks being taken as a way to save the company money. While Toyota continues to defend itself against claims of electrical defect, there is no doubt that some Toyota motorists and passengers have experienced the consequences of sudden acceleration in injury and fatal auto accidents.

Continue reading "Toyota Denies Claims of Electronic Defect Causing Unintended Acceleration" »

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Posted In: Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Based on a US News & World Report article, an incident of sudden acceleration due to a sticking gas pedal took place in Southern California on March 8, 2010. According to the report, the driver of the 2008 Toyota Prius dialed 911 to seek help because the gas pedal in his vehicle was stuck and he could not slow down from 94 mph.

Fortunately, this man was not injured and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was able to assist him in slowing down the runaway Prius. The article points out that this process took approximately 20 minutes and that the CHP officer instructed the driver through loudspeaker to apply the brakes as well as the emergency brake. Once the vehicle was able to hit 50 mph, the motorist turned off his engine and the vehicle eventually came to a stop.

Although the article didn’t mention whether or not this man’s Prius had received a redesigned gas pedal or a new floor mat, recent speculation and academic studies from outside experts have pointed to electronic malfunction as the origin of Toyota throttle problems. The 2008 Prius involved in the above incident has been included only in the floor mat recall. After learning of the incident, Toyota sent a field technical specialist to provide assistance and investigate the report.

Continue reading "Toyota Prius Involved in Southern California Sudden Acceleration Incident" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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A recent LA Times article reported that a live webcast on March 8, 2010 will discuss Toyota’s defenses against claims of electronic throttle problems made by an automotive technology assistant professor from Southern Illinois University. According to the article, the assistant professor presented his study results to Congress in February, pinpointing electronic issues as the culprit for recalled Toyota vehicles experiencing unintended acceleration and throttle problems.

While the assistant professor has concluded that wiring failure in recalled Toyota cars is connected to sudden acceleration, Toyota has denied such claims of electronic flaw. Based on the article, the automaker referred to the assistant professor’s study as “completely unrealistic under real-world conditions.” Through the webcast, Toyota is supposed to present their defense by re-creating the study and providing rebuttals made by experts from Stanford University’s Center for Automotive Research.

Auto manufacturers are responsible for designing, testing, and creating vehicles that are free of defect or flaw before putting them on the market. The assistant professor involved in the Toyota throttle study asserts that automotive electronics may cause a vehicle to experience problems if the components are not properly tested to respond to extreme vibrations or temperatures.

Continue reading "Toyota Electronic Throttle Problems Supported by Assistant Professor's Study" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Consumers should be advised about a black box warning for Reglan and other metoclopramide-containing drugs that are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. A black box warning is the strongest warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that the drug carries a risk of serious or life-threatening side effects. The black box warning for Reglan from the FDA highlights the risk of tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements of the face and extremities.

Reglan works by increasing muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. This speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. Reglan is also used short-term to treat heartburn caused by acid reflux in people who have used other medications without relief of symptoms. The drug is used in people with diabetes which can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite and a feeling of fullness after eating.

The Reglan black box warning states that patients using the medication as a long-term treatment for gastrointestinal disorders are at risk for tardive dyskinesia. Those who are at risk for this serious Reglan side effect are the elderly, particularly women who have been taking Reglan for extended periods of time. Tardive dyskinesia typically causes the following symptoms:

• Grimacing


• Lip smacking


• Rapid eye blinking


• Involuntary movements of the fingers, hands, arms, face, legs and shoulders


• Pursing of the lips


• Trouble breathing, swallowing talking or walking

The sad fact remains that these symptoms are almost irreversible since there is no known treatment for tardive dyskinesia. If you or a loved one has developed tardive dyskinesia after taking Reglan, please contact the skilled injury lawyers at Page Cagle for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and loss. Call our St. Louis product liability attorneys at 866-620-5757 today to find out how we can help.

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Defective Drugs , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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In efforts to quell the number of dog bite victims, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are testing software that will teach children how to behave around animals. According to an article and video posted on ABC News, a non-verbal computer program called “Blue Dog” will ideally become a teaching tool across the nation. Appropriate behavior that the program aims to teach is to not pet animals while they are sleeping or eating.

The Center for Disease Control indicates that dogs bite 4.5 million Americans each year. Keep in mind that these are just the cases that are reported. Countless dog bite instances are left unreported. The most common victims of dog bite attacks and mauling incidents are children. This is due to the fact that children often miss a dog’s warning signs more easily than adults do. Education is a much-needed action for preventing severe instances of dog bites.

Research shows that Missouri dog bites occur more frequently in the spring and summer months than in winter months. This is because during the springtime and summer, children are more likely to be outside and around animals. If a dog has bitten your child in Missouri, clean the wound thoroughly and talk to your pediatrician about possible rabies infections.

Continue reading "Missouri Dog Bite Lawyer: Software Is Said to Prevent Dog Bite Attacks on Children" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Dog Bite , Law & Information , Personal Injury

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Without announcing a vehicle defect recall, Chrysler is planning to carry out a "safety improvement campaign" to fix the front airbags on 355,000 minivans, including Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravans. According to a Reuters news report, the move comes after Chrysler found that the front airbag sensor could fail to deploy if it becomes damaged and wet. Chrysler is not currently issuing any recalls and is instead claiming that there have been no complaints or injuries due to this new issue. Chrysler also states that an airbag warning light will alert the driver if there is a defect or issue with the system.

Recalls and corrections have become commonplace in recent months. Chrysler is attempting to fix this safety hazard before there are any personal injuries due to faulty manufacturing. This proactive move by Chrysler may have been inspired by the recent woes of Toyota and Honda. Honda recently had to recall almost half a million of their vehicles due to defective airbags, which caused a number of personal injuries and one reported fatality. Toyota recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles for defective gas pedals that caused unintended acceleration. Car manufacturers are required by law to ensure the safety of their vehicles.

Continue reading "Airbag Product Defect Prompts Chrysler Minivan Fix " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Five people sustained injuries in a Missouri auto accident. According to a news report in the Sedalia Democrat, the accident occurred as one driver who was northbound on Route 131 at Highway 50 failed to yield right-of-way to an eastbound vehicle. The injured parties included four adults and one infant. Thankfully, this incident did not involve any life-threatening injuries, according to the news report.

Failing to yield right-of-way is a common cause of Missouri auto accidents. We see this problem occur most commonly in accidents that take place at street intersections. Very often, these types of accidents will involve a driver who fails to yield right-of-way to another or a driver who runs a red light. Both of these circumstances are serious traffic violations under Missouri law. The driver who failed to yield right-of-way in such cases could be determined to be at fault for the accident and could be held liable for injuries, damages and losses suffered by the victims of a car accident. In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of surgery, physical therapy or other related damages.

Continue reading "Missouri Auto Accident Injures Five" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury

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According to a recent article from ozarksfirst.com, a school bus crash in Missouri left five people injured in El Dorado Springs. The collision occurred in the morning, just east of town, on northbound Highway 39. The bus was stopped in a designated school bus area to pick up passengers when a pick-up truck, driven by a student, struck the rear of the bus.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that the bus had its flashing lights on and stop arm extended. The driver of the truck was allegedly speeding and unable to stop the vehicle in time. Four students from the bus and the student driver were transported to the Cedar County Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. There were 16 total students on the bus at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "Five Injured in School Bus Crash" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Bus Accident , Personal Injury

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In recent years, the sythnetic antibiotic drug, Levaquin, has gained infamy in that it has been causing severe tendon injuries in patients taking the drug. However, events dating back to 2001 indicate that many of the manufacturers of this type of fluoroquinolones had known about the serious side effects of the drug.

In 2001, several European countries convened to discuss warnings for Levaquin, as it is the most tendon-toxic in the group of fluoroquinolones. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products agreed that further studies were needed.

The leading manufacturer in Europe of levofloxacin (the European counterpart of Levaquin), Aventis, agreed to fund two epidemiological studies in order to examine the drug’s toxic effects on tendons. Aventis then enlisted Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development (PRD) to co-author a U.S. study on fluoroquinolones and tendon rupture as well, thereby promoting the largest epidemiological study to date.

Continue reading "Initial Levaquin Studies Falsified" »

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Posted In: Defective Drugs

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Johnson and Johnson issued a large recall for many of its products after reports that some of them contained a musty smell. The initial Johnson & Johnson recalls were issued in November and December of 2009 for the well-known pain reliever, Tylenol. After the initial recall, research from the Food and Drug Administration concluded in stating, “The breakdown of a certain chemical applied to the wooden pallets used to ship the product was the culprit.”

On January 15, 2010, Johnson & Johnson expanded its recall to cover all lots that may have been affected by the contaminated wooden pallets, regardless of consumer reports. The recall was also extended to include products such as Junior Strength Motrin IB, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Benadryl, Extra Strength Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release, Motrin IB, Regular Strength Tylenol, Rolaids, Simply Sleep, St. Joseph Aspirin, Tylenol Arthritis and Tylenol PM.

Many of the recalled lots were manufactured at one of Johnson & Johnson’s main manufacturing sites located in Puerto Rico. Users of the products have reported side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; though no serious medical problems have been reported.

FDA officials also reported that Johnson & Johnson was aware of consumer complaints as early as September 2008, though it did not thoroughly investigate until late 2009.

Continue reading "Johnson & Johnson Recalls Tylenol and Other Brands" »

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Posted In: Defective Drugs , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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A Rhode Island based-company, Daniele International, Inc., issued a recall late January due to a salmonella outbreak. The outbreak affected over 200 people in 42 different states, including Missouri. Over 1.25 million pounds of salami were recalled after the endemic continued to spread across state lines.

Officials determined that those who got sick all shopped at Costco (a Daniele salami supplier) prior to becoming ill. Researchers tested a sample of the Costco salami and it was positive for salmonella. Since salami does not usually contain the bacteria, investigators were led to believe that black pepper was the contaminating factor.

According to the CDC and the FDA, the levels of contamination for pepper and spices are generally low; however, black pepper is more likely to carry salmonella compared to other spices because it is sun-dried in order to retain its outer skins. The direct correlation between Daniele International and the salmonella outbreak is still under investigation; therefore, the company has not taken full responsibility for the outbreak.

Continue reading "Peppered Salami Causes Salmonella Outbreak " »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Foodborne Illness , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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According to a report, Honda, Japan’s second largest car manufacturer, extended its recall to 437,000 cars due to defective airbags. The initial recall was issued in 2008 and included 4,000 Accord and Civic sedans; it was later expanded in 2009 to include another 510,000 vehicles. The most recent recall mainly impacts the United States and Canada. However, 4,000 vehicles in Japan and 13,000 vehicles in Mexico, Taiwan, and Australia were also affected.

The recall was issued in order to replace the airbag inflator that can cause the airbag to overinflate, and according to the report, result "in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material and possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants." So far, the malfunction has been linked to eleven injuries and one fatality.

The cars that currently fall under the airbag recall include 2001 and 2002 model-year Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CL, CR-V and 2002 Acura TL vehicles. The Japanese-only models that are included in the recall are Inspire, Saber and Lagreat. If Honda contacts you about the recall, you should contact an authorized dealership as soon as you receive your notification.

Continue reading "Honda Airbag Recall Extended to 437,000 Cars" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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