News & Industry Alerts

2010-03-18	Government Recalling over 1 Million Highchairs 1.2 million of Graco highchairs are being recalled due to a fall hazard. Consumers should immediately stop using the Harmony™ high chair.
2010-03-18	Boston Scientific Recalls Seven Brands of Implantable Defibrillators Boston Scientific is issuing a massive recall of its implantable heart defibrillators. According to a Boston Scientific press release, the company is halting sales and retrieving field inventory of all its implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) because it did not get approval from federal regulators for changes to its manufacturing processes.
2010-03-10	CPSC to issue safety warning about popular baby slings Baby slings are being targeted by the US Consumer Product Commission for a warning that they can be dangerous to infants.
2010-03-02	Children Toy Recalls Occur During the Month of February Thousands of recalls on children's toys, greeting cards, lamps, cribs and strollers have been issued for the month of February. Potential risks range from choking hazards to fingertip amputation.
2010-03-02	GM to recall 1.3M compacts for steering problem General Motors Co. is recalling 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac compact cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail.
2010-03-02	What should you do if a vehicle is accelerating uncontrollably? Accelerator pedals in the 2.3 million vehicles that Toyota recalled may, in rare circumstances, become stuck after the pedal mechanisms become worn, the automaker has said.
2010-02-24	Allreds Does Voluntary Recall on Baby Products Allreds Design has issued a voluntary recall of baby bracelets and infant pacifiers, after problems were identified with high levels of lead, according to a prnewswire.com report. For major health concerns, lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
2010-02-24	Controversial Diabetic Medicine could be Removed from the Market Just released by The New York Times, Avandia, a controversial diabetes medicine, has patients suffering heart attacks and heart failure each month, according to confidential government reports that recommend the drug be removed from the market.
2010-02-24	YAZ Birth Control Possibly Linked to Hazardous Side Effects Studies have shown that the ingredients contained in YAZ, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to various forms of severe side-effects. Reportedly, these side-effects include: heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis (also known as DVT or blood clots), internal organ damage (including gallbladder damage), myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism.
2010-02-02	UPDATE - Toyota Recall Toyota Motor Corp. stated that its dealers should get parts to fix a sticky gas pedal problem by the end of this week, to bring an end to a recall that has affected 4.2 million vehicles worldwide.
2010-01-29	Honda Recalls 646,000 Units Honda recalls 646,000 amid Toyota woes Honda Motor Co. said it would recall a total of 646,000 units of its Fit/Jazz and City models, including 140,000 in the United States, because of a faulty window switch, after a child died when fire broke out in a car last year.
2010-1-28	Johnson & Johnson Issues Massive Recall of Tylenol The company Johnson and Johnson issued a major recall on January 15, 2010 for three of their over-the-counter drugs including: Tylenol, Motrin, and St. Joseph’s aspirin.
2010-1-27	Toyota Halts Sales Of Some Models For Safety Problems, including the Camry Toyota has recently suspended U.S. sales of the best-selling car in America, the Camry to fix sticking gas pedals that would make the car accelerate without warning. The halt of production on the Camry has also led to cease production of six other car models.
2010-1-25	Alli 60 mg. Capsules, Counterfeit Product UPDATE There has been an update of the Alli 60 mg. capsules from the January 21 blog post. As of January 23, 2010 the FDA has been updated with information on laboratory analysis of the sibutramine levels in counterfeit product.
2010-1-21	Alli 60 mg. Capsules, Counterfeit Product The FDA notified consumes and healthcare professionals about a counterfeit and dangerous version of Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit).
2010-1-20	One Million Graco Strollers are Recalled after Amputations of Kids’ Fingertips After two months of Graco Children’s Products recalling certain models of the Passage, Alano, and Spreee Strollers due to young children’s fingers being lopped off, 1.5 million strollers are being recalled for related reasons.
2010-1-20	Dorel Asia Recalls Cribs; 1 Infant Death Reported About 635,000 cribs are being recalled because of a strangulation hazard that resulted in an Iowa baby being killed, a U.S. watchdog agency said Tuesday.
2010-1-13	Cheese Recall Impacts Target, Whole Foods and other stores Minnesota-based manufacturer Parkers Farm, Inc is recalling several of its products because they may contain Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. National markets that carry Parker Farm products- including Shop Rite, Path Mark, Wal-Mart, Target, Price Chopper, and Whole Foods- are being affected.
2010-1-5	New Warnings for a Popular Rub-on Pain Reliever A federal agency has announced new warnings for all products containing diclofenac sodium, including Voltaren Gel, because the medications have been linked to reports of serious liver damage resulting in transplants and deaths.
2009-12-23	Volvo recalls over 140K 2001-2005 and 2010 MY vehicles over fuel system issues Volvo is recalling certain vehicles sold in the US because the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange when exposed to certain climate conditions, particularly hot climates, over time and in combination with varying fuel quality.
2009-12-21	FDA Investigates Radiation Overdose at Hospitals More than 300 patients may have received an overdose of radiation from a special type of CT scan used to image the brain.
2009-12-04	They Knew and Failed to.. New Report Details Corporations that Skirt Responsibility and Shun Consumer Safety to Save Money Every day there is another recall or warning of a product that turned out to have design flaws or unexpected problems, for example: a drug with a unanticipated side effect, a toy with a sharp piece that can injure a child, etc. These recalls and warnings are so frequent that consumers are no longer surprised.
2009-11-25	Toyota to replace 3.8M gas pedals Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will replace accelerator pedals on 3.8 million recalled vehicles in the United States to address problems with the pedals becoming jammed in the floor mat.
2009-11-24	Elmo and a dinosaur make bad toy list So far this holiday season, five products made the list for containing lead or "potentially toxic chemicals."
2009-11-24	Infant Entrapment and Suffocation Prompts Stork Craft to Recall More Than 2.1 Million Drop-Side Cribs More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs by Stork Craft Manufacturing are being recalled, the biggest crib recall in U.S history, following reports of four infant suffocations.
2009-11-20	Vicks nasal spray recalled after bacteria found The Procter & Gamble Co. has recalled some 120,000 bottles of Vicks Sinex nasal spray after the company found bacteria in samples during routine testing.
2009-11-19	Fire and burn hazards prompt recall of gas grills sold at Lowe’s stores The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the “Perfect Flame SLG Series Gas Grills” sold at exclusively at Lowe’s nationwide from September 2005 through May 2009.
2009-11-09	Stroller company announces major safety recall Maclaren is recalling at least 1 million umbrella strollers because of a potential hazard to children's fingers.
2009-11-02	Two deaths possible in ground beef recall An outbreak of food-borne illness, linked to dangerous bacteria in ground beef, sickened 28 people and caused at least one death, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
2009-10-14	Ford Recalls 4.5M from Defective Switch Motor Corp. said Tuesday, October 13, 2009, it will add 4.5 million older-model vehicles to the long list of those recalled because of a defective cruise control switch could cause a fire.
2009-10-13	What’s the Wharton Name Worth? Inquirer article - A man said his Penn degree lacked a certain something – a jury agreed. more>>
2009-09-30	Toyota Recalls 3.8 million Cars over Floor Mats Toyota is recalling 3.8 million vehicles in the United States due to a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash. This is the largest-ever US recall Toyota has had. The recall will involve popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid. Toyota is still working on a remedy to fix the problem; however, in the meantime owners should take out the removable floor mat on the driver’s side immediately and not replace it. more>>
2009-09-27	Frigidare Top Load Washers Recalled Frigidaire is recalling top load washers, 3.1 cubic foot front load washers and laundry centers. The drain pump may haven been manufactured improperly and in certain circumstances could create a fire hazard. If your product is affected, stop using it IMMEDIATELY and call Frigidaire at 1-800-734-4519 or check out their website at laundrypumprecall.com to confirm whether your model is affected and to arrange for a service technician to replace the affected pump. If you purchased your washer at Sears, call Sears at 1-888-549-5870.
2009-09-01	Walmart Recalls 4.2 million DVD Players Walmart has recently recalled 4.2 million of its Durabrand DVD players because the circuit boards can overheat and start fires. The Chinese-made DVD players were selling for $29 exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide. If purchased, Walmart is urging customers to return for a full refund immediately.
2009-08-27	Toyota Recalls 95,700 Vehicles over Cold Weather Braking Concern Toyota has begun working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 95,700 vehicles with a brake issue that could lead to poor stopping at low temperatures. The recall involves 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models and 2008-2009 Scion xD models with the 1.8-liter engine, and only customers in 19 cold weather states are eligible for the recall. Toyota says the problem may arise when condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation port seeps into the brake system vacuum port and freezes. As ice accumulates, the brake vacuum port could plug up and "power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances." Owners of affected vehicles will soon receive a notice from Toyota, followed by instructions to take the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for no-cost repairs. Dealer technicians will install a newly designed intake air connector that relocates the brake system vacuum port, a one-hour procedure. No other Lexus, Toyota, or Scion vehicles are involved. Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Scion Customer Experience at 1-866-70SCION (707-2466).
2009-08-13	Wii recharging stations recalled Distributor has received six reports that battery pack can overheat. About 220,000 Psyclone Essentials and React Wii 4-dock battery recharging stations, manufactured in China and distributed by Griffin International Cos. Inc. of Minneapolis, because the battery pack can overheat. The company has received six reports of overheating, including two hand burns. The Psyclone Essentials stations were sold at Target, Toys "R" Us and Amazon.com nationwide. The React stations were sold at Best Buy stores nationwide. Both were available between January 2008 and July 2009. Details: by phone at 888-344-4702; on the Web at www.psyclonegamer.com/Wii4Dock.
2009-08-20	Black & Decker Coffeemakers Recall The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of 9,800 Black & Decker Thermal Coffeemakers. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. The coffeemakers can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
2009-07-10	Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms; Can Fail to Warn of a Fire According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Kidde recalled close to 94,000 of the Model PI2000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms. An electrostatic discharge can damage the unit, causing it not to warn consumers of a fire.
2009-05-08	Hydroxycut The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced its recall for the weight loss pill, Hydroxycut. The FDA is warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products, as these products have been associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Lovate, the distributor of Hydroxycut, has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market.
2009-05-05	Hepatitis C Outbreak at Atlantic City Hospital Officials at have reported 15 cases of hepatitis C at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Administrators from the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus contacted the state this month after discovering five recent cases of hepatitis C during an annual federally mandated hepatitis C testing of dialysis patients.
2008-12-22	CPSC, Lasko Products, Inc. Announce Recall of Fans CPSC, Lasko Products, Inc. Announce Recall of Ceramic Heaters Manufactured in 2005 Lasko Products recently announced its recall of fans and heaters. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC), Lasko is recalling 5.6 million fans and 186,000 space heaters. Lasko fans have a potential electrical failure in the fan motor, which can pose a fire hazard. The power cord connection in the heaters can over heat and cause the cord to separate from the space heater, which poses a fire, burn, and shock hazard. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident regarding these, or similar products, please contact our offices immediately. Please click on the links below for the articles regarding these recalled products.
2008-12-09	Nominees for the "10 Worst Toys" This holiday season, Messa & Associates wish to advise parents and families to be cautious when purchasing gifts for loved ones. We have included a list of the “Worst Toys of 2008” according to W.A.T.C.H, World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc.
2008-12-04	Faulty Smoke Detectors Defect in smoke detectors are claiming lives and causing injury all over the country, and it is more than just one brand of smoke detector.
2008-12-02	Drug Marketing Techniques May Be Risking Patient Safety With new drugs being reviewed by regulatory agencies and then released onto the market faster than ever before, patients' safety is being compromised, warns a study published on bmj.com today.
2007-11-09	Vioxx - Pharmaceutical Drug News Merck to pay $4.85 billion over Vioxx suits
2007-10-15	FDA Class 1 Recall: Medtronics's Sprint Fidelis® Defibrillator Leads Medtronics's Sprint Fidelis® Defibrillator Leads
2006-05-13	Medical Malpractice Science News , “Legal Debate: Assumptions on Medical Malpractice Called Into Question”
2006-05-12	SmartMoney 10 Things Your Hospital Won't Tell You 10 Things Your Hospital Won't Tell You
2006-05-10	The Truth about Caps - They don't Work The insurance industry controls our healthcare system.
2006-04-21	Medical Malpractice Statistics 98,000 Preventable Deaths Yearly Due to Medical Negligence.

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Messa & Associates, P.C. recently discovered that residents were ordered out of Willow Crest Manor, a private care facility catering largely to the mentally ill, due to perilous staff mistakes, including some connected with the deaths of two residents. Doors were closed on Thursday, December 11th following several complaints and violations, including one where Willow Crest owner, David Mittal, allegedly choked a resident with Parkinson’s disease in August. We ask that if you or someone you know has been a resident of Willow Crest Manor, or has been involved in a similar negligence concerning a care facility, please contact Messa & Associates, P.C. to speak with someone who can assist you with your claim. Thank you.

Personal Care Home Shut Down - MSNBC

Lasko Products recently announced its recall of fans and heaters. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC), Lasko is recalling 5.6 million fans and 186,000 space heaters. Lasko fans have a potential electrical failure in the fan motor, which can pose a fire hazard. The power cord connection in the heaters can over heat and cause the cord to separate from the space heater, which poses a fire, burn, and shock hazard. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident regarding these, or similar products, please contact our offices immediately. Please click on the links below for the articles regarding these recalled products.