Blog: Products Liability
- A rare but real danger related to asbestos
Apr 13, 2018
Pittsburgh is one of the blue-collar capitals of the world. From steel workers to pipe-fitters, railroad workers and shipyard employees, its history is rich in factory employment and manual labor jobs. The problem is those characteristics have also caused Pittsburgh residents and workers to be at risk for asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos contains microscopic fibers that pose a danger to your health if you breathe them in or ingest them during exposure. The thing about asbestos...Read More - Without proper warnings, consumer goods can be dangerous
Apr 12, 2018
Oftentimes when Pittsburgh residents buy an item at the store they have a reasonably good idea of what the product should be used for. For example, they may buy a cleaning product to use in their home or they may buy a power drill to perform household maintenance and repairs. In either case, the purchase of the item was likely due to a need that the person needed fulfilling in order to improve the state...Read More - Falling dressers hurt many children each year
Mar 28, 2018
There is no question that if a child thinks they can climb on something, they will. Whether it is a ladder, a play structure or a piece of furniture, if a child can get their hands on it there is a good chance that they will try to get on top of it. Our readers in Pittsburgh who are parents may easily remember instances of finding their little ones up on top of tables, counters...Read More - Is asbestos the key ingredient in your child’s makeup?
Mar 15, 2018
We have all heard the proverb, “all that glitters is not gold,” but in the recent case involving pre-teen accessories boutique Claire’s Store, all that sparkles might actually be asbestos. In late December there was a recall which led to almost ten items being pulled from the shelves. All of the compromised products were reported to have traces of the fibrous mineral present. From glitter palettes to bedazzled makeup sets, the cosmetics were marketed almost...Read More - Another make and model of vehicle affected by Takata airbags
Jan 19, 2018
Up until recently thousands of vehicles have been recalled due to defective parts and potentially deadly consequences associated with Takata airbags. All across Pennsylvania vehicle owners have had to take their cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles into their dealerships to have the defective parts removed and replaced with safer options. Just recently another make and model of vehicle has been added to the list of affected automobiles. Ford Ranger trucks built in the Twin...Read More - Product liability dangers may lurk in holiday gifts
Dec 27, 2017
Last year, hoverboards were a hot gift item for kids and adults alike. The appeal of cruising around on a small electric vehicle caused many Pittsburgh residents to include the electronics item on their wish lists. However, in the last 12 months, a number of families have come to discover a potential danger in these popular items: fire risks from defective charging and electrical systems. Hoverboards are just one of the many gift items that...Read More - How courts assess unavoidably unsafe products
Dec 24, 2017
While watching the evening news, a Pittsburgh resident may see one of the many commercials that pharmaceutical companies air to advertise their prescription drugs. During one of these ads the commercial may list some of the drug’s potential side effects, and some of those potential complications may be life-threatening. A viewer may wonder why a company would market a drug to treat a medical condition when that drug could result in death. Some products, like...Read More - Fire extinguishers subject to defects recalled
Nov 8, 2017
When a Pittsburgh resident purchases a new item at the store they expect that it will work the way it is intended to perform once they have gotten it out of its packaging and completed any set up processes that are necessary for its functioning. It is usually apparent quite quickly if a product is good or if it suffers from a problem. Unfortunately, some consumer products may possess defects that are not discoverable until...Read More - Warning defects on products can be dangerous to consumers
Oct 29, 2017
Practically every product that a Pittsburgh resident brings home from the store includes somewhere on its packaging or the product itself a label that lists warnings. A product may warn of small parts that could be choking hazards to small children, or it may warn of using the product properly to avoid electrocution if it is powered through a plug. It is a responsibility of product makers to anticipate the ways that their products could...Read More - Drop-Side Cribs: a Case Study on a Products Liability Issue
Oct 13, 2017
Newborns are a blessing to their parents, but that does not mean that they are not a lot of work. Exhausted parents all across Pennsylvania have undoubtedly spent many sleepless nights attempting to soothe their cranky babes to sleep or researching causes for their little ones’ distress. Because babies can be such handfuls, it is not uncommon for parents to jump at the chance to purchase products that claim to ease the difficulties of caring...Read More