Product Safety & Liability Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

WARNINGS

– Accutane as cause of inflammatory bowel disease, woman awarded compensatory damages (N.J. Super. Ct.), 439
– Air brake compressors, NHTSA denies petition, 274
– Air conditioning equipment, worker's phosgene gas exposure claim dismissed (Cal.), 328
– Alcoholic energy drinks, MillerCoors sued over deceptive advertising directed at youth (D.C.), 894
– Antidepressants, FDA dismissal of stronger warning preempts claims (3d Cir.), 364; petitioners ask for full court rehearing, 443; en banc rehearing denied, 469; (U.S., rev sought), 986
– Asbestos

– – Aerospace sealants and parts, future noneconomic damages vacated as excessive, review denied (Cal.), 237
– – Ship engine maker may be liable for failing to warn worker (Wash. Ct. App.), 845

– Baby furniture makers failed to warn of formaldehyde emissions (Cal. Super. Ct.), 928
– Baseball aluminum bat blamed for brain injury (N.J. Super. Ct.), 517
– Benzene exposure suit dismissed due to lack of evidence (Minn. Dist. Ct.), 112
– Botox off-label uses, suit alleges risks not fully disclosed (Cal. Super. Ct.), 688
– Cataract surgery system, Alcon Labs. wins summary judgment (E.D. La.), 449
– Cell phone radio-frequency emissions, FCC actions preempt class action suit (E.D. Pa.), 871
– Concrete sealer yellowed, Ohio tort reform law defeats claims (Ohio App. Ct.), 112
– Condylar screw plates, “unavoidably unsafe product” instruction applies in Class II or Class III device cases (Conn. App. Ct.), 550
– Contraceptives

– – NuvaRing, “forum defendant rule” invoked, case remanded (D.N.J.), 35; more cases remanded, 736
– – Ortho Evra patch

See ORTHO EVRA

– Contrast dye, gadolinium-based, Cal. distributors not fraudulently joined, suit remanded (N.D. Cal.), 665
– Copper-plated exploding bullet suit to proceed (D. N.D.), 9
– Cordarone, brand-name maker owes no duty to user of generic (La. Ct. App.), 493
– Crash avoidance systems

See CRASH AVOIDANCE

– Crash-test documents, sanction for refusal to produce and award approved (Ga.), 329
– Defibrillators, class action approved against Guidant (Ontario Super. Ct.), 417
– Delays, Public Citizen charges CPSC waiting before warning public, 120
– Depo-Provera, judgment to maker in suit by woman with low bone density (N.D . Fla.), 689
– Diabetes drugs nonuser, company had no duty to warn (Md.), 870
– Diesel emission exposure, N.Y. transit workers sue bus and engine makers (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), 826
– Diet drugs, Redux, wrongful death claims dismissed, PPH warning legally adequate (N.D. Ohio), 238
– Dog leash retracted and injured eye, state tort reform law constitutional (N.D. Iowa), 987
– Dose dispensers, makers may be liable for toddler's overdose death from codeine (Ind. Ct. App.), 712
– Drug safety information, FDA launches new Web page, 1031
– Effexor

– – Learned intermediary and prescribing practices bar widow's claims (5th Cir.), 445
– – Widow to appeal whether suicide warning claim barred (W.D. Okla.), 82

– Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, FDA announces revised warnings and label changes, 266; advisers recommend restrictions and patient consent, 316
– Firefighters with hearing loss due to sirens

– – Ill., unreasonably dangerous claim rejected (Ill. Cir. Ct.), 440
– – Mo. firefighters withdraw suits (Mo. Cir. Ct.), 549

– Fireworks cause eye injury, preemption defense disallowed when plead too late (8th Cir.), 714
– Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, FDA asks makers to add boxed warning and tendon-risk guide, 666
– Food safety, CRS report outlines FDA Amendments Act provisions, includes pet food labels and warning systems, 69
– Fosamax, certification denied for three state medical monitoring classes (S.D.N.Y.), 63
– Freezer door handle, experience alone sufficient to qualify expert on assembly instructions (S.D.N.Y.), 895
– Heart valves, state claim preemption upheld (Cal. Ct. App.), 59
– Heat therapy pads, express warnings protect maker (5th Cir.), 188
– Hedge clippers not faulty, worker negligent (E.D. Pa.), 734
– Hernia repair mesh, Ark. man sues maker, alleges product became infected (E.D. Tex.), 35
– Hip prostheses, learned intermediary doctrine bars warning claim (W.D. Okla.), 602
– Hormone replacement therapy

See HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)

– Ibuprofen, challenge to OTC drug label preempted (N.D. Cal.), 596
– Import safety, Nord outlines plans, 38; CPSC seeks comments on four-pronged safety strategy, 473; comments received, 552; strategy released, 649
– Incontinence treatments, device allegedly causes severe injuries (C.D. Cal.), 116
– Lawn mower severs fingers, testing and alternate warning at issue (E.D.N.Y.), 446; expert reinstated after test submission, 580
– Levaquin, moving nonresidents' claims to home states inconvenient (D. Minn.), 314; suits consolidated, 626
– Lipsticks contain high lead levels

– – Christian Dior suit (N.D. Ill.), 713
– – L'Oreal products, class action (N.D. Ill.), 64

– Lotensin, claim that drug needed pregnancy hazard warning preempted (W.D.N.C.), 332
– Metoclopramide

See METOCLOPRAMIDE

– Mirapex MDL, award to Milwaukee man due to compulsive gambling (D. Minn.), 754
– Motrin allegedly caused blindness, Johnson & Johnson exonerated (Cal. Super. Ct.), 735
– OxyContin, judgment to maker, unable to prove drug caused addiction (W.D.W.Va.), 988
– Pain pumps, degeneration of shoulder cartilage

– – Continued use, Kan. woman alleges use not design unsafe (D. Minn.), 877
– – Drug companies also sued (D. Ore., D. Minn.), 338
– – Makers marketed use of device as safe (D. Minn., S.D. Ind.), 338; oral arguments set on centralization (J.P.M.L.), 623; Ariz. woman files suit (D. Ariz.), 625; transfer and centralization denied (J.P.M.L.), 804

– Paxil

– – Cal. teenager's suicide, warning claim barred (E.D. Cal.), 137
– – Ill. court adopts Colacicco decision, claim of inadequate warning of self-harm preempted (C.D. Ill.), 468
– – Ind. suicide case to proceed on the merits, preemption ruling vacated (S.D. Ind.), 708
– – Pennsylvania

– – – Mass Tort Program, no implied preemption in case linking suicide to drug (Pa. Ct. C.P.), 280
– – – Pediatric warning claim not barred when FDA not stated position on link (E.D. Pa.), 842

– – Wis. couple asks for stay pending Supreme Court preemption decision (E.D. Wis.), 735

– Pergolide allegedly causes heart disease, risks understated (D. Minn.), 736
– Phenergan, IV push administration, warning claim not barred (U.S., brief filed), 5; (briefs filed), 29; (rev grant), 82; Wyeth files brief, 544; government files brief, 577; brief claims Congress never meant to bar state claims, 751; medical journal editors file amicus brief against preemption, 801; Wyeth files reply brief, 926; (oral arg set), 959
– Platform lifts, lighting and threshold warning signs, requirements proposed, 15
– Rear liftgate, repair instructions and warning fall within engineer's expertise (3d Cir.), 330
– Rhino off-road vehicle unstable, pair of suits filed (Cal. Super. Ct.), 781; Va. woman files another suit after severe foot injury (C.D. Cal.), 1025
– Rollovers

– – Explorer design, verdict for Ford, jury says glass and roof design not defective (W.D. Ark.), 260
– – 15-passenger van risk in summer months targeted in NHTSA advisory, 508
– – Glass safety standards do not preempt state rollover claims (Ark.), 163

– Strattera, family sues ADHD drug maker for failure to warn of suicide risks (D. Neb.), 168
– Surgical cutting/stapling device maker not liable for failure to warn when doctor aware of risk (Tex. Ct. App.), 34
– Swiss bank accounts, warnings that U.S. Constitution does not protect not needed (N.D. Cal.), 114
– Synthetic insulin allegedly caused cancer, learned intermediary principles bar suit (D.P.R.), 989
– Taser guns

– – Foreseeable dangers only create failure to warn liability (Ariz. Ct. App.), 58
– – Wrong-draw case rejected (9th Cir.), 490
– – Wrongful death award upheld (N.D. Cal.), 575

– Teflon surgical paste approved prior to MDA, state warning claims preempted (W.D. La.), 106
– Testicular prosthesis, state suit preempted (Cal. Ct. App.), 85
– Tires

– – Aging and underinflation advisory, consulting firm credits their push for the warning, 557
– – Tread separation, Tex. woman killed, family sues (E.D. Tex.), 91

– Tobacco industry, diagnosis starts clock ticking for later claims (N.D. Cal.), 576
– Toys and games

– – Choking hazard labeling, comments sought, 853
– – Minimum type sizes, proposed rule sets, 990; CPSC clarifies new requirements, 1060

– Tuna, whether FDA actions relating to methylmercury preempted warning claims (3d Cir.), 184; warnings case not preempted by informal FDA actions, 798
– Vaccine preservative, neurological damage claims

– – No preemption due to conditional nature of clause (Ga.), 982
– – Preempted (Pa. Ct. Comm. Pls.), 892

– Vinyl diaper bags, CEH threatens Prop. 65 suit due to lead, 319
– Welding fume MDL, $20M award affirmed due to adequate expert proof on causation (N.D. Ohio), 750

WARRANTIES

– Air conditioner corrosion class action, owner not entitled to recover losses (N.D. Okla.), 666
– Apple iPhone 3G, class complaint alleges connection problems (N.D. Ala.), 820
– Baseball aluminum bat blamed for brain injury (N.J. Super. Ct.), 517
– Beef E. coli infection, Va. boy scout sues summer camp's meat supplier (Va. Cir. Ct.), 954
– Bone plates allegedly cause ligament damage, class certification sought (D.N.J.), 143
– Bowflex machines, Nautilus moves class action to federal court (Ark.), 113
– Cataract surgery system, Alcon Labs. wins summary judgment (E.D. La.), 449
– Cell phone radio-frequency emissions, FCC actions preempt class action suit (E.D. Pa.), 871
– Cochlear implants

– – Adulterated, parallel requirements argument survives preemption claim (N.D. Tex.), 799
– – Damages sought, device allegedly differs from FDA approved device (D. Mass.), 338

– Combine catches fire, tort recovery denied for attached devices (D.N.D.), 953
– Composite decking material, black mold stains lead to class action (W.D. Wash.), 264
– Compound medications, new trial ordered on warranty claim against pharmacist (Fla. Ct. App.), 32
– Copper-plated exploding bullet suit to proceed (D. N.D.), 9
– Crankshafts, airplane owner class decertified (E.D. Cal.), 414
– Dodge Neon oil leaks not warranty breach, fraud claims time-barred (9th Cir.), 645
– Dog leash retracted and injured eye, state tort reform law constitutional (N.D. Iowa), 987
– Dose dispensers, makers may be liable for toddler's overdose death from codeine (Ind. Ct. App.), 712
– Fiberglass stepladder, expert not needed but warranty claims tossed on privity and reliance grounds (E.D. Wash.), 314
– Freezer door handle, experience alone sufficient to qualify expert on assembly instructions (S.D.N.Y.), 895
– Hewlett-Packard laptop screens defective, class upheld (Cal. Ct. App.), 952
– Hip device maker named as defendant in suit removed to federal court, improper physician contacts also alleged (W.D. Okla.), 1027
– Incontinence treatments, device allegedly causes severe injuries (C.D. Cal.), 116
– Inert gas filled windows, modified class certified, decision appealed (E.D. Wis., 7th Cir.), 416
– JVC 1080p TVs don't get 1080p signal, claims go forward (D.N.J.), 625
– Land Rover alignment defect, class actions rejected (C.D. Cal.), 986
– Lotensin, claim that drug needed pregnancy hazard warning preempted (W.D.N.C.), 332
– Motor vehicles

– – Consumer harm from door handle noncompliance recognized (Mass.), 594
– – Odometers overstated mileage, suits against Nissan consolidated (J.P.M.L.), 449
– – Offset collisions, DaimlerChrysler liability upheld but punitive award reduced (Tenn. Ct. App.), 1020
– – Passat engine fires, suit filed (D. Utah), 142
– – Repair records do not support inference of defect in used car (Md.), 393

– NuvaRing, “forum defendant rule” invoked, case remanded (D.N.J.), 35; more cases remanded, 736
– Outlook herbicide, claims allowed for ruined sweet potato crop (W.D. La.), 520
– Pain pumps

See PAIN RELIEF PRODUCTS

– Pergolide allegedly causes heart disease, risks understated (D. Minn.), 736
– Pontiac GTO owners class sues GM for concealing suspension and alignment problems (E.D. Cal.), 956
– Recreational vehicles, breach in absence of privity, court settles on equitable remedy of rescission (Mich. Ct. App.), 282
– Reglan, branded drug maker not liable to woman who used generic (N.D. Ga.), 414
– Rhino off-road vehicle unstable, pair of suits filed (Cal. Super. Ct.), 781; Va. woman files another suit after severe foot injury (C.D. Cal.), 1025
– Sandwiches allegedly tainted, Univ. of Colo. sophomore sues (Colo. Dist. Ct.), 1057
– Seat belts

– – Buckle class action, plaintiffs lack standing (Tex.), 139
– – Seller liability in breach suit (E.D. Mich.), 165

– Seeds, new federal pleading standards affect farm claim, expert's test adaptation allowed (M.D. Ga.), 397
– Sewer-clearing machine, evidence sufficient for electrical shock suit (Tex. App. Ct.), 64
– Sony Vaio notebooks with defective solder joints, class action dismissed due to expired warranty (N.D. Cal.), 717
– Steering systems, nationwide class in DaimlerChrysler warranty breach suit upheld (Okla.), 658
– Taser guns, wrong-draw case rejected (9th Cir.), 490
– Telephone used in suicide, breach of implied warranty considered tort claim subject to proportionate responsibility limitations (Tex.), 643
– Televisions, rear projection high-definition, Sony settlement approved to replace optical blocks (S.D.N.Y.), 495
– Testicular prosthesis, state suit preempted (Cal. Ct. App.), 85
– Yogurt buyers sue Dannon claiming unsubstantiated health benefits (C.D. Cal.), 169

WASHINGTON

– Asbestos

– – Floor tiles, inference that safer vinyl tiles available but not used allowed (Wash. Ct. App.), 284
– – Ship engine maker may be liable for failing to warn worker (Wash. Ct. App.), 845

– Composite decking material, black mold stains lead to class action (W.D. Wash.), 264
– Fiberglass stepladder, expert not needed but warranty claims tossed on privity and reliance grounds (E.D. Wash.), 314
– Heart monitor faulty, jury awards $40M for injuries (Wash. Super. Ct.), 283
– Toys, governor signs bill setting standards, 342
– “Windows Vista Capable,” class of buyers certified based on price inflation theory (W.D. Wash.), 205

WEAPONS

See FIREARMS AND WEAPONS

WELDING PRODUCTS

– Manganese fume MDL, $20M award affirmed due to adequate expert proof on causation (N.D. Ohio), 750

WEST VIRGINIA

– Anti-seizure drugs, pre-service removal allowed (N.D. W. Va.), 822
– Beef E. coli infection, Va. boy scout sues summer camp's meat supplier (Va. Cir. Ct.), 954
– Digitek MDL, suits consolidated (S.D.W.Va.), 805
– OxyContin, judgment to maker, unable to prove drug caused addiction (W.D.W.Va.), 988

WHEELCHAIR-DOCKING SYSTEM

– Expert's testing did not support accident theories (Ohio Ct. App.), 779

WHEELS

– Alignment class action notice, Analysis and Perspective, 346

WHISTLEBLOWERS

– CPSIA provisions, Analysis and Perspective, 974

WINDOWS

– Building materials

– – Inert gas, modified class certified, decision appealed (E.D. Wis., 7th Cir.), 416
– – Leaks, expert issues doom homeowner class certification (Cal. Ct. App.), 641

– Motor vehicles

– – Bolt problem leads to glass shattering, Toyota recalls Corolla and Matrix, 377
– – Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act, NHTSA Outlook 2008, 74
– – Defect investigations, NHTSA, 176
– – Glazing regulations

– – – Global regulation, NHTSA seeks comments, 175
– – – Rollovers, glass safety standards do not preempt state claims (Ark.), 163

– – Newer Explorer design, rollover verdict for Ford, jury says glass and roof design not defective (W.D. Ark.), 260
– – Pull-to-close design rule, NHTSA grants two-year extension, 669
– – Rear liftgate, repair instructions and warning fall within engineer's expertise (3d Cir.), 330
– – Windshield Zone Intrusion standard, NHTSA proposes to rescind rule, 669

WINDSHIELD WIPERS

– Defect investigations, NHTSA, 724
– GM recalls SUVs and crossovers, 858
– Honda recalls Accord, 460
– Tahoe SUVs, class action over alleged defect tossed (8th Cir.), 733
– Water seepage, GM recalls Hummer HR vehicles, 886

WISCONSIN

– Inert gas filled windows, modified class certified, decision appealed (E.D. Wis., 7th Cir.), 416
– Ladders, rivet improperly stamped, jury verdict approved after evidence review (E.D. Wis.), 519
– Lemon law, how damages should be assessed where lessee purchases vehicle after filing suit (7th Cir.), 756
– Paxil, couple asks for stay pending Supreme Court preemption decision (E.D. Wis.), 735

WITNESSES AND TESTIMONY

See also EXPERT WITNESSES
– Arbitration, Analysis and Perspective, 431
– Hernia patches MDL, Davol unable to talk to treating doctors (R.I. Super. Ct.), 873
– Hormone replacement therapy, Mo. not inconvenient forum for women's suit (Mo.), 927
– Motorcycles, perjury at deposition and witness tampering voids settlement agreement (E.D. Tenn.), 601
– PPA, deceased man's statements to children can't link drug to stroke (N.D. Ill.), 108
– Seroquel MDL, disclosure ordered of documents used to prep witness (M.D. Fla.), 142; plaintiffs appeal order allowing defense to contact and retain doctors, 416
– Sutures, loss of allegedly defective suture does not count against plaintiff (Del. Super. Ct.), 239

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

– Ohio, statute of repose constitutional but doesn't apply to pre-effective date injury (Ohio), 234

WRONGFUL DEATH

– Aircraft

– – Airplane crash killed former Macedonian president, repose law blocks suit (9th Cir.), 469
– – Ambulance helicopter crash, parties settle for $18.4M (Neb. Dist. Ct.), 441
– – Brazil airliner crash, families file complaints (S.D. Fla.), 398

– Asbestos

– – Ship engine maker may be liable for failing to warn worker (Wash. Ct. App.), 845
– – Shipyard worker, whether federal maritime law rather than state law applied (U.S., rev. sought), 14

– Benzene, discovery request over broad so prohibited (Tex. App. Ct.), 805
– Cordarone, brand-name maker owes no duty to user of generic (La. Ct. App.), 493
– Defibrillators, widow's suit dismissed on timeliness grounds (N.D. Miss.), 471
– Paxil

– – Causation, family seeks reversal of defense judgment (D. Kan.), 111
– – Learned intermediary doctrine and estoppel defeat suit (E.D. La.), 235

– Pondimin claim rejected (Pa. C.P.), 1023
– Redux claims dismissed, PPH warning legally adequate (N.D. Ohio), 238
– Rollover and roof collapse, Ford and family settle case after jury verdict set aside (N.D. Okla.), 517
– Seating collapse

– – Ford to appeal (S.C. Cir. Ct.), 8
– – Jury instruction error, award thrown out (Ill.), 1052
– – Tenn., punitive award reinstated, not excessive (Tenn. Ct. App.), 710

– Taser guns

– – Award upheld (N.D. Cal.), 575
– – Causation, suit dismissed (D. Nev.), 925

– Tobacco industry

– – Expert testimony, suit dismissed (W.D. Mo.), 109
– – N.Y., punitive damages disallowed due to state's participation in settlement (N.Y. App. Div.), 711
– – Res judicata, whether applies to loss of consortium claim (Cal.), 547

– Trasylol, defense seeks consolidation, plaintiffs oppose Conn. as forum (J.P.M.L.), 187; panel consolidates suits (S.D. Fla.), 399
– Vioxx as cause of blood clot, verdict reversed, evidence legally insufficient (Tex. Ct. App.), 543
– Zyprexa suit allowed, causation experts allowed (Me.), 493