Legal News & Consumer Rights

Court Documents Reveal Monsanto Edited “Independent” Scientific Review

In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that glyphosate, the main herbicide in Roundup, was “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Later, on July 7, 2017, the California state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) named glyphosate as a chemical t

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 1 Sep 2017

Honda and Chrysler Recall Millions of Vehicles Due to Air Bag and Fire Hazards

Both Honda and Chrysler have recently announced recalls because of alleged defects that pose fire risks. The recalls affect millions of vehicles, and consumers are encouraged to contact their local dealerships to schedule repairs. Honda Recalls Vehicles Because of Defective Battery Sensors On July 1

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 15 Aug 2017

Why So Many Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Exploding

E-cigarettes. Hoverboards. Samsung phones. All of these have been in the headlines over the last several months because of exploding batteries. Most recently, a woman’s noise-canceling headphones burst into flames while she was on a flight from Melbourne to Beijing. Sometimes these explosions cause

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 14 Aug 2017

California Adds Herbicide in Roundup to List of Cancer-Causing Chemicals

It’s common in the summer season to attack those weeds that plague our walkways with Roundup, a popular weed control product, but recent research suggests we may want to think twice. The California state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) recently added the herbicide…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 8 Aug 2017

Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease in New York and Memphis

In June 2017, the New York Times reported that New York City experienced an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. According to the report, one person died and six others were sickened by Legionella bacteria. Inspectors examined all cooling systems…

By Roopal Luhana

/ 3 Aug 2017

Takata Recalls 2.7 Million Vehicles Because of Faulty Drying Agent

Shortly after Takata announced they had filed for bankruptcy in June 2017, they added yet another type of air bag inflator to their already huge product recall. According to ABC News, 2.7 million vehicles now joined the list of the already 42 million that need…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 3 Aug 2017

Second Phase GM Ignition Switch Trials Underway in New York

General Motors (GM) first initiated a recall of their faulty ignition switches in 2014. After several other subsequent recalls, they listed a total of 2.6 million vehicles that were equipped with ignition switches that could inadvertently turning to the “off” position, robbing the brakes and…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 1 Aug 2017

Samsung Files Motion to Consolidate Washer Lawsuits in Oklahoma

At least 24 plaintiffs have filed Samsung washing machine lawsuits in various courts across the country. The plaintiffs claim that the machines are defective and dangerous, and in some cases, may actually explode, potentially injuring anyone standing nearby. Samsung implemented a recall of about 2.8

By Steven Cohn

/ 21 Jul 2017

Defective Dehumidifiers Linked with Household Fires

If you have a dehumidifier in your home, you may want to check it over carefully. A number of these appliances have been blamed in recent years for household fires. In March 2017, for example, fire department officials in Green Bay, Wisconsin, blamed a dehumidifier…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 5 Jul 2017

Hotpoint Freezer/Fridge Blamed for Starting London Fire

Grenfell Tower, a 24-story housing building in London, England, erupted in flames on June 14, 2017. Some residents escaped, but many others were trapped inside. Emergency crews arrived quickly and rescued 65 people, but another 79 died in the tragedy which has now been named…

By Steven Cohn

/ 3 Jul 2017

Takata Files Bankruptcy; Key Safety Systems Takes Over

After years of trying to recover from its worldwide airbag scandal, Takata has finally surrendered. The company filed for bankruptcy on June 26, 2017, with estimated debts totaling more than $9 billion. The company has been drowning in costs and liabilities associated with its defective…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 29 Jun 2017

Senator Urges Faster Repair on Millions of Takata Airbags

Over 46 million Takata airbags have been recalled because of the possibility the airbags may rupture upon deployment, sending shrapnel into the interior of the vehicle and potentially causing serious and even life-threatening injuries. So far, defective Takata airbags have been linked with at least…

By Eric T. Chaffin

/ 21 Jun 2017