Cadillac CTS Vehicles Recalled

General Motors Co is recalling more than 50,000 Cadillac CTS sedans to fix a loose joint that could cause one of the rear wheels to become unstable affecting the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle.  Inability to properly steer the vehicle could result in a loss of control of the car causing the driver to be involved in an accident that may lead to serious injury or death.

Approximately 44,000 of the vehicles affected by the recall were sold in the United States.  The recall involves model years 2009 and 2010 of the CTS vehicles, the best-selling Cadillac car.

The attorneys at Messa and Associates have successfully represented many victims of defective automobiles.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by one of the recalled Cadillac CTS vehicles, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Infections Acquired in the Hospital May Cause Readmission

A total of 23,287 Pennsylvania patients admitted to hospitals in 2009 contracted at least one infection during their stay, a new report released by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council says.  The infections lead to patients being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days.

The highest readmission rates were found among patients who acquired surgical-site infections.  Those patients were initially in the hospital for procedures such as knee replacement surgeries, Caesarean sections or spinal fusions.  Urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal infections accounted for the second and third leading causes of readmission, respectively.

The report said patients who contracted an infection while in the hospital had an increased mortality rate from 1.8 percent to 9.4 percent, and longer hospital stays up to 21.6 days from the typical 4.9 days.

Approximately 1.5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older (10,721 patients) contracted a healthcare-associated infection during their hospital stay.  The estimated Medicare payment for these general acute care hospitalizations averaged $20,471, more than three times higher than cases without infections.

The attorneys at Messa and Associates have represented individuals in many cases involving medical errors including hospital-acquired infections.  If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or illness due to a hospital-acquired infection, please call us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Jogging Strollers Recalled Due to Strangulation Hazard

B.O.B. Trailers is recalling 11 models of single and double jogging strollers because a drawstring on the stroller can get wrapped around a child’s neck, posing a strangulation hazard.  About 337,000 strollers in the United States and 20,000 in Canada are affected by the recall.

B.O.B. has received one report of an 11-month-old girl who got entangled at the neck by the stroller’s drawstring.

The name “B.O.B” is located on the cargo basket under the stroller and on the front of the stroller.  All of the recalled strollers have a yellow/orange drawstring at the rear of the canopy which is used to gather loose fabric when the canopy is pulled back.

The strollers were sold between April 2002 and February 2011 at REI, buy buy Baby and other stores nationwide as well as on the Web at Babiesrus.com, Target.com and Amazon.com.  They cost between $300 and $600.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.

The attorneys at Messa & Associates have pursued many cases involving injuries to children as a result of products with manufacturing and design defects.  We combine our years of experience, thorough research, and the knowledge of highly regarded experts to prepare these cases.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a B.O.B. single or double jogging stroller, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Toyota Expands Its Recall, Adds Two Others

Toyota announced today that is recalling 2.17 million vehicles.  The automaker is expanding its November 2009 recall to incorporate three additional models, including:

• Approximately 603,000 2003 through 2009 4Runner 
• Approximately 17,000 2008 through 2011 Lexus LX 570; and
• Approximately 761,000 2006 through 2010 RAV4.

Similar to the previous recall, the floor mats can cause the accelerator pedal to become entrapped under the accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to increase its speed against the driver’s will resulting in serious injury or death.

In addition, Toyota has issued two new recalls to correct issues with the driver’s side floor carpet and/or the floor carpet covers and their retention clips.  Vehicles affected by the recalls are: 

• Approximately 20,000 2006 and early 2007 Model Year GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles
• Approximately 372,000 2004 through 2006 and early 2007 RX 330, RX 350, and RX 400h vehicles; and
• Approximately 397,000 2004 through 2006 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles.

If the carpet is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may interfere with the operation of the accelerator pedal.  In the event of the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, located in front of the center console, is not installed properly, the cover may lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the accelerator pedal arm.  In both cases, the accelerator pedal may become temporarily stuck in a partially depressed position rather than returning to the idle position causing the vehicle to increase its speed against the driver’s will resulting in serious injury or death.

The attorneys at Messa and Associates have successfully represented many victims of defective automobiles. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by one of the recalled Toyota or Lexus vehicles, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.