New Guidelines Make Cribs Safer for Babies

As of June 28, 2011, retailers can only sell cribs that meet mandatory safety standards unanimously approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in December.  The new crib guidelines, which had not gone through a major revision in more than 30 years, apply to both full-size and non-full-size cribs.

Some of the new mandatory rules for cribs include: (1) stopping the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs; (2) strengthening mattress supports and crib slats; (3) requiring crib hardware to be more durable; and (4) making safety testing more rigorous.

Since 2007, more than 11 million dangerous cribs have been recalled.  According to the CPSC, drop-side cribs with detaching side rails were associated with at least 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000.  Faulty or defective crib hardware has been linked to additional deaths.

Starting on December 28, 2012, child care facilities, including family child care homes and infant Head Start centers, as well as places of public accommodation, such as hotels and motels, and rental companies will also be required to use only cribs that comply with the new crib standards.

All importers, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers are affected under the change and can only offer cribs that meet the CPSC's new crib standards.

Messa & Associates is experienced in handling cases involving injuries to children as a result of products with manufacturing and design defects.  In addition to their research and knowledge, our attorneys work with highly regarded experts to prepare every case.  If your child has suffered serious injury or death due to crib safety, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Grilling Safely this Summer

With the official first day of summer behind us comes a time of year millions of people begin to use their grills on a regular basis throughout the season.  Messa and Associates urges you to do a quick safety check of your grill to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Here’s a list of helpful tips, recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, to help you grill on the safer side.

• Keep children away from the grill area.  Even the outside surface of a grill can get hot and burn when touched.
• Never use a recalled grill.  If your grill has been recalled, immediately stop using it and contact the manufacturer for further instructions.
• Visually inspect the hoses on a gas grill for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks.  There should be no sharp bends in the hose or tubing and all connections should be secure.
• Check for propane gas leaks.
• Regularly clean the grill and the grease trap to reduce the risk of flare-ups and grease fires.
• Use grills outside only in a well-ventilated area.  Never use a grill indoors or in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under a surface that will burn.  Gas and charcoal grills present a risk of fire and/or carbon monoxide poisoning that could result in injury or death.
• Never leave a grill unattended. 
• Keep the grill hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.

According to the CPSC, in 2010 approximately 3,800 gas or charcoal grill-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency departments.  There were an estimated average of eight carbon monoxide-related deaths per year between 2005 and 2007 associated with charcoal grills that were used indoors or in enclosed spaces.

Messa & Associates represents individuals and their families in complex personal injury matters, including catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, fires and explosions as well as carbon monoxide affixation cases resulting in serious injury or death.  Our attorneys help clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and around the country.  For more information or to speak with us about a case, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Local Workers Injured by Steel Beams

Two Camden workmen were injured when steel beams being lowered into the hold of a ship by a crane fell and struck the victims.

The accident occurred Monday night at the Beckett Marine Terminal shortly before 8:00 p.m.  Both men, in their 40s, were rushed to Cooper University Hospital for treatment and OSHA was notified.

One of the men suffered a crushed leg.  No other details were available at this time.

Messa & Associates represents workers injured on construction and other job sites.  Our attorneys have been successful in litigating work-related injury cases and obtaining multi-million dollar settlements in these matters.  If you or a loved one was injured in this explosion, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.

Fire Hazard Prompts Recall of GE Air Conditioners, Heaters

Sharp and General Electric are recalling 90,600 General Electric Zoneline air conditioners and heaters due to a fire hazard.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission an electrical component in the heating system can fail causing a fire.  There have been four reports of incidents involving smoke or fire, two of which resulted in property damage.

The recall involves GE Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps manufactured between January 2010 and March 2011 with AZ41 and AZ61 model, and are most often used in apartment buildings and commercial space.  The GE logo is affixed to the control panel door.

General Electric authorized representatives and HVAC distributors nationwide sold the units from March 2010 through March 2011 for between $1,000 and $2,000.  The CPSC says consumers should immediately stop using the units.

Messa & Associates has handled burn and fire cases heating and cool systems which resulted in significant injuries and death.  Our attorneys have been successful in litigating cases and obtaining substantial awards in these matters including a $2.225 million dollar settlement for an 11-year-old girl who suffered burns when her nightgown was ignited by a space heater and a $3.7 million dollar settlement for the death of a Philadelphia child due to an apartment fire.  If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a recalled General Electric Zoneline air conditioner and heater, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.