Circuit Breakers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Siemens and Murray issued a voluntary recall of circuit breakers yesterday.  About 2.2 million were produced.  The circuit breakers' spring clip can break easily causing the temperature around the device to rise leading to a fire, personal injury or property damage. 

The circuit breakers, meter combos and load centers being recalled are single and double pole 15 to 50 AMP produced by Siemens and Murray.  Catalog numbers and date codes, 0610 or 0710, are printed on a label on the side of the device.  The product was sold at Lowes, The Home Depot amoung other hardware stores. 

If you suffered an injury due to the device, please report it to CPSC.

The issued devices have these date codes and catalog numbers printed on an inside label:

Product	Date Codes	Catalog Numbers
Circuit Breakers	0610, 0710	Q115, Q120, Q130, Q215, Q230, Q250, MP115, MP115U, MP120, MP130, MP215, MP230, MP230U, MP250
Load Centers	Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010	G2020B1100CP, G3030B1100CP, G4040B1200CUSGP, LC4040B1200P, G3040B1200CP, G3040L1200CP, G4040B1200CP, G3030B1150CP, W3040B1200CP, G1624L1125CP, W4040B1200CP
Meter Combo	Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010	JA2040B1200SP

ASR Hip Implant Recalled

DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, recalled two DePuy ASR hip replacement systems.  The reason behind the recall is an exceptionally high failure rate leading to patients experiencing pain.  Many of these patients needed revision surgery and a second hip replacement as a result. 

Although the FDA announced the recall in early August, DePuy did not issue a press release until the end of the month.  In the release, they gave detailed information, including that 93,000 devices were sold.  DePuy also suggested patients with their hip implant see a surgeon for evaluation, regardless of if they're experiencing pain or not. 

The DePuy ASR has been on the market since 2005.  Health care professionals have warned the public about the dangers of metal-on-metal hip implants like the ASR.  Such implants can shed metal particles, releasing them into the body and damaging soft tissue.

In the last couple months, a number of lawsuits have been filed against DePuy.

Painful Side Effects Caused by Artimplant Artelon Spacer

The Artimplant Artelon Spacer is a medical device used for people with thumb disabilities.  The product is produced by Artimplant AB and distributed by Small Bone Innovations.  Neither company offers consumers a warning about the multiple reports of painful side effects and other negative, sometimes severe, reactions.

Artimplant Artelon Spacers are surgically implanted into a person’s hand with the intent to relieve arthritis but keep pinch strength intact.  The device itself is made of a mixture of biodegradable and non biodegradable materials.  The biodegradable part works as “scaffolding” in the patient’s hand.  It will take at least six years for the material to completely degrade, meanwhile tissue is supposed to regenerate in the hand. 

However, as is well known among medical professionals, when a foreign object is placed in the body, the body can reject it and react badly to the implanted device.  Many patients have reported serious reactions including loss of motion, swelling and inflammatory synovitis leading to incredible pain.  The Artelon Spacer can also break in the body.  Occasionally, under stress, it has fragmented leaving tiny pieces in the hand, which can cause pain.

The companies behind the Artelon Spacer did minimal investigation and research into the materials used in the device.  In fact, there was just one pilot study, which evaluated only 10 patients.  The study itself was biased, as it was funded by the industry. 

Fun Stuff Recalls Toy Due to Choking Hazard

Fun Stuff Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of the following products:  BoBo Balls (item number FS1814), Klick Klick Balls (item number FS1734) and Click Armband Bracelets (FS1842).  The toys have a small ball at the end which can detach.  Young children could potentially choke on the detached ball. 

The toys feature an armband with balls attached.  They're made of hard plastic and stretchy rubber material with colorful balls (came in purple, blue, green, orange and pink).  The BoBo Balls version included flashing lighted balls.

The product was sold between January 2009 and August 2010 at beach resort stores for $2 to $5.

If your child has one of these toys, immediately take it away.  If your child received an injury from the product, contact CPSC.

The Dangers of Yaz Birth Control

In 2006, Yaz birth control was released.  It is prescribed to be taken orally and daily.  It differs from other birth control pills as it contains drospirenone, a progestin hormone.  Drospirenone increases levels of potassium in the taker's bloodstream.

However, Yaz is linked to many serious side effects including gall bladder disease, stroke, blood clots and heart attack.  The FDA explains, "Yaz has additional risks because it contains the progestin, drospirenone [that] can lead to hyperkalemia in high risk patients, which may result in potentially serious heart and health problems."  The FDA warns women to be aware of not only the risks of this particular birth control but oral contraceptives in general.

Studies have found a link between Yaz and hyperkalemia, a condition where the person has abnormal levels of potassium in the bloodstream.  Such a condition can lead to fatal arrhythmias. 

All oral contraceptives increase a person's risk of heart attack, especially for smokers.  Researchers have also found a link to blood clots and strokes. 

Joseph L. Messa at American AAOS Annual Conference

Founding attorney, Joseph L. Messa, Jr. of Messa & Associates, P.C., recently took part in a symposium at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual conference in New Orleans, La.
The program titled, “Beyond Medical Liability Reform: Keeping Our House in Order,” brought to the attention how the prospect of National tort reform has faded since 2006, and most changes and reforms have progressed on a state-by-state basis. However, there have been important changes in the scrutiny being applied to expert witness testimony on both sides, and controversy continues between physicians who act as experts for Plaintiffs and those who defend physicians.

Messa was one of five lecturers, two attorneys (one Plaintiff and one Defense) and three medical doctors (two orthopedic surgeons and one neurosurgeon), who discussed fair and just ways to protect the rights of the harmed patient and improve the safety of medical care all within the economy of sustainable medicine.
Messa discussed the importance of the Physician’s moral and ethical duty to injured patients when an expert witness is needed in court. He believes that, “there is a peer pressure/stigma of testifying for injured patients against other Doctors that make it difficult for legitimately injured patients to make their claims.”
He adds, “As a citizen and as a professional with special training and experience, the physician has an ethical obligation to assist in the administration of justice […] the public should know they will be protected in the event of injury from substandard care."

For more information regarding the symposium, please contact Tina Lumbis at 1-877 MESSALAW or TLumbis@messalaw.com.

Black & Decker Recalls Sanders

Last Thursday, Black & Decker and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of Black & Decker Random Orbit Sanders.  The platen, a black plastic disk which holds the sandpaper, can break or fly off during use posing a risk to users and anyone nearby.

There have been 73 reports to Black & Decker of incidents where the platen fell apart or broke.  Fifteen of those reports included injuries and one person suffered a serious facial laceration.

The Random Orbit Sanders being recalled are orange and black with model numbers FS3000ROS, RO400, RO410, RO400G, RO410K and RO410LW.  The date codes fall between 200701 and 200929. Each product features "Black & Decker" printed on it and the model number printed on the label.  Users can find the date code on the underside.

The device was sold across the country for $40 between January 2007 and July 2009.  They were sold at hardware, discount and home center stores as well as other authorized Black & Decker dealers.

Owners of the Black & Decker Random Orbit Sander should immediately stop using the device and contact the company for a replacement piece.  Consumers should also report any injuries to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.