Illinois Injury and Mass Tort Lawyer Blog

Published on: January 15, 2023

Weighted Blanket Recalled Following the Deaths of Two Children

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Target stores recently announced a recall of more than 200,000 Pillowfort weighted blankets following multiple reports that children can become trapped under the blanket. In a statement, Target explained that the blankets, which are specifically marketed towards children, “pose a risk of death by asphyxiation.”

The weighted blanket recall follows confirmed reports from parents that their children were able to open up the outer cover of the blanket and crawl inside, at which point they became trapped. According to a recent news report,two children died last year from suffocation after getting trapped inside the Pillowfort weighted blanket.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Target are both suggesting that customers who purchased a Pillowfort weighted blanket return the item to the store for a refund. Of course, for families whose children may have been injured or killed as a result of the recalled product, a refund of $40 isn’t a fair remedy.

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Published on: December 27, 2022

Bentex Recalls Children’s Clothing

By Moll Law Group

infant-1331996_640-e1670957004421 Recently, the company Bentex recalled children’s clothing after a violation of the Federal Lead Paint and Lead Content Ban was discovered. The clothing presents a lead poisoning hazard to children: the ink painted on the recalled clothes contains lead levels that exceed the federal standards, presenting a lead poisoning danger to children. Lead can be toxic, so it is crucial to check whether your children’s Bentex clothing has been affected. If your child was made sick by Bentex children’s clothing, you should call the trustworthy Chicago product liability lawyers of the Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in product liability lawsuits with which we’ve been involved.

Consult Moll Law Group About Your Child’s Bentex Clothing Injuries

Young children can suffer lead poisoning if they are exposed to lead beyond a certain level and face serious medical harm. Bentex recalled around 87,000 units of its clothes on November 23, 2022. Recalled clothes were printed with 9 different Disney themes. Their item and batch numbers can be found on the neck of the clothes or their side labels.

Recalled clothes included:

Infant girls’ polyester 2-piece set printed with Minnie Mouse and white and yellow flowers through size 18;
2-piece sets for toddler girls that are printed with Minnie Mouse and gray shorts with black polka dots and Minnie Mouse heads;
Toddler girls’ 2-pieces through 4-6X with Winnie the Pooh and “Hello Hunny” printed on them
Girls’ 2-piece for sizes 4-16 printed with Disney Descendants characters and the words “Wickedly Fierce”;
Children’s 100% cotton green long-sleeves 2-piece sets for infants and newborns that are printed with baby Yoda and frogs;
2-pack of newborn boys’ cotton shorts printed with Mickey Mouse from sizes 4-7;
3-pack of 100% cotton sweatpants with Mickey Mouse printed on them;
Winnie the Poo and Tigger cotton 2-piece sets;
Infant girls’ 2-piece set printed with “Best Buds” and Minnie Mouse.

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Published on: December 20, 2022

Mockingbird Recalls Single-to-Double Stroller Because Of Fall Hazards

By Moll Law Group

stroller-891080_1280-e1670956575234 Mockingbird recently recalled its single-to-double strollers. They recalled the strollers because the lower side of the stroller frames have the potential to crack and create a fall hazard for children. Around 149,000 stroller units were affected. Consumers were asked to immediately stop using the strollers and contact Mockingbird to get a free frame reinforcement kit. However, if your child was injured due to a fall in a Mockingbird single-to-double stroller, you should give the experienced Chicago product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group a call. Billions have been recovered in lawsuits with which we’ve been involved, and we are tenacious advocates for consumers.

Call Moll Law Group About Injuries to Your Child

Mockingbird has received 138 reports of cracks in the frames of the affected strollers, which are made of aluminum and come in black or silver, with canopies that are black, light blue, green pink, or dark blue. So far, 8 injuries involving bruises, cuts, and scratches have been reported in connection with the Mockingbird. The recall impacted only Mockingbird single-to-double strollers with lot numbers between 20,091 and 22,602. To determine whether you have a stroller that has been recalled, you should look for the lot number, which will be printed on a white product label on the inner left side of your stroller’s frame.

Affected Mockingbird strollers were sold at Target, along with online retailers like mockingbird.com, goodbyegear.com, and babylist.com. If you have a recalled stroller, you should stop using it until you get a frame reinforcement kit that the company will send you once you report you have an affected stroller.

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Published on: December 13, 2022

Polaris Industries Recalls Certain Snowmobile Models

By Moll Law Group

snowmobile-3031275_1280-e1670955154991 Polaris Industries recently recalled certain models of its snowmobiles due to the risk of fires. The Pro-Ride, AXYS, and MATRYX snowmobiles were affected. It was found that electrostatic discharge within the fuel tank could ignite vapors while the snowmobile was being operated. This could result in the tank of the snowmobile bursting and starting a fire. The company has stated it will repair the affected units, about 138,000 of them sold within the United States. You can put your VIN number into www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road-recalls/ to determine whether your snowmobile has been recalled. However, it may be necessary to pursue more complex legal remedies if you or a loved one was injured or killed as the result of a burst tank in the recalled Polaris snowmobiles. Give the seasoned Chicago product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group a call to determine whether you have a viable claim.

Call Moll Law Group About Injuries From a Defective Polaris

Models recalled were certain 2013 and 2014 Pro-Ride snowmobiles, Polaris Model Years 2021 -2023 MATRYX, and model years 2015 through 2022 AXYS. These snowmobiles came in custom color combinations as well as black, with Polaris printed on the chassis. If you have an affected snowmobile, you may be able to schedule a free repair by calling Polaris or an authorized Polaris dealer. The company has asked all consumers to stop riding the vehicles, but it has advised that if you need to start your snowmobile, you should ensure that your fuel tank is full. If it’s not full, Polaris says you’ll need to fill the tank with fresh gasoline before moving it safely.

Thirty reports of fuel tanks bursting, including 16 fire events and a second degree burn, have been made.

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Published on: December 6, 2022

New Study Finds Benzene In Many Dry Shampoos

By Moll Law Group

beautiful-2405131_640 Recently, an independent lab and healthcare research group discovered that the chemical benzene is in several dry shampoo brands. Benzene is known to cause cancer. Around 70% of the samples tested by the lab Valisure had elevated benzene levels and a few of these brands included benzene that was up to 170x the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limit of 2 ppm (PPM). If you developed cancer and suspect it was the result of using dry shampoo, please call the experienced Chicago based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in product liability lawsuits with which we’ve been involved.

Contact Moll Law Group About a Product Liability Claim

Valisure tested 148 batches from 34 brands of dry shampoo. These brands included Batiste, Sebastian, and Not Your Mother’s. Subsequently, the researchers petitioned the FDA asking the FDA to recall those products it found contained carcinogens through its study. Valisure also asked the FDA to update the guidelines for the regulation of benzene. Valisure CEO David Light commented that the detection of high levels of benzene and dry shampoo may be cause for significant concern because the dry shampoo is likely used inside where benzene could linger and be inhaled for prolonged periods. Lights also commented that independent testing is important in numerous personal care products; benzene has been detected in body spray, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen.

It is important to be aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that benzene is one of the leading 20 chemicals commonly used in production. Benzene is a colorless liquid with the sweet odor that evaporates into the air quickly, and it harms humans when they are exposed through inhalation Unfortunately, when a consumer is exposed for prolonged periods, he or she may lose red blood cells and develop anemia as well as leukemia, which is cancer of blood-forming organs.

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Published on: November 29, 2022

Tylenol Claims Are Consolidated in a Multidistrict Litigation

By Moll Law Group

pregnant-6189040_640-e1667399970298 Recent scientific studies have revealed that using Tylenol or even generic acetaminophen while pregnant can result in a disruption to fetal development. This disruption can increase the gestating babies chances of having autism. As a result of this research, parents of children with autism and ADHD have brought product liability lawsuits against manufacturers of acetaminophen products. Lawsuits that pursue damages for autism allegedly caused by Tylenol have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation because they have common questions of fact and law. At Moll Law Group, our Chicago-based product liability lawyers may be able to represent you in a lawsuit to recover damages.

Call Moll Law Group About Your Tylenol Claim

Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen. It’s the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical in the country, and millions take it for fever and pain relief. While it’s been viewed as a harmless medication for more than half a century, the mechanism by which it works to relieve pain is still not well understood. The drug has been marketed to pregnant women as the safest choice for OTC pain relief when they are pregnant, and it is often used to relieve pains during pregnancy, as a result.

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Published on: November 22, 2022

Treadmills Recalled Due to Fall Hazards

By Moll Law Group

fitness-4999754_640-e1667399658522 Johnson Health Tech Trading recently recalled Horizon T101-5 folding treadmills on October 27, 2022. It has been found that they unexpectedly change speeds. They may randomly accelerate or without a user inputting a change. Around 192,000 units of the treadmill were recalled in the United States; 7000 units that had been sold in Canada were also recalled. The treadmill has a running area that is 55 inches by 20 inches wide. It has a 33-inch wide console. Red LEDs on the display give the user workout information. If you were injured or a loved one passed away because of a treadmill accident, and you suspect there was a product defect, you should give our seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers a call.

Call Moll Law Group About a Treadmill Accident

Only a certain model of treadmill, the Horizon Fitness T101-05, is included in the recalls. If your treadmill was affected by the recall, you will see Horizon T101-5 printed on the treadmill’s serial number label. The model number and serial number are located on the metal frame by the power switch. As a consumer, you should immediately stop using a recalled treadmill and talk to Horizon to get a free USB with a software repair to install on your treadmill.

Roughly 875 reports that treadmills unexpectedly altered speed or stopped outright have been made. Users have reported at least 71 injuries, both minor injuries like bruises, and more serious ones like broken bones.

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Published on: November 15, 2022

Kia Recall Based on Fire Risks

By Moll Law Group

car-engine-1548434_640 Recently Kia recalled around 70,000 of its Sorento and Sportage SUV models from 2016 – 2023. This recall enlarged a prior recall that asked owners to park outside because there was flawed tow hitch that presented a fire risk. If you or a loved one were injured because of a fire, you should call the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group.

Call Moll Law Group About Engine Fire Injuries

When engine fires occur, they can have devastating consequences. Kia has recalled certain models of its car. Car owners must have their cars repaired under a new recall. The specific models affected in this last recall are the Sorento model years 2016-2022, Sorento Hybrid model years 2021-2023, Sorento Plug-in Hybrid 2022-2023 and the Kia Sportage 2017-2022. The manufacturer believes that 1% of the recalled cars have a defect. In 2021, around 174,000 highway vehicle fires were reported across the country in 2021, up slightly from the prior year’s tabulation of highway vehicles fires.

This recall expand on one that was issued in August. That recall advised owners of certain Kia Telluride SUV models—36,000 altogether—to park outside because of a similar issue. The August recall also affected 245,000 Hyundai Palisade SUV models.

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Published on: November 8, 2022

Product Liability Lawsuit Filed Against L’Oréal For Its Hair Relaxer

By Moll Law Group

african-american-1180847_640 Recently, a woman filed a lawsuit against cosmetics manufacturer L’Oréal and several other companies. She alleges that hair straightening products put her at increased risk of uterine cancer and asked for monetary damages and the cost of medical monitoring. In the research studies that support the case, the link between hair relaxers and uterine cancer was strongest among black women. It is believed that the recently filed lawsuit is one of many potential suits to come that involve companies that misled women about the safety of hair relaxers to increase profits. If you developed uterine cancer because of a hair relaxer, you should give the seasoned Chicago-based lawyers of Moll Law Group.

Call Moll Law Group About Your Uterine Cancer Case

The plaintiff in the case that was recently filed was 32-year old Jenny Mitchell who is a woman of color that started getting hair relaxers around third grade when she was age 8. The complaint alleges her uterine cancer was both directly and legally caused by long-term and regular exposure to chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system, including phthalates. She used chemical straightening products between 2000-2022 and is asking for compensation of more than $75,000. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2018 and had to undergo a full hysterectomy, as a result of which she cannot bear a child. She does not have a known family history of uterine cancer.

In connection with her lawsuit, she said that most young African American girls are introduced to chemical hair straighteners as young girls. She alleged that society has made straight hair the norm; many people feel pressured to straighten their hair and use hair relaxers. Black and Latina women who don’t straighten their hair may experience workplace discrimination, and that further incentivizes the use of dangerous relaxers.

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Published on: November 1, 2022

Johnson & Johnson’s Attack on Consumer Protection

By Moll Law Group

towels-5961628_1280-e1665172973117 Around 20,000 women get an ovarian cancer diagnosis each year. For more than half, the illness is fatal. Johnson & Johnson has spent billions on lawsuits related to talc. A recent piece in the New Yorker outlined the new legal strategy the company’s executives have used to halt the substantial litigation—if the strategy is successful, other companies may use it, too, and this could harm future claims brought by injured consumers. If you suffered ovarian cancer and believe it may have been caused by Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder (or talcum powder made by a different manufacturer), you should call the Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Our firm represents injured consumers and billions have been recovered in the cases with which we’ve been involved.

Call Moll Law Group About Your J&J Talc Claim

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include a family history of reproductive cancer, use of fertility drugs, being overweight, unhealthy diet, and prior cancer diagnosis. Another risk factor is use of talcum powder. Research underlying the claims of a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association didn’t find a statistically significant connection between talc and ovarian cancer; however it also didn’t necessarily distinguish between talc-containing powders and baby powders that didn’t contain talc. Other studies have found a significant connection between women who used talc for feminine hygiene and cancer.

Once aware of a potential risk, many manufacturers stopped using talc—cornstarch in baby powder is cheap and safer. But Johnson & Johnson continued to use talc in spite of the complex issues around its use, and in spite of being a brand with influence and trusting consumers. The company’s slogan was, for a time: “A sprinkle a day helps keep odor away.”

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