Top Recalls for November 2018

Being a consumer usually means convenience comes first, but consumers should also feel compelled to verify that any products that have entered their homes are safe for them and their families. They can do this by reading up regularly on major product recalls and then addressing the recall issue through the remedy provided by the product’s manufacturer or distributor.

Of course, thousands of consumers are injured or killed by products each year through no fault of their own. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that an estimated 38 million people are injured and 35,900 people die each year in relation to the use of a consumer product.

Our Miami defective product attorneys constantly see cases where consumers were inadequately warned about the dangers of a product — or they weren’t warned at all. Know that if you have been injured either directly by a product or in direct relation to its use, you may be eligible for remediation and compensation beyond what the product recall issuer provides.

Practice smart consumerism and keep your home safe this winter by making note of the following 10 biggest product recalls announced so far in November 2018.

Lifetone Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock

Lifetone alarm clocks were created as an assistive device to aid those who are hard of hearing in the event of a house fire. Approximately 10,000 units are suspected to have a defect where the screen goes blank, failing to notify owners in response to a fire. So far, 77 units have been identified as defective, but no direct injuries have been reported.

Owners should stop using the product immediately. They can contact Lifetone Technology to receive a prepaid return label as well as instructions for how to receive a free replacement.

Restoration Hardware Metal-Wrapped Coffee Table

Metal-wrapped coffee tables sold by the Restoration Hardware (RH) brand under the product names “La Salle” and “Annecy” have unacceptable levels of lead within the product’s thin sheets of dark metal. People, especially children, can be exposed to lead if they put their mouth on the metal or put something that contacted the metal in their mouth. Two incidents of elevated blood lead levels in children have been reported so far.

Owners should immediately remove the tables from use, cover them, and place them in an out-of-reach area. Restoration Hardware is offering a full remedy through direct contact with all known purchasers. You can determine if your product falls within the recall by consulting the CPSC’s recall notice.

H.I.S. Girl’s Clothing Sets

Anyone who has bought or received a set of girl’s clothes between sizes 4x – 12x from the “Self-Esteem” brand that contains a gold leaf pendant necklace should check the product immediately for PO#71160/LOT9 on the inside label. These items were sold with a pendant necklace containing lead levels that exceed federal standards. No injuries have been reported so far.

Product owners can return the clothing to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Glacier Bay Medicine Cabinets Sold at Home Depot

Mirrored medicine cabinets sold at Home Depot stores and homedepot.com are being recalled because of a risk that the mirrors can slip out of their bevel and fall to the floor. The company has received 94 reports of mirrors doing this so far, which includes two reports where owners got serious cuts on their hands and fingers. These cabinets have two doors, measure 30 in x 26 in, and use one-piece plastic brackets to mount the inside shelves.

Owners should immediately remove the product and contact MCS directly for instructions regarding a remedy.

Hammer Drills and Drill Drivers Manufactured by Black & Decker

Around 641,000 units of a hammer drill sold in the U.S. (and appx. 18,000 sold in Canada) have a serious defect. The affected units were sold under the brand names of Black & Decker, Bostitch, or Porter-Cable. They have a plastic handle that is prone to breaking, which can cause loss of control while using the tool which in turn can lead to serious injury and property damage. So far, the companies have received 11 reports of slipped or broken handles and at least one serious injury report.

Owners should stop using their drills immediately and contact Black & Decker at 888-284-3070 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday or the website of the respective brand on their tool for a free replacement handle.

A.O. Smith Ultra-Low NOx Heaters

A major defect has led to a massive recall of over 616,000 water heating units. Tears in the burner screen can lead to a possible fire hazard if the heater is installed on top of a flammable surface. Six reports of fires have been made so far.

Affected units include natural gas and propane gas water heaters retailed between 2011 and 2016 under various brand names, including Whirlpool, Kenmore, U.S. Craftsmaster, A.O. Smith, and American. Affected models all met the ultra-low NOx specs and came in either 30, 40, or 50 gallon sizes.

Owners should shut off their heaters immediately and visit Condensing Boiler & Combi Boiler Safety and Recall Notification to inquire about whether they can get the free repair to remedy the issue.

Haier Top-Mount Refrigerators

Haier America has ordered the recall of approxiamately 137,000 refrigerator units with top-mounted freezers that have a 10.1 cubic foot capacity and the model number HA10TG31. These models have faulty wiring components that can short circuit and lead to a fire hazard. Three reports of smoke and fire have been made so far, although there have been no injuries.

Owners should unplug their refrigerators immediately and visit Haier Appliance Recalls. They have the option to receive a free repair as a remedy or a $150 credit towards a new Haier appliance.

Waupaca Residential Elevators

Owners who have residential elevators installed in their home manufactured by the company Waupaca should be aware that there have been 12 reports of the elevator cab suddenly and unexpectedly plummeting to the bottom of the elevator shaft. 10 of these included reports of serious injuries, such as broken bones and severe sprains. Affected residential elevator models include Custom Lift 450# and Custom Lift 500#, which would have been shipped and installed between 1979 and 2008.

The company has instructed owners to immediately discontinue use and contact them. They will be provided a free inspection and a free installation of an overspeed emergency braking device. They may also have their gearbox replaced for free if the gears are worn.

LÍLLÉbaby Infant Carriers

Owners of LÍLLÉbaby Active Series-Pro 6 in 1 and Active All Seasons carriers should discontinue use of the product immediately because of the risk that critical structural straps could detach, possibly causing the child to fall. Three such incidents have happened so far, including one child who fell from the carrier, although no injuries were reported.

Owners can contact LÍLLÉbaby to inquire about a free replacement in addition to a full refund for their purchase.

Kubota Mowers and Compact Tractors

Our final recall concerns a range of Kubota products with model numbers BX, GR, ZD and ZG. Models include zero turn mowers, compact tractors, and ride-on mowers. These units might have a defective coolant reservoir cap that can become overheated and over pressurized, leading to a sudden spray of hot coolant that can burn. Three reports of such injuries have been gathered so far.

Owners should discontinue use immediately and contact Kubota to receive a free replacement cap.

You Can Have Miami Defective Product Attorneys at Your Side

Manufacturers don’t always seek to offer the full compensation victims of their defective products deserve. If you have been seriously injured or have sustained property damage as the result of any of the products listed or other products not mentioned, know that you can decline the company’s offered remedy and seek out a defective products injury claim on your own.

When pursuing such a case, having experienced Miami defective product attorneys in your corner can help you strategize carefully and pursue the most advantageous outcome.

Do not hesitate to exercise your legal rights after getting injured by a product. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.