Your e-cig could be an explosion waiting to happen – according to some news sources and reports

The popularity of the e-cig is hard to miss. From numerous pop-up e-cig shops in towns and centres, to clouds of scented vapour everywhere you turn, e-cigs really are everywhere.

Hailed as healthier than traditional cigarettes, the battery-powered alternatives do not contain tobacco, tar, or carbon monoxide in the vapour produced. However, these benefits may be overshadowed by reports of horrifying risks of explosion.

One man in the U.S. has shared his story of an e-cig battery exploding in the trouser pocket, severely burning his leg.
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Investigation into Fiat Chrysler over rollaway crashes

Regulators have been conducting an investigation into Fiat Chrysler after receiving complaints of some of their vehicles reportedly rolling away when the driver exited the car.

Some one million Fiat Chrysler Ram 15000 pickup trucks and Dodge Durango vehicles are affected by what is believed to be a defective rotary shifter. In a bit to add a new dimension to cars (and to free space for more/larger cup holders and storage areas), Fiat Chrysler moved away from traditional mechanical gear-shifts in favour of smaller electronic versions.

However, some customers have reportedly found it difficult to use the new feature, with many suspected to not even be aware of how to use it as intended.
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Takata files for bankruptcy as it buckles under pressure of numerous lawsuits

The motor industry was shaken by revelations of Takata’s dangerous airbags that have the potential to explode and shoot shards of metal into the cabin of a car. As one of the world’s largest producers of airbags, its inflatable devices are used in vehicles made by Honda, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru and BMW.

After at least 17 deaths reportedly linked to Takata airbags, and further reports of injuries caused as well, automakers have been forced to recall millions of cars and are looking to recover the costs of recalls and lawsuits from Takata.
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Product Liability Claims in Group Action cases

As a consumer, you are protected by law for defective products causing you harm. Under things like the Sale and Supply of Goods and Services laws and regulations, manufacturers and suppliers must only sell things that are, amongst other things, safe and fit for purpose.

Defective products, depending on their purpose, can create all sorts of problems, including injuries and financial loss. We have represented (and still are representing) victims for major product claims here in the U.K., such as the PIP Breast Implant scandal, the Metal-On-Metal hip device problems, and the massive VW Emissions Scandal action.

It’s a huge area of law and one we’re particularly experienced in.
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Medical device alert for Freeway Easy Fit system overhead hoists

Manufactured by Prism, the Freeway Easy Fit system helps carers carry patients with little or no mobility so they can be safely moved across short distances; e.g. from their bed into a chair. The overhead hoists consist of a reinforced metal frame to which a hoist motor is attached, joining the flexible sling that the patient is carried in.

However, a recent incident saw a securing pin for the mounting hoops on the hoist dislodge, allowing the hoop to detach. Given that hoist injuries at work are actually incredibly common and often lead to serious injuries to patients and back injuries for employees, this is an important alert and issue to resolve.
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How does a Group Action Claim work?

A group action claim is generally made when one issue or problem affects multiple people. There is often only one person or company at fault as well, but their negligence can cause problems for thousands or even millions of people.

A group action claim allows all the people adversely affected to come together and claim against the defendant(s) in one large set of efficient proceedings. Bringing a group action claim has many benefits as multiple victims can use shared evidence and unite on a “strength in numbers” front as opposed to each person having to bring their own personal claim to different courts across the country.
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Can you make a Group Action claim on a No Win, No Fee basis?

In short, the answer is yes.

Normally, all you’re doing is joining with a number of others in a legal action for justice. If we, as a law firm, think there are strong enough prospects for succeeding with the case, we may be able to offer a No Win, No Fee arrangement.

With us, No Win, No Fee means quite literally: if you don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay us anything, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement of course.
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The class-action suit against Sanofi over epilepsy drug linked to birth defects

Thousands joined together to bring a class action case against French drug company Sanofi for allegedly not warning expectant mothers of the adverse side-effects of taking the epilepsy drug Depakine/Depakote. French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported that over 10,000 pregnant women were given this drug between 2007 and 2014, and it’s suspected that around 450 children may have been born with congenital defects due to exposure of the drug whilst in the womb.

Epilepsy drugs have been in focus in the news recently, and when it comes to birth defect claims, it’s always a very serious matter indeed.
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Lidl gravy was once found to have been contaminated with paint thinner ingredient!

Here’s an unusual story from around this time last year. Reportedly, dangerous amounts of Xylene were found in Lidl’s Kania Meat and Kania Chicken Gravy Granules, leading to Lidl recalling the products and offering full refunds to customers.

As the countdown to Christmas has begun, one can only hope we don’t see a repeat of something like that – this year!

We don’t often cover contaminated food stories, but as budget supermarkets are becoming increasingly popular in recent times, we were reminded of this one in last year’s run up to Christmas, and decided to blog it!
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Consumer Protection Act claims – the “bread and butter” of Group Action litigation

There are many laws that protect consumers in relation to goods and services bought and ordered. The Consumer Protection Act of 1987 can protect consumers from ‘damage caused by defective products’.

Along with various other laws, this Act ensures that products and services are fit for purpose and do not pose a risk to property or cause personal injury. Producers can be liable for defective or dangerous products, and should they cause any harm or injury, the producer may be liable to pay damages to those affected.
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