Tag: investigations
Regulators say Tesla Autopilot to take partial blame for fatal 2016 crash
Investigators have suggested that Tesla’s auto-driving system is to take some of the blame for a fatal 2016 crash. They have recommended that the ‘Tesla Autopilot’ system be declared as a contributing factor in the tragic incident because it allowed the driver to go for long periods of time without looking at the road or taking control with the steering.
This news may serve as a stumbling block with the U.K. set to allow for autonomous vehicles to be on the roads in the next few years. Are they safe? What are the dangers? Who is liable if things go wrong? These are questions that need answering before such technology is allowed on our very busy roads.
Continue Reading…
Kobe Steel admits to falsifying data over its product standards, affecting 500 firms
Japan’s third largest steel maker, Kobe, has revealed that they falsified information about the standards and safety of their steel products.
Kobe supplies steel to major companies across the globe, such as manufacturers of cars, aircrafts, trains and even space rockets.
The scandal has prompted major corporations to double-check their products. Some of Kobe Steel’s consumers and users include: Central Japan Railway; Hitachi (its trains are used in Britain); Mazda Motor Corp; Subaru Corp; Toyota Motor Corp; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; Honda; General Motors; Daimler; Airbus
Continue Reading…
Regulatory advice on Kratom drug after 36 deaths
Regulators have issued an advisory warning on 14th November to stop people taking Kratom after 36 deaths have been possibly associated with the drug.
Already banned in several countries, the “pick-me-up” natural drug is created from picked Kratom leaves from jungles all over South East Asia. It was originally used by farm labourers to help them get through working on the fields.
Kratom’s active ingredient is Mitragynine – a chemical that has adverse effects such as nausea; loss of appetite; constipation; dry mouth; trouble sleeping; and brain fatigue. Kratom itself can produce side effects of seizures, itching, increased sensitivity to pain, sweating, liver damage and addiction.
Continue Reading…
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.
Continue Reading…
Five deaths reportedly involving gastric weight-loss balloons
Regulators report that at least five people have died not long after receiving a gastric balloon fitted into their stomachs to help them lose weight. While authorities have not confirmed that the weight-loss balloons are the final cause of death, all five died within a month of having the Intragastric Balloon System inserted, and three of the patients died between one and three days after the procedure took place.
Given the trend, regulators will need to carefully examine what has happened and whether the cause of death is the devices being used. If it is, action needs to be taken without delay to avoid any further loss of life.
Continue Reading…
Major drug manufacturers and distributors suspected of colluding to inflate profits at consumers’ expense
Several drug manufacturers, suppliers and pharmacy benefit managers have reportedly been caught colluding to fix prices for insulin.
In what’s believed to be efforts to allegedly inflate profits, companies reportedly worked together to set consistently high prices for the drugs. This way, no matter where consumers purchased their insulin from, they’d be paying high prices. By price-fixing, no company undercuts the other by offering a cheaper price, which is anti-competitive behaviour that can be extremely harmful for competition and for the consumer.
These are the accusations being brought by those bringing a legal action.
Continue Reading…
Opioid lawsuits for overuse and addiction
Recently, we’ve seen a greater reliance on drugs from doctors, which include addictive painkillers like opioids. The addiction has been reported as a global epidemic, with the U.S. noting it as “the worst drug epidemic in U.S. history“.
Drug manufacturers and distributors have now found themselves in hot water as a result of the allegations.
At least 25 states in the U.S. have taken legal action against opioid manufacturers for the alleged unprecedented effect it has had on communities across America, and here in the U.K., we’re concerned we may be facing a similar epidemic.
Continue Reading…
J&J allegedly knew of the risks of ovarian cancer linked to talcum powder for decades
There are approximately 1,000 lawsuits against J&J, but there’s no clear indication of whether Walgreens are included in the lawsuits as a co-defendant.
According to the claimant, Andrea Harris, Walgreens was more than a seller of the talcum powder and actively marketed the powder, tailoring it to their shoppers. Harris noted that it “maintains a joint office with J&J in Buffalo Grove, where it develops business plans for distributing and marketing J&J items, including talcum products, specifically to Walgreens’ shoppers.”
Continue Reading…
Regulators reportedly find no evidence of defect in Tesla car involved in fatal Autopilot crash
Regulators have concluded their investigations into Tesla Model S cars, which was prompted by the death of a man named Joshua Brown in May of 2016. The driver was using the self-drive autopilot system when he collided with a truck.
The Regulators report apparently blames human error rather than the unfamiliar new technology…
Continue Reading…
Recalls issued for 2016-17 Hyundai Tuscan and the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that Hyundai Motor America will be recalling two models of their vehicles after a defect in the brake light was found. The two car models affected are:
- 2016 – 2017 model Hyundai Tuscan
- 2017 model Hyundai Santa Fe
It’s believed there are 5,669 of these two models currently registered in the U.S. and it’s unclear how many of these cars are currently being used in the U.K.! Hyundai has so far yet to comment on whether the cars here are affected and will be needing repaired.
Continue Reading…
Investigations open into Smart car fires and explosions
Yet another car manufacturer has hit the news. Multiple complaints of Smart cars allegedly bursting into flames have been reported, which is not an issue to ignore!
Manufactured by Smart USA, the 2008-2009 year models of the Smart ForTwo cars are available in over 50 countries, with about 100,000 units sold per year. Mercedes Benz is the parent company of the manufacturer, and the current investigation is looking in to some 40,000 Smart ForTwos arising from complaints.
Continue Reading…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun an investigative probe into Hyundai cars after complaints that passenger seat belts detached.
Two complaints were made alleging that the passenger side seatbelt became detached from the car running board, and one of the complaints was made after a claimant suffered injuries from a road traffic accident.
It’s not known how serious the injuries were, but medical attention was reported to be have been required.
It goes without saying that this is a serious concern that has been raised.