"ME TOO" SEATS ARE DANGEROUS FOR OUR KIDS SAYS U.S. SAFETY COMMISSION

The CPSC warns parents to immediately stop using the Phil & Ted’s “metoo” clip-on table top chairs as they can detach from the table creating serious fall and amputation hazards to children who are sitting in them. Here is a video produced by the CPSC which demonstrates how our children are in danger. Phil & Ted’s refused to agree to the CPSC’s request for a national recall. The Heller Law Firm (www.seriousinjury.org) is investigating a possible class action to get your money back. If you purchased one of these chairs and are interested in pursuing legal action or want more information, please call 800.992.9947 or email shayne@hellerlaw.net. No cost/obligation.

Lawsuit Filed in Colorado Bus Crash

Members of a Dallas-area church were traveling on a ski trip in Colorado in December 2010 when their chartered bus was involved in a collision, injuring nine of the passengers. The suit alleges that the driver of the bus, Fred Kornegay of the company Gotta Go Express Trailways, Inc., was engaging in unsafe driving practices before the crash occurred, despite the treacherous conditions of the road. The collision occurred when Kornegay attempted to make a turn at too great a speed, losing control of the vehicle. The lawsuit asks for an unspecified amount of damages.

If another’s negligence has caused you or a loved one to suffer, we can help you assess your legal options. Contact the Los Angeles bus accident attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us directly at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

CPSC ISSUES WARNING TO PARENTS USING TABLESIDE BOOSTER SEATS

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the following press release today regarding the Phil & Ted's metoo chairs:

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2011
Release #11-218

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Alert: Consumers Urged To Stop Using phil&teds USA Clip-on Chairs Due To Serious Dangers Posed To Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers that some "metoo" clip-on table top chairs, imported by phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC is urging consumers to stop using some metoo clip-on chairs immediately.

The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering it. The chair is sold in three fabric colors - red, black and navy.

The clip-on chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar. The clip-on chairs that have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar are under evaluation.

The company has refused to agree to a national recall of their hazardous product that is acceptable to CPSC. The company has offered a repair kit consisting of rubber boots to place on the upper clamp grips of the chairs. Consumers should be aware that CPSC has not approved a repair kit for this product, despite the firm's prior statement that it was conducting a recall "in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission."

CPSC is urging consumers to stop using the affected metoo chairs at this time in order to prevent the risk of injury to children.

The affected metoo chairs pose serious fall and amputation hazards to children placed in them. Children can suffer impact and head injuries when the chair detaches from the table and falls with them in it. CPSC staff is aware of numerous incidents involving the affected metoo chairs.

CPSC staff has determined that the clamps can detach from a variety of different table surfaces. Additionally, the chairs can detach when children move around or use their feet to push against other objects. Staff also determined that the lack of adequate space between the horizontal metal bar at the front of the chair and the clamps can cause children's fingers to be severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated if caught between the bar and the clamp when the chair detaches.

In addition to hazards with the affected clip-on chairs, the product packaging and instructions provide conflicting information. The product's packaging and marketing information show the product being used in ways that may lead to the chair detaching from the table. However, the product's instructions do not adequately warn against this type of use.

Tens of thousands of the affected metoo chairs may have been distributed since May 2006 for about $50 through philandteds.com, Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us, other online retailers and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores.

To see this safety alert on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the products involved, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11218.html

Do you own one of these chairs? If so, we would like to speak with you. Please call defective product attorneys at The Heller Law Firm at 800-992-9947 for more information or visit our website at www.seriousinjury.org.

Fatal Mississippi Car Wreck Results in $375,000 Settlement for Family

In 2007, brothers Ricky and Lamonte Brown were traveling on I-220 near Jackson, Mississippi when their vehicle was struck by a car driven by Roderick Evans, who was being pursued by Mississippi State Trooper Julius Hutson at the time of the incident. Ricky Brown died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the collision; Lamonte Brown survived but was seriously injured and required extensive medical treatment. Recently, the Mississippi Tort Claims Board gave its seal of approval to a $375,000 settlement in response to the wrongful death suit that was filed by the Brown family.

Have you or a family member been harmed by another’s reckless behavior? We can help. Contact the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us directly at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.