Personal Injury and Mass Tort Law Blog

Published on: October 8, 2024

Research Shows that Black Plastic Contains Harmful Flame Retardant

man-5963976_640-e1728404425414 During recycling, according to a recent study, toxic flame retardants used to prevent fires in electronics are getting into the black-colored plastic that’s commonly used in takeout containers, children’s toys, kitchen utensils and grocery meat and produce trays. The most dangerous flame retardants were the ones used in the electronic cases of electronic devices like televisions. These items may be contaminated with worrisome amounts of toxic flame retardants, which have serious adverse health effects. If you or your child was harmed by black-colored plastic, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group about whether you have a viable claim. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved. We represent consumers nationwide.

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The research study, conducted by Toxic-Free and the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, was recently published in the journal Chemosphere. It examined black plastics, but the researchers didn’t specify the brand names of what was tested. However there have been studies in other countries that similarly demonstrated that black plastic was contaminated with flame retardants.

It’s common for people to own electronic devices like gaming systems, TVs, smartphones, computers and tablets that include flame retardants in order to prevent fires. Flame retardants are also used in chairs, car upholstery, yoga mats, and padded baby items, and they can spread into the air and attach to food and water, which might then be consumed, or dust. When these items are put into recycling, they can contaminate other things

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Published on: October 1, 2024

Johnson & Johnson Recalls Sunscreen Due to Presence of Benzene

By Moll Law Group

sunscreen-1461332_1280-e1727805726529 Even at low levels, benzene is a carcinogen and can increase the risk for blood tissue cancers like lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia. Benzene can’t exist at any safe level in sunscreen, according to experts. Recently, Johnson & Johnson recalled certain Neutrogena and Aveeno products, because it was found that they contained benzene. This is not the first question about benzene in Johnson & Johnson sunscreens; in 2021, the FDA wrote an internal report, a Health Hazard Evaluation, that said that there was danger even when sunscreen contained only low levels of benzene. At that time, Johnson & Johnson sunscreens were among those that contained the carcinogen, and tests had detected levels of benzene that were 5 to 12 times above the recommended limits that two independent organizations had set. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and you used the sunscreens listed below, you may have grounds to bring a product liability lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. Call the attorneys of Moll Law Group to discuss whether your claim is viable.

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Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots of five of its products after internal testing found low levels of benzene in product samples. The latest Johnson & Johnson sunscreens to be implicated in benzene sunscreen lawsuits are aerosol Aveeno and Neutrogena products. These include Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer^® aerosol sunscreen. Consumers have been told to stop using these products.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen, a material that can potentially trigger cancer based on how much it’s been used and the consumer’s exposure levels. The substance is everywhere in the environment and can be absorbed via a person’s skin, as well as orally. Benzene isn’t an ingredient in the Johnson & Johnson sunscreens but has been detected in the products, nonetheless. Johnson & Johnson has stated that daily exposure in the specified aerosol sunscreen products in the low levels found in their testing wouldn’t be expected to result in cancer; for their purposes, the lots have been recalled in order to be cautious.

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Published on: September 24, 2024

EWG Tests of Hummus Found High Levels of Glyphosate Weedkiller

By Moll Law Group

hummus-1058000_640-e1725046712859 Alarmingly, the carcinogen glyphosate weedkiller has been found to exist in 60% of beans and lentils samples tested by labs working for the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Hummus and the chickpeas that are used to make it may be contaminated by high degrees of this chemical that makes up the weedkiller. Dry lentils and garbanzo flour were also affected, according to the tests. Monsanto, now Bayer, has sold glyphosate as a weedkiller for decades under the brand name Roundup, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer or IARC as a likely human carcinogen. If you believe you were harmed by hummus (or any of the beans and lentils that were tested), give the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group a call. Billions have been recovered in lawsuits with which we’ve been involved.

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EWB commissioned several lab tests and found that 37 conventional, nonorganic chickpea-based samples tested, based a serving of four tablespoons of hummus, came out to be higher than the health-based benchmark that EWG uses for daily consumption. In fact, one sample came out to having almost 15 times as much glyphosate as the benchmark. One of two tests from a sample of conventional dry chickpeas exceeded even the Environmental Protection Agency’s lenient legal standard.

Ten hummus samples went over the benchmark: Sabra Classic Hummus; Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus; two of the Whole Foods Market Original Hummus; Whole Foods Market organic label Original hummus; Cava traditional hummus; and two samples of Harris Teeter Fresh Foods Market Traditional Artisan Hummus.

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Published on: September 17, 2024

CPSC Warns Not to Use Loungers Made by Ningbo Tree Nest Childrens Products

By Moll Law Group

baby-303068_640-e1725046388388 Recently, the Consumer Products and Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers, parents, and guardians not to use certain loungers made by Ningbo Tree Nest Children Products because they pose risks of suffocation, fall, and entrapment. The warning pertained to Mamibaby, Yoocaa, DHZJM, Cosy Nation & Hyhuudth loungers. There have been five infant deaths reported. If your baby was injured or killed because of getting entrapped or suffocated or suffering a fall from the lounger, you should discuss the viability from bringing a lawsuit with the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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It’s important to immediately stop using the loungers Mamibaby, Yoocaa, DHZJM, Cosy Nation & Hyhuudth that were made by Ningbo Tree Nest Children Products. Do not dispose of the product if your baby was injured or killed, as the product itself could be valuable evidence, but put it someplace safe and be sure not to use it. The CPSC has warned that even though these loungers have been advertised as sleep products, they create a dangerous sleep environment, presenting suffocation, entrapment, and falls for infants.

The Mamibaby baby lounger was sold at Walmart.com. There is a Mamibaby tag sewn on the cover for the baby lounger, which should help you identify it. “Sleeping set” tags have also been sewn the lounge covers for this lounger. Meanwhile, Yoocaa baby loungers have been sold on Amazon.com. You can identify these based on the manufacturer label on Yoocaa baby lounger packaging, as well as by the “Sleeping Set” tag that’s sewn on the lounger cover. Similarly, the DHZJM baby lounger, sold on Amazon.com, can be identified by a tag identifying the manufacturer on the lounger and cover. “Sleeping set” will also be sewn on the cover. Both the Hyhuudth and Cosy Nation Baby loungers, also found on Amazon.com, can also be identified according to tags on the lounger and cover.

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Published on: September 10, 2024

Sig Sauer Guns Hanging on Soldiers’ Hips Fire Without Trigger Pull

By Moll Law Group

ammunition-2004236_1280-e1725046127872 There have been a surge of shootings that may be the result of a defect in Sig Sauer P320. These incidents have happened unexpectedly and caused pain and devastation. For instance, a military sergeant was talking to his supervisor, when another soldier tried to get past him. The sergeant and soldier’s gun holsters clanked against each other, and the gun went off—the sergeant’s own gun, a Sig Sauer’s P320, had fired without him pulling a trigger, and a bullet hit him in the ankle, causing serious injuries that required him to undergo six months of rehabilitation and surgery. A number of lawsuits have been filed against Sig Sauer for what plaintiffs believe is a design or manufacturing flaw in which people can be shot without anyone pulling the trigger. If you were injured by a Sig Sauer gun, please call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in lawsuits with which we’ve been involved, around the country.

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The Sig Sauer P320 is one of the country’s most popular pistols. More than 2.5 million guns have been sold and the manufacturer promises a commitment to safety without compromise. However, it has also been the subject of numerous lawsuits concerning alleged design and manufacturing defects that make it more susceptible to accidentally going off and injuring people, often the owners themselves.

There have 9 separate incidents at United States military bases between September 2020-June 2023. Records that have been obtained indicate that guns alleged fired unintentionally at various United States military bases across the world. Even so, the manufacturer claims this gun isn’t capable of firing without a trigger pull. Likewise the Army denies that the guns had defects, claiming that they were comprehensively tested and worked fine. In fact, the Army adopted this gun as a standard issue sidearm for soldiers, in 2017. Almost 500,000 continue to be in service without restrictions and worn on the hips of military servicemembers.

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Published on: September 3, 2024

Appalling Conditions Associated with the Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak

By Moll Law Group

charcuterie-338498_640 The listeria outbreak arising from Boar’s Head deli meat this past spring has resulted in the deaths of six more people and injuries to more than a dozen more people. Reports are from across 18 states, and it’s suspected that there may be more Boar’s Head injuries and fatalities to come to come. In total, so far, nine people have died, while 57 have needed to be hospitalized as a result of the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called this the largest listeria outbreak since one that affected cantaloupe in 2011, which caused 30 deaths. As we let you know previously this summer, Boar’s Head recalled Strassburger Brand Liverwurst based on listeria concerns. Later the recall was expanded to 3,600 tons of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that were sold under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brands. If you suffered injuries due to Boar’s Head deli meats, or a loved one died , you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in lawsuits across the country with which we’ve been involved.

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Listeria bacteria survives refrigeration. It can spread around food, hands, surfaces, and equipment used to handle them. Federal officials have urged consumers to check their refrigerators for products, which may have sell-by dates that run into October of this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has disclosed appalling conditions at the factory where the affected meat was produced. Insects, mold, mildew, and standing water, all of which make a hospitable environment for listeria, were found throughout the production facility. The method that Boar’s Head used to control for listeria is considered by some knowledgeable officials as the least reliable.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised consumers not to eat any recalled Boar’s Head products and to look into their refrigerators to make sure they don’t have affected products. Consumers are advised to look for “EST.12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Some of the products have sell-by dates that last until October 2024. A listeria infection may cause symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, muscle aches, chills, and fever. When an infection spreads to the nervous system, the result may be headache, convulsions, loss of balance, and a stiff neck.

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Published on: August 27, 2024

Study Finds Cadmium and Lead Contamination of Dark Chocolate

By Moll Law Group

dark-2562840_640 A new study has found that dark chocolate and other similar cocoa items are contaminated with cadmium and lead. These metals are neurotoxins and they’ve been linked to developmental issues in children, chronic diseases, and cancer. In a sense, because they are in the soil where crops are grown, these heavy metals are present in many different agricultural products, but some crops are more contaminated because there is excessive use of metal-containing fertilizers or proximity to pollution. Chocolate is grown on land that is less contaminated and where fewer pesticides are used. Yet, the journal Frontiers in Nutrition has found that organic dark chocolate—so often recommended by health magazines for certain beneficial properties—contains some of the highest levels of cadmium and lead. If you believe you or your child was harmed by contaminated dark chocolate, contact the seasoned Chicago-based lawyers of Moll Law Group. Our firm represents consumers around the country.

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The new study evaluated test results for 72 consumer cocoa products, tested by Consumer Labs at various laboratories, over an eight-year-period in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 to determine their levels of cadmium, lead and arsenic. The new study analyzed six dozen consumer cocoa products for levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic. Levels of arsenic were insignificant.

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Published on: August 20, 2024

Boar’s Head Deli Meats Linked to Three Deaths

By Moll Law Group

sausage-933720_640-e1724040052382 There have been three deaths and fifty illnesses requiring hospitalization nationwide in a listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli meats that started in May. In response to reports that health officials had tested Boar’s Head liverwurst samples and confirmed that the same strain of listeria existed in both, on July 30, the company recalled 7 million pounds of the 70 deli meat products it manufactures and markets, which were made at the Virginia company plan. It has been sued twice in different states; one lawsuit was filed in a Missouri court and the other is a federal class action suit in New York. Stores around the country sold these products, as did stores in Panama, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands. If you were harmed by Boar’s head deli meats, please call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved, and we represent consumers around the country.

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One of the lawsuits has been brought by an 88-year-old retired psychotherapist and her husband who had greatly enjoyed Boar’s head braunschweiger from their grocery deli for years. The psychotherapist had loved liverwurst all her life, and as a result of a listeria infection spent nine days in the hospital and 11 days in a rehabilitation center. These are costly expenses. The class action lawsuit alleges that Boar’s Head improperly and deceptively marketed its deli products alleges that the company improperly and deceptively marketed its products.

The median age of victims in the listeria outbreak is 74, but their ages range from 32 to 84. Boar’s Head initial recall of the meats was on July 25^th, but then this recall was expanded on July 30, to include its 70 products.

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Published on: August 13, 2024

Joint Commission Data Indicates that 2023 Sentinel Events Approached 2022’s Record High

By Moll Law Group

treatment-4099432_640-e1721672084835 Sentinel events are significant medical mistakes that affect patient safety and result in severe temporary harm, permanent harm, or death. The data compiled by the Joint Commission for 2023 found that sentinel events were close to 2022’s record high. In 2023, there were 1411 reported and reviewed events. Of these, eighteen percent led to patient death. Fifty-seven percent led to severe temporary harm. Eight percent resulted in permanent harm. Twelve percent of these patients had to stay for an extended period in the hospital and go through more treatment. If you or a loved one experienced a sentinel event, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced Chicago-based medical malpractice lawyers of Moll Law Group may be able to represent you.

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Most sentinel events are preventable. They can be the result of miscommunications, teamwork failures, and failure to adhere to standard policies and procedures. As in the previous 5 years, the 2023 data revealed that the most frequent sentinel events during 2023 were falls. They comprised 48% of all the sentinel events the Joint Commission reviewed. They were up 6 percentage points from falls in 2022. And in 2019, by contrast, patient falls only made up 18% of the sentinel events.

Other sentinel events included wrong-site surgery, wrong procedures, wrong patients operated upon, foreign objects left behind during procedures, sexual assaults, rapes, assaults, homicides, treatment delays, suicide, fire, burns, mismanagement of medications, self-harm, and perinatal events. Wrong surgeries (all three types of wrong surgeries) constituted 8% of sentinel events for 2023, as did two other categories, foreign objects left behind in the patient and crimes like rape, sexual assault, assault and homicide. Most of these 1358 events were voluntarily self-reported to the Joint Commission, either by a certified or accredited entity. The rest of the 53 sentinel events were reported by patients, anonymous sources or employees of the providers.

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Published on: August 8, 2024

More Clergy Abuse Victims Than Previously Known

By Moll Law Group

church-750251_640 The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has released a 2023 report on clergy abuse. In his introduction to the report, AG Kwame Raoul laid out the numbers. The Catholic diocese in the state had publicly listed only 103 substantiated child sex abusers prior to the initiation of the Office’s investigation in 2019. The new report specifies that 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers were found to be perpetrators. Their victims amounted to a minimum of 1997 children in diocese across the state. If you were the victim of clergy abuse, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the seasoned Chicago clergy abuse lawyers of Moll Law Group to determine your legal options.

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The AG Office’s investigation has led to significantly greater transparency around the scope of clergy abuse. In the last two decades, it’s become increasingly clear that dioceses across the country and around the world purposefully shuffled priests reported to be sexual abusers of children to different parishes once there was a complaint. This resulted in many more children being abused. Knowing this information has allowed survivors not only to come forward and receive care but has also allowed justice to be sought against individual perpetrators and the authorities and system that shielded their grotesque behavior. Often child sex abusers were hiding in plain sight, as Raoul notes. Prior to progressive laws removing the statute of limitation many were left unable to hold their abusers accountable in civil court. This report allows for public accountability and may lead to healing for survivors.

The AG’s Office investigated all six of the Catholic diocese in Illinois, including in Chicago, Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield. When the investigation started, only two dioceses had posted a list of substantiated abusers on their website, with the Archdiocese of Chicago listing 68 abusers and the Diocese of Joliet listing 35 abusers, but a few months in, the other four dioceses also posted lists of substantiated abusers. Additionally, a clergy abuse hotline was set up. The investigators engaged in over 600 confidential contacts with survivors of child sex abuse by Illinois Catholic clerics.

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