The American Association for Justice released an incredible report yesterday--- They all Knew and Failed to.... The report details how lawsuits keep us safe.
Listed in the report are numerous examples of companies that knowingly and willfully released products that harmed or even killed consumers. It describes the case of a company that discovers rat droppings are contaminating its food products but insists that the products be recooked, boxed up, and sold anyway. Then there is the example of a company that discovers its bulletproof vests are defective but still sells them to law enforcement agencies and the military-- putting those that protect us at grave risk.
Showing posts with label unsafe products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unsafe products. Show all posts
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Toys to Toxic Waste
For Immediate Release: October 28, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Fuson
202-965-3500 x369
AAJ Press Room
Toys to Toxic Waste: New Report Details Corporations that Skirt Responsibility and Shun Consumer Safety to Save Money
Washington, DC—As the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform holds their annual summit – an event dedicated to championing corporate misconduct and evading accountability – a new report released today details true stories of corporations that knew their products were dangerous, yet failed to act and protect consumers.
“They Knew and Failed To” details numerous examples of medical devices, prescription drugs, and other consumer products that remained on the market after critical safety concerns had been raised within the company, while using all means necessary to avoid being held accountable for their misconduct.
In one example, police officer Tony Zeppetella of Oceanside, Calif. had paid $313 to “upgrade” his standard bullet proof vest. The Ultima body armor Zeppetella had purchased was widely used by law enforcement, military personnel, and even worn by the President and Mrs. Bush. Unfortunately, Zeppetella was shot and killed on a routine traffic stop in June 2003, when a bullet penetrated his vest.
Second Chance, the manufacturer, had known as early as 1998 that heat and sunlight caused the material to degrade, making the vests penetrable. Internal corporate memos from 2001 revealed an executive at the company had recommended notifying customers about the products’ defect, saying, “Lives and our credibility are at stake.” It was not until September 2003 that the company eventually recalled 130,000 vests, three months after Zeppetella was shot. The company had known for five years there were problems with their vests, but failed to notify consumers, putting law enforcement and service members’ lives at risk. Several years later, Second Chance recalled another 98,000 vests.
“While most businesses act in good faith to serve their customers and communities, unfortunately some corporations recklessly put lives at risk for the sake of profit,” said American Association for Justice President Anthony Tarricone. “While front groups like the Chamber stage events practically celebrating corporate misconduct, this new report convincingly illustrates the importance of holding wrongdoers accountable.”
The full report, “They Knew and Failed To,” is available at: www.justice.org/clips/TheyKnewAndFailedTo.pdf.
Contact: Jennifer Fuson
202-965-3500 x369
AAJ Press Room
Toys to Toxic Waste: New Report Details Corporations that Skirt Responsibility and Shun Consumer Safety to Save Money
Washington, DC—As the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform holds their annual summit – an event dedicated to championing corporate misconduct and evading accountability – a new report released today details true stories of corporations that knew their products were dangerous, yet failed to act and protect consumers.
“They Knew and Failed To” details numerous examples of medical devices, prescription drugs, and other consumer products that remained on the market after critical safety concerns had been raised within the company, while using all means necessary to avoid being held accountable for their misconduct.
In one example, police officer Tony Zeppetella of Oceanside, Calif. had paid $313 to “upgrade” his standard bullet proof vest. The Ultima body armor Zeppetella had purchased was widely used by law enforcement, military personnel, and even worn by the President and Mrs. Bush. Unfortunately, Zeppetella was shot and killed on a routine traffic stop in June 2003, when a bullet penetrated his vest.
Second Chance, the manufacturer, had known as early as 1998 that heat and sunlight caused the material to degrade, making the vests penetrable. Internal corporate memos from 2001 revealed an executive at the company had recommended notifying customers about the products’ defect, saying, “Lives and our credibility are at stake.” It was not until September 2003 that the company eventually recalled 130,000 vests, three months after Zeppetella was shot. The company had known for five years there were problems with their vests, but failed to notify consumers, putting law enforcement and service members’ lives at risk. Several years later, Second Chance recalled another 98,000 vests.
“While most businesses act in good faith to serve their customers and communities, unfortunately some corporations recklessly put lives at risk for the sake of profit,” said American Association for Justice President Anthony Tarricone. “While front groups like the Chamber stage events practically celebrating corporate misconduct, this new report convincingly illustrates the importance of holding wrongdoers accountable.”
The full report, “They Knew and Failed To,” is available at: www.justice.org/clips/TheyKnewAndFailedTo.pdf.
###
As the world's largest trial bar, the American Association for Justice (formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) works to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others--even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations. Visit http://www.justice.org.
As the world's largest trial bar, the American Association for Justice (formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) works to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others--even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations. Visit http://www.justice.org.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Manufacturing Giant Pfizer Agrees to a $2.3 Billion Penalty in Health-Care Fraud Settlement
Pfizer, one of the largest drug manufacturers in the
The company pleaded guilty to illegally promoting its products "with the intent to defraud or mislead." The Food and Drug Administration had pulled Bextra off the market shelves in 2005.
Pfizer settled at $2.3 billion because it was marketing its drug for a purpose not approved by the FDA.The FDA had asked that Pfizer remove Bextra from U.S. and European pharmaceutical markets, claiming the fear about the threat of strokes and heart attacks, as well as the grave skin reactions, and other cardiovascular issues.
Pharmacia & UpJohn, a company owned by Pfizer, will be pleading guilty to a criminal charge of fraud.
The penalty is one of the largest drug settlements to date.
Read more about this story HERE
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Diet Drug May Be Linked To Liver Damage
Xenical and its over-the-counter replica sold by GlaxoSmithKline are under strict scrutiny after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 32 reports of serious liver damage in those taking the weight loss pills.
Six of these cases resulted in liver failure and over 20 were hospitalized due to severe injury sustained to their liver.
However, since no definite link has been established between the use of the drug and liver injury, the FDA has released a comment saying that those who are currently taking the pills should continue to do so as directed.
"The FDA's analysis of these data is ongoing, and no definite association between liver injury and Orlistat [which markets itself under Xenical and Alli] has been established at this time," the administration said.
The nonprescription version of Xenical sold in the United States is Alli. Alli is a popular brand, which built its credibility by heavily advertising that was the first FDA approved weight loss drug on the market.
Since the health concerns have risen, many asset management groups are concerned with what these alleged correlations between their drugs and the risks they are being linked to will do to their sales.
Mike Krensavage, principal of Krensavage Asset Management LLC said, “Any time the FDA raises an issue like this, demand is likely to suffer, at least temporarily.”
Krensavage seems to be right.
After making $197 million in profit overseas and another $125 million here on American soil so far in 2009, Glaxo shares have fell nearly 1.5 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.
Read the FDA report HERE.
Six of these cases resulted in liver failure and over 20 were hospitalized due to severe injury sustained to their liver.
However, since no definite link has been established between the use of the drug and liver injury, the FDA has released a comment saying that those who are currently taking the pills should continue to do so as directed.
"The FDA's analysis of these data is ongoing, and no definite association between liver injury and Orlistat [which markets itself under Xenical and Alli] has been established at this time," the administration said.
The nonprescription version of Xenical sold in the United States is Alli. Alli is a popular brand, which built its credibility by heavily advertising that was the first FDA approved weight loss drug on the market.
Since the health concerns have risen, many asset management groups are concerned with what these alleged correlations between their drugs and the risks they are being linked to will do to their sales.
Mike Krensavage, principal of Krensavage Asset Management LLC said, “Any time the FDA raises an issue like this, demand is likely to suffer, at least temporarily.”
Krensavage seems to be right.
After making $197 million in profit overseas and another $125 million here on American soil so far in 2009, Glaxo shares have fell nearly 1.5 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.
Read the FDA report HERE.
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