Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

About 2.3 million power tools for the yard have been recalled due to a potential fire or burn danger. The recall involves Stihl gas-powered trimmers, brush cutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing saws, pole pruners and backpack blowers.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the products had the potential for fuel spills. The fuel caps were susceptible to distortion from the effect of ethanol and other fuel additives in some gasoline, and the distorted fuel caps created the potential for fuel spills and subsequent fires. Those with Stihl tools should check the company's website for more details on the recall. Consumers should stop using any recalled Stihl product immediately and take it to an authorized dealer.

So far, there have been no reported injuries as a result of the faulty caps. However, as summer approaches, it is important to be mindful of the potential danger posed by yard tools. As a Chicago personal injury attorney, I have seen clients permanently injured from the malfunction of these simple tools, and I urge homeowners to use these tools properly and to take all necessary safety precautions to ensure safe use.

The family of a Washington D.C. teen has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County against Phusion Projects, the maker of the alcoholic beverage, Four Loko. According to the family, 15-year old Bo Rupp allegedly drank two cans of Four Loko the night he died in September 2010, and the family claims that the drink caused him to lose touch with reality. The boy died that night after being hit by a car near his home.

The original Four Loko formulation was a combination of malt liquor, caffeine, taurine, and guarana. When alcohol and caffeine are combined, drinkers have reported a reduction in the effects normally associated with alcohol consumption. As a result, consumers of these types of drinks tend to drink excessive amounts of alcohol to feel the desired effects.

In November of 2010, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to makers of drinks such as Four Loko, stating that caffeine was an unsafe food additive when combined with alcohol. In response, Phusion Projects removed the caffeine from its product.

As a Chicago personal injury and product liability lawyer, I urge adults to be responsible in their consumption of alcohol, and to avoid products that combine alcohol with caffeine. These types of products have been shown to be unsafe and, as may be the case here, their consumption can lead to disastrous results.