Product Liability Lawyer Blog
We’ve been busy tracking the latest recalls, regulatory moves, and court decisions that matter to consumers and injury victims. Below is our early fall roundup from our product liability attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, what’s happening now, why it matters, and how we can help if you or your family has been harmed.
Consumer product recalls we’re watching
780,000 Ryobi pressure washers recalled for explosion and impact hazard
On August 29, the CPSC announced a nationwide recall of certain Ryobi brushless electric pressure washers due to a risk of the capacitor overheating and bursting, which can eject parts and cause impact injuries. Models RY142300 and RY142711VNM are affected. The agency has tallied 135 overheating reports, 41 explosions, and 32 injuries. Units were sold at Home Depot and Direct Tools from July 2017 through June 2024. Consumers can obtain a free repair kit.
What to do: If you or a family member suffered lacerations, fractures, or eye injuries from a pressure washer, keep the unit, its packaging, and any related medical records. Photograph any debris and the scene, then contact us to evaluate potential claims.
2.9 million attic-fan motors recalled for fire risk
On August 28, the CPSC recalled electric motors used in gable and roof-mounted attic fans distributed by Air Vent. The safety cutoff can fail, creating a short-circuit and fire hazard. The firm reports 159 incidents, with no injuries reported so far. Consumers should discontinue use of the product and follow the refund process.
Safety tip: If you’re unsure whether your motor is affected, compare the end-bell vent pattern against the CPSC’s images and register through the recall site. Document any smoke or fire damage promptly.
“Foothold” above-ground pool recall remains urgent.
In July, manufacturers Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup recalled about 5 million above-ground pools, 48 inches and taller, because exterior compression straps can create a climbable foothold, linked to nine toddler drownings between 2007 and 2022. We’re reiterating this now because many families still have these pools set up. If you own one, follow the repair instructions or drain and secure the pool.
Food safety alerts
Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs sold in California and Nevada.
As of August 28, the FDA and CDC report 95 illnesses and 18 hospitalizations in a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to large brown cage-free “sunshine or omega-3 golden” yolk eggs sourced from Country Eggs, LLC. Brands include Nagatoshi Produce, Misuho, Nijiya Markets, and Country Eggs. Sell-by dates range from July 1, 2025, through September 18, 2025. Do not eat or serve the recalled eggs. Clean any surfaces that the eggs touched.
If you’re sick: Seek medical care, keep receipts and packaging if available, and write down what and where you ate. We can help document the chain of distribution and potential liability.
FDA flags Indonesian shrimp over Cesium-137 contamination
The FDA is advising the public not to eat, sell, or serve certain frozen shrimp processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, BMS Foods. Customs detected Cesium-137 in a shipment; FDA followed with testing and placed the firm on Import Alert 99-51. The FDA states that the contaminated shipment did not enter commerce; however, several U.S. companies issued recalls out of caution, including products under the Kroger and Walmart brands.
What this means: Even when a contaminated lot does not reach store shelves, downstream products from the same processor can trigger market-wide recalls. Keep purchase records and lot codes; we can help navigate claims if exposure or economic loss occurred.
Auto safety actions
Ford recalls roughly 499,000 SUVs for rear brake hose rupture
A NHTSA recall posted on August 27 covers the 2015–2018 Ford Edge and the 2016–2018 Lincoln MKX, campaign 25V544. Rear brake jounce hoses may rupture, resulting in brake fluid leaks and increased stopping distances. Owner letters will begin on September 8, 2025; a remedy is currently under development.
Our take: If you experience a soft brake pedal or warning lights, stop driving and call for service. If a crash occurred, preserve the vehicle for inspection; do not authorize destructive repairs before we can evaluate potential defect claims.
NHTSA opens probe into 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles for engine failures
On August 20, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened PE25-008 after 414 reports of connecting-rod bearing failures in 3.5L V6 engines used in 2016–2020 Acura MDX, 2018–2020 Acura TLX, 2016–2020 Honda Pilot, 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey, and 2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline. This review follows a 2023 recall tied to a different crankshaft issue but is separate from it.
What to watch: ODI investigations can lead to expanded recalls and buyback remedies. If you’ve had an engine failure, especially at lower mileage, retain service records and contact us to discuss recovery of repair costs and other damages.
Litigation updates that shift the landscape
Significant ruling in the GLP-1, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, MDL
On August 15, Judge Karen Spencer Marston issued a memorandum in MDL 3094, E.D. Pa., holding that design-defect claims against branded prescription drugs are preempted under federal law, consistent with Supreme Court precedents such as Bartlett and Mensing. This significantly narrows viable theories in the GLP-1 litigation, while other claims, such as specific failure-to-warn theories, remain to be sorted out.
Why it matters: For injured patients, the path forward likely centers on adequate warning and learned intermediary issues rather than product redesign theories. Our team is following subsequent orders closely to protect clients’ claims within the court’s framework.
“Ultra-processed foods” test case dismissed
On August 25, a federal judge in Philadelphia dismissed Martinez v. Kraft Heinz Co., et al., a closely watched suit alleging that major food companies designed ultra-processed foods to be harmful or addictive to children. The court found the complaint did not link specific products to the plaintiff’s injuries with sufficient detail.
Our read: The dismissal underscores how product identification and causation drive outcomes in food-injury cases. It does not end nutrition-related litigation; plaintiffs will need tighter facts and science connecting specific products, exposures, and injuries.
Bayer, Monsanto, move to resolve PCB school cases.
On August 18, Bayer announced agreements in principle to resolve more than 200 lawsuits tied to PCB exposure at Sky Valley Education Center in Washington. Prior adverse verdicts remain on appeal; terms are confidential and funded by existing reserves.
Context: PCB cases often turn on legacy contamination and decades-old corporate knowledge. For families with long-term health effects, these settlements reflect both the complexity and the potential value of claims when evidence supports exposure and causation.
Regulatory change with national impact
Illinois expands general jurisdiction for toxic-exposure cases.
On August 15, Illinois enacted SB 328, Public Act 104-0352, which immediately expands the circumstances under which out-of-state corporations are deemed to consent to general personal jurisdiction in Illinois for toxic-substance cases, provided that a co-defendant is otherwise subject to jurisdiction. The exposure falls under Illinois’ Uniform Hazardous Substances Act. This could invite more toxic-tort filings in Illinois; constitutional challenges are likely.
What that means for victims: Forum availability can affect speed, discovery leverage, and potential outcomes. We will be monitoring how courts apply the new law and whether it survives challenge, especially for chemicals, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other toxic products.
Vaccine safety development
FDA suspends license for Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine, Ixchiq
Following additional reports of serious adverse events consistent with chikungunya-like illness, the FDA suspended the U.S. license for Ixchiq on August 22. Distribution and sales must cease; the FDA has posted the suspension letter and updated its safety page. Valneva has acknowledged the action, and the CDC has also noted the suspension.
If you were vaccinated and experienced serious adverse events: Seek medical evaluation, report to VAERS, and contact us to discuss your legal options. Vaccine-related claims involve unique procedures and timelines.
Practical next steps if you’re affected
- Document everything. Keep the product, the packaging, and receipts, and take photos or video of the failure, the scene, and the injuries.
- Get medical care early. Link symptoms to exposure or the incident in your medical record.
- Preserve digital breadcrumbs. Save order confirmations, serial numbers, and recall notices.
- Do not sign or discard prematurely. Some remedies require returning parts; discarding a defective item can harm your claim.
- Call us. We can evaluate defect theories, identify proper defendants, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, and file timely claims.
At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we represent consumers, patients, and families in defective product and toxic-exposure cases. If any of the recalls or developments above hit home, or if you have questions about a product not listed here, we are ready to help.