Law Offices of Brian Turner LLC

Archive for November, 2009|Monthly archive page


Largest Crib Recall In History

In Uncategorized on November 24, 2009 at 10:19 am

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a notice of the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs. The cribs’ plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, if the drop-side is attached upside-down it can lead to damage of the plastic clips and possible detachment. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space possibly leading to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls. 

CPSC, Health Canada, and Stork Craft are aware of 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the United States and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in suffocation: a 7-month-old in Gouverneur, N.Y.; a 7-month-old in New Iberia, La.; a 6-month-old in Summersville, W.Va.; and a 9-month-old in Bronx, N.Y. Included in these incidents are 20 falls from cribs; 12 in the U.S. and eight in Canada. 

This recall includes Stork Craft cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between January 1993 and October 2009. This recall also includes Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo that have manufacturing dates between October 1997 and December 2004. The Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo were first sold in the U.S. in July 1998 and in Canada in September 1998. This recall does not involve any cribs that do not have a drop-side or any cribs that have metal rod drop-side hardware. 

Approximately 1,213,000 units were distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada. The cribs were sold in the United States and Canada at stores including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400. 

CPSC also issued a reminder to parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop-side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Any disengagement can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib, especially with tape, wire or rope. 

For additional information, contact Stork Craft toll-free at (877) 274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com.  If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective product and are seeking more information, please go to our “about us” page and contact Hill | Turner LLC.


Court Agrees With Taxpayers’ Lawyers – It Is Time for Refunds

In Uncategorized on November 21, 2009 at 9:57 am

Circuit Court Judge David Rains held a hearing on November 20, 2009, to address post-judgment issues pending in the Jefferson County occupational tax lawsuit.  After three hours of testimony and argument, Judge Rains instructed counsel for the County, as well as the County’s Revenue Director, to work in good faith with the lawyers for the Taxpayers and their designated settlement administrator, to devise a plan for prompt refunds to the Taxpayer Class. 

“Judge Rains was clear,” said Sam Hill. “He is ready for the people who paid this tax to receive their refunds.  Ed Gentle provided a great starting point.  Now we have to fill in the blanks so these refunds can happen.”  Added Allen Dodd, who argued on behalf of the Taxpayer Class at the hearing, “I was surprised and happy to hear the County’s lawyers say that they were willing to work in good faith with us toward this end.  The next several weeks will be very busy, but I am optimistic that with everyone’s work, we will have a plan in place to make these refunds happen soon.” 

While not ruling from the bench, Judge Rains instructed the County to assume he would deny their motion to dissolve the injunction he entered in January and that the money would go back to the Class – not to the County.  “As Judge Rains said, we expect the County to appeal and fight every step of the way,” said Jim McFerrin.  “While I hope the message Judge Rains made clear from the bench was not lost on the County, I expect they will continue to do all they can to avoid having to comply with the orders of both Judge Rains and the Alabama Supreme Court.   Maybe they’ll prove me wrong and we can wrap this up.  Time will tell.” 

The parties were given time to respond to issues raised by the County the night before the hearing.  But, Judge Rains told the parties that addressing those issues was not to be used as a reason for any delay in getting the refund process in place. 

For more on this hearing, please see http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/11/judge_pushes_jobs_tax_refunds.html


Hill | Turner LLC Hosts Judicial Candidate

In Uncategorized on November 13, 2009 at 10:08 am

Hill | Turner LLC was proud to host a fundraising event for Ferris Ritchey, candidate for Shelby County Circuit Judge, Place 4, on November 12, 2009.  The firm wishes Ferris the best of luck in his campaign and thanks everyone who came out to show support for Ferris.  For more information about Ferris and his campaign, please see www.electferrisritchey.com

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