ST. PAUL ATTORNEYS DISCUSS HONDA AIRBAG RECALL THAT WILL AFFECT MINNESOTANS

ST. PAUL PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS DISCUSS IMPORTANT AIRBAG SAFETY NEWS FOR MINNESOTANS WHO OWN HONDA CIVICS AND ACCORDS

Honda is recalling model year 2001 Civic and Accord vehicles after determining that the driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. If this happens, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, leaving the driver vulnerable to shrapnel type injuries.

If you have a 2001 Honda Civic or Accord, take the vehicle in to a Honda dealer who will replace the airbag inflator, free of charge.

If you have questions about airbags defects or other vehicle safety defects, contact Minnesota automobile product liability lawyer Nate Bjerke of Champion Law LLC who knows the industry secrets. Give us a call at 651.766.5886 or log onto our personal injury and product liability web-site. We'll be happy to answer your questions, free of charge.

• Click here to view the federal government's synopsis of the recall.
• Search the federal governments list of recalled vehicles.

MINNESOTA PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWYERS DISCUSS RECENT BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRE RECALL

The Minnesota product liability and tire defect lawyers Champion Law are spreading the word about a recent Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall.



Bridgestone is recalling 127,183 Firestone FR380 tires, size P235/75R15, manufactured from September 9, 2007 through July 2, 2008. These tires were produced with insufficient tread base gauge. Continued use of the subject tires may lead to vibration and groove cracking and eventually, tread separation. When the tread from a tire separates, the vehicle becomes extremely difficult to control. Tread separation was the basis for the product liability claims in the Ford/Firestone cases that received so much media attention several years ago. Tread separation often leads to rollovers, especially in trucks, vans and SUVs.



If you have Bridgestone/Firestone tires on your vehicle, check the tires to see if they fall within the recall range - the tire number is printed on the sidewall of each tire. If so, stop driving on these tires and get to a Bridgesone/Firestone tire dealership for a free replacement. For more information on this recall, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's web-site.



The Minnesota tire defect lawyers at Champion Law haven't just talked about or studied tire defects, we've told the tire defect story to real people in jury boxes. If you have questions about a Bridgestone/Firestone tire defect or recall, call us at 651.766.5886 or visit our web-site for more free information.

NEW BRIGHTON DROWING - WERE SAFETY RULES BROKEN?

I have a five and a six year old. And I've taken them to Long Lake Beach in New Brighton many times - its the beach where I used to swim when I was in high school. So it hit especially close to home last week when a young boy drown at the beach on a school outing.

Reports state that six-year-old Kyarke (Jackie) Lah set out to swim from shore to the swimming raft and never made it. A lifeguard spotted Lah as he struggled in a designated corridor between the shallow swimming area and the raft. Rescuers called 911, but Lah was unresponsive when they pulled him from 8 feet of water several minutes later. He later died at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul.

By Thursday afternoon, the rafts at Long Lake and Roseville's Lake Josephine, where a 16-year drowned Saturday evening, were gone for good.

We at Champion Law offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to the Lah family. If asked, I would counsel the family to hire an experience personal injury lawyer to investigate the cause of this tragedy.

As parents, this tragic case should serve as a harsh reminder for things to look for to keep our kids safe at the beach or pool.

First, it goes without saying that even if your child is a strong swimmer, kids get tired. They need breaks and constant supervision when they are in the water. If you're not sure about their ability in the water, make them wear a life vest.

Second, beware of swimming rafts. Swimming rafts like the one that was just removed at Long Lake are not nearly as common as they once were simply because they do pose a dangerous risk to weaker swimmers or young children. In fact, none of the public beaches run by Minneapolis, Washington County or the Three Rivers Park District have rafts, parks officials said Thursday. Nor do beaches at Lake Phalen in St. Paul or Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Dakota County.

Third, make sure there are enough life guards on duty for the popluation of people in the water. Reports in this case have varied from three to five lifeguards being on duty. But with more than 100 people in the water - many of whom were children - that may not have been enough.

And last, if you send your child to a beach or pool with a group, make absolutely certain there are enough adults supervising the trip. I have heard only rumors about the number of adult supervisors on the Long Lake trip, so I won't commment on whether the amount was adequate. But in my view, anything less than a 3:1 child to adult ratio is unacceptable.

For more information on this tragic story, click on the following links:

St. Paul Pioneer Press
Raft removed from Long Lake Beach
KARE 11
Star Tribune - are swimming rafts hazardous?