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School Buses Being Recalled Across the Country

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Over 50,000 school buses have a safety issue and are being recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The buses are from the 2014-2020 model years. The recall is for safety and involves a seat issue.

Safety Issue

According to the NHTSA, the seats may not have adequate impact absorption, which could increase the likelihood of injury in a collision. The seats are SynTec S3B and S3C, made with styrene blocks. There isn’t enough absorption around the seat frame, which is made of steel. It would not provide adequate support if there is a crash and it doesn’t meet federal regulations for school buses.

The vehicles involved include the following Thomas Built vehicles:

  • Saf-T-Liner EFX
  • Saf-T-Liner C2
  • Saf-T-Liner HDX
  • Minotour

Daimler Trucks North America must alert all dealers and bus owners about the recall. The company has stated that it will add more impact material and then re-bond the back of the seats and vinyl cover at no cost to the customer. The recall should start around December 2. School districts are waiting for the list of VINs to be released to know which buses are impacted by the recall.

School Buses are Safe

School buses are generally safer than other vehicles with fewer injuries and fatalities noted in crashes. The buses are designed differently, which makes them about seven times safer than a passenger vehicle, according to the NHTSA. They are heavier than other vehicles and distribute the force of a crash in a different way. The close seats include seat backs which absorb energy from a crash. This design is one reason the recall is important for the safety of the children.

An accident on a bus may include another vehicle or multiple vehicles. It may involve only the bus and another type of obstacle. A child may be injured as they get on or off the bus or even be hurt while waiting for the bus.

Injuries from a bus accident are often minor when they do occur. However, they can be serious, especially in a situation where the bus doesn’t meet safety standards. The design of these seats is to eliminate the need for traditional safety belts. When they don’t absorb the force from the crash, the child is more likely to suffer an injury. It could be a neck or back injury or even head trauma. Sprains and strains are common injuries in any vehicle accident as are fractures and broken bones.

The NHTSA estimates that there are about 450,000 buses on the road, transporting children to and from school with an average of less than ten fatalities in a year. A recall of 50,000 of those vehicles is no small number. While the issue doesn’t reduce the ability of the buses to provide transportation for the kids, it does impact the safety if the vehicle is involved in a collision. This is a nationwide recall, which will impact school districts around the country and must be dealt with to ensure the continued safe transport for the children who attend school in the affected locations.

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Defective Products

Firefighting Foam Lawsuits Surge as Health Risks Linked to “Forever Chemicals”

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Toxic Firefighting Foam at the Center of Growing Legal Battle

Thousands of individuals across the U.S. are pursuing legal action after being diagnosed with cancer and other serious illnesses allegedly caused by exposure to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)—a fire suppressant widely used by the military, firefighters, and airport personnel.

PFAS: The “Forever Chemicals” Linked to Cancer

AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic compounds that persist in the human body and environment. These “forever chemicals” have been linked in scientific studies to a range of health problems, including kidney, testicular, liver, and thyroid cancers, as well as thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis.

Nearly 9,000 Lawsuits Consolidated in Federal Court

The AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL), currently underway in federal court, has consolidated close to 9,000 individual claims. Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers failed to disclose the health risks associated with PFAS despite internal evidence of harm.

Corporate Misconduct Under Scrutiny

Recently unsealed documents suggest that companies like 3M were aware of PFAS toxicity but marketed their products as safe and environmentally friendly. The revelations have intensified public scrutiny and fueled demands for accountability.

Major Settlements Signal Legal Momentum

Several large settlements have already been reached. Carrier Global Corp agreed to a $615 million payout to resolve water contamination claims tied to PFAS exposure. The volume of new cases continues to rise, with nearly 500 added to the MDL in March 2025 alone.

Key Trials and Scientific Review Ahead

The court has scheduled a series of bellwether trials to help determine the strength of the scientific and legal arguments on both sides. A “Science Day” on June 20, 2025, will focus specifically on the link between PFAS and cancers such as thyroid and liver cancer.

Who May Be Affected

Individuals at highest risk include firefighters, military service members, airport personnel, and residents living near military installations where AFFF was routinely used. Those exposed through contaminated drinking water or occupational settings who later developed qualifying illnesses may be eligible for compensation.

Next Steps for Potential Claimants

Legal experts note that many firms are offering free case evaluations and require no upfront costs to file a claim. As litigation intensifies, advocates urge anyone affected by PFAS exposure to seek legal guidance and explore their options for recovery.

Those looking to inquire about a potential compensation claim can visit https://www.afffexposure.com/.

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Sunbeam Crockpots Recalled for Burn Injuries

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Sunbeam Products has issued a recall of one of its crock pot products due to a burn hazard. The recall came just two days before the Thanksgiving holiday, during a time when crock pots are often in use.

Details of the Crock Pot Recall

The product involved in the recall is the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Multi-Cooker. Almost one million of these defective products have been sold. According to the recall, the multi-cooker may pressurize if the lid hasn’t been locked in place completely. The pressure can make the lid to detach when the crock pot is in use. If the hot food or liquid ejects from the pot, it can lead to serious burns.

The recall impacts mostly purchases in the US with almost 29,000 in Canada. The cookers were bought at Walmart, Target and online at Amazon as well as other national retailers. The timeline was from July 2017 and up to the time of the recall. The crock put costs between $70 and $100. To find out if your crock pot is part of the recall, you can look at the bottom of the base or on the electrical plug on one of the prongs for the codes K196JN through K365JN and L001JN through L273JN.

It’s advised that anyone with this product not use it as a pressure cooker, but it can be used for sauted and slow cooking recipes. The company will send lids to consumers for free to replace the defective ones if they contact the manufacturer.

The recall notice advised that if consumers use the product as a pressure cooker, they should make sure the lid is in the fully locked position. They can tell if it is secured by making sure the arrow on the lid is aligned with the lock on the base.

Burn Injuries and the Serious Consequences

Sunbeam has gotten more than 100 reports where the lid detached in use. This resulted in almost 100 burn injuries. These burns range from first-degree to third-degree.

A first-degree burn is considered superficial because it only impacts the first layer of skin. This type of injury may not require medical care, but it can be quite painful. However, some cases may require a visit to the doctor or hospital if it covers a large area or hurts too much. Third-degree burns are much more serious and require immediate medical care because the burn impacts the other layers of skin. Infection is often a major concern with third-degree burns as well as other complications.

A person with a third-degree burn may feel a great deal of pain, but it can also be numb. There is often scarring from this type of burn. However, any burn can be considered serious if not taken care of properly.

While many products are recalled and often ignored, this recall from Sunbeam is considered serious and should not be taken lightly. Anyone with one of these products is at risk for serious and permanent injury.

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Ceiling Fans Being Recalled for Flying Blades Safety Risk

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Nearly 200,000 ceiling fans have been recalled after reports were made that the blades of the fans came off while in use. Injuries and property damage were reported from some of the incidents.

Faulty Ceiling Fans and the Dangers They Present

Hampton Bay Mara ceiling fans were for both indoor and outdoor use. They were sold at Home Depot in store and online. These products were sold during April and October of 2020. The fans come in black, matte black, matte white, and polished nickel. They feature a remote control and a color-changing LED light.

Of the almost 200,000 products, almost all were sold in the US. Nearly 9000 were sold in Canada. Anyone who has purchased one of these fans should stop using them and check that the blades are secure. Consumers should look for movement in the blades when the fan is shut off. They should also inspect for gaps between the blades that are uneven and movement of the body or clip.

If anyone notices a problem with their ceiling fan, they are to contact King of Fans for a free replacement. The company that makes the fans has promised to replace any problem products for free. There have already been 47 reports where the blades detached from the body while in motion. Two of those reports showed the blades hitting someone with four reports showing property damage. The defect comes from the fan flywheel and the locking clip for the blade, which allows the blade to become detached.

Ceiling Fan Installation Dangers and Risks

Ceiling fans can be dangerous even without a defective product. If you DIY an installation and it isn’t done properly, you could end up with disastrous results. Because the fan is heavy, if it’s not attached correctly, it can come crashing down. Added to the weight of the fan is the rotational pull when it’s turned on. It’s critical to know how to install a fan properly to prevent injury.

Electrical issues can also cause damage and injury if the circuits are overloaded. This is more likely to be an issue in an older home, which may not be equipped to handle the increased electrical load. A fire can start in a bedroom where a ceiling fan is located. By the time you are aware of it, the fire may have spread out of control.

If the ceiling fan blades detach, they can hit someone in the head or elsewhere on the body. Since the fan is in use, the extra power from the blades turning can give them a stronger impact when they hit an obstacle. You could end up with a concussion or even a fracture or broken bone from one of these blades. If you have a faulty ceiling fan and need it replaced, don’t continue using the fan until a new one is installed. Consider hiring a professional and get a new fan to prevent injury to you or your family.

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