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With its recent spate of recalls and allegations the company delayed in reacting to sudden acceleration problems in many of its vehicles, Toyota is once again issuing a voluntary recall for over 400,000 Toyota Avalons and Lexus LX 470s.

The Avalon is the largest recall with over 373,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2004 model year. After receiving reports of at least 3 accidents involving the Avalon, the company issued a recall last Thursday due to defective steering lock bars, which can break under certain circumstances.

Toyota issued the recall because these lock bars were improperly cast and could crack and cause the steering wheel to lock, potentially leading to an accident. The Japanese automaker will replace the steering column bracket on affected vehicles free of charge, a procedure that takes around 2 hours.

Steering problems are also to blame for the recall of around 39,000 2003-2007 model year Lexus LX 470 vehicles.

Lexus determined a snap ring on the steering shaft of these vehicles may disengage when the car hits a large pothole or some other severe impact. Over time, this can cause the steering shaft to disengage.

Lexus has not received any reports of accidents involving this defect…they will replace the snap ring with a newly designed one.

Toyota says it will begin notifying owners of these affected vehicles later this month. You will be able to take your Avalon or LX 470 to your local Toyota dealer for a free replacement.

If you’re adversely affected by this or any defective products, consider contacting Denver personal injury attorneys at the Babcock Law Firm today for a free consultation.

A potentially defective heated windshield washer system that has caused at least 5 fires is prompting GM to recall around 1.5 million cars and trucks.

Announced this week, the recall affects 15 different models including cars, pickups, SUVs and crossovers manufactured between 2006 and 2009. Many of these vehicles were recalled two years ago for the same problem. But since the company was still receiving many reports regarding the malfunction, they initiated this latest recall.

Affected models include:

•    2006-2009 Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Hummer H2
•    2008-2009 Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS
•    2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL and Saturn Outlook
•    2009 Chevrolet Traverse

This latest recall affects 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. with the rest in Mexico, Canada and throughout the world. It’s also the second recall for GM this year…in March, the company issued a recall for 1.3 million Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac vehicles due to power steering problems.

The manufacturer of the heated windshield washer fluid system that’s causing the problem in this latest recall, Microheat, went bankrupt in 2008 after the first recall. The problem was supposed to be fixed at that time but since GM cannot fix the system now, they will disable the feature and pay customers $100 for the loss of the heated windshield washer fluid system.

“This was a unique technology available from only one supplier, and that supplier has stopped manufacturing, which left no opportunity to collaborate on an improved design,” said Jeff Boyer, executive director for Safety at GM. “We want to be clear that the voluntary payment to customers is for the loss of the feature, not the recall.”

Affected owners will begin receiving recall notices in the next few weeks. In the mean time, owners of these vehicles can visit their local dealership and request a bypass of the malfunctioning system.

On the heels of Toyota’s $16.5 million fine from the U.S. Government, the Japanese automaker is announcing yet another recall of the Lexus GX 460 and the Toyota Sequoia – both sport utility vehicles.

Toyota announced the recall of 13,000 2010 Lexus GX 460s last week after Consumer Reports issued a “don’t buy” recommendation due to rollover concerns. Test drivers for the magazine say that when they took their foot off the gas going around a sharp turn, the rear of the vehicle may slide, increasing the chances of a rollover accident.

Many drivers take their foot off the gas when they’re exiting an interstate or going around a curve too fast. The test drivers commented that they would not allow their families to ride in these vehicles.

This condition is what’s known as trailing throttle or lift-throttle over-steer…the electronic stability control system would ordinarily detect the slide and stop it from happening but this system doesn’t seem responsive enough on the GX 460 to stop the problem.

Toyota quickly halted sales of the GX 460 after Consumer Report’s recommendation, who hasn’t issued a “don’t buy” recommendation since 2001. Owners of these vehicles should be able to take them to their local Lexus dealer for a software update to fix the problem.

Additionally, Toyota has announced a recall of 50,000 Sequoia’s (2003 models) for defective software that can cause the vehicle’s stability control system to activate at low speeds, which can cause it to accelerate improperly.

Toyota was requested to issue this recall after the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration received around 160 complaints involving the Sequoia. The company says owners will be contacted this month about scheduling an appointment to fix the problem. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported but NHTSA officials maintain some of the complaints they received claim there were a few near collisions since the vehicle wasn’t accelerating properly.

Contact your local Toyota or Lexus dealer immediately if you have either one of these models and get it fixed as soon as possible.

If you’ve been adversely affected by this or any other defective car or product, contact Denver personal injury attorney R. Mack Babcock today for a free consultation to see what options you have.

Perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel of Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall – the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has imposed a $16.4 million fine on the Japanese automaker for failing to notify government officials of the accelerator issues in a timely fashion.

Rather than appeal the NHTSA decision, Toyota decided to pay the fine in an attempt to put the matter behind them. The $16.4 million fine represents less than 2% of the company’s income in 2009.

In an emailed statement to Bloomberg, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says “Toyota has accepted responsibility for violating its legal obligations to report any defects promptly.”

Regulations stipulate that an automaker has 5 business days to notify the government of any potential safety defects.

“We agreed to this settlement in order to avoid a protracted dispute and possible litigation,” Toyota said in a Monday statement, “as well as to allow us to move forward fully-focused on the steps to deliver our quality assurance operations.

Without the statute limiting the NHTSA fine to $16.4 million, the automaker could have been subject to much larger fines. The agency is capable of fining Toyota $6000 for each vehicle – with 2.3 million cars involved in the recall that could have amounted to over $13.8 billion in fines!

The NHTSA says it’s still investigating additional penalties involving the accelerator pedal issue since, according to the agency, it had “two separate defects that may require two separate remedies.”

One of the keys to avoiding trouble with a workers’ compensation claim in Colorado is to avoid getting injured on-the-job in the first place.

Numerous state and federal regulations help ensure factories, offices and warehouses are safe places to work. Accidents do happen but there are prudent steps each of us can take to minimize the risk of an on-the-job injury.

Generally speaking, workplace injuries occur because of unsafe work practices, hazardous conditions or improperly handled or stored chemicals. Data from the National Census of Fatal Occupation Diseases shows that 6,000 employees die each year in the U.S. from a workplace injury while another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards. Over 6 million workers suffer non-fatal injuries and illnesses each year, costing businesses billions.

Continue reading for 6 things you can do to prevent a workplace injury to yourself or your co-workers.

1.    Be informed of potential risks

Education programs and training are essential to knowing how to properly operate machinery in your workplace. If you feel you haven’t been properly trained, tell your employer immediately. If you or a co-worker discovers a potential hazard, be sure your employer and fellow co-workers know immediately.

2.    Use proper equipment

Be sure you have all of the proper equipment to do your job safely. If you’re handling chemicals, wear gloves, eye protection and be sure the area is properly ventilated. Only use equipment or tools that have the manufacturer’s safety protections in place. Be sure equipment is properly maintained. Wear shoes with good gripping to avoid slips and falls.

3.    Get plenty of sleep

We all know the value of a good night’s sleep. Without it, we lose focus and are not as alert. An overwhelming majority of people say they do not get enough sleep according to a National Sleep Foundation study. It is estimated that workers’ tiredness is a contributing factor in 18% of all workplace accidents.

4.    Don’t overexert yourself

Repeatedly and improperly carrying large objects can cause back strain as well as lead to overexertion of heart and lung muscles. Try using carts, hand trucks and other methods to help you move heavy objects. If you must lift something, bend your knees and keep your spine straight. Keep the object and your elbows close to your body.

5.    Avoid repetitive motion

Stressing and straining yourself repeatedly can cause significant injury. If you work at a desk all day, be sure you get up, move around and stretch. Maintain proper posture by having all tools and supplies within a comfortable distance.

6.    Be careful while driving

Auto accidents are a big source of on-the-job injuries. Like your personal vehicle, take extreme care when driving for your job. Don’t talk on your cell phone…focus on the road and other drivers instead. If you’re feeling tired, pull over and take a 20 minute power nap.

While our Denver workers’ compensation law firm is here to help you handle all aspects of obtaining your benefits, following these 6 steps can go a long way toward preventing a workplace injury in the first place.

Honda Motor Corp. is issuing a recall on approximately 412,000 of its Odyssey minivan and Element SUV due to brake problems that have caused some crashes. Announced on Tuesday March 16th, Honda received many complaints from drivers of ’07 and ‘08 models that their brakes had become “soft” and lost effectiveness over time.

The company says that a manufacturing defect is allowing air to slowly enter into the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator, which causes the brakes to not engage until the pedal is closer to the floor. Over time, the problem can get worse until there is no braking ability whatsoever.

Honda says it has received several reports of crashes, including three reports of minor injuries. No serious injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with this problem.

Not all of these vehicles are affected but the company says they want to be sure the problem is properly addressed. Recall notices will go out to registered owners by the end of April the company says.

This recall comes about a month after the Japanese automaker recalled more than 826,000 Honda vehicles from the 2001-2002 model years because of faulty airbags. These airbags can potentially explode, sending deadly shrapnel into the car’s interior.

If you own one of these vehicles, follow all instructions from Honda on getting it fixed. And if you’ve been adversely affected by this or any other defective product, please contact Denver personal injury attorneys at the Babcock Law Firm today.

Approximately 540,000 Nissan trucks, minivans and SUVs are being recalled by the company due to faulty brake pedals and malfunctioning fuel gauges.

The recall, announced last week, includes the following models from 2005 through 2010:

•    Infiniti Qx56
•    Nissan Xterra, Pathfinder and Armada SUVs
•    Nissan Frontier and Titan pickups
•    Nissan Quest minivan

The company asserts that a manufacturing error can causes a pin on the brake pedal to disengage from the pedal itself. Nissan received three reports of the pins becoming partially disengaged, resulting in a loss of braking ability. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Also, some of the recalled vehicles, especially those with high mileage, are experiencing problems with the fuel gauge. Problems like this can make the driver think they have more gas than they really do.

Slightly over 418,000 vehicles in the U.S. are affected by this recall. The braking problems mainly affect the 2008-2010 models of the Infiniti Qx56, Armada SUV, Titan pickup and Quest minivan. With the exception of the Quest, all of these vehicles are affected by the fuel gauge problem too. Additionally, 2005-2008 models of the Pathfinder, Xterra and Frontier are being recalled for the fuel gauge problem only.

Nissan is the second Japanese automaker this year to announce a major recall. Japan’s largest automaker Toyota has recalled over 9 million vehicles to date in the U.S.

Nissan is sending notices to all registered owners and expects to begin accepting vehicles for inspection and repair by March 22nd.

If you own one of these affected models, follow all instructions from Nissan to get the problem resolved. And if you’ve been adversely affected by this or any other defective product, please contact Denver personal injury attorney R. Mack Babcock today.

Since last September, Toyota Motor Corp. has issued safety recalls for nearly 9 million cars and trucks for a myriad of defects. Company officials testified on these issues and the company’s response to them last week on Capitol Hill.

The company’s response to these problems and when they knew about them is now the target of a federal criminal investigation. A federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York along with the Securities and Exchange Commission has issued subpoenas surrounding the situation. Investigators appear to be trying to determine how the company reacted to safety problems and if there were any attempts to cover them up or downplay their significance.

Over 8.5 million of the recalled vehicles came on the heels of driver complaints of their vehicles accelerating out of control. Another 400,000 2010 Prius and Lexus models have been recalled because of braking problems. The company is also considering a recall of the popular Corolla model due to complaints about steering.

In op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, company president and grandson of its founder Akio Toyoda issued an apology and gave assurances that his company would do a better job of responding to complaints.

“[I]t is clear to me that in recent years we didn’t listen as carefully as we should – or respond as quickly as we must – to our customers’ concerns,” Toyoda wrote. “While we investigated malfunctions in good faith, we focused too narrowly on technical issues without taking full account of how our customers use our vehicles.”

Over 60 lawsuits have been filed against the company, including over a dozen wrongful death and personal injury suits.

If you own one of the affected models, take it to your local Toyota dealer immediately to be looked at. And if you’ve been adversely affected by this or any defective automobile, please contact Denver personal injury attorney R. Mack Babcock today for a free consultation.

An injured trucker in Virginia was recently awarded $2.5 million in compensation for injuries he sustained in 2005.

The plaintiff was driving a delivery truck that broke down on the side of US Hwy 50 in Loudon County Virginia in September, 2005. He pulled to the side of the road just past a business’ entrance (the defendant). While working in the back of the truck while waiting for help, a large flatbed pulled out of the property and rammed the plaintiff’s truck, causing him to lunge forward and smash his head against the windshield.

The impact first aggravated a pre-existing neurological condition that was dormant before the accident. After the accident, the plaintiff began experiencing severe headaches, facial numbing, difficulty swallowing, gagging and more. He also suffered two herniated disks in his back.

In the end, the plaintiff had to undergo three surgeries to arrest his newly discovered rare brain anomaly, known as the “Chiari Malformation.”

After initially being denied workers’ compensation benefits, the injured trucker found new counsel that agreed to take up his case. Through mediation, the injured trucker and the company whose employee hit him came to an agreement.

I think this story points out a universal truth…persistence pays off in the end. Don’t be discouraged if you’re initially rejected for Colorado workers’ compensation benefits. If you were injured during the course of your employment, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag for your injuries.

Toyota, who has issued massive recalls in recent weeks for several models whose gas pedals get stuck and cause the vehicle to lose control, has issued a new round of recalls for their popular Prius and Tacoma models.

The gas-electric hybrid Prius car is a very popular model due to its high fuel mileage. But last week, the automaker issued a recall of 437,000 Prius hybrids and the luxurious Lexus HS250 hybrid vehicle because of braking problems (2010 models).

Drivers complained that the brakes seemed to not work at all when the vehicle’s system switched from traditional brakes to their trademark electrical braking system that channels energy to recharge the hybrid’s battery system. Approximately 150,000 vehicles in the U.S. will be affected by this recall as most of the models were sold in Japan.

Toyota says it began receiving complaints about the problem in late 2009 and informed dealerships last month of the problem. The manufacturer also says they have developed software to fix the problem.

The other recall affects 2010 Tacoma 4-wheel drive trucks, around 8,000 of them to be precise. These trucks may have a defective drive shaft that could ultimately cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Toyota issued the recall after a manufacturing problem that caused cracks in the front part of the drive shaft was revealed.

Drivers of the 2010 4WD Tacoma are asked to bring their vehicles to their local dealership for a quick inspection. Affected models were manufactured in December and early January.

If you own one of these models or any others that have been part of Toyota’s massive recalls, take them to your local Toyota dealer immediately.

And if you’ve been adversely affected by this or any defect in an automobile, consult with Denver personal injury attorney R. Mack Babcock today to see what options you have.