To date, Toyota has issued 10 million recall notices for vehicles located on three continents. However, the car maker faces new reports of sudden acceleration problems dating back to at least 2002 in Camrys and some Lexus models that have not been recalled. Data also shows complaints of sudden acceleration fatalities involving a Scion tC and a 2005 Highlander: neither model has been recalled. In a fatal 2004 crash involving a 2003 Camry, the paramedics found the deceased driver with both feet on the brake pedal. A complaint filed shortly after the crash said “throttle stuck-engine surged.” An official at the Center for Auto Safety sadly predicted that the number of sudden acceleration fatalities in Toyota-produced vehicles will without a doubt top 100. (2/15) LA Times

The Law Offices of Henry Hanflik, P.C. have filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of James Franklin, Jr., an Alzheimer patient who died after he crawled out of a window at Clare Bridge in May of 2008. The lawsuit states that Clare Bridge was negligent because its staff members did not call police in a timely manner, nor did the facility properly ensure that patients would not walk away. Franklin was the second patient to climb out of a window at the facility. Franklin’s body was found a short distance from Clare Bridge, two months after he walked away. Flint Journal

Over the past several months, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has stepped up recalls of unsafe products. So far in February, the commission has issued eleven recalls for pull toys, strollers, drop side cribs, toy guns and jewelry and children’s jackets with drawstrings. All of the recalled products pose significant hazards to the health and safety of children. One company, Schylling Associates, has agreed to pay a $200,000 fine for violating the federal lead paint ban and for failing to make a timely report about the non-compliant toys. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelfeb10.html

Select Medical Corporation and other firms that operate long-term care hospitals are the subjects of lawsuits, and troubling state and federal inspection reports that reflect a sub-standard level of patient care at some of these facilities. Select runs 89 long-term care hospitals which have been cited four times more for serious Medicare violations than regular hospitals. Because of Medicare rules, there has been a rapid expansion of long-term care hospitals. However, Medicare does not scrutinize their care or penalize these facilities for violations as they do regular hospitals. Long-term care hospitals generally spend less on patient care and have higher profit margins than traditional hospitals. (2/9) NY Times

Complaints against Toyota are increasing daily as the automaker is under fire for not doing enough to insure the safety of its vehicles. Toyota is also under pressure to expand its investigation into consumer complaints about its flagship vehicle, the Prius. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, claims that his Prius can unintentionally accelerate to 97 mph with the cruise control engaged. The U.S. Department of Transportation has criticized Toyota for failing to disclose the defects and issuing recalls in a timely manner, putting the traveling public at risk. Eleven class actions suits have been filed again the automaker, while the company faces the threat of huge civil fines imposed by the U.S. government. AP, Detroit News, Bloomberg

The Law Offices of Henry Hanflik is investigating a Mid-Michigan fatal hunting accident in which an untrained, unlicensed shooter received probation and fines, in a criminal case, for misleading the sheriff’s who were compiling the accident report. Bay City News

The National Safety Transportation Safety Board said that a critical pre-flight error by the pilots was a key ingredient in the Feb. 12, 2009 plane crash at the Buffalo airport. The pilots entered contradictory information into the cockpit computer system, while chatting about  non-essential topics during the flight. The first officer sent text messages from the cockpit before take-off and was suffering from a bad cold. The captain, who had a prior history of training problems, was criticized for having acted inappropriately to the plane’s alarm system. (2/01) NY Times

Plaintiffs attorneys are working to eliminate mandatory arbitration in all consumer and employment disputes by lobbying Congress to pass the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009. Nursing homes will likely be a main target of the push to end forced arbitration in cases involving patient abuse and neglect. Bills introduced in the House and Senate to prohibit arbitration were not voted upon in 2009. (1/11) Blog of Legal Times

At least 33 Toyota Prius owners have filed complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration alleging reduced braking power after hitting a pothole, manhole or similar object. The result is longer than expected stopping distances that may be fatal for pedestrians. This year Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals and floor mats. (12/24) The Detroit Bureau

A Kentucky jury awarded $7.1 million to the family of a passenger who died in the fiery Comair crash of August, 2006. The plane crashed after taking off from the wrong runway, one that was too short for commercial jets. The family contended that Comair failed to properly train the pilot, was negligent in hiring the co-pilot and had not followed the recommendations of the FAA to have a written policy requiring pilots to check their location before takeoff. (12/8) Louisville Courier-Journal