Group Action Lawyers
Latest News & Updates

pain and problems
January 26, 2017
Recalls issued for 2016-17 Hyundai Tuscan and the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that Hyundai Motor America will be recalling two models of their vehicles after a defect in the brake light was found. The two car models affected are:

  • 2016 – 2017 model Hyundai Tuscan
  • 2017 model Hyundai Santa Fe

It’s believed there are 5,669 of these two models currently registered in the U.S. and it’s unclear how many of these cars are currently being used in the U.K.! Hyundai has so far yet to comment on whether the cars here are affected and will be needing repaired.
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traffic
January 25, 2017
General Motors and Honda are recalling approximately 634,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to defects

Dealers in the U.S. are recalling 327 Buick Envision SUVs and around 634,000 Honda Odyssey Minivans due to defects that may cause injuries or potentially, death.

This is yet another mass recall the automotive industry is embroiled in, and there seem to be recalls happening almost all of the time!
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smart car fires
January 20, 2017
Investigations open into Smart car fires and explosions

Yet another car manufacturer has hit the news. Multiple complaints of Smart cars allegedly bursting into flames have been reported, which is not an issue to ignore!

Manufactured by Smart USA, the 2008-2009 year models of the Smart ForTwo cars are available in over 50 countries, with about 100,000 units sold per year. Mercedes Benz is the parent company of the manufacturer, and the current investigation is looking in to some 40,000 Smart ForTwos arising from complaints.
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exploding airbags
January 18, 2017
Company responsible for exploding airbags is close to settlement with federal prosecutors in the U.S.

Auto-parts maker Takata is reported to be nearing a settlement for supplying allegedly dangerous airbags that can explode and shoot shards of metal in to the vehicle cabin.

It has been revealed that Takata had been making the potentially defective airbags since the early 2000s, and any attempt to unearth their wrong doings have been covered up or misrepresented, according to media sources.

Some 19 automakers have recalled 42 million cars for repair work. It is unsure for now whether car owners will have to partially pay for the fix, or if Takata will have to pay the full fee. With their expected penalty fine being potentially as huge as $1 billion, this whole fiasco may put the company under serious financial pressure.
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hyundai seat belt investigation
January 16, 2017
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun an investigative probe into Hyundai cars after complaints that passenger seat belts detached.

Two complaints were made alleging that the passenger side seatbelt became detached from the car running board, and one of the complaints was made after a claimant suffered injuries from a road traffic accident.

It’s not known how serious the injuries were, but medical attention was reported to be have been required.

It goes without saying that this is a serious concern that has been raised.

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eye claims
January 13, 2017
Hoya Surgical Optic Intraocular Lenses Recall

Back in 2013, Hoya group initiated a recall when it was reported that users were having adverse effects from surgically implanted optic lenses.

These lenses are like permanent contact lenses that are fused onto the eye. It’s a medical device commonly used for patients with cataracts or myopia where the lens may have deteriorated. However, many users came forward saying they had symptoms such as:

  • Discomfort
  • Redness of the eye
  • Loss of vision

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traffic
January 11, 2017
Californian Man sues Tesla after his car suddenly accelerated into his home

A Californian man in the U.S. has filed a lawsuit against Tesla after his Model X SUV vehicle allegedly accelerated on its own, crashing into his garage, through the walls, and into his living room!

The claimant, as the driver, and his passenger, both suffered injuries in the crash. The lawsuit was brought to court with an application to make it a group class action as another seven (7) cases were cited to have similar allegations against Tesla as well.
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family sue apple
January 10, 2017
Family sue Apple after driver using FaceTime killed 5-year-old girl

In what may be the first in a potential line of claims against Apple and other tech giants, the multinational technology company is being sued with allegations that they caused the death of a 5-year-old girl because they failed to disable the real-time video-call chat feature, FaceTime, while a vehicle was moving at high speeds.

On 24 December 2014, five-year-old Moriah Modisette was tragically killed in an accident in Texas which involved a driver using FaceTime whilst he was driving.

And it’s that part that has led to this new lawsuit.
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January 09, 2017
Lawsuits against J&J for defective hip implants

J&J has had a rough time of late with the J&J talcum-powder lawsuit in which victims argued the use of such powder was a strong cause for ovarian cancer. On top of that we have the ongoing cases for hip replacement products that have been pursued across the world for several years now.

A $1 billion (£813 million) fine was slapped on both J&J and its subsidiary, Depuy Orthopaedics, after a Texas jury found that the metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip implants were defectively designed, and that no warnings were given to consumers to highlight the risk.
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January 06, 2017
Volkswagen’s industrial lawsuit from General Motors Corporation

As we continue to act for thousands of people claiming in the “dieselgate” emissions scandal, it’s useful to take a look back at some of the historic indiscretions involving the eleventh biggest company in the world:- Volkswagen!

The German car manufacturing giant was involved in a monumental lawsuit back in the mid 90’s when it was accused of industrial espionage. They of course denied it all, much like their refusal to pay compensation to U.K. emissions scandal victims, but after a four year legal battle they eventually paid a settlement of $100 million to General Motors Corporation, and agreed to buy at least $1 billion worth of car parts from them.
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us settlement
January 05, 2017
Takata’s faulty airbags looking to cost $1bn (£812m) in U.S. settlement

It hasn’t been a good few years for the automotive industry. First we had the Volkswagen (VW) scandal, and now Takata Corporation’s huge airbag disaster; which may cost the Japanese auto suppliers up to $1 billion (£812 million) in a U.S. criminal settlement.

Takata has been manufacturing airbags for several automakers since 1988, and reportedly holds 20% of the market. Automakers in the mix include Honda, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, VW, Nissan and Toyota.

Since 2013, approximately 70 million vehicles in the U.S. have been, or will be, recalled due to the “high risk” of the defective, shrapnel-shooting airbags. The issue involves a defective inflater that may not open properly in the event of a crash, and may actually shoot metal fragments into drivers and/or passengers instead.
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keyless entry
January 04, 2017
Mystery device that gives criminals access to vehicles without a key fob

After many baffling years of trying to work out how some criminals are breaking into cars, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) may have found an answer…

The NICB believes that criminals are using a device to unlock vehicles, and, even shockingly, using the device to drive off with the vehicle too. The Bureau recently obtained one of these devices that the public was warned about some years ago for testing, and the results were concerning.
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