Construction worker Rafael Castillo-Saavedra died after he and a coworker were hit by a motorist in a closed lane on Interstate 94 in Detroit late in the evening of Sunday, October 11.

The motorist, Marvin Harris, was headed east in his 1999 red Chevrolet near West Grand Boulevard at 9:50 p.m. when he struck another parked vehicle and the two workers, who were working on sealing cracks on the concrete. The construction workers were occupying a lane that had been closed to traffic for their protection.

Harris and Castillo-Saavedra were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, while the second construction worker was transported to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition.

Geno Alessandrini, Business Manager of the Michigan Laborers’ District Council told the public that the accident is a reminder of the inherent dangers of construction sites. “On behalf of the 12,000 members of the Michigan Laborers, we extend our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Rafael,” he said.

The accident is still under investigation by state troopers.

85-year-old man James J. McNeil fell to his death while on a zipline ride at Bay Shore Camp in Huron County last Thursday, September 24, at around 1:30 p.m.

Based on statements by witnesses, McNeil had just started the ride when he fell 25 feet when the harness separated from the rope. McNeil’s wife witnessed her husband fall to his death.

After the accident, the deputies of the Huron County Sheriff Department began the investigation. When the emergency crew unsuccessfully revived McNeil, he was brought to Scheurer Hospital but was already pronounced dead. Initial findings showed that the zipline ride was in good condition and that the attendant is certified to handle the ride, so it is still unknown why the accident happened.

It is a law in the United States to make such property premises safe. Our lawyers at Ravid & Associates, P.C. send their thoughts and condolences to the family and friends left by this tragic accident.

Ten automaker giants are now facing class action lawsuits over millions of cars equipped with keyless ignition systems that may fail to shut off the car’s engines, even after the drivers leave the car with the electronic key fobs. This poses the risk of injuries and death due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed by 28 plaintiffs in a federal court in Los Angeles, the companies failed to install an auto-off feature that would shut the engine off if left running for a long period of time. The lawsuit also stated that many drivers misunderstood the role of electronic key fobs, believing that the car will stop as soon as the key fobs were no longer inside the car.

So far, 13 deaths and several injuries have been associated with the issue. Among the car makers involved are Toyota, Fiat, Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, and others.

At Ravid & Associates, P.C., consumers who have been harmed by a defective vehicle in Detroit can seek help in recovering the damages they have incurred through a lawsuit. Call us at (248) 948-9696 for a free case assessment today.

Dennis Rodeman, a 35-year-old firefighter for the Lansing Fire Department and former U.S. Marine, died on September 9 after a hit-and-run accident. According to police reports, the incident occurred on Cedar Street and Jolly Road intersection while Rodeman was collecting funds for muscular dystrophy research through a “Fill the Boot” fundraising campaign.

The suspect in the hit-and-run was driving a pickup truck and fled the scene before being caught by the police. Police reports also showed that there was an altercation between Rodeman and the 22-year-old suspect before the accident took place, causing police to suspect that the hit-and-run was intentional. After a pursuit by police vehicles, the suspect ran from his truck and was eventually stopped by the police on foot.

The entire team at Ravid & Associates, P.C., extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Rodeman.

American technologies company NVIDIA Corp. is recalling approximately 83,000 of its NVIDIA SHIELD tablet computers after receiving reports that the ion-lithium battery in the tablets may overheat and pose a fire hazard.

The affected NVIDIA products have model numbers 1761, P1761W and P1761WX, and serial numbers ranging from 0410215901781 to 0425214604018. The recalled products were sold at GameStop retail outlets nationwide and online at BestBuy.com, NewEgg.com, GameStop.com, and Amazon.com between July 2014 and July 2015.

To date, the company has received four reports of battery overheating, two of which resulted in damage to property. Consumers are asked not to use the tablet computers and to contact the company for details on how to receive a replacement tablet at no cost.

Poorly designed and manufactured electronic gadgets may not only pose harm to one’s property; they can cause injuries that may result in hefty medical bills and lost time at work. We at Ravid & Associates, P.C. might be able to help you recover from the damages brought about by a defective product in Detroit. Call us at (248) 948-9696 to know more about filing a product liability case today.

Aspen Foods, a division of fresh and frozen poultry product supplier Koch Poultry Company, is recalling nearly 2 million pounds of food products over fears of salmonella contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported on July 17.

The recalled products bear the establishment number “P-1358” and “best if used by” dates ranging from July 14, 2016 to October 10, 2016, and were sold under 19 brands. The affected items were distributed nationwide at some of the country’s biggest supermarkets. To date, the company has received three reports of illnesses associated with the issue.

Salmonella Enteritidis is a bacterium that can cause food-borne illnesses. Symptoms associated with salmonella infection include bouts of diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain, and are particularly harmful in those with weakened immune systems.

Unsanitary practices in food handling and packaging significantly increase the risk of salmonella contamination. If you think a defective food product has caused you harm in Detroit, our team of product liability attorneys at Ravid & Associates, P.C., is willing to assess if your situation qualifies you for a claim. Call us at (248) 948-9696 for a free, non-obligatory evaluation of your case.

Automotive giant Ford has issued a recall of over 432,000 2015 model Escape, C-MAX and Focus units in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico after learning that a software bug may cause the engine not to turn-off even after switching the ignition off and removing the ignition key, UPI reported on July 3.

Vehicles affected are particular 2015 Focus cars manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant between June 17, 2014 and June 12, 2015, certain 2015 Escape cars manufactured at Louisville Assembly Plant between April 1, 2014 and June 12, 2015, and some 2015 C-MAX vehicles manufactured at Michigan Assembly Plant between April 22, 2014 and June 12, 2015.

The company said it will contact the affected customers for a free software update at dealerships.

Car software glitches like these pose harm not just to the drivers and their passengers, but also to those sharing the road with them. To learn how you might be able to recover damages from a car accident in Detroit, speak with an attorney at Ravid & Associates, P.C., by calling (248) 948-9696 today.

California-based water bottling company Niagara Bottling issues a nationwide voluntary recall of 14 of its bottled water brands over fear of E. coli contamination, CNN reported Tuesday, June 23.

The recall was issued after the supplier of the company’s two water plants in Pennsylvania failed to report evidence of E. coli in the water source. Bottled water brands affected are Acadia, Acme, Big Y, Best Yet, 7-Eleven, Niagara, Nature’s Place, Pricerite, Superchill, Morning Fresh, Shaws, Shoprite, Western Beef Blue and Wegman’s. Affected products were produced between June 10 and June 18.

The company advised customers not to consume the affected brands. Individuals who experience adverse health effects after drinking the affected bottled water should visit a healthcare professional immediately for proper treatment.

An infection from E. coli can be deadly. If a defective food item has ever jeopardized your or your loved one’s health, a Detroit product liability attorney at Ravid & Associates, P.C. may be able to help you pursue financial compensation. Call us at (248) 948-9696 today.

About 222,000 Beats Pill XL speakers are being recalled by Apple after learning the product’s battery may overheat and catch fire, a report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stated on June 3.

The recalled Beats Pill XL speakers have the Beats “b” logo written on the speaker grille and the words “beats pill XL” written on the product handle. The defective speakers come in five different colors: black, white, pink, metallic sky and titanium, and were sold in different Apple Retail Stores and other authorized outlets across the U.S. between January 2014 and June 2015 for about $300.

Affected consumers may get a $325 Apple Store credit or electronic payment refund, and they will also get a postage-paid box to return the defective speaker to the company.

At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we help victims of defective products in Detroit file a claim against the manufacturer involved. Call us at (248) 948-9696 to learn more about the many legal options available to you.

Takata has issued what is believed to be the largest recall in U.S. history to fix defective airbags installed in 33.8 million U.S. cars, according to a report by RT.com on May 20.

The U.S. Department of Transportation stated that the Japanese airbag manufacturer has acknowledged the airbags’ risk of violent combustion, which may cause injuries and deaths to drivers and front-seat passengers. The agency also confirmed that the recent recall includes all the affected vehicles nationwide, not just those in region with higher humidity, as Takata previously determined.

The recall, which involves different car manufacturers, including Toyota Motor Corp., General Motor Co., Daimler AG, and Honda Motor Co., covers close to 14% of all vehicles in the country.

If you have been harmed due to a defective vehicle component in Detroit, our team of product liability attorneys at Ravid & Associates, P.C., might be able to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call us at (248) 948-9696 to learn more about taking legal action today.