[Hidden-tech] Attack dog lawyer who works on contingency?

[Chris Hoogendyk]

ussailis at shaysnet.com wrote:
> It sounds like something in the circuit board failed. A few years ago there
> was a rash of bad electrolytic capacitors that did just that. Including the
> 'acrid smoke.' It is not actually smoke, but sure looks like it. Following
> the capacitor's rapid demise, the rest of the power supply can also fail.
> This can be 'explosive.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague
http://www.tmworld.com/article/CA500057.html
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/may06/3423

This has been a widespread problem. Even hit my own iMac.

The question is whether the manufacturer is aware of it and taking 
proper actions to correct the situation. Apple has put out recalls, and 
replaced the motherboard on my iMac at no cost to me (this was a couple 
of years ago, not current models). We had a number of PCs in our 
department at work that had the same problem.


> I urge you to contact the CPSC and Consumers Union. Others could get hurt.
> And, since a shredder is usually associated with shredded paper (quality,
> rapid burning, fuel) there could be a serious fire as well.
>
> A product recall may be in order. I hope that the manufacturer got your
> failed unit so he can do a proper investigation.
>
>
> Jim Ussailis
> jim at nationalwireless.com
>
>
>
> Original Message:
> -----------------
> From: DAVID F. FARKAS david at farkas.com
> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:25:04 -0400
> To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
> Subject: [Hidden-tech] Attack dog lawyer who works on contingency?
>
>
> Hi guys...
>
> My shredder exploded... no exaggeration. Flash, bang, acrid smoke, 
> the works. The head jumped out of the basket and fell back down 
> shattering it. Somehow there was no fire and my only issue seems to 
> be ringing ears. Life is good. Somehow no fire or injuries.
>
> The company responded quickly to my email with an offer to examine 
> the pyrotechnic device and give me a new one. Also good.
>
> Then someone suggested i consider having a product liability lawyer, 
> who works on contingency, look at the situation and see if it's worth 
> a law suit. I've never sued anyone and it's really not my style. I 
> have not time or money to invest in that... AND... who knows, eh? 
> Unlicensed pyrotechnics are not standard features in most shredders, 
> to my knowledge.
>
> Suggestions? Referrals? Commiseration? Bad Jokes?
> Thanx
> Da/\id

---------------

Chris Hoogendyk

-
   O__  ---- Systems Administrator
  c/ /'_ --- Biology & Geology Departments
 (*) \(*) -- 140 Morrill Science Center
~~~~~~~~~~ - University of Massachusetts, Amherst 

<hoogendyk at bio.umass.edu>

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Erdös 4