Largest maker of gas cans going out of business

[Ah Pook]

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/largest-maker-gas-cans-going-out-business



Largest maker of gas cans going out of business

by Sally Herships (http://www.marketplace.org/people/sally-herships)
Marketplace Morning Report for Monday, July 9, 2012 (http://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/marketplace-morning-report-monday-july-9-2012)

Jeff Horwich: The East and Midwest are cooling off a bit after highs topped 100 again over the weekend. It's been a hot early summer; there's a potential shortage coming up. Not water, not power -- gasoline containers. Blitz USA is the biggest maker of portable gas cans, and it's filing for Chapter 11. The Oklahoma-based company says it can no longer bear the costs of product liability.
Sally Herships has more.

Sally Herships: If you think your health insurance is pricey -- try buying a policy for product liability.
Nate Cade: The insurance kicks in at $5 million. $10 million, $20 million.
Those are just the deductibles. Nate Cade specializes in product liability law in Milwaukee, Wis. And he says once you use your insurance, the premiums go up. And if you're a company like Blitz USA and lose millions in a product liability case:
Cade: It's like putting chum in the water for sharks. Once there's one shark eating, other sharks will follow.
Blitz is facing 42 lawsuits -- most brought by the same three lawyers. Consumers have accused the company of making faulty cans that explode when used to pour gasoline onto fires.
Blitz says its cans carry warnings that say you should never use gasoline to start or accelerate a fire. The company did win a case in Texas but even that cost $2.5 million.
So Blitz says it's shutting its factory doors at the end of this month.
In New York, I'm Sally Herships for Marketplace.

[BPTactical]

We as a society had better do something damn quick to re-install the filter in the gene pool.
Now where to start[Bang]

[Sawin]

It's ridiculous that a solid manufacturer and with it, who knows how many jobs, is toast due to retarded prosecution-happy idiots. What does this tell you about the direction of our country?

[Goodburbon]

this makes me sick

[Sawin]

We as a society had better do something damn quick to re-install the filter in the gene pool.
Now where to start[Bang]
I'm telling you, it's too late. "We are up shit creek without a paddle", as my stepdad used to say.

[SuperiorDG]

They should also sue the big oil companies for making such a flammable product.

[BushMasterBoy]

I'm surprised people don't sue because the founding fathers gave them too much freedom...

[asmo]

Consumers have accused the company of making faulty cans that explode when used to pour gasoline onto fires.

I hate people.. I really do.

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/392388_425058557527225_1062142314_n.jpg

[Chad4000]

my god.... that's crazy..

[merl]

Consumers have accused the company of making faulty cans that explode when used to pour gasoline onto fires.

this is a joke right?

[Sharpienads]

This blows my mind. What good reason could you possibly ever have for suing a company that essentially makes plastic jugs? Idiots...

[MED]

I hate people.. I really do.

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/392388_425058557527225_1062142314_n.jpg

[ROFL1][ROFL2][ROFL3]

[Sawin]

I hate people.. I really do.

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/392388_425058557527225_1062142314_n.jpg

I've been saying this for years. I hope it gets traction soon.

[Mtn.man]

Better stock up while you can.

Soon there will be "underground" types selling them out of vans for big$$$.

[The Heretic]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/heretic1975/546366_3362861827161_1482426078_n.jpg

[Ah Pook]

I say remove ALL warning labels and let Darwin do his job.

Liability lawsuits are a win/win for lawyers. Even frivolous lawsuits can have a payday.

[lpgasman]

this is a joke right?

My thought exactly.

[speedysst]

Ok so where is our "jobs" President right now? Is he doing anything to save this American company and thus save American jobs?? I think not! Whats next, lawsuits against makers of water cans because if the contents are deposited in a bucket and someone sticks their head in they may drown?

[clublights]

Ok so where is our "jobs" President right now? Is he doing anything to save this American company and thus save American jobs?? I think not! Whats next, lawsuits against makers of water cans because if the contents are deposited in a bucket and someone sticks their head in they may drown?

No you sue the bucket manufacturer

[trlcavscout]

No help from potus penis, its gas can containers. Now if the company that made batteries for electric cars needed 20 billion to pay bonuses before filing bankruptcy he would be all over that!

[speedysst]

No you sue the bucket manufacturer

Why not both? I bet there isnt a warning label anywhere that says "Do not stick your head in this bucket when full of water. Drowning may occur." Like the Emergency Broadcast that told me not to drown in a flash flood.

[keylay31]

My father in law lives in Miami Oklahoma where this company is. A bunch of jobs down the drain in a small community... Such a travesty

[clublights]

Why not both? I bet there isnt a warning label anywhere that says "Do not stick your head in this bucket when full of water. Drowning may occur." Like the Emergency Broadcast that told me not to drown in a flash flood.

Good Point.

I really don't understand how juries award money in these cases...

but then again .. juries are full of people too stupid to get out of jury duty...

( yes I know none of us should try to get out of it.. it is a civic duty.. lets not start on this rant..)

I seem to recall my Dad telling me not to dump gas on a fire.. it may explode.. no warning labels needed.

[spencerhenry]

2 problems.

1. lawyers
2. dumb asses

[00tec]

The morality of bullshit lawsuits aside... it would definitely suck if your gas can exploded while 'stoking' the fire.

[Caithford]

I have no words. This disgusts me.

[JohnTRourke]

I'm telling you, it's too late. "We are up shit creek without a paddle", as my stepdad used to say.

this
it's over
it died
it's been struggling for a long time, but not enough people care

it's dead Jim

[aahorn]

Blitz is facing 42 lawsuits -- most brought by the same three lawyers. Consumers have accused the company of making faulty cans that explode when used to pour gasoline onto fires.
Blitz says its cans carry warnings that say you should never use gasoline to start or accelerate a fire. The company did win a case in Texas but even that cost $2.5 million.
So Blitz says it's shutting its factory doors at the end of this month.

[Bang]

Dear average libtard,

i have heard you say the rich and conservatives are responsible for US based jobs being sent overseas... This is how you idiots destroy american jobs. Too much legislation, too many morons, and too much entitlement in our culture.

if you are dumb enough to pour gas on a fire you deserve whatever consequence result. F those 3 POS lawyers

[stevelkinevil]

We have become a Nation run by and for Lawyers. Think about it, judges? Lawyers. Politicians? Lawyers. Lobbyists? yup more lawyers.

[Not_A_Llama]

Tort reform. This is the shit choking out innovation and small business in this country.

[Zundfolge]

Tort reform from the rooftops! [Sniper]

I mean SHOUT Tort reform from the rooftops ... yeah, that's what I meant ... yeah.[Evil]