Corporations sometimes seem to have but one objective: make the biggest profit. This objective can result in cutting corners and pushing products out too early. When that happens, a product may be defective or harmful to consumers. Because of this, there are strict guidelines and mandates that companies must meet with respect to designing and manufacturing products for consumers. Customers have an expectation that they can rely on the quality and safety of the goods they purchase, and defects that result from a manufacturer’s negligence can result in injury or other damages to the customer. This is currently what many private and public industries are allegedly experiencing after Intel’s Pentium chip was discovered to potentially have a flaw.
Intel’s Pentium chip is the microprocessor for millions of computers around the globe. It is a computer processor that incorporates the functions of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC), or at most, a few integrated circuits. It allows a computer to perform functions and calculations in a fast, cheap, and highly efficient matter. It is essential that microprocessors allow data communication without error because this can lead to erroneous outputs by the computer. This is especially important when doing financial calculations or clinical data.
Many Intel customers are now becoming concerned that its Pentium chip may have a defect that results in incorrect data, including massive digital security firms and federal agencies. The Food and Drug Administration told drug companies earlier this week that it is concerned about the accuracy of data on clinical trials for new drugs that might have been generated on computers using Pentium chips. According to the LA Times, Intel acknowledged last month that its flagship Pentium microprocessor had a bug that could cause errors in some math calculations. Intel asserts that the errors should be extremely uncommon, however, but IBM nevertheless has halted shipments of the microprocessor because they fear Intel may have underestimated the severity of the flaw. Intel stated that the flaw should only result in a miscalculation once every 27,000 years, but has since suggested that an error may occur once every 2,700 years. IBM, however, reportedly estimated that errors for a user could occur once every 24 days.
While that may sound extreme, Intel Pentium chips are responsible for calculations that can involve billions of dollars and medical data, where even one miscalculation potentially can have catastrophic consequences. Intel allegedly knew about the flaw in June, but did not disclose it to the public until November, allegedly selling it for five months without informing its customers of the potential risks. Some agree that Intel may be held liable for any damages that their customers experience due to a microprocessor miscalculation.
If you or a family member have been injured or incurred damages because of a defective product, contact one of our Boston product liability injury attorney specialists today. You may be entitled to money damages for your personal injuries. Call 617-787-3700 or email info@gilhoylaw.com to learn all about your legal rights. Time may be a factor, so please call today!
