Trends with recalls of children’s products
On behalf of Steven Crell of Steve Crell Law posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
An Indiana parent may purchase a toy or clothing item for a child without realizing that the product is dangerous. In fact, a product may cause several serious injuries to its users before a recall is actually issued. Even when a product is recalled, parents might not learn of the issue until they experience a serious incident in their own family.
Advocates for child safety are pleased that in 2015, the rate of recalls for children’s products reached one of the lowest points in the last 15 years. However, there are concerns about the number of products remaining in use after being recalled. Only 1 percent of the recalled children’s items in 2014 were actually repaired or removed from use.
Statistics indicate that approximately 25 percent of product recalls in 2014 involved children’s items. Nursery and clothing items were the most common children’s products to be recalled during that period. One of the best ways for a parent to stay abreast of issues with products that their children may be using is to monitor websites such as SaferProducts.gov, which provides an avenue for consumers to report safety issues that they have experienced with products. Social media also provides a helpful avenue for sharing stories about dangerous products. Companies are also able to use this method of communication to inform consumers of recalls.
A family dealing with a serious injury or death related to a product may have grounds for filing a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. Dangerous products can include household items, toys, vehicles, foods and medications. Injuries could include situations such as choking on a small part in the case of a child or a fire caused by faulty wiring in an electronic item. A lawyer might assist in a products liability case by gathering photographic evidence, medical records, and information about similar incidents affecting other individuals.
