The holiday season is upon us and it is the time of year when parents and others buy toys and games for their children. Unfortunately, not all toys and games are safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, there were 254,200 toy-related injuries to children under the age of 15 in 2015 that required emergency room treatment. This startling number of injuries can be attributed to dangerous toys and toys that were not used properly.
Common Types of Injuries
There are some common injuries that children may sustain due to defective or dangerous toys. The most serious include eye injuries, burns, choking, broken bones, head trauma, and poisoning. In addition to serious injuries, some children even die due to injuries from toys.
Some of the most common types of toys that may cause injuries include moving toys such as skateboards, motorized toys, toys with small parts, magnetic toys, balloons, toys containing lead, and toys with moving parts. Many products can be dangerous if used improperly.
Defective Products
Defective toys are those that are found to be hazardous, even when used according to directions. These products may break or come apart, creating a hazardous situation. Sometimes the toys are not properly manufactured or tested. In some cases, toys are recalled. Manufacturers may issue a recall or it may be required due to reports of injuries or deaths.
When a product, such as a toy, is defective or hazardous, the manufacturer may be responsible for resulting injuries. The company must be negligent – they knew the product could be dangerous but failed to take sufficient action to prevent injuries.
For example, when a company knows that injuries have been reported, they need to immediately take steps to determine the cause and make changes to ensure safety. In many cases, the toy must be recalled to keep others from getting hurt. Sometimes a repair is necessary to allow the product to function safely.
Preventing Injuries from Toys
Adults can help prevent many injuries caused by toys by following some basic guidelines. Always purchase toys that are designed for the proper age-group. Some toys contain small parts, so they must be used only by older children. Toy packages provide information regarding safe ages for use.
Adults should always supervise children during play. Inspect toys regularly to make sure they are not broken or damaged. Before you purchase a toy, check the recall list to make sure that it has not been recalled. This is particularly important when buying used products. Read the package and follow directions of use for the toy. If you need to assemble a product, make sure that you do so according to manufacturer instructions. If a toy looks unsafe, do not allow children to play with it.
If your child is seriously injured due to a defective or hazardous toy, you may be able to take legal action. You may be owed money for medical costs and any related expenses due to the injury. Contact the legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to learn more about product liability cases.
Write a comment: