Every year, consumers receive notification of recalls through media announcements, direct mail from companies, and word-of-mouth. The most frightening of these are recalls for toys that may harm or even endanger the lives of our children.
In 2011 alone, the following toys have been recalled for a variety of reasons per order of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):
- Little Tikes® Toy Workshop and Tool sets – choking hazard
- Pottery Barn Kids Chloe, Sophie, and Audrey soft dolls – strangulation hazard
- Radio Flyer Scoot ‘n Zoom riding toy – fall hazard
- Fisher-Price Little People® Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagons – laceration hazard
- Cost Plus Inc. Wooden Animal Drum – violation of lead paint standard
- Discovery Toys Toddler Talk toy mobile phones – choking hazard
This is only a partial list of the dangerous and defective toys sold in the past year alone. The majority of these toys were made outside of the United States in countries where safety standards are known to be lower. These include China and Mexico, even though most of the companies that sold the toys were based in the United States.
Regardless of where the toys were manufactured, the companies that sold them to consumers are responsible for protecting consumers. When a company sells a product, particularly one geared toward innocent and vulnerable children, they are required to make sure the item is carefully designed, manufactured according to all safety specifications, and checked for quality assurance before being released for sale. Once a product goes to market and is found to be dangerous in any way, it is also the company’s responsibility to comply with any government agencies that order an investigation or recall of that item.
Families of children harmed by defective toys have the right to expect complete financial compensation for injuries sustained. If your child suffered injuries because of a dangerous or defective toy—whether part of a public recall or not—you should contact personal injury lawyer Gary Miles for advice on how best to pursue justice.
