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Charlotte Injury Lawyer Warns of Multiple Faulty Children’s Products

Jul 20, 2016 Brown Moore Personal Injury

In January of 2016, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of certain infant car seats due to fall hazards. After receiving 74 reports of damaged handles and one report of an infant injury, the manufacturer also announced this recall. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) also became involved because of the intended in-vehicle use of the seats.

Manufacturer product recalls can happen at any time, and when they pertain to children’s products, parents need to take them seriously. However, it may be advisable for parents to look into a manufacturer’s longer-term recall history to help ensure the safety of their children.

A History of Recalls Does Not Automatically Provide a Reason to Avoid a Product Line

Parents who delve more deeply into this particular manufacturer might have concerns when they notice that the company’s Safety Notices page lists eight recalls of various products between 2010 and 2016. Still, the recall history does not actually indicate repeated negligent acts:

  • The 2016 recall appears to pertain to a handle weakness that causes it to fracture or crack while in use.
  • A 2016 recall of certain strollers was issued when it was discovered that some children had bitten and sometimes ingested bits of a non-toxic foam arm bar cover.
  • In an earlier car seat recall, the improper installation of a rivet used to adjust the harness could result in ineffective restraint of children.
  • Certain earlier car seat recalls posed a risk because non-toxic pads intended to keep children comfortable during restraint situations seemed to pose a risk to children who chewed or bit the pads, possibly causing a choking hazard.
  • Another recall involved strollers that caused injuries when users injured fingers due to misuse of the folding mechanism.

With the exception of issues pertaining to foam padding, other incidents involve unique and unexpected circumstances that could happen with virtually any children’s product.

How to Make Good Use of Recall Notices

To ensure that they receive recall notices, parents need to register major children’s products whenever possible. The next step is to follow the instructions provided in the recall, which often (but not always) involve avoiding further use of the product until repairs or a replacement is provided by the manufacturer.

Next, never assume that one specific product recall is the only one. It is important to check online to determine if more than one item in a product line has been subjected to recalls, as well. By looking at the details of each recall, parents can quickly determine whether the specific product line’s issues are similar to those of other companies. Too many repeated types of recalls can indicate that it may be best to seek another brand.

Parents cannot expect to receive recall notices about every product used by their children. Still, when products pose the risk of child injuries, as is the case with devices intended to protect children in cars or transport them from place to place, parents should make time to regularly check for recalls.

Just as important, even when no recall has been issued, parents whose children sustain injuries from poorly-designed or defective products should seek immediate legal support. To obtain an assessment of all available legal options, call us at 800-948-0577 or use our convenient online contact form.