Child Injuries and Defective Toys: Holding Companies Accountable
At The Tawwater Law Firm in Oklahoma City, we are never intimidated by the litigation process, no matter who the negligent party is in a case. This is an especially important concern when it comes to product liability lawsuits, which hold comapnies accountable for defective/dangerous consumer goods. Since major businesses and corporations may be involved, having lawyers who will not buckle is an important part of a strong legal showing.
With Christmas and the holiday season recently behind us, we'd like to focus on product liability lawsuits involving toys as the topic has been on our mind lately.
Why are some children's toys defective?
Generally, product defects are the result of poor manufacturing, flaws in design, and issues with labeling and instructions. For children's products and toys in particular, a number of problems are the result of age-appropriateness/inappropriateness and general design approach and philosophy.
Below are some common kinds of flaws when it comes to children's toys.
Choking Hazards Are Real Dangers
When a child is very young, choking hazards from toys are very real. Baby toys and toddler toys should not have any small parts that the child can swallow. Generally objects should not be any larger than the hole in a tube of toilet paper--this provides a good representation of a child's airways and an easy way for toy manufacturers to make their products safe.
Cuts and Punctures Can Be Severe
Sharp edges and sharps surfaces need to be avoided in all toys for young children since the danger of cutting and poking is very real. Plush toys and rounded edges are most ideal for very young children, for example. As children get older, certain allowances can be made within reason.
Projectiles Can Result In Major Eye Injuries
A number of toys have projectiles or are designed to fire projectiles. Even if the projectiles are made of foam, they can potentially strike children in the eyes, resulting in a serious injury. (Small projectiles can also pose a choking hazard to young children.) Proper warnings should be provided on the packaging, and eye protection ought to be made available as well.
Toxic Materials Should Never Be In Toys
Sometimes the design of a toy is not the issue but rather the toy itself. There have been a number of cases in which lead-based paints and other harmful materials have been used in children's toys. Given the dangers of long-term exposure to harmful substances, companies should be taken to task for these kinds of acts of negligence.
Electronics for Children Can Cause Major Harm
More and more toys for children are electronic, including mini-tablets and portable gaming devices. Stories in the media have shown that these products can potentially cause electrocutions and may even result in burn injuries if they are defective. With these high-tech toys on the market, high standards of quality control and safety need to be taken by the designers and manufacturers.
Speak with the Lawyers of The Tawwater Law Firm
If you would like to learn more about your legal options following a defective product accident, it's important that you contact our team of personal injury lawyers today. The attorneys at The Tawwater Law Firm will work with you to ensure you receive just compensation for any injuries sustained or hardships endured.