Product Liability Law Blog

UC Irvine researchers from its otolaryngology department are saying that the sounds coming from toys that make the loudest noises have been known to hit decibel levels similar to sounds made by a subway train or a chainsaw. 10 toys that are popular among kids were tested for loudness.

The toys' sound levels were measured while the objects were placed next to a speaker and from 12 inches away (the typical length from a toddler's head to his/her hand.) Researchers say that these two distances are representative of the way that young children handle such toys--at arm's length and held up to their ear. Per the study, some toys, including the Road Rippers, Tonka Mighty Motorized Fire Engine, and T-Pain Mic hit 100 decibels or higher when placed next to a speaker. At a 12-inch distance, the same toys reached decibels in the mid- to upper-60's, which the American Academy of Otolaryngology reports is the level of noise a car might emit for someone observing the vehicle at a close distance. Noise/Sounds from the following toys when placed near a speaker hit the 90 decibels and higher range:

• Sesame Street Let's Rock Elmo
• VTech Princes Magical Learning Wand
• Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Cosmic Blaster
• Marvel Super Shield Captain America

Considering that hearing loss can result from noise louder than 85 decibels, and, per study director Dr. Hamid R. Djalilian, young children are likely to place a toy emitting noise next to their ears to confirm the source of the sound, are these toys safe for use? If you believe that your child suffered hearing loss or any other injury as a result of a toy or another product, you should speak with a products liability lawyer immediately to find out whether you have a child injury case on your hands.

Djalilian said that most toys that make noise, if used properly, shouldn't pose any danger to kids. However, the researchers are recommending that a speaker on any toy should be located on its bottom side. They are also suggesting that buyers test toys that emit noises to make sure they aren't too loud before purchasing them.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, toys that make noises so loud that they can potentially cause hearing damage include certain cap guns, toy vehicles with sirens or horns, walkie-talkies, talking dolls, toys with cranks, musical instruments, and squeaky rubber toys. Improper use of noisy toys can also up the risk of hearing loss.

It is important that toymakers warn of the risk of potential hearing loss posed by any toy and include instructions for safe and proper use. Hearing loss not only impairs a child's ability to hear and experience the world, but also it may impede speech development, language development, learning, communication, social development, and self-esteem. The repercussions of hearing loss during childhood can seriously impact adulthood.

Study: Improper Use of Noisy Toys May Lead to Hearing Loss for Children, Fox News, December 5, 2007

Study: Toys can be too loud, Daily Pilot, December 22, 2011

Effects of Hearing Loss on Development, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

More Blog Posts:
Prevent Child Injuries This Holiday Season By Avoiding Dangerous and Defective Toys, Product Liability Law Blog, November 23, 2011

Swallowing High-Powered Magnets Can Be Deadly for Kids, Warns CPSC, Product Liability Law Blog, November 6, 2011

Little Tikes Recalls Another 1.7 Million Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Over Choking Hazard, Product Liability Law Blog, October 6, 2011

Continue reading "Can Loud Toys Impair Children's Hearing?" »

Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced the voluntary recall of 284,000 Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears. The recall is over concerns that the stuffed doll's eyes might come lose and fall off, creating a potential choking hazard. To date, there have been no reports of related injuries.

The announcement comes shortly after the CPSC fined Build-A-Bear $600,000 over a defective toy beach chair. The fine settles claims that the company allegedly knew that the toys were dangerous long before notifying the CPSC about the product defect.

The CPSC claims that Build-A-Bear started getting reports as early as July 2007 that the toy chairs, which are accessories for their stuffed animals, could cause laceration, pinching, and fingertip amputation injuries in the event that the finger or another part of the body were to get caught in the middle of the wood frame while it was being folded. Build-A-Bear finally reported the defect in March 2009. Prior to that, however, in October 2008 the company stopped selling the chairs and told stores to give the product back to the storage warehouse.

Build-A-Bear says that with over 200,000 toy chairs sold between 2001 and 2008, it had received 10 injury complaints.

Companies must report a product defect that poses a substantial injury risk immediately. The CPSC has taken a tough stance against companies that fail to notify it about any products that pose a serious injury risk. In 2005, Graco Children's Products Inc. was fined $4 million for not notifying the government in a timely manner about over 12 million products that were dangerous to kids.

Notifying the government about a defective product makes it easier for the public to become aware that a product may be dangerous. This may prevent serious injuries from happening.

Build-A-Bear Workshop to pay $600,000 fine in defective toy chair case, Business Insurance, December 22, 2011

Build-A-Bear Recalls Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears Due to Choking Hazard, CPSC, December 23, 2011

Build a Bear

More Blog Posts:
Registering Your Kid's Products Can Help You Find Out About Dangerous Defects, Product Liability Law Blog, December 12, 2011

Prevent Child Injuries This Holiday Season By Avoiding Dangerous and Defective Toys, Product Liability Law Blog, November 23, 2011

Little Tikes Recalls Another 1.7 Million Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Over Choking Hazard, Product Liability Law Blog, October 6, 2011

Continue reading "Choking Hazard Prompts Build-A-Bear to Recall Over 280,000 Teddy Bears" »

Under federal law, the manufacturers of toddler and infant products that are durable are supposed to include a pre-stamped postcard with each item. This gives parents the option to register the product via mail or online, which gives the product maker the ability to provide immediate notification in the event of a recall over a dangerous defect. Considering that millions of children's products are recalled each year, this mandatory registration system would seem like a good idea except that, according to a Consumer Federation of America survey, 61% of parents with kids younger than 12 didn't even know that this new notification system existed.

The law is called the Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act and it is named after a 16-month old baby who died in his sleep in a child strangulation accident that occurred because the Playskool Trav'l Lite portable crib he was in collapsed. Although the portable crib was recalled five years before Keysar was born, no one notified the daycare center where the crib was located about the news. The crib had two collapsible rails that posed a strangulation hazard in the event that the infant sleeper to collapse while the baby was in it.

Keysar is not the only infant to die in one of these cribs. His parents filed a crib defect lawsuit against Kolcraft/Playskool-Hasbro. Their products liability complaint seeking wrongful death was settled for $3 million.

At the Gilbert Law Group, PC, our child injury lawyers are committed to helping kids and their families recover products liability compensation from manufacturers whose products caused serious personal injury or death.

It is a manufacturer's job to make sure that a product is free of harmful defects that could hurt users. Unfortunately, there are some companies that fail to fulfill this duty, which means that as parents and guardians, we must be extra vigilant in looking out for potential defects or hazards and take on the task of protecting our kids. Registering a product is one way to keep abreast of potential safety issues. You can also check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site, which publishes a list of recalled products. It also is a good idea to check a product for potential safety hazards, such as easy to swallow parts, long drawstrings, sharp or protruding parts, small magnet pieces, and other dangers.

Registering new products could be a life saver, ABC Local, December 14, 2011

Are recalls reaching the right people?, Consumer Reports, January 4, 2011

Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act

More Blog Posts:
Prevent Child Injuries This Holiday Season By Avoiding Dangerous and Defective Toys, Product Liability Law Blog, November 23, 2011

Michigan Products Liability Lawsuit Seeks Wrongful Death Damages Against Nap Nanny Maker, Product Liability Law Blog, November 19, 2011

22,000 Dream on Me Drop-Side Cribs Recalled Because They Pose Laceration, Entrapment, Suffocation, and Fall Hazards, Product Liability Law Blog, May 24, 2011

Continue reading "Registering Your Kid's Products Can Help You Find Out About Dangerous Defects" »

Each year, World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. puts out its "10 Worst Toys" list as a warning to consumers for products to avoid when shopping for the holiday season. Toys that made this year's list that pose specific child injury hazards include the:

• Twist 'n Sort
• Fold and Go Trampoline
• Power Rangers Samurai Mega Blade
• Pulling Animal Duck
• Z-Curve Bow
• Sword Fighting Jack Sparrow
• "Gigan" Godzilla Figure
• Stepper "Low Rise" Stilts
• The Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker
• School Bus by Schylling

The dangers involved vary, but include choking hazards, the risk of impact injuries, strangulation risks, electrical shock and burn dangers, and the risk of puncture wounds. Our toy defect lawyers want to remind you that when choosing what toys to buy, consider the age of the child that you are buying for and whether the product is appropriate for their abilities and safe for them to use.

Unfortunately, every year, there are children that end up sustaining serious injuries because they were playing with a dangerous or defective toy. Manufacturers, sellers, and distributors can be held liable for products liability in these instances. There is absolutely no reason why an unsafe toy should be made available in the marketplace.

In addition to its 10 worst list, WATCH wants shoppers to watch out for toys that:
• Don't come with warnings, operating instructions, or age recommendations
• Have hair, fur, and other parts that can be ingested
• Include small pieces that can be easily swallowed (removable attachments, such as bells and beads fall under this category)
• Have pieces that shoot out, potentially posing a safety risk to the eyes
• Have pointed tips or sharp edges that can cut or pierce the skin
• Come with lengthy strings that may pose a strangulation hazard
• Are made with flammable materials
• Pose electrocution hazard
• Include toxic substances, such as lead or phthalates

The Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group, which releases its annual Trouble in Toyland report each year, says that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for recalling any unsafe or defective toys, doesn't test all toys and not all of those that end up on store shelves meet the safety agency's standards. If you believe there is a dangerous toy out there or your child was injured because of a toy, you should report it to the CPSC, as well as contact our child products liability law firm immediately.

While tougher federal rules and new toy safeguards should mean there are less dangerous toys being sold now than ever before, one unsafe toy in the marketplace is one hazard too many. The CPSC says that last year, there were 17 child deaths involving toys--up from the 15 fatalities in 2009. Almost 50% of these deaths involved choking accidents. Also in 2010, 181,500 kids in the under 15 age group ended up in ERs because of injuries from toys.

2011 Dangerous Toy List, WATCH

Trouble in Toyland, PIRG

Consumer Product Safety Commission

More Blog Posts:
Swallowing High-Powered Magnets Can Be Deadly for Kids, Warns CPSC, Product Liability Law Blog, November 6, 2011

Little Tikes Recalls Another 1.7 Million Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Over Choking Hazard, Product Liability Law Blog, October 6, 2011

Choking, Entrapment, Fall, and Suffocation Hazards Prompt CPSC's Latest Recalls Involving Children and Infant Products, Product Liability Law Blog, April 5, 2011

More than two years after recalling approximately 1.6 million Little Tikes™ Workshops Sets and Trucks after an 11-month-old South Carolina boy choked on a toy nail that got stuck in his throat, the manufacturer and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling another 1.7 million units--this time of Little Tikes® Workshop and Tool Sets--over the same child choking hazard posed by the plastic toy nails.

The recall comes after reports of another two child choking accidents involving nails getting lodge in kids' throats. Both incidents occurred before the 2009 recall. Fortunately, all three children were treated at hospitals and fully recovered.

Choking Hazards and Toys
Per the CPSC, in the last 18 years, more than 290 kids have died because of toy-related incidents. Over 55% of these involved choking that resulted in asphyxia. The majority of choking accidents involved toy parts, balls, and balloons.

Most of the kids were younger than age 5, which is not surprising, considering that choking is the number one cause of accidental child death for kids 10 and under. Not only is this because a young child's trachea is so narrow--about the size of a drinking straw in diameter--but also, young kids are especially prone to put small objects in their mouth without realizing how dangerous this can be for them. Over 10,000 children end up in hospital emergency rooms each year for treatment of choking-related injuries.

Examples of toy items that can pose a choking hazard:
• Marbles
• Small parts
• Tiny figures
• Button size batteries for toys
• Crayons
• Small, removeable toy parts

Toys are not the only products that can pose choking hazards. Toymakers and the manufacturers of other products know of this danger and they are supposed to make toys for infants and toddlers that minimize this risk. Unfortunately, products are still getting made that do pose a choking hazard to children. Our products liability lawyers have watched as teething products, rattles, and other items that have had to be recalled because they were small enough that they were too easy to swallow.

Unfortunately, in many instances, safety recalls aren't announced until after someone has already gotten hurt. It is always a good idea to properly supervise your child/monitor the types of toys and other products he/she is allowed to use just in case. For older kids, smaller toys and toy parts should come with the proper warnings of any risks.

Our child injury lawyers represent families whose children were injured because a product was defective or posed some type of safety hazard. You should not be afraid to hold a negligent manufacturer, seller, or distributor liable for products liability.

Little Tikes Expands Recall of Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard, CPSC, September 28, 2011

Children And Choking Hazards, CBS News

Choking Prevention for Children

More Blog Posts:
Choking, Entrapment, Fall, and Suffocation Hazards Prompt CPSC's Latest Recalls Involving Children and Infant Products, Product Liability Law Blog, April 5, 2011

Number of Button Battery-Linked Deaths and Injuries Rising, Says CPSC, Product Liability Law Blog, April 23, 2011

Strangulation, Choking, and Fall Hazards Prompt Recall of Baby Walkers, Clothing, and Books, Product Liability Law Blog, April 17, 2010

Continue reading "Little Tikes Recalls Another 1.7 Million Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Over Choking Hazard" »

It's only the 5th of the month and already the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 140,000 products that pose a child injury risk. The first recall, issued voluntarily with Infantino LLC, involves approximately 40,500 Troy the Activity Trucks. The toy is a possible choking hazard.

The recall comes following 28 reports of the plastic beads detaching from the truck's bead runs. At least two young children have gagged on the beads. The toy should be taken away from the child immediately. Infantino will provide a free replacement toy to those who ask.

In the recall issued this morning, CPSC and Arm's Reach Concepts Inc. are recalling approximately 76,000 Infant Bed-Side Sleepers. The announcement about the sleepers comes following several reports of babies falling from the raised mattress onto the bottom of the sleeper or getting entrapped between the side of the sleeper and the edge of the mattress.

The sleeper can become a fall hazard if the fabric liner isn't securely attached or not in use because that's when the child is at risk of falling from the raised mattress. Should the baby get entrapped in the side of the sleeper, he/she could suffocate. CPSC wants consumers to stop download assembly instructions from the Arms Reach Web site and make sure that the sleeper is properly configured before allowing a child to use it again.

Also, today, the CPSC and Key Baby LLC recalled about 29,000 Pampers® Natural Stages Infant Ortho and Bulb Pacifiers. These pacifiers are a choking hazard to children. No injuries have been reported so far.

Entrapment, choking, falling, and suffocation are some of the more common causes of child injuries and deaths involving consumer products. Manufacturers are supposed to make sure that their products are free from any defects that could cause serious injuries—especially to infants and young children who usually don't know how to protect themselves from such hazards.

It is important that you speak with our child injury law firm and request your free consultation. You may have grounds for a products liability case against a negligent manufacturer, seller, or distributor.

Unfortunately sometimes a dangerous or defective product isn't recalled until after someone has already gotten hurt.

Toy Truck Recalled for Choking Hazard, Chesire Patch, April 4, 2011

Arm's Reach recalls infant bedside sleepers, ABC Local, April 5, 2011

Key Baby Pampers Natural Stages Infant Ortho and Bulb Stage 1 Pacifiers, Parenting.com, April 5, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Consumer Product Safety Commission

Product Hazards, Kids in Danger

Parenting

When looking for children's gifts for the holiday season, it is important that you remain aware of the dangers that some of the toys in the marketplace pose. Granted, in an ideal world, it would be great if toy manufacturers only made toys that were safe for use and didn't pose choking, suffocation, aspiration, or strangulation hazards. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, and every year, there are kids who end up with serious injuries because of a dangerous toy or another defective product.

Each year, World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) issues its list of 10 Worst Toys List:

Pull Along Caterpillar: Comes with a breakaway pull string that can become a choking hazard.

Buzz Magnets: A child might choke if he/she swallows one of the small magnet pieces. Swallowing the magnets may cause internal injuries.

Ballzillion Tug Boat Play Center: Injuries or death can result if this toy is used as a flotation device.

Supasplat Splatblaster: This toy gun can cause injuries to the face, eyes, or other body parts.

Spy Gear Split-Blaster: Darts can be an eye injury hazard.

My First Mini Cycle: If a toddler falls off the cycle, head injuries are possible.

Kung Fu Panda Sword of Heroes: Although the sword is made of hard plastic, it can still cause serious impact injuries.

Walkaroo II Aluminum Stilts: Falling from the stilts can cause serious head injuries.

Big Bang Rocket: May cause hearing impairment.

Animal Alley Pony: The pony's fiber-like hair may cause ingestion problems or aspiration injuries.

U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups, recently issued its 2010 Trouble in Toyland Report. It offers safety guidelines of toy buyers and discusses some of the key hazards still found in kids' toys.

2010 Worst Toys List, WATCH

Top 6 Common Hazards, US PIRG

Related Web Resources:
Trouble in Toyland Report (PDF)

Consumer Reports

Continue reading "Stay Away from Dangerous Toys, Caution WATCH and PIRG" »

Toymaker Fisher-Price is recalling over 10 million products because of the injury hazard to children that they can pose. Parents and guardians should stop their kids from using the recalled items immediately and contact Fisher-Price.

RECALLED PRODUCTS:

Fisher-Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles:

• V4270 Diego Tough Trike


• T6209 Thomas Tough Trike


• B8776 Barbie Tough Trike


• 72644 Girls Tough Trike


• 72639 Barbie Free Spirit Trike


• J72633 Hot Wheels Trike


• N6021 Kawasaki Tough Trike


• M5727 Barbie Tough Trike Princess Ride-On


• 72643 Boys Tough Trike


• 72642 Lil' Kawasaki Trike


• 72792 Kawasaki Trike


• K6672 Dora the Explorer Tough Trike

If a child sits, falls, or strikes the protruding plastic ignition key, serious injuries, such as genital bleeding, can result. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher-Price know of 10 reports of injury incidents. Six of them involved girls (ages 2-3). About 7 million of the recalled units are in the US. Another 150,000 are in Canada.

Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand 'n Play Rampway:

• V6378 Little People¬Æ Wheelies™ Stand 'n Play™ Rampway Gift Set


• T4261 Little People¬Æ Wheelies™ Stand 'n Play™ Rampway

If the wheels on the cars come off, a child may choke on the small part. There have been two reports of a wheel detaching. To date, there are no injuries reported. 100,000 of these toys are being recalled in the US. 20,000 are in Canada.

Fisher-Price infant toys that come with inflatable balls:

• 73408 Baby Playzone™ Crawl & Cruise Playground™


• K0476 Bat & Score Goal™


• B2408 Baby Playzone™ Crawl & Slide Arcade™


• J0327 1-2-3 Tetherball™


• H8094 Ocean Wonders™ Kick & Crawl™ Aquarium


• C3068 Ocean Wonders™ Kick & Crawl™ Aquarium


• H5704 Baby Gymtastics™ Play Wall

The inflatable balls come with a valve that can become a choking hazard if they come off. There have been reports of 46 incidents in the US involving such an incident. 14 of them involved a child putting the valve in his/her mouth. Three children started to choke. 2.8 million of these toys are in the US. Another 125,000 in Canada.

Fisher-Price High Chairs. Click on link below for a list of all the models
About 750,000 high chairs are being recalled in the US. Another 125,000 are being recalled in Canada. Already there have been seven reports of kids needing stitches and one child injuring a tooth. The high chair's rear legs have pegs that can pose an injury hazard to a child that falls on or against it.

Product manufacturers must make sure that the toys, furniture, accessories, decorative items, appliances, clothing, and other items that they make do not pose an injury risk to consumers. Children and babies are especially vulnerable to serious injuries from defective products. Over the years, there have been many injuries to children that could have been prevented were it not for a product defect or malfunction. The CPSC says that in 2008 alone, 82 children died and 63,700 were injured as a result of baby products. Choking hazards, suffocation hazards, lead paint hazards, fall hazards, and entrapment hazards are just some of the dangers kids and babies can face when dealing with a defective product.

The Fisher-Price Recall: More than 10 Million Products, CPSC, September 30, 2010

The most dangerous baby products?, KVUE, October 4, 2010

Recall Information, Fisher Price

Related Web Resources:
Consumer Reports

SafeKids USA

Continue reading "Fisher-Price Recalls Over 10 Million Toys, Tricycles, and High Chairs" »

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled a number of products this month because of the injuries to children that they may pose. Although recalls are a proactive step toward preventing personal injuries and wrongful deaths, it is not acceptable to expose children and babies to hazards because a manufacturer made a product that was poorly designed or developed flaws during production.

On Thursday, the CPSC recalled about 200 Le Hing Inc. baby walkers. Made for babies in the 6 months and older age range, the walkers are able to fit through standard doorways and do not automatically stop upon reaching the edge of a step. The lack of safeguards to prevent either of these can cause serious injury or death.

No injuries or deaths have been reported to date, but the CPSC says that babies should stop using these walkers immediately.

The week before, the CPSC and 5 Star Apparel LLC recalled about 11,500 Mecca Children's Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings because the drawstrings on the hood pose a strangulation hazard. So far, there have been no reports of deaths or injuries from the hazardous clothing. However, the CPSC wants boys and girls to stop wearing the jackets immediately. Buyers can either get rid of the drawstrings or return the jackets to the store for a full refund.

On April 6, the CPSC and Health Canada recalled about 15,965 Gund Baby Paperboard Books because the Styrofoam in the book binding can come off, posing an aspiration/choking hazard to infants and young kids. Gund has three reports on file of incidents involving kids putting the Styrofoam in their mouths. To date, no injuries have been reported.

Injuries to Children Involving Products Liability
Infants and young children are often vulnerable to serious injuries and deaths when exposed to dangerous products. Unfortunately, defective products-related accidents involving choking, strangulation, asphyxiation, falls, entrapment, and lead poisoning claim too many lives each year. Many of these tragic accidents could have been prevented if only the manufacturer hadn't been negligent.

Le Hing Inc. Announces Recall of Baby Walkers Due to Fall Hazard, CPSC, April 15, 2010

Recalls: children's hooded jackets, chests, tables, Associated Press, April 8, 2010

Baby Book Recall, WITN, April 7, 2010

Continue reading "Strangulation, Choking, and Fall Hazards Prompt Recall of Baby Walkers, Clothing, and Books" »

With the opening of the holiday shopping season, it is important that buyers be wary of toys that may be dangerous for kids. Unfortunately, toys that are choking hazards, poking hazards, lead hazards, eye hazards, or pose other kinds of injury hazards continue be found on toy store shelves throughout the US.

While toy manufacturers can be held liable for products liability in the event of injury or death—a matter that an experienced toy defect law firm that handles injuries to children cases can help you with—keeping kids away from certain toys that are already known safety hazards is a good way to prevent injuries.

To help identify toys that may be potentially dangerous for kids, World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) has released its 2009 Worst Toys List:

• Lots to Love Babies "Mini Nursery": Small, Detachable parts can be choking hazard


• Disney Pixar Wall-E Foam Rocket Launcher: Fast-launching rocket poses possible eye hazard


• Just Kidz Junior Musical Instruments: Drumstick is a choking hazard if toddler puts in his or her mouth


• Moon Board Pogo Board: Can cause impact and head injuries


• CAT "Rugged Mini": 3" inch long metal spoke can cause puncture wounds


• Curious Baby Curious George Counting – My First Book of Numbers: Metal beads are easy to swallow, causing choking and ingestion injuries


• Pucci Pups Maltese: Dog hair poses aspiration hazard


• The Dark Knight Batman Figure: Sharp, pointy parts can cause injury if toddler falls on them


• Spy Gear Viper Blast: "Darts" can pose eye injury


• X-Men Origins Slashin' Action Wolverine: Sharp claws are an eye or impact injury hazard.

Last week, the Public Interest Research Group issued its report from its 24th annual "Trouble in Toyland" survey. They named 16 toys they consider either potentially dangerous or that violate current manufacturing standards. Toys were analyzed to determine if they posed a hearing hazard, a choking hazard, or contained toxic levels of phthalates or lead. As of October, the toys could still be found in toy stores:

Phthalates or lead hazards:

• Elmo Lunch Bag by Sassy


• Pretty Princess Puppy Purse by Claire's


• Collector's Series Painted Duck


• Alligator cell phone charm by Claire's


• Big Rex Touch and Feel Cloth Book by Priddy Book

Hearing hazards:

• Bright Lights Phone by Vtech


• Laugh & Learn Learning Phone by Fisher Price


• Kota and Pals Stompers Triceratops by Playskool


• Secret Saturdays Cryptid Claw by Mattel

Choking hazards:

• Worky Work Bench by Nemmer


• Fur Real Baby Bird by Hasbro


• Toy Story Pizza Planet Gift Pack by Mattel


• My First BABY Learn by BABY Born


• an unnamed play food tray by World Market


• Real Wood Shape Sorter Barn by P&C Enterprise


• Creative Wood Stacking Rings by Zaidy Product

New report finds dangerous toys on shelves, Sun-Sentinel, November 24, 2009

2009 "10 Worst Toys" List, WATCH

Related Web Resources:
Trouble in Toyland Survey, Public Interest Research Group

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Continue reading "WATCH and PIRG Unveil "Dangerous" Toys Lists" »

According to EMS Magazine, some 475,000 US kids in the 14 and under age group suffer from traumatic brain injuries. While 90% of TBI kid patients are seen in emergency rooms and then released, there are still over 47,000 patients a year who end up hospitalized because of a TBI.

Fall accidents, car accidents, and incidents involving the victim getting hit by or struck against a hard object continue to be the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries in the US. 2,685 children die each year because of TBIs while more than 30,000 kids with TBIs will sustain permanent disabilities.

Our injuries to children and minors lawyers represent the families of babies, toddlers, young children, adolescents, and teenagers who were seriously injured in personal injury accidents. Many of our injuries to minors cases involve children who were injured or killed because of a defective product. Gilbert & Ollanik, PC is one of the most recognized products liability law firms in the US.

Traumatic brain injuries—whether sustained in a car crash, from a drowning accident, in a fall accident at the playground, because the child car safety seat or seatbelt restraint system was defective, during a suffocation accident that occurred because a crib was defectively designed, or from a choking accident that happened because a child swallowed a defective toy part—can drastically alter the life of the child victim and his or her family forever.

A TBI can result in impaired vision, hearing problems, speech difficulties, muscle spasticity, seizures, paralysis, memory deficiencies, communication problems, impaired writing and reading abilities, impaired judgment, mood swings, anxiety, agitation, depression, and problems relating to others.

A TBI's degree of severity will determine the problems that can result from this type of head injury. In many instances, a child with a TBI will need special services to cope with living with a traumatic brain injury, and the ongoing therapy and medical help can become very costly. There are also other damages that a TBI victim can suffer, including loss of the ability to live a normal life, loss of independence, or the inability to enjoy the normal activities that most kids without a traumatic brain injury get to experience.

If your child's TBI occurred because a product manufacturer, a premise owner, a car driver, a trucker, a motorcyclist, or another party was negligent or careless, your son or daughter may be entitled to personal injury recovery.

Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, EMS Responder

Traumatic Brain Injury, Kidsource.com

Related Web Resources:
Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

In an effort to prevent child injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently recalled a number of products. Just today, the CPSC, along with Burley Design, LLC, recalled approximately 2,700 2009 d'lite ST and Solo ST Child Trailers.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, but the trailer's internal sleeve on the axle assembly could loosen. If this happens, one of the wheels might separate from the trailer. This could cause the trailer or the bicycle pulling the trailer to tip over. The bicyclist or any children riding in the trailer could get hurt, even sustaining a head injury, cuts, bruises, a back injury, a neck injury, or another type of injury if they are involved in a fall accident. The child or adult could also get hurt in a car accident if the trailer's wheel were to come off in the street and a motor vehicle were to strike the trailer and/or bike.

Last Thursday, the CPSC announced the recall of some 1.6 million Little Tikes™ Workshops Sets and Trucks. The CPSC and manufacturer Little Tikes are worried that the oversized, plastic nails that come with both products might pose a choking hazard. Already, one child was sent to the hospital for injuries but fortunately made a full recovery.

Another product that is causing the CPSC and its manufacturer, Graco Children's Products Inc., choking hazard worries is the Jump 'n Jive™ Doorway Jumper. Some 2,400 jumpers were recalled on August 6. The jumpers come with detachable toys that are attached to the straps of the jumper with hook and loop fabric strips. Because the toys can come off the jumper, there is concern that a baby seated in the jumper might put the toy in his or her mouth, try to swallow it, and choke.

Already, there has been a report of one child taking the fabric strip and putting it in the mouth. Fortunately, the child did not get hurt.

The risk of fall accidents and strangulation injuries played a key role in the CPSC recall of some 200 La Siesta Yayita Baby Hammocks, distributed by Kaplan Early Learning Company, and about 265 Yayita Baby Hammocks, distributed by Nova Natural Toys & Crafts LLC. If the baby hammock flips over while the infant is in it, the infant might fall or get caught in the restraint straps while upside down, risking strangulation. There are no reports of injuries.

If your son or daughter was injured because of a defective toy, defective furniture, defective clothing, a defective nursery product, or another type of faulty product, an experienced products liability law firm can help you file your injuries to children and minor lawsuit. Children are vulnerable and prone to serious injuries to begin with that they don't need to increase that risk with a defective product.

Our products liability law firm believes it is important to hold the makers of toys and other kids products liable for your child's injuries or death.

Recall: Burley Design bicycle child trailers, The Oregonian, August 19, 2009

Little Tikes recalls 1.6 million toys, CNNMoney, August 13, 2009

Jump 'n Jive Doorway Jumpers Recalled by Graco Due to Choking Hazard, CPSC, August 6, 2009

Kaplan baby hammocks recalled, UPI, August 4, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Consumer Product Safety Commission

Child safety, Consumer Reports

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently recalled a number of kids' products over choking hazard concerns. Last Thursday, the CPSC recalled approximately 3,700 LeapFrog My Pal Scout Electronic Plush Toy Dogs because the paws' decals could come off, making the pieces easy for a child to swallow.

So far, LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. has received two reports of children taking the decals off the toys. One child ingested a portion of the decal. The CPSC and LeapFrog are recommending that parents and guardians take My Pal Scout away from kids and get in touch with LeapFrog so that the toymaker can send them a replacement that has embroidered paws.

Also last week, the CPSC, Buster Brown and Co., and Pagoda International Footwear Ltd. recalled approximately 1.4 million Clog and Children's Shoes. The reason for the recall is that the decorative wheels on the shoes can come off, posing a choking hazard. The shoes involved in the recall are designed to look like cars. 73,000 CARS Fleece Clog Children's Shoes, also by Buster Brown and Co., were recalled in the US in April also over choking hazard worries.

Earlier in the month, the CPSC and Evenflo Company Inc. recalled about 25,000 Evenflo Switch-A-Roo Telephone Toys because a mirror decal on the toy might peel away and become a possible choking hazard. No injures have been reported, but the CPSC and the manufacturer are recommending that consumers stop using the product right away and remove the mirror decal as soon as possible.

Kids and Choking Hazards
Products that contain any pieces that are potential choking hazards can cause serious injuries to young kids. Choking is a leading cause of accidental deaths for kids younger than age 5.

Toddlers are especially inclined to want to touch, smell, and taste small objects, placing them in their mouths. The problem is that young kids have small airway passages and gastrointestinal tracts, which increases the likelihood that they could choke if they swallow or ingest small, foreign objects.

LeapFrog Recalls Electronic Plush Toys Due to Choking Hazard, CPSC, July 23, 2009

Buster Brown Clogs Recall, Wavy, July 22, 2009

Evenflo Recalls Telephone Toys Due to Choking Hazard, NewsInferno, July 17, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Choking Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics

CPSC

Continue reading "Choking Hazard Issues Prompts CPSC Recall of Kids' Products, including LeapFrog Toys and Buster Brown Clogs" »

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading causes of accidental child injuries and deaths are motor vehicle collisions and fall accidents. From 2001 to 2006, about 8 million child deaths occurred each year due to motor vehicle crashes, bicycle collisions, or pedestrian accidents, while some 2.8 million nonfatal injuries happened as a result of fall accidents. Overall, approximately 55 million teenagers and young children were treated for accidental injuries in US emergency rooms between 2001 and 2006—that's about 9.2 million kids a year.

More CDC findings:

• About 12,175 young people (under age 20) were killed each year in the US because they sustained accidental injuries.


• Motor vehicle crashes continued to be the leading cause of fatalities for kids, ages 5 to 19.


• For young children ages 1 to 4, drowning was a leading cause of death.


• For infants, the leading cause of death was suffocation.


• The leading causes of nonfatal injuries for kids ages 1 to 4 were fall accidents and accidental poisoning.


• About 20 kids are killed every day because of accidental injuries.


• Burn injuries were also a common cause of child injuries.

While there are steps that parents can take to prevent such injuries from happening, it is also important that product manufacturers make goods that are free from defects and are safe for use.

In recent years, there have been too many recalls of too many products because of the potential injuries they could cause to young children. Toys with excessive levels of lead paint, poorly constructed cribs and bassinets that pose a fall hazard or are a suffocation threat, household products that are fire hazards, defectively designed clothing that are a strangulation danger, poorly constructed child safety seats, and dangerous nursery furniture and playground rides, are just some of the millions of toys that the Consumer Product Safety Commission and manufacturers have recalled because a child was (or could get) injured or died.

Product manufacturers must be held liable when their negligence and carelessness leads to serious products liability-related injuries and deaths.

Childhood Injury Report, CDC

Recalls, US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Web Resources:
World report on child injury prevention, World Health Organization

Keeping Children Safe from Dangerous Products (PDF)

Continue reading "Motor Vehicle Accidents, Suffocation Injuries, and Fall Accidents Among Leading Causes of Injuries to Children, Says CDC" »

As the holiday season approaches, more shoppers will start to arrive at toy and department stores to buy the latest toys for their sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews. To help parents and other purchase toys that are not only fun to play with but are safe for use, the nonprofit organization World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. has issued its list of 10 toys that it considers dangerous enough that parents should exercise caution when allowing their kids to play with them.

WATCH'S List of 10 Worst Toys
1) Inflatable Giga Ball: WATCH notes that this inflatable ball (made by Kenscott Ltd.) that kids can crawl into, tumble around, and bounce in could cause potential impact and serious injuries.

2) Sportsman Shotgun: This toy is made by Parris Manufacturing Co. and comes with rubber bullets that could cause eyes injuries.

3) Animal Alley Purse Pet: WATCH is concerned that the hair on these dolls, made by Geoffrey Inc./Toys 'R' Us, can easily be removed and swallowed by kids, potentially causing aspiration and ingestion injuries.

4) Go Go Minis Pullback Vehicle: Made by Kid Galaxy Inc., WATCH is concerned that the toy truck's back tires might come off and pose a choking hazard.

5) Spider-Man Adjustable Toy Skates: While Street Flyers LLC recommends that kids use knee pads, elbow pads, helmets, and wrist guards to prevent impact injuries, only the pads come with the skates.

6 Walk'n Sounds Digger the Dog: At 14-inches long, the toy's dog leash is 2 inches longer than the toy industry voluntary 12-inch limit and may cause strangulation or entanglement injuries. This product is made Hasbro/Playskool.

7) Pucci Puppies - My Own Puppy House Golden Retriever: This Battat Inc. toy comes with small parts that could pose a choking hazard to kids.

8) Meadow Mystery Play-a-Sound Book With a Cuddly Pooh: The Disney Pooh's mask could pose a choking hazard to kids if removed.

9) Extreme Spiral Copters: This slingshot-like toy that could potentially cause eye injuries. Made by Toysmith Group.

10) TMNT Ninja Battle Gear - Michelangelo
Hazard: While Playmates Toys Inc. warns that the toy's small parts could pose a potential choking hazard, the toy manufacturer fails to warn parents of the potential for blunt impact injuries.

Dangerous and Defective Toys
Despite efforts to remove defective or dangerous toys from the marketplace, many hazardous toys continue to be available for purchase. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are still many toys available on store shelves that place children at risk for sustaining:

• Choking injuries
• Aspiration injuries
• Burn injuries
• Impact injuries
• Strangulation
• Impalement
• Lacerations
• Puncture wounds
• Lead exposure-related injuries
• Magnet-related internal injuries
• Death

W.A.T.C.H.'s annual list of 10 worst toys, Boston.com

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Web Resources:

US PIRG

WATCH

Continue reading "WATCH Issues 2008 List of 10 Worst Toys" »