Defective Vehicles, Household Products, Toys Claim Thousands of Victims
Defective products are to blame for thousands of injuries and deaths across the United States each year. Consumer products that are defectively designed or manufactured can unexpectedly fail, injuring users who most likely are unaware that the product they are using is defective and can harm them.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is the United States governmental agency charged with inspecting consumer products and ensuring their safety. However, even with close government oversight of the industry, dangerous and defective products still reach consumers and result in tragic injuries.
Common Product Defects
Every year, hundreds of consumer products are recalled by product safety officials because of defects that make the products unsafe for consumers to use. Products are recalled for many reasons, including:
- Household appliances that catch fire or overheat, causing burns
- Children’s toys containing toxic lead paint or small, removable parts that can be a choking hazard
- Cribs with gaps in the drop-down side rails, posing a risk of entrapment and strangulation
- Cars and other motor vehicles that have faulty brakes, engine components, or other defective parts
- Children’s clothing that is flammable
Defective Product Injuries
Users of defective products can suffer a wide range of injuries, from minor burns, cuts, and bruises to devastating traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. When products break apart or otherwise fail to work as they are intended, users can sustain injuries requiring costly medical treatments, lost income from time they are too injured to work, and other damages.
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