The most active retail months are barely over and toy manufacturers have generated billions upon billions in revenue worldwide. The estimated cost for toy production is over two billion dollars in the United States alone as last reported in 2010. It is a booming industry that may be growing faster than safety officials can monitor.
Toys have evolved over time to include detailed parts and extra gadgets that require additional testing for their safety. They are packaged with age limit recommendations to keep babies and toddlers from choking on small pieces, but there are also unforeseen hazards in toys manufactured today which include:
- Asbestos;
- Carcinogens;
- Lead; and
- Product defectiveness.
The American Association for Justice reports a 54 percent increase of toy-related injuries from 1999-2008 ranging from choking to amputations to asphyxiation. The number of toys hitting the market largely outnumber the resources for inspection and safety tests available via the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Although consumers can visit the CPSC website to look up current toy and product recalls, one recall analysis found that on average, manufacturers waited nearly three years before informing CPSC of defects. This type of negligence means that toys remain on shelves with risks unknown to parents.
Each company is responsible for its own testing and alerts to ensure the safety of the products they market. Failure to do so is unacceptable as it poses a threat to the public. Filing a claim against a toy manufacturer whose product has caused personal injury can bring the necessary attention to a problem that might otherwise be overlooked for years. It may help the same type of injury from happening to someone else.
Our law firm helps protect the rights of those who have been injured as a result of a defective product. We have secured record settlements for our clients when facing manufacturing companies who have been negligent. If you or a loved one have been harmed as a result of defective toy in Illinois, contact a skilled Chicago product liability attorney today. Call for a free case consultation.
