With all the products on the market today, it can be difficult and challenging for a parent to take appropriate measures to protect the safety of a child. Many children’s toys have small parts, or inherently dangerous to children. Balloons, marbles and other objects can easily be swallowed, blocking a child’s airway, leading to serious injury or death. Far too many common household objects pose serious risks to children, including tools, household cleaners and appliances.
The Dangers to Children from Toys and Household Products
Unfortunately, there are many ways in which a child can be hurt because of exposure to or use of a dangerous or defective product. This includes:
- Lead paint exposure—Toys, as well as furniture, particularly if manufactured outside of the United States, may contain high levels of lead-based paint. Children absorb these paints more quickly than adults. Exposure to unhealthy levels can have a detrimental impact on the nervous system, the brain and the kidneys.
- Battery operated toys—It is not uncommon for small children to pull batteries out of a toy and ingest them, leading to complications from exposure to battery acid.
- Poor design—Toys with strings or fur have been the cause of many injuries suffered by small children. In addition, portable basketball hoops and trampolines have also caused serious injury and even death.
- Household products—This includes a wide range of chemical products in containers that allow children to open or dispense them. It can also include food processors, blenders and other kitchen appliances that may be easily operated by a child.
What You Need to Prove to Recover Damages in a Product Liability Case
In most product liability claims, you will have to show that the defendant was negligent, i.e., that the defendant failed to act as a reasonable person would have. In situations where a product is inherently “unreasonably dangerous,” such a fireworks, the standard of strict liability applies. In such cases, you don’t need to demonstrate negligence, only that the defendant manufactured the product and that you suffered injury because of exposure to or the malfunction of the product.
Contact the Attorneys at Metzger & Kleiner
To schedule an appointment with an experienced Philadelphia product liability lawyer, contact us by e-mail or call our office at 215-622-2210 in Philadelphia, 610-563-2186 in the Lehigh Valley, or toll free at 800-228-1760. There is no charge for your first consultation.
We handle all product liability claims on a contingency basis. We won’t charge attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your losses.