Unsurprisingly, toy sales go through the roof in December as Christmas approaches. If you’re a parent, then you were most likely one of these consumers just recently.
When you buy a toy for a child, the last thing you expect is for it to injure them. Unfortunately, thousands of children are injured every year because of toy defects. What are some of the most common toy defects?
Toys with sharp edges
All toys should be manufactured in an age-appropriate way. There is no reason for any childrens’ toy to have extremely sharp edges. Sometimes, errors occur in the manufacturing process. A sharp edge may not have been filed properly or the toy may not have been safet tested appropriately.
Sharp edges can cause cuts, lacerations and further complications. If your child suffered an injury like this, then you may be able to hold the manufacturer to account.
Choke hazards
Some toys contain small pieces. Part of the fun of playing with toys can be putting all of the small pieces together to complete the finished article. That being said, these toys still have to be designed safely. They should also only be marketed toward the appropriate age categories.
Where choke hazards are present, the manufacturer also has a legal duty to warn consumers. For instance, the packaging should contain warning labels and age recommendations.
As with all personal injury cases, negligence is a key factor. If you can establish that a toy manufacturer was negligent and subsequently injured your child, then financial compensation is a possibility. Seeking legal guidance will give you a clearer indication of your options.
