Unfortunately, children can be injured by the everyday toys they play with and enjoy. When this happens, it is important for parents to be familiar with products liability law and the protections it provides when a child has been injured while playing with a favorite toy.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that that approximately 217,000 children are treated for toy-related injuries in hospital emergency rooms. Most toy-related injuries do not require hospitalization, however, during 2005, 20 children died due to toy-related injuries. A toy-related injury can cause physical and emotional harm, as it may be traumatic for both the parent and the child. Additionally, families can suffer financial harm as a result related to medical expenses and other costs that may be associated with a toy-related injury.
When a child has suffered a toy-related injury, it is important that parents and families understand that products liability law can help hold the parties responsible for the injuries the child has suffered accountable and also help them with their damages. Parents and families may be able to recover compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages following a toy or other product-related injury. Riding tricycles and non-powered scooters are the leading causes of product-related injuries to children. Other toy-related deaths include riding toy accidents, choking, drowning and suffocation.
Whatever toy-related injury the child has suffered, products liability law can help parents and families with the aftermath. As a result, parents and families impacted by a dangerous or defective toy should be familiar with the legal resources available to them.