When you buy something, you expect the item to do what it promises to do. And you certainly have the right to expect that it will not harm you. Unfortunately, those expectations are not always met. In fact, a lot of people are injured every year by the consumer products they use.
Famous Product Recalls
We often read about consumer products that malfunction in various ways. Many of us remember the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones that would burst into flames because of overheating batteries. Samsung had to recall all its Galaxy 7 phones that year. Fortunately for Samsung, Galaxy 8 turned out to be safe -- and a big success.
Then there was the Toyota floor mat recall, where gas pedals could get stuck in the floor mat, causing unintended acceleration. In yet another case, the Takata airbag recall, the exploding air bags that were spewing shrapnel might still give some people nightmares.
And just a few years ago, the General Motors ignition switch recall cost GM billions. The faulty ignition switches could shut down the engine without providing any warning. As a result, brakes, power steering, and more stopped working.
Those were among the highest profile cases in recent history, but many other consumer products are recalled regularly for being dangerous or defective.
The Importance of Testing Consumer Products
Fortunately, consumer products are thoroughly tested before they can be sold. This means that potentially defective or dangerous products do not usually make it to the consumer.
The products are tested for proper design to ensure they function the way they are supposed to. They are also tested for proper manufacturing, so no weak links appear while the product is assembled.
Finally, they are further examined to ensure that they have the necessary warning labels. In the case of children's products, this includes labels restricting their use to children above a certain age.
And if incidents should occur in spite of all that testing and vetting, the problematic product is recalled.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
You may wonder... if defective products are recalled, why can they still cause injuries? That can happen because many recalled products are passed on or sold from person to person, for example in garage sales. Be sure to check if a product you have acquired has been recalled. Just go to https://www.usa.gov/recalls. If you don't, you may end up with a dangerous product in your household.
You Need An Experienced Consumer Protection Lawyer On Your Side If You've Been Hurt
If you or a loved one has experienced a product related injury in Kansas City you should speak with an experienced consumer protection attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Kansas City office directly at 816.249.2101 to schedule your free consultation.
