Toy Dart Guns Recalled after Two Children Die
Toys have been the subject of serious product liability issues over the last decade or so. Especially over the last few years, with most of the manufacturing and assembly of these products taking place abroad, we have seen the debate get more heated regarding lead-tainted toys and more recently, toys laced with cadmium, a highly toxic substance. In addition to what is in the toys, design can also play an important part in toy safety.
Recently, according to the Associated Press, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 1.8 million dart guns after a 9 –year-old boy in Chicago and a 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee died when one-inch soft plastic darts lodged in their throats and asphyxiated them. Apparently, the small suction cup part of the dart cut off their breathing. These toys were sold nationwide at Family Dollar stores for about $1.50.
This recall is a reminder to all parents to carefully watch what their children are playing with – even if the children are older. Parents usually tend to supervise toddlers or young children to make sure they don’t asphyxiate on smaller parts. These types of tragic incidents should serve as warnings to parents that injury or death from a defective toy can affect older children too. It is also important to remember that toy companies can and should be held liable with the help of product liability lawyers Philadelphia for dangerous or defective products they put in the market.
Michael Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm... Michael Monheit→