We suffer product malfunctions on a near daily basis. Whether it’s the air conditioning not working, a leak in the faucet or even being unable to put your phone in sleep mode, many of these malfunctions are minor annoyances that don’t seriously affect our day-to-day lives. However, some defective products can cause much more significant damage than others, and in certain circumstances, they can cause severe injury or even death. Companies are responsible for ensuring that their products are made with quality, and they are liable for any damages that their defective products could cause.
An example of this comes from a recent product recall by Graco Children’s Products. Following an agreement to recall more than 4 million child seats earlier this year, Graco has reluctantly decided to recall almost 2 million more infant seats. The former set of seats were forward-facing and meant for older children, and the latter set were rear-facing. The different seats used the same buckle, which was deemed faulty.
A national safety agency pressed for Graco to recall the infant seats, claiming that the buckles could make it difficult to remove a child quickly in the case of an emergency. It’s alarming to hear that, despite agreeing to the claims about the buckle for the forward-facing seats, Graco was slow to recall the rear-facing seats. In a state like New York, where automobile traffic can already present serious dangers, it raises questions about how much faith we can put in the products we purchase.
While it may seem frightening to purchase products that could be faulty, it’s important to remember that the company is ultimately responsible. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a faulty product, you may be entitled to compensation and a New York attorney may be able to offer valuable guidance.
Source: New York Times, “Graco Recalls 1.9 Million Rear-Facing Infant Seats,” Christopher Jensen, July 1, 2014