Most parents understand the dangers of allowing a child to swim unattended or ride their bicycle without a proper fitting helmet. Few people realize, however, that children’s toys can be just as dangerous, especially if they are inappropriate for the age of the child playing with them. Children that play with age-inappropriate toys are at-risk for serious injuries that could be life-threatening.
If your child has been injured in an accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
Age-Inappropriate Toy Hazards
Toys with certain features are known to pose a hazard to young children, especially when those children are not the appropriate age to be playing with them.
These types of toys include:
- Toys containing small parts that can break off and become lodged in a child’s throat;
- Toys operated with batteries that could be swallowed;
- Toys with sharp or uneven edges;
- Toys made from toxic materials;
- Toys equipped with mechanical parts or pieces.
Generally, children under the age of five (5) are more likely to suffer injuries related to ingestion and lacerations from toys parts but children can suffer many types of injuries due to toys and their parts including:
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Punctures
- Suffocation
- Strangulation
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Eye Injuries
Liable Parties
Toy manufacturers are required to warn consumers of the proper age a child should be to play with their toys. Manufacturers should also ensure that their toys are free from hazardous materials, do not have sharp edges, and are the appropriate size/have appropriate safety measures in place for the age range the toys are recommended for. Failure to do so can put a child at-risk for serious injuries.
Daycare workers and childcare providers are also responsible for making sure that the toys they provide to the children under their care are age-appropriate and in safe working order. If they allow young children to play with broken or inappropriate toys, they could be liable for the injuries a child sustains while under their care.
Precautionary Measures
The safety of a toy largely depends on the manufacturing and design process, but parents can take certain steps to ensure that their child is not injured while playing with their toys, including:
- Read all instructions and package inserts prior to use;
- Only purchase toys that are age-appropriate;
- Inspect toys prior to use;
- Look for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) seal which means the toy meets safety standards;
- Keep toys meant for older children out of the reach of younger children;
- Choose toys with a child-proof electronics compartment;
- Avoid purchasing toys with lasers, bright lights, sharp points, or projectiles;
- Fix or discard broken toys;
- Supervise your child while they are playing with any toy.
Parents can also purchase small object testing devices that are designed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to test if a toy or small object is too small to be safely used around children ages three (3) and under.
Taking all of these precautions do not guarantee that a child will not be injured by an age-inappropriate toy, however they will significantly decrease the chances of your child being injured while under your care. If your child was injured by an age-inappropriate toy while under the care of another person, or you feel that the toy that injured your child was inappropriate for their age and the toy manufacturer could be at fault, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer to review your case.
We at America’s Consumer Lawyer are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
