Tips for Avoiding Defective Toys for Children

July 16, 2020 / 10:55 am

Nobody should ever have to worry about whether or not the toys they buy will cause their children harm. Unfortunately, defective toys are not uncommon. A quick look at the recall website maintained by the government will show that dozens of toys are recalled each year. Data available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)shows that there were an estimated 240,000 toy-related injuries during a recent reporting year. Here, the nationally recognized product liability team at Colson Hicks Eidson wants to discuss some guidelines that parents can follow to avoid purchasing defective toys for their children.

Tips for keeping your children safe from faulty toys

  1. Be mindful of toys marketed on the Internet that do not have any warnings, age recommendations, or instructions. It is all too easy for counterfeit toys manufactured overseas to mimic quality toys and end up for sale on the Internet.
  2. Parents should altogether avoid allowing children under the age of eight to use battery-operated toys. These toys are more prone to overheating, leaking, or exploding, particularly when not used properly.
  3. Try to avoid toys with any “hair” or “fur.” This can include stuffed animals or dolls. Children can ingest or aspirate the fur or hair, leading to suffocation or internal injuries.
  4. Do not allow children to use any toys with strings that are longer than 6 inches or any toys with a removable attachment at the end of strings or laces (like knobs or bells). The strings can become strangulation hazards, and the attachments can become choking hazards.
  5. Parents should strongly consider not allowing their children to use toy weapons or toys that shoot projectiles that could cause serious eye injuries. This can include slingshots, dart guns, crossbows, swords, knives, etc.
  6. For parents with younger children, do not use toys that are meant to be strung across the playpen or crib area. This is a severe strangulation hazard.
  7. Be careful not to use any toys that are made of flammable materials or have toxic components. This can include toy makeup kits that often contain poisonous chemicals or materials in the ingredients.
  8. Be mindful of any toys that require electricity to function, particularly if they do not have “step-down” transformers that reduce the risk of shock or electrocution.
  9. Avoid using any toys that have small parts that could be swallowed or aspirated by the child.
  10. Keep an eye on the World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) This is a non-profit designed to educate the public and parents about dangerous children’s products.

Let our team get to work on your case today

If your child has sustained an injury caused by a defective toy, contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our skilled and experienced team will conduct a complete investigation into your case. Our goal will be to secure the compensation you and your child need, which can include:

  • Coverage of all medical bills related to the defective toy
  • Lost wages if you cannot work while caring for your child
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of personal enjoyment damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the company or manufacturer responsible

If you need a product liability attorney because a defective toy has caused harm to your child, we are ready to help. Whether you are in Florida or anywhere throughout the US, the product liability attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson are ready to get to work. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.

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Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. Only 5 percent of lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers, and no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 or with fewer than 10 years of practice are selected as Rising Stars.

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Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

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“These rankings highlight the commitment and hard work of our attorneys, showcasing our firm’s capability to manage diverse cases for our clients,” said Dean Colson. “As the South Florida business landscape evolves, we remain committed to serving new clients while upholding the same standard of excellence that has defined our firm for 55 years.”

Stephanie Casey, Julie Braman Kane, Curtis Miner, Roberto Martínez, and Mike Eidson were all ranked individually for their work in the “Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs” category. Miner received the top ranking (Band 1) and Eidson was named “Senior Statesperson” in “Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs.” Martínez was named “Senior Statesperson” in two categories: “Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs” and “White Collar Crime and Government Investigations.”

The rankings are a result of the firm’s exceptional track record of securing multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements for its clients in areas that include commercial litigation, medical malpractice, products liability, class actions, multidistrict litigation, and aviation and automobile accidents.

To schedule a consultation, do not hesitate to contact an attorney at our law office. We have experience in a wide variety of cases for clients located throughout the nation and around the globe.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

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About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a boutique litigation firm serving clients in local, national, and international matters. Our multilingual team of highly experienced attorneys is dedicated to providing our clients with top-tier legal representation backed by a commitment to hard work, creative thinking, responsiveness, and professionalism. From our offices in Miami, we have handled a broad range of significant legal matters around the world for over 50 years.

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Click here to read the full guide.

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About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a boutique litigation law firm based in Miami, Florida, serving clients in local, national, and international matters across multiple languages. Practice areas include complex civil and commercial litigation, catastrophic personal injury, medical negligence, product liability, class action, mass tort, and white-collar criminal defense for the most serious and challenging of cases.  Since 1971, the firm and its lawyers have consistently worked to be respected by the state and federal judiciary – securing numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts, judgments, and settlements on behalf of clients. Learn more at www.colson.com.