What To Do When A Toy Harms Your Child

This holiday season, parents stop at nothing to obtain the perfect gift for their children and loved ones. Every year there is the hot toy of the season and this one is no different. A toy called the Zhu Zhu Pet, a robotic hamster, is one of the hottest gifts this season, however it has come under scrutiny. According to a consumer safety group, the toy contains high levels of the metal antimony. But this problem is nothing new. During a two month period in 2007, Mattel alone recalled 21 million Chinese-made toys because of safety concerns. While legislation in response to these problems has been enacted to improve product safety, manufacturers and companies are left to police themselves. Manufacturers of the Zhu Zhu Pet claim their toy is not harmful to children, yet the incident reminds us of the potential of dangerous toys that could slip through the cracks and make it into American markets.

Dangerous and defective manufactured products injure or kill people every day. Some contain harmful metals or chemicals, while others are defective or poorly designed in a way that can be harmful. Even inadequate use of instructions can make a product hazardous and result in injury or death. Defective industrial equipment; toys; lawn and garden equipment; car defects including air bags and seat belt malfunctions; medical devices; and prescription drugs can all be sources of injury. An area of law called product liability law protects consumers and provides compensation for injuries suffered because of dangerous or defective products. Compensation can include lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Defendants in product liability cases can include the manufacturer, retailer, or the creator of the packing material. The ability to prove negligence by any of these parties depends on a detailed evaluation of the engineering, materials, and proposed use of the product. You need an attorney who has access to the experts and specialists who help develop strong product liability cases based on extensive analysis. A speedy response is critical to obtain the evidence needed to build a strong product liability case. The investigators working with the McMinn Law Firm make every effort to inspect the item which caused the injury immediately, taking photographs, and making sure the product in question remains available for analysis by their experts.

A quick response is also important to resolve the case quickly. The product liability lawyers at the McMinn Law Firm know that when you are injured, you need payment sooner rather than later. They work to keep your case moving forward so that you can get compensation when it will do the most good.

If you need help in a product liability case, the experienced attorneys at the McMinn Law Firm LLP, located in Austin, Texas, can provide intelligent, resourceful and aggressive legal counsel on criminal defense and personal injury cases. When the outcome of your legal situation can depend on the quality of your legal counsel, you want an Austin personal injury attorney who is fully committed to safeguarding your rights and representing you in a court of law.