What Can I Do If a Defective Toy Harmed My Child?

 Posted on January 08, 2025 in Personal Injury

If your family is like most, your children probably received new clothes, toys, and other gifts during the recent holidays. While there are laws governing toy safety, defective products are still produced in the U.S. and elsewhere. Toys are not the only potentially dangerous items; car seats, strollers, jewelry, electronics, and even furniture can harm children.

If a toy or another item harmed my child, what are my legal options? What if that item was purchased directly from China, not through a U.S. retailer? A knowledgeable Orland Park, IL product liability lawyer can help you explore your options for compensation.

What Kinds of Toy Safety Issues Do Laws Cover?

With such a wide variety of toys and children’s items available, the list of safety regulations is lengthy. Manufacturers, designers, and sellers must provide products that are free of:

• Flammability issues

• Choking hazards and parts that are too small for specified age groups

• Hazardous and toxic substances, whether integral components or surface coatings

• Battery and power source overheating

• Rough or sharp surfaces that could puncture the skin

• Excessive sound that could damage hearing

• Loose fasteners

Along with these and many other safety requirements, various products for children must have mandatory warning labels and instructional literature. For example, end-users usually assemble cribs according to instructions, and the instructions should include specific language required by law.

What Kinds of Injuries Can Children Sustain from Defective Products?

One of the most common issues children face from defective toys is choking due to small pieces. However, broken bones, becoming trapped in cribs, poisoning due to unsafe paint, cuts from sharp corners, and injuries in car accidents due to defective car seats are other examples.

You can check the SaferProducts.gov website, operated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to see if product safety warnings or recalls have been issued for specific items. However, if a defective product harmed your child, you should contact an experienced attorney to file the appropriate claims for compensation.

What If the Defective Product Came from Temu, Shein, or a Similar Foreign Source?

A recent upsurge in consumers buying products directly from China through platforms like Temu and Shein may have you wondering whether you can hold these companies accountable for defective products. Because these companies do business in the U.S., they are bound by U.S. consumer safety laws.

If the product that harmed your child was purchased from Shein, Temu, or another similar company, your lawyer can still file a product liability claim on your behalf. Let us handle the potential complications so you can focus your full efforts on taking care of your injured child.

Request Your Free Case Review With a Cook County, IL Product Liability Attorney Today

If your child was harmed by a defective toy or other product, Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call 708-321-1223 to schedule a consultation with our dedicated Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer.