Just in time for the holidays, World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) releases their 50th annual 10 Worst Toys list, rating popular toys that pose safety risks to children. W.A.T.C.H., a non-profit organization, focuses on educating the public about the potential dangers in certain toys, products, and recreational activities.
Toy safety is especially important during the holiday season, the time of year with the largest number of toy purchases. The organization reports there have already been many injuries, recalls, and a large number of identified hazards prompting warnings.
The organization’s primary goals center on advocating for child safety through identifying and correcting unsafe practices in the manufacturing and marketing of children’s toys and products. W.A.T.C.H. is dedicated to education regarding hazardous products to raise public awareness and provide consumers with tools to make informed decisions. The organization’s Worst Toys list includes:
- Cocomelon Musical Learning Watch: Potential for battery ingestion injuries.
- Disney Raya’s Action and Adventure Sword: Potential for blunt force and eye injuries.
- Li’l Woodzeez Tickle-Your-Taste-Buds Bakery: Potential for choking injuries.
- Zeus Lion: Potential for ingestion/aspiration injuries.
- Dingray Musical Bath Toy: Potential for ingestion and choking injuries.
- Ooze Labs Chemistry Station: Potential for chemical-related injuries.
- Bunny Rabbit Cuddly Pillow: Potential for suffocation.
- Pop’N Fidget Spinners: Potential for choking injuries.
- Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic Blasters: Potential for eye and facial injuries.
- Black Panther Wakanda Battle Claws: Potential for eye and facial injuries.
Poorly designed toys have resulted in numerous injuries, disfigurements, disabilities, and death. According to the organization, one child is treated in hospital emergency rooms for a toy-related injury every three minutes in the United States. Despite stricter regulations in recent decades, dangers present in classic toys, such as small parts, projectiles, toxic substances, rigid materials, string, and inaccurate warning labels, continue to be found.
What Should I Do if My Child Has Been Injured by a Toy?
Each year, thousands of consumers and children are injured due to defective and dangerous products. Consumers are protected against harm by products liability laws based on claims of:
- Defective design: In some instances, products are flawed in their design before manufacturing, and once produced, become defective and dangerous due to the inherently flawed design.
- Manufacturing defect: Products not designed as originally intended may result in injuries, regardless of whether the manufacturer was negligent when manufacturing the product.
- Failure to warn: Consumers who are injured due to inadequate warning labels or instructions on products may have a failure to warn claim if the dangers are not obvious and unpredictable.
To prove a claim, you (your lawyer) must show that your child’s injuries were caused by defective design, a manufacturing defect, or lack of warnings. Determining which type of claim to pursue is based on the type of product and the type of injury incurred. In addition to showing the product is defective, you must also show that your child was using the product as intended.
In New Jersey, there is a two-year statute of limitations from the date of your injury for filing a products liability claim. For this reason, it is more beneficial for you to consult an attorney as soon as possible following an injury.
Egg Harbor Township Personal Injury Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Represent Clients Injured by Unsafe and Defective Products
Injuries to children can be devastating, especially if they are harmed by their own toys. If your child has been injured by a defective toy, one of our Egg Harbor Township personal injury lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm can help. Call us at 609-926-3300 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.