Recalls – Unsafe, Hazardous & Defective Products

Presented by Jason J. Guari, Esq.

Each year, hundreds of products are recalled by the Federal Government. Defective products injuries can include: traumatic brain injury, neck injury, spinal cord trauma, back injury, amputation, quadriplegia, paraplegia, severe burns, strangulation, or even wrongful death.

Unfortunately, a high percentage of recalled products are never returned or repaired. Many consumers have either never heard about a recall or have failed to act on a recall. To provide better service to alert consumers about unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six U.S. Federal agencies have joined together to create www.recalls.gov — a “one stop shop” for U.S. Government recalls.

These regulatory agencies include the Consumer Products Safety Commission, The National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Food & Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Recalls can include:

• Consumer Products – motor vehicles, tires, child safety seats, appliances and furniture
• Boats – recreational boats and personal watercraft
• Foods – food products and food illness outbreaks
• Medicines – drugs and medical devices
• Cosmetics – makeup
• Environmental Products – pesticides and vehicle emissions

What to do if You Have a Recalled Product

If you have a recalled product, carefully follow the government’s instructions. This can include requiring you to stop using it, repair it, or return it for a refund or a replacement. If you decide that you do not want the product, please throw it out. Do not re-sell it, donate it or pass on the risk.

Make Sure to Check Second-Hand Products

If you receive hand-me-downs or buy children’s products at second-hand shops or yard sales, it is very important that you check past product recalls to ensure their safety. Be particularly careful about cribs, bassinets, and car seats.

Recalls.gov allows you to:

• Review recent recalls by agency
• Search for recalls – You can search the database by agency, manufacturer name, type of product, type of hazard and more. This also includes past recalls and products that have had trouble but have not yet been recalled.
• Sign-up for E-mail alerts which can be customized to your needs

The Consumer Products Safety Commission also allows you to search other consumer’s complaints on the agency’s SaferProducts.gov website; there, you can report incidents of your own – which can ultimately save a life.
Please stay informed, take action, and stay safe.

If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a defective product and would like to learn more about your legal rights, please contact me at (561) 366-9099 or by email at jguari@murrayguari.com.