As parents, we usually assume that toys are safe and won’t harm our children. But occasionally something will happen that dispels that illusion.
When it does, what should we do? What’s the next move?
Assess The Injury
The first step is obviously to look at what’s happened and treat the injury. Children need help, whether it is a minor bruise or an injury so severe that they need to go to the hospital.
Stop Using The Toy And Prevent Other Children From Accessing It
If the toy is indeed dangerous, you need to take it out of circulation immediately. Removing it from your children makes it less likely that they will harm themselves again with it.
Once it is safely out of reach, it’s up to you how you want to proceed.
Document What Happened
Documenting what happened as soon as you finish tending to your child is essential. Writing down the sequence of events is critical for potentially establishing blame and preventing the same thing from happening to other kids.
If you can attach photos to the documentation describing what happened, that’s even better. These can provide visual evidence if the case goes to court, becomes part of a class action, or forms a legal settlement.
Report The Incident
Next, you’ll want to report the incident to the relevant governing body in your country. CPSC is the place to start in the U.S.
You can usually see if a toy has been recalled on these websites, and if the news is new, it should be quite obvious.
You can also use search engines on many of these sites, exploring the toy’s name and brand number. Ideally, you should return it instead of disposing of it.
Talk To The Manufacturer
It might also be worth talking to the manufacturer and discussing what happened, especially if they are unaware of the problem and haven’t yet issued a recall. Discussing with them what’s gone wrong can be a great way to get the word out and prevent other children from being harmed.
Usually, the manufacturer will want to investigate more and ask for details about the injury to your child. Once you provide these, they will start an investigation, and perhaps offer a refund or settlement up front.
However, you need to be careful when you discuss matters with them.
Consult A Legal Professional
If your child has an injury, you should also consult a legal professional, something recommended by the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp. Product liability is a real issue and something that affects countless people every year, often entitling them to compensation.
The best option is to ask your attorney to speak to the manufacturer or relevant suppliers about the toy. This way, you can ensure legal protection and the best possible chance of receiving the compensation owed to you.
Review Toys At Home
Finally, you might want to review the types you keep at home. You may find that other toys are dangerous or on the recall list and need to be sent back to the manufacturer.