Now that it’s been some time since the holidays, many children have a whole new set of favorite toys they have been playing with for weeks. If you’re a parent, of course you want to make sure your child’s toys continue to be safe. While you may have checked the toys your child got over the holidays, here are some additional steps you might want to take now to prevent childhood injury:
- Check recalls. Even if you checked for recalls before the holidays, check again. Check the news stories, too. New toys may have been reported unsafe after more children have had a chance to play.
- Check for wear and tear. Even a safe toy can become a danger if it is in poor condition. Look for any edges that have become sharpened with use or any small parts that have become loose or detached. For electronic toys and games, make sure they don’t overheat in use.
- Review any instructions. Check to make sure your child is using their toys as intended. If they’re not, they could be more at risk of injury.
- Check the batteries. Check that the batteries are still working and not overheating or leaking. Replace the batteries as needed.
- Store toys carefully. If you have more than one child, make sure younger children can’t easily get to games and toys intended for older children. These toys can save small parts that can be dangerous for younger kids. When storing toys, make sure they’re far from heat that can cause damage.
- Have a system for checking toys regularly. One simple system many parents use is to divide children’s toys into boxes or bins. Each day, kids get one bin of toys. This gives parents a smaller number of toys they can check each day. Fewer toys to play with also means it’s easier to clean them up after playtime, which can mean fewer trip and fall injuries, too.
Understanding Dangerous Toy Claims
If your child is injured by a dangerous toy, it could be because the toy was designed or manufactured poorly. If that’s the case, you may have a products liability claim.
A products liability claim in Florida allows you to seek compensation from manufacturers and any other liable parties who were negligent in creating a product. You may be able to seek compensation for your child’s medical bills, your own lost time at work, property damage, and any losses you suffered because of the unsafe toy.
Unfortunately, products liability claims are complicated. Toys may be designed and manufactured by different companies, with parts and materials from other businesses. Toys usually pass through many companies before landing on store shelves, and many manufacturers are located overseas, where they may seek protection from claims.
If your child has been injured by an unsafe doll, game, action figure, or other toy, you will want an experienced attorney to guide you through the claims process.
To get in touch with a legal team who has more than 60 years of combined experience, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online. We can schedule a free, no obligation case consultation to find out whether you may have a claim.