Defective toys often sold online after recall

Now that the holidays have come and gone and all your presents have been opened, you and your loved ones have likely had a chance to use your new items. Whether it is a household item, a vehicle or even a toy, as consumers, we expect everything to work as it was intended. Unfortunately, this does not always occur, and a defective or dangerous product could get in the hands of adults and children.

When hazardous toys enter the stream of commerce, recalls are issued. The recall process is used to not only put consumers on notice but to also take these defective products off the market. But these recalls do not always prevent toys from being sold or purchased.

Unlike motor vehicle companies that notify consumers when a recall is issued, toy companies do not do the same with their consumers. Based on current research, dangerous toys recalled between January 2015 and October 2016 were placed on the list for reasons such as lead, powerful magnets and other similar hazards.

Consumers should be able to trust the toys that they purchase and trust that they are safe. Unfortunately, there are two concerning issues when it comes to toy recalls. First, not all recalls are well publicized, so it is likely that recalled toys are still used. Second, even when toys are recalled, they might still be available online for purchase. This means that toys that could cause serious injuries and harm could still be on the market.

If your child has suffered an injury as a result of a dangerous or defective toy, you might have legal recourses available to you. A products liability suit could help hold a manufacturer accountable for the defects while also helping an injured consumer recover compensation for losses and damages.

Source: Foxnews.com, "Consumer watchdog warns some recalled toys still being sold online," Nov. 23, 2016