North Carolina Product Liability Blog : North Carolina Product Liability Lawyer & Attorney : D. Hardison Wood : Toy Safety, Child Restraint, Car Seats

For any child, exercise equipment looks like fun. While an adult may dread the sight of a treadmill, to a child, it’s a playground. It is only when tragic accidents happen that we begin to pay more attention to hazards that may otherwise remain unnoticed in the home.

The heartbreaking death of Mike Tyson’s daughter is just one example of the risks that exercise machines pose. Just last year, four-year-old Exodus was found by her older brother, hanging by a cord on a treadmill in the Tyson home. She died at the hospital the next day.

The truth is, accidents like that of Mike Tyson’s daughter are not uncommon. An estimated 25,000 children are injured on exercise equipment each year. Some of the most common injuries are contusions, amputations, fractures and friction burns, some of which have required skin grafting and plastic surgery to repair. However, children are not the only ones subject to injury when it comes to exercise equipment. These machines can be dangerous, not only because of a child’s curiosity, but also because of defective parts and poor manufacturing. Many times these dangers remain unseen until an accident occurs.
 

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Graco has recalled approximately 1.2 million Harmony High Chairs due to a fall risk. According to the bulletin posted by the CPSC

The screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly. This poses a fall hazard to children.

This particular chair was manufactured from 2003 through 2009, so it is very important for all those who have this type of chair check their model numbers. Check Here

If your child has been injured due to a defective product, please contact us to discuss your child's potential legal claim.

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U.S. statistics show that in 2006, vehicle fires were to blame for “an estimated 490 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $1.3 billion in property damage“. These numbers are staggering. They become even more so when you consider that “three-quarters of highway vehicle fires resulted from mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions”. This ultimately means that the majority of the deaths, injuries and property damage sustained by vehicle fires could have been avoided altogether, if only the vehicle’s manufacturer had produced a malfunction-free, fire-safe car for the market.

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With sadness we note the passing today of one of the truly great lawyers in America: Howard Twiggs.  Howard was the former president of the American Trial Lawyers Association (now the American Association for Justice) and is one of only two lawyers to receive all three of that organization's most prestigious awards.  He was a true champion for the rights of the injured, disabled and anyone else whose voice was neglected by the judicial system.  His leadership and dedication will be sorely missed.

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NHTSA is now aware of many sudden unintended acceleration SUA complaints being lodged by consumers of Toyota vehicles.  What's new right?  Well, despite Toyota's reassurances to Congress last week, the vehicles cited in these new complaints are ones that have already been fixed pursuant to the recommended recall.  Is the recall fix not working?  Is it being performed incorrectly?  Stay tuned as we bring you the latest on Toyota's sudden acceleration saga.  The Wall Street Journal has more in depth here (subscription required).

Attorneys at the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood are currently investigating a number of SUA complaints in Toyota vehicles.  If you or a loved one has been affected by a sudden acceleration, please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience.

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Car seats have come a long way since the first sack and string models in 1898. It wasn’t until the 1930s that a car seat similar to today’s child restraint system was designed. In the 1960s and 1970s, more emphasis began to be put on child safety in vehicles and the importance of using car seats when traveling with children. And with car accidents being the number one killer of children, improvements are still needed.

In 1999, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system was established. This system is governed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 225, making it possible for child restraint systems to be installed more effectively and easily, thereby increasing child safety. All new vehicles must now be LATCH equipped, as well as all new car seats.

The LATCH system is comprised of two lower anchors and one upper anchor in the vehicle. The two lower anchors are round, rod-like bars hidden in the seat cushion. The upper anchor is a ring-like device, attached to the back of the rear seat. On the CRS itself, you will find clips that hook or snap onto the lower anchors and a hook or clamp that attaches to the upper anchor. Once all three anchors are attached, the belts connected to each should be tightened for maximum safety.
 

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