With the coronavirus pandemic dominating the news for the past month and for the foreseeable future, it’s important to keep some normalcy in our lives. This includes keeping up with current, non-pandemic-related news. Today we wanted to share some information regarding consumer safety and product recalls. Although we may not see it at the top of the news, consumer products still continue to be recalled every day for various safety issues and defects.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a database that lists recalled products, the reason they were recalled, remedies available, and details on how to contact the manufacturer for more information.

Let’s use one current recall as an example.

The majority of citizens are under stay-at-home orders in order to curb the spread of coronavirus. And, many of us are using our kitchens and cookware a lot more than usual. Perhaps, like some of us, you’re a fan of a cup of tea each afternoon? It might be worth noting that Lenox recently recalled one of their teakettle models due to the risk of it expelling hot water during use. So far, at least four consumers have suffered severe burns. The CPSC website recommends anyone with this teapot to discontinue use and contact the manufacturer for a refund.

What to do if you’re injured by a defective product

If you’re injured by a defective or malfunctioning product while at home, we advise taking the following steps:

• Seek medical attention. If the injury is severe, seek emergency medical attention. Otherwise, contact your regular or urgent care doctor according to current coronavirus-related recommendations. Your health and safety should be your first priority. Additionally, getting medical attention creates documentation that will later be important in building a defective product claim.
• Save the product/evidence. Preserve as much of the defective product as you can, including packaging, instructions, wrapping, and the receipt or proof of purchase. Also, take photos of the product and the injuries you sustained. The more evidence you have, the better chance of a successful case.
• Contact an experienced attorney. Our product liability attorneys can consult with you to determine if you have a strong case, and provide knowledgeable answers to your questions. Although Tennessee courts are closed at the moment, that doesn’t mean we can’t start working on your case.

At the center of all defective product claims is negligence. Negligence in product liability can fall under defective design, manufacturing errors, or improper instructions or warnings. So, not only can a manufacturer be responsible – any party along the supply chain can also be liable, including the product engineer, the factory, wholesaler, or even the retail store.

The attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC are here to protect your rights when you’ve been injured in an accident. We fight for clients in Sevierville, Seymour, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding Tennessee locations. To schedule a consultation, call us at 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form to review your case.