Hazardous Lead Levels in Christmas Toys: What to Do

 Posted on October 24, 2023 in Personal Injury

Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year for children. They end up with new toys, and the excitement is unbearable. However, it is important to be cautious of lead levels, especially with unfamiliar brands. You should know that you have rights if you end up finding high lead levels in your child’s toy. A Florida lawyer can help you with what to do for the next steps to seek a product liability case.

Obtaining Prompt Medical Testing

If lead exposure is probable from a toy, immediately consult your pediatrician about getting your child’s blood tested. Even small concentrations of ingested or inhaled lead absorbed into the body can inflict severe neurological damage, especially in young children.

Blood testing by a medical professional determines your child’s current blood lead levels. Elevated concentrations above the CDC reference range will likely necessitate medical treatment to bind and remove lead, preventing lasting health consequences. Carefully obtain and document these test results as evidence.

Reporting the Dangerous Toy to Authorities

Once you suspect a toy presents lead hazards, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) immediately to report the unsafe children’s product. Provide the toy itself in its original packaging, along with purchase information.

The CPSC relies on consumer reports to identify hazardous products requiring market removal. Your information helps trigger investigative testing procedures and facilitates recalls, if necessary, to get these toxic toys off shelves and out of online sales channels. Proper reporting protects others as they will pull that specific toy off the market and let past customers know.

Exploring Legal Action Against the Manufacturer

If there is proof that your child suffered health impacts from excessive lead exposure through the toy, consider pursuing a product liability lawsuit against the negligent manufacturer. An attorney can help you with this by:

• Legally compelling expanded medical testing to substantiate the nature and extent of your child’s injuries
• Commissioning independent laboratory analysis of the toy’s dangerously high lead concentrations
• Scrutinizing the company’s design protocols and production practices regarding lead testing compliance and quality control
• Assessing regulatory violations related to dangerously permissible lead levels or inadequate warning labels

Holding manufacturers accountable through legal action motivates industry-wide improvements in health standards and safety precautions. Lawsuits also provide a mechanism to obtain financial resources needed to cover your child’s medical treatment and monitoring.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale, FL Product Liability Lawyer

It is important to monitor your child’s toys to ensure they are safe, including having some lead tests on hand. You deserve to seek legal representation if your child gets exposed and sick because of elevated lead levels. A Broward County, FL product liability attorney can help you explore your options. Call The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. at 800-555-4011 for a free consultation.