Fidget spinners are the newest craze in youth culture and on social media. However, parents are alleging these toys have caused serious injuries and need to be recalled. Each year, toy companies are sued for manufacturing and distributing toys that pose serious safety risks to children. In these scary and unfortunate situations it is important that you are aware of your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for you or a loved one’s medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. We work with some of the most experienced dangerous toy lawyers around the nation who will charge no legal fee unless you receive compensation for your fidget spinner lawsuit.
What Are Fidget Spinners?
Fidget spinners are small devices centered on a ball-bearing that people can balance on their hands and spin. They were invented in the 1990s, as a tool to help those with attention disorders or anxiety release pent-up energy and relieve stress. While some scientists believe fidget spinners offer real mental health benefits, many critics claim they actually cause more of a distraction. In fact, many schools across the country have issued bans on these toys since their popularity has skyrocketed. Teachers claim that fidget spinners could be useful if they were used as tools and not as toys.
What Makes Spinners So Dangerous?
These gadgets typically consist of a two or three blade spinner attached to a ball-bearing in the center piece, which the user holds. Spinners can be made of a variety of materials including, brass, stainless steel, cooper, titanium, and plastic. Experts claim that these parts should not be removable without the use of tools, yet children still seem to be able to remove them. Spinners come in countless shapes, sizes, and colors, creating a desire among youths to collect them.
However, there is much concern regarding the manufacturing process of fidget spinners. The reason for concern is directly attributed to the lack of a patent. Without a patent on fidget spinners, anyone in the world is free to manufacture these toys. They are being mass produced at a high rate to accommodate demand, which makes them difficult to regulate. Without a leading company producing spinners, consumers have no way to tell if a spinner is of good quality, or simply pieced together poorly for mass production.
Have There Been Any Incidents With Fidget Spinners?
To date, no lawsuits have been filed regarding fidget spinners. However, a few concerned parents have been outspoken about the danger of fidget spinners and the need to get them off the shelves. A 5-year-old boy removed a piece of his fidget spinner and swallowed it. Unfortunately, he had to be rushed to the hospital and have the disc surgically removed. Choking is not the only safety concern with fidget spinners. A 3-year-old boy was injured after a piece of his spinner got lodged in his middle finger. He had to be taken to the emergency room, where doctors removed the metal shard from his finger. The injured children’s parents want fidget spinners recalled so they can be properly labeled with appropriate choking hazard warnings.
Will Fidget Spinners Become Regulated?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has now announced it is taking a closer look at these products. The agency told media outlets that it is investigating the incidents where children were injured by fidget spinner parts. The agency is warning parents to keep these toys away from young children, since they face a greater risk of choking on small parts. Safety experts say that these types of injuries are happening because the fidget spinners currently in the market don’t come with the appropriate age ratings and safety warnings. The CPSC requires any toy marketed for use by children to be labeled if it poses a potential choking hazard.
How Come Fidget Spinners Have No Warning Labels?
A patent for fidget spinners was filed for in 1997 but has since been abandoned. Since the patent is no longer in use and the market is growing, fidget spinners are being mass produced by a multitude of manufacturers. Since they are being so widely produced and sold, it is difficult to regulate these gadgets in terms of safety warning labels. Without warning labels, how are parents supposed to know this plastic toy has tiny detachable parts that their children can choke on? If your child is playing with a fidget spinner and is between 3 and 6 years of age, make sure they are supervised. Older children should still be warned about the dangers and particularly instructed not to put the parts in their mouths. Some fidget spinners are of better quality than others, so if you are buying one online be sure to read the reviews before purchasing one.
Why Call Our Firm Today?
Here are 10 simple reasons to hire d’Oliveira & Associates! Manufacturers have a responsibility to put out products that are safe for consumers of all ages. When these products pose specific dangers, manufacturers also have a responsibility to inform consumers about these hazards. The personal injury law firm of d’Oliveira & Associates is working with product defect attorneys across the country who represent the rights of individuals who are injured due to defective products. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll-free number at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form online.