Magnetix Defective Toy Injuries Lead to Expanded Recall
| We hope that the following post will prevent more deaths and serious injuries to young children as the result of a dangerous toy known as Magnetix. Additional serious injuries to children reported following the March 31, 2006 recall announcement of Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets have prompted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mega Brands America, Inc. (”Mega Brands”) (the new owner of Rose Art Industries, Inc.) to announce an expanded recall. In excess of 4 million units are involved. A news report concerning the problem is here
To date, CPSC and Mega Brands are aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported. Although the hazard was initially thought to be a problem primarily for children younger than six, it has since been learned that at least ten injuries involved children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old. The toy is composed of multiple plastic pieces with small, strong magnets on their sides and corners. The magnets lock the pieces together. If magnets come off and at least two are swallowed, they can clamp together inside the body and cause injury or death. The magnets can travel into the small intestine where they may pinch loops of bowel together, leading to a strangling of the intestine blood supply and gangrene. The Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that its investigation is “serious and ongoing.” Parents of children who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of swallowing these magnets should consult a product liability lawyer immediately. http://www.lawcolorado.net/defective-products/ |
