Defective Products

Lowe’s, a national home improvement store chain, and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a recall of more than 6 million individual Roman shades and 5 million individual roll-up blinds, reports Bloomberg Businessweek. Lowe’s had sold the blinds and shades for nearly ten years. The blinds were sold between 1999 and 2010 and cost anywhere from $10 to $1,800 apiece. Although Lowe’s is not the only store that has sold or recalled these Roman shades and blinds, it is one of the largest retailers of the recalled products.

The recall was announced after the CPSC received many reports of children becoming tangled in the blinds, which resulted in the child choking. At least two children have been severely injured by the blinds, according to the article. The cords on the blinds are easy for children to reach and leave gaps that a child can poke his or her head into, resulting in injury.

Parents who have these blinds should stop using them immediately in order to prevent any future risk of injury to children. They may also remove the hazard by taking the cords off the blinds or shades, or by securing the cords where children cannot reach them. Parents can also obtain a free safety repair kit for the blinds by calling the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4636 or by contacting Lowe’s.

It is very scary for a child to suffer a serious personal injury, for both the child as well as their parents, particularly by a household product that was believed to have been safe. During this frightening and confusing time, it helps to have someone on your side. An experienced Texas personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options, as well as help you fight for the compensation your family deserves, allowing you and your child to focus on healing.

Home decoration and furniture giant Ikea recently announced a recall of 3.36 million window blinds and shades it sold from January 1998 to June 2009. According to The Dallas Morning News, the Consumer Product Safety Commission received a report that a Lowell, Massachusetts boy had become entangled in one of the blinds and choked. The recall covers Roman shades and roll-up shades as well as some roller blinds that were sold without a certain tension device installed.

Child safety is a major concern when it comes to window treatments like blinds or shades. The blinds and shades sold by Ikea are being recalled because young children’s necks may become entangled in the cords. In addition, a child playing with or near the roller blinds or the Roman shades may choke if the chain installed to raise or lower the blinds is left to swing freely, instead of being attached to the wall or floor.

On the recalled roll-up blinds, children’s necks may be caught by the extra fabric in the blind if the adjustment loop slides off. The Roman shades also endanger children who may get caught between the blind’s inner cords and the back side of the blind.

Ikea is one of several retailers who agreed to join the latest recall, as well as one announced last year. Last year’s recall covered millions of Roman shades and roll-up blinds sold at Ikea and other stores. It was initiated after the Consumer Products Safety Commission received reports of at least eight deaths and 16 strangulation-related injuries caused by Roman shades and roll-up blinds.

Persons injured by defective products in Texas may be eligible to recover damages from a negligent manufacturer or supplier. Damages can include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and continuing care, or for the untimely loss of a loved one.