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11/03/14   |   By

What Do Consumers Need to Know About Recalls That Might Affect Them? | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

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Earlier this year, we spilled a lot of virtual ink addressing the GM recall debacle. As you may remember, the federal government scolded and fined the car company GM for manufacturing vehicles with defective ignition switches. This multi-billion dollar recall worried millions of consumers and consumed a lot of media oxygen.

But what exactly IS a recall? More importantly, when do you personally need to be concerned?

The government, under the aegis of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and in conjunction with manufacturers, can seek to remove potentially dangerous products from the marketplace to protect consumers. This act is known as a recall. (The Food and Drug Administration as well as the National Highway Traffic Administration also have the power to recall products.)

Almost any product imaginable can be recalled, including toys, cribs, car parts, and pieces of industrial machinery. The CPSC identifies potentially dangerous goods in numerous ways. Sometimes, the manufacturer will identify issues through independent testing. Other times, people get hurt, and these incidents prompt action. Thousands of products in diverse industries get recalled every year, but distracted consumers often don’t ever hear about them for a variety of reasons. First, manufacturers don’t particularly love to advertise that they have sold defective products. Instead of rolling out massive ad campaigns to alert buyers, they often issue the minimum possible publicity, such as basic press releases. Second, consumers are just overwhelmed. Finally, some people just don’t know where to look to get information.

So how can you protect yourself and your family? Sites like http://www.saferproducts.gov can help you check out reports from other consumers. You can also search for recall notices on the websites of the FDA, NHTSA, and the CPSC or call the Consumer Protection Agency at 1-800-636-CPSC. In general, be vigilant, especially when you research and purchase children toys.

If someone in your family got hurt or even killed due to what you believe might have been a defective product, contact the Washington D.C. defective product lawyers at Regan, Zambri & Long to schedule a free consultation with our team.

Be a more mindful parent. Learn how to choose the right car seats for your kids by reading: DOT Reveals Powerful New Tools, Technologies and Ideas to Boost Car Seat Safety

Regan Zambri Long
Posted In
BlogSafety Recalls
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