Every year, hundreds of companies issue recalls for products they sell to customers, often (but not always) after it is found that someone was hurt as a result of their products. These recalls are essential for protecting the public from potentially dangerous products. But what exactly is a product recall, and why does it matter when a company does it?

Explaining Product Recalls

In simple terms, a product recall is when a manufacturer asks people to return a product they have made due to a serious defect that makes the product potentially hazardous when it is used. Recalls are usually (but not always) issued when it is discovered that a product has a design defect, meaning that an entire product line is affected by a problem. This means that product recalls can easily affect hundreds, thousands, or sometimes even millions of products at a time.

Types of Product Recalls

There are two primary types of recalls: voluntary and involuntary. The majority of recalls are voluntary, where a manufacturer agrees to withdraw products of their own volition. However, some recalls are involuntary, meaning they are requested at the behest of a government authority, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Reasons for Product Recalls

Product recalls can occur for any number of reasons. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Products found to be made with toxic or flammable materials.
  • Products made for children with pieces that can become choking hazards if swallowed.
  • Food that has been contaminated with e. Coli or other foodborne illnesses.
  • Food with undisclosed ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.
  • Medicine that has unexpected or undisclosed side effects.
  • Power tools with non-functional safety mechanisms.
  • Electronics that overheat or short circuit during regular use.
  • Safety equipment that fails to protect against hazards they are meant to protect against.
  • Vehicles with airbags that do not deploy, or which deploy erratically.

How Product Recalls Can Affect You

If you own a product that has been recalled, you should check to see if there is a mechanism to return your product and seek a refund. If you or someone you love has been injured by a recalled product, however, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling product liability cases. They can help you to explore potential legal options so that you can obtain compensation for any harm you may have suffered. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work helping you to get the justice you deserve.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.