Most people would never worry that their clothing might be unsafe. However, defects in the design, materials, and manufacture of clothing are responsible for an alarming number of injuries every year in the United States.
Some of the most common clothing defects that lead to injuries include:
- Flammable fabrics that catch fire easily and can adhere to the skin causing serious burn injuries
- Strangulation hazards, particularly on children’s apparel
- Choking accidents caused by small, loose items that can become lodged in a child’s throat
- Poisoning hazards from apparel made with dangerous materials
To protect consumers, the U.S. government has a number of regulations that govern how clothing is made and what type of materials it is made from.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates children’s clothing and may issue recalls or take other actions when those regulations are violated. Each year, the CPSC issues recalls for children’s clothing items for defects in materials or manufacture that might cause injury to children.
One of the specific regulations that CPSC enforces is the Flammable Fabrics Act, which is applicable to both children’s and adults’ clothing. This prohibits clothing manufacturers from making their garments from certain highly flammable materials. Many recalls are issued every year for clothing that violates these regulations.
If you or some other member of your family has suffered injuries as a result of defective clothing, you may be able to recover some compensation in a defective product claim for the losses you’ve suffered. The attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can evaluate your case and advise you on the best way to proceed.
Please contact our defective product lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. Jacoby & Meyers has offices throughout the U.S.