CPSC Warns of Child Injuries Caused by Swallowing Magnets
Numerous reports of children being severely injured after swallowing magnets has led the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a warning about the severe injuries that could be caused by such incidents. Incidents have been reported for victims ranging from toddlers to teenagers, but the cases center around swallowing two or more magnets and suffering severe internal damage from the items’ interaction with one another inside the body.
The majority of the child injury incidents have been caused by very powerful ball-bearing magnets, and they have increased in regularity with seven in 2010 and 14 occurring in 2011 through October. The injuries occur when multiple magnets swallowed by the victim are attracted to one another internally and cause damage to internal organs. Depending on the placement of the magnets, multiple injuries can occur, including holes punctured into the stomach and intestines, intestinal blockage, and death.
Incidents with the magnets have been caused by victims either swallowing or accidentally inhaling them, and a large portion has required surgery to remove them and repair the damage that has been caused. Magnets involved in the incidents have come from adult items such as stress relievers and stationary. Magnets that are small enough to be swallowed by children are banned in toys for those younger than 14.
When a child is injured by seemingly a harmless product, those responsible for the defective or dangerous item can be held liable for the damages caused. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous product in New York, contact the New York product liability attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro. Our law team has the experience and knowledge necessary to win our clients’ injury cases and get them the compensation they need. Call our offices today for a free legal consultation at (212) 222-4336.
