CPSC Issues Recall Of Defective Leaf Blowers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently initiated a recall related to DR Power Equipment’s Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums due to a potential laceration hazard. The Walk-Behind Leaf Blowers and Vacuums, and Tow-Behind Leaf Vacuums have a potential defect involving pieces from the leaf blowers and vacuums coming loose inside the unit. The pieces can then be ejected from the unit causing a potential laceration hazard to users and bystanders.

About 57,200 units are subject to the recall including another 956 in Canada. The company says that they will repair the defect in the leaf blower free of charge for anyone who purchased an affected model.

The company has fielded 22 reports of shrapnel being ejected by the leaf blower. However, no injuries have been reported.

This is a known problem with leaf blowers 

DR Power Equipment’s leaf blowers aren’t the only models that have this issue. It is a well-known problem with several models of leaf blowers. A defective leaf blower’s internal components break apart inside the unit. The loose components are then ejected through the unit creating a projectile hazard that poses a serious risk of injury.

While a recall was issued in this case, there need not be a product recall to file a lawsuit against a company that caused an injury to one of their customers through the defective design of a product. Companies are strictly liable for their products when the product is used in a fashion that can be readily anticipated by the manufacturer. Further, the fact that a product has not been recalled does not mean it’s not defective.

On the other hand, issuing a recall does not mean that the company is not responsible for any injuries their product causes. The recall does not act as a legal shield for the company. If you have been struck by shrapnel from a defective leaf blower, you are entitled to file a lawsuit against the company regardless of whether they issued a recall or not.

Often, recalls depend on self-reporting. In other words, companies often contact the CPSC to ensure that a problem with their device is known and they can repair the device before it causes substantial injury to one of its customers.

Contrary to popular belief, government agencies do not test every product on the market to ensure that they are safe for use. Recalls depend heavily on the self-reporting of individual companies and their consumers. In this case, the company received 22 reports of the leaf blower projecting shrapnel from the interior of the device. No one has been injured yet, but that could easily change.

Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today 

The Florida personal injury lawyers at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of consumers who have been injured by dangerous or defective products. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your case right away.

Source:

cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/DR-Power-Equipment-Recalls-Leaf-Blowers-and-Leaf-Vacuums-Due-to-Laceration-Hazard