Fisher-Price Recalls Child’s Toy Due To Choking Hazard

On March 21, 2024, Fisher-Price announced the recall of Little People Mickey and Friends Figures due to a potential choking hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice stating that the heads on the figurines can detach potentially creating a choking hazard in infants and toddlers. Around 204,000 units were sold in the U.S. and another 11,000 were sold in Canada.

The CPSC warns consumers to immediately stop using the Donald Duck and Daisy Duck figures, take them away from their children, and contact Fisher-Price to receive a pre-paid return label to return the figures and get a $10 refund. The recall only involves the aforementioned Donald and Daisy Duck figures that were part of the original pack.

As of yet, no injuries have been reported, but Fisher-Price has received three reports of the heads detaching from the figurines. One of those reports included details that the head detached inside the mouth of a young child.

The products were sold at Walmart, Kohls, Meijer, HEB, and Kroger stores across the U.S. and Canada. They were also sold at Amazon.com and on Walmart’s website from May 2023 through February of 2024.

Choking hazard lawsuits 

Choking hazard lawsuits are a type of product liability claim. These lawsuits are often filed by the parents of children who were injured after choking on a dangerous product marketed to infants and toddlers. Dangerous products include both toy items like the ones mentioned above, but also candy and food that is marketed to children.

Product liability lawsuits can be filed under three theories of liability. These include allegations that the product is intrinsically defective, a manufacturing defect caused the product to be unreasonably dangerous, or that the manufacturer failed to warn the consumer about a potential danger with the product.

Choking hazard lawsuits are often filed under the theory that the manufacturer failed to warn the consumer about the alleged danger. Manufacturers are required to warn consumers of any potential choking hazards. All products must be reasonably safe for consumers to use as intended. If a manufacturer fails to warn a consumer about a potential choking hazard, they can be held liable.

Toddler left quadriplegic after choking on gummy

The most recent example of a product liability lawsuit filed due to a choking hazard involves a toddler who was left quadriplegic after ingesting a gummy candy. According to the lawsuit, the toddler choked on a Candy Land Gummy Dot. The product was not labeled as being potentially dangerous. Her parents tried to remove the candy themselves but could not. Even the child’s doctors have difficulty removing the candy due to “excessive stickiness.” The family is suing the manufacturer to recover damages related to the child’s future medical needs and lost quality of life.

Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today 

Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of Florida residents who have been injured by dangerous or defective products. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation, and we can begin discussing your injuries right away.

Sources:

cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Fisher-Price-Recalls-Little-People-Mickey-and-Friends-Figures-Due-to-Choking-Hazard

westernmassnews.com/2024/01/05/vibrant-toddler-left-quadriplegic-after-choking-piece-candy-lawsuit-says/