My Kid’s Toys Contain Lead: What Do I Do?
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It is a natural want for parents to supply their children with the best entertainment possible. It can make them happy, and maybe even give parents a moment to relax while the kids enjoy their newest collection piece.
However, sometimes toy manufacturers create their products in ways that make them dangerous for children. Often, they create the toys this way to maximize profit for the company, giving little regard to the health of children. One manner in which they may cut corners is by using a high amount of lead in the creation of the toy itself. Lead is known to be poisonous and is very dangerous for children.
Fidget spinners and lead poisoning
One example of a toy putting a child in danger of lead poisoning is the outbreak fad known as fidget spinners. Fidget spinners have a piece in the center that your child can hold onto and an outside body that is weighted in such a way that it can rotate for an extended period. While fidget spinners were initially created for kids who had a difficult time paying attention if their hands were not doing something, the toy has become a phenomenon that has swept the nation. Unfortunately, recently some models of fidget spinners were found to have possibly contained a dangerous amount of lead in them.
How can you tell if your child has lead poisoning?
If your child begins acting strangely or has fallen ill, it is possible that they have contracted lead poisoning. Before you take them to the doctor, there are a few symptoms you can look. They include:
- Irritability
- Sluggishness and fatigue
- Vomiting and Constipation
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Hearing loss
- Learning difficulties
- Developmental delay
- Eating things that aren’t food (pica)
- Seizures
What to do if your child has lead poisoning
If your child has the symptoms above, it is possible that they have become ill with lead poisoning. The first thing you should do is take them to a child care specialist for a second opinion. If the pediatric doctor also determines that your child has lead poisoning, you need to follow the doctor’s treatment advice as accurately as you can. Ensuring the health and safety of your child is the most important thing to do after learning that they have lead poisoning.
Receive compensation after lead poisoning
The legal side of what to do if your child is poisoned with lead may be a little more complicated. The price of lead value may be costly, and it is unfair for your family to be stuck footing the bill after a toy corporation made a choice to use dangerous materials to maximize profit.
The first step to take to receive compensation is to determine which toy specifically gave your child the lead poisoning. The simplest way to learn which toy made you child sick is to check online for recalls or stories from parents whose child also became ill after using a particular toy that you also own.
It is possible that you do not find a toy that your child has that is known for having the potential for causing lead poisoning. That may mean that either one of your child’s toys is dangerous, and no one else has fallen ill from it or that there is another hazard in your house that has infected your child with lead poisoning. It may be a good idea create a post on a forum detailing your child’s toy collection. Any other parent that reads your post and is in a similar situation as you are in may be able to help you narrow down the field of possibly dangerous toys.
If you do find a toy in your child’s collection that is dangerous, you need to contact an attorney as quickly as possible. The toy manufacturer has a responsibility to create toys that are safe for the children that play with them and failing to do so makes them negligent in regards to your child’s illness. Because their negligence was a direct cause of you and your kids suffering, they will likely be held liable for the damages posed by the lead poisoning. That cost can include the price of doctor visits, medicine, and even trauma if your child dies due to the lead poisoning.
If you know has a child that has been found to have lead poisoning because of a toy, call our office to speak to a defective products attorney. Our expert team of personal injury lawyers in Mobile, AL has the legal expertise to get you and your family the compensation you deserve.