The plethora of toys available in stores provide fun for not only youngsters, but the whole family, as well. Yet when an injury from a toy occurs, entertainment can become a catastrophe in a matter of seconds. While a toy defect can cause general mistrust in manufacturers, Connecticut enforces product liability laws to protect individuals if such an incident should occur.
Many parents may ask how dangerous toys reach stores in the first place. World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) is a non-profit organization that informs the public of dangerous children’s toys and products. Pointing out the huge lack in adequate mandatory pre-market safety testing of toys in comparison to the rigid testing of food and drugs, W.A.T.C.H. serves as a reliable resource for parents to use when checking for product malfunction and potential dangers. Since 1973, the organization has provided a yearly “10 Worst Toys” list that identifies toys with the potential to cause harm, and even death. W.A.T.C.H. speaks out against the overwhelming number of toy recalls that continuously occur, and strives for stricter toy screening to prevent further accidents.
According to FindLaw, the state of Connecticut has its own product liability laws that apply to defective toys. In regards to the statute of limitations, plaintiffs have three years from the injury or death to file a product liability lawsuit, but the state’s discovery rule can potentially extend that time limit. And while every case varies, Connecticut also holds what is called a pure comparative negligence standard for product liability actions, where individuals may seek compensation even if they are partially at fault for an injury. The state’s laws on this topic are complex, and it is important that individuals seeking to file a lawsuit understand all angles of product liability laws.