Consumer Products Market Sees Decline in Personal Injury and Fatalities

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risks, personal injuries and death due to defective and unregulated consumer products. The CPSC estimates that injuries and fatalities cost the U.S. more than $1 trillion annually and is committed to protecting consumers from the risk and hazards of consumer products that may pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. Under its watchful eye, the CPSC has seen a decline in the number of personal injuries and deaths related to product liability cases arising from defective consumer products over the past four decades.

The CPSC is also responsible for upholding various regulations, laws and basic standards as delegated by the Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972. This umbrella legislation established the CPSC and provides a type of chartered course for the organization It also provides full authorization for the CPSC to develop consumer-product related standards.

When the law was amended in 2008, by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), the CPSC gained new authority and enforcement tools to monitor additional consumer-product categories such as:

• Lead containment;
• Toy safety;
• Third-party testing and certification;
• Imported products;
• All-terrain vehicles; and
• Advancement of civil and criminal penalties.

Further authority was granted to the CPSC again in 2011 under the H.R. 2715 amendment. This change to the the CPSC charter increased the agency’s authority with regard to enforcing all current consumer-related product safety laws. H.R. 2715 also expanded CPSC oversight of lead content in products as well as expanding third party testing and certification with regard to small batch manufacturers.

There are additional legislative Acts that fall under the jurisdiction of the CPSC which cover such areas as:

• Flammable liquids;
• Flammable materials;
• Hazardous materials;
• Household cleaners;
• Toxic consumer products;
• Poison prevention;
• Choking hazards;
• Refrigerator safety; and
• Pool and spa safety.

This invaluable agency has spent over 40 years protecting the consumer against defective and dangerous products, and continues to serve not only end-users but assists manufacturers and businesses in the private sector as well. Through safety education, research, statistical report data and specific product recalls, the CPSC serves as the national consumer watchdog ensuring the safety of you and your family. Under federal law, any person, manufacturer or business who knowingly markets and sells a product listed under a voluntary or mandatory recall published by the CPSC is in direct violation of said law and may be held liable for product injuries and fatalities.

If you have been injured by a defective product found on the CPSC voluntary recall list and the product has continued to be offered to consumers, the skilled Monterey product liability attorneys of Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. can help. At our law firm, we have handled cases just like yours and firmly believe that manufacturers should be held accountable for continuing to market a defective product after the CPSC has issued a voluntary or mandatory recall. We will fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our offices today to schedule your initial consultation.

• United States Consumer Product Safety Commission