In the latest major toy recall, Mega Brands and the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission recalled about 2.4 million toys with small magnets because
of concerns that the magnet could fall off and seriously injure children
if they swallowed or inhaled the small pieces.
Included in the voluntary MEGA Brands recall are 1.3 million MagnaMan
Magnetic Toy Figures because the toys have small magnets that can come
off. The magnets attach the body parts of each figure together.
While no injuries have been reported so far, the toymaker and the CPSC
have reported 25 incidents of the magnet pieces falling off. Toy model
numbers affected by the recall are available on theCPSC Web site.
MEGA Brands is also recalling 1.1 million Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-school
Magnetic Toys. There have so far been 19 reported incidents of small magnet
pieces falling off the toys.
One 18-month child reportedly put a magnet in his mouth but did not swallow
it. A 3-year-old boy needed medical care to remove the magnet that got
stuck in his nose.
This is not the first recall for MEGA Brands. In March 2006, MEGA Brands
recalled 3.8 million magnetic building sets after four children were seriously
injured and another child died because all of them had swallowed small
magnet pieces.
In its second magnet toy-related recall since January, Battat Inc. recalled
approximately 7,000 more toys with magnets. There have been 16 reports
of magnets falling off the building pieces of Battat Magnabild Magnetic
Building Toys or Sets.
Magnets can be very dangerous if swallowed or ingested—especially
if more than one magnet enters the human body. Intestinal perforations
or blocks can occur when two or more magnets come together and can result
in serious injuries or deaths.
Our products liability lawyers handle many toy injury cases for children
and their families. We are committed to helping you obtain compensation
for the harm and trauma that your son or daughter has suffered at the
hands of a dangerous or defective toy.
2.4M toys recalled because tiny magnets can fall out, USA Today, March 15, 2008
Battat Recalls Additional Magnetic Construction Sets; Ingested Magnets
Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards, CPSC.gov, March 13, 2008
Related Web Resources:
Swallowed Magnets Attract Trouble in Boy’s Intestines, ABC News,
February 5, 2008
Toy Magnets Attract Sales, and Suits, New York Times, July 15, 2008
Contact Gilbert & Ollanik P.C. and request your free consultation with one of our defective products attorneys.