Though products sold to consumers are recalled ever day, we commonly write about recalls pertaining to automobiles or products designed to be used with children. This is in part because they are the ones most often publicized. Thankfully, in many of those cases the defective or dangerous product is recalled before any serious injuries occur. Sadly, this is not the case in all instances or for all types of products.

Recently storage caddies sold by Midwest Folding Products, designed to store portable stages and risers, were voluntarily recalled. The recall followed the tragic death of a toddler who suffered a head injury when a portion of a stage that had been stored on the caddy fell on her.

The caddies that have been recalled total more than 5,000 and were sold over the course of more than 23 years. Each cost approximately $1,200. The majority of the purchasers of the product were schools, churches and centers focused on performing arts and the seller is in the process of contacting each of those purchasers directly regarding the recall.

Recalled products are generally handled several ways depending on the product and what is wrong with it. Sometimes purchasers are directed to stop using the product and to return it for a refund. In this case, repair kits and new warnings and instructions will be distributed to owners. In the meantime they are being instructed to refrain from using the caddies.

There is no doubt that these caddies provided a likely much needed convenience when it came to storing and transporting the risers and stages. As has been illustrated in previous posts however, dangers leading to injuries or death never outweigh the fact that something has been made easier.

Source: Business Week, "More than 5,000 storage caddies recalled," Aug. 1, 2012

Products liability cases are often complex. Our firm provides counsel in these types of matters. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Pittsburgh defective products page.