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Trampoline Manufacturer Fined $105,000
January 25, 2008

A Missouri-based trampoline manufacturer has agreed to pay $105,000 to the government in a civil penalty. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the penalty is in response to the failure of the company, Stamina Products, from reporting to the CPSC serious defects in its trampolines that were responsible for causing several injuries.

Between April 2002 and June 2005, the company received at least 13 reports of incidents in which the trampoline sprang back open again as it as being folded or unfolded. This caused injuries to consumers ranging from broken teeth and bruises to more serious injuries like blurred vision, broken facial bones, a rotated disc and even two concussions. Stamina Products failed to report these incidents to CPSC on time. The agency was informed of these incidents only in July 2005, more than 3 years after the first incident was reported, and it wasn't until a year later that Stamina Products initiated a voluntary recall.

According to CPSC regulations, a company that finds one of its products has a defect that is capable of causing serious injury or death has a duty to inform the agency within 24 hours of finding out about the defect. Stamina Products was grossly negligent and it does seem like they hoped these incidents would never be brought to light. This penalty should serve as a warning to other manufacturers to be prompt in their response to any defects in their products.

If you have been injured by a recalled or dangerous product, you need the assistance of an experienced California personal injury law firm. Contact an attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.

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Tree Stand Manufacturer to Pay Civil Penalty
January 11, 2008

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Ardisam Inc, a Wisconsin based tree stand manufacturer, has agree to pay the government a civil penalty of $420,000. The penalty relates to a lawsuit that alleges that the company, which manufactures tree stands used by hunters, failed to inform the CPSC of serious defects in its Big Foot and Lite Foot brand tree stands. These defects were serious enough to cause the stand to detach itself from the tree leading to the occupant falling to the ground.

The lawsuit claimed that reports of stands detaching from trees were being received as early as 2000. Many hunters had reported receiving grievous injuries as a result of these indents, including broken bones and other injuries. Ardisam failed to report these incidents that were caused by its defective stands to the CPSC. When Ardisam finally contacted the CPSC about the defective stands it was May of 2004.

Federal law is very clear in this respect. Companies who notice that their products may include defects that could cause injuries are required to report these to the CPSC immediately so that the agency can initiate recalls of these products. The longer a company waits to report such defective products, the greater the danger of injuries from the product, which is unacceptable.

In its response to the lawsuit, the company denied that it had been tardy in reporting defects in its hunting tree stands.

If you have been hurt by a recalled or dangerous product, contact an experienced California personal injury attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.

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