For years, some corporations have knowingly shipped toys with hidden dangers like small parts, loose magnets, asbestos, and other toxic chemicals, until outrage from parents and civil actions forced regulators or manufacturers to act. This Report explores the role of the civil justice system and the legal profession in protecting children from unforeseen hazards in toys, and also has some excellent resources for parents.
The U.S. imports more than 30,000 tons of toys every year from foreign markets, accounting now for 95 percent of toys sold in the U.S. As toys have become more sophisticated, so too have the risks associated with them. While regulators lack the resources and staff to police the market, parents, consumer groups and the civil justice system have stepped into the void.
The report, titled, “Playing with Safety: Dangerous Toys and the Role of America’s Civil Justice System,” details how the public learned about little known dangers hidden in today’s popular toys. The report also has some excellent resources for parents.