PROTECTING THE LEGAL INTERESTS OF INJURED HAWAII RESIDENTS AND VISITORS SINCE 1973

Defective products may place Hawaiian children in danger

On Behalf of | Mar 22, 2016 | Product Liability |

Parents traveling by vehicle with children obviously want to keep their kids safe on the road. Many Hawaiian parents, like those in other states, have been instructed to place children in the rear seat of a vehicle for maximum safety. An apparent ongoing problem has gained media attention regarding children who were properly restrained in backseats but suffered serious injuries because of allegedly defective products in some vehicles.

One 7-year-old boy was riding with his father when they were involved in an accident. The front seat collapsed upon impact, propelling the dad backwards into his son, who was in a rear seat. The child suffered permanent brain injury, partial blindness and paralysis as a result.

A jury in Texas recently found an automaker liable for $124.5 million in damages caused by the apparent front seat defects. When the vehicles in question are hit from behind, the drivers’ seats and front passenger seats seem to collapse toward the rear, often ejecting those in front into the backseats (many times on top of rear-seat passengers). Other car companies have reportedly stated that the repair would only have cost the automaker a few dollars.

Parents in Hawaii whose children have been seriously injured due to defective products, such as poorly designed auto parts, may seek recourse through the legal system by filing a claim on behalf of their children. A successfully litigated claim can provide compensation that can help parents meet costs for medical bills and other expenses associated with an accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help a concerned parent identify all possible sources of liability in order to present a claim in court.

Source: CBS News, ““No excuse”: Safety experts say this car defect puts kids in danger“, Megan Towey, Kris Van Cleave, March 9, 2016

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