U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Urges Consumers to Stop Using the Non-compliant SQM Helmets Sold on Amazon.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent federal agency mandated with the task of shielding the American populace from unreasonable risks associated with over 15,000 types of consumer products, issued an urgent warning on July 20, 2023. The agency has called for an immediate halt in the use of SQM bicycle helmets due to a significant risk of head injury following the products’ failure to meet federal safety standards.
Established by Congress in 1973, the CPSC serves as a bulwark to ensure consumer safety. The agency provides a hotline and a website to report potentially dangerous products or product-related injuries. Any recall-related information is made available at www.saferproducts.gov.
The CPSC’s safety alert centers around SQM bicycle helmets, which have demonstrated a failure to meet the mandatory federal safety standards for bicycle helmets, specifically in the areas of positional stability and certification requirements. The agency’s rigorous testing has revealed that these helmets can potentially compromise the safety of the riders in the event of a crash.
The non-compliant helmets are sold by SQM, a company based in China, which, as of now, has not agreed to recall these helmets or offer any remedy to the consumers.
The SQM bicycle helmets in question were available for purchase on www.amazon.com between March 2022 and January 2023. Priced between $17 and $26, these helmets were sold in one size. They are black with green accents, and sport a black and gray striped pattern. The helmets also have black and gray straps and a red buckle. A label inside the helmet reads, “SQM2326, L(56-61 cm), ca. 225g, Made in China.”
In the light of their findings, the CPSC is strongly advising consumers to immediately cease usage of these SQM bicycle helmets, cut off the straps, and dispose of the helmets appropriately. The commission is urging the public to report any product defects or related injuries to the CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.
For more detailed information or for individual statements from the CPSC commissioners related to this subject, the public can visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners.
How to File Your Head Injury Lawsuit
Lawsuits involving defective consumer products such as the SQM bicycle helmets typically follow a certain process. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
- Product Injury or Harm: The process begins when an individual is injured due to a product’s failure, in this case, a bicycle helmet. The injury may be due to design or manufacturing defects, or a failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions about the product’s potential risks.
- Seek Legal Counsel: The injured party (now a plaintiff) would usually consult with an attorney who specializes in product liability law. The attorney would evaluate the merits of the potential case, determine the liability, and identify all potential defendants (which can include the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer).
- Investigation: The attorney conducts a thorough investigation. This can involve researching similar cases, consulting with experts to establish a product’s defect and the resulting harm, and gathering evidence such as medical records, eyewitness testimonies, and product recall information.
- Filing the Lawsuit: The attorney drafts a complaint that outlines the legal basis for the lawsuit, identifies the parties involved, and details the compensation sought. The complaint is filed with a court, and copies are delivered to the defendants who are then given a period of time to respond.
- Discovery Process: Both sides exchange information in a process known as discovery. This can involve written questions (interrogatories), depositions (interviews conducted under oath), and requests for documents.
- Negotiation & Settlement Discussions: Many product liability cases are resolved through settlements before they reach trial. Attorneys for both sides negotiate a potential settlement based on the strength of the case, the extent of the injury, and the potential liability of the defendants.
- Trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, the case proceeds to trial. Each side presents its case, and a judge or jury determines whether the defendants are liable and, if so, the amount of compensation.
- Appeals: After the verdict, either side can appeal the decision to a higher court. The appellate court will review the case for legal errors and decide whether to uphold or overturn the verdict.
- Payment: If the plaintiff wins the case, either at trial or through settlement, the defendants are required to pay the awarded damages.
Note that each case is unique, and the process may vary based on specific factors such as jurisdiction, the complexity of the case, and the strategies of the legal counsel involved. It is also crucial to understand that this is a lengthy process that can take several months to several years to complete.
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