The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has seen a large decrease in companies’ reports of injuries caused by their products. The CPSC received far fewer reports in 2011 than it has in previous years.
According to an article on Digital Journal, originally reported by CBS, this sudden decrease could be caused by one of two things: companies might have actually seen fewer injuries caused by their products or those companies could be failing to accurately report the injuries caused by their products. The second option seems more likely.
These self-reports to the CPSC are required by law, but companies have many reasons to resent or dread the process. Some companies attempt to get around the requirement by claiming that certain injuries were caused by the consumer using their product inappropriately, and those injuries are not required to be reported. However, CPSC representatives will tell you that if there is any doubt, however slight, the injury must be reported.
The job of the CPSC is to protect the public “from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products.” Without accurate injury reports, the CPSC cannot do this job. The injury data helps CPSC officials to determine whether a product has a dangerous defect or if its instructions are unclear and causing consumers to use it inappropriately. If companies lie or cheat on their injury reports, they are putting the public at undue risk.
A dangerous or defective product is a big enough problem for consumers without the company trying to cover up just how dangerous the product is. If you have been injured while using a product that has since been recalled or may be defective, you may have a claim against the company that made it.
To learn more about defective product law and get a free consultation about your case, contact an attorney at the Law Offices of Gacovino Lake. Call us today at: 1-800-246-HURT (4878).
