Defective Children’s Products and Injury Lawsuits in Georgia: What Parents Should Know
When parents purchase a product for their child, they trust that it has been tested, vetted, and deemed safe. Unfortunately, that trust is often broken and with devastating consequences.
From dangerous cribs and recalled toys to defective car seats and strollers, hazardous children’s products have caused severe injuries and even deaths across Georgia and the nation.
At Butler Prather LLP, we believe children deserve the highest standard of safety. If your child has been harmed by a defective product, our attorneys are prepared to help you pursue justice.
Why Defective Children’s Products Are So Dangerous
Children are especially vulnerable to defective products because they rely on adults to make safe choices for them. Their developing bodies, curiosity, and inability to assess risk make even minor design flaws potentially deadly. Common hazards include:
- Small parts that pose choking risks
- Unstable high chairs or cribs
- Faulty safety harnesses
- Flammable clothing or bedding
- Car seats that fail in crashes
Despite federal regulations and safety standards, recalled toys and other defective children’s products continue to reach store shelves. In some cases, products are rushed to market without proper testing. In others, manufacturers ignore complaints or hide known defects.
Examples of Dangerous Child Products
Across Georgia and the U.S., multiple high-profile recalls and lawsuits have drawn attention to the dangers of defective products for children:
- Dangerous cribs with drop-side designs have caused entrapment and suffocation.
- Inclined sleepers were recalled after being linked to dozens of infant deaths.
- Magnet toys have been banned and reintroduced multiple times due to their severe internal injury risk if swallowed.
- Defective booster seats have failed to protect children in side-impact collisions.
Your Rights as a Parent in Georgia
Georgia law allows parents to file product liability lawsuits on behalf of their minor children. If a defective product caused injury or death, you may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death
Who Is Liable for These Injuries?
Product liability for minors can involve multiple parties. You may be able to pursue claims against:
- The product manufacturer
- The designer or engineering team
- The company responsible for safety testing
- Distributors, wholesalers, or retailers
In some cases, products made overseas may fall under international trade regulations, but U.S. companies that import or sell the items can still be held liable.
Types of Product Defects That Can Lead to Lawsuits
To succeed in a child safety lawsuit, you generally need to prove that the product was defective and that the defect directly caused the injury. Defects fall into three categories:
Design Defects
These are flaws inherent to the product’s design, making it unsafe even when manufactured correctly. For example, a stroller with a high center of gravity that tips easily.
Manufacturing Defects
These occur during the production process, such as a broken strap on a high chair or a missing screw in a crib.
Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)
This includes improper labeling, inadequate instructions, or failure to warn of known hazards, such as age-inappropriate toy warnings.
What to Do If Your Child Is Injured by a Defective Product
Taking the right steps after an injury can make a significant difference in your case. Here’s how to act:
Step 1: Get Medical Help
Your child’s health and safety come first. Seek emergency treatment and follow up with all recommended care. Medical records will also serve as key evidence in your case.
Step 2: Preserve the Product
Do not throw away or alter the defective item. Keep it in a secure location so that experts can evaluate its condition. This is critical in establishing product liability for minors.
Step 3: Document the Event
Take photos of:
- The defective product,
- Your child’s injuries,
- The environment where the injury occurred,
- Write down what happened and collect witness statements if applicable.
Step 4: Check for Recalls
Check to see if the product has been recalled. A recall can strengthen your legal claim, but it is not necessary to win a case.
Step 5: Speak with a Child Product Injury Lawyer
Time is critical. A lawyer experienced in children’s product cases can begin preserving evidence, consulting safety experts, and pursuing your claim.
The Statute of Limitations for Children’s Injury Lawsuits in Georgia
In Georgia, the general statute of limitations for personal injury is two years. However, for children, this deadline may be tolled (paused) until they turn 18. That said, certain damages like medical expenses incurred by the parent may have to be claimed sooner.
If the claim involves a government entity (such as a school or public daycare), notice requirements may shorten the window to act. That’s why it’s a good idea to contact an attorney right away.
Building a Strong Product Liability Case
At Butler Prather LLP, we know what it takes to pursue justice for children injured by defective products. Our legal team conducts thorough investigations that may include:
- Analyzing the product’s design and materials
- Reviewing company records, complaint history, and prior recalls
- Hiring industry experts to assess how the product failed
- Interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage (if available)
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, and our record of multi-million-dollar verdicts speaks for itself. When your child’s future is at stake, you need a legal team that never backs down.
Compensation in a Child Safety Lawsuit
Your family may be entitled to compensation that covers:
- Emergency and long-term medical care
- Specialized therapy or rehabilitation
- Psychological support for trauma
- Modifications to your home for accessibility (if needed)
- Parental loss of income while caring for the child
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish particularly reckless or intentional conduct by a manufacturer.
Why Choose Butler Prather LLP
Since 1988, Butler Prather LLP has represented injured consumers and their families in high-stakes litigation throughout Georgia and across the country. We have earned national recognition for our success in product liability cases, including those involving:
- Dangerous cribs and sleep products
- Recalled toys and children’s furniture
- Defective car seats and strollers
- Toxic materials or faulty electronics
With over 35 years of experience and numerous verdicts exceeding $100 million, we know how to fight back against negligent corporations.
Speak With a Trusted Defective Children’s Product Lawyer in Columbus
If your child has been harmed by a defective product, don’t wait to get help. Contact Butler Prather LLP at (706) 322-1990 today to schedule a free consultation today.
Let our Columbus defective children’s products attorneys help you pursue the compensation your family deserves.