According to recent estimates, 3.1 percent of the world's children reside in the U.S., but they represent 40 percent of toy consumption. Of those toys, only about 20 percent come from the U.S. and about 90 percent of imports come from China, which is known for continued use of lead paint and other hazardous practices.

Due to high incidents of toy-related injuries among children, each Los Angeles accident lawyer at our firm closely monitors the actions taken by government authorities to help ensure toy safety. In fact, the government imposes strict regulations on toy imports, but it appears that no action is enough to fully protect children.

Federal Authorities are Dedicated to Closely Monitoring the Toy Industry

With strict standards in place for imports, the federal government takes action against any imported products that are deemed to be unsafe, particularly to children. Late last year, the United States Department of Justice announced actions taken against two CA companies and three individuals that failed to meet regulatory standards, including the following:

• Toys exceeding acceptable levels of lead
• Toys for children younger than 3 years of age that contained small parts and accessible batteries
• Toys in violation of standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal hazardous Substances Act

Even though the Department of Justice expresses zero tolerance for toy-related injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 2014 saw about 251,800 toy-related emergency department-treated injuries. More than half of them involved children age 12 and younger. The report goes on to state that 44 percent of injuries (largely lacerations, contusions/abrasions, fractures and strains/sprains) involved the head and face, with arms, legs and other body parts making up the balance of injuries.

Perhaps one major question is whether the government can find ways to do more to help prevent toy-related injuries to children.

Even Strict Government Action Cannot Prevent All Toy-Related Injuries

In 2015, over $19 billion in toys were sold in the U.S., so even with regulations in place, the government cannot possibly prevent every dangerous toy from making it into the marketplace. Similarly, the most diligent parents cannot conceivably identify every dangerous toy among the vast number of available products.

The good news is that the government identifies many issues before toys reach consumers; however, injuries remain all-too-common. In the event that a child sustains injuries from defective or dangerous toys, seeking skilled legal representation is essential. Call us at (844) 478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN, at our Los Angeles office at (213) 375-3777 or at our Studio City office (818) 769-6969.