New York City, New York (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) — Let us give you an example of the danger posed by cheaply made imported products. We represented a man who was terribly injured by an elastic cord tie-down or “bungee cord.” The product was a length of stretchy cord with cheap metal hooks affixed to either end. The idea was that wrapping the cord around it, and then latching the hooks to a stationary point could secure an object.
Unfortunately, because of their flimsy construction, the hooks bent under ordinary amounts of stress. The hooks and cord would then release, suddenly, posing a danger to anyone standing nearby. If you think of a slingshot, you can imagine the force behind the flying hook. This force caused a permanent, disfiguring injury to our client.
Fortunately, when it comes to protecting the consumers from dangerous products, New York law places the same duty on wholesalers and retailers as on manufacturers. In other words, the corner variety store or large, chain department store is just as responsible for the sale of a defective product as is the factory for making it. These protections will become even more important as foreign goods, not subject to the same standards as American products, continue to flood our markets.
Author: Nicholas Papain – President NYSTLA – Prominent Attorney / Product Liability Lawyer New York City