On September 1, 2021, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that TurboSKE toddler bike helmets had been recalled. Around 860 units had been sold. The reason that these helmets were recalled was because they present a risk of head injury to small children. While this specific recall involved TurboSKE toddler bike helmets, as a parent you should be aware that other helmets kids wear have presented dangers and been subject to recall and warnings in the past. Traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures and other head injuries can dramatically alter a Chicago child’s future.
When your child wears a helmet that is defective such that he or she sustains serious injuries, you can pursue damages by filing a lawsuit. It’s important to retain an attorney who understands how to present your case persuasively to manufacturers, insurers, mediators and the court. If your child suffered head injuries in a bicycle accident and you suspect it was the result of manufacturing, design or marketing defects in the bike helmet being worn, you should call the experienced and compassionate Chicago-based product liability attorneys of the Moll Law Group.
As a parent in Chicago or another city, you may delight to teaching your toddler how to ride a tricycle or bicycle. Helmets are an important part of a parent’s instruction on riding a bike safely. Frequently, parents also put helmets on toddlers because the toddler is riding on a seat on the back of the parent’s own bicycle in traffic. A negligent driver of a larger vehicle may cause an accident that results in catastrophic or even fatal head and neck injuries. It is tragic when a child unknowingly wears a defective bike helmet and gets into a serious collision or spill.
The recently recalled helmets were manufactured by Dongguan Flying Sports Goods Co. Ltd., of China. Made in China, they but imported by SKE Outdoors Inc. of Katy Texas. Only helmets made in a size “small” were recalled; these helmets fit heads that have a circumference of 19 to 20 inches. They were sold on Amazon.com and elsewhere online between August 2020 through July 2021.
The bicycle helmets were recalled because they don’t comply with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) federal safety standard for bike helmets. They may carry the risk of head or brain injury. Consumers were advised to immediately stop using the turbo as KE kids toddler bike helmets. SKE Outdoors asked consumers to return these helmets free of charge for a full refund or a free replacement.
If your child was injured in Illinois or another state due to one of these noncompliant bicycle helmets or another defective bicycle helmet, you may be able to bring a product liability lawsuit for damages in court. Product liability lawsuits may be pursued under a theory of negligence or strict liability, depending on state laws. Bicycle helmets may be defective in terms of their manufacturing, design, or marketing.
When our attorneys are able to establish liability, you may be able to recover damages on behalf of their children. Many parents do not have enough saved in case their toddler is severely injured or faces lifelong disability due to a bike accident.
In general, product liability lawsuits allow these parents to pursue compensatory damages, which are economic and noneconomic losses sustained due to injury to the child. When a manufacturer knowingly settles a defective bike helmet or otherwise acts egregiously, it may be possible to pursue punitive damages. Often, it’s necessary to present expert testimony not only on the question of defects and causation, but also various items of loss.
At the Moll Law Group, our experienced Chicago-based lawyers may be able to represent you and your child in a product liability lawsuit if your child was harmed because of a defective helmet. Call us at (312) 462-1700 or contact us through our website for a free consultation.