What Can I Do If My Baby Choked on a Toy? 

 Posted on September 27, 2022 in Personal Injury

As every parent knows, children–especially infants–cannot help but put everything in their mouths. While this behavior may be an important part of childhood development, it is also a major source of stress for parents who are constantly trying to keep their children from choking to death on small objects. 

Parents are responsible for making sure that toys with small parts and known risks, such as building blocks and marbles, are kept safely out of the reach of young children. But what about toys that are supposed to be safe for infants? What about toys that break into small pieces, or packaging that fails to notify parents of the toy’s hazardous potential? If your child has been injured or killed by a toy or broken piece of a toy, you may be able to take legal action. 

Non-Fatal Choking Accidents Can Still Cause Serious Injuries

News headlines stand as a warning to parents all over the country when a young child tragically chokes to death on a toy. But even when a child does not die in a choking accident, she can still suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries. Examples of such dangerous circumstances include:

• Inhaled objects that must be surgically removed from the lungs

• Dangerous objects like batteries that can leak acid or other toxic substances

• Objects that get trapped in a child’s intestines and cause blockage

• Cuts and lacerations in the mouth, throat, and lungs, which can lead to further choking from profuse bleeding

• Chemical poisoning

• Strangulation and asphyxia

Who is Responsible for Ensuring Parents Know a Toy is Dangerous? 

Many small toys may appear safe for infants but are actually not. Toy manufacturers need to provide adequate labeling clearly stating which ages may safely play with a toy and whether a toy presents a choking hazard to certain ages. Toy distributors are also responsible for ensuring this information is available on toy packaging when they put it on their shelves. 

Contact an El Paso, TX Child Toy Injury Lawyer

Watching a child choke on a toy or piece of a toy can be one of the most terrifying experiences a parent ever goes through. In a best-case scenario, both parent and child can be traumatized; in a worst-case scenario, the outcome is tragic. If your child has choked on a toy and you believe the manufacturer or seller may be responsible, contact James Kennedy, P.L.L.C. to schedule a free consultation with our El Paso County infant choking death attorney. Call our office today at 915-544-5200. 

Source: 

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/products-toys.html