Single-load laundry detergent pods hit the market in 2012 and they’ve been extremely popular since. While they are effective, convenient and simple to use, there is one alarming statistic that you may not know about. In the U.S., researchers found an increase of nearly 20% in reports of children ingesting brightly colored detergent pods ever since they were introduced.
Children Mistake Detergent Pods for Candy
Because manufacturers package their laundry pods in a way that makes them look like candy, children are drawn to them and don’t think twice about eating them. By creating a product that looks like edible food, detergent pod manufacturers are acting negligently and may be liable for any injuries. Unlike regular detergent, the highly concentrated toxic chemicals in detergent pods can cause more severe and life-threatening symptoms. Reported injuries from ingesting these pods include:
- Excessive vomiting
- Severe respiratory distress
- Cardiac arrest
- Coma
- Death
Even if the detergent gets in a child’s eyes, serious injuries can occur, such as temporary blindness and ocular burns. Although it is on the parents to be vigilant around cleaning supplies such as detergent pods, the manufacturers still have a duty to design their products responsibly. While higher industry standards have been set in place to make detergent pods less attractive to children and harder to open, critics believe the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) needs to enact tougher laws.
If your child was injured by a detergent pod, please contact our Los Angeles product liability attorneys at Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation. We understand the pain and frustration a parent feels when their child is injured as the result of a dangerous product. Our team can help you recover the compensation you’re owed for injuries, pain and suffering and other damages.
Call (866) 884-1717 or contact us online for a free consultation.