Since 2012, eight known individuals have died and numerous people have been poisoned due to laundry pods. Six of these deaths involved adults suffering from dementia and the other two cases involved children under the age of six. Moreover, since 2013, poison-control centers have gotten over 50,000 calls involving poisoning from laundry pods. While some of these cases have been due to the “Tide Pod Challenge,” the majority have involved children under the age of six.
As a result, the state of New York has created a bill calling for all laundry pod manufacturers to change their warning labels and create a uniform color and childproof packaging.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to accidentally ingesting a laundry detergent pod, you should contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. right away. Our attorneys have years of experience helping those who have suffered due to an improperly labeled product. We can help you with your case.
Call a Chicago product liability lawyer at (312) 236-2900 to schedule a free consultation today.
The New York bill focuses primarily on two parties who are most likely to suffer an injury from tide pods: children younger than six and adults with cognitive disabilities. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate approximately 5.4 million adults in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), laundry pods pose a greater risk than regular detergent due to their high concentration. Therefore, the bill aims to decrease those poisoned by prohibiting laundry pods in New York. The bill further conditions that the state will only sell pods if they are opaque and have a uniform color.
In addition, the bill requires each laundry pod to have a non-permeable wrapper and possess a warning stating, “Harmful if put in mouth or swallowed. Eye irritant. Keep out of reach of children.”
If this bill passes and is signed into law, the mandate will immediately go into effect in New York.
In order to prevent injuries to your child or loved one suffering from a form of dementia, you should follow the tips below to keep your house safe from toxic chemicals:
Laundry pods can pose a serious hazard, especially to young children and adults with dementia who can easily mistake a pod for a piece of candy. The manufacturer’s lack of warning or improper wrapper could be the reason you or your loved one has suffered or died.
If you or someone you love has been hurt because of a laundry pod, you should contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. right away. We can review your case and determine if filing a product liability claim on your behalf is appropriate for your situation.
For more information, contact a Chicago product liability lawyer at (312) 236-2900 today for a free initial consultation. We can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
