Macy’s to Pay $750,000 Penalty to CPSC for Dangerous Children’s Clothing

By Kelly Balamuth on July 27, 2011

In 2006, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or near the neck would be considered defective because they present a serious injury of risk to young children. Upper outerwear such as jackets, sweatshirts, and sweaters that have drawstrings pose a strangulation hazard to young children which can cause serious injury or death.

Because of the risk, the CPSC, in conjunction with several manufacturers and distributors, recalled a variety of children’s garments in 2006. Several of the items affected by the recall were sold at Macy’s and other stores owned by Macy’s, including Bloomingdale’s and Robisons-May. The CPSC alleges that Macy’s knowingly failed to report to the CPSC that it had sold items that were subject to the recall and posed a safety hazard between 2006 and 2010. The Commission also claims that Macy’s continued to sell the recalled clothing even though they were aware of the recall, which violates the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. As a result, the CPSC charged Macy’s Inc. with a penalty. The company has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $750,000.

The purpose of the CPSC is to protect the public from safety hazards and as such, they have created laws that force companies to comply with their regulations. When a company fails to comply with important safety standards and an injury occurs as a result, the company may be liable. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous product, call the lawyers at Balamuth Harrington. Our San Francisco injury attorneys will fight for your rights and help you get compensation you are entitled to. Call today at 1-888-254-1234 to talk to one of our experienced attorneys.