Magnets can be entertaining and educational toys because the way they behave can fascinate children. However, magnetic toys can pose a serious safety hazard if children ingest them, a safety regulator has warned.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of magnetic ball kits sold by the Chinese distributor Joybuy Marketplace Express because of the extreme health hazard they pose. The latest in a series of recalls for similar other magnetic ball toys, CPSC warned that these magnets aren’t just small enough to swallow, but are also powerful enough to block, twist and perforate children’s intestines, causing infection, blood poisoning and even death.
The latest recall affects about 4,240 units sold through Walmart.
Why are magnet toys so dangerous?
According to CPSC and other health experts, magnetic toys are strong enough to attract each other even when inside the body. When a child swallows two or more magnets, they can attract each other, pinning digestive tissue in the stomach or the intestines in between. This can lead to the health issues mentioned earlier.
CPSC noted that Joybuy’s magnetic ball product didn’t lead to any injuries. However, it has estimated that hospitals have treated a total of 2,400 magnetic ingestions from 2017 to 2021. The regulator also said that it is aware that these toys have caused seven deaths, including two that have occurred in the U.S.
Seeking compensation for magnetic ingestion injuries
If your child suffered a severe injury from ingesting magnetic toys, you may be able to claim damages from the manufacturer through a product liability lawsuit.
To have a strong case for a product liability lawsuit, you’ll need as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Document everything related to your child’s case, from the medical expenses down to the x-ray scans revealing the magnets inside your child. You’ll also want to keep the toy’s packaging for reference – you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible if the packaging lacked choking hazard warnings and the like.
Consider consulting a legal professional to learn if you have enough evidence to support your claims. An attorney would also be helpful to you should the manufacturer refuse to settle and take the case to court.