Personal Injury Law

Products from China Continue to Harm American Consumers

By Michael Myers

Retailers selling products from China have been beleaguered by claims arising from defects in the Chinese-made products. One of the most publicized cases involved dog and cat food. We filed the first nationwide class action lawsuit in that case against Menu Foods and the companies that sold tainted pet food.

Now another Chinese-made product is harming American consumers, the seemingly innocent flip-flop. Since September of last year Wal-Mart has reportedly sold over a million Sand 'N Sun flip-flops, a cheap ($2.99) sandal made in China. The flip-flops have caused first and second degree chemical burns on dozens of customer's feet, directly underneath the straps of the flip-flop.

In September, a website was launched by Kerry Stiles of Ocklaweaha, Florida because, according to the website, "Wal-Mart seems to have maybe lost track of how many people have complained to them..." The website features pictures, submitted by Walmart customers, of the chemical burns inflicted by the flip-flops. Stiles has received over 140 emails and photographs since the website launched.

The Sand 'N Sun sandals have since been recalled, although customers are still reportedly finding the sandals on Wal-Mart shelves.

Our firm is preparing to file a nation-wide class action aimed at compensating consumers who purchased the dangerous flip-flops. We look forward to helping consumers who have suffered injuries or who can no longer wear the defective footwear.

Full post as published by Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer on January 25, 2008 (boomark / email).