A retailer is recalling thousands of bath seats over risks that they can collapse, causing fall and laceration injuries to users.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), importer Steamist received 62 reports of the shower seats breaking due to corrosion. Of those 62 cases, four led to injuries.
The seats were manufactured in China and sold at specialty plumbing supply outlets from June 2009 through February 2015. The recall affects some 3,900 seats.
CPSC advises all consumers with the shower seats to immediately stop using them and contact Steamist to determine if their seats are part of the recall.
Bath seats as assistive devices
Bath seats, also called shower seats or chairs, are specialized furniture designed to help the elderly and people with difficulty standing up to bathe. Bath seats are supposed to be safe and durable to use, made with waterproof materials such as stone, plastic, or even treated wood.
However, Steamist’s seats were prone to corrosion. Users might suddenly fall when their corroded bath seat falls apart, suffering fall injuries and cuts from sharp edges. This can be especially dangerous for the elderly and users with physical disabilities, who are the main consumers of bath seats.
Filing a product liability lawsuit for a defective bath seat
Kentucky law outlines product liability actions for defective design, manufacturing defects, and inadequate warnings or instructions.
However, there can only be a product liability case if the injury, death or property damage caused by the product occurred either within five years after the date of sale or eight years after the date of the product’s manufacture.
If you have suffered a defective bath seat injury, you should first seek medical attention. Once you have recovered, document everything: your medical expenses, treatments, and even pictures of the damaged seat. Once you’ve collected as much evidence as possible, consider seeking a legal professional. A lawyer can help determine if you have enough evidence for a product liability lawsuit and even represent you in court.
