Product liability - Frying pan furore for major cookware company
Sometimes it's the things that we take for granted in our every day lives that could be doing us the most harm. Product liability investigations can often become tools for product examination and safety procedure, occasionally with regard to established and trusted big brand products.
One such case is that of a high profile brand of non-stick cookware.
Non-stick cookware surfaces were first invented in the 1930's. The chemical that makes the surface non-stick is Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). It is a synthetic chemical utilised in the production of advanced plastics; not only in cookware, but also, leisure clothing, carpets and many other products.
Because PFOA was developed before 1981, it did not undergo the rigorous testing that newer man-made chemicals have to go through to conform to relevant safety standards.
Environmental campaigners have called for the controversial chemical to be banned.
A friend of the earth spokesperson said, "PFOA accumulates in the body and in the environment and studies on animals suggest a link to birth defects. We are very concerned about it."
Various product liability lawsuits have been filed in the US, where the majority of the product's manufacturing occurs, and although the firm has settled numerous claims out-of-court they have maintained that PFOA is not harmful to humans or the environment.
PFOA is used in so many commonplace household products and is so widespread that it is now present in the blood of virtually every person living in the West.
Researchers from the University of California have now concluded that it does slow foetal growth, after 2008 research into babies of women with high levels of PFOA in their blood. Their testing revealed that these women are more likely to give birth to smaller babies.
The research was carried out in Denmark, where 1,400 women took par. A direct link was found between high levels of PFOA and low birth weight babies.
America's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is campaigning to get PFOA listed as a recognised carcinogen.
YouClaim and no win no fee product liability claims.
No matter how big the brand, or how established a product is, product liability compensation claims are at the forefront of ensuring continued product research and safety tests for consumers worldwide. Product liability law helps to keep consumers safe.
If you or a loved one have suffered illness or injury due to a badly designed, badly made or contaminated item then you may be able to claim 100% compensation with You Claim.
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You can speak to one of our advisers by calling 0800 10 757 95 or we can always call you back at a time to suit you.
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