Defective Products: You’re On Notice

If you’re like most Americans, going through the mail is a daily activity you may not think about. You might sort your bills, put some items off to the side, or pitch the junk mail. But your mail could contain a product recall notice that just might save your life.

Product recalls take thousands of lives every year, and mailing a notice to the product registration address is the primary way manufacturers can contact you directly. Tossing your product recall notices because you think it doesn’t affect you is never the best option. At the very least, call the number and confirm whether or not you are in possession of a recalled product immediately.

Actor Anton Yelchin, famous for his recent portrayal in the Star Trek reboot series, owned one of the 1.1 million vehicles recalled in the April 2016 Chrysler recall. The Chrysler Fiat he owned was recalled due to a poorly-designed and manufactured gear selector.

According to news reports, Yelchin received a safety recall notice citing his vehicle’s defective flaws in May of 2016. It is unclear whether Yelchin called to pursue corrective measures, but he continued to drive his vehicle. On June 19, 2016, Anton put his car in “park” to run into his house. His car began to roll toward him, eventually pinning his body between his security fence and mailbox. Anton’s lawsuit states that he was “crushed and lingered for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death”.

Seven days after his death, another notice arrived at the actor’s home, informing him that a fix for the gear shifter was now available. For this young star it was too little, too late. 

As of June 2016, the government investigation into gear shifters reported nearly 700 complaints including 266 crashes and 68 injuries.

If you are the recipient of a recall notice, please follow the instructions to verify whether it affects you; Then take the recommended corrective measures. It’s never fair to lose a loved due to manufacturing defects that could have been prevented had the manufacturer valued safety over profit. If you are a victim to a recall injury, seek justice. To learn more about harmful defective products, read “The Most Notable Recalls of 2015-2016.”

When it comes to safety recalls, be sure to pay attention if you want to live long and prosper.