PA Retailer Blair Expands Chenille Apparel Recall After 9 Reported Deaths
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 300
Tags:
None
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Blair LLC, of Warren, PA, are expanding Blair’s April 2009 voluntary recall of women’s full length chenille robes to include additional chenille robes and three other chenille products, all manufactured by A-One Textile & Towel of Pakistan, after the company has received reports of nine deaths associated with the robes catching fire.
Blair originally recalled 162,000 chenille robes in April of 2009 after reports of three robes catching on fire, including one report of second-degree burns. The company then received five reports of deaths allegedly due to the robes catching fire. In June 2009, Blair re-released the recall and has since received four additional reports of deaths related to the robes. Of these four deaths, all were elderly women who were cooking or tending a pellet stove when the robe ignited. All nine reported deaths occurred prior to the April 2009 announcement of the recall.
The CPSC release said, “Some of these products fail to meet the federal flammability standard and present a risk of serious burns to consumers if the garments are exposed to an open flame.”
Blair states in a release on the company website that prior to accepting the robes for sale, the Company received passing test reports from the independent commercial testing labs it uses, which indicated that every lot of the robes met Class 1 of the federal flammability standard. After receiving three complaints regarding flammability of the robes in late 2008 and early this year, one of which included a report of injury, the Company immediately retested every lot of the Chenille Robes it had in stock. Blair then halted sales of the robes, worked with the CPSC to initiate a voluntary recall and severed its relationship with the manufacturer of the robes.
“CPSC urges all consumers to report any incidents or injuries involving consumer products, even after a recall has been announced,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Thomas Moore. “Contact the CPSC so that we may help prevent tragic deaths or injuries like those that might be related to the Blair robes.”
Today’s recall adds 138,000 more garments for 300,000 total units under the recall. The recall involves Full Length Women’s Chenille Robes, Women’s Chenille Jackets, Women’s Chenille Lounge Jackets and Women’s Chenille Tops sold from July 2000 to April 2007 through Blair catalogs, Website and Blair stores in Warren, PA, Grove City, PA and Wilmington, DE. The garment label will read 100% Cotton, RN 81700, Made in Pakistan. For a complete list of item numbers and product photos, please visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10017.html.
Consumers are urged to stop wearing the garments immediately. Contact Blair LLC at (877) 392-7095 for information regarding product return and a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise.
Products liability is the branch of law that deals with the liability of parties involved in the manufacturing of a product for any damages caused by the product. Defective products can cause a great deal of property damage or physical injury, even death. If you have been injured or sustained property damage as the result of a defective product, then you need the services of an experienced attorney who has successfully handled product liability cases. At Napoli Bern Ripka LLP, our attorneys will work with you to begin the process of filing a claim so you can recover damages for repair or replacement of your property or for medical expenses incurred because of your injury. Call 888-529-4669 today.