Williams-Sonoma Settles Window Shades Lawsuit for $700k

On May 6, 2014, Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates, P.C. reported on the dangers window blinds can pose to children with the story of a young girl tragically killed after she was strangled by a window treatment cord.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), from 1996 to 2012, approximately 184 infants and young children died from strangulation due to window cords. This is an ongoing battle the CPSC continues to fight.
On October 30, 2014, the popular kitchen and home décor company Willams-Sonoma, Inc. of San Francisco, Ca. agreed to a $700,000 settlement regarding a delay in recalling a product that they knew posed serious danger to children.

Williams-Sonoma Hides Dangers of Pottery Barn Shades

Between 2003 and 2007, Williams-Sonoma sold Pottery Barn Roman Shades through their Pottery Barn Kids collection that had an exposed inner cord which posed an entrapment hazard for children, causing increased risk of serious injury and death. Evidence shows that the company knowingly failed to report the faulty product to the CPSC within 24 hours of discovering the defect. By the time Williams-Sonoma did report the potential of danger, a total of seven consumers had reported issues to the CPSC. Altogether, the recall reached 85,000 shades by the summer of 2008 when Williams-Sonoma issued the recall.

While Williams-Sonoma never accepted guilt, the company agreed to pay the $700k settlement. In addition to the cash payout, the penalty agreement, which has been accepted provisionally by the CPSC, states that the company will be required to maintain a previously established compliance program meant to ensure that safety statutes are being followed.

New Jersey and Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys

The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling personal injury cases involving defective products that have caused injuries to children. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury attorneys and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If your child has suffered an injury as a result of dangerous or defective window treatments, another defective product, or any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.