Echo Inc. has recalled 67,000 ECHO and Shindaiwa backpack leaf blowers and 6,600 replacement straps because they can cause potentially serious injuries. According to a notice in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the leaf blowers were recalled because the shoulder straps, plastic buckles, or anti-static ground wire can get sucked into the blower fan and fan housing. This may result in plastic shrapnel shooting out of the machine, posing laceration and impact hazards.
Details of the Product Recall
So far, the manufacturer has received 62 reports of incidents, including one person who became injured when pieces of the blower flew out from the machine and hit them in the neck. This recall involved ECHO and Shindaiwa 2-cycle gas-powered commercial backpack blowers with shoulder straps. The recall also includes replacement shoulder straps.
The products were sold at independent ECHO and Shindaiwa outdoor power equipment dealers and online at homedepot.com and gainger.com between August 2018 and February 2020 for about $600 for the blowers and $30 for the replacement straps. Consumers are asked to stop using the backpack blowers and return them to an authorized ECHO or Shindaiwa dealer for a free repair.
If a Defective Product Has Injured You
Corporations that design, manufacture and distribute products must ensure that their products are safe. If the product has an inherent design issue or manufacturing defect, or if the company failed to warn consumers about defects or dangers, you may have a valid product defect claim against the manufacturer, retailer, distributor and/or other responsible parties.
If a dangerous or defective product has injured you, there are several steps you can take to protect your rights. Preserve the item that caused your injuries and save proof of purchase, such as a store receipt showing that you bought the item. Be sure to get prompt medical attention, care and treatment for your injuries. Take photos and videos of your visible injuries and document your healing process.
Your medical records can indicate the injuries you sustained and the treatment you received. Do some research online, especially on social media, to see if other people have had similar experiences with the same product that caused your injury. Contact an experienced product defect lawyer who can help protect your rights and help you obtain maximum compensation for your losses.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/echo-recalls-backpack-blowers-and-replacement-shoulder-straps-due-to-laceration-and#
