It’s true that liquid laundry detergent pods have grown quite popular, and why shouldn’t they be? They’re very convenient and effective, and they’re easy to use. What’s more, even when you place them on your shelves, they look cute and colorful. But this attractive appearance actually presents some danger, because laundry detergent pods are poisonous.
The Danger Is Real For A Lawsuit
The combination of color and toxicity isn’t just hypothetical. It’s very real. The problem is so potentially serious that between 2012 and 2017, at least 8 people have died from it. The deaths include 6 older adults with dementia, including an 87-year-old woman in Texas who ingested 2 packets and died as a result. Two deaths involved little children.
The risk for older adults cannot be ignored, as dementia is always a possibility. It’s a medical condition that can come in many forms, and the most common form is Alzheimer’s disease. This particular condition affects about 5.4 million adults, according to a report by the US CDC.
For children, the risk is actually more common than you may think due to the fatality rate. In 2014 alone, poison-control centers all over the US received a total of 11,714 reports of children younger than 5 years old who have been harmed by these pods. They’ve ingested or inhaled the pods, had the contents on their skin or got them in their eyes. When this happens it is considered a wrongful death. It is a death that occurred that should not have but did because of someone’s negligence. These types of situations should always try to be avoided but in times of need there may have to be a lawsuit filed. If you know someone in this situation you should call our San Diego wrongful death attorneys for more information.
Overall, the threat affects everyone, though children under 6 years old account for 9 out of 10 cases. From 2012 to 2015, toxic exposure to these laundry detergent packs totaled an alarming 38,021 cases.
Part of the reason why these pods are so dangerous is because very little amount of water is needed to dissolve the contents and release the toxic detergent. Even handling the packets with wet hands can lead to a problem, and saliva too can release the toxic materials.
What’s more, their innocuous and often colorful appearance can make children (and adults with dementia) think that they’re candy or toys.
Safety Measures To Avoid Civil Actions
Consumer advocates have long urged pod manufacturers to make their packets safer. Some manufacturers have complied, and now some packets are opaque to hide the colorful contents. Other manufacturers have also agreed to implement other suggested measures for greater safety. Packets are becoming tougher to burst, and the contents are slower to dissolve. The outer film of the packets can also contain a substance that tastes bitter.
For households that still use this product, certain safety precautions must be practiced. The packets must be located in a storage space that’s separate from the food. The cabinet for these packets must also be locked. Children and people with dementia should also be monitored more closely.
Despite all these changes and measures, accidents can still happen. Remember that you have legal options should such an accident occur. If a loved one has been affected by these laundry pods, we advise you to contact us to see of any legal action can be made to obtain damages that can help pay for medical treatment. Our product defect attorney can evaluate your case and determine whether such an action is feasible.