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Available data shows less than 20% of people purchasing products with warranty registration cards return the cards. Fort Myers defective products attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. wants people to know how important it is to complete product warranty and/or registration cards as this is the only way manufacturers can quickly notify consumers if a product they  purchased has been recalled.

Product recalls are issued regularly by various governmental agencies for products such as toys, appliances, tires, seatbelts, and most recently, child restraints.

An example of this is the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) campaign (identification number 13C002) which is a recall of Combi USA, Inc.'s model 8220 child restraints marketed under the name Coccoro which were manufactured January 6, 2009 through December 5, 2012.  These are still on retailers' shelves.  In addition, the recall covers their model 8836 which is marketed under the name Zues 360 child restraints manufactured February 25, 2009 through May 24, 2012 and additionally, model 8815 marketed under the name Zues Turn which child restraints manufactured July 15, 2007 through March 25, 2009 and all of these products can be found on retailers' shelves. NHTSA has been given an estimate by Combi that the affected units total more than 33,000.

The recall is based upon the child restraint harness' failing to meet minimum breaking strength requirements and, therefore, they do not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 which specifically covers the minimum breaking strengths for child restraint systems.

When a vehicle has a child occupant in a child restraint it is reasonable for a consumer who has purchased the child restraint to assume that the child will remain secured in the event of a collision. 

Often the first purchasers to be notified of a recall are those who have completed and sent to the manufacturer the product warrant registration card.  Attorney Spivey points out that it is not necessary to fill in any of the personal information they may be requesting on the card for marketing purposes such as age and income.  Some of the product warranty registration cards also may contain an "opt out" box which if checked, means that the manufacturer cannot share the purchaser's name with any third party. "Opting out" or not providing personal data does not negate the manufacturer's responsibility to notify consumers of recalls.

Often when a product recall takes place, such as the case with these child restraint systems manufactured by Combi USA, there is limited initial inventory available to make repairs or provide replacements so the product may be safety used.  Generally, consumers who have registered their purchase are not only notified of the recall first by the manufacturer, but also get the additional benefit of replacements and/or replacement parts on a fast-track basis.   In the case of Combi, those who have registered can call a special 800 number - 800.543.7734 - or they can visit the Combi website at www.combi-intl.com.  In the case of Combi, the general recall is not expected to begin until February 6, 2014. 

The NHTSA's Safercar.gov program provides a convenient way to register your child restraint system in order to be notified of product recalls. Click on the Safercar.gov link above to access this feature..

"Check to see whether you have product registration cards on any products, which have not been completed.  If so, complete them now, as being notified of a recall may help avoid catastrophic injuries," advises Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Defective Products Attorney , Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.