Thousands of sets of 5mm high-powered magnetic toy balls have been recalled after federal regulators issued several warnings for the toy kits, including the potential risk of choking, serious injury, and death.
On December 28, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) announced a recall of more than 4,200 high-powered magnetic ball sets sold exclusively at Walmart. The CPSC warned that the magnetic balls were too small and too powerful, presenting an ingestion hazard, especially for young kids. The high-powered magnetic balls are intended to be connected together to create different shapes and structures, are often marked as toys for children and young teens. Unfortunately, the product has led to serious injuries and multiple deaths to children who swallow them.
According to the CPSC, the recalled magnetic balls do not comply with federal magnet regulation requirements because they are smaller and stronger than permitted. When the high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can magnetize together, or to another metal object, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, and can lead to infection, blood poisoning, and even death. The CPSC estimates 2,500 magnet ingestions were treated in emergency departments from 2017 through 2021, and are aware of seven deaths, including two deaths outside of the United States. Consumers who purchased a set of the 5mm high-powered magnets are advised to take the magnet set away from their children immediately. The toy kits were sold online from Walmart between February 2022 and April 2023 for $14 – $15, and are made of small magnetic balls in purple, black, green, blue, orange, and red.
If your child has been injured after ingesting a high-powered magnet set, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner to begin investigating your claim immediately. The law firm of Abraham Watkins is the longest-standing personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to obtain just compensation for our clients. For more information, call us today at 713-222-7211 or 1-800-870-9584.