Free Paper Shredder Injury Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured by a paper shredder, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.
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What’s the problem?
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that home paper shredders may pose a significant risk of injury. From January 2000 through September 2005, CPSC received 50 reports of incidents involving finger amputations, lacerations, and other finger injuries from paper shredders. Sadly, the majority of these injuries were to young children under the age of five. Injuries can occur even when an adult is supervising, as children’s fingers can be pulled into the paper shredding mechanism if the child does not let go of the paper.
To avoid paper shredder injuries, you should never allow your children to operate them – even while under adult supervision. They are designed for adult use and adult use only. Due to the number of paper shredder injuries inflicted on children, the CPSC has called for the redesign of the product.
Paper shredder injuries can be painful and even crippling. The manufacturers of these products have an obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe from any potential dangers. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a paper shredder injury, contact Schmidt & Clark, LLP today.
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Paper Shredder Safety Procedures
- Place the paper shredder and power cord away from foot traffic areas.
- Paper shredder should be placed 4 or more inches from walls or furniture, to prevent overheating and to allow air to flow through ventilation slots.
- Always pay attention to the task at hand when using a paper shredder.
- Keep jewelry, long hair, and loose clothing secured when operating a paper shredder.
- Never put fingers or objects other than paper into the shredder feed opening.
- Feed paper smoothly into the shredder and avoid putting too much paper into the shredder at one time to avoid jamming the machine.
- If the paper shredder begins to overheat, turn it off and allow it to cool before operating again.
- Always turn the power off before removing the waste box or cleaning the paper shredder.
- Always turn off and unplug the power before removing jams or cleaning the paper shredder.
Can I Put a Credit Card in a Paper Shredder?
The fastest way to destroy a credit card is with a cross-cut shredder specifically designed to cut credit cards. Most modern paper shredders have this ability. If your shredder has this feature, go ahead and shred your swipe-only cards.
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FAQs
How do I prove that the paper shredder was defective in a lawsuit?
To prove that the paper shredder was defective, you will need to provide evidence that the shredder had a design flaw, manufacturing defect, or insufficient safety warnings. Expert testimony, safety reports, and documentation of similar incidents can all support your claim that the shredder was unreasonably dangerous.
Can I still sue if I was partially at fault for the paper shredder injury?
Yes, you may still be able to sue even if you were partially at fault for the injury. Many states follow a comparative negligence rule, where your compensation may be reduced based on your level of fault. However, if the shredder was found to be defective or lacked adequate warnings, the manufacturer may still be held liable.
Can I claim damages for long-term disability caused by a paper shredder injury?
Yes, if a paper shredder injury leads to long-term disability, you can claim damages for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Compensation might also include costs for assistive devices, home modifications, and other expenses related to the disability.
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Do I have a Paper Shredder Injury Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in paper shredder injury lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and accident cases in all 50 states.