Water Beads Lawsuit: Get the Right Attorney

What are Water Beads?

Water beads – also known as jelly or gel beads, hydro orbs, or water orbs – are used as educational tools and a form of entertainment for young children and children living with disabilities such as autism or increased anxiety.

In younger children, water beads are intended to develop sensory skills and hand-eye coordination. In older children, water beads can be used to make/play various games and practice math skills.

Water beads are made of super-absorbent polymers and sold under various brand names, including Orbeez, Giraffe, MarvelBeads, and Chuckle & Roar.

What’s the Problem?

Dry water beads are about the size of a pinhead, making them nearly impossible to see if dropped on the floor. If they are swallowed, water beads can expand rapidly inside the body, causing severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration, intestinal blockages, and other life-threatening injuries.

Water beads inserted into ears can damage ear structures, causing hearing loss, and require surgery to remove. They are associated with thousands of emergency department visits each year in the United States, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) [1.].

The agency is warning parents and caregivers to remove water beads from any environment with small children 3 years old and younger.

The CPSC also urges childcare centers, camps, and schools to avoid water beads entirely. If you suspect your child has swallowed a water bead or inserted a water bead into their ear or nose, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Water Bead Kits Recalled Following Death of 10-Month-Old Child

Approximately 52,000 Chuckle & Roar Water Beads Activity Kits were recalled [2.] in September 2023 after a 10-month-old child reportedly swallowed one of the water beads and died from resulting complications.

The death follows a November 2022 incident in which a 9-month-old child was seriously injured after swallowing water beads, which caused an intestinal obstruction requiring surgical treatment.

“Buffalo Games received one report of a 10-month-old child’s death from swallowing the recalled water beads in July 2023 in Wisconsin,” CPSC said. “Buffalo Games also received a report that a 9-month-old child was seriously injured in November 2022 in Maine from swallowing the water beads which caused an intestinal obstruction requiring surgery to remove them.”

The 52,000 water beads activity kits by Buffalo Games were sold exclusively by Target from March to November 2022 for about $15, according to the CPSC.

Signs Your Child May Have Swallowed Water Beads

• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Refusal to eat
• Complaints of feelings that something is stuck in their throat or chest
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain/swelling

Ear Damage Linked to Water Beads

In 2 reports to the CPSC, children were treated for ear infections when doctors couldn’t see water beads in their ears during a routine ear exam. The delay in finding the beads allowed them to grow until the kids, who were 5 and 7 years old, required surgery. Both suffered ear drum damage, and one sustained permanent hearing loss.

Water Beads Sold at Target Recalled After Baby’s Death: ABC News Video

Water Beads Safety Tips

• Do not allow children to play with water beads unsupervised.
• Store water beads in a secure container and out of reach of young children.
• Water beads can easily scatter, roll, and become lost in the home and later ingested in the dehydrated state. The only way to avoid this risk is to remove them from the home entirely.

In conclusion, it is crucial to never leave children unattended while playing with water beads and to keep them stored in a secure container out of their reach to prevent any potential hazards.

To ensure the safety of young children, it is advisable to remove water beads from the home altogether, as their small size and potential for ingestion pose significant risks.

FAQs

How can consumers determine if their water beads are part of a recall?

Consumers can determine if their water beads are part of a recall by checking recall notices issued by the company or regulatory agencies, which typically include product names, batch numbers, and specific details about the hazards.

What steps should I take if my child ingests water beads?

If your child ingests water beads, seek immediate medical attention, document the incident, retain the product and its packaging, and consult a lawyer to discuss potential legal action and compensation.

How does the recall process work for hazardous products like water beads?

The recall process involves the company issuing a recall notice, removing the hazardous products from store shelves, notifying consumers, and cooperating with regulatory agencies to address the hazard and prevent further incidents.

Can I join a class action lawsuit if my child was affected by water beads?

Yes, parents or guardians of children affected by water beads may join a class action lawsuit if one is available. Class action lawsuits allow multiple plaintiffs to combine their cases, providing a stronger collective legal action against the manufacturer.

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• Orbeez Water Beads Lawsuit
• DigiDots Magnetic Ball Toys Lawsuit
• Buckyballs Magnet Class Action Lawsuit

See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get a Free Water Beads Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Water Beads Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new water beads injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Again, if water beads have injured your child or other loved one, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Water Beads Lawsuit and our lawyers can help.