Calphalon Recalls 2 Million Knives for Laceration Hazards

Calphalon has recalled more than 2 million knives from its Contemporary Cutlery line due to safety concerns over broken blades and 27 reported incidents of lacerations. According to a Fox News report, Calphalon says it has received about 3,150 reports of broken knives. Four of the 27 reported injuries requires stitches, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Most of the knives were sold in the U.S. and about 7,100 in Canada. The knives involved in this recall were sold at major retailers and online between August 2008 and December 2016.

They include carving, paring, santoku and utility knives sold individually or in sets. Calphalon is offering replacements for any affected tool if consumers are able to identify whether their knife has been affected by the recall. The company has a guide to help owners determine if their knives are affected by the recall, which includes a contact phone number and a link to a form for ordering a return kit. Calphalon says it could take up to six weeks to complete the exchange process.

Injuries Caused by Defective Products

Defective products could be extremely dangerous and cause significant injuries to consumers. Manufacturers of products have a duty and a legal obligation to make products that are safe for consumers to use. However, we see a number of household items recalled for serious safety issues. Products are said to be defective when they fail to perform as intended. For example, when you use a knife, you don’t expect it to break and cut/injure you. Consumers have a reasonable expectation that the products they buy and use are safe and that they have been tested by the manufacturer to ensure safety.

Product defects may be caused by defective design or during the manufacturing process. A design flaw occurs way before the manufacturing process and has to do with an inherent problem with the product due to defective design. A manufacturing defect on the other hand occurs when the product is being made. This often occurs due to lack of quality control or poor quality control.

Compensation for Victims

Injured victims of defective products can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. In some cases involving defective products, consumers may also be able to band together and file a class-action lawsuit to hold the negligent manufacturer accountable.