These Recalled Catcher’s Helmets Might Not Protect Your Head

Sporting goods manufacturer, Rawlings, has recalled 1,470 CHMACH-SR Senior Catching Helmets because they might not protect the wearer from head injuries. According to a report in the Miami Herald, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which posted the recall notice on its website, said that the back plate of the catcher’s helmet can fail to protect the player, posing a risk of head injury to the user.

Rawlings has said it has not received any reports of head injuries as a result of these defective helmets. The recalled helmets were sold for $200 from July 2018 through September 2019. Rawlings is offering a free replacement back plate for head sizes 7.5 and under, and a full refund for head sizes above 7.5. Anyone with questions is urged to contact the company at 800-729-5464 or email returns@rawlings.com.

Catchers and Head Injuries

There have been recent articles about injuries suffered by catchers in Major League Baseball. There is no question that catchers are vulnerable to head trauma from balls glancing off bats and into their masks. A New York Times report talks about how absorbing punishing blows are part of the catcher’s job, but they are also at risk of suffering concussions when a ball goes straight into their masks and rattles their brain.

This type of head trauma can be severe and has even ended careers for players such as former Cardinals manager, Mike Matheny, a four-time Gold Glove winner as a catcher who retired in 2006 after a series of concussions. Catchers need the protection a helmet offers and when the helmets are defective, players suffer a heightened risk of serious head injuries.

Product Liability Issues

We know now that the danger of concussions exists in a number of sports our children participate in the school including football, baseball, hockey and cheerleading. Concussions, if left untreated or ignored, can cause lifelong, catastrophic damage. It is crucial that safety gear such as helmets do their job when it comes to safeguarding athletes from injury – be it in high school sports or in elite athletics. Product manufacturers have the responsibility to make products that are strong, durable and most importantly, protect consumers as promised.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a defectively manufactured or poorly-designed product, it is important that you contact an experienced product defect lawyer who can help hold the at-fault manufacturer accountable and help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.

Source: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/article240044448.html