Blair LLC. has expanded a defective product recall involving chenille robes and other clothing items after reports of nine deaths after the robes caught fire. According to an Associated Press news report, Blair had received five reports of deaths linked to the robes that were manufactured in Pakistan. Now, the Pennsylvania-based company has received four additional reports of fatalities linked to these defective robes, which apparently failed to meet federal flammability standards. Now, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are expanding the recall to include more chenille robes and other chenille products including jackets, lounge jackets and tops. Most of the deaths however involved the full length chenille robes.

Robes Present Burn Hazard

Federal officials call these robes “a deadly risk to women.” Most of the fatal accidents occurred when the women, most of them seniors, were cooking. The flames apparently travel quickly up the robes and cause serious burn injuries even before the victims can remove them. The products involved in this recall were sold in Blair catalogs online and at Blare stores in Pennsylvania from July 2000 through April 2007.

My heart goes out to all these victims who have suffered severe burn injuries or have been killed as a result of these defective products. I offer my deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones because of these products. They will be in my prayers.

Clothing flammability is measured by the speed at which fabrics we use in clothing ignite and the rate at which they burn once they are ignited. Some of the clothing we wear are dangerous. Clothing can pose a serious risk of burn injuries depending on the type of fabric, its textile construction, weave, weight, finish and fit. There are federal flammability standards in place for adult and children’s clothing, but we have seen over the years that these standards are overlooked or may not be met when clothing items are imported. To me, this seems to be what happened in the case of these dangerous and defective chenille robes.

Products Liability Issues

Clothing meant to be sold to the general public must comply with the Flammable Fabrics Act. If there is clothing that does not comply with these standards, they must be recalled. But that doesn’t happen too often. It is the consumers who pay for the manufacturer’s or distributor’s negligence, sometimes with their lives.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed as a result of a defective product, you would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who can conduct a prompt investigation, determine the defects and hold the manufacturer or distributor liable for the injuries and damages caused. The best products liability law firms will offer a free consultation to injured victims and their families.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.