Poison accidents happen every day. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 1998 alone, more than 2.2 million human poison exposures were reported to poison control centers in the United States. Every year more than 900,000 people require emergency care because of poisonings. Most poisonings happen in the home and involve children. In 1998, 92% of all poisonings occurred in the home, and 53% involved children under the age of six years. Common household items are often the cause. The poisons usually involved are cleaning substances, pain relievers, cosmetics, personal care products, plants, and cough and cold preparations. Businesses, manufacturers, homeowners, and others are exposed to potential liability for improper packaging, defective content control, improper safety warnings, improper storage, failure to childproof regulated items, and allowing children access to dangerous produces.

Anyone injured in a poisoning accident should try to determine why. If you, a love one, or friends have been injured due to a poisoning accident, you may have a valid injury claim and entitled to compensation. The following are a few important legal, factual and evidentiary matters to consider when evaluating a claim.

• When, where, and under what circumstances did the accident occur?

• Did the accident happen at home, at a business, or on the job?

• Did the accident involve a particular product?

• Is the product available?

• Has there been an investigation of the accident?

• Was proper first aid available?

• Was proper emergency procedures followed?

• Did the medicine or product have child-resistant packaging?

• Was a dangerous product stored in food or drink containers?

• Did the package have functioning child-safety caps?

• Was the cap are on tight?

• Was there a proper response to a poisoning incident?

• Was a poison product left unsecured in a business with access to children?

• Was a grandparent, babysitter, or childcare center negligent in letting a small child have access to dangerous medication?

It is important that an experienced legal team evaluate a poison claim. If you, a friend, or loved have sustained a poison injury, you should take immediate steps to protect your or their interest. Do not compromise your rights by making statements to the press, insurance investigators, potential defendants, their representatives, and do not sign anything. Consider the suggestions in our accident guide, and call us immediately. We are here to help. At Larry King, P.C., we recognize the unique issues pertaining to your claim. You can call us at (757) 595-8100 seven days a week, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. We also offer a free legal-infoline service, and you can now contact us on this web site by using the following Personal Injury Contact form. We are committed to doing the extra things it takes to help our clients.