No one expects to be injured when using a product purchased in a store. Nonetheless, Pennsylvania residents are all too often injured by defective products. In a post last week we discussed the recall of exercise cords by retailer Target due to users sustaining injuries. The popular retailer recently issued another recall, this time for blenders. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of the Chefmate blenders this past Thursday.

The six-speed blenders labeled as model BL-10 were manufactured in China and distributed by Select Brands of Lenexa, Kan. They were only available at Target starting toward the end of 2007. Target stopped selling the defective product in February 2011. The item sold for around $14. In total, close to 304,000 blenders are involved.

Some users of the blender reportedly sustained cuts on their fingers and hands when the pitcher disconnected from the blade while the blender was still on. In total, 11 reports of the malfunction have been received. Seven of the 11 incidents were reported as causing serious injury. The exposed rotating blades are to blame.

One type of product defect concerns a defective design. A design defect exists when a flaw in the design is to blame for the danger presented by the product. This flaw exists before the product is every actually manufactured. Individuals who are injured by a defective product may be entitled to financial compensation via a product liability claim.

CPSC has suggested that people stop using the blenders. They can be returned to Target for a full refund.

Source: Star Tribune, "Blenders from Target recalled after serious injuries reported," Paul Walsh, Sept. 16, 2011