Defective products are bought, sold and used in states throughout the country including Pennsylvania on a regular basis. A neck massager has been blamed in the December 2010 death of a 37-year-old radiologist. Her husband reportedly has a product liability lawsuit pending.

The woman's death occurred while she was using the ShoulderFlex Deep Kneading Shiatsu massager before her Christmas Eve shift. The 16-inch leather necklace she was wearing at the time reportedly became entangled in the device, strangling her.

When the woman was discovered by her husband, a doctor, the necklace was twisted in the device that was still turned on. Though he called 911 and attempted to revive her, she was declared dead.

Designed to give the user a deep-tissue massage, to use the product, one must lie flat. The device is positioned under the user's back and neck so that the massage targets the back, neck and shoulder portion of the body. According to the deceased woman's husband, his wife often used the massager.

After the death of the woman the U.S. Department of Product Safety tested the product. It determined that it is hard to shut the device off when something is wrapped in the parts. As a result of the determination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers recommending the massager be disposed of and no longer used.

A product liability lawsuit may be appropriate when an item unexpectedly presents a danger which results in an injury or death. In some instances, an injured party or the loved ones of someone who has tragically been lost may receive a financial recovery.

Source: Sun Sentinel, "Neck massager death of Parkland radiologist was accident, Broward Sheriff's Office says," Juan Ortega, Sept. 1, 2011