Attorney Mark Lanier Tells ABC News' Nightline that Mattel Should Be Held Responsible for Recalled Chinese Toys
Aug. 20, 2007 - During a recent interview on ABC News' Nightline, Houston attorney Mark Lanier said that U.S. toymaker Mattel should not be given a "get out of jail free" card when it comes to harm caused by its recently recalled Chinese-made toys.
"You can't call them the victim . . . when they are the ones making the millions and millions of dollars off of these sales," said Mr. Lanier during the Aug. 17, 2007, Nightline segment, where he discussed whether Mattel was defrauded by a Chinese manufacturer. He said it was Mattel's choice to go "to China to have the products made, and not to monitor that process properly."
Mattel has recalled nearly 20 million Chinese-made toys because of safety concerns, including toys that included lead-based paint and easy-to-swallow magnets that can cause internal injury to children. The recalls include some of the most popular toys in the United States, including Elmo, Big Bird, Barbie, Polly Pocket dolls and "Sarge" die-cast automobiles from the animated movie "Cars."
The latest recall of Mattel toys follows reports from earlier in 2007 identifying potentially dangerous Chinese products, including tainted pet food, contaminated fish, harmful toothpaste and faulty tires.
Mr. Lanier, founder of The Lanier Law Firm, recently represented the family of a 6-year-old girl who choked to death on a toy from a fast food restaurant children's meal. The Chinese manufacturer of the defective toy was not able to be sued in U.S. courts, but the restaurant and importer of the product were held liable and reached a settlement with the family.
Based on his experience in litigation involving faulty Chinese products, media outlets nationwide have turned to Mr. Lanier for expert analysis. In July 2007, Mr. Lanier provided commentary for both The National Law Journal story on faulty Chinese goods and the "Power Lunch" program broadcast nationally on the cable business network CNBC in a segment addressing faulty Chinese made toys.
Read more about the Mattel toy recall.
If you feel that you have been harmed by a defective or poorly designed Chinese-made product or would like more information, please contact The Lanier Law Firm at 713-659-5200.
