Barstools
CPSC Recall #02-557 — August 22, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-557 |
| Recall Date | August 22, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 1,900 |
| Manufactured In | Assembled in the United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Shopko Stores sold the barstools in central and northwest U.S. from January 2002 through March 2002 for about $20. |
Product
Barstools
Description
PRODUCT: Barstools - LPK International Inc., of Northbrook, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 1,900 barstools. This recall includes 24- inch and 29-inch high, natural wood finish barstools with round seats. The barstools have model numbers 74150 (24-inch) and 75151 (29-inch). The model numbers are printed on a sticker on the underside of the barstool's seat. A circular stamp on the underside of the seat reads, "H.L." and "NOV 2001." Shopko Stores sold the barstools in central and northwest U.S. from January 2002 through March 2002 for about $20. They were assembled in the United States.PROBLEM: The dowels connecting the barstools' legs to the seat are not properly secured. During use, the barstools can collapse, posing a risk of injury to the consumer.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: LPK has received six reports of the barstools collapsing. A consumer injured his back when his barstool collapsed and he fell to the ground.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these recalled barstools immediately and return them to the nearest Shopko store for a refund. For more information, consumers can contact LPK International toll-free at (800) 772-1606, Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT) and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CT).
Hazard
The dowels connecting the barstools' legs to the seat are not properly secured. During use, the barstools can collapse, posing a risk of injury to the consumer.
Incidents & Injuries
LPK has received six reports of the barstools collapsing. A consumer injured his back when his barstool collapsed and he fell to the ground.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these recalled barstools immediately and return them to the nearest Shopko store for a refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.