ASIC Gel Wrestling Ear Guard with Neoprene

CPSC Recall #01-133 — April 23, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-133
Recall DateApril 23, 2001
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 60,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Sports specialty and team sport stores
and team sport catalogs sold these guards nationwide from June 1998 through March 2001 for about $25.

Product

ASIC Gel Wrestling Ear Guard with Neoprene

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ASICS TIGER Corp., of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 60,000 ear guards used in wrestling. The plastic protective shell of these guards can break when it is hit against a hard surface, resulting in impact injuries to the wrestler's head.ASICS TIGER Corp. has received 10 reports of the plastic shells of these guards breaking, resulting in three injuries. The injuries reported include cuts and abrasions to the side of the head and ear.The recall involves ASIC Gel Wrestling Ear Guard with Neoprene. The guard includes two plastic ear pieces covered with neoprene nylon. The ASICS red logo is on a label on the guard's strap. A gold label inside the guard reads, "MADE IN CHINA." A date code can be found written on the neoprene nylon underneath the outer rim of the ear piece. The recalled guards have date codes beginning with "98" or "99." The guards are white, red, purple, black, navy blue, royal blue, green or gold.Sports specialty and team sport stores, and team sport catalogs sold these guards nationwide from June 1998 through March 2001 for about $25.Consumers should stop using these ear guards immediately, and return them to the store where purchased or to the firm for a free replacement. For more information, call ASICS TIGER Corp. at (888) 380-8222 anytime, or go to the firm's website at www.asicstiger.com.

Hazard

The plastic protective shell of these guards can break when it is hit against a hard surface, resulting in impact injuries to the wrestler's head.

Incidents & Injuries

ASICS TIGER Corp. has received 10 reports of the plastic shells of these guards breaking, resulting in three injuries. The injuries reported include cuts and abrasions to the side of the head and ear.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these ear guards immediately, and return them to the store where purchased or to the firm for a free replacement.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.