Brass Eagle's "Xtreme Vision 280" paintball masks
CPSC Recall #98-150 — August 17, 1998
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 98-150 |
| Recall Date | August 17, 1998 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 42,300 |
Where It Was Sold
| Sporting goods and discount department stores nationwide sold the masks from July 1997 to April 1998 for about $55. |
Product
Brass Eagle's "Xtreme Vision 280" paintball masks
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Brass Eagle Inc. of Rogers, Ark., is voluntarily recalling about 42,300 paintball masks to replace their lenses. The lens can crack when struck by a paintball, presenting a potential eye injury hazard to the paintball player. CPSC and Brass Eagle have received eight reports of lenses cracking. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves the lenses of the Brass Eagle's "Xtreme Vision 280" paintball masks, sold before April 1998. The eagle logo is imprinted into the forehead of the mask, and "Z Leader" is printed on the lens. "Brass Eagle by Z Leader" is printed on the strap. Item no. 7472 appears on the bottom of the box, in which the mask was sold. Sporting goods and discount department stores nationwide sold the masks from July 1997 to April 1998 for about $55. Consumers should stop using these paintball masks immediately. Consumers should call Barb Borkowski at Brass Eagle at 800-861-6095 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday to verify whether their mask is involved in this recall and if so, for instructions on returning the mask's lens for a free replacement. Consumers also can write to: Brass Eagle Inc., Recall Department, 303 Cedar St., Granby, MO 64844. Lenses that bear a date stamp, consisting of numbers molded into the lens, on a tab located at the outside corner of the wearer's right lens, are not subject to this recall.
Hazard
The lens can crack when struck by a paintball, presenting a potential eye injury hazard to the paintball player.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Brass Eagle have received eight reports of lenses cracking. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these paintball masks immediately. Consumers should call Brass Eagle at 800-861-6095 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday to verify whether their mask is involved in this recall and if so, for instructions on returning the mask's lens 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.