Plastic lawn chairs

CPSC Recall #98-138 — July 6, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-138
Recall DateJuly 6, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 5,000
ManufacturerBemis Manufacturing Co. of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

Where It Was Sold

Department stores nationwide
including Sears and Costco
sold the chairs from January 1998 through June 1998 for about $40.

Product

Plastic lawn chairs

Description

WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bemis Manufacturing Co. of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., is recalling about 5,000 plastic lawn chairs. The chairs sustained damage during shipment, causing them to collapse unexpectedly while in use. Bemis has received four reports of chairs collapsing, resulting in minor injuries. These plastic lawn chairs come in white, green and taupe. The five-position folding recliner has an extra-wide seat, measuring about 22 inches, and was sold under the Grand Sequoia brand name. "Model 2068" is embossed on the underside of the seat. Department stores nationwide, including Sears and Costco, sold the chairs from January 1998 through June 1998 for about $40. Consumers should stop using these lawn chairs immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should contact Bemis Manufacturing at (800) 558-7651 and request customer service.

Hazard

The chairs sustained damage during shipment, causing them to collapse unexpectedly while in use.

Incidents & Injuries

Bemis has received four reports of chairs collapsing, resulting in minor injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these lawn chairs immediately and return them to the store where purchased 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.