Recall stairlifts with special risk profile

Kennedy Van der Laan’s Recall Solutions lawyers assisted a producer of stairlifts in a worldwide recall. Reason for this recall were two fatal accidents, possibly caused by a defect in a specific type of stairlift. Normally such a product safety risk would warrant a public warning. In this case it was decided not to do so in close consultation with the NVWA and foreign authorities, because stairlifts are generally used by people who have difficulty walking. Expectations were that the risk of more accidents would be higher if they started walking up and down the stairs than if they kept using the stairlifts. The Recall Solutions specialists consulted with the NVWA and advised on the communications with the companies that had bought these stairlifts (and installed them in private homes) and on the execution of the replacement operation.