The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced this week that Hewlett-Packard (HP) has agreed to a settlement of $425,000 for their failure to report a product hazard in a timely manner. It is required by federal law that any and all dangers regarding a product are reported to the CPSC immediately. There was evidence that HP knowingly delayed reporting an issue with certain lithium-ion battery packs that were an unreasonable hazard to consumers.

It was reported that these battery packs, shipped with new HP computers and sold as spare parts, could overheat, which posed a burn and fire hazard. The CPSC claimed that in September of 2007 HP had already received reports from 22 consumers about the defect and that two were injured and at least one was hospitalized. HP also apparently conducted studies in March and April 2007 which revealed information about the hazard.

Neither the study nor the reports were passed on to the CPSC until July 2008--the release explains that by the time it was reported 31 incidents had been reported. The federal laws regarding product safety require that hazards are reported within 24 hours of knowledge of the risk.

Although they settled the matter, HP still maintains their innocence in the matter. The full settlement agreement can be viewed here.

Manufacturers have a responsibility to make sure their products are safe consumers. If you or someone you love was injured as a result of a dangerous or defective product, contact the Philly accident lawyers at Console & Hollawell to find out your legal rights and options.

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