Nordica USA pays $214,000 penalty, continues to deny withholding defect

Dangerous products should not be placed on consumer shelves at all. They should not ever enter into the stream of commerce where they could cause injury to a purchaser. We all know that mistakes do happen, and that sometimes a dangerous product does make its way into the mainstream population.

When this happens and the manufacturer becomes aware of the defective product, it is their duty to make the consumer aware that the product could cause them harm. Longtime ski-maker Nordica USA agreed to settle allegations that the company was aware of a defect in one model of skis that could cause serious injury to the user.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the defect is on the “XBi ALU Skis.” The defect can be found in the binding plates. The plates could crack or break and lead to injury. The CPSC also stated that Nordica USA had received at least 200 warranty claim reports submitted to the corporation specifically related to the defective binding plates. The claims were received by the corporation during the fall of 2008.

The CPSC did not receive a report from Nordica USA concerning the defect until the February 2009 recall of the product that affected over 4,500 pairs of skis that were sold across the nation between August of 2006 and December of 2008 for approximately $900 per pair.

While Nordica USA still claims that its officials had not knowingly violated the law in any way, they continued to settle the claim for $214,000.

Source: boston.com, “Nordica USA agrees to penalty for defective skis,” Oct. 6, 2011