Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer - Article

Vending Machine Injuries

Vending machines have always been present to cater to hungry and thirsty patrons who have forgotten a snack or something to drink while out. Unfortunately, like all machines, vending machines don’t always work as they should. When people get angry at the lack of food coming from a vending machine, people are tempted to fight the machine by rocking it back and forth. Some people go as far as tilting the machines to get their food. While it seems harmless, these actions have resulted in 37 deaths and 113 injuries since 1978, according to the CPSC.

These machines which are designed to provide refreshing beverages, they are also something of notorious killers. In 1998, a young man was killed in Canada when a vending machine fell on him. As a result, the family started a website to spread awareness of the dangers of rocking vending machines. The family’s goal is to make it a requirement to secure vending machines to a wall or the floor. This would significantly reduce the chance of an accident and also prevents a person from being able to rock them or tilt them.

The CPSC released a study in 1995 that stated the CPSC was aware of 37 deaths and 113 injuries since 1978. Despite the release of the study, actions to improve the safety of fending machine usage have not taken place. Also in 1995, an industry-wide warning label went into effect. This label states that individuals should never rock or tilt a vending machine. It also contains a warning about serious injury and death as a result of the tilting or rocking motions.

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured by a vending machine, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers of Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200.