A lot of people don’t realize that about 10-15 percent of mattresses, usually the cheaper ones, use fiberglass as a fire retardant to meet federal safety standards. If the cover stays on like it’s supposed to, the fiberglass is generally not an issue. But once that layer gets exposed or torn, those tiny fiberglass particles can spread all over your home.
When that happens, people can end up dealing with skin irritation, rashes, eye problems, and even breathing issues. On top of that, the particles can get into your clothes, furniture, carpet, and even your HVAC system. Cleanup can get very expensive.
If you think that’s what’s going on, we recommend:
You can usually check the tag on the mattress to see if fiberglass is listed. There are safer alternatives out there, and they’re not much more expensive.
If your damages are very minor, you can start by reaching out to both the store you bought it from and the manufacturer to report what happened and see what they’re willing to do. However, keep in mind that many states, including Tennessee, have short deadlines for these kinds of cases. In Tennessee, there is a one-year statute of limitations for product liability cases, meaning that you only have one year after the injury to file a lawsuit. Tennessee and many other states also have a statute of repose, which states that lawsuits must be brought within ten years of the product’s first purchase or within one year of the product’s expected life, whichever is shorter. That is why you should promptly contact a local attorney in your state, who can take a look at your situation and give you professional legal advice. If you live in Tennessee, contact Ponce Law today for a free consultation.
