Bungee cords are inherently dangerous. They contain great amounts of stored energy, and when released can strike a person’s eye at 200 mph. Bungee cords are a leading causes of eye injury. Bungee cords are often designed and built in an unsafe manner. The hooks either straighten out, come loose, detach from the cord, or the cord can break. Injuries to the eye include bleeding within the eye, lacerations to the eye, traumatic cataracts, and tearing or detachment of the retina from the back of the eye. Bungee cord accidents have resulted in loss of the eye itself and even death.
There are many alternative designs that are practical and cost effective. These include using a closed clip at the ends, straps or buckles, connecting the hook to the cord so that it will not detach. Many safety studies recommend not using bungee cords at all, and replacing them with flat elastic luggage straps that have loops rather than hooks. At the very least, there should be warning labels, and safety goggles should be used.
Not only are bungee cords inherently dangerous, but they are often made from cheap materials and defectively designed. We represent a client who suffered serious eye injury when the hook detached from the cord. Since there are safe and practical alternatives to bungee cords, bungee cords should not be used.
Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP represents victims of bungee cord accidents. Contact us for a free consultation.
