Case Study Officer Robert Barton

Product Misuse

Product Misuse

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Product Misuse

The Darwinian Award is awards usually posted posthumously to people that are considered so stupid or ridiculous in the way they died that their lives are for commemorated. The people awarded this award usually end up hurting themselves and in most cases end up dead. The award was named in honor of Charles Darwin, the Father of Evolution, and each of the stories on the website represents a true death or idiotic situation. For the authors of the site the goal is to inform the public of all the idiots that exist in the world as a sort of comical warning about the stupid ways people can die.

The types of products that really need a warranty are the products used the most and the most needed. In a home any appliance should have a warranty due to the high cost of the product and the necessity of the item. For example if a refrigerator was to go out it would be a major hassle for the person or family and could result in financial loss. Having a warranty will ensure the product can be replaced without any additional expense to the consumer (House, 2014). A washing machine, dryer and oven are also other essential appliances that should have a warranty. Without a warranty the high cost of these items could be detrimental.

Another type of product that should always have a warranty is electronics. In the Information Age electronics are essential in the life of most citizens. Electronics, especially computers laptops, smartphones, and tablets are important tools for citizens, especially business people. If these tools are damaged and can no longer be used it can create major disruptions in the person’s life. When electronics do not have a warranty and they become damaged or destroyed the person that needs this electronic tool for work or school will have to come up with the money to replace the expensive item. A warranty will save the person major hassle.

When people misuse products it can result in their death. It is essential to use a product for what it is intended. For example prescription drugs are designed to treat a specific ailment but many times these products are abused resulting in someone coming to harm or dying. A misused item that resulted in a Darwinian Award was the use of a chain saw to cut off a limb in order to obtain the insurance money. Before emergency services could arrive to save the young man he bled to death. Chainsaws are for cutting wood. The cousin of the man that died ended up in jail for life on homicide charges for cutting off his cousin’s leg (Darwinian Award, 2002).

McDonalds is one of the most popular fast food restaurant chains in America and across the globe. The problem with this is McDonalds has had a major influence over the obesity problem in the country due to the size and unhealthy content of their food. This unhealthy food has become a staple in the American diet. Despite this fact consumer should not have the right to sue McDonalds because they serve unhealthy foods. The great thing about a democratic society is people have a choice. They can choose to eat healthy foods or they can choose to eat unhealthy foods.

Consumers have a responsibility to use consumers they way they were intended and this includes food is designed for survival and should not become an addiction resulting in obesity. It would be nice to live in a society where unhealthy foods were not available but this is not the case. People can choose to misuse products resulting in their death or they can choose to eat unhealthy foods but the smart consumer makes good decisions about the products they purchase. This includes not eating unhealthy foods and getting a warranty for products that are essential or expensive to replace.

References

Darwinian Award. (2002). Chainsaw Insurance. Retrieved December 14, 2014 from

http://darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2002-01.html

House, T. (2014). Guarantees and Warranties: what you need to know. Retrieved December 14,

2014 from http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/consumer-advice/guarantees-and-

warranties-what-you-need-to-know/