Defective Cribs: Is Your Child Safe?
Nothing is more devastating than the loss of a child. We do everything in our power to keep our children safe, especially when they are at such a tender age that they have no means to fend for themselves. When we buy a product for our child, we trust that the manufacturers have carefully considered all factors and designed a product that is actually safe for babies. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Thousands, if not millions, of baby cribs have been sold to Americans despite carrying serious safety risks. Infants around the country are injured by defective cribs every day. Continue reading to learn about defective cribs and the risks they carry. If your child was injured by a defective crib, call a seasoned Texas products liability attorney for stellar advice and representation.
Defective Cribs Responsible for Dozens of Infant Deaths Every Year
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cribs are recalled due to safety hazards and defects. In fact, between 2009-2011, more than 11 million cribs were recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Companies may issue recalls for any number of reasons, but reports from the CPSC and safety advocacy organizations such as the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) prove that these are not minor defects. Upwards of 50 infants suffocate or strangle within their cribs every year, in large part because of crib manufacturing or design defects. Tens of thousands of children suffer serious injuries because of these defects.
If your crib has been subject to a recall, contact the manufacturer immediately for a refund, repair, or replacement. A defective products attorney can help you get the compensation you are due and, if your child was injured, make sure the proper parties are held liable for the devastation they’ve caused your family.
Dangerous Crib Defects
Cribs must be designed to be sturdy, effective, and safe for infants. Poorly designed or poorly manufactured cribs can create any number of hazards for children. Cribs must be designed to not only be sturdy once assembled but to remain sturdy even after being disassembled and reassembled multiple times. Cribs are a big investment and are commonly re-used for subsequent children. Cribs that are designed poorly, built with sub-par materials, or manufactured erroneously can lead to child injury and, ultimately, infant death.
Some of the more common defects identified in product recalls and injury cases include:
- Crib rails or slats that are too widely spaced, giving infants room to fall through, become entangled, or get their head or neck stuck
- Mattresses that fit the bed poorly, creating a gap or space for the infant to fall into, become trapped and suffocate
- Cribs manufactured with toxic chemicals such as lead paint
- Defective drop sides that come loose, allowing infants to fall from the crib
- Moving parts, such as fold-down sides, that carry a risk of pinching and finger amputation
- Unsecure materials that come loose from the crib, such as nylon mattress covers, creating a choking or strangling risk
- Weak building materials that break or come apart easily
- Sharp edges, loose screws, and other poorly-designed hardware leading to cuts, scrapes, and deep lacerations
Defective crib manufacturers are liable for any harm that results. If your child was injured or worse because of a crib design or manufacturing defect, you have the right to seek justice. An experienced defective crib attorney can help.
If you or a loved one has been hurt because of a defective crib or other consumer product, please contact the Turley Law Firm online or call 214-691-4025 or email turley@wturley.com today to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced Dallas defective product attorneys serve clients throughout Texas and multiple Southern and Southwestern states.
