It can be devastating when a defective product causes injuries to children. When injuries are reported or a defect is discovered, a product recall may occur. Such is the case with “Dream on Me” highchairs and infant swings. Thankfully, there haven’t been any reports of injuries. But there is the risk of strangulation for both of these products. Children can slip between front and side openings, and the neck could become trapped.
Statistics on Nursery Product Injuries and Deaths in Children Younger Than Age 5
Nursery products encompass a wide range of items. Although we expect them to be designed and manufactured so they are safe for children, some may pose risks due to a design flaw or manufacturing error.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 81,700 children were seen in an emergency department for injuries related to nursery products in 2010. Of course, this is not to say that all of those ER visits were related to injuries actually caused by the products.
Sixty-eight percent of the injuries were linked to cribs, mattresses, infant and car seat carriers, highchairs, and strollers. And the head was the part of the body most often injured, generally stemming from falls.
Deaths for children younger than five were most often connected to playpens, play yards, car seat and infant carriers, cribs, mattresses, bassinettes, and bath seats. In fact, as much as 90 percent of fatalities had a link to these nursery products.
Establishing Fault in a Defective Product Case
Three factors must be established in a defective product case. First, the defect must be related to manufacturing or designing of product, or to the shipping or selling phase. The defect also must have caused the injury. Finally, the product must have been used as it was supposed to be used or expected to be used and was not significantly altered.
Contacting a Long Island Defective Product Attorney
Injuries from a nursery product can be catastrophic. A defective product attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates in Long Island can review the case and help determine if a claim may be warranted against a manufacturer or other party. Call us today at 1-800-246-4878.
