Dorel, a Barbados-based company, has issued a defective product recall for about 635,000 cribs after a 6-month-old baby boy was strangled to death by getting trapped in one of these cribs. That fatal incident occurred when the drop-side hardware of the crib broke. According to an Associated Press news report, the recalled cribs were made in China and Vietnam and were sold at major retailers nationwide such as Kmart, Wal-Mart and Sears. According to federal officials, the recall involves 20 models of Dorel Asia cribs with both drop sides and front rails. The drop sides can detach, creating a space where the child can be trapped and become suffocated.

Several Reports of Injuries

Investigators said the circumstances involving the death were “unusual” because the parents were using the crib after trying to repair it themselves. In this particular case, investigators said the crib was broken and had been held together with duct tape. Dorel still recalled some of the cribs because a child can be trapped if one of the slats is broken or damaged. So far CPSC and Dorel have received 31 reports of incidents involving drop-side cribs including six reports of children being trapped between the mattress and the drop side. The company has also gotten 36 reports of broken slats, including two reports of trapped children and seven reports of bruises and scratches.

Problems with Drop-Side Cribs

Millions of cribs have been recalled over the last three years because of similar product defects that led to several infant deaths across the United States. Most of these dangerous products were drop-side cribs, which posed a strangulation or suffocation hazard to infants and young children. Similar hazards were also reported in some bassinets and toddler beds.

If you have one of these cribs in your home, it is critical that you stop using it immediately and make alternative sleeping arrangements for your baby. If you are a childcare provider and have these cribs in your facility, you need to stop using them as well and have them replaced immediately. Cribs are also usually passed from one family to another through thrift stores and garage sales. If you are a new parent shopping for a crib, please research recalled cribs on CPSC’s website, so you are aware of the dangerous products that are still out there. If your child has been injured as a result of a dangerous or defective product, please contact a reputed personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled products liability cases, to find out more about your legal rights and options.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.