Product Defect Liability Lawyer Blog

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.

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Dorel Juvenile Group is issuing a defective product recall for about 213,000 Safety 1st Disney Care Center play yards and Eddie Bauer Complete play yards because children could suffocate in them. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the one-piece metal bars supporting the floorboard of the bassinet attachment can come out of the fabric sleeves and create an uneven sleeping surface, posing the hazard of suffocation or positional asphyxiation.

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Federal officials have issued a defective product recall for more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by Stork Craft Manufacturing, in the single biggest crib recall in the nation's history. According to an MSNBC news report, this product recall involves 1.2 million cribs in the United States and about 1 million in Canada where the company is based. Apparently, these cribs have a serious product defect where the drop-side plastic hardware can break or deform causing the drop-side to detach. This basically creates a space between the drop side and the crib mattress where infants can become entrapped and suffocate. Such unforeseen drop-side detachment can also cause dangerous fall injuries to young children.

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Grand World Inc., a New York-based importer, has issued a defective product recall for about 641,000 pacifiers that fail to meet federal safety standards and could pose a choking hazard to infants. According to a consumer safety alert issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recall involves the Bobby Chupete brand pacifiers, which have a ring-shaped handle and a heart-shaped mouth guard with two ventilation holes. The nipple is made of latex. Federal officials say the mouth guard on these pacifiers, which were manufactured in China, is too small, posing a choking hazard to young children who use them.

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Maclaren is issuing a defective product recall for about 1 million umbrella strollers because of a side hinge that poses serious injury risk to young children. According to an MSNBC news report, a side hinge mechanism in these defective strollers poses the risk of cutting or amputating a child's fingers when the stroller is being opened or closed. This product recall applies to all Maclaren strollers that were sold in the United States since 1999. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has apparently received reports of 15 incidents in which children were hurt in the past 10 years.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a defective product recall for Mia Moda child safety car seats. The federal agency has recalled 5,540 Mia Moda infant and child seats with their bases, and models Viva and Viva Supreme. These child safety seats apparently have sharp edges that can cut the harness. There is also the possibility of the car seat's base cracking in the event of a car accident. NHTSA officials warn that children in these car seats may not be properly restrained and their risk of injury or death is heightened. Consumers who own these defective products are asked to immediately stop using them. The manufacturer will give registered owners a full refund and official recall notices will start going out this month.

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The major national retailer, Target, is issuing a defective product recall for about 600,000 Halloween flashlights because they can apparently overheat and melt causing burn injuries. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, Target has so far received eight reports of flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burn injuries to the hand. This product recall involves two varieties of Halloween-themed flashlights -- the mini flashlights and the kind of flashlights sold with stencils.

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Plum Organics of Emeryville, California is issuing a baby food recall over California food poisoning concerns, according to a CBS News report. The company is recalling some of its apple and carrot portable pouch baby food over concerns of botulism contamination. The recalled products were sold individually throughout the country in 4.22-ounce pouches at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores. The company apparently determined that the baby food products did not meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for proper acidity level, thereby leaving it vulnerable to botulism contamination.

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The products liability attorneys at Bisnar | Chase closely monitor product safety recalls, especially those with the potential for serious injury or death. This week, Aqua-Leisure Industries Inc. is recalling about 4 million inflatable baby floats because the leg straps in the seat of the float can tear causing children to unexpectedly fall into or under the water, posing a risk of drowning. So far, there have been 34 reports of float seats tearing, causing children to fall under the water. However, no serious injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with these products.

The recalled inflatable baby floats were sold in a variety of styles and colors. The names and model numbers are located on the packaging. A date between 08/02 and 07/08 is molded on the valves of the defective products. The baby floats not included in this product recall can be identified with the lettering "NP" molded on the valve.

These are no doubt dangerous and defective products that could lead to serious personal injury or death and I'm glad that Aqua-Leisure is trying to get them off the market. Most of us, as parents and grandparents, know that babies and toddlers must be watched carefully around pools, bathtubs and spas. Drowning risks for small children right in and around your home are many and it only takes an inch or two of water to pose a serious risk for infants and toddlers.

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The death of an 8-month-old baby has led to yet another defective product recall involving 400,000 Simplicity cribs. According to an Associated Press news report, Simplicity Inc. is recalling the defective cribs, which put babies at risk of death by suffocation. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which issued an alert to consumers, said those who own these cribs should stop using them immediately and look for an alternative sleeping arrangement for their infants. The 8-month-old baby in Houston, Texas, died when it got stuck between the mattress and the defective drop-down side of the crib.

According to CPSC officials, the plastic hardware on these defective cribs can break or deform causing the drop side to detach and create a gap where infants can get trapped. CPSC has so far received 25 reports of the drop side detaching. The cribs were reportedly sold at department stores, children's stores and other retailers nationwide from January 2005 to June 2009 and cost between $150 and $300. CPSC is asking that consumers return the cribs to the store where they were bought.

My heart goes out to the family of the 8-month-old baby that died as a result of this defective product. I offer my deepest condolences to the parents of this child.

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LaJobi Importers is recalling two brands of its Bonavita cribs because of various product defects that could pose entrapment and strangulation hazards for infants and toddlers. According to news reports on Consumeraffairs.com, Bonavita recalled 2,000 of its "Cabana" drop-side cribs because the wooden slats can detach or break creating a gap, which can trap or suffocate children. So far, the company, LaJobi, has received 16 incident reports of crib slat failures, including 10 reports of slats falling out of rails and six reports of slats breaking.

In addition to this product defect recall, LaJobi is also recalling about 2,900 Bonavita "Hudson" and Babi Italia "Pinehurst" drop-side cribs. Apparently, the wooden crib slats can detach or break creating a gap, which can pose a fall, entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and LaJobi importers have received a total of 33 reports of drop side detachment due to a defective spring pin. In these reports, two children became entrapped and one child fell from the crib. Both children were freed by caregivers. However, one child suffered bruises.

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Mattel Inc. and Fisher-Price Inc. have agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty for violating the federal lead paint ban in connection with the defective products recall in 2007 involving nearly 1 million toys that had unacceptably high levels of lead. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the recalled toy products were mostly made in China and had the potential to cause significant and permanent brain damage in young children. The product recall also involved extremely popular brands of toys such as Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego and Pixar's Cars.

The penalty settlement has been provisionally accepted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and resolves allegations that the companies knowingly imported and sold children's toys with paints or other surface coatings that contained lead levels that violated a 30-year-old federal law. In 1978, CPSC banned toys and other children's items having more than 0.06 percent lead, by weight, in paints or surface coatings. In 2007, about 95 Mattel and Fisher Price toy models were determined to have exceeded this limit. Lead is obviously toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health consequences including brain damage.

There is no question that Mattel and Fisher Price should be held responsible for knowingly violating a law, especially one that involves the health and safety of our children. I'm pleased that they are being made to pay and are being held accountable for their negligence and wrongdoing.

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SunKids Recalls Dangerous and Defective Cribs

SunKids is recalling about 1,900 cribs for entrapment and suffocation hazards. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the defective products are made of mesh that expands, creating a gap between the side and the crib's mattress if it's not zipped into place. It is possible for young children to slip into this gap and become entrapped or suffocate. The crib's drop side can also fail to latch fully, posing a fall hazard to young children.

No injuries or deaths have been reported yet as a result of these defective SunKids products. But federal safety regulators say they have received a report of a 5-month-old child in August who became entrapped in a crib made by SunKids that was similar to the recently recalled cribs. That infant, who became entrapped between the mattress and the mesh side suffocated and died.

The current recall involves the SunKids convertible crib/playpen/bassinet/bed with model number PY256. The brand name "SunKids" is embroidered on the bottom left of the crib's drop side. The convertible cribs also have a drop side rail, stationary side rail, canopy assembly and bassinet. The sides of the convertible crib are made of fabric and mesh. The cribs, which were made in China, were sold at children's product retailers in California New York and New Jersey between January 2007 and October 2008 for about $100.

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Evenflo Recalls Defective High Chairs

Evenflo is recalling more than 600,000 of its Envision model defective high chairs and expanding the previous recall of Majestic high chairs due to falling and choking hazards. According to an MSNBC news report, consumers have been asked to immediately stop using these high chairs. In the Envision model, recline fasteners and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can come loose and fall off. This might cause the seatback to detach or recline unexpectedly. Children can fall backwards or fall out of the high chair and suffer head injuries.

So far, Evenflo has received 320 reports of Envision seatbacks detaching or reclining unexpectedly resulting in 19 reports of bumps and bruises to the head and 35 reports of other injuries including cuts and bruises. Envision models were made in China and sold from December 2002 through April 2006 for between $80 and $110. In the expanded product recall of the Majestic line, plastic caps and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, allowing the seatback to suddenly fall back or detach from the high chair. Evenflo has received 16 reports of injury incidents involving these chairs.

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Fisher-Price Recalls Defective High Chairs for Serious Injury Hazard

Fisher-Price is recalling close to 24,000 3-in-1 defective high chairs sold at Target stores nationwide. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the seat of the high chair can fall backwards from the frame if the booster seat release is unlatched while the child is in the seat. Also, the seat back can detach if not fully snapped in place. This poses a fall hazard and risk of serious injury to young children. So far Fisher-Price has received one report of serious head injury after a seat back detached and a child fell out. That child suffered a skull fracture.

This product recall involved the 3-in-1 High Chair to Booster brand, which converts from a high chair to a toddler booster seat. The chair also includes a removable tray, height adjustment and folds for storage. The product number (P5369) is printed on the side of the seat as well as on the product's packaging. These high chairs, manufactured in Mexico, were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide from December 2008 through March 2009 for about $100.

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Recaro is recalling about 5,400 of its Signo child car seats for a defective restraint system that could fail in the event of a crash and cause catastrophic injuries. According to this news report in Consumeraffairs.com, a defective spring in the car seat could allow the central front adjuster strap to slip, keeping the harness from being securely tightened. In the event of an auto accident, a child may not be properly secured and could be injured or killed as a result.

Recaro will start notifying consumers immediately and replace the defective restraint system free of charge. If you have more questions, please call Recaro at 1-888-473-2290. Consumers may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236.

So far there have been no reports of injuries or deaths as a result of these defective child car seats. But it is very important that this manufacturer get the word out so consumers do not continue to use this product. Recalling this defective product was an important first step to take and I'm glad that Recaro has already done that.

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CBB Group Inc. is recalling about 39,000 toys sold at dollar stores and toy stores across the country. The recalled toys include items such as rattles, pull cars, fishing games and cartoon bubble guns. The fishing games, baby rattles and cars apparently contain small parts, which can detach and pose a choking hazard to young children. The card and bubble guns have surface paints that contain excessive levels of lead that violate the federal lead paint standard. Our source for this blog was this news report.

The recalled toys, manufactured in China, were sold at dollar stores as well as toy stores nationwide from July 2007 through December 2008 for between $1 and $5. Those who have any of these recalled products at home are asked to take them away from young children right away and return them to the store where they purchased it for a refund. If you would like more information about this recall, please call the CBB Group, Inc. at 1-866-628-6238.

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The Disney Store is recalling about 20,000 “Handy Manny” toy tool sets because it contains small parts that could pose a choking hazard to young children. The company has apparently received two reports of children who started to choke on the pieces. So far no deaths have been reported. Our source for this blog was this news report in the consumer watchdog Web site, Consumeraffairs.com.

The recalled Playhouse Disney Handy Manny tool set is a plastic, eight-piece toy set that includes a tool box, hammer, saw, pliers, wrench, tape measure and two screwdrivers. The name “Handy Manny” is embossed on one side of the tool box. The product’s UPC (#405144100614 or #422147400633), can be located on the packaging. These toys, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at the Disney Store nationwide from October 2007 through January 2009 for about $15.

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New research done at the Traffic Safety Center of UC Berkeley shows that placing infants and small children in age-appropriate car safety seats significantly reduces the odds that they will die in the event of an auto accident. According to this article on Health Day’s Web site, the recent study demonstrated that infants’ odds of dying in a car crash dropped by three-quarters if they were placed properly in a safety restraint seats. Older children also reduced their risk of dying in a crash by at least 60 percent, the report stated.

Auto accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for children older than 1 year. More than 500 children under the age of 3 died as a result of traffic collisions in 2005, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 93 percent of babies younger than 1 year were placed in child safety seats in 2006 while 91 percent of children between ages 1 and 3 also rode in car seats. The UC Berkeley study also found that safety seats were most effective in preventing fatalities in rollover crashes, in rural environments and accidents involving light trucks.

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A company called Dorel is recalling about 100,000 Safety 1st SmartLight stair gates. The hinges that hold these stair gates can apparently break, posing a fall and serious injury hazard to infants and toddlers if the gate is placed at the top of the stairs. This recall involves the Safety 1st SmartLight Stair Gate with model number 42111, which is printed on a sticker under the handle panel. The gates, which were made before December 2007, are made of white metal with a gray handle and a motion sensor nightlight that lights up on approach. Our source for this blog is this news report.

The gates were sold at most large children’s retail outlets nationwide including Babies R Us and Wal-Mart between January 2005 and December 2007 for about $60. Consumers who own these gates are asked to stop using them right away and contact the company to get a free repair kit. For more information, please call 1-866-690-2540 to get their free repair kit.

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