A Short Guide to Crib Recalls, Lawsuits, and Safety
The area of personal injury which garners the second highest median damage awards is product liability, which gets an average of $300,000. One of the most unfortunate causes of injury or death as a result of the use of a product is cribs. Each year in the United States, an average of 26 infant die from crib-related deaths.
Crib Recalls
As a result of deaths and injuries that occur as a result of the use of cribs, there have been a number of different crib recalls and laws enacted about the manufacture of cribs. The most dangerous type of crib is a drop side crib. The design has actually been outlawed in the United States. Parents should always check recall lists before buying a crib, but also be aware that recalls typically do not occur until months after the product is on the market.
Litigation
In some cases, crib deaths or injuries result in personal injury lawsuits. In cases like these (and any other product liability case, really), the family must prove that the crib was dangerous or defective and that it was the danger or the defect that directly caused the child’s injury or death. The common defense is that the family was not using the crib properly, which resulted in the child’s injury or death. Experienced personal injury lawyers, however, can help build a case and negotiate with the liable party for a settlement.
Crib Safety Guidelines
Crib safety is an essential part of making sure that a child is not injured or killed when using a crib. Cribs should never be bought secondhand and should be carefully constructed following manufacturer’s instructions. There should be no pillows or blankets in the crib with the child, as these could smother it. Babies should also always be placed on their backs to sleep.
Do you have any questions about product liability personal injury lawsuits or crib safety? Feel free to ask us in the comments section.
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