A crib is often the only place parents feel comfortable leaving a baby unattended. They expect that their children are safe and protected, but this is not always the case. Crib injuries sent over 12,000 children under the age of five to the emergency room in 2013, according to the latest data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Over any other baby product, cribs are the cause of the highest number of child deaths, averaging nearly 50 a year.
New Mandates Have Improved Safety, but Dangers Still Exist
The CPSC has adopted regulations to improve the safety of cribs. In 2011, a new rule prohibited the manufacture or sale of drop-side cribs—a crib with a side that can be lowered for easier access to the baby. Regulations were also put in place regarding crib slats, mattress support, and hardware. However, injuries still happen, and falls and entrapment are the most common hazards. The injuries most frequently reported include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Suffocation
Crib Recalls Seek to Prevent Further Injuries
Crib recalls have been issued in an attempt to prevent further injuries. Recently, the CPSC issued a recall warning for cribs manufactured by Bexco Enterprises. Some of the cribs sold under the brand names Million Dollar Baby, DaVinci, and Baby Mod have been recalled due to drop-side malfunction and defective mattress support brackets. The drop-side can detach, causing the side of the crib to fall out of place creating a gap a baby could fall or roll into. The company has received 43 reports of this drop-side defect so far, with 11 instances of children becoming entrapped or falling from the crib as a result.
This recall concerns models sold between May 2012 and December 2013. Over 17,000 cribs were manufactured with these possible defects.
If your baby has suffered a crib injury due to a manufacturing defect, you may be entitled to make a claim. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.
Related links:
