Our law firm won a settlement for a family whose baby died of positional asphyxia while in an infant carrier. The mother was initially blamed for the death. Positional asphyxia happens when the position the baby is forced into while in a sling or other dangerous product prevents the baby from breathing adequately to sustain life.
As part of our representation of the family, child safety lawyers at Pritzker Hageman filed a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding the death. A few weeks later, the CPSC issued an official warning regarding the risk to babies of suffocation associated with infant sling use.
“Our clients lost their baby, and the response of the CPSC is to issue a warning,” said Pritzker Hageman founder Fred Pritzker. “The warning states that CPSC is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with baby slings. How many more babies will die before action is taken to protect our most vulnerable citizens? Every baby product associated with a death should be recalled immediately.”
Because these products have not been recalled, babies continue to be at risk of two types of suffocation death, according to the CPSC warning: 1) rapid suffocation when the sling’s fabric presses against the baby’s nose and mouth, blocking the infant’s breathing and suffocating the baby within a minute or two; and 2) slow suffocation when the product keeps the baby in a curled position, bending the chin toward the chest and restricting the baby’s airways. This slow suffocation is called positional asphyxia. The airway is so restricted that the baby is unable to cry for help.
The Pritzker Hageman child safety lawyers represent children and their families in lawsuits against manufacturers and have recovered millions on their behalf. To contact our legal team, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).
We have won settlements against daycare providers. If your child is injured or killed while at a daycare facility, our lawyers can investigate to find the truth and file a lawsuit if there is evidence of negligence or intentional harm.
Contact An Attorney About Investigating a Daycare for Your Child’s Wrongful Death
Infant Carrier Sling and Other Baby Product Recalls
Kolcraft Cuddle ‘n Care Bassinet and Incline Sleeper Recall
The Kolcraft Cuddle ‘n Care and Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinets and Incline Sleepers were recalled in February of 2020. The recall was issued because infant fatalities have been reported with other inclined sleep products. The Kolcraft sleepers were sold at retailers nationwide from March 2011 through December 2017 for about $140.
Fisher-Price Recall for Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards
In June of 2019, Fisher-Price recalled inclined-sleeper products sold with Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards due to infant death risk. The recall includes all models with the numbers CBV60, CHP86, CHR06, CJK24, and DJD11.
Kids II Rocking Sleeper Recall
The Kids II Rocking Sleeper was recalled after five infant deaths were reported. The recalled products were sold between March 2012 – April 26, 2019, for $40-80 at major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target, and Toys “R” Us. The recalled sleepers were also sold online.
Jané Muum Stroller Recall
The Jané Muum stroller recall in May of 2018 involved the US model, which has a black frame. “Muum by Jané” is printed on the front bottom frame, and “Muum” is printed on the side frame and on the handle. “Jané” and “Muum,” “Jané USA LLC,” “Muum US 5399US/S85” or “S47,” “S49,” “S46” are printed on a label on the leg of the stroller. The product was sold at Albee Baby, Baby World, Kidsland, Toys R US, Dainty Baby, USA Baby stores, and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and other websites from July 2016 through August 2017 for between $300 and $450.
Babynest Crib Bumpers Used in Babybay Bedside Sleeper Cribs
This recall involves Babynest crib bumpers used in Babybay bedside sleeper cribs, which attach to adult size beds. The recalled crib bumpers are 60 inches long by 9.5 inches wide. They were sold online at www.babybay.us from April 2016 to January 2018 for between $45 and $65. The importer was Tobi USA LLC., of Concord, Calif.
Discount School Supply Bib Recall
Discount School Supply issued a recall of children’s waterproof bibs on March 22, 2017, because “the children’s bib has a waterproof plastic backing that can separate from the terry cloth fabric, creating a suffocation hazard to children,” according to the CPSC. The company “received 12 reports, involving at least 23 packages of bibs, of the waterproof plastic material separating from the bib. No injuries have been reported.”
This recall involves Environments-brand children’s waterproof-back terry bibs sold in packages of twelve. There are 2 styles of bibs involved:
- The “Pocket” style bib is 10 inches wide by 16 inches long with adjustable snap closure; and
- The “Cover-Up” style bib is 10 inches wide by 16.5 inches long with cap sleeves and smock-back snap closures.
With both styles, “Environments, Inc.” and SKU number 900822 or 900823 are printed on a label attached to the bib. The products were sold at DiscountSchoolSupply.com and Environments.com nationwide from January 2008 to October 2016 for about $50 for the pocket bib set of twelve, and $70 for the cover-up set of twelve. The importer of both bib products was Excelligence Learning Corp. d/b/a Discount School Supply, of Monterey, Calif.
Dream on Me Recalls 2-in-1 Bassinet to Cradle
The Dream on Me 2-in-1 Bassinet to Cradle described below was recalled on March 3, 2015. This action was taken because, according to the CPSC, “the wire supports on the sides of the bassinet can disconnect causing the fabric sides to lower; posing a risk that infants can fall out or become entrapped and suffocate.” The company “received one incident of the wireframe support bracket failing and the fabric portion of the bassinet collapsing while an infant was asleep in the cradle. No injuries have been reported.”
The recall involved about 13,000 Dream on Me 2-in-1 Bassinet to Cradle units, which were sold in pink, blue, green, and white.
The recalled product has metal frame supports and fabric sides with a removable half-canopy on the top. The frame can also be adjusted with two rocking legs on each end of the bassinet. It is designed with fabric handles and the option to remove the bassinet from the frame to use the bassinet portion as a “by the bed” sleeper product. The recalled model numbers are 439-A, 439-B, 439-G, 439-P and 439-W, which can be found on a removable tag which is located under the mattress pad of the bassinet. This tag may have been removed prior to use.
The product was sold online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Wayfair.com, ToysRUs.com and Kohls.com from May 2012 to October 2014 for about $60.
Sprout Stuff Infant Carrier Recall
In June of 2010, Sprout Stuff, of Austin, Texas, recalled about 40 infant ring slings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is now advising consumers to immediately stop using these products due to a risk of suffocation.
There was one report of a death of a 10-day-old boy in the recalled sling in Round Rock, Texas in 2007.
The product is made of fabric/natural muslin and comes with or without a shoulder pad. The sling is worn by parents and caregivers to carry a child up to two years of age. “Sprout Stuff” is printed on the back side of the tail’s hem. Sprout Stuff sold the recalled products, which were made in the United States, directly to consumers between October 2006 and May 2007.
Infantino SlingRider Recall
In March of 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Infantino LLC, announced a voluntary recall of about 100,000 SlingRider infant carriers because of a risk of the plastic slider on the fabric strap breaking. If this happens, the strap supporting the carrier to release and babies to fall out. As of the date of the recall, there were 10 reports of plastic sliders breaking, including eight reports of babies falling out. There were four reports of impact injuries where the child was taken to the emergency room. One of these little ones fractured her skull.
The products were sold at Target Stores, Babies R Us, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Modecraft, and other retailers nationwide, by catalog, and online from July 2006 through February 2007 for about $30. The item numbers, printed on the label, are 141-210; 151-210; 151-528; and 151-534. The products labeled “Made in Thailand” or “New 2007 Design” are not included in the recall.
Ellaroo Baby Slings
According to Ellaroo LLC, this recall has ended.
In March of 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Ellaroo LLC, announced a voluntary recall of about 1,200 Ring Sling Baby Carriers.
Hazard: The aluminum can bend or break. This can cause the fabric to slip through the rings and infants to fall out.
Incidents/Injuries: Ellaroo has received four reports of the rings bending and two reports of rings breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall includes Ellaroo Ring Slings with item numbers 2101 and 2102 printed on the outside of the product box. The Ellaroo Ring Sling has a fabric carrier with two aluminum rings that is worn by the user to carry an infant up to 35 pounds. The products are sold in mahogany, mango stone, brasilia and malay color prints. Only products with lot numbers 03/07 and 07/04 printed on a label, under the size label, inside the Ring Sling are included in the recall.
Sold at: Juvenile product and department stores nationwide and online, including BabiesRUs.com, from June 2007 through February 2008 for about $100.
Manufactured in: India
Free Consultation with Attorney
If your child has died or suffered brain damage because of one of these products, please contact a product liability attorney at our law firm for lawsuit information:
- Call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free)
- Text 612-261-0856
- Submit our free case consultation form.