Malman Law
Legal News

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Crib Safety

CPSC Passes New, Stricter Standards for Crib Safety

Chicago products liability attorneys know that over the past several years, millions of cribs have been recalled due to safety concerns. Children have been trapped, suffocated and unfortunately even killed as a result of unsafe cribs. While these deaths have led to crib recalls, Chicago products liability attorneys think it is too little, too late. Stricter testing of cribs and more stringent crib safety standards could help save childrens lives’ – before an injury or death sparked a recall.

By the end of this month, “it will be illegal in the U.S. to sell or even donate a crib that fails to meet the toughest crib safety rules in the world. Newly required safety tests are so stringent that few cribs in American homes — even those that have escaped recall after recall — are sturdy enough to pass them. As a result, federal regulators recommend that families that can afford to do so buy new cribs and destroy their old ones,” according to the Chicago Tribune.

Here is a brief overview of the main point of the new standards and how they will affect consumers, courtesy of our Chicago personal injury lawyers:

– Drop-side cribs banned: This type of crib, which has been the main frontrunner of all the recent recalls, will no longer be produced. It is too common for the side to drop, injuring, trapping and / or killing babies.

– Secondary market regulation: The new, stringent regulations make it illegal to sell or donate a crib that doesn’t meet the new standards. It will likely be at least a year before the new cribs make their way to garage sales or onto Craigslist or other popular second hand avenues.

– New labeling: Cribs, which often require assembly, will now feature better labeling and instructions to ensure that they are put together correctly. Cribs which are improperly assembled are hazardous for the infants sleeping in them.

Additionally, our Chicago personal injury attorneys caution consumers to take the advice of the CPSC and verify that any crib you are purchasing has met the new standards. Retailers are providing different levels of support and cooperation to assist their customers in obtaining the appropriate certification. If you feel that you are not receiving appropriate support, work with a retailer who is willing and interested in helping you – you owe it to your child to protect their safety.

If your child has sustained an injury due to a defective crib or other product, you should speak with a Chicago products liability attorney right away. You may be concerned that you own a recalled crib but do not have the money to purchase a new one. Don’t wait – speak with a Chicago personal injury attorney right away to find out what your options are.