Infant Deaths Prompt Government Warning on Slings
The government warned that baby slings can be dangerous, even deadly for little ones. According to this Associated Press article, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said it investigated at least 13 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers over the last 20 years, including three deaths last year. One other case involving a fatality is still being investigated. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.
The CPSC said that slings can pose a suffocation hazard in two different ways. A sling’s fabric can press against a baby’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Also if the baby is cradled in a curved or “C-like” position, nestling the baby below mom’s chest or near her belly, it can cause a baby who doesn't have strong neck control to flop its head forward, chin-to-chest, restricting the infant's ability to breathe.
They are advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months. Many of the babies who died in slings were a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had a cold.
In 2008, Consumer Reports raised concerns about slings and some two dozen serious injuries, such as skull fractures, mostly when a child fell out of the carrier.
The “SlingRider” by Infantino has been singled out for criticism because of the curved position that the baby can fall into while inside the sling.
The SlingRider was recalled in 2007 for problems with the plastic sliders on the sling’s strap. There have been no recalls because of a suffocation risk.
Consumers have the right to assume that products they purchase or use have been produced in a manner that would ensure that they are safe and free from unreasonable risks. If a company manufactures a product that is hazardous to the user, the company must be held liable for any injuries or fatalities that occurred due to the faulty product.
There are innumerable products that may pose serious threats to innocent consumers if they have a defect, and may include auto parts, toys, medications, motor vehicles, household appliances, and furniture.
If you have a Pennsylvania defective product claim, you will require the representation of a Philadelphia Pennsylvania products liability attorney from Cherry, Fieger and Marciano, LLP to handle all of the complexities involved with this type of case. There are many steps to a product liability case, beginning with proving that the product was in fact defective, next proving the product was the cause of the injury, and finally proving that the product was not used unreasonably. Contact their firm today to discuss your case with an experienced legal professional.
