Drop-Side Crib Responsible for an Iowa Infant’s Death
When you put your infant down for a nap or bedtime, you expect that the crib is safe. But what if the crib is not a safe environment? What if the crib your infant is lying in is poorly designed or defective? What if your child is injured or dies as a result of a defective crib?
At the time you purchased the crib, there was no way of knowing that you may have gotten a defective crib. Crib manufacturers are supposed to adhere to certain safety standards and follow safety guidelines to help protect your child from danger. If your child suffered catastrophic injuries in Iowa because the manufacturer designed a defective crib, then you may have legal rights to pursue compensation for damages from the crib manufacturer for their negligence.
Dangers of Drop-Side Cribs
Over the last several years, issues with drop-side cribs have come to light that have made the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) take a look at crib safety, something that hadn't been done in almost 30 years. They voted to ban drop-side cribs from being sold in the U.S., as well as from being used in hotels or daycare centers. It has been proven that drop-side cribs have been responsible for many child injuries and infant deaths in the U.S., which has led to crib manufacturers recalling over nine million drop-side cribs.
When the drop side of the crib detaches, it can cause a child's body to become trapped in the space between the drop-side and the mattress, leading to suffocation or strangulation. This is what happened to a 6-month-old boy from Cedar Rapids. This Iowa infant was strangled after being trapped when the drop-side hardware broke.
According to the CPSC, by June 2011, crib manufacturers must design all their cribs with fixed sides. The new federal standards will hopefully decrease child injuries and deaths.
Other Crib Manufacturing Problems
If a crib does not meet the below safety guidelines, stay clear of it. It may be a dangerous environment for your child. Important things to watch for before you place your child in a crib:
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Make sure there are no missing slats or loose slats.
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Verify that there is not more than 2 3/8" distance in between the slats.
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Look to see if the crib has any sharp cut-outs or oddly shaped items that could cut a child's limbs or snag a child's clothing.
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Make sure that the crib does not have a lead paint coating.
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Verify that the crib's decorative corner posts extend no more than 1/16" above the post itself.
Who May Be Held Liable
If your child has sustained an injury or died because of a manufacturing defect, the crib manufacturer may be held legally liable. If a manufacturing company of cribs improperly installed something, designed the crib poorly, used faulty materials, or was negligent in the manufacturing, they may be responsible for your child's injuries or death.
If your child has been injured or died due to a defective crib in Iowa, you should contact a Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can help you determine if you have a product liability case against the manufacturer, and help you decide your next steps. Contact an experienced Iowa personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights at Brady Preston Gronlund at (319) 866-9277 today.