Defective Products Law Practice

 - Drop-Side Crib Injury Investigation -

Our law firm is investigating potential defects in Dorel Asia, Stork Craft, and other drop-side crib models that may place children in danger of entrapment, suffocation, and falls.  Detached drop sides can create spaces that can trap infants with their heads pressed into crib mattresses, causing serious injury and death.  We are accepting selected cases in this area.

Dorel Asia Drop-Side Crib Recall

A recent Dorel Asia drop-side crib recall announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") adds some 635,000 potentially dangerous products to the Stork Craft cribs pulled off the market last year in the largest crib recall in U.S. history.  The cribs involved in the Dorel Asia recall were made in China and Vietnam and sold at Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Sears stores from January 2005 through December 2009 for $120 to $700. A complete list of the twenty Dorel Asia crib models involved in the recall at this time can be found on the CPSC website.

According to the CPSC, the Dorel Asia crib recall followed a six-month old Iowa child's reported death.  The infant reportedly became entrapped and strangled in a Dorel Asia crib with broken hardware.

At least thirty-one other drop side incidents have apparently involved Dorel Asia crib models. The CPSC has stated that children were entrapped between the drop side and crib mattress in six of those incidents. Three children reportedly suffered from bruises as a result of entrapment. In addition, CPSC and Dorel Asia have acknowledged  reports of 36 incidents of slat breakage, including seven reports of bruises and scratches to children and two reports of entrapment that resulted in no injury.

Stork Craft Drop-Side Crib Recall

CPSC last year announced the recall of over 2.1 million cribs manufactured by Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada. The recalled drop-side cribs include approximately 1,213,000 units distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada. About 147,000 of the recalled Stork Craft drop-side cribs carry the Fisher-Price logo.

According to the CPSC, parents and caregivers should immediately find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their babies, stop using the recalled cribs, and request a free repair kit offered by Stork Craft that converts the drop-side on recalled cribs to a fixed side. Without proper repair, a baby’s head may become entrapped in a gap between the crib mattress and frame, leading to suffocation against the mattress. A baby or young child may also suffer serious personal injury in a fall if the drop-side detaches. Depending on the particular facts of the case, the manufacturer or seller of a defective crib or other children's product may have full or partial liability for injuries or fatalities resulting from the defective condition.

Because an infant or young child spends many hours of his or her day asleep, drop-side crib injury is a significant risk of child wrongful death or serious injury. Our firm welcomes inquiries from parents who wish to speak with an attorney about safety concerns or harms related to a defective crib or baby bed. Please contact us by email or call Jamie Telegin at our office at (503) 445-2102, or toll free at 1 (800) 800-1004 to discuss your child's injuries and legal rights.

   Scott F. Kocher, J.D. Harvard Law School

   Lead investigating attorney
 

   Vangelisti Kocher LLP

   811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 420

   Portland, OR 97204

   503-445-2100