The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says consumers should stop
using phil&teds USA “metoo” clip-on table top chairs because
a child could fall or amputate his/her finger while seated in certain
ones. The clip-on chairs are made by phil&teds USA Inc. The federal
agency says that it knows of a number of incidents involving the chairs.
If any of the children were hurt, their families may have a products liability
case against the manufacturer.
The nylon fabric seat is a chair for babies and toddlers. Two metal vise
clamps are used to attach the chair to a table. However, in the event
that a chair was to detach from the table while a child is in it, he/she
could sustain impact or head injuries. A clip-on chair can detach if the
clamps become separated from the table or a child in the chair pushes
against an object with his/her feet. The inadequate amount of space between
the clamps and the metal bar on the chair may cause amputation, laceration,
crush, or pinch injuries if a child’s fingers get stuck between
the clamp and the bar if the chair does detach.
Although the chairs that the warning refers are those that don’t
have plastic spacers between the front horizontal metal bar and the table
clampsm those that do are also being evaluated. The CPSC says that it
did not approve the free repair kit that the company is offering. It also
says that the marketing and packaging materials that show the clip-on
chair being used in ways that could cause it to detach from the chair
don’t warn of the dangers.
As our child injury lawyers have reported in the past, fingertip amputation
is one of the more common types of hand injuries to children. This injury
can lead to infection, loss of feeling or motion, and even permanent fingertip
loss. The risk of head injury is also a common one for young children
who are more prone to fall accidents than older kids and adults.
CPSC Alert: Consumers Urged To Stop Using phil&teds USA Clip-on Chairs
Due To Serious Dangers Posed To Children, CPSC, May 6, 2011
Gov’t warns kids’ tabletop chairs not safe, AP, May 6, 2011
Related Web Resources:
phil&teds USA
Fingertip Injuries/Amputations, AAOS
Falls, Preventing Injury
Our products liability lawyers represent families against negligent manufacturers whose products have caused serious injuries to kids and babies. We know how to prove that a product was defective or malfunctioned or did not come with the proper warnings or instructions.