Consumer Groups Coalition Ask CPSC to Recall Bumbo Baby Seat

U.S. PIRG, the Consumer Federation of America, Public Citizen, Kids in Danger, and Consumers Union have written a letter to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission asking it to recall the Bumbo Baby Seat. Used to prop babies in a sitting position before they can do so on their own, millions of parents have bought this infant product for their babies. However, the Bumbo Baby Seat has also been linked to many fall accident-related injuries. A number of child products liability lawsuits have been filed as a result. Baby ages 3-to-10 months were affected.
For example, one couple filed a Texas products liability lawsuit after their 9-month-old son sustained a skull fracture when he fell out of his seat. Lucy and Kevin Ferrell said that when their son arched his back, he ended up flipping sideways out of the seat, onto the table, and off it. Retail Toys R Us has even named a defendant for knowingly carrying an infant product linked to injuries.
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While the CPSC is aware of the safety risks involved, they have not put out a recall since 2007 even though the number of infants injured from the Bumbo seats has continued to grow. At least 45 babies have fallen from the infant chairs when they’d been placed above ground level. Also, there are reports of at least 17 babies sustaining skull fractures since the 2007 recall. Another 50 got hurt while getting out of the Bumbo seats that had either been placed on the ground or at an undocumented height. It doesn’t help that the Bumbo seats can tip over easily. Also, according to the CPSC, even when used according to the directions provided, there are babies still getting hurt because of their Bumbo seats.
The consumer groups are concerned that serious injuries are happening even when the product is used for the purpose intended and in the correct manner (on the ground, not on an elevated surface.) They also noted that while there are no testing requirements or safety standard for this kind of product, unlike Bumbo International other manufactures of similar infant products have changed their design to address the safety risks involved. Almost 4 million Bumbo baby seats have been sold in the US since the last 9 years.
Skull Fractures
A skull fracture is usually caused by a severe blow or impact. Depending on the type of fracture it is, brain injury may even result.
There is no reason why a product designed for babies shouldn’t be safe for them to use. For skull fractures or other injuries to occur when the product is used as directed is inexcusable.
Feds Issue Warning on Bumbo Baby Seats as Injuries Mount, The Consumer Chronicle, November 23, 2011

Bumbo recall urged by consumer groups, Boston, February 7, 2012
Did Bumbo ignore child safety profits?, Reuters, December 14, 2011

More Blog Posts:
Registering Your Kid’s Products Can Help You Find Out About Dangerous Defects, Product Liability Law Blog, December 12, 2011
New Crib Safety Standards Go Into Effect Today, Product Liability Law blog, June 28, 2011
Crib Bumpers: Are They Safe for Babies?, Product Liability Law blog, April 30, 2011

Our child injury lawyers represent infants and their families seeking products liability compensation from manufacturers, sellers, and distributors. Contact The Gilbert Law Group® today.

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