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.
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.
