Fisher-Price Ignored Warnings for Sleeper That Dozens of Infants Died In, According to Congressional Report
Fisher-Price, a manufacturer of care products and toys for infants and young children, has been accused of keeping one of the company’s most popular products on the market for over a decade despite having evidence that the product was unsafe for infants and may have led to multiple child deaths.
Congressional Reports Numerous Infant Deaths Due to Sleeper Product
A report by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform found that Fisher-Price marketed its popular Rock ‘n Play inclined baby sleeper for 10 years, making $200 million in revenue from the product. However, the congressional report found that more than 50 children died while using the product before it was ultimately recalled in 2019.
Fisher-Price Allegedly Knew of Safety Issues with Its Product
However, the House committee report further alleges that Fisher-Price conducted little to no safety evaluation of the Rock ‘n Play sleeper and even received warnings soon after the product hit the market of the dangers that it posed to infants.
Fisher-Price began selling the Rock ‘n Play sleeper in October 2009, marketing it for overnight sleep. The product had infants sleep on their backs at a 30 degree incline, with their feet pointing down towards the floor. At the time, the Rock ‘n Play was the only incline infant sleeper on the market. However, Fisher-Price soon received numerous safety concerns from Canadian and Australian regulators and pediatrician groups.
Although Fisher-Price claims that the Rock ‘n Sleep was developed after a year of research and medical and safety testing, the congressional report found that the company did not conduct any independent or internal safety testing of the product. Instead, the report noted that the American Academy of Pediatrics had for years recommended that infants sleep on a hard, flat surface to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Fisher-Price apparently relied only on safety testing for other inclined seating products, such as car seats, and consulted with only one doctor, who did not specialize in pediatrics.
A Fisher-Price representative admitted to the House committee that it was not the company’s standard product development process to consult with medical experts. The representative testified that the company conducted in-home testing with families, but that no doctor reviewed the results of that testing.
The committee’s report found that Fisher-Price conducted no research into whether it would be safe for infants to sleep at an inclined angle, even though the company’s own safety committee recommended that such research be conducted before releasing the Rock ‘n Play. The committee further found that Fisher-Price received two reports in 2012 of infants who stopped breathing while sleeping in the Rock ‘n Play but took no action to recall the product or warn parents until 2019, when the company finally recalled the Rock ‘n Play products following the deaths of four children.
What to Do If Your Child Was Harmed by Fisher-Price Products
If your infant suffered harm or fatal injury that potentially was due to the Rock ‘n Play or other Fisher-Price sleeper products, you and your family may be entitled to pursue financial compensation and justice from the company. An experienced and knowledgeable products liability attorney can review the facts and circumstances of your family’s case and explain your legal rights and options.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Product Liability Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to a defective product in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured in Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, East Brunswick, Edison and throughout Middlesex County, Ocean County, Union County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 25 Reckless Place, Red Bank, NJ 07701 as well as offices in Hazlet, Westfield, and Brick.
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