Dangerous Infant and Children’s Products Serving Clients Nationwide

Every year, toy-related injuries send more than 200,000 children to hospital emergency rooms across the United States. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 523 deaths among children under age 5 associated with nursery products between 2019 and 2021. If your child was seriously injured or killed by a product you trusted, Feldman Shepherd offers the elite experience needed to hold manufacturers accountable and secure the justice your family deserves.

When Manufacturers Prioritize Profits, Feldman Shepherd Protects Children

When parents purchase infant and children’s products, they do so with the expectation that household names and trusted brands have prioritized safety above all else. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, with many manufacturers instead prioritizing their bottom line. At Feldman Shepherd, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of irresponsible corporate practices. Our attorneys have represented numerous families whose children were injured or killed by products that were rushed to market without adequate testing, sold without proper warnings, or even kept on store shelves after the manufacturer knew they were dangerous.

Notable Cases That We Have Handled

IKEA Dresser Tip-Overs: Nearly $100 million recovered on behalf of four families whose children were fatally injured by tip-overs of IKEA MALM dressers, including a $46 million settlement believed to be the largest child wrongful death recovery in U.S. history. Beyond the record-breaking compensation, our attorneys negotiated non-monetary settlement terms to protect other children from deadly tip-overs and to help educate parents about the risks of unstable dressers, including a landmark agreement by IKEA in 2016 to only sell chests and dressers in the U.S. that meet or exceed the then-voluntary national safety standard. The IKEA cases raised public awareness of dresser tip-over tragedies, involving many brands of furniture, which were playing out at an alarming frequency in homes, and particularly in children’s bedrooms, throughout the nation. The litigation—along with tireless advocacy by grieving parents, consumer organizations, and elected representatives—prompted Congress in 2022 to pass the STURDY Act (Stop Tip-Overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act), which provides the first mandatory safety standard for the stability of all dressers made or sold in the United States.
IKEA Wardrobe Suffocation: $13.5 million settlement for the family of an 18-month-old girl who suffocated and died when her head and neck became entrapped in a cutout (designed to be used instead of handles) in the bottom drawer of an IKEA STUVA wardrobe that was designed specifically for use in children’s bedrooms. While IKEA contended that the manner of the child’s death was not foreseeable, during the course of the litigation, we established that a hazard analysis conducted by an IKEA design team demonstrated an awareness that the cutout presented an entrapment hazard. The STUVA wardrobe is no longer sold in IKEA stores in the United States.
Infant Sling Carrier Deaths: $8 million and $7.25 million settlements for the families of two infants who suffocated to death in SlingRider bag-type, fabric slings worn over the shoulder, which Infantino brought to market without evaluating the product design for any potential suffocation risk. When consumers began posting negative online reviews of the product and raised concerns about its safety, the company ignored them. It took four infant deaths before Infantino recalled the SlingRider.
Magnetic Toys: Confidential settlement on behalf of a 2-year-old boy who was seriously injured when he swallowed tiny, powerful magnets that had become separated from a Magnetix toy set. Their powerful attraction caused the magnets to tear through multiple internal organs. Prior to the boy’s injuries, the company behind the Magnetix toy line had received some 1,500 consumer complaints, and the CPSC had already identified 27 instances of intestinal injuries to children as a result of ingestion of magnets from Magnetix toys. This incident, and others, led to much stricter federal safety standards for all magnetic toys.
Infant Loungers, Rockers, and Sleepers: $8 million settlement achieved shortly before trial for the family of an infant who died in a reclining toddler seat while sleeping. We have also represented the families of several infants who died while using recalled Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play sleepers. Infant loungers, rockers, and sleepers place babies at inclined angles, which allow them to adopt unsafe sleep positions that cause asphyxia. These products do not comply with the safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In response to more than 200 infant deaths caused by inclined sleepers and padded crib bumpers, in 2022, Congress enacted the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, which formally designated these items as banned hazardous products and made it unlawful to manufacture, sell, or distribute them in the United States. However, an untold number of these dangerous products remain in use in people’s homes and childcare centers, or are passed down among children and families, or resold secondhand.
Water Beads: We presently represent families of two young children, one who died and one who was seriously injured, after swallowing a single water bead. Although water beads have been marketed to children as toys, educational materials, art materials, and sensory tools, these colorful beads (which typically start as the size of a sprinkle) absorb fluids when swallowed and expand to many times their original size, potentially causing life-threatening intestinal and bowel obstructions and other serious injuries. Even when children are closely supervised, the beads inevitably get lost in carpets, furniture, toys, and other places where young children may eventually find them and put them in their mouths.

Beyond Financial Recovery: Feldman Shepherd Is Committed to Lasting Change

If your child has been catastrophically injured or killed by a dangerous toy or other infant or kids’ product, our attorneys are here to help you recover all compensation to which you are legally entitled. Beyond financial compensation, we are mindful that many parents are motivated to pursue litigation because they wish to spare other families from tragedies similar to their own. When desired by families, we have negotiated settlement terms with major manufacturers that, in addition to monetary compensation, have promoted recalls, public awareness, and product design practices that will help keep other children safe.

Frequently Asked Questions Dangerous Infant and Children’s Products

What is deemed a “defective” product under the law?

A product is generally considered defective if it has a dangerous design flaw, an error occurred in its manufacture, or the manufacturer failed to provide adequate safety warnings. Generally, an infant or children’s product must be safe for its intended use and for any way a child could reasonably be expected to interact with it.

Does a children’s product have to be recalled to pursue a legal case?

No. A manufacturer can be held liable for a dangerous product even if a recall has not been issued. Many defective products remain on the market long after causing harm because companies delay reporting safety issues to the public. If a dangerous product injures your child, you have the right to seek compensation regardless of the product’s recall status.

How long do I have to take legal action if a dangerous product caused my child’s injury or death?

Every state has a law called a “statute of limitations,” which is a strict deadline for how long you have to file a lawsuit after an injury. While many states allow extra time for cases involving injured minors, these deadlines are often much shorter in cases involving a child’s death. Because these time limits vary significantly by state and the nature of the claim, it is critical to speak with an attorney immediately to ensure that your legal rights, and the rights of your child, are protected.