Having a newborn is one of the great gifts life has to offer. A new baby ready to discover the world. Parents ready to provide a safe environment. However, many products that companies sell to the public are dangerous and can cause serious personal injuries and even death to the innocent and helpless.
This past week, the world’s largest retailer IKEA recalled 29 million dressers. The Malm and other models of chests pose a serious hazard, and consumers were urged to anchor the items or return them, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday on its website. The dresser, it was reported had caused 6 deaths and had 82 incidents.
Sadly, the problem is not new. As is often the case, it is not until litigation is brought or serious injuries or death occur that a company chooses to recall and fix a product; often placing profits over safety.
The recall, one of the biggest ever in the history of the United States, comes after scores of accidents dating back to 1989. The Swedish company which is not a public company but is privately owned and controlled by the 10th richest person in the world, Ingvar Kamprad, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The company is offering a full or partial refund, depending on purchase date, as well as free anchoring kits, according to a statement. You can view the details of the IKEA statement here.
With the ever increasing cost of raising children, moderately priced furniture has been in great deman. The Malm line is one of the company’s more popular because of its affordability, said Poonam Goyal, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, adding the scope of the recall, dating back to products from 2002, means it will be costly to IKEA. However, the safety of children must always be paramount.
The CPSC has further advised that it will now scrutinize other manufacturers and distributors of similar dressers and furniture.
The first death occurred in 1989 when a 20-month old girl from Mount Vernon, Virginia, died after four-drawer chest tipped over, fatally pinning her. The most recent was in February, when a 22-month-old from Apple Valley, Minnesota, was killed when a Malm six-drawer chest fell on him.
A total of 82 incidents had been reported, according to the CPSC. Ikea, known for its assemble-it-yourself furnishings, also put out a statement identifying six Malm dressers and other models.
At Leav & Steinberg, LLP we have represented many individuals and families for injuries arising out of defective or dangerous products including furniture, glass stall shower doors, as well as defects in cars or other equipment.
