One of the leading causes of infant death is associated with defective cribs. There are a variety of common defects in the design and construction of cribs and playpens that cause serious injury and death.

Defective design and manufacturing of cribs and playpens have lead to a number of serious child injuries and fatalities. These are injuries that could have been prevented through proper design and construction materials.

Improperly designed cribs and playpens can pose a serious risk to infants and small children. Significant design defects can include:

Improperly spaced slats: Infants and small children can easily become stuck in slats and other openings. These can cause the child to become entangled and trapped, which can lead to serious injury and death through asphyxiation.

Corner posts and other sharp objects: Sharp points can cause lacerations, and can also catch clothing – as can corner posts. Caught clothing can lead to serious injury through entanglement.

Any kind of design that can potentially cause clothing to become entangled can lead to hanging injuries and death.

Improper mattress design: Improper mattresses can contain gaseous elements, which can cause toxic harm to a child. Gases such as phosphine, arsine and stibine can be released from the mattress during sleep, causing serious injury or death from poisoning.

Instability: Instability can cause a playpen or crib to fall over or collapse onto a child. A hazard such as this can cause serious harm and injury to a child. A collapse can lead to blunt force trauma injury, as well as asphyxiation from becoming trapped.

Paint and finishes: Paint and wood finishes that contain lead can cause lead poisoning in the child, causing lifelong illness or death.

Seek help: If your child has died or been seriously injured due to defective design or construction of a crib or playpen, please contact our experienced product liability attorneys for a free consultation.