A lawsuit has been filed in a bid to force an infant lounger manufacturer to issue a product recall after reports of two baby deaths.
Last month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning to parents and caregivers that they should stop using infant loungers from Leachco because they are defective and could cause a baby to suffocate. According to a report on Pennlive.com, now, the CPSC has filed a lawsuit saying the Oklahoma-based Leachco has refused to initiate a recall in spite of the deaths of two infants using its products.
Leachco is still denying that these products are dangerous. The loungers include the Podster, Podster Plush, Bummzie, and Podster Playtime. CPSC states in the complaint that 180,000 of these loungers have been distributed nationwide since 2009 in stores including Amazon.com, Bed Bath and Beyond, Buy Buy Baby, Kohls, Macy’s, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart.
Dangerous and Defective Infant Lounger Products
CPSC officials said they filed this complaint as a last resort because the manufacturer failed to respond to safety concerns relating to this product even after two infants died. CPSC warned that the loungers could cause airflow obstruction if an infant rolls, moves or is placed in a position where his or her nose or mouth are obstructed by the Podsters.
While the Podsters contain warnings and instructions about using the product, the complaint states it is foreseeable that caregivers will use the infant lounger for infant sleep and without supervision. Under federal law, consumers’ actual use is considered while deciding whether the product is defective. CPSC said it is aware of two babies who were placed on Podsters and suffocated when, because of a change in position, their noses and mouths were obstructed.
The infants – 17 days old and 4 months old – died in January 2018 and December 2015. As a remedy, CPSC wants Leachco to notify everyone who has purchased a Podster and offer them refunds. In September 2021, The Boppy Company and CPSC announced a recall of 3.3 million loungers that were connected to the deaths of eight infants who reportedly suffocated.
If You Have Been Affected
If you have been affected by these or other dangerous products, you may be able to hold the at-fault manufacturers liable by filing a product liability lawsuit. Affected victims and their families may be able to seek compensation for damages and losses. It is outrageous that this company is refusing to issue a recall even after two babies died as a result of these products.
Source: https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/02/safety-agency-sues-infant-lounger-maker-for-refusing-to-issue-a-recall-after-two-deaths.html
