Infant loungers are soft and cozy cushion-like products made to soothe and relax your baby while you’re busy doing household chores. Although the idea of a hands-free cushion for an infant to lie in and relax may sound appealing to many parents, history has shown that infant loungers, although comfortable, have an inherent propensity to cause death, suffocation or other injuries to babies.
In 2021, infant product manufacturer Boppy withdrew three of their infant lounger products: Boppy Original Newborn Lounger, Boppy Preferred Newborn Lounger and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Lounger. The recall was finally issued after eight reported infant deaths, all linked to the popular loungers. More than three million Boppy loungers were taken off the market and parents owning one were given the option to get a refund for the defective product.
If your child suffered an injury or death because of a faulty product like the Boppy lounger, you’d likely expect much more than just a refund. Fortunately, parents of children hurt or killed by defective products may be eligible for compensation by filing a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the malfunctioning product.
Why Were the Boppy Infant Loungers Recalled?
The loungers were recalled after eight infant deaths were reported between 2015 and 2020.
Although Boppy designed their loungers, as the name implies, for lounging only, the company failed to consider how easily babies can fall asleep in a product as comfortable and soothing as a lounger. In the first six months of their life, an average baby sleeps about 12 to 15 hours per day.
Many parents, especially first-time parents, may not realize how quickly a baby can fall asleep and suffocate from rolling on their side or stomach. Babies placed in loungers with enough room for them to roll on their side or stomach may suffer a respiratory injury or die. Even if a parent doesn’t intend on using a baby lounger as a sleeper, their child may still fall asleep in it, roll over and have their breathing dangerously obstructed.
It took eight unnecessary tragedies for the Boppy loungers to be deemed unsafe and recalled from the market altogether.
The Dangers of Boppy Infant Loungers
During the first four months of their life, babies don’t have the strength or agility to hold their heads up. When a baby rolls over or is left on their stomach for too long, they can suffocate if their face is pressing against a surface, such as the plush padding of a lounger. While suffocation doesn’t always result in death, your child may still suffer life-altering injuries, such as brain damage due to asphyxiation (being deprived of oxygen).
What Should You Do if Your Baby Suffered Injuries or Death After Using a Boppy Lounger?
If your child suffered injuries or death from using the Boppy lounger or any other recalled product, you may have a compelling product liability case. Product liability refers to every manufacturer’s responsibility to create safe products. If a company produces a defective and unsafe product and your child is injured or becomes ill from using said product, you have the right to launch a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Although winning a product liability case won’t undo the damage the product has caused, the compensation you’re awarded may help pay for medical bills and other expenses associated with your child’s injuries or untimely passing. Receiving monetary compensation can also bring about a sense of justice and closure you may otherwise never find.
Contact a Houston Product Liability Attorney Today
When it comes to the safety and wellbeing of your child, there should never be any room for error. If your child suffered serious or fatal injuries from a defective product that you used correctly, the manufacturer should face consequences.
At the Weycer Law Firm, our experienced and compassionate product liability attorneys are ready to fight for children and families hurt by defective products. To discuss your case for free, call (713) 668-4545 or send us a message.