It fair to say most parents and caregivers are kept busy trying to keep up with their active children. When the children are very young, this activity, along with a child’s inability to understand choices and consequences, can result in them placing themselves in dangerous situations, seemingly in a split second. These dangerous situations can lead to serious injuries, and in the worst cases even death.
There are many different situations that could lead to children being hurt. In some cases they involve defective products. A specific type of product that may be particularly problematic is furniture. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, every 24 minutes a child located in the United States dies when televisions or furniture tip over on them. Every two weeks, a child dies because of this.
When defective furniture injures a child, it may be possible to recoup damages for the injuries inflicted. Cases of this nature can be complex.
What Are Possible Grounds For A Case?
There are multiple grounds upon which a case of this nature may be brought. When a retailer is negligent in assembling furniture, that may be a basis for legal action. If the defect is the result of the manufacturing process, that could be the premise upon which a case is filed. The same is true if it is the design of the product that is defective. Misrepresentation, or the failure to provide instructions or a warning, could also result in legal action.
Who May Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the particular set of circumstances surrounding the injury or death, different parties-including the manufacturer or the retailer-could be sued. When the manufacturer of a piece of furniture that is defective and injures a child, is located overseas, the matter can be especially complicated.
If you have questions as to whether it makes sense to file a lawsuit in your particular situation, the best course of action is to consult with a lawyer.