Infants can be strapped to a person’s chest or torso using baby carriers on the front or back of their bodies. They frequently have straps and may look like backpacks. Baby carriers are available in various types and may be graded for various infant sizes and ages.
Accidents involving baby carriers can take many forms and can seriously hurt both the baby and the adult carrying it.
For instance, injuries identical to those sustained in a slip and fall accident may affect both the adult and the newborn. These can include sprains, broken bones, head, neck, and spine traumas, among other injuries. These injuries may resemble those received in stroller-related accidents.
A product flaw could lead to additional injuries, such as when a strap malfunctions and separates, causing the baby to fall and sustain injuries. These mishaps may merely injure the infant or baby, but given that the child may be falling from a pretty great height, the injuries could be very serious.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries are the sixth most common cause of death and disability among infants younger than one year old and the first cause of mortality and disability among children aged 1-4. These fatalities are frequently linked to the usage of consumer goods, such as baby carriers (also called baby carriers).
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Protection Agency (CPSC), 61,400 injuries among children under the age of five required treatment in an emergency room in 2018. Nursery items reportedly caused these injuries.
High chairs, cribs/mattresses, strollers/carries, and infant carriers contributed to 68 percent of all estimated injuries and 88 percent of all recorded fatalities.
Nine-thousand injuries with infant carriers were recorded in emergency rooms in 2016. There were reportedly 7,800 in 2017. Falls were the main cause of injuries, and recent infant carrier recalls, including the one involving 14,000 Infantino baby carriers, have been linked to this. Falls are particularly harmful since they can result in organ injury and head and face injuries.
What Do Baby Carriers Do?
Parents use infant carriers as items to transport their children. They are designed to assist parents in keeping their newborns near while going about their everyday activities and come in various forms and patterns. When parenting strategies shifted to emphasize greater breastfeeding and parent-child contact in the 1990s, the concept of “babywearing” became increasingly popular.
The majority of baby carriers fall into one of the following five categories:
- Child Carrier: This padded, soft-structured carrier is worn on the front of the body, while certain models can also be adjusted to be worn on the back or hips. It normally has soft fabric that forms a pouch for the infant, cushioned waistband and shoulder straps, and clasped straps. Babies 4-5 months old and older are typically the target audience.
- Wrap: The mom wraps the baby and herself in a long fabric to create the carrier. She gives the infant a comfortable spot to relax by tying the ends. It can be placed in several locations on the parent’s body, including the front, hip, or back, and is commonly used for younger newborns.
- Sling: This is a pouch or strip of fabric normally worn across the front of the body and attached to the hip on the other side. It frequently has two rings at one end that make tying easier. In all other respects, it resembles a wrap and is often constructed of woven fabric. It’s best suited for infants.
- Hybrid: This choice combines the advantages of a baby carrier and a wrap. It resembles the infant carrier but features two long lengths of fabric that are intended to be tied around the parent’s body. Additionally, it includes two waist straps and two shoulder straps. Infants six months of age and older can wear it on the front, back, or hip.
- Backpack: This is designed to be worn exclusively on the back and typically has the rigid frames of a regular backpack. It is primarily made for older infants and toddlers who can sit unsupported and have adequate neck control. It is appropriate for carrying a baby for extended periods.
Baby carriers are typically chosen by parents primarily based on personal preference. Still, recent worries have led to new recommendations that parents be more watchful about the items they buy, as some may increase the risk of falls and accidents.
Do Baby Carriers Pose a Risk?
Numerous academic research has demonstrated that using infant carriers can seriously harm newborns. According to a study published in March 2017, infant carriers were the object of accidents caused by nursery products most frequently between 1991 and 2011. The majority of injuries from falls were to the head or neck.
The researchers concluded that “more efforts are necessary to minimize injuries connected with other nursery goods, especially infant carriers…”
Scientists have already issued warnings regarding the risk of falls caused by baby carriers. A retrospective chart assessment of all children 18 months of age or younger who had had injuries from falls between August 2004 and December 2005 was carried out in 2009.
They discovered that infant carriers were responsible for 7.7% of all injuries and that the newborns who fell victim to these accidents suffered severe head injuries and skull fractures. The researchers concluded that falls from baby carriers were frequent and “a significant source of morbidity.”
Newborn slings are one type of baby carrier linked to infant suffocation fatalities. The CPSC warned American parents in 2010, advising them to use slings and wraps carefully in light of the 14 newborn suffocation deaths associated with sling-style carriers during the previous 20 years.
Suffocation can quickly happen when babies are completely enclosed inside the pouch of a sling, and their faces are forced up against an adult’s body. The CPSC advised parents to use caution when using a sling when their baby is under four months old, premature, has low birth weight, or has a cold or respiratory issues.
According to the CPSC, “some slings tend to keep an infant in a curled, chin-to-chest position, which can interfere with breathing” because of the nature of the product and its use.
Who Is Responsible if a Baby Carrier Accident Occurs?
Accidents involving baby carriers that result from a manufacturing flaw can cause the child significant damage or even death. Legal action may be necessary to address concerns like liability in such accidents. In such situations, the maker of the infant carrier device may be held accountable for the accidents-related injuries or losses.
In many circumstances, the carrier product’s flawed design may be to blame for the mishap. A typical instance is when a supporting strap separates from the buckle. L litigation may be necessary to address any disagreements or conflicts in such situations properly.
Are Baby Carrier Accidents Subject to Legal Action?
Accidents involving infant carriers, as previously indicated, can be dangerous and subject to various laws. In most baby carrier accident lawsuits, the harmed party is awarded money in the form of damages.
Damages may cover costs like medical bills, hospital bills, and other expenses. Wrongful death awards may also be considered when determining damages in infant death instances.
Do I Require Legal Counsel to Handle My Baby Carrier Accident Claim?
Legal representation may be necessary for complex claims involving infant accidents. If you require assistance with bringing a baby carrier lawsuit, you could need to employ a defective products attorney nearby. You can get the information and advice you need for your claim from your lawyer.
