Child Safety

Published on: July 12, 2022

FDA Warns About Baby Neck Floats

baby-g3f121741c_640 Sometimes baby neck floats are used on babies with spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued warnings not to use neck floats with babies with special needs or developmental delays, even when interventions such as water therapy are being provided. If your baby was injured or killed by a baby neck float, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based lawyers of Moll Law Group.

Consult the Lawyers of Moll Law Group

Some neck floats, inflatable plastic rings worn around a baby’s neck, permit babies to float in the water freely. They can be marketed for premature infants or even as young as two weeks old. Parents and caregivers use the products during babies’ baths or when their baby is swimming as a physical therapy intervention because they have developmental disabilities or delays. Some manufacturers claim that using these neck floats allows for increased lung capacity, muscle tone, flexibility and motion range, and stimulation of the brain and nervous system. They claim they can build strength or promote development, but these claims are not fully supported.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned parents and others not to use neck floats with babies, even for therapy, especially when babies have developmental delays or special needs, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Downs syndrome or spinal muscular atrophy type 1. Using floats can lead to death or severe neck strain and injuries.

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Published on: March 3, 2022

Second Infant Died After Consuming Recalled Abbot Baby Formula

By Moll Law Group

baby-g909db3e6f_640-e1646267137939 Recently, Abbot Nutrition expanded its recall of baby formula after a second baby died from infection after consuming the formula Abbot Nutrition’s Similac PM 60/40 with a lot code 27032K800. Four reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infection have been reported in connection with products from the plant. If your baby was harmed, hospitalized, or died because of its consumption of Abbot Nutrition’s Similac, you should call the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of the Moll Law Group about whether you have a claim against the manufacturer. Similac PM is specifically intended for infants that are helped by lowered mineral intake; the specific formula in question wasn’t included in a prior, February 17 recall for lots of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, powdered formulas, that were also produced at the same plant. No parent should have to go through the anguish of a baby who dies because of a formula that should have been safe.

Call the Seasoned Product Liability Lawyers of Moll Law Group About Your Lawsuit

The FDA has updated its website to investigate another illness due to another Cronobacter sakazakii, which is a rare and dangerous bacteria that causes serious medical complications, including blood infections. A child died after hospitalization and an infection with this germ may have contributed to his death. He had consumed Similac before becoming infected. While four infections involving Cronobacter sakazakii were reported to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Salmonella Newport infection was also reported alongside the outbreak. The five infants who became sick were all hospitalized. Two died.

Following the second baby’s death, Abbott Nutrition recalled the powdered formula the baby had consumed. To determine whether you are using a lot of powdered formula that has been recalled, you can look at the 7-9 digit code and expiration at the bottom of the package. Take a look at whether the first two digits of the code are 22 -67, the code contains Z2, SH, or K8, and the expiration date is April 1^st or later. You can type in the code on the bottom of your package at Similacrecall.com to make sure it’s part of the recall.

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Published on: February 8, 2022

Recall of Youth All-Terrain Vehicles for Noncompliance with Safety Regulations

By Moll Law Group

child-ga845f3ba0_640-e1644290312265 On February 2, 2022, certain Maxtrade’s Youth Coolster Mountopz All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) were recalled. The recall was issued because the ATVs did not comply with the mandatory federal ATV standard for safety. Notably, youth ATVs didn’t abide by the maximum speed limit for these vehicles when they are meant for children. ATVs are sold for minimum ages 6, 10, 12, or teens. Additionally, some of these recalled ATVs have parking brakes that don’t work to stop the ATV from moving, which could result in an accident. If an ATV caused you or your child injury, you should consult the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group about whether you have a claim. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

Give Moll Law Group a Call to Discuss an ATV Injury Claim

The recall concerns Maxtrade’s Coolster Mountopz ATVs, models 3050-B, 3050-C, 3125-B2, 3125-CX-2, 3125-CX-3, 3125-XR8-U2, 3150-CXC, 3150-DX-4, 3175-S2, and 3175-U. They were sold in a range of colors and for a range of children’s ages between January 2007 through January 2021. They cost from $370 – $1,100.

The handlebars of these vehicles were stamped with “Coolster.” As a parent, you can look at the model numbers in the center of the rear axle to figure out whether your child’s vehicle was affected. Around 141,000 ATVs were recalled. Consumers have been told to immediately stop using the recalled ATVs. You can contact Maxtrade for a repair from an authorized repair stop.

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Published on: September 30, 2021

Chicago-Based Lawyers for Magnet Ingestion Claims

By Moll Law Group

magnets-113315_1280-300x225 Children in Chicago and elsewhere are often extremely curious. They may put things in their mouths that are dangerous or should not be consumed. Among the many attractive products that may intrigue kids are magnets, whether refrigerator magnets or magnetic spheres or toys that contain magnets. They may be drawn by a bright color or by a toy’s magnetic properties. In August 2021, Zen Magnets and Neoballs Magnets were recalled because they posed an ingestion hazard. If you suspect your child has swallowed a magnet or more than one magnet, it is crucial to take him or her to receive emergency care. You may be concerned about the bills. Many families do not have enough money to cover the hospital bills or care required by the injuries suffered due to magnets. You should discuss what happened with the experienced Chicago attorneys of the Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

Recall of Zen Magnets and Neoballs Magnets

When a child swallows two or more high-powered magnets, whether accidentally or intentionally, the magnets that were consumed may be attracted to each other or a different metal object. They could become lodged in the child’s digestive system. The presence of the magnets can result in twisting or blockage of the intestines, along with blood poisoning and death.

The mandatory recall involved both Zen Magnets and Neoballs magnets, which are highly powerful spherical magnets that are 5 mm in diameter. Neoballs are sold in a range of colors, including green, red, purple, blue, silver, gold, and orange. They were packaged with “Neoballs’ or “Zen Magnets” printed on the package. In total, around 10 million magnets, packaged individually and in sets, were recalled.

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Published on: September 27, 2021

Boppy Company Recalls More than 3 Million Infant Loungers

By Moll Law Group

baby-784609_640-300x199 The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced an alarming recall of which Chicago parents and parents around the country should be aware. The Boppy company recalled more than 3 million loungers for infants and newborns based on suffocation risks. The recalled lines include Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers, and Original Newborn Loungers. If your baby was suffocated and suffered injuries or death while using a Boppy lounger, you should call the experienced Chicago child injury attorneys of the Moll Law Firm about whether you have a case against the manufacturer or others in the chain of distribution.

Risk of Suffocation

Babies can be suffocated when placed in a Boppy or another infant lounger in a position that allows them to move or roll. They can also suffocate if they roll off a lounger onto another surface such as soft bedding or pillows on an adult bed. According to the CPSC, between December 2015 and June 2020, 8 infants suffocated after they were set on their stomachs, sides, or backs in Boppy loungers. They were discovered lying on their stomachs or sides.

Three million loungers for infants and newborns were recalled on September 23. In the United States, 3.3 million loungers have been sold in the United States. In Canada, Boppy sold 35,000 of these loungers. The loungers cost between $30-$44. They were sold January 2004 – September 2021.

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Published on: September 20, 2021

Recall of Children’s Cutie Spoovel Utensils

By Moll Law Group

cooking-4299302_1280-300x199 Parents in Chicago and around the country should be aware that recently, Ryan and Rose recalled the Cutie Spoovel utensil. The Cutie Spoovel is a transitional tool little kids use to eat, and it can present a danger. The handle of the Cutie Spoovel utensil can break off; this results in the release of small parts, posing a choking hazard for young children. The tool comes in two colors and is fashioned from a plastic core sheathed in silicone. The back of the spoon identifies the utensil as made by “Cutie Spoovel” and RR is printed on the handle back.

The manufacturer received three separate reports that the Cutie Spoovel utensil’s handle broke when a child bit down on it. Neither injuries nor choking have been reported. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advised all recalled utensils should be removed from children. They should be disposed. The company can be contacted for either a full refund or a $20 shop credit.

In addition, if your child suffered injuries because of a Cutie Spoovel or other utensil for children, you may be able to recover damages in a product liability lawsuit. These lawsuits are brought when a person who used the product is injured by a defect in it. You and your child might be able to recover compensation if your child was injured by a defective Cutie Spoovel utensil or another child tool.

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Published on: September 14, 2021

Safety Considerations for Chicago Parents at the Start of the School Year

By Moll Law Group

Thousands of children are vulnerable to injury in connection with conditions at school or extracurricular activities. Chicago children may sustain injury or even be killed while playing sports, on playgrounds, or scootering or biking or walking to and from their schools. Now there are additional risks kids face because of COVID-19 and its variants. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently asked parents across the country to “Think Safety First” in recognition of issues that could come up in connection as children return to school.

Safety Considerations

One of the CPSC’s critical safety tips was to urge your child not to text or talk on the phone while walking. Drivers do not always consider the presence of children even on residential neighborhood streets during the hours that children go to and from school. There were 4600 ER injuries related to walking while distracted on the phone from 2019-2020.

Another important safety consideration is your child’s safety helmet. A safety helmet should be worn in connection with riding a scooter, skateboarding or biking to school. The CPSC release specified there were 144,100 bicycle injuries treated in the ER from 2017-2019 to children under age 16. It is necessary when playing football. Use of a safety helmet can prevent serious brain injuries under certain circumstances. You should check and make sure your child’s safety helmet is adequate and up to safety standards. Tragically, some recalls only occur after a child is catastrophically injured. When that is the case, it may be appropriate to pursue damages in a product liability lawsuit.

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Published on: September 26, 2016

Lenny Lamb Baby Carrier and Stroller Recalled Due to Falling Hazard

By Moll Law Group

Over 360,000 toddlers suffered injuries as a result of falling or tipping over during the years between 1990 and 2010. A Poland-based manufacturer called Lenny Lamb has recently come under fire for problems and risks associated with its Lenny Lamb brand child carriers. The company recently issued a recall for its buckle onbu infant carrier, even though it has not received any reports of specific injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has not received any reports or information regarding injuries either.

According to media reports, nearly 1,000 of the onbu carriers were missing a key component. The carriers feature a strap used to secure the device, in which the infant is placed, to the wearer’s body. The affected products are missing internal stitching that ensures the child stays inside the sling device. The device is intended to be worn with the infant carried on the wearer’s back. This means that if the device fails, and the infant falls, the wearer will have a difficult time reacting quickly enough to save the child from harm.

The carrier also features a hood, interior adjustable panel, and shoulder pads. It retails for roughly $90. Affected units were sold online at Bibetts, Lenny Lamb, 5 Minute Recess, Cozy Cuties, and a variety of other outlets between May 2016 and June 2016. To learn more about which units may be affected by the product defect, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

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Published on: May 24, 2016

New Study Identifies Potentially Dangerous Nanoparticles in Baby Formula

By Moll Law Group

A new study released earlier this month concluded that potentially hazardous nanoparticles were identified in powdered baby formula products made by Gerber, Enfamil, Similac, and Well Beginnings. According to the results, six out of six of the products that were tested contained unlabeled nanotechnologies. These nano-sized particles and structures included nano-hydroxyapatite in both non-needle and needle-like forms, nano titanium dioxide, and nano silicon dioxide.

According to the researchers, nanotechnologies are accelerating at such a quick pace that the regulatory authorities cannot keep up with ensuring that these new products are incorporated into our food system safely. This is particularly essential for infants, babies, and toddlers who are still developing and highly susceptible to toxins and other dangerous foods.

The companies that manufacture these brands include Nestle, Mead Johnson, Abbot Laboratories, and Walgreens. The researchers issued letters to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, asking them to remove the formulas containing the nanomaterials and to impose a cessation on the incorporation of these nanoparticles in baby formula until their safety has been assessed properly. They also call for stricter oversight of nanotechnologies in food products and call for a labeling program to be established.

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Published on: March 4, 2016

CPSC Imposes Mandatory Safety Standards for Hoverboard Toys

By Moll Law Group

One of the most popular gifts on everyone’s Christmas lists last year was a hoverboard. These devices appeal to everyone, from kids to adults, and offer a chance to see what futuristic travel might be like. For all the ads and articles about hoverboards, however, it seemed like there were just as many stories about users suffering severe injuries while using the devices.

Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a federal agency tasked with overseeing product safety and consumer health, issued a letter that essentially made the existing voluntary safety standard for “self-balancing scooters” a mandatory set of requirements. The voluntary standard is known as UL 2272 and primarily focuses on the device’s electric drive train, rechargeable battery, and charging mechanism. The guidance is designed to test the entire device and protect against any electrical or fire-hazard safety issues.

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