Strangulation Incidents
A 22-month-old toddler was taken to the emergency room after he was found hanging on a window blind pull chain. The young boy was luckily discharged after an overnight stay in the hospital.
A one-year-old became entangled in the cord of a Roman blind and was strangled. When she was found, she had the cord wrapped around her neck twice and was partially suspended. Over 200 young children each year die from window blind cord strangulation. Children from 16 to 36 months are reportedly the most vulnerable.
Recalls
IKEA, the distributor of IRIS and ALVINE Roman blinds, has cooperated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and voluntarily recalled the products. The company expanded the recall to include roll-up blinds. Blind Xpress has also cooperated with the commission to recall 139,000 custom-made vertical blinds and 315,000 horizontal blinds. The Window Covering Safety Council cooperated with Health Canada to voluntarily recall and repair certain corded window shades and blinds. The U.S. window covering industry has engaged in two efforts to recall and retrofit blinds under pressure by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Window Blind Strangulation Lawsuit
In 2006, a Naples couple filed a window blind strangulation lawsuit because their three-year-old daughter was strangled by window blind cords and died. Several marketing and manufacturing companies were named in the suit. The window blind strangulation lawsuit cites negligence in the manufacture and sale of window products with cords that exceed 7 and ¼ inches of length, and pose a strangulation risk. The manufacturers are accused of choosing not to recall blinds in order to prevent other deaths. There have been isolated confidential settlements made with companies involved in the sale of window blinds. A class action window blind strangulation lawsuit against well-known retailers, distributors, and manufacturers in the U.S. involved in the sale of window covering products has been filed.
Importance of Seeking Legal Counsel
A lawsuit over window blind strangulation is a way for families of those injured to seek compensation for damages due to the product in question. Attorney Group for Oklahoma can discuss cases of injury induced by window blinds. We can help answer questions about your particular situation, and help you determine if you can file a lawsuit for compensation. If you decide to pursue your claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
