A recent recall of another brand of drop side cribs remind parents of the danger of cribs where one side moves up and down to allow a parent easier access to the baby or toddler. The Consumer Product Safety Commission once again alerted parents to the dangers of these cribs in a warning released on May 7, 2010. According to the Commission, at least 32 infants and toddlers have been killed by way of strangulation or suffocation as a result of defects in these types of cribs. Another 14 similar deaths could not be conclusively related to any defects. The Commission notes that the problems are the result of less than adequate structural integrity and the gaps that are formed to accommodate the sliding rail.

Unfortunately, many products that are placed into the stream of commerce are often unsafe for children. In addition to cribs, such other examples include various toys, car seats, bath basins, strollers and infant carriers. The manufacturers of such products can be held monetarily responsible for any injuries sustained by the end users of these defective products under New Jersey's Product Liability laws. (Link to our website where I set forth Product liability law). Litigation involving these types of cases are generally design defect cases where the manufacturer can be held responsible for their failure to properly design a product that they place into the stream of commerce. As set forth on our firm's website, an expert witness will be required to prove the design defect even if the product had previously been recalled.

Of course, one of the main purposes of personal injury law is to prevent injuries to innocent parties such as children. This purpose is often achieved through the ability to bring such product defect lawsuits against manufacturers of dangerous products such as the sliding rail cribs. In this regard, it is hoped that the companies' exposure to monetary damages awards for the injuries their products cause will lead to changes in the way they research and design their products. Hopefully, this, in turn, will lead to safer products and decreased injuries overall.

Obviously, we, as the end users of products that are placed on the market, are not in a position to determine whether the products we purchase for use for us or our families are designed in a safe manner. Therefore, it is imperative to periodically check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine what new products have been recalled. You may go to their website at www.cpsc.gov or by calling them at 800-638-2772.