The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of approximately 4.7 Graco and Century baby strollers due to defective hinges. The recall is because the dangerous hinges can pinch a child’s finger, resulting in severe cuts or even finger amputation. To date, there have been 11 reports of finger injuries, including six fingertip amputations and four partial fingertip amputations.
Eleven types of Graco and Century- brand strollers are affected by the recall. They include the following models:
- Aspen
- Breeze
- Capri
- Cirrus
- Glider
- Kite
- LiteRider
- Sierra
- Solara
- Sterling
- TravelMate
Specific model names and numbers can be found here. The strollers were manufactured between August 1, 2000 to September 25, 2014. They were sold at Target, Toys R Us, Walmart, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and other retail stores.
The strollers affected by the recall all have an external sliding fold-lock hinge on each side and a one-hand fold release mechanism on the handle. Graco will be offering a free repair kit at the beginning of December 2014. However, the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission warn that caregivers should “exercise extreme care when unfolding the stroller to be certain that the hinges are firmly locked before placing a child in the stroller.” They also advise caregivers to immediately remove a child from a stroller that begins to fold.
Fingertip Amputations And Finger Injuries Caused By Defective Products
As explained by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, fingertip injuries can be caused by a variety of products. These products can cause crushing, tearing, or amputation injuries to the tip of fingers or thumbs, as well as damage to skin, soft tissue, bone (distal phalanx), or the nail and nail bed.
Fingertip injuries and amputations can cause permanent deformity and disability. Full recovery from a fingertip injury can be quite lengthy. It also is not uncommon for an injury victim to have ongoing mild to severe pain in the damaged finger after the healing phase is complete. The injured digit also may continue to be sensitive to cold or temperature changes.
Those who experience a finger injury or amputation may require ongoing physical therapy to improve movement and strength in the injured hand. They also may require ongoing medical care to stimulate the nerves of the hand, control swelling, and improve the individual’s ability to perform daily activities.
Tallahassee Product Liability Help
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and others have a responsibility for the safety of the products they sell or provide. This means they can be held responsible if their products fail to perform as promised and if that failure causes damages, including medical costs, pain and suffering, and therapy costs.
The Tallahassee product liability lawyers at Fasig & Brooks have years of experience helping clients get the money they deserve when they have been injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of others. We provide aggressive legal representation to individuals who have been injured by product defects and malfunctions, faulty product design, and by products that do not carry proper warnings or instructions. If you have been injured by a defective product or have questions about whether you may have a possible product liability lawsuit, call our Tallahassee office today at (850) 222-3232 or use our online contact form for prompt, personal legal help.
