Federal Government Takes Action Against Britax for Stroller Defects
February 16, 2018: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has filed an administrative complaint against Britax Child Safety, Inc., alleging that certain models of their “B.O.B.” jogging strollers contain defects in their design which present a substantial product hazard to children and adults.
The complaint charges that the design of the strollers fails properly to secure the front wheel to the fork permitting the front wheel to suddenly detach during use, abruptly stopping and tipping the stroller.
More than 200 consumers have reported front wheel detachments while using the stroller, resulting in at least 97 injuries to children and adult consumers.
The children have suffered serious injuries, including concussions, injuries to the head and face requiring stitches, dental injuries, contusions, and abrasions. Adults have sustained injuries including a torn labrum, fractured bones and torn ligaments, contusions and abrasions.
The CPSC had previously requested Britax to recall the strollers, but Britax refused. As the CPSC determined that the strollers pose a substantial risk of injury to children and adults, it took administrative action in an effort to prevent further harm.
Britax imported and distributed about nearly 500,000 single and double-occupant B.O.B. jogging strollers from December 2011 through September 2015. The three-wheeled strollers include the following 17 models: Ironman, Ironman Duallie, Revolution, Revolution CE, Revolution Flex, Revolution Flex Duallie, Revolution Pro, Revolution Pro Duallie, Revolution SE, Revolution SE Demo, Revolution SE Duallie, Revolution SE Duallie Plus, Revolution SE Plus, Sport Utility Stroller, Stroller Strides, Stroller Strides Duallie and SUS Duallie.
According to the Academic Pediatric Association, approximately 18,000 children younger than 5 years old are brought the emergency room annually, because of injuries associated with strollers and baby carriers. About 25% of those children suffered serious injuries such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has implemented new mandatory federal safety standards for these products to address many of the risks to children. There are strict federal regulations governing the manufacturing of children’s products to protect against injuries from dangerous and defective products.
Safety Tip: Parents should make sure that children are properly buckled in every time. Slow down when pushing a stroller – not all strollers are designed for jogging. Avoid texting or using a smartphone while pushing a stroller – even a split-second distraction can lead to a misstep, trip, and tipping of the stroller. The precious cargo is worth the attention.
Parents and care providers should report dangerous products and product-related injuries to the CPSC by going online to www.SaferProducts.gov or calling CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Our firm is an experienced product liability firm that has represented thousands of children due to the negligence. If your child was injured or lost their life due to a defective product or the negligence of another, contact at us at (877) 277-7336. There is no charge to speak with us or for case evaluations.
