Rock-n-Play Baby Sleeper Endangers Children, Class Action Says

The Fisher Price Rock-n-Play Baby Sleeper recall has spurred immense worry in numerous concerned parents in the United States and has already gained legal traction.

ABC News reports that a woman from Texas recently filed a class action lawsuit alleging the Fisher Price Rock-n-Play sleeper presents unreasonable dangers to infants and should not have been put on the market.

Plaintiff Linda Black named Mattel and Fisher Price as defendants in her claim, alleging the companies are liable for false advertising and potentially putting her child and other children at risk.

According to the Rock-n-Play lawsuit, Black had purchased the popular sleeper from Walmart and believed it to be a safe and reliable product based on the attached warning labels.

Rock-n-Play Sleepers are devices designed to help infants get to sleep through rocking and vibrating motions and playing music. They range in price from $40 to $149 depending on the model.

The product labels allegedly stated the Sleeper could be used for long periods of rest or overnight sleep for infants. However, this was allegedly not the case for many children who were allegedly either hurt or killed while using this product.

Overview of Fisher Price Rock-n-Play Sleeper Concerns

The Fisher Price Rock-n-play Baby Sleeper recall was announced on April 12, 2019, with the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) stating approximately 4.7 million Rock-n-Play sleepers had been recalled after incidents of infant death had been reported.

Consumers who purchased these Sleepers have been advised to immediately stop using the product and contact Fisher-Price for a potential refund or voucher.

Since the products entered the market in 2009, thirty-two infant deaths have reportedly been linked to these devices. According to the lawsuit, the Sleepers allow the infants to be tilted at a 30 degree incline and increases the risk of the infant’s head slipping into a dangerous position.

The head tilt could cause the windpipe to be constricted or cause the infant’s face to become pressed against the padded fabric in the Sleeper. With the infant unable to correct their position, they could potentially suffocate.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that infants sleep on their backs on a firm, empty surface that is free of choking hazards. This will lower the chances of suffocation or potential injuries, with the FDA stating they agree with these recommendations.

According to the claim, Black would not have purchased the Sleeper if she had known it was dangerous and should not have been used for its marketed purposes.

The lawsuit further states that Fisher Price had used marketing statements like “Baby can sleep at a comfortable incline all night long!” when the product allegedly posed a number of safety concerns that have been highlighted in documented cases of infant deaths and injuries.

The putative class consists of consumer parents who had purchased these Sleepers under the impression that these products were safe for their children and only became aware of the increased risk of asphyxiation after learning of the Fisher Price Rock-n-Play Baby Sleeper recall.

The claims being raised in this Fisher Price lawsuit include fraud, unjust enrichment, and breach of express warranty.

This Fisher Price Rock-n-Play Lawsuit is Black v. Mattel Inc., and Fisher-Price Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-03209, in the U.S. District Court of Central California.

Join a Fisher-Price Rock-n-Play Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased a Fisher-Price Rock-n-Play sleeper that was part of the recent recall, you may qualify to join this Fisher-Price class action lawsuit investigation.

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