Dania Furniture Recalls Hayden Bookcases Over Tip-Over Hazard

Dania Furniture Has Issued A Recall For Their Hayden Bookcases Because They Can Tip-Over And Seriously Injure Or Kill Children

Dania Furniture Recalls Hayden Bookcases Over Tip-Over Hazard

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (June 28, 2024) – Dania Furniture has issued a recall for Hayden Bookcases because they pose a tip-over hazard if not properly anchored to a wall.

The recall date was listed as June 27, 2024 and around 940 units were sold. By their design, the bookcases have a high center of gravity and are more prone to tipping over than many other pieces of furniture.

In most cases, this would not be an issue, but the bookcases can become a lethal hazard for small children. Dania Furniture is aware of one report where a tip-over accident resulted in the death of a 4-year-old child.

The Hayden Bookcases were initially made in Italy.

Liability For Bookcase Tip-Over Accidents

Serious accidents and fatalities involving furniture remain alarmingly common. According to National Public Radio, “A report released Thursday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission also found that there have been 581 tip-over fatalities in the U.S. since 2000. Four in five of the deaths were kids.” There are a number of reasons why certain dressers and bookcases can be dangerous for children.

  • Furniture can be tall in comparison to children. When that furniture has a narrow base, it is more likely to tip over.
  • Dressers can become unstable when all drawers are open.
  • Most people do not anchor their dressers and bookcases to the wall, as this requires the use of tools many people do not have.
  • Dressers and bookcases can be extremely heavy in comparison to small children. This presents an entrapment and suffocation hazard in many different situations.

Companies that manufacture furniture have a legal obligation to ensure that it is reasonably safe. This means that it must be compliant with health and safety regulations. This includes compliance with the STURDY Act. The STURDY Act requires that furniture manufacturers adhere to stability standards, testing requirements, warning labels, and height and weight criteria. When a furniture maker fails to adhere to safety standards, they could be held strictly liable for any accident where a child is injured or killed.

Furniture makers have faced a number of lawsuits after children have been injured or killed by furniture that tips over. In particular, IKEA agreed to settle one lawsuit for $46 million after a 2-year-old became entrapped and suffocated by one of their Malm dressers. Attorneys for the boy’s family argued that the dressers were inherently unstable. Several steps should be taken after any child is injured by a falling piece of furniture.

  • It should be determined if the furniture was part of any recall.
  • The piece of furniture involved in the accident should be preserved as evidence.
  • Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
  • An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

Children are naturally curious and love to play on furniture. Furniture makers have to keep this in mind. But far too often, they do not. In many instances, they are more concerned with making a profit than designing safe furniture that is unlikely to result in injuries. The family of any child that is injured by furniture will be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A product liability attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Getting Legal Help After Bookcase Tip-Over Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates were deeply concerned to hear about the issues of the Hayden Bookcases sold by Dania Furniture. It is tragic that a family lost their four-year-old child in an accident. There needs to be a thorough investigation into how these bookcases were allowed to be sold in the first place.

Has your child been injured by a Hayden Bookcase? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.