GIKPAL Dressers Recalled Due To Tip-Over Hazard
Product Recalls - January 13, 2025
GIKPAL Dressers Recalled Over Violations of Federal Regulations That Can Create Entrapment and Tip-Over Hazard
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 13, 2025) – GIKPAL Dressers have been recalled because they can inadvertently tip over and seriously injure or kill children.
The recall was issued on December 26, 2024. Around 800 units were sold.
According to the recall notice by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recalled dressers can be unstable when they are not anchored to the wall.
This can pose a serious tip-over hazard that may result in children being seriously injured or killed. In particular, the GIKPAL Dressers violate standards required by the STURDY Act.
The dressers were sold exclusively online at Walmart. GIKPAL Dressers have a rustic brown appearance. But they are also sold with a black or white wood finish.
No injuries involving the dressers have been reported at this time.
Liability for Injuries Caused by Dressers
Injuries involving dressers are relatively common. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “between 2000 and 2018, there were 459 reported tip-over-related deaths involving children 17 years old and younger. Ninety-three percent of those child-specific incidents involved children five years old and younger.” All dressers in the United States must comply with the STURDY Act.
- Stability Standards: Clothing units are required to meet performance standards under numerous real-world situations. They must remain stable even when fully loaded with clothing.
- Weight Simulations: Testing for dressers must consider the weight of a child that is up to 60 lbs, which is the average weight for a 6-year-old.
- Labels and Warnings: Dressers and other furniture products must include clear warning labels that emphasize the need to attach certain pieces to walls.
- Applicability: The Sturdy Act applies to all clothing and storage units that are over 30 inches tall or may impose similar risks.
Companies that manufacture dressers have to keep in mind all of the ways that their product could be used and misused. This includes taking into consideration how a child might interact with it. Children climbing on dressers is a known risk. When a furniture manufacturer creates a dresser that violates the STURDY Act, this could form the basis of a strict product liability claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any accident involving a dresser tip-over.
- Medical records related to the accident should be preserved.
- It should be determined if the dresser was part of any recall.
- An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.
It can be hard to know where to begin if your child has been injured in a dresser tip-over accident. These incidents can leave children with lifelong injuries, including head trauma. Sadly, though, companies that make faulty dressers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if a child is injured by their product. This is where a product liability attorney can help. An attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of charge and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.
Getting Legal Help for Dresser Tip-Over Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates were deeply concerned to hear about the safety issues with the GIKPAL Dressers. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent similar incidents down the road. Dressers can easily become lethal hazards for young children when they do not comply with federal regulations. All furniture manufacturers must make sure they are complying with the STURDY Act.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a dresser tip-over accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. 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.