Car Seat Defects and Injuries They Cause

Car seats help keep your children safe while you’re driving, protecting them even in the worst-case scenario. However, a defective car seat can lead to severe injuries and even fatalities, although the latter is thankfully rare. If your child has been injured by a car seat defect, the Buckeye Law Group’s attorneys will provide you with the aggressive representation you deserve to help your family recover.

Types of Car Seat Defects

• Faulty Latching Mechanisms: One of the most common defects involves the latching mechanisms that secure the car seat to the vehicle. A defective latch can cause the car seat to detach during an accident.
• Weak Frame Construction: Car seats with poor frame construction can be prone to collapse or deformation during a collision.
• Defective Clips, Buckles and Straps: Malfunctioning car seat belt clips, buckles and straps can make it difficult for parents to secure their child properly, potentially leading to ejection or insufficient restraint in the event of an accident.
• Inadequate Cushioning: Car seats with meager padding or cushioning may fail to absorb the impact of an accident or even just the bumps and turns that make up your regular commute, increasing the risk of your child sustaining injuries.
• Flammable Materials: Car seats made from flammable materials might ignite or release toxic fumes during accidents.

Which Car Seats Have Been Recalled Recently?

Multiple car seat companies throughout the years have had to recall their products because of safety concerns:

• In 2023, the Dorel Juvenile Group recalled almost 60,000 car seats due to a faulty safety latch that could detach in the event of an accident.
  
  
• Evenflo has issued recalls for many products in recent years, including child car seats for numerous reasons, such as easily accessible release buttons, defective buckles and unintentional detachment during an accident.
  
  
• In 2016, both Britax Child Safety Inc. and Baby Jogger LLC recalled many of their car seats. Britax Child Safety Inc. recalled 70,000 seats due to a defective harness chest clip, handles that may break, structural cracking, a loosening harness and choking hazards. Baby Jogger LLC recalled their City Go, City Mini and Vue Lite infant car seats for omitting certain information in their instructions and failing to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard’s requirements.
  
  
• Just a year later, Baby Trend Inc. issued a recall in 2017 after discovering that the center adjuster rivet in their child seat could break if the occupant weighed more than 40 lbs., significantly elevating their risk of injury.
  
  

Unfortunately, even regular vigilance and staying up to date on recalls might not entirely protect you or your children from potentially faulty car seats. If your child is hurt due to a defective car seat, you deserve proper compensation.

Ohio Laws That Can Affect Defective Car Seat Lawsuits

Product Liability Laws

Because Ohio adheres to strict product liability laws, the state will hold manufacturers, distributors and sellers accountable for selling defective products, regardless of their intent or knowledge of the malfunction.

To pursue an effective product liability claim, the injured party must demonstrate that the car seat’s defect made it unreasonably dangerous and directly led to the child being injured. The experienced attorneys at the Buckeye Law Group will help you build a compelling case with a robust backing of evidence to substantiate your claim.

Comparative Negligence

Ohio follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning if the injured party is found partially at fault for the injuries, their compensation may be reduced proportionately. However, if the injured party is more than 50 percent at fault, Ohio may bar them from recovering any damages.

This can potentially be relevant if the manufacturer argues the car seat purchaser failed to properly install the car seat. The ultimate result will depend on the degree to whiany injuries can be attributed to the improper installation or the product itself. It is possible for inadequate, confusing or incomplete instructions to qualify as actionable for seeking damages.

Don’t Face Car Seat Manufacturers on Your Own

The experienced defective product lawyers at Buckeye Law Group will protect your rights and help you secure compensation for all you and your child have endured. We’re part of a network of attorneys who have won more than one billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’ll bring our wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to work on your claim.

Discuss your case with an experienced defective product attorney during a free personalized case evaluation by calling 1-800-411-PAIN or contacting us online.