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What if a popular baby product, trusted by countless parents, could pose unexpected dangers? The Leachco Podster Infant Lounger, once seen as a convenient solution for comforting babies, has come under scrutiny along with other baby loungers.
This article will explore the growing legal concerns, the potential risks associated with this product, and what parents need to know to ensure their child’s safety. Read on to learn more about the lawsuits and safety warnings surrounding the Podster Infant Lounger.
Table Of Contents
- Quick Summary:
- What’s the Problem With Leachco Podster Infant Loungers?
- What is the Leachco Podster?
- Have the Podsters Been Recalled?
- Other Baby Lounger Safety Warnings
- Boppy Infant Lounger Recall
- What is a Safe Sleep Position for Babies?
- FAQs
- Get a Free Leachco Podster Infant Lounger Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
Quick Summary:
- The Leachco Podster Infant Lounger has been linked to eight infant deaths, leading to increased scrutiny and legal action against the manufacturer.
- Lawsuits allege that Leachco failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential suffocation risks associated with the use of the Podster Infant Lounger.
- Despite the lawsuits, the company has not recalled the product, prompting ongoing legal debates and concerns from consumer safety advocates.
What’s the Problem With Leachco Podster Infant Loungers?
The problem with Leachco Podster infant loungers is that they have been linked to several infant deaths, leading to a warning from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the Podster, Podster Plush, Bummzie, and Podster Playtime infant loungers due to the risk of suffocation [1].
Despite these serious concerns, the manufacturer has not recalled the product, raising ongoing safety and legal issues. The safety concerns raised by the CPSC emphasize the significant risks posed by these loungers, particularly in relation to suffocation hazards that result in infant deaths.
“CPSC is aware of two infants who were placed on a Podster and suffocated when, due to a change in position, their noses and mouths were obstructed by the Podster or another object,” the agency said. “The infant deaths, 17-days old and four-months old, occurred in January 2018 and December 2015 in the U.S.”
The warning affects approximately 180,000 Podster, Podster Plush, Bummzie, and Podster Playtime Podsters, which measure between 71 and 75 inches in circumference and have dimensions of approximately 23.75 x 21.5 x 8 inches. They have a padded insert and a removable cover.
The covers come in a variety of prints and are either 100% polyester or a cotton/polyester blend. The covers also contain a nylon/spandex blend elastic center.
What is the Leachco Podster?
The Leachco Podster is an infant lounger designed to provide a cozy and supportive place for babies to rest. It features a contoured design to cradle infants and is often used for supervised lounging, feeding, and playtime.
Infant lounging pillows, including nursing pillows, have raised safety concerns, particularly regarding their use for sleep, as highlighted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
However, due to safety concerns, particularly related to suffocation risks, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued warnings advising consumers to stop using certain models of the Podster loungers. These concerns have led to increased scrutiny and legal action against the manufacturer.
Have the Podsters Been Recalled?
No, the podsters have not been recalled. Leachco has refused to issue a voluntary recall for the Podster Infant Lounger despite the CPSC’s demands. Instead, the company maintains that the lounger is not a sleep product and that it has clear warnings on the product and its packaging not to place it in a bed or crib or use it for unsupervised sleep.
CPSC told Leachco that it believes all infant loungers, including the Podster, are not safe because caregivers ignore the warnings and use them for unsupervised sleep.
Other Baby Lounger Safety Warnings
Over the last several years, federal safety officials have recalled multiple baby pillow-like infant products following reports of children rolling off of the pillows or onto their bellies, leaving their faces trapped against the fabric [2].
The CPSC indicates infants who have not developed the neck or body strength to roll back over or away from the pillow-like products may become trapped and face a suffocation hazard.
Recent infant sleeper recalls include:
- Beautyrest Beginnings Incline Sleeper with Adjustable Pillow-Like Products for Newborns
- Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Incline Sleeper with Adjustable Feeding Position for Newborns
- Delta Children Deluxe 3-in-1 Activity Rocker, Feeder and Sleeper
- Simmons Kids Beautyrest Deluxe 3-in-1 Activity Rocker, Feeder, and Sleeper
- 3-in-1 Activity Rocker, Feeder and Incline Sleeper
- Graco Little Lounger Rocking Seats
- SwaddleMe By Your Bed Sleepers
- Evenflo Pillo Portable Nappers
- Fisher Price Rock-n-Play Sleepers
- Kids II Infant Sleepers
- Nemschoff Hospital Bassinets
See the other product liability cases we’re currently taking.
Consumers who have purchased any of the above sleepers should take them out of the infant’s safe sleeping environment immediately and contact the individual companies for a refund or voucher.
Boppy Infant Lounger Recall
In July 2019, the Boppy Company recalled more than 3 million Boppy Newborn Loungers after at least 8 infants reportedly suffocated after being placed on their back, side, or stomach. The recall specifically involved the Boppy lounger, highlighting the dangers associated with this product.
The recall affects Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers, and Pottery Barn Kids Newborn Loungers. The reports of infant deaths occurred between December 2015 and June 2020, raising broader concerns about infant safety regulations.
What is a Safe Sleep Position for Babies?
A safe sleep position for babies is on their backs, and babies who fall asleep in an inclined or upright position should be moved to a safe sleep environment. According to the CPSC, infant loungers like Podsters are not safe for sleep.
Parents and caregivers should use a fitted sheet only to follow safe sleep practices and never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or other items to an infant’s sleeping environment.
FAQs
Why is the Leachco Podster Infant Lounger considered dangerous?
The Leachco Podster Infant Lounger is considered dangerous because it can cause suffocation if an infant rolls over, turns, or moves into a position where its soft surfaces obstruct their face. This risk is particularly high for infants who are not yet able to roll back or reposition themselves.
Who is eligible to file a lawsuit related to the Leachco Podster Infant Lounger?
Parents or guardians of infants who were injured or died while using the Leachco Podster Infant Lounger may be eligible to file a lawsuit. The lawsuit could seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and, in tragic cases, wrongful death.
What compensation might be available in a Leachco Podster Infant Lounger lawsuit?
Compensation in a Leachco Podster Infant Lounger lawsuit may include medical expenses, costs of ongoing care for injured children, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and, in the case of a fatality, wrongful death damages such as funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
Get a Free Leachco Podster Infant Lounger Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Leachco Podster Infant Lounger Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting lawsuits involving allegedly defective infant loungers in all 50 states.
If your child or other loved one was injured, you should contact our law firm immediately. Consumers may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit, and our lawyers can help you receive fair compensation.