Rise in High Chair-Injuries Brings up Safety Topics for Children | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

There’s nothing cuter than a tot sitting in a high chair with a bowl of spaghetti on his head and a huge spaghetti sauce grin plastered across his face.  Unfortunately an alarming number of babies and toddlers have been falling out of highchairs and being injured.  This according to a new safety study that found high chair accidents increased 22 percent between 2003 and 2010.  9,500 high chair-related injuries are seen in emergency rooms every year which equates to one injured infant per hour.

These injuries can be serious and often occur to the head and the face.  This can lead to closed head injuries and in extreme cases traumatic brain injury or TBI.  The reason for these accidents often isn’t a unsafe product but instead it seems the safety straps are not working or not being used correctly. Experts emphasis that caregivers must use the restraint and not to depend on the tray as it is not meant to be a restraint.

If your child is injured by a caregiver from falling out of a highchair or any other type of negligence you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of your child.  As the parent or guardian, being prepared to handle this situation will help ensure you and your family receive proper compensation to help cover large medical bills, any permanent scarring or brain damage to your child, and pain and suffering.

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