Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Consumer Law Blogs -> ThePopTort

Consumer Law

: ThePopTort

Stork Craft Cribs, Melamine and American Civil Justice

By Andy Hoffman

We came upon a positively awful story today about a Louisiana family whose 7-month-old son was killed by one of the 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs that were deemed hazardous (and recalled) by the Consumer Products Safety Commission recently.

Understandably, the child?s parents were devastated by the senseless loss and the sickening details of their child?s death.  And the company?s recall and offer of a ?free kit to convert the cribs? did nothing to compensate them for their terrible suffering, or that of their child who suffered before he died.  So in hopes of obtaining some semblance of  justice, the parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stork Craft.

Against that tragic backdrop, we also came upon an update of a horrible story we?ve touched upon before, involving some 300,000 babies who were injured in China (6 of whom died) after drinking melamine-tainted infant formula last year. 

As we reported then an ?internal memo? had surfaced from the Chinese government to its courts saying melamine cases brought by these devastated parents were ?not to be heard.?  Unfortunately, one year later, the government?s directive seems to be holding true. 

Chinese courts have thus far accepted only six such cases.  Meanwhile, ?[p]arents and lawyers have reported pressure from government officials not to pursue lawsuits,? but instead, accept a one-time government payout which, in American currency, amounts to $293 to $29,000, ?depending on the severity of the case.?

So with that in mind, and in wary anticipation of more Stork Craft crib injury reports, it?s worth remembering that the American civil justice system is a unique and amazing thing for which we should all be profoundly grateful?one that holds negligent companies accountable and helps deter future wrongdoing, while allowing legitimately injured people and their families a genuine shot at the peace and justice they so richly deserve.

Full post as published by ThePopTort on November 30, 2009 (boomark / email).