Legal News

Car seats are an important piece of safety equipment for your infant. However, you should keep your eyes open as infant items are often subject to recalls. Take for example the recent Dorel car seat recall involving 800,000 car seats. The recall involves restraints labeled Safety 1st, Maxi-Cosi, Cosco and Eddie Bauer. The Dorel car seats may have been labeled under the brand names: Alpha Omega, Alpha Omega Elite, Enspira, Prospect, Vantage, OnBoard, Priori and Mico. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the event of a vehicle crash, the child may not be adequately protected and is at an increased risk for injury. The investigation began after consumers reported complaints that the restraining straps on the seats had loosened. According to the investigation, the harness? locking and release button can malfunction, causing the car seat to be looser than intended. 

The recall involves booster, infant, convertible seats, some of which were sold as part of a stroller travel system. A list of the model numbers in the recall can be found here. The affected models were sold between May 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. 

Owners can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Do not attempt to repair a recalled car seat. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled car seat. 

In a filing with N.H.T.S.A., Dorel said, ?There have been no reports of center front adjuster failure in real world crashes, no injuries and no deaths reported to the company,? the New York Times reports. 

Related Resources:

• Dorel Car Seat Recall (Surebaby.com)
• LaJobi Cribs Recalled: Defects Pose Danger to Kids (Findlaw's Injured)
• Defective and Dangerous Products - Legal Issues (Findlaw)