Maclaren urged to recall dangerous baby buggies- Around 15 potential cases now identified in UK

• Faulty Products

9 December 2009

This follows recent news that in the US, Maclaren has launched a full scale product recall where 15 children were reported to have hurt or partially severed their fingers due to the design of the frame of the pushchair. The injuries are believed to be caused when fingers are trapped as the buggy is snapped open. Twelve of these cases resulted in fingertip amputations.

The US arm of the company has since contacted all those who purchased the affected products, offering hinge covers to solve the problem.  However, in the UK Maclaren has so far failed to issue a recall or contact customers. Instead a small, almost illegible, warning exists on the product and hinge covers have to be requested from Maclaren by savvy parents. The company continues to claim that a recall is not necessary as the product adheres to European safety regulations.

Richard Langton, partner at Russell Jones & Walker who is issuing claims on behalf of the families affected said:

“Despite Maclaren’s claims that there is no issue with their products in the UK, I have seen and spoken to numerous parents now whose children have suffered a lifetime injury from using something that is specifically designed to be used for small children.

“Infants whose fingers are at risk of being fractured, crushed, or amputated in the UK deserve the same protection as those in America. Why are new buggies not being sold now with the same protective hinge covers and warning labels which are being provided in America? How many more children must suffer amputations before the UK authorities act?

“To protect children from further incidents like this, it is imperative that Trading Standards take action and demand a product recall from the manufacturer and the retailers involved. In many cases it seems that those issuing complaints directly to Maclaren have been informed that there is no product fault and that the incident was isolated. As such, it is unclear as yet as to the scale of the problem in the UK, so we urge anyone who may have been affected by this product to come forward.”

Parents whose children have been injured requiring medical treatment at any time in the last 10 years are asked to contact Russell Jones & Walker: 0800 916 9033. All cases will be reported to Trading Standards.
 
For more information:
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Ends

Notes to Editors:
Russell, Jones & Walker employs more than 360 staff (over 160 lawyers) and is renowned as the leading national firm of solicitors in protecting the rights and legal interest of individuals and those who represent them.  RJ&W has a network of regional offices and includes those in the following centres: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Wakefield, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff and Edinburgh.  http://www.rjw.co.uk

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