Maclaren pushchair/buggy injury – families launch compensation claim

Parents of children injured by defective pushchairs are suing the manufacturer

15 British families are suing the maker of the pushchairs, Maclaren, after their children lost their fingertips in pushchair hinges.  The British claims come after one million pushchairs featuring the same design of hinge were withdrawn from the USA.  The majority of injuries are reported to have involved children who have injured their fingers in these defective hinges.  In some cases children have lost the ends of their fingers after the hinges closed.

The particular buggies involved were known as ‘fold-up’ or umbrella style pushchairs.  In the US, there are reports that at least 12 children have lost parts of one or more fingers after getting their hands trapped.  MacLaren are issuing a ‘safety kit’ designed to cover the hinges to concerned parents.

At the moment it is unclear how exactly the injuries have been caused by the hinges.  Industry organisation the Baby Products Association has issued a statement to “strongly reiterate its support” for Maclaren.  The BPA said Maclaren’s products “met and often exceeded” European and British safety standards.

With such stringent safety standards, arguably the toughest in the world, covering products aimed at babies and children, it remains to be seen whether the pushchairs controversy will result in a further tightening of these standards.  The final outcome of court claims on both sides of the Atlantic isn’t likely to be known until well into next year.

Faulty products compensation claims

If you or a member of your family has been unfortunate enough to be injured in an accident involving a faulty product, you might be entitled to claim personal injuries compensation from either the manufacturer, or the retailer of the product.  For more information on faulty product claims, view our compensation guide on the Camps Solicitors website.  If you would like to speak to one of our claims advisors about making a compensation claim, call today on 0800 092 8586.