If you follow the news or have managed to catch one of IKEA’s commercials in the past several months, you may be aware that the Swedish furniture manufacturer has faced complaints and lawsuits regarding some of their chests and dressers that were designed in a way where they could be easily tipped over. In fact, in June of last year, IKEA recalled close to 30 million chests and dressers sold in the United States, including 8 million MALM dressers.

The recall and stories from victims who were affected by IKEA chests and dressers quickly spread, highlighting the fact that product manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe and do not pose unreasonable hazards to the consumers who use them. Following the recall and publicity, IKEA settled a lawsuit with 3 families whose children were killed by IKEA chests and dressers for $50 million. At least 3 other child deaths were reported, and the exact number of injuries is unknown.

To help you gain a better understanding of the lawsuit and how it relates to personal injury law, our legal team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has put together a few key points you should know.

1. The recent settlement – The recent $50 million settlement in December was reached between IKEA and 3 separate families who each lost a child as a result of tip overs involving the manufacturer’s chests and dressers. According to the lawsuit, the victims claimed that the furniture was defectively designed, which made them inherently unstable and prone to being tipped over. It also alleged that IKEA continually refused to comply with voluntary national safety standards that ensure the stability of furniture.
2. Other cases – In addition to the recently settled case, there have been three other child deaths linked to IKEA chests and dressers. The exact numbers of injuries are unknown, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that among the many injuries and deaths reported annually as a result of furniture tip over accidents, there are likely many caused by the recalled IKEA chests and dresses. These types of furniture tip over accidents commonly injure or kill young children, though they can affect people of any age, including the elderly.
3. Product liability – The IKEA tip over lawsuit falls under product liability, an area of law that holds product manufacturers, as well as distributors and retailers, accountable when their products are unsafe and cause preventable injuries or deaths. Victims injured by products have the right to pursue compensation for their losses by filing product liability claims that may allege a product was defectively designed, manufactured, and / or marketed to the public.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has extensive experience protecting the rights of victims and families who were harmed in preventable accidents, including those involving unsafe and defective products. If you or your loved one have questions about the IKEA tip over lawsuit or any other defective product that caused you harm, contact us today for a free consultation.