Baby carrier lawsuits have been filed after infants developed hip dysplasia, dislocation, or needed surgery as a result of products with poor designs that failed to support the hips and legs.
Need a Texas Baby Carrier Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If your baby was diagnosed with hip dysplasia after using a baby carrier, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is the problem?
Baby carriers and “baby-wearing” are popular trends for new parents. The problem is that some baby carriers, slings, and wraps fail to support the baby’s hips due to poor design. If these baby carriers are used extensively, especially in the first 6 months, the baby can suffer from serious hip problems — and even permanent hip arthritis as an adult.
Hip Problems Linked to Baby Carriers
- Hip dysplasia
- Looseness of the hips (minor laxity)
- Hip dislocation
- Developmental Dislocation of the Hip (DDH)
- Avascular necrosis
- Arthritis of the hips
Safe Hip Position in a Baby Carrier
When using a baby carrier, the safest position for an infant’s hips is similar to the fetal position in the womb. It is sometimes called the “M-position” because of the way the baby’s legs straddle their caregiver, with their legs naturally spread apart to the side, and their knees bent.
Unsafe Hip Position in a Baby Carrier
The riskiest baby carriers are products with narrow seats that do not support the baby’s thighs. If you can see the baby’s legs pointed straight (or nearly straight) down, the carrier does not provide enough hip support.
What is the Risk?
If a baby’s hips are forced into a straight, stretched-out position too early in life, there is a risk that the “ball” of the hip joint may deform the edges of the socket — or even slip out of the hip socket altogether. This risk is greatest in the first 6 months of the baby’s life, when the edges of their hip sockets are made of cartilage as soft as your ears.
Hazards of Improperly Designed Baby Carriers
The safest baby carriers have a wider, more structured seat that helps support the baby’s hips in the “M-position.” In comparison, baby carriers with a narrow seat allow their legs to fall straight down. This locks their hips in an unnaturally straight, stretched-out position that may lead to hip dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia & Dislocation
Hip dysplasia occurs when a misshapen socket does not fully cover the “ball” part of the joint, which allows the thigh bone (femur) to dislocate or slip out of the socket. This may sound painful, but for babies under a year old, hip dysplasia is often painless because they are so flexible. It may go undiagnosed until they have problems learning how to crawl and walk.
Symptoms of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips
The most common symptoms of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) may include:
- The leg on the side of the dislocated hip may appear shorter
- The leg on the side of the dislocated hip may turn outward
- The folds in the skin of the thigh or buttocks may appear uneven
- The space between the legs may look wider than normal
Delayed Walking & Long-Term Disability
Toddlers and young children with hip problems from baby carriers may have developmental delays in crawling, walking, and running. This is often what leads parents to seek medical attention and get a diagnosis. Once the child is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, they may need special harnesses, braces, or surgery to avoid lifelong disability.
Treatment Options for Hip Dysplasia
- Pavlic harness
- Leg braces
- Surgery
- Hip replacement
- Injections
- Prescription footwear
- Prescription painkillers or nerve blockers
Evenflo Snugli Baby Carrier Lawsuit
In May 2020, Evenflo was hit with a lawsuit on behalf of a boy with hip dysplasia who was carried in the Snugli Comfort Baby Carrier. He had to wear a stiff brace for at least 8 hours a day for 1 year, and may still need surgery, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit (PDF) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California — R.R. vs. Evenflo Company Inc. — Case No. 3:20-cv-03392-LB.
BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Lawsuit
In May 2020, BabyBjorn was hit with a lawsuit by the parents of a girl who was carried in the BabyBjorn Original Baby Carrier. According to the lawsuit, she developed severe hip dysplasia and suffered through “three surgical procedures and months spent in full body casts.”
The lawsuit (PDF) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Western Division) — O.T. vs. BabyBjorn Inc. — Case No. 2:20-cv-04517.
Infantino Baby Carrier Lawsuit
In May 2020, Infantino was hit with a lawsuit on behalf of a girl who suffered hip injuries from the Infantino Flip Baby Carrier. She developed hip dysplasia and had to spend “months in a stiff brace for 12-16 hours a day at a young age,” according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit (PDF) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California — M.C. vs. Blue Box Infantino LLC — Case No. 3:20-cv-00934.
Need a Baby Carrier Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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