Drive Medical recalled more than half a million Bed Assist Handles after the tragic deaths of 2 people in their 90s who suffocated between their mattress and the bed handle.
Need a Texas Bed Assist Handle Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured or suffocated while using a Bed Assist Handle, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Drive Medical Recalls 500,000 Bed Assist Handles After 2 Deaths
In December 2021, Drive Medical (also known as Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare) recalled more than 500,000 Bed Assist Handles, Bed Assist Rails and Grab Rails due to a serious suffocation hazard. Two deaths were reported in 2011 and 2015.
What is the Problem?
The problem is that users can get trapped within the bed rail itself, or suffocate when they get trapped between the bed rail and their mattress with their face pressed into the mattress. The recall warns:
“When attached to an adult’s bed, users can become entrapped within the bed rail or between the rail and the side of the mattress. This poses a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation.”
Bed Assist Handles Linked to 2 Deaths
The recall was announced after 2 deaths were reported, including a 93-year-old woman at her home in California and a 92-year-old man at an assisted living facility in Canada. In both cases, the bed rail was not securely attached to the bed and the person suffocated after they got trapped between the be rail and their mattress.
What Bed Handles Were Recalled?
The recall includes the following products:
- Bed Assist Handle: Sold on Amazon as “Home Bed Assist Handle” (Model #15064)
- Bed Assist Rail with Folding Board: Sold on Amazon as “Home Bed Assist Grab Rail with Bed Board” (Model #15062)
- Home Bed Assist Handle: Sold on Amazon as Home Bed Assist Handle (Model #RTL15073)
- Home Bed Assist Handle: Sold on Amazon as Adjustable Height Home Bed Assist Handle (Model #RTL15063-ADJ)
Bed Rails Linked to Over 150 Deaths in Less Than a Decade
Over the past couple decades, bed rails have come under scrutiny due to the deaths of dozens of elderly people.
There were 155 deaths between January 2003 and September 2012 linked to bed rails, according to the “Adult Portable Bed Rail-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Potential Injuries” from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of those deaths:
- 143 deaths involved entrapment in the rail
- 11 deaths were related to falls on the bed rail
- 1 victim hit his head on the rail and died
Need a Bed Assist Handle 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.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: