Two more companies have recalled about 377,000 more bed rails after reports of four elderly people suffocating to death after becoming trapped between the mattress and the bed rail.
According to an alert released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), earlier this month, Drive DeVilbiss recalled nearly 500,000 Bed Assist Rails or grab rails after two deaths were reported.
Details of the Recalled Bed Rails
Two more companies are now recalling another 377,000 bed rails. On Dec. 22, Essential Medical Supply recalled about 272,000 Endurance Hand Bed Rails sold since 2006 after one death was reported citing “entrapment and asphyxia” hazards, CPSC’s recall notice said. That death occurred in December 2012 involving an 86-year-old man at his home in California.
Also on Dec. 22, Compass Health Brands recalled about 104,900 of its Carex Adult Portable Bed Rails after reports of three elderly people who suffocated to death. With these defectively designed rails, users can become entrapped with the rail or between the rail and the side of the mattress. This could pose a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation, the company warns.
Essential Medical Supply sold its bed rails at medical supply stores nationwide and online on amazon.com and walmart.com from October 2006 through December 2021. Compass sold its products at medical supply stores nationwide and online at carex.com, amazon.com, and walmart.com from November 2021 through December 2021. Consumers and caregivers are being warned to stop using these recalled bedrails immediately and contact the manufacturer for a repair kit or a refund.
Product Liability Issues
It is disturbing to note that it’s taken these bed rail manufacturers several years to recall these defectively designed products – even after elderly people suffocated to death. There is no question that these are extremely dangerous design defects that could prove fatal for the elderly who are frail and vulnerable. Product manufacturers have a responsibility to design and manufacture products that are safe for consumers. In this particular case, these rails are meant for people who are either ill or frail because of their advanced age.
If you or a loved one has been injured using these or other products, it is important that you reach out to an experienced product defect lawyer to better understand your legal rights and options. Victims may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering while families that lose loved ones may be able to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Essential-Medical-Supply-Recalls-Adult-Portable-Bed-Rails-Due-to-Entrapment-and-Asphyxia-Hazard-One-Death-Reported
