IKEA has recalled over 17 million chests and dressers because they can tip over and crush a child. At least 36 children have been seriously injured, 8 have died, and many parents have filed lawsuits.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting IKEA furniture induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was crushed in an IKEA tip-over accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: IKEA Recalls Kullen 3-Drawer Chests for Tip-Over Hazard
In March 2020, IKEA recalled KULLEN 3-drawer chests due to a tip-over hazard. The dressers can crush a child and cause severe injury or death. Six tip-over incidents were reported, including 2 minor injuries. The dressers were sold from April 2005 to December 2019.
IKEA Agrees to Pay $46 Million Settlement for Death of 2-Year-Old Boy
In January 2020, IKEA agreed to pay $46 million to the family of Jozef Dudek, a 2-year-old boy who died when he was crushed under a recalled IKEA Malm dresser in his home in California in May 2017. His death occurred nearly a year after IKEA recalled the dresser, but the family was never notified of the recall, despite being an “Ikea Family” member.
IKEA Re-Announces Recall After 8th Death
In November 2017, IKEA re-announced a recall for 29 million dressers and reported that 91 children were injured in tip-over incidents involving MALM dressers. Another 53 children were injured in tip-overs involving other IKEA dressers and chests.
Ikea Pays $50M Settlement for Dresser Tip-Over Deaths
December 22, 2016 — IKEA will pay a $50 million settlement to the families of three boys who died when they were trapped under a now-recalled dresser. The company also agreed to make their furniture withstand the weight of a 50-pound child, matching safety standards by the U.S. furniture industry.
Furniture Tip-Overs
Furniture tip-over accidents injure about 25,400 children every year, according to the CPSC. The agency warns that one child dies every two weeks after being crushed under a falling TV, furniture, or appliance.
The American furniture industry has adopted standards to prevent tip-over accidents. IKEA admits their furniture does not meet these standards and fails even the most basic stability tests.
What is the problem?
When a child climbs on an IKEA dresser that is not bolted to the wall, it can tip over and crush the child underneath. In some cases, children suffocate to death because they are unable to breathe.
IKEA Furniture Tip-Overs Lead to Injury and Death
In June 2016, IKEA recalled 29 million dressers after receiving six reports of children who died and 36 more who were seriously injured.
The deaths linked to IKEA dressers include:
- February 2016 — 22 month-old boy from Minnesota was crushed by a MALM dresser
- June 2014 — 23 month-old boy from Washington was trapped under a MALM 3-drawer chest
- February 2014 — 2 year-old boy from Pennsylvania was pinned under a MALM 6-drawer chest
- October 2007 — 3 year-old girl from Chula Vista died under a KURS 3-drawer chest
- March 2002 — 2-1/2 year-old boy from Cranford, New Jersey died under a RAKKE 5-drawer chest
- July 1989 — 20 month-old girl from Mount Vernon, Washington died under a GUTE 4-drawer chest
IKEA Recalls
In June 2016, IKEA recalled 29 million dressers due to serious tip-over hazard.
The action came nearly a year after IKEA initiated a repair program and offered free wall-anchoring kits.
The reality is that most people do not bolt their furniture to the wall. An attorney for one family who filed a lawsuit told Philly.com:
“When you are familiar with how a product is used, when you have intimate and actual knowledge that tip-overs of your furniture can easily occur and have occurred dozens of times, you can only stick your head in the sand for so long.”
Do I have an IKEA Tip-Over Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting IKEA furniture induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was crushed in an IKEA tip-over accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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