Every parent knows that a child car seat is a necessity to protect your child when riding in a car. Laws in every state require children be secured in a child safety seat – or when they’re older, a booster seat – every time they are in a car.
Car Seat Flaws and Defects
Unfortunately, many parents find out too late that the car seat they trusted their child’s safety with was less than safe. Sometimes this is due to:
- Design defect
- Mistake in the manufacturing process
- Lack of suitable oversight
- Lack of appropriate instructions showing how to safely use the car seat
Approximately ten million child car seats have been recalled by their manufacturers since 1998. These recalls have been issued for a variety of problems that have often resulted in serious injuries and even deaths.
LATCH Features
As a result of widespread problems involving difficult to use child seats, the federal government issued guidelines requiring child safety seat manufacturers to include what is known as LATCH features. LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is a system that is designed to eliminate the need to use your vehicle’s seatbelts to attach the child car seat. These LATCH features are required for all child safety seats manufactured after 2001, and for all passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8500 pounds or less manufactured after the requirements went into effect.
Experienced Defective Auto Representation
If your child was injured in an auto accident and you believe that the design or manufacture of your car seat played a role in your child’s injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages your child and the rest of your family has suffered as a result.
The attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers have handled many defective auto claims, and we will fight aggressively to ensure your rights are protected in court. You will have the vast resources of a large national law firm helping you hold negligent manufacturers accountable for their actions.
Please contact our defective auto lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. Jacoby & Meyers has offices throughout the U.S.