Defective Crib Design Suffocates Child

ByMichael Talve, CEO

Updated on

Defective Crib Design Suffocates Child

Case Overview

This case involves a 14-month old child injured by the support bars in his crib, which collapsed and suffocated him. The child was playing in his crib when the support bars collapsed, entrapped his head, which caused the child to suffocate. This left the child with significant injuries.

Questions to the Product Liability expert and their responses

Q1

Did the negligent design of the crib cause the child’s injuries?

In a product liability case like this one, it must be discovered whether the design of the crib caused the injuries to the child. I have academic and real world experiences with consumer safety standards.

Q2

If a safety mechanism was in place (causing the bars on the crib to lock), would the child have suffered an injury in a similar manner?

I have worked with firms on industrial and consumer product safety and published books and papers in the field. Also, I have been a part of consumer committees on baby crib and baby furniture standards.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert has over 50 years of experience in mechanical engineering, accident analysis, and forensics with additional specialties in warning labels and standards. He earned a BS in mechanical engineering as well as an MBA and PhD in industrial engineering from the Ohio State University. He is a member of numerous professional organizations pertaining to engineering and safety standards and has an extensive list of both journal publications and books/book chapters. He began his career as a corporate methods engineer for Owens-Corning Fiberglass before serving as an assistant professor, then associate professor, of industrial and operations engineering at the University of Michigan. He then served as the director of safety standards for Federal OSHA before a role as specialist assistant for safety to the US Assistant Secretary of Labor at the time, Dr. Eula Bingham with OSHA responsibilities. For 40 years, he has served as the president of a self-owned engineering consulting firm that specializes in matters such as accident analysis and forensics, consumer product design and liability, warning and instruction labels, and workplace safety and OSHA compliance, among others. He is also an emeritus professor of industrial and operations engineering at a top university in Michigan.

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About the author

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve stands at the forefront of legal innovation as the CEO and Managing Director of Expert Institute. Under his leadership, the Expert Institute has established itself as a vital player in the legal technology arena, revolutionizing how lawyers connect with world-class experts and access advanced legal technology. Michael's role involves not only steering the company's strategic direction but also ensuring the delivery of unparalleled intelligence and cutting-edge solutions to legal professionals. His work at Expert Institute has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of attorneys in case preparation and execution, making a significant impact on the legal industry's approach to expert consultation and technological integration. Michael's vision and execution have positioned the Expert Institute as a key facilitator in the intersection of law and technology.

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