CALIFORNIA – The number of children killed or injured by falling televisions has risen even though more and more consumers are trading in older, heavier televisions for lighter flat screens. The reason for the rise is not clear in the studies, but researchers suggest that parents use flat screen televisions in main rooms and put older televisions on less sturdy furniture in rooms that only adults use.
A team from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio recently reviewed data from 100 emergency rooms and estimated that approximately 14,700 furniture-related injuries occurred each year between 1990 and 2007. Almost half of those injuries were caused by television sets. Those accidents resulted in approximately 300 deaths. The research was published in October in the Clinical Pediatrics.
The research showed that the number and rate of injuries to children from falling furniture and televisions in particular increased significantly over the period studied. The rate rose from 18.8 per 100,000 in 1990 to 22.9 per 100,000 in 2007. The maximum rate recorded was 25.7 per 100,000 in 2004. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission published a similar report last year. That report estimated 42,700 injuries and 180 deaths were associated with appliance, furniture and television instability and tip-overs between 2000 and 2006. 87 of those deaths involved televisions. The number of television related deaths rose from just seven in 2000 to 23 in 2006.
Several children have been injured or killed in this manner nationwide in the past few months alone. In one such incident, a 6 year old California girl was seriously injured and subsequently died from her injuries. Jasmine Starr Illgenfritz was playing with her younger siblings on October 31 when a television set fell from a living room table and fell on top of her. Jasmine was rushed to a local hospital but she tragically died from her injuries.
Many television related injuries and deaths involve the heavy standard cathode-ray tube televisions. They are weighted at the front and can easily be tipped over. Contrary to popular belief, newer cathode sets are actually larger and heavier than older models. Parents are encouraged to make sure that they only put traditional television sets on top of furniture that can hold the heavy sets. Also, they are encouraged to make sure children are not left unattended around older, heavier television sets.
Our hearts go out to the families of all the children who have been injured or killed in accidents with televisions and furniture. This report may help educate parents about the dangers associated with common household items. If your child has been injured while under the care of a third party, you may be able to recover economic damages to help pay for medical care.
Berman & Riedel, LLP is a plaintiff’s personal injury and wrongful death law firm located in San Diego, California. Our highly qualified team of attorneys can evaluate your case and options for recovery. You can learn more about personal injury law and the firm’s successes at www.bermanlawyers.com. In addition, you may contact the firm to set up a consultation to ensure your legal rights are protected.
