Your child should never be safer than when they are at home. Unfortunately, most child injuries happen when they are inside their own home. While some accidents are an expected part of growing up, others are avoidable, caused by a product manufacturer’s negligence or a caregiver’s poor planning.
A flat-screen television, for instance, might have a poor foundation—risking a dangerous tip-over if a curious child tries exploring. Bookshelves, dressers, chairs, and even desks can pose similar risks.
Here’s what our Costa Mesa child injury lawyer mentions you should know about tip-over injuries and what you can do to get justice for your child.
Why Tip-Over Accidents Occur in California
Unless a product is marketed to or for children, it is probably meant for adults. When manufacturers design electronics and furniture, they are thinking about what is convenient and comfortable for grown-ups—and may forget to consider the needs of a household’s youngest, most vulnerable members. This is why potentially dangerous goods are supposed to have child safety warning labels on them.
However, other accidents may occur when a caregiver—such as a school, daycare, or nursey—doesn’t adequately child-proof. Many tip-overs in commercial spaces are the result of adult negligence. For example:
- Television sets, heavy chairs, and other items with a high center of gravity and heavy weight should always be “anchored” to the ground, to the wall, or any other secure point. When these items aren’t anchored, a child could inadvertently cause a tip-over.
- Appealing items, such as candy, toys, or coloring books, should be kept within a child’s reach or out of sight. Children are sometimes injured when they try to climb unsecured furniture.
- The improper installation of anchoring and security devices can lead to eventual failure. Even if an anchor works for a certain period of time, it should be routinely checked to ensure that it is still safe and will not pose a risk to children.
In commercial establishments, such as daycare centers, company policy can also constitute negligence if: 
- A business does not have sufficient staff to keep track of children and prevent them from entering dangerous areas or accessing dangerous spaces.
- A business has sufficient staff, but the staff is inattentive or distracted and thus does not notice when children are facing potentially dangerous situations.
- A business has not taken the proper steps to child-proof furniture and spaces which are ordinarily used or accessed by children.
When manufacturers or caregivers make mistakes, the consequences can be severe.
Possible Injuries From Tip-Over Accidents
Parents are always vigilant because they know how vulnerable children are, especially when they are young and still learning to navigate a world fraught with danger.
A furniture tip-over in the living room, a hotel, or a daycare center can not only shatter a family’s sense of security but pose grave risks to a child. Common injuries from tip-over accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Asphyxiation
- Serious bruising
- Broken or fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death
Each year, tens of thousands of children are taken to emergency rooms after suffering tip-over accidents. Traumatic brain injuries are, unfortunately, one of the most common types of injury.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hurt in a Tip-Over Accident
If your child was hurt in a tip-over accident, you should not have to pay for the recovery by yourself—especially when your child’s injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.
When you learn of a tip-over injury, you should always contact an experienced child injury attorney. We can help you and your family evaluate the circumstances that led to the accident. Once we have evaluated your case, we will calculate your damages and pursue compensation from negligent:
- Product manufacturers
- Caregivers
- Businesses
… or some combination thereof.
Since California does not have a cap on damages in child injury cases, we will aggressively advocate for your family, doing our best to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation allowed by law.
Contact a Costa Mesa Child Injury Attorney Today
Navigating the aftermath of a serious tip-over accident can be challenging, especially if your child sustained serious injuries.
The experienced Costa Mesa personal injury attorney team at Case Barnett Law can help you investigate the accident, finding out exactly what caused it and who should be held responsible. We will also help you pursue damages that can pay for your child’s medical bills, compensate for the time you took away from work to care for your child and ease your family’s emotional pain and suffering. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
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