Target Recalls Storage Trunks Blamed for Child’s Brain Injury

Target Stores is recalling about 350,000 <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">Woven Storage Trunks that have been implicated in the serious injury of a child. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the lid of the trunk can drop suddenly when released, posing a strangulation hazard to small children opening or reaching into the trunks.

In March, the family of an 18-month-old filed a lawsuit against Target, claiming the child suffered brain damage after the lid of one of the trunks fell on her head, cutting off oxygen to her brain. The lawsuit alleges that Target advertised the trunk as appropriate for toy storage and encouraged parents to use them in that fashion. According the complaint, the trunk does not meet CPSC recommendations or industry standards for toy boxes, which require a support or hinge that keeps toy box lids from accidentally collapsing.

According to the CPSC, the incident involving the Pennsylvania child is one of two reports it received of injuries that occurred when the storage trunks’ lids suddenly closed on children.

The recall involves 14 different models of the storage trunks made of woven rattan, abaca or banana leaf with standard hinges. They measure more than 1.1 feet in length, width and depth and are brown or natural color.

They were sold at Target stores nationwide and on the Web at www.target.com from February 2009 through April 2010 for between $50 and $130.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled storage trunks and return them to any Target store for a full refund or replacement product. For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.target.com.