Jool Baby Recalls 63,000 Nova Baby Infant Swings for Suffocation Risk
Jool Baby has issued a recall notice through the Consumer Product Safety Commission for its Nova Baby Infant Swings, claiming the swings pose a suffocation risk, and fail to meet federal safety violations. According to CBS News, these dangerous products went into production a full month after The Safe Sleep for Babies Act was signed into law (May 2022), but before the law went into effect (Nov 2022). Phelan Petty Injury Attorneys, which represented clients in the some of the very first Rock ’n Play litigation, can help you if your child sustained injury while in a Nova Baby Infant Swing. Contact our defective product lawyers in Richmond today for help.
Why are Jool Baby’s Nova Baby Infant Swings so dangerous?
Many parents use infant swings as a tool to help their children nap, but these products can be life-threatening. Babies – especially those whose neck muscles have not developed enough for them to lift their own heads – may slump forward or to the side when in the swing. This can block their oxygen flow, and they will be unable to lift their heads to breathe. This is why sleepers and infant swings can lead to suffocation injuries and deaths.
Under The Safe Sleep for Babies Act, any device with and “inclined sleep surface greater than ten degrees that is intended, marketed, or designed to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant up to 1 year old” is considered an “inclined sleeper,” and is therefore considered a “banned hazardous product” under federal law. Jool Baby’s swings, as CBS News explains, fall into this category.
As of this writing, the Nova Baby Swing is still on Jool Baby’s homepage; the recall notice is buried at the bottom of the website. Call us today to learn more.
Jool Baby should be held liable for any injuries or deaths
The recall affects infant swings produced between June 2022 through September 2023 – a full 10 months AFTER the Safe Sleep act went into effect. This means that Jool Baby knew it was importing a dangerous and banned product, but did it anyway.
More than 63,000 infant swings have been recalled.
How do I know if I have one of the recalled Jool infant swings?
Per the CPSC, the recalled Nova Baby Infant Swings:
Are gray and measure about 28 inches long, 19 inches wide and 24 inches high. They have a round aluminum base with music buttons on the front, a metal seat frame, a cloth seat with restraints and a headrest, and a canopy with hanging toys (yellow moon, blue cloud, and pink star.) The swings can be powered using AAA batteries or an AC adaptor and came with an electronic remote control. “Jool Baby” appears on the swing’s base and “NOVA” on the seat label. The manufacturing date code in month, day, year format can be found on the sewn-in warning label on the back of the swing’s seat.
These swings were sold on a variety of websites – including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Jool Baby’s own website, among others.
If you are unsure whether or not you have one of the recalled swings, look at the warning on the back. Below the address but above the telephone number, at the bottom of the warning, will be a manufacturer date. If the date falls between June 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023, you have one of the recalled swings.
What should I do if I have a defective Jool Baby infant swing?
If your child is unharmed
If your child is unharmed, stop using the Jool Baby infant swing immediately. You can contact Jool Baby and request a repair kit for free. You will need to upload a photo of the warning label. Contact Jool Baby:
- Call toll free: 888-788-5665 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, on Friday
- Email recall@JoolBaby.com
- Go to JoolBaby.com/recall
- Go to JoolBaby.comand click “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page
If your baby has suffered harm
The first thing you should do is put the infant swing someplace safe. Do not throw it out and do not give it away: just put it away.
Second, call Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers. We understand that you are dealing with an unimaginable type of stress. We know you’re probably not thinking straight. We also know that if your child sustained injuries related to oxygen deprivation from suffocation, you are going to need help. These injuries generally involve brain damage. Brain damage does not heal; in fact, it typically compounds over time. This means that even with the very best medical care and therapy available, your child may never develop any further than he or she already has.
The truth is oxygen deprivation-related injuries will likely lead to substantial medical bills for the rest of your baby’s life. He or she may need specialized care that you cannot provide because of the conditions the suffocation caused: seizure disorders, mobility issues, communications failures, cognitive delays. Suffocation injuries can shorten your child’s expected lifespan, and they can be fatal.
We also understand that this is not your fault. You trusted Jool Baby to follow the law, and to sell you a safe product. They did neither. You shouldn’t have to pay – your child shouldn’t have to suffer – because of their negligence.
Can I hold Jool Baby accountable for my child’s injuries?
Our Richmond-based injury lawyers can file a lawsuit against Jool Baby on your behalf; we’ve been representing clients across Virginia in product liability cases for decades, and we have a personal interest in assisting clients whose children have suffered irreparable harm.
Our goal would be to ensure that your child is always protected. In your product liability lawsuit, we would seek damages for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Inconvenience (past and future);
- Deformities or scarring (if applicable)
- Costs related to development delays, including educational expenses
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Punitive damages, which are designed to punish wrongdoers
If the worst came to pass, we would file a wrongful death lawsuit instead. A wrongful death lawsuit allows us to seek damages for:
- Any and all medical expenses
- Sorrow, mental anguish, and loss of solace
- Funeral expenses
- Punitive damages
If your child suffered harm because of a Jool Baby Nova Infant Swing, you don’t have to fight back alone: Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers wants to help. Call us in Richmond or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced trial attorney. Proudly serving parents and families throughout Virginia.
Read More
- CPSC Finally Bans Dangerous Infant Sleep Products
- CPSC and Kolcraft Re-announce Recall of Inclined Sleeper Accessory
- UPDATE: Graco Inclined Rocker Accessory Recalled for Suffocation Risks
- Infant Death Toll Rises From Use of Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper
- What You Need to Know About Rocking Sleeper Recalls
- How to Keep Your Infants Safe During the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Recall
Michael Phelan is a Virginia trial attorney who practices with a special focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, pharmaceutical and medical device claims, product liability cases, and truck accidents. Michael’s peers have consistently recognized him for his excellence as a trial lawyer, and his clients have praised him for his commitment to deep research, his outstanding communication skills, and his sincerity and dedication.