Child Strangled by Window Blind Cords? Steps to Take and Your Legal Options
A child injury inside the home is every parent’s nightmare. Window blind cords for children are one of the most dangerous risks of injury in a household. These cords, when entangled, can cause a risk of strangulation to a child, making it an extreme safety concern for parents and guardians. Understanding the dangers and concerns can help prevent the risk of serious injury or harm that can be caused by window blind cords.
Why Window Blind Cords Are Dangerous
Window covering cords can easily wrap around a child’s neck, restricting oxygen and causing strangulation. Unlike many household injuries, strangulation is often quiet and can happen in a matter of seconds. It is crucial to always keep an eye out for where a child may be playing in the house as a way to decrease or prevent the chances of strangulation from window blind coverings. These accidents most commonly involve the following:
Loop cords on traditional blinds
Continuous loop cords on roller shades
Inner cords that become exposed or break
Crib, bed, or furniture positioned near a window
Immediate Steps to Take After a Strangulation Incident
When a child is involved in a window covering cord accident, it is crucial to take the proper steps to ensure safety. The following are the safety measures one can take when dealing with a strangulation injury.
- Call emergency services as soon as possible
- Remove the cord
- Check if the child is breathing
- Seek immediate medical evaluation
Following the right steps after a severe injury occurs can help prevent future harm or long-term suffering for children and their families.
Medical Concerns After Strangulation
Strangulation injuries are medically complex. A child who has suffered injuries caused by strangulation may experience the following:
Brain injury due to a lack of oxygen
Seizures
Cognitive or developmental changes
Vision problems
Changes in behavior
Voice or swallowing difficulties
Preserving Important Evidence
Documentation after a serious injury is crucial to determining how the injury occured and how it could have been prevented. This can help families build a claim against the injuries caused to help protect themselves and their children. Documentation, including the following, may be necessary after an injury has occured:
- Do not discard the blinds or cords
- Document the scene (photos and videos of the window, cord placement, and the overall layout of the room)
- Keep packaging, instructions, or receipts if available
- Write down the date, time, and events of the incident
- Obtain medical records and hospital discharge paperwork
How These Incidents May Occur
Window cord injuries usually involve more than a simple household accident. In some situations, safety measures may not have been adequate.
Products designed with long accessible cords
Failure to provide proper safety warnings or instructions
Inadequate cord connectors or breakaway devices
Installation without the needed safety features
Older blinds remaining in rental housing or daycare facilities
Understanding Your Legal Options
After a serious injury occurs, families and their loved ones usually encounter significant challenges, including medical bills, therapy needs, emotional distress, and long-term care considerations. The goal of a claim is to assess accountability and acknowledge the financial harm caused by the accident. A claim may involve one or more parties, including the following:
A product manufacturer
A distributor or retailer
A property owner or landlord
A daycare provider or caretaker
A contractor or installer
Types of Damages That May Be Considered
A legal claim, when appropriate, may address various forms of loss, including the following:
Medical expenses such as emergency treatment, hospitalization, and therapy
Future care needs or rehabilitation
Assistive services
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death damages
Why Legal Guidance Can Be Helpful
When an injury occurs, the proper legal guidance can be helpful in providing future protection and safety for victims and their loved ones. After a serious injury occurs, families are often left in a state of shock and do not know the right steps to take to seek justice. Seeking legal protection can help these families focus on recovery while allowing them to understand their claims.
How KAASS LAW Can Help
At KAASS LAW, we understand that window blind covers can cause serious harm or injuries to individuals, especially young children. KAASS LAW helps victims and families who have experienced severe injuries from window blind covers to understand their legal rights and options moving forward. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can review the events of the accident, help obtain records, and explain the necessary steps to take when dealing with claims regarding a serious injury. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from window blind covers, KAASS LAW is here to help. Contact KAASS LAW to speak with a legal professional to discuss your options and get the help and support you deserve to recover from the damage caused. Call KAASS LAW today.