(18/05/2010)

Maclaren Agree Compensation Package for Children Injured by Pushchairs

Liverpool Solicitors Paul Rooney can reveal that buggy manufacturer Maclaren have agreed a compensation package for dozens of British children injured by their folding pushchairs.

Around 40 children in the UK, aged between one and eight years old, have been injured by defective hinges on some of Maclaren’s pushchairs, with some of the children losing the tips of their fingers.

Although Maclaren have so far refused to admit liability in the case, they have agreed to compensation claims to be paid out to the affected children and their families. The company will now meet with each claimant individually to ascertain how much compensation to award them.

Maclaren were forced to recall around a million buggies in the US following reports on children injuring their fingers on their hinges. A similar recall was not issued in Britain, however, Maclaren provided their customers with protective hinge covers.

A spokesman for Maclaren said: “We are committed to fully recompense any child who’s been genuinely injured by finger entrapment in one of our products. We take the safety of children very seriously.

“We have sold more than a million buggies in the past decade in the UK and have only had around 100 complaints. We feel this issue affects the whole industry and not just Maclaren.”

The Baby Products Association (BPA) issued their own statement on the issue, which said: “Our immediate concern is with the well being of those families who have been involved in an accident. The BPA believes it is important for parents and carers to have a clear understanding of the issues surrounding product safety, the responsibilities of our members in producing safe products as well as those of parents in their correct operation.”

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