Bed Rail Entrapment as a Product Liability

06 Oct Bed Rail Entrapment as a Product Liability

In nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities, bed rail entrapment has become a serious issue as well as a product liability. Since 1985, the FDA has issued a safety alert on the potential dangers bed rails present. In 1999, the FDA assembled the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup to monitor how to prevent death and injury from bed rail entrapment.

How can bed rail entrapment happen?

There are several ways to become trapped in bed rails. Individuals who weigh less are more prone to fall between gaps of the mattress and bed frame. You might browse our selection of quality mattresses and choose the most fitting and comfortable mattress at home. But that does not apply here.  Another factor to consider is an individual’s mobility. Here are some ways people are trapped in bed rails:

• An individual’s head or other body part is caught between the bars on the side rail.
• An individual can become stuck under the bed rail.
• An individual can get caught between the bed rail and mattress.
• Bed rail entrapment can occur when an individual is trapped under the end of the rail.
• Healthcare patients can be trapped between the gaps of split rails.
• A person can become trapped between the rail and the headboard or footboard.
• An individual can get caught between the mattress and the headboard or footboard.

Some of the obvious signs of bed rail entrapment include skin bruising, cuts, and scrapes. Individuals may be strangled or suffocated when trapped between bed rails and the mattress. There have even been many reported incidents of death from bed rail entrapment.

At Rasansky Law firm, we are committed to serving your product liability claim needs. If you feel that you or a relative suffered injury or death from bed rail entrapment, don’t hesitate to fill out our free case evaluation form and our team will gladly review the facts of your situation.