Barrington Hills Mom Files Lawsuit in 2-Year-Old's Death
Shane Siefert was killed in 2011 when his dresser fell on top of him.
Photos
A lawsuit has been filed regarding the death of a Barrington Hills 2-year-old who was killed when his dresser fell on top of him, the Daily Herald reports.
Lisa Siefert filed a lawsuit against furniture manufacturer Gemma Juvenile, Inc. of Canada, FurnitureKidz Inc. and it’s former owners, Robert and Marcia Gilbreth of Inverness, the newspaper reports.
Siefert’s 2-year-old son Shane died in 2011 when the dresser fell on top of him, Medill Reports Chicago reports. Siefert was able to get the furniture recalled, and has been pushing for the use of safety straps that attach furniture to the wall, the paper reports.
Siefert is seeking to have expenses of her son’s funeral paid “and other aspects of the family’s loss” through damages in the suit, the Daily Herald reports.
WA
10:41 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
The truth is that ANYTHING can fall on ANYONE. Children need FT supervision and this clearly was not the case here. There does not always need to be someone or something to blame. Accidents happen, we cope, and we move on. ...or we sue
Lead Follow or Get Out of the Way
11:32 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
I agree WA. When I read the full article in the tribune yesterday, two things jumped out at me. "The toddler suffered head trauma, the lawsuit states, but ultimately the pressure of the dresser caused the trapped little boy to suffocate." and "The lawsuit states that no warnings or instructions were given to help prevent a tip-over." As you stated, accidents happen, and I say they are often averted with proper supervision. Then one wouldn't need "a warning". It is tragic that this family has lost a child, but I think they are trying to relieve their grief by transferring responsibility to a blameless party. Where children are concerned (and yes, I've raised several) common sense and supervision go a long way in preventing most accidents and injuries.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-family-sues-dresser-maker-over-toddlers-death-20130314,0,6482835.story
Hiram Walker
3:40 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Open too many drawers at once, It tips over. Same with tool boxes.
fyi. Other things you might not have been told, wipe your butt after you crap or it may itch.
Brian Walsh
7:55 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
"and it’s former owners" ?
Who taught you how to spell?
Dan Arenov
9:19 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Morgan, do you know why my comment on this article was censored?
I mentioned that nobody seems to be accountable for anything anymore. There's always somebody else who can be blamed when bad things happen...whether it is something like this, or spilling hot coffee on ourselves and blaming the restaurant, etc.
somebody was offended by that and the comment was censored?
Dan Arenov
9:25 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
As much pain as the parents suffered when their kid died, i also feel sorry for the owners of the people who sold the dresser and also the manufacturer, who will now end up having to provide wall safety straps for their dressers... what cost goes into developing those? what if they fail? where does it end?
and the manufacturer will now have to put a warning label on their dressers:
Do not use dresser unless safety straps are affixed to the wall.
Do not leave children alone with a dresser.
Make sure children are wearing gov't approved safety helmets when in the area of the dresser in case the safety straps fail.
that's if the manufacturer is able to stay in business.