Question- not sure what to do...

kikirose78

kikirose78

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Hi everyone- I have a bit of a situation and am not sure what to do since I have never delt with anything like this before. Here is the story- saturday we went to IKEA to buy a hamper for the new baby ( I know it was stupid to go out with a 2 week old- bad mommy!!) we went to the childrens section since they didn't have anything I like down stairs - I wanted to get a small pop up basket (like my other kids have) While I was getting the basket, my Husband and kids- 2 and 4 were playing in the toy area- for those who haven't been there they have all the kids products set up for them to play with and try out. They have a new product Virre slide, my husband was right next to them while they were going down the slide, the slide has 2 holes on the side to climb up, My 2 year old son climbed up, stood up, went to sit down, lost his balance and fell off- there was a toy chest/ bench set up about a foot behind the slide he cut his head on it blood was everywhere. They called 911- it took and ambulance ride and 6 hours at the ER, he ended up getting 6 staples in the back of his head. My MIL went to the store to see what he fell off of and the slide was gone, she asked about it and was told they took it down becuse a little boy fell off it and cracked his head because the parents weren't paying attention (MY husband was 2 feet away and WATCHING them and I was about 10 feet away shopping- this made me MAD) I spoke with the manager when I got home and he said they have the area set up so the kids could run around and play and that something must have been moved and not noticed by an employee that it was not safe, he apologized for the accident and for the comment that was made.

This brings me to my question- first of all I DO NOT think this slide is safe for little kids- it says 18 months up- there is no handle for them to hold onto I cannot picture an 18 month old being safe on this!! There is no back to it, just the holes on the sides and a flat surface at the top and the slide. It is a brand new product, they had just put it out at our store.
Second I think there should be an employee in the area to make sure the area is kept safe for little ones. It is impossible to find employees here unless you are in mattresses or bath/kitchens (where you have to order products)

I can't stop thinking about this and it is upsetting to me, I spoke to the LP mananger about getting a copy of the accident report but they won't release it to me- I wish I took pictures at the time- but it wasn't a top concern at the time. I am concidering reporting the product to the CPSC, so other children won't get hurt. I searched online to see if anyone had a problem with it, but I just found blogs talking about it's release. Am I being overly concerned? Should I ignore it? Should I talk to the store again? How do I make sure my insurance covers the ambulance and ER? Customers at the store when it happened said to get a lawyer- do I need to do that? I am kind of lost. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Christy
 
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Hi kikirose,

I would certainly get a lawyer if they won't release the accident report to you. IKEA should have cameras throughout the store and should have a recording of what occurred. If nothing else, hire an attorney to get the video and report then consider what to do from there including asking the store pay for the E.R. visit and ambulance.

The only issue I have with an attorney is when s/he decide to go gang banging on a company just to make a buck. There are reasonable expenses (including REASONABLE attorney's fees) but beyond that it is just a beating of the business and in turn the consumer.

I wish you luck in your quest. I would also report it to the CPSC as your report may be the first in a long line of complaints.
 
First, I hope your son is ok and heals quickly. I am sure you both were scared to death! Secondly, I hate playground equipment of anykind practically. The ones at our park don't seem safe for any age, because every side is practically open. I am constantly by my 2 year olds side, because you are right...one bit of balance problem, and it is a very bad accident waiting to happen. Go figure that a furniture place had a piece of furniture right next to play equipment. Probably your typical dum dum set this thing up. And really, I don't think a company should even be setting up a play set of anykind indoors. It's not like at McDonalds where there are padded mats and sealed sides. Why the heck didn't they just put in a few simple chairs and a wall mounted television with cartoons on. That usually takes care of everything! I agree...get a lawyer. Sorry you guys are going through this. Fight for the future kids who may end up getting hurt! Maybe they'll give you some free furniture. :wink:
 
Make phone calls, send e-mails & talk to a lawyer. There is no reason the store should not give you the report unless they are trying to save their own a$$. One child being hurt is enough, this slide should not be marketed for 18 monthes & over. It just does not seem safe. I hope your little one is doing okay.
 
Thank you all!! My son is doing good- it is hard to keep him still, I am so afraid he is going to bang it and rip the staples out or something. He is playing fine, he just has a hard time laying down (nighttime has been fun!!) Thanks for all your input. A friend gave me a # for their lawyer, I think I'll call and see what they say. I don't like to be like this but I want to make sure I don't get a huge hospital bill for this in a few months and I don't want anyone elses kids to get hurt also. Thank you again.
 
Definitly go to Lawyer. Did you take any pics at the scene with a cell phone? Or accident report from the store when it happened? Similer thing happened to me in Kmart 8 years ago and their attorneys still call me. I was pregnant, and my daughter was 6 at the time and there was Blues Clues bubble bath on the floor. I slipped and caught myself on a side display thank god, but my daughter had a hairline fracture to the ankle. We got the Manager to fill out forms and took her to the hospital. About 2 days we started getting calls of how they were going Bankrupt etc... I guess to save there butts but they did offer to pay her medical bills. I would have sued them. I am just glad that I didnt fall because I could have lost the baby or something.
Good Luck with that. Hope your son recovers quickly :)
 
snuggleszam said:
Definitly go to Lawyer. Did you take any pics at the scene with a cell phone? Or accident report from the store when it happened? Similer thing happened to me in Kmart 8 years ago and their attorneys still call me. I was pregnant, and my daughter was 6 at the time and there was Blues Clues bubble bath on the floor. I slipped and caught myself on a side display thank god, but my daughter had a hairline fracture to the ankle. We got the Manager to fill out forms and took her to the hospital. About 2 days we started getting calls of how they were going Bankrupt etc... I guess to save there butts but they did offer to pay her medical bills. I would have sued them. I am just glad that I didnt fall because I could have lost the baby or something.
Good Luck with that. Hope your son recovers quickly :)
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I did not take pictues- I wish I did!! I was crying and trying to find something in my bag to use to stop the bleeding ( ended up using babies onsie) I freaked out when it all happened- thank god my husband was there. The employees were no help- I asked for ice 3x before someone came to help. I guess they have a trained medical person on staff she came and called 911 and took all the info and looked where it happened. I talked to the loss prevention manager and he said they would not release the accident report to me- it is for internal use. I thought this was kind of shady. :thinking:
 
kikirose78 said:
I did not take pictues- I wish I did!! I was crying and trying to find something in my bag to use to stop the bleeding ( ended up using babies onsie) I freaked out when it all happened- thank god my husband was there. The employees were no help- I asked for ice 3x before someone came to help. I guess they have a trained medical person on staff she came and called 911 and took all the info and looked where it happened. I talked to the loss prevention manager and he said they would not release the accident report to me- it is for internal use. I thought this was kind of shady. :thinking:
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Wow was it the one in Elizabeth? They are a bunch of idiots in that Ikea. You have every right to get a copy of that report. Did they make you sign anything? It is against the law for you not to get that copy. I would send a certified letter to their corporate office, and the head manager of that store with a request for that report.
 
It was South Philadelphia, I talked to a lawyer today. Thank you for all the help!!
 
This is off topic sort of, but I have a hint for stopping bleeding. Use tea bags. My hubby is on blood thinners and bleeds bad sometimes. The tennin in tea is a natural blood clotter.

I am glad you child is doing ok. The store should be held responsible and also admit their stupidity and blame in the matter.
 
connie8890 said:
This is off topic sort of, but I have a hint for stopping bleeding. Use tea bags. My hubby is on blood thinners and bleeds bad sometimes. The tennin in tea is a natural blood clotter.

I am glad you child is doing ok. The store should be held responsible and also admit their stupidity and blame in the matter.
Click to expand...

What a great thing to know!! Thank you- I am sure it will come in handy in the future.
 
Glad to be of some use to someone. Nice to know some of my useless info is good at times.
It takes some time to stop bleeding on head injuries though.
 
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