TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods Accused of Selling Recalled Children’s Products

TJX Companies stores TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods stores across the United States are accused of selling recalled children’s products for months or even years after the recalls were announced.  Our birth injury lawyer offers details that you don’t want to miss in order to keep your family safe this holiday season.

Senator Calls for Action to Protect Consumers

In December 2019, Senator Chuck Schumer called for a federal investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  There are 19 products allegedly still in stores after being recalled between 2014 and 2019.  Standing outside a New York City TJ Maxx location, Schumer stated of the products,

Estimates suggest that the recalled products were sold in over 3,200 U.S. stores.  The items include clothing, toys and electronics – some of which are known to have caused infant injuries and deaths.

Which Recalled Children’s Products are Still a Threat?

In response to Sen. Schumer’s call to action, the CPSC has released an announcement detailing the recalled children’s products found to still be a threat to consumers.  Of the 19 products in the announcement, eight are products for infants and children.  These products include:

• Fisher-Price inclined sleeper accessory – Attaches to the Ultra-Lite Day & night play yard.
• Ion portable audio speaker
• Kids II Rocking Sleeper
• Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper
• Carter’s children’s cardigan set
• Kids II Oball rattle
• Swagway self-balancing scooter/hoverboard
• MZB Children’s light-up watches

The CPSC lists several hazards associated with these products, including:

• Infant fatalities
• Burn injuries
• Choking
• Fall hazards
• Lacerations
• Skin irritation
• Explosion

Sen. Schumer makes an excellent point that consumers may purchase these products as Christmas gifts.  Consequently, many consumers may have these products in their homes, and not realize that they are in danger.  Some of the recalled children’s products have a recall date of several years ago.  Consumers trust retailers to pull dangerous and defective products from shelves.

Infant Sleepers Still Sold Despite Dozens of Infant Deaths

Perhaps the most alarming of the products still sold are the inclined sleepers and accessories.  After months of investigations and reports, inclined sleepers have been recalled and banned in some areas.

You may recall reading our article titled, “Infant Deaths Linked to Fisher-Price Sleeper Prompt Outrage.” In this article, we discuss the controversial investigation and recall.  In April 2019, the CPSC and Fisher-Price released a statement warning parents about the dangers of the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.  The controversy surrounded the number of infant deaths that Fisher-Price reported, which was dozens less than there actually are.

Following the Consumer Reports investigation, inclined sleepers were recalled.  Since April, numerous stores have pulled all inclined sleepers, not just Fisher-Price.  Some of the most notable bans include retailers:

• Wal-Mart
• Buy Buy Baby
• eBay
• Amazon
• Albee Baby
• You Are My Everything

In April 2019, there were 32 infant deaths linked to the Fisher-Price sleeper.  New reports suggest:

• 1,108 reports of incidents related to sleepers between 2005 and 2019
• 73 reports of infant deaths in the last 14 years
• Over five million sleepers are actively subject to recall

After discovering how dangerous incline sleeping is for babies, legislators are taking action.  The Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019 (H.R. 3172) is getting bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The bill proposes to ban all inclined sleepers and crib bumpers, both of which are dangerous to sleeping infants.

TJX Companies Responds to Allegations

TJX Companies has responded to the allegations that their stores continue to sell recalled children’s products.  The company admits that their stores are not following proper recall processes.  The company states,

“At TJX, product safety is very important to us.  We deeply regret that in some instances, recalled products were not properly removed from our sales floors despite the recall processes that we had in place.  We are taking appropriate steps to strengthen these processes moving forward.”

The company also offers an apology to consumers.

“We apologize to our customers and encourage anyone who believes they may have one of these products to participate in the recall.”

One can only hope that the company will carefully review their processes and work toward a solution to product consumers from dangerous products.

What to Do About Recalled Children’s Products

The CPSC urges consumers not to use unsafe products.  If you have one of the products above in your home, stop using it immediately.  Also, do not allow your children to use the products.  Contact the manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased it to find out about a refund or replacement item.  According to the CPSC, the manufacturers are offering remedies for the recalled children’s products including refund, repair or replacement depending on the item.

If your child is suffering from an injury related to one of these products, you may also find it helpful to contact an attorney.  You have rights as a consumer. That includes not being subject to dangerous or defective products.  Injuries resulting from TJX Companies’ failure to follow recall processes are needless and preventable.

To find out more about your legal rights related to recalled children’s products, contact Birth Injury Guide.  Our birth injury lawyer will review your case and will help you find the best options for protecting your legal rights and your family’s safety.  You can contact us for a free case review by calling 1-877-415-6603, or you can fill out our online form to request more information.

Written By Sam Uribe

Sam Uribe is a researcher and writer. She lends her expertise to the team at Birth Injury Guide to provide up-to-date and relevant content that clients can count on.