Child Safety Seats Recalled for Increased Risk of Chest Injuries

More than 500,000 Diono car seats have been recalled because they may not be able to protect children in the event of a car accident. According to news reports, about 519,052 child car seats have been affected by this voluntary recall including the Radian R100, R120, Radian RXT, Olympia, Pacifica and Rainier convertible and booster seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that Diono manufactured the recalled seats between January 2014 and September 2017.

Details of the Recall

According to Consumer Reports, if these seats are installed with only the lap belt (without also using the top tether), children heavier than 65 pounds have an increased risk of a chest injury in the event of a car accident. The problem was discovered during routine testing. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities as a result of these child safety seat defects.

Diono’s website states that if you are confused about whether this recall affects you, there are three simple questions with which you can determine that: Is your child safety safety seat installed forward-facing with the lap and shoulder belt or with the SuperLATCH system, or using the top tether? If the answer is “yes,” the recall doesn’t affect you. Is your child safety seat installed forward-facing with the lap belt only and top tether? If so, you don’t have to worry about the recall either.

If your child safety seat is installed forward-facing with the lap belt only, you may be affected if your seat was manufactured after Nov. 25, 2014. Once the recall begins Nov. 22, Diono will notify owners and will provide a repair kit free of charge containing updated instruction manual, an energy-absorbing pad and a new chest clip. For more information, you can call Diono customer service at 1-855-463-4666.

Child Safety Seat Tips

Here are a few safety tips for parents to help ensure their children are safe while riding in a vehicle:

• Make sure your child rides in the backseat. This is generally the safest place in a crash.
• Infants should ride facing the rear until they are 1 and weigh at least 22 pounds. Infants who weigh 20 pounds before they turn 1 should ride in a restraint approved for higher rear-facing weights.
• Check to see that the safety belt holds the seat tightly in place. Put the belt through the correct slot. If your safety seat can be used facing either way, use the correct belt slots for each direction.
• Make sure the harness is buckled snugly around your child.
• Have children over 40 pounds use a booster seat.
• Check safety belt seat on older children.

If your child is injured as the result of a defective car seat, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer for the injuries, damages and losses caused. An experienced product defect lawyer can help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.