Medline Industries Recalls 1.5 Million Adult Portable Bed Rails After Two Deaths

Medline Industries issued a recall in May of approximately 1.5 million Medline Bed Assist Bar adult bed rails after two elderly patients tragically died highlighting the severe risks associated with the product. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall emphasizing the danger posed by this particular brand of bed rails. According to the CPSC, the bed rails can trap users between the rail and the mattress potentially leading to an asphyxiation death. The recalled bed rails have been sold for nearly 15 years through various retailers including Amazon.com. They are also sold at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Magic Medical, and Cascade Healthcare Solutions.

The specific models involved in the recall are: MDS6800BA and MDS6800BAH. The two models are identical, but the former were sold individually while the latter was sold in cases of three. The models were available online from July 2009 through March 2024. The model numbers can be found on the horizontal support frame of the bed rails.

Fatal incidents 

Thus far, there have been two fatal incidents associated with the bed rails. One involved a 76-year-old woman at a nursing home in Iowa. The other involved an 87-year-old individual at a residential care facility in South Carolina. Such incidents underscore the need for safety standards when it comes to consumer products geared toward vulnerable populations. Entrapment remains a grave risk for the elderly as well as infants.

Medline has responded to the recall. They are offering refunds to any consumers who purchased the bed rails. Impacted individuals can contact Medline by phone or email to initiate the refund process. In addition, the CPSC encourages consumers to report any issues they have with this product through their platform.

Risk of entrapment 

Of the two deaths that have been reported, both indicate that the individual became trapped in some manner that prevented them from breathing. Entrapment can occur when a person is trapped by the bed rail in a position that they cannot move from. This can happen when the rail is not held securely against the mattress and individual slides between the rail and the mattress, between the supports, or within or under the guard rail.

The FDA warns that those who want to be safe should understand the risks associated with using bed rail products. They should take steps to ensure that the products are installed properly and used correctly. Certain individuals should not use bed rails. Bed rails should not be used as a restraint. Instead, they are intended to be assistive and should be used to facilitate mobility for those who need assistance getting in and out of bed or repositioning themselves in bed.

The FDA warns that portable adult bed rails should not be used by everyone. Deaths and serious injuries can occur when using this product. Users should ensure that the bed rails are compatible with the mattress. They should also not be used with individuals who have severe physical limitations or altered mental status, according to the FDA.

Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today 

The Florida product liability lawyers at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of those who are injured or killed by defective consumer products. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your claims right away.

Sources:

cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Medline-Industries-Recalls-1-5-Million-Adult-Portable-Bed-Rails-Due-to-Serious-Entrapment-and-Asphyxia-Hazards-Two-Deaths-Reported

fda.gov/medical-devices/adult-portable-bed-rail-safety/safety-concerns-about-adult-portable-bed-rails