Rosalind Walker, an 80-year-old woman living in Godfrey, Illinois, died in April 2023, a month after being trapped for two days by her connected bed. This event led his daughter, Angela Moan, to file a wrongful death suit against the American companies Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt. The complaint points to faulty design and a lack of safety in the product, reports NBC News.
The incident occurred on March 1, 2023 when Rosalind Walker’s adjustable bed suddenly lowered without warning. This sudden movement trapped her between the bed and the wall of her room, preventing her from freeing herself. She remained in this position until March 3, when paramedics finally freed her. She was then hospitalized, transferred to a rehabilitation center, and then sent home to palliative care, where she died on April 3, 2023.
“A death trap”
According to the complaint, the bed was “defective and unreasonably dangerous.” It accuses the two manufacturers of having sold a product without an audible alert system, without sensors to detect an obstruction and without a release mechanism allowing a trapped person to free themselves. These defects constitute gross negligence and a violation of safety standards.
Angela Moan also accuses companies of failing to inform consumers of potential risks. “An adjustable bed, such a common item, should never become a death trap,” her lawyer, Ted Gianaris, told NBC News. “Manufacturers should have included safety features, such as sensors similar to those used in elevators, to prevent these tragedies. »
Business responses
Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt said they were not informed of the incident until the lawsuit was filed on Dec. 10, 2023. In separate statements, the companies expressed their condolences to Rosalind Walker’s family and pledged to cooperate with the judicial process. “Our legal team is currently reviewing the complaint. We remain confident in the design and safety of our products,” Sleep Number said.
The family wants to point out the risks of certain beds
The suit seeks compensation for Rosalind Walker’s suffering and medical expenses. The family also hopes the case will draw attention to the risks of some adjustable beds and encourage manufacturers to improve their safety systems.
Find our file on the United States
“We’re waiting for explanations from companies as to why they didn’t design a safer bed,” Ted Gianaris said. “This tragedy highlights the importance of safety devices adapted to common products such as adjustable beds. »
