IKEA, the Swedish retail giant known for its affordable furniture and home goods, has faced numerous lawsuits over the years related to product safety and injuries.
IKEA has the responsibility to ensure that all products are safe for consumer use. However, incidents involving defective or poorly designed products have led to serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities, sparking legal action.
Notable IKEA Lawsuits
One of the most significant legal challenges faced by IKEA involves its Malm dresser series. These dressers have been linked to several tragic incidents where the furniture tipped over onto children, causing fatal injuries. Despite multiple recalls, including a high-profile recall in 2016 that involved millions of units, additional injuries and deaths have been reported post-recall. The recurrence of these incidents underlines persistent issues with the stability and safety of these products. As a result, families affected by these tragedies have filed lawsuits against IKEA, claiming that the company failed to take adequate measures to ensure product safety and did not effectively execute the recall process.
IKEA has settled lawsuits involving dresser tip-overs, with reports in 2016 stating that the company agreed to pay $50 million to three families whose children were killed by falling Malm dressers. Further legal actions continue as other incidents come to light, reflecting ongoing concerns over the safety of IKEA’s furniture.
Legal Implications
The lawsuits against IKEA often hinge on allegations of negligence and failure to meet mandatory safety standards. Plaintiffs argue that IKEA’s design and manufacturing processes are flawed, particularly in how the company addresses furniture stability. These cases frequently emphasize the need for better adherence to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) furniture safety standards, which IKEA has been criticized for not following.
IKEA’s legal challenges are compounded by their global presence, as different countries may have varying safety standards and legal expectations. However, the core issue remains that IKEA must navigate international consumer protection laws while ensuring that their safety protocols are uniform and adequate across all markets.
In response to legal pressures and public safety concerns, IKEA has implemented several measures to enhance product safety. These include more rigorous testing procedures, improved design specifications to prevent furniture tip-over, and extensive consumer education campaigns about the importance of anchoring furniture to walls.
IKEA Verdicts and Settlements
- 2023, Pennsylvania: $13,500,000 Settlement. The plaintiffs alleged that a defective design in IKEA’s Stuva dresser, specifically horizontal cutout handles on the lower drawers, led to an 19-month-old child’s fatal asphyxiation. Discovery revealed that IKEA had previously identified a similar hazard in the dresser’s design process. The settlement was reached just before the scheduled trial date, with a retired Philadelphia judge serving as mediator.
- 2020, Pennsylvania: $46,000,000 Settlement. A 2-year-old boy died of suffocation after an IKEA MALM dresser fell over and trapped him. The dresser was recalled because its defective design rendered it unstable. His parents purchased it before the recall announcement. They sued IKEA, alleging that the dresser’s faulty design caused their son’s death. The parents claimed that the dresser did not comply with national safety standards. IKEA countered their claims by arguing that the dresser’s instructions recommended anchoring it to a wall to prevent tip-overs. The parents refuted IKEA, arguing that the instructions did not advise that it was necessary to anchor a dresser to a wall to prevent it from tipping over. Despite being members of IKEA’s rewards program, the parents also alleged that IKEA failed to contact them about the defect and recall. This case settled for $46,000,000. The parents, bless them, donated $1,000,000 of their award to three public safety organizations that protect children from defective products.
- 2019, New Jersey: $500,000 Settlement. A 53-year-old woman slipped and fell on a French fry in an IKEA cafeteria. (Yes, a French fry. There has to be more facts that are left out, right?) She suffered a knee fracture that left her leg immobilized for over a month. The woman also suffered the aggravation of her Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neuromuscular disease. She claimed that her injuries made her unable to walk on her own without the assistance of a walker or a wheelchair. The woman sued IKEA, alleging that they failed to maintain safe premises. This case settled for $500,000.
- 2019, New York: $6,000 Settlement. A child suffered unspecified injuries while she played in a ball pit at a local IKEA. Her mother sued IKEA, alleging that they improperly maintained and supervised its premises. She sought compensation for pain and suffering and medical bills. The case settled for $6,000.
- 2018, New Jersey: $20,000 Settlement. A minor suffered unspecified injuries at a local IKEA. Her mother sued IKEA, alleging that they failed to maintain safe conditions and failed to properly supervise individuals within its premises. She claimed that IKEA’s negligence caused her daughter’s injuries. The case settled for $20,000.
- 2017, New Jersey: $50,000 Settlement. A girl fell down the stairs of an IKEA’s play area. She suffered a cracked tooth, a lacerated lower lip, and facial abrasions. The girl had her cracked tooth removed. Her lip laceration resulted in scarring and became a permanent injury. The girl’s father sued IKEA, alleging that the play area was negligently operated. This case settled for $50,000.
- 2017, New York: $17,000 Settlement. A 9-year-old boy suffered a left foot fracture after falling in the playground area of a local IKEA. His mother argued that IKEA failed to provide safe conditions in the playground area. The case settled for $17,000.
- 2015, New Jersey: $100,000 Settlement. A 58-year-old woman slipped and fell on wet entrance rugs in the foyer of an IKEA. She suffered severe ligament damage to her dominant hand. The incident occurred days after a significant ice storm. The woman sued IKEA for failing to maintain safe conditions. She also sued the maintenance company for failing to properly dry the rugs by rolling them up and putting them in a corner at the end of the day. Her orthopedist surgeon testified that her injuries were permanent and made it difficult for her to perform fine motor tasks. This case settled for $100,000. IKEA agreed to pay $50,000, while the maintenance company agreed to pay $50,000.
- 2011, Massachusetts: $596,715 Verdict. A hammock display fell and struck a 26-year-old woman as she was shopping at IKEA. She initially suffered a concussion and post-concussive syndrome. The woman also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and recurring headaches. She claimed that her injuries affected her ability to work as a financial trader because the lights and noise of Wall Street now bothered her. The woman’s expert neurologist testified that her symptoms would continue for many years and might be permanent. Her therapist also testified that she was now terrified of walking around construction sites out of fear that something might fall on her. IKEA admitted liability but denied that the woman suffered a concussion, arguing that her symptoms did not indicate signs of a concussion or post-traumatic stress disorder. The jury ruled in favor of the woman. They determined that the fallen display caused her injuries. The woman received a $596,715 award.
- 2010, California: $422,250 Settlement. A large carpet fell and struck a 37-year-old man’s head at IKEA. An ambulance brought him to the hospital, where he died from his injuries several hours later. He was survived by his two young daughters. His estate sued IKEA, alleging that they failed to prevent hazardous conditions. The case settled for $422,250.