L.L. Bean Settles Case Over Child Carrier Recall

Retailer L.L. Bean Inc., has agreed to pay a $750,000 civil penalty to settle allegations it violated federal law in delaying a report that two of its backpack child carriers were defective and have caused injuries, the government said. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission alleges that L.L. Bean of Freeport, Maine, delayed reporting that children can work their way out of the harness and fall through a leg opening or topple out of the top of the carriers. L.L. Bean knew of 39 incidents before reporting the defect, the commission said. One child suffered a concussion and fractured wrist in a fall from the backpack, and six children suffered cuts, bumps or bruises. Also, four children became entangled in the carrier’s shoulder straps, creating a risk of strangulation. The company initially thought some customers may have been using the backpacks improperly because company product testers did not experience any problems, spokeswoman Mary Rose MacKinnon said. The commission said consumers who have either of these carriers should stop using them and can contact L.L. Bean at (800) 555-9717 or its Web site at https://www.llbean.com/recall for information.

*

Guide to Our Staff: Need to reach Business section reporters or editors? A guide to the section’s staff can be found at: http://ukobiw.net/bizstaff.