A tragic incident has brought the safety of adjustable beds under scrutiny, as an 80-year-old grandmother, Rosalind Walker, from Godfrey, Illinois, lost her life after being pinned by her Sleep Number bed for two days. This heartbreaking story highlights the risks associated with seemingly routine home products and raises serious questions about the safety features of adjustable beds.
The Incident: Two Days Trapped Between the Bed and the Wall
On March 1, 2023, Rosalind Walker was caught in a harrowing situation when her Sleep Number bed allegedly malfunctioned and lowered itself without warning. Walker became trapped between the bed and the wall, unable to free herself. It wasn’t until two days later, on March 3, that she was discovered and rescued by emergency responders.
Despite being rushed to the hospital and later placed in hospice care, Walker succumbed to her injuries a month later, on April 3, 2023. Her family describes her final days as fraught with pain and suffering, leaving them devastated by the unexpected loss.
Legal Action: A Lawsuit Against Sleep Number and Manufacturer
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Walker’s daughter, Angela Moan, has filed a lawsuit against Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt, the manufacturer of the adjustable bed’s base. The lawsuit claims that the bed’s design was defective and lacked adequate warnings to prevent such an incident. Moan is seeking over $25,000 in damages for her mother’s suffering, medical expenses, and untimely death.
Moan’s lawyer, Ted Gianaris, emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “Something as common as an adjustable bed should not trap an elderly person. We look forward to hearing from Sleep Number about why it did not sell a safer bed.”
The Allegations: Design Flaws and Lack of Safety Features
The lawsuit paints a troubling picture of the safety shortcomings of the bed. According to the complaint, the Sleep Number bed lacked:
- Adequate Warnings: The company allegedly failed to provide clear instructions or cautionary language alerting users of the risks of being trapped between the bed and the wall.
- An Audible Warning Mechanism: There was no sound or alert to notify Walker that the bed was lowering itself.
- A Release Mechanism: The bed lacked an emergency release that could have allowed Walker to free herself.
The lawsuit further alleges that the bed lowered with such force that it rendered Walker unable to escape, causing her injuries and eventual death.
The Response from Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt
Both Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt have expressed condolences to Walker’s family while maintaining the safety and reliability of their products.
- A spokesperson for Sleep Number stated, “We stand by the design and safety of our products and are complying with any necessary inquiries or actions.” The company also noted that it became aware of the incident only after the lawsuit was filed in December 2023.
- Leggett & Platt’s Executive Vice President, Jennifer Davis, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to understanding the circumstances and cooperating fully with the legal process.
The Broader Implications: Adjustable Beds and Safety Concerns
This tragic case sheds light on a broader issue: the safety of adjustable beds, especially for elderly or vulnerable individuals. Adjustable beds are increasingly popular for their comfort and therapeutic benefits, but this incident raises questions about their potential risks.
Potential Safety Risks
- Trapping Hazards: Poorly designed beds can create gaps or spaces that pose entrapment risks, especially when placed against walls.
- Malfunctioning Mechanisms: Beds that lower or adjust without warning can cause serious injuries.
- Lack of Safety Features: Essential safeguards, like audible alerts or manual releases, are often missing in some designs, leaving users at risk in emergencies.
Steps to Enhance Safety for Adjustable Beds
To prevent similar tragedies, manufacturers must prioritize user safety by implementing the following measures:
- Improved Design Standards: Adjustable beds should be designed to minimize trapping risks, particularly for users with limited mobility.
- Clear Warnings and Instructions: User manuals must include clear, visible warnings about potential hazards and instructions for safe use.
- Built-In Alerts: Audible or visual alerts can warn users if the bed begins to adjust unexpectedly.
- Emergency Release Mechanisms: Beds should include manual release options to free users in case of malfunctions.
- Thorough Testing and Quality Control: Rigorous testing during production can help identify and fix design flaws before they reach consumers.
The Human Cost of Safety Failures
For Rosalind Walker’s family, no amount of compensation can replace the loss of a beloved mother and grandmother. Her daughter’s lawsuit aims not only to seek justice for her mother but also to ensure that no other family endures a similar tragedy.
The case has sparked conversations about consumer safety and the responsibilities of manufacturers to prioritize the well-being of their users. Adjustable beds, often marketed as tools for comfort and healing, should never become sources of danger.
Conclusion: A Tragic Reminder of the Importance of Safety
Rosalind Walker’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of how small oversights in product design and safety can lead to devastating consequences. While the lawsuit against Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt is ongoing, it underscores the urgent need for stricter safety standards and greater accountability in the manufacturing of household products.
For now, Walker’s family continues to grieve her loss while pushing for changes that could prevent similar tragedies. Their hope is that this tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for manufacturers to prioritize the safety of all consumers—especially the most vulnerable among us.
