Injuries associated with shopping carts are common now-a-days. These injuries can be severe and may even result in death.

Majority of the injuries causing due to falls from carts or cart tip-overs, and injuries to the head and neck represent three fourths of cases. Some other injuries are resulted from mechanisms such as becoming entrapped in a cart, falling off a cart while riding on the outside, striking against a cart, and being run over by a cart.

An annual average of 21,600 children 5 years old and younger were treated in US hospital emergency rooms for shopping cart injuries during the years 1985-1996. There has been a significant increase in the estimated number of these injuries between 1985 and 1996. In 1996 there were 22,200 injuries versus 16,900 in 1985.

The annual average of children who were treated for falls from the carts is 12,800.

Experts say that the current US standard for shopping carts must be revised to include clear and effective performance criteria to prevent falls from carts and cart tip-overs.

Prevention of shopping cart–related injuries can be achieved by public education, separation of the child from the hazard, adult supervision, legislation, safety design, and revision of the current shopping cart safety standard. Pediatricians, educators, researchers, and advocates have an important role to promote the prevention of these injuries.

According to Dr. Gary Smith of Columbus Children's Hospital, carts that keep children low to the ground are to be used as they help prevent injuries.

If your or a loved one’s child has fallen out of a shopping cart and injured seriously, please fill out the form at the right or contact us today at 1-800-780-2686 for a free case evaluation by a specialized products liability attorney.