The unexpected death of Rosalind Walker, an 80-year-old woman from Godfrey, Illinois, has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against Sleep Number Corporation and Leggett & Platt Incorporated. Walker tragically passed away in April 2023, a month after a harrowing incident where she was trapped in her Sleep Number adjustable bed for two days. The lawsuit, filed by Walker’s daughter, Angela Moan, alleges negligence and product defects as contributing factors to her mother’s untimely demise.
The Tragic Incident: A Two-Day Ordeal
According to court documents, the incident occurred on March 1, 2023. Walker became entrapped between the raised bed frame and the wall of her bedroom when the adjustable base unexpectedly lowered without warning. She remained trapped in this agonizing position for two grueling days before emergency responders were able to free her.
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The ordeal left Walker with severe injuries that ultimately led to her death a month later on April 3, 2023. She endured immense suffering during this period, initially hospitalized, then transferred to a rehabilitation facility, and finally brought home under hospice care before passing away.
Allegations of Negligence and Product Defects
The lawsuit filed by Moan accuses Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt of negligence in the design, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of the adjustable bed base. The suit claims the bed, purchased in 2014 and carrying a 25-year warranty, lacked adequate safety features and warnings.
Specifically, the lawsuit contends that the bed lacked:
- Sufficient warnings: The bed did not adequately warn users about the potential risk of entrapment between the frame and the wall.
- Clear instructions: Instructions and cautionary language regarding the safe operation of the bed were insufficient.
- A reliable release mechanism: The bed did not have a mechanism that would have allowed Walker to free herself from the trapped position.
- Safe timer function: The lawsuit alleges the bed was equipped with a timer that caused it to lower automatically without physical input or warning, potentially contributing to the entrapment.
Seeking Justice and Compensation
Moan is seeking compensation for her mother’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, and the loss of companionship. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $25,000, the jurisdictional amount required in St. Louis County, Missouri, where the suit was filed.
Responses from Sleep Number and Legal Counsel
Sleep Number issued a statement acknowledging the lawsuit and expressing condolences to Walker’s family. The company stated it is reviewing the lawsuit and stands by the safety of its products. They emphasized that they were not notified of the incident until the lawsuit was filed and are cooperating with all inquiries.
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Ted Gianaris, one of Moan’s attorneys, released a statement highlighting the tragic loss of an independent woman and emphasizing the need for common household items like adjustable beds to be safe. He expressed a desire to understand why a safer bed was not offered by Sleep Number.
The Importance of Product Safety
This tragic incident underscores the crucial importance of product safety, particularly for items used by vulnerable populations like the elderly. The lawsuit raises questions about the adequacy of safety standards and warnings for adjustable beds and highlights the devastating consequences that can result from product defects or negligence. The case will likely be closely watched by consumer safety advocates and the adjustable bed industry. The legal proceedings will determine whether Sleep Number and Leggett & Platt are liable for Walker’s death and what measures, if any, need to be taken to improve the safety of adjustable beds.
