Cosco Kitchen Stepper Recall Highlights Serious Risk of Head Injuries

A kitchen device marketed as a safety-enhancing tool has been recalled after causing dozens of injuries — including serious head trauma. The Cosco 2-Step Kitchen Stepper, made by Dorel Home Furnishings, has been linked to 34 reported incidents in which the product’s safety bar detached or broke during use. Two of those incidents resulted in confirmed head injuries.

This is more than a minor inconvenience. A fall from even a short height can cause life-changing head injuries, especially when the fall is sudden and the user cannot brace themselves.

How the Defect Leads to Head Injuries

We write previously about the Cosco Kitchen Stepper. In this blog we will dive deeper into head injuries that this product can cause and why they are so dangerous.

This defect is dangerous for several reasons:

1. Unexpected Loss of Balance – If the safety bar fails, the user may lurch backward or sideways suddenly.

2. Height Increases Risk – Even at two steps up, a fall can cause the head to strike the floor, counter, wall, or a nearby object.

3. Secondary Head Impacts – Even if a person initially lands on their side or back, momentum or rebound can cause their head to strike another surface afterward.

For example, a user might lose balance at the top step, stumble backward, and initially land on their hip or shoulder. But the momentum can cause them to roll or slide — and ultimately strike their head.

The Medical Reality of Head Injuries from Falls

Head injuries are not always immediately obvious. Some people get up after a fall feeling “shaken but fine,” only to experience symptoms hours or days later.

Common signs of a head injury include:

• Headache that worsens or won’t go away

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or balance problems

• Confusion, memory loss, or difficulty concentrating

• Vision changes

• Slurred speech

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)

Even mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions can have lingering effects, including headaches, fatigue, irritability, and cognitive problems. More severe TBIs can cause long-term disability, permanent loss of function, or even death.

Ketterer Browne & Davani, LLC: Fighting for Victims of Dangerous Products

At KBD we represent clients who suffered serious head injuries because a product failed to perform as promised.

When a product like the Cosco Kitchen Stepper is marketed as a safe solution for household tasks, consumers have the right to trust that it won’t break under normal use. If that trust is violated, and injuries result, the manufacturer can be held legally responsible.

We take action by:

• Investigating the defect to determine if it’s a design flaw, manufacturing error, or quality control failure

• Gathering evidence from injured consumers and past incident reports

• Consulting with medical experts to understand the full impact of the injury

• Pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs

Our work is about more than legal claims — it’s about making sure unsafe products are removed from homes before more people get hurt.

Other Common Causes of Head Injuries

While defective products like the Cosco Kitchen Stepper are a major cause of preventable head trauma, there are many other common scenarios where head injuries occur:

• Slip-and-fall accidents in stores, workplaces, or public spaces

• Motor vehicle collisions, especially involving pedestrians or cyclists

• Sports and recreational activities, from football to skiing

• Falling objects in construction zones or warehouses

• Defective furniture or ladders collapsing unexpectedly

In each of these situations, head injuries can happen even without an immediate head strike — the force of a fall or collision can still cause the brain to shift inside the skull, leading to a concussion or worse.

Why Even “Low” Falls Can Be Dangerous

Some people underestimate the risks of falling from a step stool because the height seems minimal. But physics tells a different story.

From the top step of a kitchen stool, your head could be five to six feet above the ground. A backward fall from that height can generate enough impact force to cause:

• Skull fractures

• Brain bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage)

• Concussions or other TBIs

• Neck and spinal injuries

The danger is compounded by the fact that a person losing balance from such a height often cannot react quickly enough to protect their head.

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Defective Step Stool

If you own a Cosco Kitchen Stepper — or any recalled household device — and you’ve been injured:

1. Stop using the product immediately and keep it in its current condition.

2. Document everything — take photos of the defect, your injuries, and the scene.

3. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you think the injury is minor.

4. Contact an attorney experienced in defective product and head injury cases.

Our Commitment to Head Injury Victims

At KBD Attorneys we understand that head injuries can change lives in an instant. The road to recovery can be long, expensive, and emotionally draining. We’re committed to:

• Listening to your story and understanding your needs

• Investigating thoroughly to hold the right parties accountable

• Fighting aggressively for the compensation you deserve

• Helping you access medical care and resources during your recovery

Free Consultation

If you or a loved one suffered a head injury due to a defective product like the Cosco Kitchen Stepper, you don’t have to face the challenges alone.

Contact us today for a free consultation.
Your safety should never be compromised by the products you use every day — and when it is, we’re here to help.

Sources:

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Notice – August 2025

• MLive: Kitchen device meant to improve safety recalled after causing numerous injuries

• CDC: Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion Facts