Mattel Settles Rock ‘n Play Lawsuits Tied to Infant Deaths

Mattel Inc. and its Fisher-Price subsidiary have agreed to settle several devastating lawsuits involving their recalled Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, a product tied to nearly many infant deaths. The settlements—disclosed last week in Delaware Superior Court—resolve claims related to six infant deaths and four serious injuries, just days before one of the first cases was set to go to trial.

At KBD Attorneys, we have long warned about the dangers of inclined baby sleepers and have actively pursued justice for families harmed by unsafe products like the Rock ‘n Play. This recent settlement is a bittersweet victory for affected families—but it also underscores the urgent need for stronger product safety oversight and corporate accountability.

A Deadly Design — And Warnings Ignored

According to court filings and congressional investigations, Fisher-Price employees raised concerns about the Rock ‘n Play’s safety as early as 2008, before the product ever hit store shelves. Despite those warnings, the sleeper was released in 2009 without proper safety testing. Over the next decade, millions of units were sold—and scores of babies died.

In one heartbreaking case, one mom found her infant son lifeless in a Rock ‘n Play in 2018. Born prematurely, he had rolled onto his side and suffocated against the soft padding of the sleeper—exactly the kind of scenario experts had warned about. Her case was scheduled for trial this week before being resolved through the newly announced settlement.

As reported by The Detroit News, the lawsuits alleged that the sleeper’s inclined design placed babies in a dangerous position, increasing the risk of suffocation, asphyxiation, and flat head syndrome. Fisher-Price recalled the product in 2019 after 4.7 million units were sold, and reissued the recall in 2023. But for many families, the damage had already been done.

“The company should have done more to ensure that this product was safe for infant use before it put it on the market in the first place.”
— Carl Tobias, University of Richmond, via The Detroit News

Our Ongoing Fight for Accountability

At KBD Attorneys, we’ve represented families impacted by dangerous baby products—including defective sleepers, bassinets, swings, and high chairs. The Rock ‘n Play is not the first or only product we’ve investigated. Far too often, we see companies prioritize profit over safety, leaving consumers to suffer the consequences.

As part of our mission to protect children and hold corporations accountable, we have:

• Filed claims involving inclined sleepers and infant death or injury

• Pursued class action lawsuits on behalf of affected families

• Investigated second-hand sales of recalled baby products

• Advocated for stronger safety standards and clearer recalls

We’ve also built a comprehensive  Infant and Baby Injuries from Consumer Products and Malpractice page , a Baby Sleeper Recall Lawsuits page and an Amazon Product Recall Page  to help parents and caregivers stay informed.

We have also written more on the Rock ‘n Play in the past:

All Models of Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play Sleepers Recalled After Infant Deaths 

Fisher Price Rock n Play Infant Sleeper Recall Updated with More Deaths

Fisher-Price Snuga Swings Recall

Babies Are Dying in Infant Sleepers – Stop Using Fisher-Price Rock’n Play Baby Sleepers

The Legal and Corporate Fallout

This isn’t the first time Mattel has faced consequences for the Rock ‘n Play. Earlier this year, the company:

• Paid $17 million to investors for hiding the product’s dangers.

• Agreed to reform executive oversight of product safety.

• Paid $19 million to Rock ‘n Play purchasers as part of a class action settlement in federal court.

But no amount of money can undo the pain of losing a child.

Mattel has continued to deny full liability, claiming in Brown’s case that she didn’t use the sleeper’s restraints and that medical examiners listed Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as the cause of death. However, internal documents and government investigations tell a different story—one of ignored warnings and corporate negligence.

What Should Parents Do?

If you have ever used a Rock ‘n Play or another inclined baby sleeper, here are a few key steps:

• Immediately stop using any recalled products.

• Check second-hand items for past recall alerts before accepting or using them.

• Consult with a pediatrician if your child may have been harmed by a recalled product.

• Contact a product liability attorney if your child suffered injury or death in connection with a sleeper or baby gear.

We’re Here to Help

At KBD Attorneys, we understand that families experience trauma when a trusted product causes harm. We’re committed to fighting for justice, not only through litigation but by pushing for systemic change in how children’s products are designed, tested, and marketed.

If your family has been impacted by the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper or another unsafe baby product, we want to hear your story. You may be entitled to compensation—and your voice can help prevent another tragedy.

Contact KBD Attorneys today for a free consultation. Let us help you seek justice and ensure no more families have to suffer needlessly.

KBD Attorneys – Holding negligent corporations accountable and protecting families nationwide.

Source: The Detroit News – “Mattel settles baby sleeper death suits before start of a trial” (June 5, 2025)