Big V Maternity and Nursing Pillows

CPSC Recall #04-204 — August 31, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-204
Recall DateAugust 31, 2004
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 1,000
ManufacturerTheraline Inc., of Wendell, Mass.
Manufactured InGermany

Where It Was Sold

Independent specialty stores sold the pillows from June 2003 through May 2004 for about $60.

Product

Big V Maternity and Nursing Pillows

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Theraline Inc., of Wendell, Mass. is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,000 Big V Maternity and Nursing Pillows. If infants are placed on these pillows and left unattended, there is a risk of suffocation. Infant pillows and cushions are banned under the Federal law. Infant pillows have a flexible fabric covering, are loosely filled with plastic beads, easily flattened, intended for use by infants under 1 year old, and capable of conforming to the body or face of an infant.Name of product: Big V Maternity and Nursing PillowsUnits: About 1,000Manufacturer: Theraline Inc., of Wendell, Mass.Hazard: If infants are placed on these pillows and left unattended, there is a risk of suffocation. Infant pillows and cushions are banned under the Federal law. Infant pillows have a flexible fabric covering, are loosely filled with plastic beads, easily flattened, intended for use by infants under 1 year old, and capable of conforming to the body or face of an infant.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: The pillows have a blue or peach-colored print fabric showing yellow moons, hearts and stars, or tan and blue teddy bears. The log-shaped pillows measure about 5-feet in length. "THERALINE," "THE BIG V" and "Finest Micropearl Filling" are written on a fabric tag sewn on the pillow.Sold at: Independent specialty stores sold the pillows from June 2003 through May 2004 for about $60.Manufactured in: GermanyRemedy: Consumers should stop using these pillows immediately and contact the firm for information on receiving a refund.Consumer Contact: Consumers can contact the Theraline Inc. at (866) 843-7254 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

If infants are placed on these pillows and left unattended, there is a risk of suffocation. Infant pillows and cushions are banned under the Federal law. Infant pillows have a flexible fabric covering, are loosely filled with plastic beads, easily flattened, intended for use by infants under 1 year old, and capable of conforming to the body or face of an infant.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these pillows immediately and contact the firm for information on receiving a refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.