Ottoman Bed Malfunction Results in the Death of a 39-year-old Mother

A 39-year-old British woman was killed in June of 2024 when her ottoman bed fell on her neck and asphyxiated her. The bed had a base that could be raised using a gas-lift hydraulic system. The user is then able to store items under the bed. Apparently, the mattress platform fell unexpectedly, “trapping her neck against the upper surface of the side panel of the bed’s base.” One of the two gas-lift pistons was defective, causing the bed to slam shut. Helen Davey was found by her daughter.

Ottoman Bed Malfunction Results in the Death of a 39-year-old Mother
If a defective bed or home furniture injured you or a loved one, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker.

Jeremy Chipperfield, a coroner in the UK, warned in a letter to Britain’s business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, that there is a risk of future deaths “with the existence and use of gas piston bed mechanisms whose failure presents a risk to life.” In the United Kingdom, coroners must report to the relevant organization or government agency when they think action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

In the UK in 2022, 147 people died after falling from a bed, and another 18 died by accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reported.

In the United States, there have been numerous recalls of beds due to safety concerns. In September of 2024, nearly 138,000 platform beds were recalled after reports of them breaking or collapsing. Although this recall did not involve ottoman beds, it highlights the importance of monitoring bed safety and addressing potential hazards.

Another potential hazard involves adult, portable bed rails. Johnson//Becker has been successful in multiple cases involving these potentially dangerous products.

Questions About an Injury Caused by a Bed Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review

If a defective bed or home furniture injured you or a loved one, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new cases for recalled or defective beds nationwide, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.

We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please use the form below to contact us or call (800) 279-6386. We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry.

Free Case Evaluation

Verified 100% Secure Site To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.
  • I understand by submitting this form that I am providing my consent to be contacted by Johnson//Becker, potentially using automated technology, at the number provided regarding my potential claim. I affirm that I am 18 years old or older and I consent to receive automated SMS text messages/calls. I understand and agree that by submitting this form I agree to the SMS Text Messaging Policy, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and that this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.