Design Defects and Safety Violations

The Harppa 5-in-1 Convertible High Chair’s primary flaws lie in its restraint system and structural stability, failing to meet the federal high chair regulation under 16 CFR Part 1236, which mandates secure five-point harnesses and trays that prevent child dislodgement. The chair’s plastic frame and folding mechanisms, intended for versatility across growth stages, instead create weak points where latches can disengage unexpectedly, allowing the seat to detach or tip under a child’s weight.[1] Entrapment risks arise from oversized gaps between the seat and tray—exceeding the 1.5-inch limit—where a child’s limbs or torso could become wedged, leading to asphyxiation or restricted movement.

Manufactured by Shanghai Yizhen Culture and Art Co., Ltd., under the Harppa brand, the chairs were marketed as “ASTM and CPSIA certified” on Amazon listings, but CPSC evaluations confirmed non-compliance with stability tests requiring chairs to withstand 50 pounds of lateral force without tipping.[2] Similar to 2025 recalls for Boyro and Funlio chairs, Harppa’s design prioritizes affordability over robustness, using lightweight composites that warp under load, a cost-saving tactic common in direct-to-consumer imports.[3] These violations not only breach U.S. standards but also echo Health Canada’s April 2025 alert on Harppa 4-in-1 models for analogous entrapment issues.[4]

Regulatory Context: The STURDY Act and High Chair Standards

Enacted in 2022, the STURDY Act (Stop Tip-Overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers and Unstable, Risky Entertainment Centers on Youth) indirectly bolsters high chair oversight by emphasizing stability across children’s furniture, though direct violations here fall under the CPSC’s high chair rule requiring anti-tip mechanisms and secure attachments.[5] The Harppa recall marks the sixth such action in 2025 for Amazon-sold convertible chairs, following patterns in Babyjoy and HoneyJoy products where incline angles exceeded safe sleep bans under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.[6] No incidents have been reported for Harppa yet, but the CPSC’s proactive testing—prompted by consumer complaints on Amazon—uncovered the defects before tragedies occurred.

Under federal law, importers like Harppa bear responsibility for compliance, yet the company’s Chinese origins complicate enforcement, as seen in prior recalls where remedies involved destruction rather than repairs due to irreparable design flaws.[7] This recall underscores gaps in Amazon’s third-party vetting, with over 20 similar baby product pulls in 2025 alone, fueling bipartisan calls for enhanced platform liability.

Potential Injuries from High Chair Failures

Though no Harppa-specific injuries are documented, analogous 2025 recalls reveal the dire consequences of fall and entrapment hazards in convertible high chairs. Children can suffer concussions, skull fractures, or spinal injuries from falls exceeding 3 feet, while entrapment in tray-seat gaps risks positional asphyxia—where a baby’s airway compresses against the chair’s edge.[8] Booster mode failures have led to ejection during meals, causing lacerations or dental trauma, and tip-overs in play configurations have resulted in limb entrapments requiring surgical release.

In broader data, CPSC reports over 300 high chair-related ER visits annually, with entrapment accounting for 15% of severe cases; vulnerable infants under 12 months face heightened suffocation risks due to underdeveloped neck strength.[9] Emotional fallout for parents includes PTSD from near-misses, compounded by the betrayal of trusting “multi-functional” gear promoted as safe.

Symptoms and Signs of High Chair Hazards

Recognizing early warning signs can avert disaster; parents should inspect for loose harnesses or wobbly bases before each use. Indicators of impending failure include unusual creaking during adjustment, tray slippage when loaded, or uneven weight distribution causing tilts on flat surfaces. In use, watch for a child slipping below the tray line or struggling against restraints—immediate evacuation is essential.

For entrapment, signs like muffled cries, cyanosis, or limb discoloration demand swift intervention, potentially requiring CPR if breathing ceases.

Legal Foundations for High Chair Claims

Strict product liability under the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. § 2051) enables claims against Harppa for distributing non-compliant goods, proving defect without negligence via violation of federal standards as prima facie evidence.[10] Failure-to-warn allegations target Amazon listings omitting stability risks, despite CPSC guidelines mandating clear hazard disclosures. Statutes of limitations (2-4 years from injury) toll for minors until age 18, broadening access for affected families.

Precedents from 2025 Boyro high chair investigations—where parents filed for economic losses post-recall—illustrate recoveries for medical bills ($5,000+ for fractures), property damage, and emotional distress.[8] No Harppa-specific suits exist yet, but parallels to MJKSARE entrapment cases suggest potential class certification if incidents emerge.[11] Punitive damages may apply if internal tests ignored defects, echoing Amazon’s $60 million third-party liability settlements.

Do I Qualify for a Harppa High Chair Claim?

Our Class Action Litigation Group is examining potential claims nationwide for purchasers of recalled Harppa chairs experiencing falls, entrapments, or related costs since 2024. Eligibility requires proof of purchase (Amazon order ID), evidence of defect (photos/videos), and any injury documentation; even unused units qualify for economic loss if disposal inconveniences arise. We’re accepting cases in all 50 states, with focus on families facing heightened risks from non-compliance.

Navigating the Recall and Prevention

Disassemble the chair per CPSC instructions—cutting harnesses and emailing destruction photos to Harppa at support@harppababy.com for refund processing, expected within 4-6 weeks.[12] Retain packaging and records as evidence, and report near-misses to CPSC’s hotline (800-638-2772) to strengthen future enforcement. For alternatives, opt for chairs with ASTM F404 certification; the CPSC database at cpsc.gov/recalls tracks ongoing alerts.

Free Harppa High Chair Recall Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation

Our lawyers are consulting parents impacted by falls, entrapments, or refund hassles from the Harppa 5-in-1 Convertible High Chair. As the sixth Amazon-sold recall this year, collective action is key to holding importers accountable. If your child’s safety was compromised, contact our firm today—you may recover compensation, and we’ll manage the process.

References

  1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/5-in-1-Convertible-High-Chairs-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fall-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-High-Chairs-Imported-by-Harppa
  2. https://harppababy.com/products/harppa-8-in-1-baby-high-chair
  3. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Boyro-Baby-Recalls-High-Chairs-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fall-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Violations-of-Federal-Regulations-for-High-Chairs-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com
  4. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/harppa-4-1-convertible-high-chair-babies-and-toddlers-recalled-due-entrapment-and-fall
  5. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Funlio-Convertible-High-Chairs-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fall-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Standards-for-High-Chairs-Sold-by-Ecogoods
  6. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Costway-Recalls-Babyjoy-Convertible-High-Chair-Activity-Centers-Due-to-Entrapment-and-Serious-Injury-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-High-Chairs-and-Stationary-Activity-Centers
  7. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/HONEYJOY-Recalls-Multiple-Convertible-and-Foldable-High-Chairs-Due-to-Risk-of-Suffocation-Violation-of-Federal-Regulation-for-Infant-Sleep-Products-and-Inclined-Sleepers-Ban-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com
  8. https://www.schmidtandclark.com/boyro-high-chair-lawsuit
  9. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Immediately-Stop-Using-Babimoni-Multifunctional-High-Chairs-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-From-Fall-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-Booster-Seats-and-High-Chairs
  10. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/2051
  11. https://www.horwitzlaw.com/news/mjksare-high-chairs-recalled-over-entrapment-hazard/
  12. https://harppababy.com/

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