by LawInc Staff
October 6, 2024
If you purchased a Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper between 2009-2019, you may be entitled to compensation from a $19 million class action settlement. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from who’s eligible and how to file a claim to key deadlines, payment amounts and more.
Get the facts on this major settlement resolving claims that Fisher-Price’s inclined infant sleepers were unsafe and deceptively marketed. Understand your rights and options as a class member so you can maximize your recovery.
Whether you currently own a Rock ‘n Play or previously purchased one but no longer have it, learn the important details on submitting a valid claim, opting out, objecting and what this settlement means for impacted consumers.
1. Determine If You’re Eligible for the Settlement
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- Class Definition: All persons in the U.S. or its territories who purchased or acquired a Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper between October 1, 2009 and April 12, 2019.
- Covered Products: All models of Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers, whether currently owned or previously purchased.
- Proof of Purchase: Not required, but having a receipt can increase your payment amount for certain claims.
- Recall Participants: Eligible if you participated in the April 2019 recall before September 6, 2024 and received a voucher or toy instead of a refund.
- Exclusions: Those who received a full refund through the recall, resellers, Fisher-Price employees and legal counsel are not included.
Examples:
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- Laura bought a Rock ‘n Play as a baby shower gift in 2015 so she qualifies as a class member even though she didn’t keep the product herself.
- When Marcus heard about the recall, he sent in his Rock ‘n Play and got a voucher, so he’s eligible for a $10 payment now.
- Alicia has the receipt for the Rock ‘n Play she bought in early 2019 and still owns, so she can get a full refund of her purchase price.
- Doug donated his used Rock ‘n Play to Goodwill in 2018 but doesn’t have a receipt, so he can claim a $10 payment as a class member.
- Kelly got a full refund when she returned her Rock ‘n Play in the 2019 recall, so she doesn’t qualify for the class action settlement.
How to Proceed:
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- Check the list of covered Rock ‘n Play model numbers on the settlement website to confirm your product qualifies.
- Review your credit card statements, bank records or retailer order history around the time of purchase for any proof of buying the sleeper.
- If you participated in the recall, look for documentation you received a voucher or toy instead of a refund.
- Consider whether you may have given your Rock ‘n Play to someone else who could qualify as a class member (i.e., they acquired it between October 1, 2009, and April 12, 2019).
- Contact the settlement administrator if you have eligibility questions not answered by the official settlement website and FAQs.
FAQs:
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- What if I’m not sure exactly when I bought my Rock ‘n Play? You can still file a claim estimating your purchase timeframe – precise dates aren’t required unless you have proof of purchase you’re submitting for a higher payment amount.
- Does it matter if I bought my Rock ‘n Play new or used? No, any purchase or acquisition of a Rock ‘n Play during the class period counts, regardless of its condition.
- What if I bought a Rock ‘n Play but returned it to the retailer years ago? You still qualify as a class member entitled to payment if you ever owned a Rock ‘n Play between October 1, 2009, and April 12, 2019.
- Am I still eligible if I got my Rock ‘n Play second-hand or as a gift? Yes, anyone who acquired a Rock ‘n Play during the class period is included, even if they didn’t personally buy it.
- Do I have to pay anything or register to be part of the settlement? No, you’re automatically a class member if you meet the criteria. There’s no cost to participate but you need to file a claim to get paid.
2. Know How Much You Can Get Based on Your Situation
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- Recall Participants: If you returned your Rock ‘n Play in the 2019 recall and got a voucher or toy instead of a refund, you can get a $10 payment.
- Current Owners with Proof of Purchase: If you still have your Rock ‘n Play and can show a receipt, you can get a full refund of the purchase price if bought after October 12, 2018.
- Current Owners without Proof: If you have your Rock ‘n Play but no receipt, you can get $40-$60 based on the manufacture date shown on the product.
- Past Purchasers with Proof: If you bought a Rock ‘n Play but no longer have it, you can get $25-$35 with a receipt depending on the purchase timeframe.
- Past Purchasers without Proof: If you previously bought a Rock ‘n Play but don’t have it anymore or a receipt, you can get a $10 payment.
Examples:
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- Erin sent in her Rock ‘n Play in July 2019 after the recall and got a coupon for a free Fisher-Price toy. She can file a simple claim now for $10.
- Mateo still has the Rock ‘n Play he bought in February 2019 for $65 and has the Target receipt, so he can get that full $65 refunded.
- Tyra has her Rock ‘n Play from 2017 but no documentation, so she can get a $50 payment since the date code shows it was made before October 2018.
- Liam bought a new Rock ‘n Play in 2016 that his sister later used too. Though he can’t find the receipt, he qualifies for a $25 payment for previously purchasing it.
- Zoe thinks the used Rock ‘n Play she got in 2015 originally cost around $40-50 but she donated it in 2018. With no proof of purchase, she is eligible for $10.
How to Proceed:
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- If you participated in the recall, submit a simple claim form attesting to that to get your $10 payment – no other proof needed.
- For current owners, determine if you have proof of purchase to submit. If not, check the date code on your Rock ‘n Play to see which payment tier you fall into.
- If you previously purchased a Rock ‘n Play you no longer have, look for any records of the purchase date and price. Submit a claim for the $10-35 owed based on date and proof status.
- Consider how you’d prefer to receive your payment – digitally or a mailed check. Digital payments are faster but come with fees.
- Be honest and accurate in your claim about your purchase timing and proof. Filing a false claim is perjury and can reduce other class members’ payments too.
FAQs:
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- What counts as proof of purchase for a Rock ‘n Play? Any documentary evidence showing the purchase date and price qualifies, like a receipt, order confirmation, credit card statement, etc.
- How do I find the date code on my Rock ‘n Play to determine the manufacturing date? It’s printed in black ink on a fabric tag located on the inside of the product’s plastic hub. It shows the year and week it was made.
- Why are payments higher for more recent purchases and those who still have their Rock ‘n Play? Those buyers arguably have stronger claims because they relied on more recent safety misrepresentations and less time to get value from the product.
- Is there a minimum or maximum payment amount I can receive? The lowest tier is $10 for those without proof or who participated in the recall. The highest is a full refund for a documented purchase price after October 2018.
- Will I have to pay taxes on my settlement payment? Possibly. The settlement administrator can’t give tax advice, so consider consulting a professional based on your situation.
3. For Current Owners – Disable Your Product & Document It
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- Why Disable the Rock ‘n Play: The settlement requires currently owned products to be put out of use to prevent future incidents.
- Disabling Instructions: Separate the fabric and padding from the frame, cut the fabric down the middle seam and hub opening.
- Write Your Claim ID: Put the unique claim number you get when filing an online claim directly on the cut fabric in permanent marker.
- Take Photos as Proof: Pictures must show the liner cut and removed from frame, pad cut, user ID number, date code and model number on tag.
- Include Photos with Claim: Upload the pictures when submitting your online claim form or print and mail them with a paper claim.
Examples:
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- Keisha read through the detailed disabling instructions on the settlement website then got out her scissors and permanent marker to put her Rock ‘n Play permanently out of commission.
- After cutting the fabric and separating it from the frame, Amir made sure to write his claim number 8305210011 in Sharpie on the material before snapping photos.
- Elena took close-up photos showing the cut fabric, the 830521023 claim ID written on it, plus the model number tag and date code to submit with her claim form.
- When uploading his disabling pictures, Tyrell double-checked that he could clearly see the model number, date code, and claim number in the images.
- Jasmine printed out her photos of her disabled Rock ‘n Play and mailed them in along with her paper claim form and proof of purchase documents.
How to Proceed:
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- Watch the disabling video tutorial on the settlement website for a visual step-by-step guide to putting your Rock ‘n Play permanently out of use.
- Use some sharp scissors to cut through the fabric and remove the padding. Make the cuts as instructed so there’s no way to reassemble the product for use.
- Write your unique claim ID number you got when starting your online claim directly on the cut fabric in permanent marker so it shows up clearly in photos.
- Take clear, well-lit photos showing the cut liner removed from frame, sliced pad, handwritten claim ID number, and product/date code tag close-up.
- Include all your photos when you finalize your claim form, making sure the images are oriented correctly and details are legible.
FAQs:
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- What if I don’t feel comfortable disabling the product myself? You can ask a friend or family member to help or take your Rock ‘n Play to a local recycling center to see if they can disable it for you.
- Do I have to disable the Rock ‘n Play if I already threw it away? No, the disabling requirement only applies to class members who still physically possess a Rock ‘n Play they are seeking payment for.
- What happens if I send in a claim without disabling photos? Your claim will be rejected. Clear photographic proof of permanent disabling is required for all current owners to get a payment.
- Can I get a refund without disabling my Rock ‘n Play if I agree not to use it? No, to be eligible for compensation you must agree to disable the product and document that you have done so.
- How can I be sure I’m disabling the product properly? Follow the detailed written instructions, consult the video tutorial if needed, and make sure your photos mirror the examples shown.
4. Submit Your Claim with Required Docs by the Deadline
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- Claim Form: Submit your basic contact info, product purchase details, and payment preferences using the official online or mail claim form.
- Proof of Purchase: If you have a receipt to qualify for a higher payment amount, upload a digital copy or print and mail it with your claim.
- Proof of Disabling: Current owners must include photos documenting permanent disabling of their Rock ‘n Play with their claim.
- Filing Deadline: Your complete claim with all documentation is due by April 29, 2025 or 90 days after the final approval hearing if later.
- Tracking Your Claim: The unique ID number you get when starting a claim allows you to check your claim status on the website.
Examples:
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- After reviewing the claim form questions, Mika gathered her disabling photos and proof of purchase pdf before starting to fill it out to make sure she had everything.
- Using his settlement claim ID number, Darren was able to easily check if his submitted claim form and documentation had been accepted for processing.
- Chandra read the payment options carefully and selected to get her payment via digital Amazon gift card rather than a mailed check to get it faster.
- Although Max started his claim form before the April 2025 deadline, he didn’t finalize it until May and got a message that his claim was denied as untimely.
- Isabella made sure to keep copies of everything she submitted with her claim – the form, photos and purchase documents – in case any issues arose.
How to Proceed:
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- Go to the settlement website’s claim form page to submit your claim online for fastest processing. Pick the “paper claim form” option if you prefer to mail in your claim.
- Select whether you were a recall participant, current owner or past purchaser and provide your product preference details to determine your payment eligibility.
- Upload digital copies of your proof of purchase (if any) and disabling photos (for current owners). Include hard copies if mailing your claim.
- Pick if you want your payment via digital method (PayPal, digital gift card, etc.) or a traditional mailed check. Digital payments come faster but may have fees.
- Submit your completed claim form and documentation well before the final deadline. You can edit your submitted claim up until the cut-off if needed.
FAQs:
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- What if I miss the claim submission deadline? If you had good reason like hospitalization, you can contact the settlement administrator within a year of final approval to see if they’ll still accept your claim.
- Will my claim be rejected if I leave a section of the form blank? It depends on the section. The form will specify what fields are required. Omitting optional info won’t cause rejection.
- How will I know if my claim is approved or denied? You’ll get an official email or letter notice from the settlement administrator once they process your claim letting you know the outcome.
- What do I do if I get a deficiency notice about my claim? Promptly provide the additional documentation or info they request, as you’ll have limited time to correct your claim before it’s denied.
- When will I get my payment if my claim is approved? The first round of payments will go out about 6 months after the settlement is finally approved. You’ll get an email notice when your payment is on its way.
5. Understand Your Other Options: Opt-Out, Objection, or Do Nothing
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- Do Nothing: If you don’t file a claim, you get no payment but still release your right to sue over these claims and are bound by the settlement.
- Opt-Out: If you exclude yourself from the settlement, you get no payment but preserve your right to independently sue over the claims it covers.
- Object to Settlement: You can stay in the class and file a complaint about the settlement terms to the Court if you disagree with them.
- Opt-Out & Objection Deadline: Your request for exclusion or objection to the settlement terms must be postmarked by Dec. 30, 2024 to be considered.
- Attend the Fairness Hearing: You may ask to speak about your support for or objection to the settlement at the final approval hearing on Jan. 28, 2025.
Examples:
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- Avery decided $10 wasn’t worth the effort of filing a claim since her Rock ‘n Play was a hand-me-down, so she’s just going to do nothing but let the Dec 30th opt-out deadline pass.
- Mila thinks Fisher-Price’s liability is much greater than what the settlement provides, so she timely submits a written request for exclusion to preserve her individual lawsuit rights.
- Elijah is upset that resellers who bought Rock ‘n Plays just to sell aren’t eligible for payment, so he drafts an objection to that term and mails copies to the court and counsel by the deadline.
- After her baby was injured in a Rock ‘n Play she wishes she had known was dangerous, Nadia wants to speak at the final approval hearing about why Fisher-Price should pay more.
- Damien put in his claim for a full $120 refund on his 2019 purchase but decided to hedge his bets and also opt-out before the deadline so he can sue for additional damages just in case.
How to Proceed:
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- Assess if it’s worth your time to file a claim or if you’d rather just do nothing. But remember doing nothing still binds you to the settlement terms if approved.
- If you want to preserve your right to independently sue, submit a clear, signed statement with your contact info and intent to opt-out to the settlement administrator by mail before the deadline.
- To object, file a written statement with the court detailing your objections and send copies to counsel. Do this instead of opting out if you want the court to require changes but still get payment.
- If you opt-out, consult an attorney right away to evaluate the strength of your independent case and get the statute of limitations tolled so you don’t miss your window to sue.
- To speak at the fairness hearing, file an intent to appear with your info and a summary of your planned statement in advance. Get there early on the day of and wait to be called on.
FAQs:
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- If I do nothing, can I sue Fisher-Price later if my baby gets hurt in our Rock ‘n Play? No, the settlement releases your right to sue for the claims it covers unless you affirmatively opt-out by the deadline.
- What’s the advantage of objecting to the settlement vs. excluding myself? Objecting allows the court to consider your criticisms and perhaps order changes to the settlement. But you must opt-out to preserve your right to sue individually.
- How do I make sure my opt-out request is valid? Include your full name, contact info, and signature in a clear written statement that you want to be excluded from the settlement class. Mail it before the deadline to the specified address.
- Can I still get a payment if I object to the settlement? Yes, filing an objection doesn’t waive your right to claim class settlement benefits if you’re eligible and the settlement is still approved.
- What happens if lots of people opt-out or object? If a large number exclude themselves or raise valid objections, the court may decline to approve the settlement as fair and order the parties back to the negotiating table.
Summary
Nearly 5 million Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers sold over a decade before being recalled for dozens of infant deaths. Lawsuits alleged the inclined sleepers were unreasonably dangerous and deceptively marketed as safe for sleep.
Now a $19 million settlement will compensate Rock ‘n Play buyers and owners who take action. Payouts range from $10 for recall participants up to full refunds for more recent purchasers with proof.
Current owners must permanently disable their Rock ‘n Play and document it to be eligible. All claims are due by April 29, 2025. Object or opt-out by December 30, 2024 to preserve other legal rights.
Test Your Rock ‘n Play Settlement Smarts
Questions: Eligibility & Payouts
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- 1. Who is included in the Rock ‘n Play settlement class?
- A) Only people who bought a Rock ‘n Play new in 2018-2019
- B) Anyone who ever owned a Rock ‘n Play, even used
- C) Those who received a refund in the 2019 recall
- D) Babies who were injured in a Rock ‘n Play
- 2. How much can you get with proof of a 2019 Rock ‘n Play purchase if you still have it?
- A) A full refund of the purchase price
- B) A $50 payment
- C) A $25 payment
- D) A $10 payment
- 3. What’s the most you can get without proof of purchase if you previously bought a Rock ‘n Play?
- A) A full refund
- B) A $50 payment
- C) A $25 payment
- D) A $10 payment
- 4. How much can you get if you returned your Rock ‘n Play in the 2019 recall for a voucher or toy?
- A) The item’s full value
- B) A $50 payment
- C) A $25 payment
- D) A $10 payment
- 5. What do you need to show to get compensated as a current owner of a Rock ‘n Play?
- A) Proof you still use it for your baby
- B) Agree you will no longer use it
- C) Photos proving you permanently disabled it
- D) A doctor’s note about your baby’s health
- 1. Who is included in the Rock ‘n Play settlement class?
Answers: Eligibility & Payouts
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- 1. B) The settlement class includes anyone in the U.S. who purchased or acquired a Rock ‘n Play Sleeper between October 1, 2009, and April 12, 2019, when the product was recalled. It also covers those who participated in the recall between April 12, 2019, and August 9, 2024, by returning the product for a voucher or toy instead of a refund.
- 2. A) Current owners who bought their Rock ‘n Play between Oct. 2018 – Apr. 2019 and have a receipt can get the full purchase price refunded.
- 3. D) If you previously purchased a Rock ‘n Play but lack proof, the most you can claim is a $10 payout. Proof of purchase allows up to $35.
- 4. D) 2019 recall participants who got a toy or voucher for returning their Rock ‘n Play can now claim an additional $10 payment.
- 5. C) To get paid, current Rock ‘n Play owners must submit photos showing they permanently disabled the product so it can no longer be used.
Questions: Claim Process & Key Dates
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- 1. What’s the deadline to file a claim for the Rock ‘n Play settlement?
- A) December 30, 2024
- B) January 28, 2025
- C) April 29, 2025
- D) December 31, 2025
- 2. What documentation must you submit with your claim form as a current Rock ‘n Play owner?
- A) Proof of purchase receipt
- B) Photos showing you cut up and disabled the product
- C) Doctor’s note about your child’s development
- D) Letter pledging you won’t use it anymore
- 3. If you want to opt-out and preserve your right to independently sue, what must you do by when?
- A) File an individual lawsuit by Dec. 30, 2024
- B) Mail a written exclusion request by Dec. 30, 2024
- C) Attend the final approval hearing on Jan. 28, 2025
- D) Submit an objection to the settlement by Apr. 29, 2025
- 4. What happens if you do nothing in response to the Rock ‘n Play settlement notice?
- A) You give up your right to sue but get no money
- B) You preserve your right to sue individually
- C) You’ll be mailed a $10 settlement check automatically
- D) The settlement won’t impact you at all
- 5. When will the first settlement payments be sent out to claimants?
- A) Within 90 days of final approval
- B) About 6 months after final approval
- C) On the 1 year anniversary of final approval
- D) Not until all appeals are exhausted, if any
- 1. What’s the deadline to file a claim for the Rock ‘n Play settlement?
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Answers: Claim Process & Key Dates
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- 1. C) The deadline to submit your online or mail-in claim form and supporting documents is April 29, 2025 or 90 days after the final approval order, whichever is later.
- 2. B) If you still own a Rock ‘n Play, you MUST submit photos proving you have permanently disabled it before you can receive any settlement payment.
- 3. B) To opt-out of the settlement class and retain your right to separately sue Fisher-Price, you must mail in a written exclusion request postmarked by December 30, 2024.
- 4. A) If you don’t file a claim, object or opt-out, you get no settlement money but still give up your right to sue on the claims the settlement resolves.
- 5. B) The settlement administrator will start sending payments to approved claimants about 6 months after the settlement receives final court approval.
Key Dates
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- September 6, 2024 – Official Notice campaign began & settlement website went live
- December 30, 2024: Deadline to opt out of the settlement class or file an objection
- January 28, 2025 – Final approval hearing where judge will decide to approve or reject deal
- April 29, 2025 – Initial claims period deadline (late claims allowed for 2 years from effective date)
Important Case Documents
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