A tragic incident involving a malfunctioning adjustable bed has brought attention to product safety concerns in home medical equipment.

According to the New York Post, an 80-year-old grandmother from Godfrey, Illinois, died after being trapped between her Sleep Number bed and a wall for approximately 48 hours when the mattress unexpectedly lowered itself.

Rosalind "Roz" Walker's horrifying ordeal began on March 1, 2023, when her adjustable bed reportedly malfunctioned without warning. Emergency responders discovered Walker trapped in her home after two days, immediately transporting her to a local hospital for treatment.

Sleep Number Bed Safety Features Under Scrutiny

The incident has raised serious questions about the safety mechanisms in adjustable beds. Walker had purchased the bed a decade earlier with a 25-year warranty, demonstrating her trust in the product's longevity and reliability. The lawsuit filed by her daughter highlights the absence of crucial safety features that could have prevented this tragedy. Emergency release mechanisms, which could have allowed Walker to free herself, were notably missing from the bed's design.

The legal action targets both Sleep Number and the bed's manufacturer, Leggett & Platt, Inc. The lawsuit specifically addresses the inadequate safety instructions provided with the product. Neither company had apparently included sufficient warnings about the potential dangers of positioning the bed near a wall or getting caught between the bed and surrounding structures.

Sleep Number's response to the incident has been measured and diplomatic. Company representatives acknowledged their awareness of the lawsuit and expressed condolences to Walker's family while noting that they only learned about the incident after the legal filing on December 10, 2024.

Medical Treatment And Tragic Aftermath

Following her rescue, Walker's medical journey proved to be challenging and ultimately devastating. Hospital staff treated her for unspecified injuries before transferring her to a rehabilitation facility. Despite medical intervention, her condition continued to deteriorate, necessitating hospice care at her residence.

The lawsuit filed by Angela Moan, the daughter of Walker, highlights the severe pain and suffering her mother experienced both during and after the incident. Walker battled her injuries for several weeks before passing away on April 3, 2023, about a month after the event. Moan's filing stresses that her mother endured significant and continuous suffering throughout that time.

Product Safety And Consumer Protection Issues

The case highlights significant concerns regarding consumer protection in the adjustable bed market. The lawsuit specifically addresses the alleged lack of proper cautionary language in the product documentation. Safety experts often emphasize the importance of clear warning labels and comprehensive user instructions for potentially dangerous household equipment.

The bed's design and safety features have come under particular scrutiny. The lawsuit points out that the manufacturer failed to incorporate basic safety mechanisms that could have prevented such an incident. This oversight became particularly critical given the bed's intended use by elderly individuals who might have limited mobility or strength.

Legal Proceedings And Company Response

A Sleep Number spokesperson provided an official statement acknowledging the lawsuit's claims about their 2014 adjustable base model. They confirmed their recent awareness of the situation and expressed sympathy for the family's loss. The company's response suggests they are taking the matter seriously while carefully reviewing the allegations.

The timing of the notification has become a point of interest in the case. Despite the incident occurring in March 2023, Sleep Number claims they were not informed until the lawsuit's filing in December 2024, raising questions about incident reporting procedures and communication channels between consumers and manufacturers.

The legal proceedings will likely focus on product liability, design defects, and the adequacy of safety warnings. These elements could set important precedents for future cases involving adjustable bed safety.