Hasbro Pays $400,000 in Infant Carrier Defect

Hasbro Inc. has paid a $400,000 civil penalty to settle a government claim that it waited too long to report defects in an infant carrier. Hasbro knew of nine injuries--including seven serious head injuries--before telling regulators about the problem, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The lock on the “Fold ‘n Travel” carrier from the Playskool Baby division could fail, causing the seat to flip forward and throwing infants to the ground, the commission said. Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro--which owns the Playskool, Kenner, Tonka, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers and Galoob toy and game brands--denied any wrongdoing and issued a statement that it agreed to settle the case to avoid lengthy legal proceedings. About 38,500 of the carriers were sold nationwide from 1991 to 1993. Hasbro recalled the product in 1996 and urged consumers to stop using the carriers. Owners can call Playskool Baby toll-free at (800) 752-9755 for a $35 refund. Hasbro shares fell 6 cents to close at $16.63 on the NYSE.