Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine Lawsuit Filed Over Risk of Electrical Shock

Following a recall of nearly one million Hatch Baby Rest sound machines due to a manufacturing defect, a series of lawsuits have been filed in recent weeks against the manufacturer, alleging that faulty electrical cords could have exposed them or their children to electric shocks.

The Hatch Baby Rest machine was designed and marketed as an easy way to help children fall asleep, offering a series of sound and lighting effects to help them rest during feedings and late at night.

Hatch Baby Rest Machines Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a Hatch Baby Rest sound machines recall on July 3, impacting approximately 919,400 machines equipped with a faulty design in which the power cord housing could come off, leaving prongs exposed and users in danger of electrical shock.

The recalled Hatch 1st Generation Baby Machines were sold online through Hatch.co and Amazon.com, as well as at BuyBuy Baby, Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids and BestBuy, both online and at physical retail locations.

The affected power cords were not sold separately. Any consumers who are still in possession of the recalled Hatch Baby Rest machines have been urged to immediately unplug the device and return the power cords to the manufacturer for a free replacement. Hatch Rest 2nd Generation Sound Machines were not affected by the recall.

At the time of CPSC’s announcement, there had been 19 reports of incidents where the cord’s housing had come off, and two reports of minor injuries. However, lawsuits seek financial compensation for all consumers who purchased the recalled sound machines.

Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine Lawsuit

In a complaint (PDF) filed in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York on October 10, Tracy Bott seeks class action status to pursue claims for individuals who purchased the sound machines anywhere in the United States, indicating that Hatch Baby Inc. falsely marketed their products as safe for children and babies. However, Bott indicates that she never would have purchased the device had she known about the risk of shocks from Hatch Baby Rest sound machines.

According to her complaint, Bott obtained a Hatch Baby 1st Generation Sound Machine from the BuyBuy Baby website in the spring of 2022, indicating that she assumed the product was safe since it was marketed for use in environments where babies and kids are present.

Tracy Bott asserts that she was unaware of any defects in the Hatch product until the CPSC announced the company’s July 2024 recall, which affected nearly one million devices, including hers.

“Defendant is well aware that any consumer who experienced an issue with the defect would be predisposed to throwing the Product away,” Bott said in her complaint. “Accordingly, Defendant’s recall is designed to reach very few people and designed to benefit very few of the consumers who purchased the Product.”

In the class action complaint, Tracy Bott is seeking multiple forms of damages on behalf of herself and other similarly situated consumers. The complaint requests monetary and statutory damages, including $50 per transaction and treble damages for knowing and willful violations under New York General Business Law (GBL) § 349, as well as $500 per transaction pursuant to GBL § 350.

Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, arguing that Hatch Baby’s deceptive marketing and sale of the defective Hatch Baby Rest 1st Generation Sound Machine caused consumers to purchase a product that posed a risk of electrical shock.