A Butler County couple on Monday filed a lawsuit against Target, claiming that an improperly marketed wicker trunk that they used as a toy chest trapped their 18-month-old daughter's neck, leaving her in a persistent vegetative state.

Eric and Laura Surman, of Cranberry, allege that Target should either have made the chest safe by inserting a lid support in it, or labeled it as inappropriate for use as a child's toy box.

The family is seeking punitive damages and cites Target's blatant disregard for safety.

"Target's Metal Framed Wicker Trunks offer no resistance to support the lid in the upright position or retard and/or prevent the lid from suddenly slamming shut with sufficient force to permanently injure a young child," the lawsuit said.

According to the complaint, on July 20, 2009, Laura Surman was preparing to leave for work when she found the lifeless body of her daughter, Camryn. Her head was trapped inside the brown, rectangular trunk, after the lid collapsed on her.

Camryn, now 2, suffered a severe lack of oxygen to the brain, resulting in spastic quadriplegia, severe psychomotor mental retardation and an inability to speak, the lawsuit said.

Included among the claims in the suit are negligence and infliction of emotional distress.

Attorneys included in the complaint customer reviews that Target listed on its website related to the trunk in question and others like it. In the reviews, several customers praised the trunks for being great to hold blankets and toys for young children.

"Target has known for years that lids on trunks and toy boxes have been a hazard," said attorney John Gismondi.

The lawsuit cites statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that show that at least 45 children have died, and others suffered serious brain damage, as a result of trunk lids falling on them or trapping them inside.

Officials at Target's corporate offices could not be reached for comment.

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