Some of the products we simply assume are safe can, in many instances, prove to be anything but. They can lead to fires that cause several types of injuries, ranging from somewhat minor, to excruciating, to potentially debilitating. Treatment for the most severe burns can be so painful, it’s nearly impossible for most people to comprehend.
If you’ve suffered an injury due to burns caused by a defective product, you should contact the McEwen Law Firm as soon as you can. The attorneys with our firm know more about burn injury cases than most, and we deliver positive results for our clients on a regular basis.
You can schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling (800) 732-3070.
How Can a Defective Product Cause a Fire?
More than two million people suffer burns in the U.S. every year on average, and burn injuries consistently rank among the top five most common causes of accidental death.
There are a lot of ways in which a defective product can lead to a fire. An electric blanket can catch fire when the setting is turned to its highest position, or a piece of clothing made of unsafe materials can go up in flames. An oven that wasn’t properly manufactured could also spark a sudden fire.
Whenever this type of incident occurs, the victim can typically file a product liability lawsuit against the company that made the defective product, and potentially other parties as well. An appliance, for instance, could have a design flaw, or could have been improperly labeled. The manufacturer may have negligently failed to inform users that the product could pose a fire risk.
If this has happened to you, the attorneys with the McEwen Law Firm will be ready to help. Get in touch with us as soon as you can to learn more.
Types of Defective Products that May Cause Fires
There are a lot more products than you might imagine that could result in a fire. Home appliances are among the products that are most commonly to blame for fires. These not only include ovens and stoves, but also clothes dryers, microwave ovens, water heaters, and even televisions.
Appliances will typically cause a fire in one of two ways. Either they come into contact with moisture for some reason. Or the part of the appliance that emits the most heat comes into contact with some sort of combustible material. Dishwashers and water heaters are among the appliances that fall into the first category. Space heaters, clothes dryers, and electrical fans are among those that fall into the second.
Refrigerators, and even freezers, can often be to blame for a fire. If the appliance has a power cord that was defectively manufactured, a short circuit can occur. This usually happens because the refrigerator or freezer sat on top of that cord for an extended period of time.
Who’s Liable for an Injury Caused by a Defective Product?
There are actually several parties that could be held liable for any injury that occurs as the result of a product defect. However, your attorney will need to conduct an investigation in order to determine all of the potential targets for a defective product lawsuit. These are just a few of the possibilities.
- The manufacturer. The company that made the defective product may be found liable for a design flaw, or some sort of flaw with their quality control process. There could have been negligence in the manner it ran its assembly line. And that could have contributed to the defect. Whatever the case may be, you will very likely be able to sue the manufacturer.
- The middleman. Oftentimes, a supplier, wholesaler or distributor will play a role in making a defective product available to the general public. There are some cases where this type of party could face legal action as well.
- The company that sold the product. In some instances, a product liability lawsuit could be filed against the retailer.
Different Types of Burns Caused by Defective Products
Defective products can result in many different types of burns. These are just a few of the ones that tend to occur on a regular basis.
- Thermal burns. Thermal burns usually occur due to contact with a hot substance, such as steam or hot water. This can lead to severe scarring as well as blistering.
- Electrical burns. An electrical burn occurs when the body is exposed to some sort of electrical current. The severity of the injury will depend on several factors, including the kind of current, the voltage, and the manner in which the current moved through the victim’s body.
- Chemical burns. If you’re cleaning your pool, or even using a familiar household chemical, you could suffer a chemical burn due to a product defect. This kind of burn can result in severe skin damage.
Receiving Compensation for an Injury as a Result of a Defective Product Fire
In order for you to have the best chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve for the burn injury you’ve suffered, you’ll need to talk to an attorney who has experience in these kinds of cases. No one has more of that experience than the McEwen Law Firm.
This is a very complex type of case, and it typically requires a thorough investigation. Many times, expert witnesses are needed who can tell jury members about certain aspects of the manufacturing process they may not be familiar with.
In most product liability lawsuits, however, the case will never go to trial. That’s because the insurance company realizes it will have far more to lose by trying to take us on in a court of law. They’ll decide to offer a fair settlement as a result. But if they choose to take the case to court, then our attorneys will be more than ready to make the strongest case possible on your behalf.
Contact McEwen Law Firm to Discuss Your Claim
Please contact the McEwen Law Firm for more information on how we may be able to help with your defective product burn injury case. We will work extremely hard to deliver the results you need.
Use our online form or call (800) 732-3070 for a free case review.
