With the recall of the Kidde fire extinguishers, we have noticed a number of cases where the recall resulted in serious injuries. In such cases we have noticed that the fire extinguisher failed resulting in catastrophic injuries or death in certain situations. If you or your loved ones were injured from a defective fire extinguisher contact our office for a confidential case evaluation.
Liability for Injuries
When you purchase a product, you intend that the product will operate as intended. This is true for any product we purchase. We have an expectation that the product will operate and work as it has been advertised. In these cases, the consumers purchased a fire extinguisher in the event that they needed to put out a fire. In fact, the product was purchased solely for the purpose of making sure that the product would be available in the event of a fire to help save lives and reduce fire damage. However, due to the faulty manufacturing of the product, the product did not function for its intended use. As a result, many people were hurt when the product failed to deploy properly.
In certain situations, you have catastrophic burn cases where the injured party was not able to reduce or prevent the harm due to the product failing. In fact, you will find situations where the fire extinguisher failed, which resulted in the first responders being unable to put out the flames.
As a result, when a manufacturer puts into the stream of commerce a product that is defective it will be responsible for injuries sustained by consumers. Here, the facts are unique, but regardless the manufacturer will have liability for the injuries sustained by the users of its product. Users who relied on the manufacturers promise of safety and suffered serious harm as a result.
The company may want you to return the product for repairs or a refund. Do not listen, as you will lose your most important piece of evidence. Rather, make sure you:
(1) DO NOT return the item to the manufacturer ot receive a refund; that will destroy all evidence you have to pursue the case.
(2) DO NOT tamper with the product or try to fix it.
(3) Seek immediate medical attention with a doctor so that there is no gap in medical treatment.
(4) Hold on to any receipts or documentation of purchase.
Type of Defect
According to the reports, the product was defective for a number of reasons. First, it appears that the device would clog and fail when a user attempted to depress the lever. As a result, the product would not deploy the necessary formula to put out the flame. In other situations you have the product failing because the nozzle would detach when in use. As a result, it would hit the target with serious force causing blunt force trauma, which would result in serious injury.
These types of defects are at the manufacturing level. Manufacturing defects can occur when the product is not properly designed. In other situations, you can have an error at the manufacturing facility, which caused the product to fail. Here, it is not yet clear whether this is a product defect issue or a manufacturing issue. Our investigation into this matter is still ongoing and will update once further information is available.
Types of Injuries
The types of injuries sustained from the product defect are serious. We have seen cases where the device failed and individuals suffered serious burns. In other situations, the product failed resulting in death caused by severe thermal damage. It is not yet certain the true number of fatalities or injuries. This is because many of the families who have lost a loved one are not aware as to the cause of death. In certain situations, the report from the paramedics or from the first responders on the scene will not mention that the device failed. In such cases, our office would investigate the matter and interview the necessary parties. We will determine who was at fault and get the necessary statements to help establish liability.
THE NORMANDIE LAW FIRM
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: If you were injured as a result of this product you will have a claim against the manufacturer. My office is currently investigating claims by injured parties and families of those who were harmed. If you believe you may have a case contact our office for a free confidential consultation. We are available 24/7 to help answer any of your questions.
