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DEFECTIVE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS


Product Liability Lawyer reviewing cases and lawsuits for injured clients and plaintiffs nationwide
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Fire Extinguisher Defect Lawsuits

On November, 2017, Kidde issued a recall of 37.8 million fire extinguishers sold across the United States because they have repeatedly failed to work properly. The fire extinguishers, most with plastic handles, may become clogged or require excessive force to discharge and can malfunction during a fire emergency. In addition, the nozzle can detach with enough force and pose an impact hazard.

Kidde, the manufacturer of the fire extinguishers, said it was aware of one death related to the extinguishers in 2014. The company has also acknowledged at least 390 cases in which the extinguishers were reported to have failed to activate, activated only partially, or had the nozzle detach.

The extinguishers have been involved in more than 90 reports of property damage and several reported fire-related burn accident. The various models, which feature plastic handles or push-buttons, were manufactured between 1973 and August, 2017. Some of the same models were recalled previously in 2009 and 2015.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2016 there were 1,342,000 fires reported in the United States, causing 3,390 civilian deaths and over $10 billion in property damage.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated recall lawyer and personal injury attorney representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of consumer product liability and product defect cases. 

Fire Extinguishers Recalled

The majority of the Kidde models recalled are plastic-handle extinguishers or pindicator no-gauge push-button extinguishers. The potentially defective models listed below were sold primarily for use in kitchens, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, boats and personal watercraft.

They were sold at stores nationwide, including Amazon, Walmart, The Home Depot, Sears, Menards, and Montgomery Ward. Check the full list on the CPSC Web site to see if any fire extinguishers you own are part of the recall.

  • 100D
  • 210D
  • 2A40BC
  • 6 RAP
  • 6 TAP
  • Ademco Models
  • ADT 3A40BC
  • All Purpose 2A40BC
  • AUTO Models
  • Bicentenial Models
  • Costco 340
  • FA model numbers
  • FC model numbers
  • FF 210D-1
  • Fire Away Models
  • Force 9 2A40BC
  • FS model numbers
  • Fuller models
  • FX model numbers
  • Gillette Models
  • H110G
  • H5G
  • Home Models
  • Honeywell 1A10BC
  • Honeywell TPS-1 1A10BC
  • L. model numbers
  • Kadet 2RPS-1 5BC
  • Kidde Brand Models
  • KK2
  • KX 2-1/2 TCZ
  • M model numbers
  • Mariner models
  • Master Protection 2A40BC
  • Montgomery Ward models
  • Quell Models
  • RESSP
  • Sams SM 340
  • Sanford Models
  • Sears Models
  • Traveler Models
  • Volunteer Models
  • XL model numbers

Defective Fire Extinguishers Lawsuits

In recent years, victims and families of victims who have been injured or died in part from defective fire extinguishers and fire alarms have filed successful claims against the responsible manufacturers, businesses or property owners, and have been rightfully compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering and the loss of life.

In September, 2017, a Texas woman filed suit after malfunctioning fire alarms and empty fire extinguishers led to the death of her daughter. In May, 2017, the family of an Alabama man settled a $6 million lawsuit after a defective fire extinguisher played a part in his wrongful death.

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

photo of attorney Joe Lyon
A Voice for Those who have suffered

Why are these cases important?

Many product liability cases have had a positive impact on public health and safety, and we have witnessed improved lives and future injuries prevented as companies are forced to remove products and change designs and warnings as a result of litigation.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Questions about Product Liability & Case Types

What is a Product Liability Lawsuit?

Product liability lawsuits often contain causes of action for strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty. Strict liability applies to different factors than negligence-based claims.

In negligence cases, the actions of the defendant are the focus. In strict liability claims, the focus is on the condition of a product at the time it left the manufacturer. If a product is determined to be defective, the company is liable for any foreseeable injuries that are in-part caused by the defective condition of the product.

How is a Product Defined as Defective?
Ohio Definition of Defective

A product is defective if it is unreasonably dangerous for its intended use. A legal cause of action can be based on several types of product defects. The following are Cincinnati product liability and strict liability claims available in Ohio and in most jurisdictions nationwide:

(1)  Manufacturing/ Construction Defect:

These issues arise where the product is released from the factory in a manner that deviates from the intended design or specifications. The defect can be a result of using the wrong materials, including the wrong or completely foreign materials (e.g., Tylenol contamination, food poisoning, damaged car part from factory installation).

As a result of the deviation, the product enters the market in an unreasonably dangerous condition and the consumer is exposed to or purchases a product that is defective. Any personal injuries or economic loss that arise from the the defect are compensable under Ohio product liability law.

(2) Defective design and/or formulation:

Defective design product liability cases arise not because a mistake was made during the manufacturing process, but rather the original design of the product is unreasonably dangerous. A “risk benefit analysis” is used to determine whether safer/less expensive alternative designs were available to the manufacturer.

Federal regulations set minimum standards for the design of many consumer products, and preemption defenses may preclude liability in some situations if the manufacturer follows and obtains federal approval for a product. Automotive recalls and product liability cases are usually a result of a defective design. Common cases include the Toyota Brake Recall, Chrysler Gen III seat belt buckle, lap belt only cases, Metal on Metal hip implants, transvaginal mesh.)

(3) Failure to warn or inadequate warning or instruction associated with the product:

All consumer products come with necessary and appropriate warnings and instructions for use. If the lack of a warning makes the product and use of the product unsafe, the manufacturer is liable for the failure to place the warning. The most common area of litigation for failure to warn is in pharmaceutical litigation.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to warn of the known or foreseeable side effects and update the warnings in a timely manner. Litigation arises where there is evidence the manufacturer failed to timely update a warning in light of new data or simply ignored the risk and failed to conduct sufficient research to identify and then disclose the risk.

(4) Misrepresentation:

The product fails to conform to a representation or warranty. Warranty claims are more common in commercial and economic loss cases than in personal injury cases. In many States, The Product Liability Act does not apply to cases with only economic loss, because the Commercial Code provides recourse for breach of warranty.

The warranty may be written or implied based upon the products intended purpose and merchantability. An example of a breach of warranty cases are cases involving automotive defects.

How do you prove design defects?

Risks:  The following factors are considered under Ohio law when determining the risks associated with the design of a product:  (1) the magnitude of the risk of injury; (2) ordinary consumer awareness of the risk for injury; (3) the likelihood of causing injury; (4) the violation of a private or public standard; and (5) the consumer’s expectation of the performance of the product and level of danger. Ohio Revised Code 2307.5 (B) Product Defective in Design or Formulation.

BenefitsThe following factors are considered under Ohio law when determining the benefits associated with product design: (1) the utility of the product; (2) availability of an alternative design; (3) the magnitude of risks associated with an alternative design. Ohio Revised Code 2307.5 (c)

Defenses for Defective Design(1) a pharmaceutical drug or medical device is not defective by design if it contains an adequate warning of an unavoidably unsafe aspect of the pharmaceutical or medical device; (2) the dangerous aspect is inherent to the product, recognizable, and cannot be eliminated without compromising the product’s usefulness; (3) a lack of a feasible alternative design. 2307.75 (d)(e)(f).

EXAMPLES:

  • Metal on Metal Hip Implants
  • Lap Belt Only Seat Belts
  • Transvaginal Mesh
  • FMK Fast Action Trigger
  • Lack of Insulating Link on Cranes
What is a manufacturing defect?

A manufacturing defect is based on a defect that occurred during the manufacturing process. Many auto companies have been involved in this kind of product liability lawsuits in recent years, due to defective airbags, software defects, tire failure, and other dangerous manufacturing errors.

Most manufacturing defect cases are based on a products deviation from the intended specification, formula, performance standards, or design model. In such cases, it may be easy to determine the product did not comply with the intended design.

The product may be recalled as a specific lot is identified as being non-compliant and defective. A product may be defective in manufacture or construction, materials and assembly, and a manufacturer or distributor may be subject to strict liability, even though it exercised all possible care.  Ohio Revised Code 2307.74.


Manufacturing Defect Examples:

    • Contaminated Food
    • Defective Medical Devices
    • Contaminated Pharmaceuticals
    • Defective Handguns
    • Defective Auto Components
What is a failure to warn lawsuit?

In determining whether a product is defective due to inadequate warning or instruction, evidence must be presented to prove:

  • The manufacturer knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known about a risk
  • A reasonable manufacturer would have provided a warning of the risk
  • The manufacturer failed to provide the warning
  • The person was injured due to a lack of warning. The same elements apply whether the claim is based on a warning present during the marketing or post-sale warnings.

Defenses to Failure to Warn Claims(1) the risk was open and obvious or a matter of common knowledge; and (2) in cases of a pharmaceutical drug or medical device, the warning was provided to the prescribing physician (“Learned Intermediary Doctrine”).

Many pharmaceutical companies have been targeted in failure to warn lawsuits for either failing to place warnings on medication guides and packaging or failing to properly test their product before putting it to market.


 

What are consumer product safety regulations?

Design and manufacturing defects result in thousands of product recalls each year in the United States, initiated by federal safety agencies. Following injury and illness, regardless of recall status, victims and plaintiffs may pursue legal action and contact a product liability lawyer to begin the litigation process. Rightful compensation can be sought and help plaintiffs recover medical costs and other related damages.

Product liability law overlaps with regulatory law, which are the systems of legislative rules and administrative agencies, and part of federal and state governments. These agencies regulate the safety of the products sold to the public. Examples include:

  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA;)
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The listed government agencies, however, may initiate recalls of dangerous products but do not provide remedies or compensation for damages where an individual is injured due to the defective product.

Discovering a Product Defect: Initial Steps
  1. Secure the product;
  2. Obtain a complete history from the client and any witnesses on the purchase, use and incident with the product
  3. Obtain all incident or accident reports and photographs;
  4. Obtain medical records of admission, EMS and first four days of hospital admission;
  5. Obtain any government agency via FOIA requests;
  6. Research any other similar incidents including lawsuits;
  7. Research any active recalls;
  8. Research any nuanced areas of law that the facts reveal;
  9. Consult with appropriate experts;
  10. Determine whether case merits filing a lawsuit
  11. Perform any product inspection or testing with appropriate protocols in place. 

Our Victories

The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to a defective product or recalled product to obtain just compensation under the law.

DEFECTIVE LAP BELT RESTRAINT

SPINAL CORD INJURY

(Pikeville, Kentucky): Confidential settlement for Plaintiff who suffered spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia due to defectively designed seat belt. Four passengers with three-point (lap/shoulder) belts walked away from the accident, and the only passenger wearing a two-point belt (lap only) suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury. The settlement assisted with home improvements to assist in daily living. GM entered federal bankruptcy during the process and no longer manufactures two-point lap belts for vehicles.

DEFECTIVE PROPANE WALL HEATER

WRONGFUL DEATH 

(Hillsboro, Ohio): Confidential Settlement for the family of an elderly man who was catastrophically burned while operating a propane wall heater. The burns resulted in his unfortunate death. The heater, manufactured and sourced from China, was alleged to allow the flame to reach outside the grid area in violation of ANSI standards. The Defendant resolved the case following discovery and mediation. The recovered funds were paid to the victim’s surviving spouse and children. The company no longer manufactures this type of heater.