Many household appliances are designed to improve our comfort and health around the home. There are countless appliances that may be in your home today. What many consumers often forget, however, is that these appliances also pose serious dangers if they are not designed in a safe manner. Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that the manufacturer Gree initiated a recall of 2.5 million dehumidifier devices because they are prone to causing fires. The recall happened after Gree received some 450 reports of fires associated with the machines. This has resulted in at least $19 million in property damage.
Gree sells its dehumidifiers under several different brand names, including Kenmore, GE, and Frigidaire. This is not the first time that the devices have been recalled. In September 2013, Gree instituted a recall and then updated it again in October of that same year. The recall was also expanded in January 2014.
Recalled devices include various pint sizes: 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 65, and 70. The brand names subject to the recall include Premiere, Kenmore, Norpole, Gree, GE, Frigidaire, Seabreeze, SoleusAir, Fellini, SuperClima, De’Longhi, Fedders, and Danby. These devices were sold a at a number of recall locations, including Kmart, Home Depot, HH Gregg, Lowe’s, AAFES, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Sears, Mills Fleet Farm, and Menards. Some of the devices were sold through online retailers like Amazon and eBay as well. Devices subject to the recall were sold between January 2005 and August 2013. They cost anywhere from $110 to $400.
If you have been injured as a result of a dangerous product, you can bring a variety of claims against the manufacturer to seek compensation. One of the most common types of claims asserted against a dangerous device maker is a strict product liability claim. In this cause of action, the plaintiff must show that the device in question was designed in an unreasonably dangerous way or that it suffered from a defect during the manufacturing process. The plaintiff can also prevail by showing that the device failed to include appropriate warnings or instructions. Whether the device is unreasonably dangerous is determined differently in various jurisdictions. Some states use a consumer expectation test, while others ask the jury to consider whether the risks associated with the device outweigh its benefits.
The plaintiff can also assert a negligence cause of action against the manufacturer. This requires a showing that the manufacturer owed the plaintiff a duty to design the device in a reasonably safe manner and failed to act according to this duty. The plaintiff must also show that this breach was the cause of his or her damages.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of a dangerous product, you may be entitled to compensation. At Moll Law Group, our skilled team of product liability attorneys knows exactly what it takes to go up against a big company. Serving clients across the United States, including in Illinois, California, Texas, and Florida, we offer a free consultation to help you learn about your options. Call us at 312-462-1700 or contact us online to schedule your appointment now.
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