Stoves are a standard large household appliance that can frequently be associated with various accidents and injuries. In particular, stove fires are common and the leading cause of many home incidents every year. Some stoves may be subject to recalls due to defects that cause dangerous conditions in the home. Stove accidents can often result in:
Stove accidents can be severe if the homeowners are sleeping or are away from their homes, as this can cause significant property damage or serious injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Stove Accidents and Injuries?
Stove accidents can vary in nature; however, many stove accidents are induced by a defect with the product. In such circumstances, the manufacturer of a stove product can be held accountable for injuries or property damage if the defect was a direct cause of the accident. Some common stove defects include:
- Stoves turning on automatically (without the operator turning any knobs)
- Knobs getting stuck in the “On” position, which prevents the stove from being turned off
- Spontaneous combustion issues
- Abnormally hot surfaces or parts
These defects are usually the result of a design defect or a manufacturing defect. In such circumstances, the stove may be subject to a recall, and legal action is frequently filed against the manufacturer if customers have been injured. In some instances, a retailer may be held liable if it can be demonstrated that they knowingly sold or distributed stove models that were already subject to a stove recall.
What Are the Legal Remedies for Stove Injury Claims?
Stove injury legal claims based on a product liability theory will typically be settled through a monetary damages award. The damages award is administered to the injured party to compensate them for losses associated with medical costs, property repairs, and other expenses. In some instances, a defective stove lawsuit may be filed as a class action suit if the same product model has injured many customers.
Defective Stoves Might Cause Tip-Over Injuries
Kids are exposed to tip-over injuries. A small child may grab an oven door or climb on a stove. If the stove is not sufficiently secured or is made of light materials, it may topple onto the child. Tip-overs can also cause hot liquids or foods to slide off the range top and result in harsh burn injuries.
These injuries may be avoidable if the stove is designed or manufactured to stop them or it is secured and installed with an anti-tipping device.
Gas Leaks Can Lead to Fires or Explosions
Gas stoves pose additional risks. Even if the stove knobs are turned off, gas leaks can materialize at multiple points, including the internal fuel lines, valves, connectors, and seals. An undetected leak can cause gas levels to accumulate to dangerous levels, resulting in an explosion, fire, severe injuries, and property damage.
Appliance-makers should develop and manufacture stoves with sturdy internal parts that can withstand everyday use and safety mechanisms to stop accidental gas releases — guaranteeing that control knobs turn on and off properly.
Another origin of injuries involving gas stoves is the poor layout and location of the knobs used to control gas flow to the burners. Safety bulletins going back to the 1970s have cautioned about a child’s ability to quickly reach and activate gas range controls found on the stove front. Well-designed ranges have knobs that require the user to simultaneously push the knob in while also turning it to stop unintentional actuation by children or by adults brushing against the knob. When activated, some designs use “lock-out” components that stop gas flow to the cooktop and the gas oven.
Glass Oven Door Explosions
Defective glass on front oven doors can explode into hot chips that cause burns, lacerations, and severe eye injuries. Glass doors can fail while ovens are in heating, pre-heating, and cleaning mode and shatter while being opened or standing idle. There are hundreds of consumer complaints reporting such glass failures. Many reports convey the oven door “exploding” violently. These oversights can result from inadequate designs and manufacturing that improperly stress the glass.
If any of these misfortunes transpire, the following parties could be liable:
- Manufacturer
- Designer
- Installer
- Repair Person
- Maintenance Person
Failure to Warn in Stove Injury Cases
A manufacturer may be held responsible for the failure to sufficiently warn a consumer and for inferior designs and shoddy construction that lead to misuse.
Appliance manufacturers can and do fault customers for not using the stove correctly and may assert your negligence was the cause of your injuries. Nevertheless, a manufacturer may still be responsible if it did not caution consumers of a known hazard or if alleged customer misuse was a predictable result of defective design or manufacture. All manufacturers must warn clients of any risks associated with a product, and those warnings must be prominent enough to get a consumer’s attention effectively.
Product Liability Lawsuits Are Fact-Dependent
Establishing the specific facts of your case is essential. Our attorneys at LegalMatch review these facts and the extent of your injuries. Our expert attorneys can identify any design, manufacturing, installation, or service flaws. If the manufacturer failed to make a safe and stable product or a service technician improperly installed or repaired your stove, seek compensation to hold them accountable.
After a thorough evaluation, a lawyer can determine whether you may have a feasible product liability claim.
When you file a product liability lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for various damages. This includes both out-of-pocket costs and damages for emotional harm.
Your out-of-pocket costs could include the following:
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital stays
- Medical testing
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medication expenses
- Physical therapy
- Equipment (wheelchairs, etc.)
Other economic damages could include:
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Future lost wages if you have not yet returned to work
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot continue your old job
In addition to these costs, you may seek non-economic damages. Non-economic damages deviate from case to case. If you have experienced emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, or loss of convenience, you can claim these damages. Sometimes, you can also pursue loss of consortium damages for a spouse or parent’s lost affection and help.
What to Expect During a Product Liability Lawsuit
After an initial consultation, your lawyer will evaluate and collect additional evidence. If a lawyer takes your case, they may do so on a contingency basis. That means that the lawyer will not charge you out-of-pocket legal fees. The lawyer’s compensation will be paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Help with a Stove Accident Lawsuit?
Stove accident lawsuits can be complex and involve many different product and consumer laws. It may be in your best interests to hire a defective products lawyer in your area if you need help with a legal claim. Your attorney can provide you with advice and representation for your case during the process. If you’ve suffered a serious injury due to a defective stovetop, use LegalMatch to find a top consumer lawyer in your area today.
