We live in a time when we are surrounded by things that make our lives easier. From food preparation appliances that turn days’ worth of chopping and blending into a moment’s work to washers and dryers that we can turn on from our cell phones, there is no debate about the improvements that modern technology provides. Still, in the rush to bring a new product to market and grow profits, many companies are less than meticulous in their approach to product design and manufacturing quality. Their haste can lead to recklessness, and on far too many occasions consumers end up paying the price for their negligence in the form of personal injury. Product defects of household appliances can lead to burns, amputations, eye injuries, and even to death.

Though there are regulatory bodies that attempt to protect us against the risk of injury, all too often they are only made aware of product defects after somebody has already been injured. If you have suffered an injury and you believe that it was a result of a defect in a product’s design, in how it was manufactured, or a lack of appropriate warning about risks or proper use, you may be able to pursue legal action against the product’s designer, manufacturer, or others involved in bringing it to market.

Though the household products that have been named in product defect cases are too many to count or list, there are certain types of products that tend to be at higher risk for injury and defect. These include:

• Power tools – Though power tools may all seem dangerous at first glance, there are significant differences between a tool that simply requires careful reading and adherence to instructions and precautions and one that is poorly made and prone to slipping or malfunctions that can cause injuries such as burns, cuts, or amputations. Similarly, when a power tool is not properly accompanied by appropriate warnings and adequate instructions for use, this also represents negligence.
• Fire alarms, smoke detectors, and CO2 detectors – Some product defects cause injury as a result of an action and others cause injury as a result of an omission, such as a failure to provide a signal of the presence of heat, smoke or dangerous gases. If a person is injured or killed or suffers property damage because an alarm mechanism fails to provide the warnings that it is supposed to, the company can be held responsible for the results.
• Cleaning products – Found in every household, cleaning products that lack appropriate warnings or information on proper handling have led to numerous injuries, including chemical burns and poisoning. Manufacturers can also be held responsible for packaging that allows children to access their contents too easily.

There are many others, including kitchen and home appliances, heaters and electric blankets, lawnmowers and yard equipment and personal use items such as hair dryers and curling irons. If you have been injured as a result of their use, contact us today for assistance.