Part of being a homeowner is maintaining appliances and making repairs or replacements as needed. However, many of us assume that it’s simply a matter of replacing an old part or making some tweaks in the plumbing system. Unfortunately, you may be dealing with a more serious problem caused by improper installation of the appliance.
Whether you are talking about a refrigerator, oven, washer, dryer, or dishwasher, failure to install an appliance properly can send excess electrical currents back into the plugs in your home. This can result in the plugs overheating and causing a fire. These incidents are associated with catastrophic injuries and property damage, and even fatality for the victims who are unable to escape the home or building in time.
Another issue is faulty installation that can cause an appliance to fall over. This is particularly dangerous to children and the elderly if they are trapped underneath a washing machine or another heavy appliance. Other accidents involve appliances set into the wall, like air conditioning units, which can fall out and hit someone below.
If you or your loved one was harmed by an appliance that was not installed properly, our attorneys can help you get justice in the form of monetary compensation. Contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free consultation.
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Signs that an Appliance is Improperly Installed
Recognizing the signs of an improperly installed appliance is critical to preventing electrical fires or injuries from being trapped under an appliance that falls over. If these issues are spotted early, they can usually be resolved by calling a repair technician.
Below are some of the issues to look out for that can help you prevent a fire or crushing injury from an appliance in your home or any other property:
- Wires or switches that are frayed or charred
- Wire insulation that’s melted near a connection point
- Loose wiring in the connection box
- Dull screws
- Frequent tripping of the circuit breaker
- Dimming, buzzing, or flickering lights
- Scorching / smoke or discoloration near the outlets
- Odd odors, especially burning smells
Can I Sue the Appliance Installation Company?
If you were injured in an accident resulting from an improperly installed appliance, you have the right to seek compensation from the installation company. You have a legal right to expect that the person installing your appliance has the training and experience to do their job in safe and responsible manner. Or, if they are not quite as experienced as they should be, they are supervised by a seasoned technician throughout the entire process. Certain aspects of the job should only be handled by the most experienced techs to ensure there are no issues that can cause gas leaks, electrical shocks, and fires.
These are examples of negligence by an appliance installation company, which can form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. For more information on suing an appliance company for a fire caused by improper installation, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
What are These Lawsuits Worth?
In general, appliance fire lawsuits have high case values, as they tend to cause serious injuries and property damage. It’s not unusual for settlements to start at around $150,000 and go all the way up to $2,500,000. For cases of extreme injuries (including death) and significant loss of property, a verdict or settlement that exceeds $5,000,000 is not unheard of. As for how much you can receive from a lawsuit, this is an issue that we will need to discuss with you in private. There are many variables that play a role in the amount of damages each victim is entitled to, which may include some or all of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Funeral costs
- Loss of expected wages / benefits (due to the death of a family member)
- Loss of consortium
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
For assistance from a lawyer that can sue for electrical fires caused by improper installation of an appliance, contact us today.
How Long will it Take to Settle my Case?
We normally set aside 1 to 2 years to settle these lawsuits, meaning we negotiate back and forth with the defendant until both sides agree on the amount of compensation. It’s possible that a settlement will be reached sooner, but it’s quite rare to resolve these cases in less than 6 months. This is mostly due to the injuries sustained by the victim and how much they are entitled to, which as we mentioned before, is in the 6 to 7 figure range. The installation company is likely to put up a fight and try to minimize their role in the incident as much as possible. An experienced fire accident lawyer can work through these issues and bring you the payment you deserve, but the process can take 18 to 24 months in some cases, and 3 or more years if your case goes to trial.
Deadline to Sue for Appliance Fires from Improper Installation
As an injury victim, California law gives you 2 years to file a lawsuit against a negligent appliance installation company. That’s 2 years starting from the accident date, unless you have an exceptional circumstance that will allow you to obtain an extension from the court. However, it’s extremely difficult to be approved for extra time if you are past the statute of limitations for a lawsuit.
Now, let’s look at the time limit to file a wrongful death claim, which is filed by a family member or spouse of someone that died in accident resulting from negligence. Loved ones in this situation have 2 years from the date of death to file a claim for wrongful death benefits.
To ensure that you can sue the liable party for monetary damages, contact an appliance fire due to improper installation injury lawyer at our office.
Zero Fee Guarantee
Considering the devastating impact of an improperly installed appliance, it’s essential for accident victims to obtain legal advice from a personal injury attorney. Our legal team is here for you during this difficult time, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
We have a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee, where all victims of a fire-related accident receive free legal services. Essentially, we take your case on contingency, so you pay $0 out of pocket. Once the defendant sends us your settlement check, we deduct a portion of it to go toward legal fees. This is our only source of payment, so if we don’t win your case, you pay us absolutely nothing.
To speak with an appliance fire injury lawsuit attorney, contact our law firm today.
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