Washers and dryers are appliances that serve a critical function in our lives. For some of us, we have these units in our homes, while others use common washing machines and dryers in apartment buildings. Alternatively, you may go to a laundromat if the property you live in does not have a laundry room. In most cases, you will find that a washer is a separate appliance from the dryer. But you can also purchase a washer and dryer combo unit, which is ideal for use in smaller homes.
No matter what type of washing machine you have, repairs and maintenance are needed over time due to wear and tear. There may be defects with the machine as well – ones that occurred during the manufacturing process. Either way, failure to repair or replace the machine increases the possibility of accidents, like a slip and fall from water leaks.
If you fell down from slipping on water from a washing machine, you may have grounds to file a fall accident lawsuit. To learn more about slip and fall claims and the compensation you may be entitled to, contact our law firm today.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
What is Causing the Washing Machine to Leak?
Leaks are not unusual with washing machines, and they can happen for many reasons that you may not be aware of. However, figuring out the cause is critical to your legal rights, as it will figure out who you can sue for a slip and fall accident. Here are some of the most common issues that result in washing machine leaks:
- Hoses that have holes or tears
- Clogged drainage pumps
- Electrical wiring issues
- Overloading of the washer
- Faulty valves
- Broken water level switch
- Clogs and other issues with the water pump filter
- Faulty gaskets
- Damaged door seal
- Buildup of detergent clogging up the dispenser drawer
- Loose hose connections
Who is Liable for My Injuries?
With these incidents, you generally have two parties that may be at fault:
- The company that manufactured the washing machine
- The owner of the business / property where the washer is located
Property owners, such as apartment leasing companies and laundromats, have a duty of care to the people that use their machines. Thus, if the machine has a leak and there is a water spill, the problem must be fixed in order to keep people from being injured. Of course, an immediate fix is not possible in most cases, but you can still clean up the water and soap residue and put up a sign that the machine is out of order.
If reasonable measures are not taken to prevent a washer leak slip and fall, the business or property owner may be sued by the victim for medical expenses, lost wages, and other applicable damages.
How is the Manufacture Responsible for a Leaking Washer?
Aside from a property owner, a product manufacturer may be responsible when there is a broken washer and dryer slip and fall accident. For example, there may be a mechanical defect with a component of the machine or wiring issues with the settings. The problem here is that even if the owner has the item repaired, the same problem may happen again and again.
Essentially, a product liability claim is filed when there is a defect with the item while it was still in the manufacturer’s possession. We often hear of these cases when there is a product recall, and there’s no denying that negligence by a manufacturer can result in many cases of injury and death.
Keep in mind, however, that the property owner may not be off the hook, even if the manufacturer is responsible for issues with the machine. They still have a duty to ensure safe conditions on the premises by having the machine replaced or ensuring that it’s not in use until the problem is resolved. So, it’s possible that you may have grounds to file a claim against both of these entities. Of course, if the washer that caused you to slip and fall down is in your own home, you would file a claim solely against the appliance manufacturer.
Because of the various elements that are involved, it can be quite challenging to figure out the right strategy for a leaking washing machine slip and fall claim. We can help you figure this out during a free consultation, which you can schedule by contacting our office.
Deadline to Sue for a Slip and Fall Injury
Under California law, the statute of limitations for a slip and fall lawsuit is 2 years of when you were hurt from the accident. This deadline applies, whether you are suing a property owner or the washer / dryer manufacturer. If you are more than 2 years from the accident date, it will be extremely difficult to proceed with a claim. This is due to the fact that you will need to obtain an extension from the court system, which is only given in cases involving rare and unusual circumstances.
To secure your right to compensation, contact us immediately to get started on a washing machine defect slip and fall claim.
Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer for $0
Here at Normandie Law Firm, we have a team of fall accident injury lawyers who are ready to help with all your questions and concerns. In addition, we make sure that your finances are protected from start to finish by offering a Zero Fee Guarantee. Under this policy, we agree that our only form of payment is a percentage of your settlement from a successful slip and fall lawsuit. Otherwise, we eat the costs and charge you $0 for the cost or legal services.
In essence, you lose absolutely nothing by hiring us for a negligent property owner or product liability claim. For more information on suing for injuries caused by a broken washer and dryer, schedule a free case review at your earliest convenience.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Americas Best Value Inn Injury Lawyer
Ojai Valley Inn Accident Attorney
Budget Inn Accident Injury Lawyer
