Space heaters are devices that are used to heat enclosed spaces, usually in people’s homes. But they can also be used in workplaces, like offices and warehouses. Most space heaters on the market are electric, but they can also run on propane and natural gas. Due to their many sizes and shapes, it’s easy to find one to fit just about any room that needs extra heat.
When they are designed properly and used in the way they are intended, these units can serve as a cost-effective heating solution. However, mechanical defects and lack of key safety features can cause a space heater to overheat or ignite. This is a leading cause of burn injuries in the workplace, and they can happen from a variety of defects, including:
- Defective thermostat or temperature control settings
- Usage of cheap or insufficient materials
- Electrical wiring issues
- Mechanical defects with fan or oscillating mechanisms
- Unclear or misleading instructions
- Lack of warnings or safety precautions
- Lack of or defective auto shut off switch
These accidents can have devastating consequences on your physical and mental health. That’s why it’s essential to explore your rights and legal options with a workplace burn injury accident lawyer. We are available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so contact us any time to schedule a free case review.
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Injuries from a Space Heater Burn Accident
We’ve all touched a hot object at some point and burned ourselves. As a result, you may not think that a space heater injury is all that serious, but these machines can reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees F. Thus, any space heater can cause severe burn injuries when they do not work as they are intended. Let’s take a look at some of the complications that are associated with a space heater burn injury:
- Open wounds on the skin, such as blisters
- Extreme redness, pain, and swelling
- Toxic shock or sepsis
- Disfiguring injuries, including permanent scars
- Damage to the muscles and nerves
Make sure to seek medical attention right away, as early intervention can help to speed the recovery process. You must also have proof of the injuries you’ve sustained in order to receive workplace injury benefits, and possibly monetary compensation from a defective product injury lawsuit.
What are my Rights if I was Burned by a Space Heater at Work?
Space heaters are used in all sorts of workplaces, especially in older buildings where heat circulation is a problem. Unfortunately, burn and fire incidents are very common with these units, which can leave you with serious injuries. As long as your accident occurred at your job site or during the course of your job duties, you can seek payment through the workers’ compensation program.
These are benefits provided by the state of California, but you will need to file the claim through your employer’s insurance company. That’s why you should speak to your supervisor immediately if you’ve been burned by a space heater at work. They will provide you with paperwork and relevant instructions, like seeing a doctor in their medical provider network in order to treat and diagnose your injuries. This is the first and most important step in the claims process, though there is a lot more work to be done before you start receiving payment for your medical needs and lost wages.
If you need assistance with a workers’ compensation claim, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Claim rejections or denials of specific benefits that you are entitled to are not uncommon, and legal representation is critical to resolving many of these issues.
Can I File a Lawsuit for a Work-Related Injury?
Yes, it’s possible to file a lawsuit for a workplace accident if you can prove negligence by a third party, meaning someone other than your employer. With a space heater, the most obvious third party is the manufacturer of the space heater, as they are responsible for any defects in the product that can lead to an injury. You will need to show that you used the product in the way that it was intended, and that the defect was due to a problem that occurred during the manufacturing process.
If the space heater that burned you is part of a product recall, you may also have the option of filing a class action lawsuit. This is a legal action where many injury victims join together and file a single lawsuit. They can be very effective, as it’s hard to deny that a manufacturer is responsible when so many people were injured from the same design flaw or mechanical defect. On the other hand, some people are better off with a personal injury claim due to the circumstances surrounding their accident. Our product recall lawyers can help you choose the best course of action during a free case evaluation.
Aside from the manufacturer, the advertisers or distributors of the space heater can also be sued, depending on the cause of your accident. When it comes to space heaters, clear instructions and detailed safety warnings are extremely important. Failures in these areas often contribute to accidents involving burn and electric shock injuries.
As you can, liability for a defective space heater accident can be shared by many entities, which is why you should consult an experienced product accident injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Deadline to File a Space Heater Injury Claim
The California court system imposes a firm deadline on all civil lawsuits, which is why it’s crucial to understand the statute of limitations for an accident injury claim. Except in rare cases, you will have two years from the incident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against a product maker or any other party that played a role in your accident.
A worker’s compensation claim, on the other hand, has a much shorter deadline. First, you will need to notify your employer of your accident within 30 days, though you should really do this immediately to minimize any delays with your payments. Once you notify your employer, you have one year from the date of injury to file a claim with your employer’s insurance company.
A space heater burn injury attorney at our office can help you through every step of the legal process and make sure that your claim or lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations.
Free Second Opinion
People often find themselves with lawyers that are not serving their interests, whether it’s a lack of communication of failure to negotiate a settlement in a timely manner. No matter the issue, it’s important to discuss your concerns with another attorney. We can provide you with this service during a second opinion consultation, which is 100% free here at Normandie Law Firm. Our goal is to offer advice and guidance, so there is no pressure to change lawyers when you meet with one of our legal experts. Just give us a call as soon as possible to schedule a free second opinion if you have an active space heater burn injury accident claim.
Lawyers with Experience in Product Accident Injury Claims
Product manufacturers and distributors have a duty of care to the general public to ensure that their products are as safe as possible. That’s why the law holds these companies responsible when someone is harmed from a defect that occurred while the item was still in their possession. If you’ve suffered injuries at work from an unsafe space heater, we can help you obtain compensation in the form of workers’ comp benefits, a personal injury settlement, or both.
Right now is the time to contact us and receive a free consultation on your available legal options. No matter how much work and time is needed to win your case, you will never pay a single penny in legal fees. Our Zero Fee Guarantee is a contingency-based policy, which means we receive a portion of your settlement award at the end of your case. That’s the only way we get paid, so there’s never any risk to your finances.
Please take a moment to schedule a free case evaluation or free second opinion with the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
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