Most of us never consider the possibility of our refrigerator causing a fire and leading to injuries and property damage. Overheated compressors, electrical shorts, a lack of maintenance, and product defects can all increase the risk of fire. If the refrigerator in your home or apartment caught fire and resulted in injuries or death, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit. For more information about the legal options available to you, contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible.
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our refrigerator fire burn injury lawyers are ready to take on your claim and start fighting for your rights. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling all sorts of personal injury claims and are committed to handling your claim effectively and getting you the settlement that you are owed. If you are ready to speak with our lawyers about the legal options available to you, contact us today.
The Leading Refrigerator Manufacturers
Some of the top refrigerator manufacturers include the following:
- Whirlpool
- LG
- Samsung
- KitchenAid
- GE Appliances
- Panasonic
- Kelvinator
- Bosch
- Electrolux
- Hitachi
- Amana
- Café
- Frigidaire
- Maytag
- Vissani
Injuries Caused by Refrigerator Fires
All types of fires can have devastating consequences. Fires can result in the following harm:
- Burn injuries (ranging in degree)
- Smoke inhalation injuries
- Internal burns to respiratory system
- Loss of consciousness
- General injuries due to falling objects (falling roof, ceiling, walls, etc.)
Unfortunately, fires inside homes can spread very quickly. If residents of the home or apartment cannot get out quick enough, then fires could be fatal.
No matter the specific injuries that you or a loved one suffered due to a refrigerator fire, it is important that you explore the legal options available to you. Based on the details surrounding the incident and the harm suffered, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit and even the right to receive compensation.
Understanding Liability for Refrigerator Fire Incidents
So, who is liable for the harm that you or a loved one suffered because of a refrigerator fire? There are different circumstances in which different parties/entities could be found liable. We will discuss these circumstances below.
Product Liability
If the refrigerator was defective, then the right to sue would be based on the concept of product liability. Under product liability, all product manufacturers have the duty to ensure that their products are completely safe for consumers. They must inspect their products thoroughly to be able to identify and address any hazards or dangerous conditions that could lead to incidents which could harm consumers. If a product defect causes the refrigerator to catch fire and harm consumers, then the product manufacturer could be liable.
Landlord Liability
In cases where the refrigerator was not defective when purchased, the problem could be associated with a lack of maintenance, poor repairs, ineffective installation, etc. If you rent a house or apartment, then liability could fall under the home owner, property owner, or management. Homeowner liability, property owner liability, apartment management of unit liability, etc. applies when the refrigerator came with the rental unit (rentals sometimes include appliances). Property owners or landlords have a duty to keep their rentals safe for tenants. When the rental includes appliances, this duty extends to ensuring that appliances do not pose a risk for tenants. In other words, if a refrigerator catches fire in a rental property, then the landlord/property owner could be liable.
Can I Recover Compensation?
Yes – you could be eligible to receive compensation if your lawsuit is successful. Some of the different categories of compensation that you could be eligible to receive could include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs
- Legal fees
The specific type and amount of compensation that you are ultimately eligible to receive will be strictly based on the details surrounding your claim. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are committed to getting you the maximum recovery available for your claim. Still, you might have many questions about possible case values. A common question includes what is the average value of these types of refrigerator fire injury claims? Unfortunately, average case values can be misleading – as these cases tend to be so different. There are countless factors that must be considered to determine the value of a claim. In general, these cases can have values ranging anywhere from $300,000 to $750,000. Sometimes, case values can reach and even go beyond the $1 million mark.
For more information about the possible value of your claim and what you could potentially recover, contact the experts here at our law firm immediately.
How Long Do I Have to File My Lawsuit?
All claims are subject to a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines the total length of time that claimants have to file their claims. If claimants do not file their claims on time, then they lose their right to sue entirely. So, how long do you have to file your claim? In California, injury claims and wrongful death claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that claimants have two years to file their lawsuits. In some cases, certain exceptions to the statute of limitations can apply; more specifically, the deadline that applies could be paused or tolled. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the statute of limitations that applies to your claim and the time that you have to sue, contact the experts here at our law firm today.
How to File a Lawsuit
Some of the most important steps when it comes to preparing to file a lawsuit include the following:
- Taking photos of the scene of the incident
- Taking photos of all injuries
- Seeking medical attention as soon as possible
- Reporting the incident to the landlord or to the product manufacturer (depending on the situation)
- Gathering any video footage of the incident
- Gathering all relevant medical records
- Seeking legal assistance as soon as possible
If you find yourself unsure of what to do next, do not hesitate to contact us immediately. Our lawyers with experience in refrigerator fire incidents are ready to guide you every step of the way.
Contact the Normandie Law Firm Today
Were you or a loved one injured after a refrigerator started a fire in the home? If so, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit. You could also be eligible to recover monetary compensation. Are you unsure of your right to sue? If so, we recommend that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible to better understand the legal process and start fighting for your rights. Here at our firm, our experts have decades of experience handling all sorts of injury claims, including those caused by defective or malfunctioning products in the home. Our lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and help you recover the settlement that you are owed.
We Offer Free Legal Services
Here at our firm, we believe in making our legal services accessible to all, so we offer free legal services. Our free legal services include free consultations and free second opinions. Whether you are looking to begin your claim or redirect it after starting it elsewhere, you can trust that our experts will provide you with the guidance necessary. To benefit from our free legal services, contact us today.
Our Zero-Fee Guarantee
We offer a Zero-Fee guarantee, meaning that our clients will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, we work on contingency; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay anything until after winning their claim. If you do not win, you will not be responsible for paying anything at all.
If you are ready to talk to our lawyers about your right to file a refrigerator fire injury lawsuit, contact us at your earliest convenience. Our lawyers are more than ready to guide you every step of the way.
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