Maryland Defective Home Appliance Injury Attorneys
Protecting victims injured by dangerous and defective household appliances
Our modern household appliances provide us comfort and convenience in our daily lives. From flicking on the coffeemaker in the morning, to using choppers and blenders for dinner, to tossing the day’s laundry in the washer – home appliances make our lives easier. However, for all the efficiency they offer, the risks associated with home appliances are also quite high.
Every year, thousands (if not millions) of Americans suffer injuries from defective or malfunctioning home appliances. When you or a loved one are harmed from household electronics or appliances, the Maryland attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are ready to step in and help. Our product liability lawyers offer over three decades of experience and know how to get results – our testimonials speak for themselves. Contact us today to talk about your case.
Statistics about defective home appliances
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) releases annual reports tallying up injuries from consumer and home goods. Their most recent report shows hospital-treated injuries for the following consumer products in one year:
[source: CPSC Annual Report]
The CPSC lists general household appliances as things like cooking ranges, ovens, irons and clothes steamers, refrigerators and freezers, washers and dryers, as well as smaller kitchen appliances and miscellanea.
What household appliances most commonly cause injuries?
Using household appliances is something we do without thinking, as we expect them to operate properly and safely. However, if one of these appliances has a product defect, it can cause physical injury in an instant if it malfunctions. The company Insurance Quotes discusses the seven most potentially dangerous appliances in the home, all of which are known to cause house fires:
- Gas and electric stoves
- Clothes dryers
- Microwave ovens
- Refrigerators
- Toasters/toaster ovens
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
Smaller appliances can also cause injuries, especially appliances that work with a blade, like blenders or food processors. Malfunctions can cause serious or catastrophic injury, like loss of finger or worse. The Maryland attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. will work with you to seek compensation for your injuries.
What are common injuries from MD defective household appliances?
When a household appliance, whether large or small, malfunctions, a user can experience a variety of injuries. These can range from minor burn injuries to tip-over crushing injuries. Some of these include:
- Brain injuries
- Burns and scarring
- Electrocution injuries
- Fractured and broken bones
- Loss of limb
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
Additionally, when larger appliances are installed or designed incorrectly, they may be a hazard for tip-overs. Young children are particularly at risk for tip-over accidents, where they may be trapped or crushed under an appliance or piece of furniture. Our attorneys can investigate to find out exactly what happened to cause their injuries.
What are the three types of defects under product liability?
A successful product liability claim must show one or more of the following product defects:
- Design defect. A design defect is a flaw inherent in the design that makes the product or appliance unsafe. This means every product coming off the assembly line is defective.
- Manufacturing defect. With a manufacturing defect, something went wrong during the manufacturing process. Parts of the appliance may be manufactured incorrectly, leading to one or more product batches being defective.
- Marketing defect. When an appliance does not carry the proper instructions or labeling, and someone is injured as a result, this can be considered a marketing defect.
Our MD product liability attorneys work to show the appliance that injured you was defective, and your injury was a result of that defect. Look to us for strategic, smart representation.
How do I prove my Maryland defective household appliance claim?
If you or your loved one suffered injury because of a dangerous household appliance, you are likely eligible to file a product liability claim. The attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. work to assign liability and seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Liable parties can include the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, appliance installer or repair shop.
We work to prove, under product liability law, that:
- The manufacturer of the appliance had a duty to design and manufacture a safe appliance
- They failed in that duty through negligence
- That negligence caused injury to you or your loved one
- You incurred injuries or damages as a result of that negligence
Once we prove liability for your injuries, we determine the amount of compensation for which you are eligible.
How much compensation can I recover in a defective home appliance case?
The Maryland injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. investigate your accident and injuries thoroughly, taking into account how the injury has affected your life and work. We typically wait until medical professionals understand the full scope of your injuries in order to calculate the maximum possible amount of financial compensation.
Generally, however, a successful product liability case can secure compensation for losses like the following:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
With some product liability cases, the injuries may be so severe and the manufacturer negligence so high, the court may award punitive damages as well. We work to build the strongest case possible in order to secure you the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Experienced Maryland product liability lawyers
Here at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we advocate for people injured by defective home appliances. When you or a loved one are injured through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation for your losses. We take manufacturers and retailers to task when they allow dangerous products on the market. To learn more, or to schedule a free consultation, please call 410-730-7737 or fill out our contact form.