It is important that fabrics and other materials that are sold to consumers do not pose a fire hazard or burn injury risk to them. There are even flammability standards that manufacturers must make sure their products meet. Failure to do so can cause serious injury, especially when the material belongs to a consumer good that is in direct contact with human skin.
In the past week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued two recalls over products that could pose a burn hazard to users. There was Mattress Clouds recall of about 1,400 mattresses (includes rebuilt twin, queen, full, and king sizes with the label “Ortho Type” and “Ultra Support.”) These mattresses do not satisfy the mandatory federal open flame standard and therefore are a fire hazard.
There are no related injuries reported to date. Consumers can get their free replacement mattress from the manufacturer.
In another recall, Columbia Sportswear is recalling approximately 9,600 of its Women’s and Men’s Heated Jackets because of concerns that the clothing’s heated inner wrist cuff may overheat. Seven models are affected.
The jackets come with two battery packs found in their inner pouches. While there have been no incidents reported in the US, there have been a couple that occurred in Canada and Europe.
Burn injuries can be not just painful upon incidence but also they can lead to disfiguring scars and lead to a lifetime of suffering. They can also be very costly to treat, possibly even requiring skin grafts and other procedures that can be very painful.
Some common reasons to sue a manufacturer for products liability over a product that proved to be a fire/burn hazard:
• Product defect
• Not inspecting or testing the consumer good before sending it into the market
• Not warning about the fire/burn hazard posed
• Failure to provide instructions/directions for proper use
• Failure to meet flammability standards
It goes without saying that fabrics and similar materials are not the only consumer goods to pose a burn injury risk to people. Electrical burns from products that generate electricity or heat (faulty electric heaters are one culprit), chemical burns from certain chemicals that may be found in certain items (such as household chemicals), thermal burns caused by heated objects, scald burns from hot liquids (including hot beverages sold at restaurants or stores), and burns from explosions involving defective motor vehicles.
Severity of Burn Injuries:
First-Degree Burns: Generally only impacts the first layer of skin, leaving a red or pink mark. There is usually no blistering, just medium to mild pain and maybe itching and swelling.
Second-Degree Burns: Red skin, some exposure of the papillary dermis and blistering. More painful than first degree burns, second degree burns penetrate two layers of skin.
Third-Degree Burns: These are the most serious burns of all affecting all skin layers, possibly including tendons, muscles, ligaments, and organs. Ironically, third degree burns are less painful than first and second degree ones because the nerves are usually damaged so badly. Sometimes, a victim with third degree burns may not realize the severity of his/her condition because of the lack of pain.
At The Gilbert Law Group®, we represent clients injured in burn and fire accidents because of defective products and other causes. Our burn injury law firm is experienced in working with both adults and children and their families. Your first case evaluation with us is free.