Consumers trust that, when used as intended, the products that they buy are safe. Whether it’s a coffee maker, hair straightener, power tool, or industrial machine, manufacturers have a legal duty to design, manufacture, and sell products that do not pose an unreasonable danger to the public. Unfortunately, defective products sometimes fail in catastrophic ways, causing serious burn injuries that can leave victims with permanent scars, chronic pain, and overwhelming medical expenses.
Burn injuries can be incredibly serious. Even burns that initially appear minor can require extensive medical treatment and result in lasting physical and emotional consequences. When those injuries are caused by a defective product, West Virginia law may allow victims to seek compensation from the companies responsible for putting an unsafe product on the market.
At Johnstone and Gabhart, we represent individuals throughout West Virginia who have been hurt by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries because of a defective product, we can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a free initial consultation with a West Virginia product liability lawyer.
How Defective Products Can Cause Burn Injuries
Product defects can create dangerous situations in homes, workplaces, and in public places. This is particularly true when it comes to the risk of fire and burns. Some products overheat unexpectedly, while others catch fire, explode, leak hazardous chemicals, or simply fail to include adequate safety features.
Unlike accidents caused by user error, defective product cases often involve hazards that consumers could not have anticipated. A product may appear to function normally until a hidden defect causes a fire, electrical shock, chemical burn, or explosion. These accidents can happen in seconds, leaving victims with injuries that require months or even years of recovery.
Examples of Defective Products That Can Cause Burn Injuries
Virtually any product that generates heat, uses electricity, contains chemicals, or operates under pressure has the potential to cause serious burn injuries if it is defective. This includes:
- Household Appliances: Many burn injury claims involve common household products that families use every day. Examples include:
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- Coffee makers
- Toasters
- Air fryers
- Pressure cookers
- Slow cookers
- Electric kettles
- Microwaves
- Space heaters
- Electric blankets
- Clothes irons
- Clothes dryers
- Water heaters
Defects involving faulty wiring, overheating components, or failed safety mechanisms can cause fires or expose users to dangerously high temperatures. Pressure cookers, for example, have been the subject of numerous lawsuits after defective locking systems allowed hot contents to explode outward, causing severe burns.
- Workplace Equipment: Burn injuries frequently occur in industrial and construction settings when defective equipment fails. Examples include:
- Welding equipment
- Industrial ovens
- Manufacturing machinery
- Boilers
- Generators
- Electrical equipment
- Power tools
- Hydraulic systems
Workers may suffer thermal burns, electrical burns, flash burns, or chemical burns when equipment malfunctions due to manufacturing defects or unsafe designs. In these cases, injured workers may be able to pursue workers’ compensation benefits in addition to a separate product liability claim against the manufacturer of the defective equipment.
- Beauty and Personal Care Products: Consumers generally do not expect beauty products to cause serious injuries, but defective or improperly labeled products can result in significant burns. Examples include:
- Hair straighteners
- Curling irons
- Hair dryers
- Laser hair removal devices
- Chemical hair relaxers
- Hair dyes
- Skin care products containing dangerous chemicals
- Wax warmers
Electrical malfunctions can cause thermal burns, while improperly formulated cosmetics and chemical treatments may cause severe chemical burns to the scalp, face, or skin. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring these products are reasonably safe and include adequate warnings about known risks.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Products: An increasing number of burn injury claims involve lithium-ion batteries found in products such as:
- Smart phones
- Laptops
- Power tools
- E-bikes
- Electric scooters
- Portable chargers
Defective batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” causing them to ignite or explode with little warning. These fires burn at extremely high temperatures and may produce toxic gases, resulting in severe burns and other injuries.
Common Types of Burn Injuries
The severity of a burn depends on several factors, including the heat source, duration of exposure, and the area of the body affected. Burn injuries may include:
- Thermal Burns: These burns result from contact with hot surfaces, flames, steam, or heated liquids.
- Electrical Burns: Electrical burns occur when electrical current passes through the body. These injuries may appear minor on the surface while causing significant internal damage to muscles, nerves, and organs.
- Chemical Burns: Chemical burns occur when dangerous substances damage the skin or eyes. Household cleaners, industrial chemicals, cosmetics, and improperly labeled products may all cause serious chemical injuries.
- Explosion-Related Burns: Exploding products can expose victims to flames, superheated liquids, and flying debris, resulting in multiple traumatic injuries alongside burns.
Proving a Defective Product Claim
Product liability cases are often more complex than ordinary negligence claims because they require proving that the product itself was unreasonably dangerous. Several different types of defects may support a product liability lawsuit:
- Manufacturing Defects: A manufacturing defect occurs when something goes wrong during the production process. Examples include:
- Faulty wiring
- Missing insulation
- Defective electrical components
- Poor assembly
- Contaminated chemicals
- Improper installation of safety devices
In these cases, the product’s design may have been safe, but mistakes during manufacturing made a particular product dangerous.
- Design Defects: A design defect exists when the product is inherently unsafe because of the way it was designed. Examples include:
- Appliances that overheat too easily
- Batteries prone to combustion
- Products lacking proper ventilation
- Pressure cookers with defective locking mechanisms
- Electrical devices without adequate safety features
Every product manufactured according to that design may present the same danger.
- Failure to Provide Adequate Warnings: Manufacturers have a duty to warn consumers about dangers that may not be obvious. A product may be considered defective if it lacks adequate:
- Warning labels
- Safety instructions
- Operating guidelines
- Fire hazard warnings
- Chemical exposure warnings
- Maintenance instructions
Consumers cannot protect themselves from risks they are unaware of, which is the basis for this type of lawsuit.
Types of Compensation Available
Burn injuries often require extensive medical treatment. This type of injury can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Depending on the circumstances, a successful product liability claim may allow victims to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
This may include money for:
- Medical Bills: Compensation may include money for both current and future medical expenses, such as:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Burn unit care
- Surgeries
- Skin grafts
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Follow-up appointments
- Scar revision procedures
Serious burn injuries frequently require multiple surgeries over several years.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Future Earnings: Many burn victims are unable to return to work immediately after their injuries. Compensation may cover:
- Lost income during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity
- Future wage losses
- Loss of employment benefits
For individuals who suffer permanent disabilities, these damages can be substantial.
- Pain and Suffering: Burn injuries are widely recognized as some of the most painful injuries a person can endure. Victims may recover compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Psychological trauma
These damages recognize the profound impact that severe burns often have on a person’s daily life and overall well-being.
- Other Potential Damages: Depending on the circumstances, compensation may also include money for:
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Home modifications
- Long-term care needs
In cases involving particularly egregious misconduct, punitive damages may be available under West Virginia law. For example, if a company knew that its product had the potential to explode yet chose not to change the design to save money, it could be liable for punitive damages if someone is hurt when one of its products explodes. Your West Virginia personal injury attorney can help you understand if punitive damages may be available in your case.
Contact a West Virginia Burn Injury Lawyer
No one expects a household appliance, workplace machine, or personal care product to cause life-changing injuries. However, when manufacturers fail to prioritize consumer safety, the consequences can be devastating. This may include serious burn injuries that can impact a person for the rest of their life.
At Johnstone and Gabhart, we have the experience and resources necessary to take on large corporations whose unsafe products cause serious injuries. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a West Virginia personal injury attorney, give us a call at 866-808-2016 or fill out our online contact form.
