Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog
A product recall is not required for a viable Washington, D.C. product liability claim, just as a product recall does not automatically mean that a consumer has a viable Washington, D.C. product liability claim. However, if a product is recalled, it is a sign that a product is not safe. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) investigates injuries associated with consumer products. The CPSC can issue a voluntary recall notice or a mandatory recall notice, depending on the nature of the defect.
What if a Recall Doesn't Cover a Victim's Injuries?
Although a consumer of a recalled product may be able to have the product refunded or replaced pursuant to a recall, the consumer must have been injured by the defective product in order to file a product liability claim. A plaintiff in a product liability case in Washington, D.C. must establish that the defendant manufacturer, distributor, or retailer is liable for the injuries caused by the defendant’s defective product. In a strict liability claim, this generally means proving that the seller was engaged in the business of selling the defective product, that the seller expected the product to reach the consumer, that the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous when it was sold, that the product was not substantially changed when it reached the consumer, and that the defect in the product caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
Crockpots Recalled After Burn Injuries
One company is recalling almost a million crockpots sold by various retailers after consumers reported burns after the lids on the crockpots blew off. According to one news source, around 100 consumers were burned after the lids blew off the crockpots while they were in use, spewing hot food and liquid. The crockpots were able to pressurize even though the lid was not fully locked, causing the lid to blow off while it was being used. There were 119 reports of lids detaching, causing a reported 99 injuries. Some consumers suffered serious injuries, including third-degree burns.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission issued a recall notice for the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Cross Multi-Cooker that was manufactured in China in 2017 and 2018. The recall includes the specific model number and date codes of affected products. They were sold between July 2017 and November 2020 for between $70 and $100. About 940,000 affected products sold in the U.S. were sold by retailers such as Target, Amazon, and Walmart. Affected consumers can obtain a replacement part.
Contact the Washington, D.C. Personal Injury Lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC.
When dealing with the aftermath of an injury from a defective product, accident victims should not risk proceeding on their own. The Washington, D.C. product liability lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC take pride in advocating for victims’ rights. They provide aggressive representation for accident victims based on their decades of combined experience. Clients may be able to recover financial compensation for their damages, including for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss of earning capacity. The dedicated injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen offer all prospective clients a free, no-obligation consultation so that clients can consult with them risk-free. Call them toll-free at (800) 654-1949 or contact them online.