We Investigate All Kinds of Defective Product Cases
Goldenberg Lauricella has handled thousands of defective products cases. Our lawyers for household products in Minnesota have years of experience, and we want to help you. To be successful with these types of cases, we need to prove that there is a defect with the product.
If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of a product malfunctioning, catching fire, exploding, or failing to be properly guarded, please follow these important steps:
- Get proper treatment for your injuries.
- Photograph your injuries and all product evidence.
- Keep all product evidence – even the small pieces.
- Call Goldenberg Lauricella for a consultation.
Products We Are Investigating
Table Saws – Defective Guarding
It is no secret that table saws can be dangerous. Goldenberg Lauricella has handled defective table saw cases since 1997. However, it wasn’t until recently that we saw a development in saw safety that warranted our attention. After witnessing the dangers of table saws, Inventor Steven Gass created the SawStop. The SawStop blade is unique because it carries an electrical current that is continuously monitored. If the saw comes in contact with human skin, a change in current is detected and an automatic braking system is activated, stopping the saw’s blade in about three one-thousandths of a second. In 2004, after power tool makers continuously refused to invest in their safety product, SawStop began making their own brand of saws. It has been suggested that large power tool manufacturing companies do not want a safety device like SawStop to prevail on the market. The availability of such a device could place liability on conventional table saw manufacturers should a user become injured while using a saw without the added stop technology.
With approximately 67,300 medically treated table saw injuries occurring each year, conventional table saw manufacturers could stand to lose large amounts of money due to injury settlement and litigation costs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking estimated the average cost of a table saw injury to be around $35,000. In total, this amounts to an estimated $2.36 billion.
In 2011, Carlos Osorio sued saw manufacturer Ryobi Technologies Inc., claiming that the saw he had purchased was defectively designed, in part because it did not incorporate the SawStop technology. SawStop Inventor Steven Gass testified at the trial that Ryobi was given the chance to incorporate the technology into its design in 2000 but opted against doing so. Osorio prevailed and was eventually awarded $1.5 million in damages. There are currently numerous cases filed relating to defective table saws, yet manufacturers continue to disregard the available safety technologies.
A 59-year-old male was at home cutting boards with his table saw. Somehow, his left hand came in contact with the blade, lacerating his middle finger and partially amputating his index finger. The victim was transported to the ER by his wife. At the ER, he received IV antibiotics and 4 stitches in his middle finger. He was treated and released the same day.
If this scenario sounds all too familiar to you, call the experienced defective device attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for a free consultation.
Hoverboard Fires – Defective Design
In 2017, the first hoverboard-related death was reported. A three-year-old Pennsylvania girl was killed when a fire was ignited by a recharging, self-balancing scooter. Last year, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reported over 100 burn and property damage cases caused by the board’s defective, overheating lithium-ion battery. As a result of the defect, 10 different brands and nearly 500,000 hoverboards were recalled.
Tire Rim Explosions
In an article published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery titled “Trauma from tire and rim explosions: a retrospective analysis,” the authors concluded that significant injuries can result from tire and rim explosions. Due to the proximity to the source, these injuries can often involve the maxillofacial region.
Snow Thrower Exploding Tire Rims and Wheelbarrow Exploding Tire Rims
Many lawn and garden products have small inflatable wheels. Among other products, snow throwers, wheelbarrows, two-wheelers, and lawn mowers all possess wheels that need to be inflated. Many of these tires are not designed to protect users from over-inflation. In fact, the pressure from over-inflation can cause the tire to explode into shrapnel, resulting in serious injury to the user. Goldenberg Lauricella has handled a number of these cases successfully and would be happy to discuss your options.
Samsung Phone Battery Fires – Defective Design
On September 2, 2016, the Galaxy Note7 cell phone was recalled following reports that the phone’s lithium-ion battery was overheating and starting on fire. On September 15, 2016, many airlines banned this phone for safety reasons. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has now asked owners to cease using the phones, however, they continue to be resold on the internet. These phones still present a serious threat of fire and injury if they are being charged.
Dishwasher Fires – Defective Design
Between 2008 and 2013, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled nearly 149,000 dishwashers due to a purported fire hazard. The agency states that the dishwasher’s power cord has the potential to overheat. In 2012, GE recalled GE, GE Adora™, GE Eterna™, GE Profile™ and Hotpoint® dishwashers because a failure in the machine’s heating element could cause a fire. In 2015, Bosch, Gaggenau, Kenmore Elite, and Thermador recalled additional dishwashers due to defective power cords.
Free Consultations
Contact Goldenberg Lauricella with your case and receive a free consultation. Once you meet with our team and we review your options you can determine the next steps best for you. There is no obligation for you to do business with us after this consultation and the only time you’ll be charged is if we win your case for you.