TAP Enterprises Inc., of Springhill, Kan., has agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty for failing to report to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in a timely manner about defective air compressors. In October 2004, TAP first learned of an incident involving a fire caused by the Mini 2-Gallon Pancake air compressor, which resulted in $30,000 in property damage. By September 2005, TAP Enterprises had received another report of smoke coming out of the air compressor and a number of warranty claims. TAP, doing business as Cummins Industrial Tools, did not report any of these incidents to CPSC in a timely and thorough manner.
The Consumer Product Safety Act requires firms to report to the CPSC within 24 hours after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard.

If a company fails to report to the CPSC in a timely manner about a defect and a consumer is subsequently injured, it may be possible to obtain punitive damages (damages beyond actual damages that are meant to punish the wrongdoer). In the case where a defective product causes a fire, it would be beneficial to hire an attorney with both product liability and fire injury litigation experience.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is a national law firm and has recovered millions for people injured in fires and by defective products. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.