Helen Newberry of Bibb County, Ga., is recovering from burns after a faulty connection in her heater caused a propane explosion that destroyed her home, the Macon Telegraph reported Monday. The blast occurred Oct. 18 when Newberry was trying to light her propane heater. She suffered burns on her face and hands.

Sgt. Ben Gleaton, an investigator for the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, told the Telegraph one of Newberry’s heaters was not properly hooked up. Newberry said she had been trying to light the heater for the first time since she’d had new carpet installed. She said she told the installer to be sure to reconnect the gas line, but hadn’t checked it herself.

Compensation for burn injuries can include amounts for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, loss of quality of life and other damages. To contact a burn attorney at Pritzker Olsen about a burn injury lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), email Attorney Fred Pritzker or submit our online consultation form.

Posted November 9, 2009.

Labels: burn injuries

A natural gas pipeline explosion at 1 a.m. on November 5, 2009 in Bushland, Texas resulted in three people hospitalized with burn injuries, according to the Associated Press.

The blast, which could be seen miles away, destroyed one house and damaged several others before the pipeline’s gas was shut off and firefighters contained the flames around 5:30 a.m.

About 60 people were evacuated from the area.The Amarillo Globe News of nearby Amarillo, Texas reported the pipeline was part of “an El Paso Natural Gas pump station in the Prairie West subdivision.” The Associated Press reported El Paso Natural Gas is a division of Houston-based El Paso Corp.

Two years ago the corporation agreed to pay a $15.5 million fine as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and pipeline safety officials over a pipeline explosion that occurred in 2000. That explosion killed 12 who were camping near the pipeline in Carlsbad, N.M. The corporation had also agreed to modify the 10,000-mile pipeline system and a spokesman from El Paso Natural Gas told the Associated Press those modifications are nearly complete. A spokesman from El Paso Corp. also told the Associated Press that it is unknown whether the Bushland blast involved modified or unmodified pipeline.

To contact a gas explosion lawyer, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online form for a free consultation. We are not paid unless you win.

Labels: burn injuries

The CPSC has announced an Avon toy polar bear recall due to fire and burn hazards. The recalled toy bear are "Cozy Warming Polar Bears" distributed by Avon Products Inc., of New York, N.Y. The recall involves about 113,000 "Cozy Warming Polar Bears."

The warming pouch inside of the bear can overheat and ignite when heated in a microwave oven, posing a fire and burn hazard. Avon has received 41 reports of the warming polar bear overheating. 6 people have reported minor burns.

Here is a picture of the offending toy polar bear:

The "cozy" bear looks so innocent. Avon provided the following description of the recalled Avon polar bears:

The recalled white plush warming bear has a red hat and brown nose. It is about 17 inches long and comes with a buckwheat-filled pouch that is heated in a microwave oven and is inserted into an opening in the bear’s belly. “Avon Products” is printed on a white tag sewn onto the bear.

The recalled Avon polar bears were sold by Avon independent sales representatives and at www.avon.com from July 2007 through February 2008 for about $13 when sold alone, or as part of a gift set that sold for about $100. The recalled Avon polar bears were sold in China.

According to the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission), consumers should immediately stop using the recalled warming bear and return the buckwheat-filled pouch for a full refund.

We published this recall as a public service only. We are not taking cases involving this product unless there are serious burn injuries.

Labels: burn injuries, fire risk, personal injury

The FDA has approved a new medical adhesive (a fibrin sealant) called Artiss for use in attaching skin grafts onto burn patients.

The following is from the March 19, 2008, FDA announcement regarding this new burn/skin grafting treatment:

Fibrin sealants are tissue adhesives that contain the proteins fibrinogen and thrombin, which are essential in the clotting of blood. Artiss (Fibrin Sealant, VH S/D 4) differs from other fibrin sealants in that it contains a lower concentration of thrombin. This lower concentration allows surgeons more time to position skin grafts over burns before the graft begins to adhere to the skin. Artiss also contains aprotinin, a synthetic protein that delays the break down of blood clots.

"The approval of Artiss can help surgeons using a fibrin sealant to fine tune graft placement on burn sites," said Jesse L. Goodman M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "The approval also provides an additional choice for health care professionals in providing burn treatment."

The fibrinogen and thrombin proteins in Artiss are derived from human plasma, collected from FDA-licensed plasma centers. Both proteins undergo purification and virus inactivation treatments to reduce the risk of blood-transmissible infections.

During a multicenter clinical trial, investigators evaluated Artiss for its ability to attach skin grafts on two wound sites for 138 patients. At one test site, the skin graft was fixed with Artiss; at the other test site, the graft was fixed with surgical staples. The results showed that Artiss was, within a statistical error, as good as staples to attain complete wound closure.

Frequent adverse events, seen in both treatment groups, included bleeding and fluid collection in the tissues, both of which are common during skin grafting procedures. Artiss is manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, Ill.

Labels: burn treatment, fire injury, fire prevention, personal injury

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) on a new mandatory standard to address residential upholstered furniture fires. The goal of the proposed standard is to prevent ignition or slow the spread and intensity of upholstered furniture fires. These fires cost the U.S. about $1.6 billion each year. CPSC staff estimates the proposed standard, once fully effective, would prevent an estimated 100 deaths and 130 injuries every year.

“We represent victims of upholstered furniture fires and welcome any new standards that will prevent injuries and save lives. We recently settled a case involving an upholstered furniture fire that started in an apartment. In that case, a mother and her young son died,” said Fred Pritzker, a partner at our lawfirm. “Although we obtained a settlement of almost $3,000,000 dollars, no amount could compensate the family for the loss of these lives.”

“Fires involving upholstered furniture are a leading cause of fire-related deaths in U.S. homes,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Stopping a furniture fire in its tracks or slowing its spread would buy consumers precious time to get out of their homes.”

Under the proposal, manufacturers could meet the performance standard by using smolder-resistant cover fabrics or interior fire resistant barriers to protect the furniture’s internal filling material which is the primary fuel in an upholstered furniture fire. The CPSC’s objective is to reduce the fire risk in upholstered furniture without requiring the use of fire retardant chemicals. Manufacturers will not be required to use chemicals to meet the proposed standard. In its environmental assessment, CPSC staff projects most manufacturers and importers would likely choose options that do not involve fire- retardants in fabrics or filling materials.

According to chairman Nord:
To contact PritzkerOlsen regarding a furniture fire, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.
Posted February 2008.

Labels: apartment fire, fire risk, fire-related deaths, upholstered furniture fire

AtHome America Inc., of Alsip, Illinois, has recalled about 6,300 four-wick decorative candles because they may be a fire hazard, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) AtHome America candle recall announcement. The candle’s wicks are in close proximity causing the candle to burn unevenly and faster than expected, posing a potential fire hazard. AtHome America has received one report of melted wax on a table. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

The recall involves four-inch, square-shaped candles with four wicks. The candles were sold in three styles: the Earth Hue Toasted Nutmeg and Spice candle, the Holiday Hue candle, and the Golden Metallic candle. The recalled candles were sold by AtHome America consultants from the 2007 Fall & Holiday Catalog from August 2007 through October 2007 for about $17. The candles were manufactured in Vietnam.

According to the CPSC recall announcement, consumers should stop using the candles immediately and contact their AtHome consultant for a full refund. The company has sent direct notices to sales consultants and candle owners.

PritzkerOlsen, a leading product liability law firm, is providing this information as a public service. Please do not contact our law firm about a case unless it involves serious personal injury. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form (right). The firm has extensive experience with product liability and fire accident cases.

Read the U.S. CPSC recall announcement.

Posted December 2007.

Labels: apartment fire, candle recall, fire injury, fire risk, product liability, upholstered furniture fire

QVC Inc. of West Chester, Pennsylvania, has recalled about 13,000 Cook's Essential electric toasters due to possible fire hazard. The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard. QVC has received reports of five toasters turning on spontaneously, including two incidents of toaster covers burned and one incident of fire damage to a kitchen cabinet. No injuries have been reported.

This QVC toaster recall involves the “Cook’s Essential” chrome two-slice electric toasters model CT200. Each toaster has “Cook’s Essentials” and “Model: CT200” printed on a plate located on the underside of the toaster. The toasters were sold through QVC’s televised shopping programs, Web page, toll-free number, outlet, and employee and Studio stores from May 2000 through May 2003 for between $50 and $60.

Consumers should stop using the toaster immediately, unplug it, and return it to QVC using the prepaid shipping labels that QVC will provide. According to the CPSC recall announcement, consumers who return their toasters will receive a full refund of the purchase price, plus shipping and handling. If you have a recalled QVC/Cook's Essential toaster that has caused property damage and/or personal injury, contact an attorney immediately and do not return the toaster or contact QVC.

PritzkerOlsen, a leading product liability law firm, is providing this information as a public service. Please do not contact our law firm about a case unless it involves serious personal injury. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form (right). The firm has extensive experience with product liability and fire accident cases.

Posted December 2007.

Labels: burn injuries, fire damage, product liability