Fire and Explosion Law Firm
Pritzker Olsen Attorneys Fires and Explosions Blog

Pritzker Olsen attorneys have appeared on CBS News, Fox news, and numerous local television stations throughout the country. They have recovered millions for people injured by fires and explosions. To contact our law firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Propane Explosion in Georgia

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.

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Gas Pipeline Explosion Bushland Texas

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.

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Avon Polar Bear Recall Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

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:

Avon Polar Bear Recall

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.

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QVC Toaster Recall: Cook's Essential Electric Toasters

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.

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General Electric Microwave Combo Wall Ovens Recall

The U.S. CPSC has announced a General Electric built-in combination wall and microwave oven recall due to possible fire hazard. The recall includes GE combination microwave and conventional built-in wall ovens sold under the following brand names: GE, GE Profile® and Kenmore. The ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The brand name is printed on the lower left corner on the front of the microwave door. The model and serial numbers can be found inside the microwave oven on the left interior wall. For a list of the model and serial numbers, please click here to see the CPSC recall announcement.

According to the CPSC announcement, GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Kentucky, the manufacturer of the product, voluntarily recalled the product because the door switch in the microwave oven can overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The lower thermal oven does not pose a hazard.

GE is aware of 35 incidents of minor property damage and one incident in which a fire damaged adjacent kitchen cabinets. No injuries have been reported.

The CPSC announcement states that consumers should stop using the microwave oven immediately. Consumers should contact GE regarding their GE/GE Profile micro-oven combo or Sears for their Kenmore unit. GE is offering a free repair or rebate on a new product, a $300 rebate toward the purchase of a new GE brand unit, or a $600 rebate toward the purchase of a new GE Profile brand unit. Sears is offering a free repair or $300 rebate toward the purchase of a new Kenmore brand unit. Consumers can continue using the lower thermal oven.

PritzkerOlsen is posting this recall as a public service. The firm is not representing people who have sustained property damage that may be associated with this product.

Posted December 2007

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Honda Lawnmower Recall Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a Honda lawnmower recall because the lawnmowers may cause a fire and explosion accident. Due to a manufacturing defect, a crack can occur in the fuel tank causing a fuel leak. If gasoline leaking from the fuel tank is ignited, a fire or explosion could occur.

About 22,000 Honda lawnmowers have been recalled, and American Honda Motor Corporation has received six reports of fuel leakage. No fires or injuries have been reported.

The recall involves HRX walk-behind lawnmowers with model numbers HRX217KHXA and HRX217KHMA. Only serial numbers from 1400001 through 1453714 are included in the recall. The model and serial number are printed on a label located on the upper rear of the deck. The lawnmower is dark gray with a red engine cover.

The recalled Honda lawnmowers were sold at Honda Lawn and Garden dealers nationwide, including The Home Depot stores, from January 2007 through September 2007 for between $800 and $900.

Consumers should stop using these recalled lawn mowers immediately and contact any Honda Lawn and Garden dealer to have the fuel tank replaced. Registered owners of the recalled lawn mowers will be mailed a notice. If there has been a fire or explosion involving a recalled Honda lawnmower, do not contact the Honda dealer. Contact an attorney. We only handle cases involving personal injury. If no one was injured, please contact another law firm.

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Pritzker Olsen attorneys have appeared on national television and have been quoted by national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press and Lawyers USA. Attorneys Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen and Eric Hageman have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law and Politics magazine (2008 and previous years). Attorney Fred Pritzker is also listed in the current edition (2008) of The Best Lawyers in America. To contact Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit the firm's free consultation form.

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Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America

Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his work in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

 

Burn Injury Lawsuit Settled

Our law firm settled a case involving an apartment fire. Two people died, and two others were injured, one seriously. Learn about a burn injury lawsuit, scald burn, and apartment fire.

 

Traumatic Brain Injury

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Elliot Olsen spoke at the annual Minnesota Association for Justice Brain Injury Seminar. They represent brain injury survivors in personal injury cases throughout the nation.

 

Burn Injury Compensation

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering, including physical pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurment, disability, mental impairment
  • Lost earnings, including lost potential earnings
  • Cost of care
 

Burn Attorney

Information on a burn injury lawsuit, including liability of any of the following:

  • An employer
  • A property owner
  • The owner of a vehicle
  • The driver of a vehicle
  • A manufacturer
  • A utility company
  • A propane company
  • A person who serviced a propane tank, vehicle, piece of equipment, etc.
  • A landlord
  • An insurance company
 

Burn Brain Damage

Brain damage associated with fires is usually cerebral hypoxia (also referred to as cerebral anoxia), a condition where there is an absence of oxygen to the brain. 

 

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