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.

Menard's: Oscillating Ceramic Heater Recall

According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Collins International Co. has voluntarily recalled about 20,000 oscillating ceramic heaters sold at Menards retail stores due to possible fire hazard. This recall involves 1500 watt oscillating ceramic heaters model EB38005. The heater has a white plastic housing with the name "Heat-Wave" in black on its top. A label on the bottom of the product contains the model and the control number "ETL 3090262."

The heaters can overheat, smoke, or ignite which could pose a fire hazard to consumers. Collins International has received seven reports of the heaters overheating, smoking, or igniting, including four reports of minor property damage to carpets and floors. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled oscillating ceramic heaters were sold at Menards’ stores nationwide from September 2006 through March 2007 for about $25.

According to the CPSC announcement, consumers should immediately stop using the heaters and return them to the nearest Menards’ store for a full refund. However, if there has been product damage or personal injury that may be associated with a recalled oscillating ceramic heater sold at Menard's, you should contact an attorney immediately.

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. The firm does represent people who have been seriously injured by defective products. To contact PritzkerOlsen regarding a serious personal injury, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online free case consultation form.

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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Black & Decker Toaster Recall Due to Fire Hazard

The CPSC has announced a Black & Decker Toaster Recall due to possible risk of fire. According to the CPSC, consumers should stop using and unplug the recalled Black & Decker toasters.

The toasters recalled are Black & Decker® brand Infrawave™ Toasters. The recalled two-slice toaster is black with stainless steel trim and has a digital display below the toaster lever. The Black & Decker® brand name is on the top of the toaster. Model number ST2000 is printed on the rating plate on the bottom of the toaster.

Hazard: According to the CPSC, an electrical component in the toaster can overheat and ignite the circuit board, posing a fire hazard. Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Florida, the distributor of the toasters, has received two reports of the toasters igniting, including one report of fire that damaged a kitchen countertop and cabinets. There have been no reported injuries.

The recall involves about 70,000 Black & Decker toasters. The recalled toasters were sold at home improvement and discount department retailers nationwide from March 2007 through November 2007 for about $50.

If there has not been a fire or any smoke damage related to the recalled toasters, consumers should stop using the recalled toaster, unplug it immediately, and contact Applica to receive a refund. Pritzker | Olsen, a leading product liability law firm, recommends contacting a product liability lawyer immediately (and not Applica) if there has been a fire or any smoke damage related to a recalled toaster. 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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CPSC Fines Manufacturer of Defective Air Compressor

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 | Olsen 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.

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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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