When a product manufacturer puts something on the shelf for a consumer to purchase in Fulton County, Georgia they are responsible for ensuring that product is safe. If it is not, and a consumer becomes injured or dies as a result, the manufacturer can be held liable.
This is the case in a products liability lawsuit that was filed in September against the makers of a Sunbeam heating pad. The woman who filed the lawsuit says that the heating pad had an automatic shutoff feature that failed, causing a fire. She is suing for breach of warranty, strict liability and negligence and is seeking over $50,000 in damages. The lawsuit says the manufacturer of the heating pad failed to recall it after problems were reported.
The woman placed the heating pad on her and went to sleep in March of 2011. Apparently the pad never shut off, and the heat caused the bed linens to catch fire. She was awakened in the early morning by a fire under her back. She suffered first-degree burns on her back and her hands sustained second-degree burns. As a result, she has permanent injuries and scarring. Her mattress and three blankets were also burned by the fire.
This woman was let down by the makers of this heating pad. Something that she thought would help her ended up causing her serious problems that she will have to live with the rest of her life. Hopefully she will be able to receive proper compensation for her injuries through her lawsuit.
Source: The Pennsylvania Record, “Pa. woman burned by Jarden heating pad files products liability claim against manufacturer,” Jon Campisi, Dec. 3, 2013
