Dangerous Household Appliances: What Recent Steam Cleaner Recalls Mean For Consumers

Household cleaning appliances are meant to make life easier and safer for the consumer. However, in cases where the product has a defect, it may put the consumer in harm’s way. In the last few months, there have been steam cleaning appliances recalled by prominent online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart due to burn injuries caused by overheated hoses and the discharge of hot water or steam. When a dangerous or defective product reaches the consumer, there are a number of actors that could be held liable. 

The risks associated with steam cleaner appliances 

Steam cleaners utilize high temperatures and high-pressure water to sanitize. Even though this type of product is very useful for cleaning floors, furniture, and kitchen utensils, it also has the potential to cause serious harm to consumers if the product doesn’t work properly.

In a series of recent incidents, consumers were subjected to burn injuries due to defective hoses, nozzles, and unexpected spraying of hot water from the steam cleaner. Since steam cleaners operate at extremely high temperatures, even a small exposure can cause severe burns.

When a large number of complaints or injury reports are filed, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can investigate this product and decide whether a recall is necessary. 

Understanding product recalls in Florida 

Normally, a product recall comes about as a result of a defect that has the potential to create a safety hazard. There are a number of different reasons that can prompt a product recall. These include:

• Components that tend to overheat or otherwise fail
• Inherently dangerous design
• Manufacturing problems that contribute to component failures
• Lack of sufficient product warnings or instructions

After a product has been recalled, it is normally expected that the manufacturer will request that the consumer stop using the product and provide a solution to the problem.

Recalls happen even after the injury took place, which means that some consumers can be injured before the defect has even been identified. 

Who is responsible when injuries occur? 

When it comes to getting a product to market, several actors can be liable for a defective appliance that causes serious injury. These actors include:

• The manufacturer of the product, who designed and built it
• The distributor or wholesaler, who assisted in getting it to market
• Retailers, including large retailers or online retailers, who sold it to consumers

If a defective steam cleaner causes a person to be burned, that person can recover compensation for injuries in a product liability lawsuit. 

What Florida consumers should do after an injury 

If a household appliance injures someone, it is essential to take the following steps. The injured party should seek medical attention immediately, preserve the product if possible, and document the injury by taking photos or obtaining medical records.

Cases involving product liability usually require a thorough investigation to find the actual cause of the defect in the product. 

Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today 

Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of Florida residents who have been injured by a dangerous or defective consumer product. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your case right away.